Shattered City Shattered City[Main Event]

[Kyros]

THE GOLDEN LIBRARY​

The interior of the library lived up to its namesake. Gold could be seen and taken from almost anywhere. The golems that had been escorting the group would stop at the entrance and simply watched as people entered. They would confront anyone that had second thoughts...

The library’s book were written in a known, relatively ancient script. Some in old dwarven letters. Some in Old Ozkavosh. Some in an extremely archaic version of common – to the point of being unintelligible. All of it would have been considered obsolete by the middle of the Age of Expansion.

The books Harrier combed through covered a variety of topics. The titles included:

• Tytan’s Atomism
• Horned Rabbit Recipes
• The Tome of Magic
• The Fundamental Axioms
• Liches in Epressa
• The Fall of Trias
• Watermill Schematics

And many more.

With the cantrip, the words of the texts could be discerned. And those with learning in old languages could also decipher the library’s texts. However, nothing was written in any contemporary language.

Then a loud metallic thud echoed from immediately behind Harrier. The Librarian had descended from above to approach the necromancer.

A masked man looked upon Harrier with glowing blue eyes. Clad in metal, he would easily be mistaken as a golem. However, his chest would rise and fall in a set rhythm. If one listened, they could even hear the Librarian breathing.

The metal encasing the Librarian was orichalcum. A metal with tremendous magical properties and uses. Usually, only the rich or those sponsored by a state could possess orichalcum artifacts.

“Is this how people of today read?” the Librarian questioned.

Szesh Selene Avar TTamark Ava Gilleth Harrier

 

[Harrier]

Kaahl got no response. Two equally overwhelming cascades of information hammered Harrier's brain to jelly.

One was a gigantic flow of variegated book contents in languages that, as a former Maester of Elbion, she at least partially understood.

The other was a cacophony of voices, audible only to her necromantic senses. The recent dead - formless ghosts of the taken - accused this breathing golem or shrieked in terror at his presence. She'd rarely heard the like. Combined with the contents of the nearby shelves, it was absolutely too much.

Her eyes rolled up and she hit the ground. Her remaining skeletons were most confused but would protect her if necessary.

Her traveling companions had the Librarian to themselves.

Selene Avar TTamark Szesh

 

[TTamark]

Steve turned at the sound of the critter being snapped beneath the large dragonoid's foot,

"Careful! I may be the odd one here, but if someone had just killed one of my friends I might feel... a little bit upset."

Steve tried repeatedly to communicate with some of the spirits that resided here, with seemingly little luck, either he wouldn't be answered, or be answered with nonsense and/or wailing. Frustrated he continued on up after Harrier until they entered what seemed to be a library. While Harrier was busy trying to read books in a terrible form, trying to take in far too much and at random above that, Steve decided he would have a look for the front desk to get directions to information that might be useful.

At least he was going to until golem looking non-golem jumped down out of no where and scared Harrier half to death. Steve sighed and under his breath answered the question quietly,

"Not unless you are trying to pass out like her..."

Maybe it was all the man suddenly appearing, maybe it was the ghosts having a panic attack? Panic can be very contagious after all. Either way this could not stand!

"Brah! You can't just go jumping down on people like that, look at her! You scared her half to death! Did your parents not teach you any manners? Excuse me Harrier's skellabros."

Steve tried to move close to Harrier and her protective skeletons, bringing his own potato golems nearby as reinforcements.

"*Sigh* I guess I will have to do my best to show you how it is done. Now forgive me my rudeness for not being able to shake your hand as my dear friend needs me at the moment, but hopefully my right hand golem, Gif, can act as my right hand for the time being. Now let us begin: Oh, Why hello there, my name is Steve it is so nice to meet you, and you are."

Gif, the potato golem, slowly approached Kaahl outstretching its hand to shake his, a smile cutting through the golem's head trying to seem welcoming.

Szesh Selene Avar

 

[Kara Orin]

ALOK-THERAK​

Kara replied to Focraig’Diin’s apparent gibberish with a blank stare and, “Yeah, sure.”

Steam was emitting from the golem’s back – coming from its own body. Though from certain angles, it could look like mist crawled out of the golem’s hammer.

