TheTimePiece

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Tomb Octopus

The Tomb octopus like creature brought up two of it’s arms rapidly to block the incoming spinning metal shuriken’s, one of them pierced it’s arm, but the other one went flying and struck it’s right eye, causing a strange golden liquid to spray out the edges at the impact site. The golden blood caused the water to fizz where it made contact.

The beast flared around and produced another pain wave, before trying to violently swing a sizable arm at Alaerin and it’s arm smashed against his barrier, cracking it even as it let out a pained sound of aggression, the barrier shattered, but the arm came back afterward instead of following through.

[The creature is partially blind and suffers effectiveness penalties)

The octopus then swung an [elastic] arm which extended out long and wide, enough to potentially hit all of them at Von Mackstein and the line Fusiliers ( x1 E Grade Attack)

However, as the Line Fusiliers opened fire, their explosive rounds flew through the tomb space, striking the Octopus in the head flesh, resulting in an audible flare and explosion, following a very loud screeching sound. Before the Octopus suddenly fell back into the water with a loud splash…

Silence did not follow its body falling into the water, no a very loud fizzing sound began to build up, before incredibly muddy water in massive amounts began to shoot up like an intense geyser, a sizable wave’s worth of muddy water rapidly came shooting down the hallway toward Von Mackstein, the Fusiliers and Alaerin at that point, the hallway becoming incredibly loud with the sound of rushing out of control water.

X1 Incoming water wave hazard on Von Mackstein, Fusiliers

Surrounding them were some pillars in disarray, and some ornate tiles which jut out slightly on the walls, otherwise the hallway was largely flat as were the walls.
====

Tombkeeper Gutou

“Ryke…I vaguely remember that place they had a king..I believe..could you tell me some more about it? And Fall? Who has fallen? I am still here!” Gutou announced defiantly to the idea that the people had ‘fallen’

“But I Will humor you, many of them used swords known as Jians, and a sword which had a rounded point..narrow thick cross, and short handle..those were common enough..Some in the desert liked to use Schimtars too however..”

However as Gutou rattled on, by the time the Octopus had fallen down the hall it wasn’t long before AnoYi was hearing the sound of water rapidly coming down the hall, much like flood water sounded like, as it became louder and louder, he could tell that it was heading in his and Gutou’s direction.

“Hmmm. I think I’m going to head this way now, you can go and see how they are doing.” Gutou suddenly spoke aloud, casually walking toward the hall that was toward the door, as the water got closer..

(X1 water Hazard incoming on AnoYi)

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Gutou The Tomb Keeper

Alaerin was able to successfully take notes as well as make sketches. He was also successful in his effort to take charcoal rubbings. Thankfully Gutou did not seem to notice or at the very least wasn’t bothered by it if he did notice.

However at hearing Alaerin’s decision Gutou shook his head slowly, “I believe I uh gave instructions for you “not to” go that way but if you insist..” Gutou responded softly looking like it was in thought again, before nodding,

“Right Very well then, I doubt the emperor would mind if you scribed some, the old archives..are..well very old, and frankly I’m not sure of their condition after all these years, it’s been awhile since I tried to go there above ground.”

Alarein’s thunder blade lit up and illuminated the surrounding space in a bluish glow once more, the energy radiating passively, while it might not have been as efficient as a torch, it still helped him and others close to him not be blind.

Alaerin took position and headed down the hall toward the sound of the water splash.

AnoYi was successfully treated and seemed to stay where he was for the time being not making a move to follow Alaerin or Von Mackstein whose units moved in synchronization to give Alaerin support in his decision to check out what had been making the sounds.

Gutou looked to AnoYi then back to Alaerin and Von Mackstein “Your canine sword wielding friend may have a point..” Before Gutou went quiet, as it stated standing once more being relatively quiet.

In Silus securing the medical supplies successfully, the remaining torches and rations were left in the rest of the bag on the hallway floor near Francis.

“So, are you three going to head toward the door I speak of?” Gutou asked Silus, AnoYi, and Francis, gesturing toward the corridor. “I do not mind walking there with you.” It continued.

