Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on May 10, 2015 4:02:45 GMT 12
"Eh, no harm in trying I guess. Can always use the extra muscle. I got in as a guard to Aliss, don't see why you couldn't do the same with Talon." Murtan replied.
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Post by Mabbz on May 13, 2015 2:04:58 GMT 12
"But why would Talon be allowed on?" China pointed out. "What is it you do again?"
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TD
Junior Member
Talon Draid
Posts: 60
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Post by TD on May 14, 2015 0:10:19 GMT 12
Eyes drifted down and landed in Talon's open hand, "I'm a Artificer and Golemsmith. This is Eyes, I made him, infused him with a semblance of life. I normally just make toys for the nobles and traders children at home. I do occasionally make guards and Labour's for the traders too."
"Small Golems like Eyes are my specialty though."
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on May 14, 2015 8:35:34 GMT 12
"Maybe Eyes could fly into the pit?" Jason chuckled.
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Post by Mabbz on May 14, 2015 10:02:55 GMT 12
"That might actually prove useful," said Darius. "Assuming the drain rune doesn't cause it to lose power."
As he spoke, the group became aware of the now familiar thudding noise of the approaching mammoths. Making their way over to the river, they joined the queue to board the barge. Spotting the newcomers, the loadmaster stopped them and asked for their papers, much as he had stopped China the day before.
"I'm afraid we have none," said Talon.
The dwarf frowned in irritation. "Then why are you trying to board?"
"I asked him to join me," explained Darius. "He is a Technomancer, and he may have a way to more easily explore the dig site. I vouch for him, and his associate." By way of demonstration, Eyes flew in front of him. The loadmaster didn't look entirely convinced, but when Aliss and Murtan agreed to vouch for Talon as well, he eventually allowed them all to board.
The journey proved fairly uneventful, with Darius once again working on various translations, China keeping to herself and the rest making small talk until they arrived. When they finally reached the dig site, they all went looking for the foreman. They had to explain Talon and Jason's presence, after all, Not to mention Murtan's question about mundane method of reaching the platform and China and Darius's findings and theories from the day before.
"What do you need?" the foreman asked brusquely when they approached.
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on May 14, 2015 10:22:31 GMT 12
To not be thrown out of the site. Jason thought to himself, keeping close to Talon, in a way that would give credit to the story of being his bodyguard.
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Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on May 16, 2015 9:56:30 GMT 12
"It's more what we can do to be honest" replied Murtan. "Got a bit more help, different sort to what we've already got" indicating Talon, "and some interesting findings and theories" indicating China and Darius. "And last but not least, a question. We know we're struggling to make progress magickally, have mundane methods been tried? Ropes, ladders, that sort of thing?"
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Post by Mabbz on May 17, 2015 2:26:42 GMT 12
"Of course we've tried them," replied the foreman. "The ladders we've got ain't long enough, and we can't get the ropes attached at the other end; the rock's too solid. I've sent for some more heavy duty equipment, but it'll be another couple of months to get here. So if your ideas and newcomers get us there first, I wouldn't complain. Speakin' o' which, what you got for me?" This was directed at Darius, China and Talon.
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Post by Mabbz on May 26, 2015 9:06:50 GMT 12
"I have-" "My name-" Darius and Talon stopped talking over each other, gesturing for the other to go first. "No, I insist-" "Forgive me-" A further embarrassed pause ensued. "Oh for goodness sake..." muttered China, before stepping forward. "This is Talon. He is a technomancer, so he may be of use in finding any hidden mechanisms, as well as scouting more hard to reach places with a Device he made." At China's nod, Talon made Eyes fly around the foreman's head. "As for Darius, he has been translating various runic phrases, as well as investigating the platform's energy drain to try and determine its purpose. He believes the platform to house a contruct of some kind that may act as a kind of magical telescope. It needs power, hence the draining rune. He also believes that the builders would have left a way across, and though it may be hidden at present it is probably still functional like the device. Unfortunately the translations are somewhat cryptic, so we don't yet know what form the way forward may take. We believe exploring the abyss to be a sensible next step." The foreman considered this. "Exploring the abyss was something we intended, but its depth made it an expensive endeavour. Still since you seem to have provided us with a means to do so," he nodded at Talon. "I can't see any reason not to proceed. Now, unless there's anything else, I have work of my own." Controlling EyesChina, Darius and Jason were next to the pit, waiting (impatiently in China's case) to see if their experiment would yield anything useful. Talon sat with his eyes closed, concentrating too fiercely to speak as he struggled to maintain the connection over the distance. He was keeping the golem close to the wall and away from the drain rune, but it was still causing some interference. Of course, it was pitch black down their so sticking to the wall was also the only reason he could see at all in the faint glow of the magestones that were Eyes' eyes. He had been going for over half an hour, descending slowly in a zig-zag pattern so as not to miss anything - or worse, hit anything - when he finally found what they were looking for. A floor, too flat to be natural. It was too dark to determine what it was made of. Flying around to see more he discovered that the floor he had found was only about 5 feet wide, spanning the gap between to the platform. There didn't seem to be any tunnel leading to it though, and flying underneath showed that the abyss continued even further.