As soon as Fife and Belduhr ran for the control rod, Kara yelled out, “If you can, channel magic in it!”

Doing so would cause the golem to cease all movement for a second. Yet it would be enough for Focraig’Diin and Kara.

“If not,” Kara continued.

A pause followed. Kara took a deep breath. She then said, “Smash it.”

And be electrocuted.

Kara looked at the golem’s jewel. Then the golem’s runes. Then, she dashed toward the colossal golem as the runes on her own sword continued to glow. The golem looked down upon her and lifted a leg. If Kara did not change her path or do something, it seemed as if the golem would step on her. She appeared to put faith in the rest of the group coming up with something.

Quoril Raigryn Vayd Fife Focraig'Diin Zarko James Lanvarok Dearien Verook Belduhr Brighthand Abomination

 

[Szesh]

Szesh continued to walk along with the group, shaking the broken metal from in between his claws. He felt a prick on his foot, and assumed he had stepped on another shard. But a second prick followed, and then a third. He looked down and recoiled in disgust.

The metal spiders were skittering up to him and jabbing him with their legs. The barbs did not pierce his scales, but it was no pleasant sensation. He grunted and kicked the automaton away, but it was replaced by another, and another, and soon several mechanical spiders were swarming around him and attacking him.

He swept his spear down past his foot, and saw them step back just long enough to avoid the metal blade before resuming their offensive.

The man who smelled of stew advised caution against harming the spiders. Szesh had not expected the metal arachnids to be “alive” enough to feel anger. Clearly he had been wrong, though this would have been good to know ahead of time. A subtle growl of frustration escaped his throat as he was chastised.

Sweeping his spear to keep the little devils at bay, he only looked up when they entered the library. It was even more ostentatious than the city’s exterior. Their escorts had stopped at the door, and a lone figure greeted them within.

Szesh watched Harrier stroll along the bookshelf, watched as the metal man descended next to her and spoke. Saw Harrier fall. He had no sense of what she had done, and could only assume that this newcomer was responsible. But before he could act Steve (as he apparently called himself) confronted the Librarian.

A handshake? A lesson in manners? This was ridiculous. The spiders were still accosting his foot, and the scales were beginning to grow raw. He strode forwards and reached Kaahl in four long steps. He pointed his spear at the glowing blue eyes. ”Where are my people?” he hissed.

Anger and loss had diluted his judgement, but he still kept distance between himself and this alien being. Despite his aggression, he could tell that this “person” was unlike anyone he had encountered before.

A spider jabbed hard again. ”And call them off.” he added more quietly, sweeping the spear down and smashing the latest attacker.


Kaahl | TTamark | Selene Avar | Harrier | Arbeiter

 

[Kyros]

THE GOLDEN LIBRARY​

The Librarian stared at Harrier’s unconscious form for a second. Then, he turned to Steve as the potatomancer began to speak.

“A cute creation,” the Librarian replied as he casually stretched a hand toward the potato.

Electrical arcs manifested on his hand. The Librarian intended to destroy the golem with it as soon as he touched it.

Regardless of the potato golem’s fate, Szesh’s spear quickly drew the Librarian’s attention. He looked at the nibbling “spiders” at Szesh’s feet. He waved his hands. More magical electric sparks. The mini-golems at Szesh’s feet arced and sparked as well in an attempt to disable them. He did not need them.

They were not his golems, after all.

Then, the Librarian looked directly into Szesh’s eyes. With his mask, no expression could be seen. Even his glowing eyes were just wide open – no visible glaring.

The Libarian’s eyes glanced at Szesh’s wings.

“Who exactly are your people?” he questioned.

Szesh Selene Avar TTamark Ava Gilleth Harrier Arbeiter

 

[Fynaurie]

Above the Clock Tower

Aifrin Ukrir

If Fynaurie had heard someone say that the flying mechanical insects were 'not doing well' against her then she would have scoffed.

Maneuvers were taxing on Vaxor and they were losing altitude, descending towards the city with several of the gleaming things still harassing them. She didn't want to completely drain her aether-glaive.