"It seems that you know the way of medicine, but it is medicine I Have not seen before..It is very strange to me" Gutou spoke to Silus before looking to AnoYi and saying,

"I have not seen a blade like yours what kind is it? Where is it from?"

Gutou seemed relatively unbothered by the sounds coming down the hallway now from where the others had headed.

Meanwhile regardless of what they were choosing to do:
=====

As Alaerin and Mackstein plus units headed into the darkness suddenly an odd golden orangey glow lit up the area after a good while of relative silence, the hallway floor abruptly ended into a sizable pitfall below where the glow came from, and suddenly a very black and golden large arm tendril came up that had a bright golden glow hat looked a lot like an octopus’ arm, the creature it belonged too was presumably at least [Large].

A painful invisible wave soon hit Alaerin F as it felt like his head was throbbing and an unpleasant pain signal came down from the arm holding his sword down his lower back. It was unpleasant to say the least. Mackstein didn’t feel anything, however both heard a series of loud snapping sounds from below, as a second large octopus arm latched onto the edge of the hallway...part of the floor began to crumble and fall into the floor below, revealing the creature below which had been generating the strange invisible wave that triggered pain:

???

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Gutou The Tomb Keeper
“Maybe…The Emperor might find this an entertainment, maybe I could finally get promoted to District Tomb Keeper…it’s at least been a few thousand years..yes I don’t dislike the idea of that..sometimes he likes spontaneousness..” Gutou said thoughtfully to Alaerin.

They then looked to AnoYi, “Lonesome? Well I can’t say i do much socializing anymore! You lot are the first one down here in..I’m not certain how many years, I was alerted of sands shifting above long ago..but nobody came down after that..only now do you all come..for my entertainment, It’s tempting, but that is secondary only to the Emperor’s wishes.”

“This tomb has stood here for many many years! It contains some of the most important riches of the Emperor, The emperor was a great one! Master military Strategist, Expert overseer and manager, There were many beasts in his empire as well as men! They lived together in harmony, had many divine concerts for the celestial beings using their instruments..” Why he was so great in fact..that his name..the name…” Gutou paused looking like the skeleton was in thought again.

“Truthfully I don’t remember his name but it was one that was remembered throughout the ages I can tell you that much!”

Gutou titled it’s head a bit confused when Von Mackstein reacted that way. It didn’t seem to acknowledge Von Mackstein’s comment about playing the part. “What is this rad-id-at-ion?”
=
Regardless Gutou looked like they were in thought again, “I HAVE COME TO A DECISION!” It announced loudly,

“Go down that path..” It’d point with one of it’s arms, the corridor in the wall that had been opened up by the golems coming through.

“There you’ll meet a door and if you prove that you are worthy it’s through that door the flute will be yours for the taking, the emperor made it clear that if someone worthy were to make it through their tomb then they would be willing to share their riches..after all what good do riches have for the dead..I vaguely remember him saying."

The faint orangey glow became a bit brighter in the corridor, creating lighting conditions which were a bit brighter. From what , the group could tell so far from what they saw, the floor had not been trapped, at least not obviously in the low lighting, the almost beastial symbols lighting up a faint orangey hue once again.

“This path..I do not believe will take you where you want to go.”

The skeleton then said pointing with his other arm toward the door that was most forward down the main hall that they had been traveling. Soon aftera strange sound of something heavy falling into what sounded like could be water echoed from the path which the tombkeeper suggested against them taking.

What the group did next would be up to them.

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Gutou The Tomb Keeper

“Of course I know about the Jade Flute of Ascension! It was one of the..emperor’s..favorite instruments! Yes! He had it made because of how beautiful it was and the music sounded tantalizing! If I remember correctly..” Gutou despite being held sounded like they were unsure about that last bit but at the very least they seemed to recognize the flute that the group was speaking of.

“But why would the emperor say that you lot can have it?! Is it perhaps because you’ve come here to prove yourselves worthy?!”