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on May 26, 2015 11:31:52 GMT 12
Jason was lying flat on his stomach and chest, resting arms crossed at the edge. This is an impressive hole, he thought to himself. He had long ago lost sight of Eyes, but felt he had to watch the darkness below for any other signs of movement. As grand the whole area looked, he felt uneasy with the whole structure.
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Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on Jun 7, 2015 0:37:28 GMT 12
"Ok, so judging by the platform there's presumably some kind of tunnel lower down for access, possibly concealed by magic. And I think I know where it might be" Murtan commented.
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on Jun 7, 2015 9:36:33 GMT 12
"Its probably going to have a few layers of snow, unless the illusion is only visual" Jason chimed up in response to Murtan. "A pit of snow where there would be a small hill would be easy to spot."
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Post by Mabbz on Jun 11, 2015 11:20:16 GMT 12
Murtan shook his head. "It's not outside. When Aliss was clearing out some tunnels yesterday, one of them proved too unstable to handle her... exuberance. We were told to leave it be for now, since it doesn't look like it leads anywhere especially interesting. But that tunnel is the only one I know of that leads down in the right direction to meet that bridge. It's off limits at the moment though; too dangerous."
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on Jun 11, 2015 11:43:05 GMT 12
"Too dangerous for digsite worker and guards, but we're not really under their employ" Jason said, as he stood up and away from the edge. "The only risk we'd realy pose to the digsite is cave ins and accidental damage of any artifacts, if they haven't been pilfered already by some black market thugs."
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Post by Mabbz on Jun 27, 2015 10:15:59 GMT 12
Murtan led the way down through the digsite to the winding, treacherous tunnels. Eventually, they came to the section that had been treated to Aliss' tender ministrations. "Half the ceiling appear to be on the floor," China pointed out dryly. Seemingly without cause, another fist-sized chunk of rock fell. "Slightly more than half now," Talon chuckled. "Are you sure this isn't just going to bury us alive?" China asked Murtan.
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on Jun 27, 2015 10:39:55 GMT 12
Jason stepped forward towards the two tunnels, trying his best to see as far down as geography and light would allow. Though he was one of the ones vocal about coming down the tunnels, he didn't want them to be jumped by some malicious creature or ancient trap.
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Post by The Man They Call Jayne on Jun 27, 2015 22:05:25 GMT 12
Aliss waved a hand through the air and a trio of firey magelights flashed into being, they were as good as any lamp as long as the magic held out.
"The place will be fine, I can fix it up as we go."
There was a collective muttering from the group.
"Fine. I can CAREFULLY fix it up as we go."
In truth, Aliss was more focussing on the idea of finally getting to explore and maybe run into monsters to fight. She had never tested her skill in combat much outside the Collegiate, and a few minor scuffles with ruffians which Murtan had easily dispatched.
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Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on Jun 28, 2015 5:00:13 GMT 12
"You heard her" Murtan said in response to China's question "we'll be fine. I reckon a lantern at the front, one at the back and one unlit as a backup, we're not an especially large group after all so we don't really need one in the middle."
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Post by The Man They Call Jayne on Jun 28, 2015 5:31:14 GMT 12
Aliss and her orbiting suns took point, she was feeling out ahead with magick to find weaknesses and structural failings in the tunnel ahead. They weren't going to be sprinting along any time soon, but they would be able to progress at a brisk walking pace. Every so often she would reach out and seal a crack, shore up a weak point, nothing major that required her focus at the moment.
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on Jun 28, 2015 6:58:55 GMT 12
Jason walked alongside Aliss at the front. He kept one hand on the pommel of his dagger.
"So will we be flipping a gold coin to decide left or right?" He asked the group as everybody reach the tunnel split.
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