Vaxor banked and turned with two of them close to his tail feathers. Fynaurie turned about in the saddle. Her heart was pounding so hard within her chest it felt as if it would break. She took up her bow an arrow, focusing on the movements of the air to guide her aim.

Her arrow flew true, striking one of them in the head. The arrow barely left a dent. She muttered some distinctly un-ladylike words.

 

[Aifrin]

Aifrin kept the glaive tucked to her side as she and Birin did their best to maintain altitude. They were slowly pushed down no less however, keeping her head swiveling to see everything around her.

Twisting hurt, holding the glaive to her side hurt. She had to keep pushing though.

Fynauria and Vaxor were below her, banking hard as she saw an opening and had Birin dive. The glaive struck true once more.

Her grip faltered, clenching her teeth against the pain in her back to gold onto the weapon as they swung around the construct to get free.

They descended sharply before swinging around to act as bait for Fynauria to strike.

 

[Arbeiter]

The worker drones who had gone for Szesh were halted in their tracks, sparks flying from them and their whirring slowing. Their companions gave Kaahl and the others a wider berth though there was still an uneasy feeling of being watched.

Some scurried forward to drag away their fallen brethren, others went back to their duties. None seemed willing to risk antagonising the higher being or the intruders. The observant would notice that only Szesh had been attacked after he'd destroyed one.

A cohort kept watch, marshalled in ranks, the only sound the quiet whirring from the clockwork mechanisms that powered them.

 

[Raigryn Vayd]

Wet Rope Pub Gang
Dearien Verook Quoril Fife Belduhr Brighthand Zarko Kara Orin Focraig'Diin

Raigryn planted his feet. Their fate had been left to the strength of an old well rope. The woman calling out what to do with the scepter had dashed towards the metal giant with a sword. He supposed he would be wary of a four inch blade, but he was not made of metal. She was going to be crushed.

Belduhr shouted of steam and ice. Raigryn's magic was not a precise thing. It wasn't the book magic of the College mages, nor was it the carefully documented ingredients and binding spells of the alchemist.

What he had as the overabundance of fear created by the golem's presence and a way to channel it. It was more power than he had tried to wield in years.

Fear became Malice, Malice became a curse. Something as complex as this golem must have had many different ways to go wrong. Raigryn closed his eyes and let the Malice flow outwards. He didn't target any specific part of the golem, he simply applied a will for the curse to cause it to go wrong.

Raigryn struggled to contain it; he was out of practise. Too many years living off scraps and never daring to unleash his power. The golem grew in stature to him, embodying all the fears that Raigryn had absorbed and now tried to control. As the last of the curse was expelled he dropped to one knee. Too much of one emotional aspect too quickly.

He turned towards the well.

"Lass?"

 

[Belduhr Brighthand]

Fife

An affirming tug on the rope had the dwarf cranking madly to get Fife topside again. Raigryn's questioning of his choice in words made him stop almost.

Seemed that had still been a hidden thing between the two. Something that would have to get sorted when their lives weren't in danger as hus hand grabbed Fife by the seat of her pants and hauled her out.

 

[Selene Avar]

THE GOLDEN LIBRARY
Szesh | Harrier | TTamark | Kaahl | Arbeiter

The more intelligent golem threw sparks at the spiders that Szesh had provoked, the small creatures coming to a stop as they seemed to realize that they could not fight.

Why had he not just commanded them to stop?

The Dreadlord's lips thinned slightly as she tried to suss out just what was going on. She did not understand this city. Things were strange here, and the creature standing before them now was likely their only pathway to answers.

If it didn't kill them. "We are travelers of this world."

Selene stated as she stepped forward and out of the group. Some of the Anirian Soldiers kept their guard up, and she did not wave them down. She knew that this would likely devolve into a fight, and being ready would be for the best.

"I am Selene Avar, Dreadlord of Vel Anir. These are my companions, met upon the road and on the field of battle." No point in lying. "Who are you?"

 

[Ukrir]

Clocktower
Fynauria | Aifrin

The Clocktower truly was a marvel of a different age, a building that in any city of Arethil would have been called the crux of innovation.