“Unfortunately I do not know much of the world beyond those places so you must come from strange lands then, very strange lands it is odd that he would let you all attempt for the flute..but he did like to be entertained from time to time..”

“And I suppose the other beast must be deaf then! He comes from strange lands too then!” Gutou proclaimed like it was factual pointing a bony finger at Silus.

“It’s no matter you can use the deaf as cannon fodder we learned that long ago!” Gutou cackled raspily before refocusing.

Silus using the medical kit helped AnoYi feel less pain. Thankfully there were enough supplies left for at least a couple more uses if need be. He then successfully organized the remaining supplies.

Gutou did however look more alarmed when the construct relaxed it’s grip. “Well I’ve never seen anything quite like you lot! I wasn’t sure what to call you, normally I ONLY get bandits in this tomb and the last ones I saw hadn’t been here for years and years, It’s good if you aren’t bandits, because if you aren’t bandits then I don’t need to fight any of you.”

Gutou concluded.

When Gutou was asked where the flute was…the skeleton paused like they were in thought before continuing,

“Do you have any Evidence That you were sent here to take on this challenge to obtain this flute? I’m not sure if the emperor would want just anyone who accidentally found this place to take on his challenge. “

Gutou then looked to the chef. “The eater of Undeath! What are you preparing now?!” Gutou asked alarmed backing up a bit.

“Negoitate in good faith..Of course! I’m not some uncivilized brute! I only tired to kill you all as trespassers twice before I realized we might not have to fight! I think that’s pretty reasonable given my job as a tomb keeper!”

Francis successfully got a boil going and using his skills was able to set up right then and there a cooking station of sorts.

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Short Four Armed Skeleton

The four armed skeleton looked alarmed as Von Mackenstein approached, “STAY BACK!” It called out putting it’s 4 arms out to protect itself but it wasn’t long before it had grabbed the skeleton by the ‘neck’ and was ringing it around as the construct asked questions rapidly.

The line fusiliers all looking ready to fire at a moment’s notice, focusing in on the four armed skeleton.
“Planning a rebellion, does your ally have some bolts loose l?! Or maybe you all are for coming here! There is no rebellion here and I do not know who or what you speak of!” The skeleton called out back, waving it’s four arms around frantically as it continued to be lifted up off the ground

“Especially that one!” He pointed a boney hand to the chef who had taken a bite out of him, sounding almost more worried about him then the construct that was currently grappling him.

“The tomb is leading my numbers! I am one with it! Dwelling here to always protect it as a tomb keeper!” The skeleton called back, partially answering Mackstein and Alaerin about there being others there.

“I can assure you I have been given the gift of undeath ..I do not know but likely many lives worth of all of yours ago!” It exclaimed looking to Alaerin.

“You are speaking to Gutou! Keeper of the tomb!” It continued. However it tilted it’s head almost confused when Alaerin mentioned peace.

“I wasn’t aware that bandits of this era believed in such negotiations, But I Am unsure what you could possibly offer in return if you are exploring here, you would be much safer leaving now while you can!”

Silus checks AnoYi’s wounds and sees that he is able to see some areas that he can try to treat to reduce the lingering pain on AnoYi’s body some using the kit rudimentarily if he wants to try.

Notable to the party was that the holes in the wall of the hallway made by the golems who had smashed through it, didn’t appear to just lead to nowhere,

no there was another pathway revealed, a more claustrophobic hall, which had been hidden away behind the walls of their current hallway. It had more hieroglyphic imagery of old beast people playing instruments along it, as well as what looked like rudimentary art of peasant hut dwellings, forts, rice,as well as farmers and soldiers, all of which glowed a faint orangey glow, which helped to illuminate the otherwise very dark space with a dim light.

However the newly revealed pathway which went forward about 80 ft soon turned around a corner which nobody could see beyond without venturing further through the hole in the wall to take a look at what might be there. At the very least it’s floor did not appear to have any more red stone or lapis lazure tiles which were trapped, instead they were much more plain looking carved sandstone tiles .

The skeleton turned it’s head to AnoYi, “You, are you from the Northern Kingdom or..possibly the west?” It asked him, before looking to Silus, “and what about you, are you from the Northern Kingdom?”

“And for the record the golems belonged to..emperor…or was it king..who built this..tomb..or was it a temple?..Temple tomb..” The skeleton looked lost in thought, “I’m..it’s just.. been awhile.” It spoke still raspily but now looked a bit bashful despite it’s predicament.

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

(Narrator Note: Normally the potion which bolsters strength would have worn off the round it was consumed without magic duration augmentor skill, but because the use is creative I think I’ll allow rule of cool, also while not relevant in this instance just becareful because using skills that are flavored a magic abilities require focus to move and cast same time, but because Silus stayed stationary and didn’t move feet this round it’s a non issue in this case imo)

Alaerin did feel that the window was quite small for him to act, as he could already feel the strength boost that he got from the potion was not something that was going to stick around forever, the feeling already starting to leave him by the time that he was skidding over, and pushing over the remains of the blue helmeted golem. The remains made a loud grinding sound against the hallway, thankfully Alaerin managed to avoid triggering any more redstone trap tiles from what his party and himself could tell.

It started out okay, but the closer he got and pushed the more and more he strained and the less progress happened, just as thankfully by the time he felt the potion effects fully leave him, he had just managed to get a good portion of it between Silus and Francis just before one of the pillars made contact with the golem’s body and cracked where it struck.

By the time Alaerin made his way to the pillar and raised another ward of electrical energy which had a physicality too it, the barrier helped to redistribute some of the weight which he felt pressing down on him pretty quickly and it was feeling overwhelming in short order not much of the potion left, but before the situation could become much more dangerous,

Von Mackstein’s infantry units had opened fire with explosive rounds once again which rung out in the halls causing sizable chunks of the pillar to explode off creating dust in the space, which induced some coughing in Alaerin, but it meant that his barrier allowed for the now smaller chunks of stone to slide off, the energy searing some of their surfaces a bit as the energy crackled.

This was because with the golem’s body bracing one of the pillars, it allowed for the line Fusiliers to open fire on the remaining more immediately harmful pillars with greater intensity, breaking them up into pieces as well, thankfully they aimed with great accuracy and immediacy at receiving their order, these combinations of events making the synergy of the party’s response effective to the traps.

Silus threw his splash potion even while grappled, it made the deed a bit harder but he managed, in part thanks because he didn’t move from the ground where he stood. The splash potion landed near AnoYi.

AnoYi felt the red gaseous potion go over him and it only made him feel..a bit better, healing F wasn’t the most potent for the type of damage he had just taken, but it was enough to stabilize and stop him from losing consciousness even if the site where he was hit still hurt a good deal when all was said and done, but he was still able to rush forward after taking a recovery action.

When he slashed at the ghostly hand something strange happened..

Von Mackstein moved across the battlefield and also attacked at the ghostly arm with his sword, instead of what one might expect, both AnoYi and Mackstein’s blades cutting through the arms like they had physicality soon after pained yell filled the area, as ghostly strands attempted to stitch what was cut back together.

The shrieking sound only became louder when Francis started to bite one of the arms that was on him, after peppering and salting it, there was physicality behind it and he could taste a most unusual earthy flavor which was very savory, the salt and the pepper..maybe adding something nice to it.

Short Four armed skeleton



“STOP IT! DON’T YOU DARE EAT ME! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?!” The raspy voice called out, the part where Francis bit did break off, bestowing..a strange energy taste.

And once the dust had settled from the pillars being destroyed a strange four armed looking short skeletal person came out from behind one of the pillar walls in the distance. Their eye sockets glowing a strange green that was similar to the ghostly aura of the arms which were now retreating from Silus and Francis after two had been cut down a third bitten, all of them ungrappling, and pulling back. Their four arms stopped glowing green at the hands as they had been.

“If It wasn’t apparent, you aren’t wanted here so just get out of here already!” They exclaimed with an annoyed tone.

“Do you have any idea how long it took to build those golems?! A longer time than it took you to break them I can assure you! And these pillars were works of art!” The skeleton continued to rant some.