For Ukrir however it was only home, and as the massive brass walls began to shift he found himself muttering about the racket of the gears. He had always meant to find a way to silence those, but in his time it had always been...less important than their true problem.

Already annoyed Ukrir stepped out onto the large platform that had been formed at the very top of the tower.

His eyes wandered upward, gaze quickly searching out for the figures within the sky. He caught sight of his own creations first, and then the beasts that they had been chasing. Fingers spindled for a moment, clacking onto his metallic palm before slowly raised up an open hand.

A flash ran over his palm, static, and then suddenly a staff began to materialize within his hand, sparking into life.

The staff was made of a black and gold metal, it's length carved and cut with thousands of runes that were almost impossibly small.

Ukrir gripped the staff tightly, fingers lacing around it's golden edges. Magic began to pour through the air, and slowly above a storm began to form. The clouds leeched into the sky like a plague, they pulled themselves overhead and crashed together.

Thunder began to echo through the streets of the Golden City, lightning arching onto the tower tops.

 

[Fife]

Belduhr began to raise her up, and Fife was impatient. She could hear the sounds of the golem outside and it was all she could do to hang by the damn rope as he hurriedly lifted her back out of the well. She didn't get electrocuted, and for that she was grateful.

But Raigryn's question made the blood drain out of her face. Belduhr yanked her out of the well by the back of her britches and she had the time to throw her mentor a guilty glance. Holding the staff to her chest in both hands, she felt small and exposed somehow. She hadn't wanted him to find out like this. She could have hit the dwarf with the staff if she thought it would have made her feel any better. It wouldn't.

Fife looked away first. There would be time to try explaining it later. She pulled her knife out and cut herself free, then looked at the scepter.

Channel magic in it or smash it. She mentally grasped for her Aspects. There wasn't much for her to use, and most of them were intended for internal use -- speed, strength, courage. Fife hadn't been taught more than that because it had only been a few months and they could be dangerous.

Except one. She focused her mind on thoughts of people with families and homes, safe and happy from nightmares and strife. Letting herself feel bitter, jealous, and resentful, Fife channeled her Avarice into the staff, holding it at arm's length and very much afraid of it.

// Belduhr Brighthand // Raigryn Vayd // Kara Orin //​

 

[Kara Orin]

ALOK-THERAK​

As Kara continued her advanced on the golem, scalding “mist” bellowed out of the golem out of apparently everywhere. Its neck, back, arms, hips. Its body shook at the effects of Raigryn’s curse. Its movements stopped with one leg still raised in the air.

Kara saw this. She switched to a half-sword grip.

Then, Fife channeled her magic into the scepter. An arc of electricity formed, yet Fife would remain unharmed. Following that, the colossal golem was coated in magical sparks. It ceased to twitch. The light in its eyes rapidly pulsed with the ejection of steam stopping and starting again at the same frequency. It was as if the golem was stunned.

With this opportunity given by Fife, Belduhr, and Raigryn, Kara managed to get close enough to the golem to touch her sword upon the foot still on the ground.

S̛N̢AP

Kara activated her spell. The runes on her sword ceased to glow. At the same time, a crack formed in the golem’s sapphire-like jewel. Scratches manifested on the runes around the golem’s neck, as well.

As a result, the giant golem ceased to function entirely.

It was just as what Dearien suggested. The golems are sustained by their runes.

The golem slowly fell over – fortunately towards a relatively clear area with just a stable. Its landing caused another quake.

After that happened, Vorak finally made it to the scene with as many city guards he could gather. He saw the sight of the collapsed golem and exclaimed, “By the ancestors! Is it dead?!”

Quoril Raigryn Vayd Fife Focraig'Diin Zarko James Lanvarok Dearien Verook Belduhr Brighthand Abomination

 

[Kyros]

THE GOLDEN LIBRARY​

The Librarian looked toward Selene. He did not move his feet yet with Szesh still pointing a spear. He raised his hands up slightly. Palms faced the golden ceiling. The sound of rolling thunder filled the halls.

“I am Councilor Kaàaa̸ahl,” the Librarian replied.

Kaahl then gestured to a table more toward the center of the library. If this was full of mages from the College of Elbion, the table would be in the perfect spot for students to gather and read books. That was, if the red, iron-smelling stain could be ignored.

“Sí͡t̀͠͠ ,” Kaahl commanded, “I’ve been dying for new company. I have so much to ask you!”

A couple of the golems that had been guiding the group to the Golden Library entered.

“What is a Dreadlord? What is a Vel Anir? Does your kind need any drink?”

Szesh Selene Avar TTamark Ava Gilleth Harrier Arbeiter

 

[Szesh]

Szesh did not lower his spear as Kaahl spoke. Selene Avar was the wiser between them, choosing diplomacy before violence. The councilor’s calm and curious attitude only further angered him, as did the ignorance of Szesh’s people. Who were they? Look at him.

It took a moment for rationality to hit him. Obviously his scales and wings were distinctive, and the only way this being would not immediately know Draconians would be if he hadn’t seen them. He did not know where they were.

Finally, Szesh lowered the spear. He did appreciate the spiders being waved off, although the ease at which Kaahl did so further spoke to his odd power. And he must be powerful, for he did not flinch at any of them. He also seemed very curious, and very ignorant, of the outside world.

It seemed they would need to play his game. As his temper cooled, he thought about the cold diligence of the spiders, and realized that the golems would probably show similar single-mindedness and relentlessness in battle. They would inflict more than scratches.

Thunder rumbled from beyond the gilded walls. There had not been a storm approaching when they entered...

Szesh moved to the table, although he did not sit, instead standing just behind one of the chairs. ”My people... most call them Draconian. The quakes from your city destroyed my village.” Technically a lie, it had not been his village for some time. ”Your soldiers took survivors. Where are they?” It was difficult to remain composed. While his aggression had been curbed for a time, he still blamed this place and everyone in it for his loss.

 

[TTamark]

“A cute creation,” the Librarian replied as he casually stretched a hand toward the potato.

Electrical arcs manifested on his hand. The Librarian intended to destroy the golem with it as soon as he touched it.

"Yeah, I like to think so as we..."

Steve's face quickly took on a look of shock and then sadness, like a child who had just dropped and broke his toy, as the potato golem he had sent to shake hands exploded like a potato that had been struck by lightning. A single tear escaping with a small sob.

"Nice to meet you, Kaahl. Can I call Kaahl, Call? Cause I could call Kaahl, Kaahl if I couldn't call councillor Kaahl Call, but it is your call."

Speaking seemed to quickly cheer Steve up again, as did what he perceive to be a joke from the lightning wielding bully.

"Dying for new company' HAHA, good one. I also have some stew that is to die for, HEHEHE."

Though Steve showed no outward aversion towards Kaahl for destroying his golem, the almost certainly blood soaked table, nor the golems that were entering he also did not move away from Harrier's body.

"I will let our fiery haired leader answer those first two questions, but if you had some vodka that would be just lovely."

Szesh Selene Avar Arbeiter

 

[Fynaurie]

Ukrir Aifrin

"Got it!" she screached out as Aifrin and Birin set up a target. An aether-glaive wasn't meant for striking fast targets. The magical lances were for lashing out at targets on the ground.

"Beautiful," She hissed under her breath as the tower opened up beneath them.

Fynaurie knew the magic of weather manipulation. Her people had an entire culture of elves called windspeakers. Even though she was not a mage she could use magic to sense subtle shifts in the weather and to move the wind just a little.

What the lone man on that tower did, did not feel quite like magic. Not like any magic she knew. He didn't subtly coax the weather to change. He did something that forced it to shift through processes she did not understand. Now she felt the shifting wind, the build of charge.

"We've got to go to ground!" She cried out, to both Vaxor and Aifrin. Without waiting she started her descent.

 

[Raigryn Vayd]

Wet Rope Pub Gang

Quoril Fife Belduhr Brighthand Kara Orin Zarko James Lanvarok Dearien Verook

Even an Empath could feel those ancient, magical seals breaking. Whatever craftsmanship had married magic and engineering and made such a thing to last through the ages had long been lost to this world.

"We found things like this before. Deep below the ruins of an old city from the age of wonders. The place where the stories say their civilisation started to crumble. Much smaller though. And there were also demons down there."

He turned sharply towards Fife and Belduhr. Striding towards the well.

"Well done... Fife."

Lad. He had been about to say lad. This was going to take some time to sink in. For now he was taken by a single minded determination.

"Stay safe, I'm getting a hammer and then I'm going to see this city."

 

[Aifrin]

Aifrin had done her job. When the weather began to shift however, Birin let her know to descend. She had turned her head to let Fynauria what she was doing.

But they had the same idea.

She and Birin slowly twirled down, Birin's feathers on his back turning a deeper red as Aifrin's head felt stuffy. She had to get to the ground, somewhere safe for Birin.

 

[Belduhr Brighthand]

Belduhr took a moment to compose himself as he watched Raigryn come towards them. The deliberate pause however made the dwarf flinch. Seemed the old man was a bit taken back.

The reveal was likely not processing yet, but his statement of getting a hammer and seeing the city made the dwarf wonder.

"Do you mean to leave them with me? And you head off by yourself?"

 

[Selene Avar]

THE GOLDEN LIBRARY
Szesh | Harrier | TTamark | Kaahl | Arbeiter

Selene made her way over to the table, glancing at her two conscious companions as they followed alongside her.

It was clear that the Librarian was not of this world, or perhaps...not of this time. Councilor Kaahl, as he called himself seemed to speak as though he had been alone for some time. Had this city been here all along? Buried beneath the Mountains.

"I do not require a drink, thank you." She was polite, but paranoia meant she would not consume any sort of food here.

There was no telling what sorts of poison this...creature could invent.

Her lips thinned when Szesh asked his questions.

She could understand the panic, but Selene was more weary of Kaahl's negative responses. They needed to learn more, take what they could...then conquer this place. That would have to be the way this was done.

"Dreadlords are battlemages of Vel Anir, a grand city far to the east of here." Her fingers twitched as she heard the rhythmic sounds of golems stepping into the room. "What is this place? Why are you taking people?"

Her questions came, enforcing the ones asked by her companions.

 

[Fife]

Everything happened so quickly when it happened. Raigryn's curse slowed the raising foot, and when she channeled magic into the scepter it arced harmlessly. She gasped but was too afraid of it to fully look away.

The golem stopped, eyes flickering and steam emitting rapidly. She was glad when the woman struck it with her sword and the runes and jewel were obliterated. Fife sagged with relief, still holding the rod as the dust settled from its toppling.

Her relief was short-lived. She jumped at Raigryn's voice, impulsively scampering to stand beside Belduhr. She could have hit the fool with this scepter if she thought it would make her feel better.

The suggestion that he was leaving her here, however, made her mouth fall open in gasping surprise. Leave her here? With Belduhr?

Fife thrust the scepter at the dwarf and took a step closer to Raigryn. She hastily pointed to him, then herself, and raised both hands with index fingers side by side. Separating them she shook her head. Then, gesturing between them once more, she hand the two fingers back together and motioned them to the side in unison. She made the gestures quickly, more confident he would understand her after months of practice, and a deep frown furrowing her features.

We don't split up. We go together.

If he was going to see this city of gold and golems, then she was going with him. If he wanted her to stay, it was going to take a lot more than that.

// Raigryn Vayd // Belduhr Brighthand //​

 

[Raigryn Vayd]

Fife Belduhr Brighthand

"Fine, but I'm still getting a hammer," he said, tone almost petulent.

Raigryn held Fife's gaze a moment longer. There was no judgement in his eyes. He didn't match her defiance with his own. There was, however, definitely a curiosity, a hidden layer of questions.

It was painfully obvious now he thought about it. Embarrassingly obvious. There was the time he had talked to Fife about raising a family of his own. Hell, time evening he had spent far too much time watching one of the barmaids and commenting to Fife.

The time Fife had panicked when held down by bandits and the reason for the facade. With pursed lips he reached out and squeezed her shoulder briefly.

He turned to find a hammer. The grizzly truth was that there were plenty on the ground near the wall from dwarves who had fallen to the smaller golems.

Raigryn stopped, shielding his eyes and looking to the skies.

"Are those... Giant eagles?"