Round/Combat summary:

Pillars successfully dealt with, Alaerin successful, Mackstein and units successful

Silus ungrappled

Francis ungrappled

AnoYi stabilized.

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

The golem's kinetic strikes struck Alaerin’s barrier which was restored for the round. It ate up a lot of the damage, looking like the surface cracked again on the impact, barely holding itself together, the golem’s kinetic strikes considerably strong, the barrier likely only having 1/4 hp left to it’s name.

Unfortunately AnoYi was a bit less fortunate in his dodging attempt. He moved quickly and managed to avoid the first swing, but on the second attack he wasn’t quite quick and agile enough, he found himself getting hit in the gut, it felt like the wind was completely knocked out of him, as he found himself struggling to breathe afterward, a taste of iron in his mouth as he was now on the ground prone on his back on the hard cold hallway floor, now 6 ft away from where the blue helmeted golem hit him. His attempted strike was unable to land true on the golem, he’d hear another red stone tile click from where he landed, and the same sound of stone moving filled the hall…

Prone - Creature that is lying flat on the ground.
Detriment: A prone creature’s only movement option is to crawl, unless it stands up and thereby ends the condition. The creature has a minus 1 on attacks. Attacks against the creature have a plus 1 if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature. Ranged attacks against the creature receive a minus 1.

(AnoYi requires assistance or possibly risks losing consciousness in future round)

Alaerin felt a surge of strength when he downed the potion, his pupils dilated, he felt as if he could move anything in that moment if he put some elbow grease into it, and he swung his sword with much more force than usual, the blade with the glowing electrical energy seared the golem’s body, cutting through the remainder of its damaged armor as it began to fall apart on the spot, its torso split down the middle, even as it had gotten ready to make another swing at him, Von Mackstein I team up charge attack helped put an end to that as when his blade soon after struck the golem with sparks, the magical glowing energy inside of its core went dull and with a loud sound it’s body crumbled to the ground in pieces of what it once was.

In other combat successes Von Mackstein’s line constructs opened fire on the weakened red helmeted golem, As it set forth its weakened fire attack some of the shots made by the Line Fusiliers hit the construct’s flame thrower ranged weapon in its head which promptly broke, before the remaining shots overpowered its weaker attack, as it had used up its most powerful attack prior which hadn’t been quite enough to fully overcome the prior onslaught it had dealt with. The golem fell over and the magical sparks within dulled, as its compromised inactive body fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Silus tried to avoid the hands that were going for him but he was unable too not using a more skillful action or any of his abilities, he found his legs grabbed, the right one by one ghostly hand around the ankle, and the other two on his left leg, each slowing him down, making it harder for him to get out of the way of the hazard that was coming his way…He also felt a cold sensation go over his body like his energy had been sapped away at by the hands and that had been weakened (Drain F strength and Speed, -1 effectiveness for actions involving both)
Francis heard a strange telepathic laugh in response. “Only the fates can decide if you will find what you are looking for..or even make it out of here alive..”

Francis did a bit better than silus but it still wasn’t great, he ‘hit’ one of the hands away with his pan, which meant that only two of them were able to reach him, specifically each leg, He too felt his energy get sapped, making him feel more sluggish then before. (Drain F Speed - 1 effectiveness for actions in involving)

Grappled - Creature is seized in a firm grip by another creature.
Detriment: A grappled creature’s speed becomes 0, and it can’t benefit from any bonus to its speed. The condition ends if the grappler is incapacitated. The condition also ends if an effect removes the grappled creature from the reach of the grappler or grappling effect.

Quickly after it was clear what the stone shifting sounds were leading up too as suddenly 3 of the pillars in the hall began to light up in a faint reddish orange hue and each of them as if by magic dislodged themselves from the wall and then violently began to fall toward some of the party members, the trap triggered pillars attempting to crush them as if they had a will of their own.
One pillar went for Silus, another pillar went for Francis, a third pillar went for Von Mackstein.

(Silus, Francis, Von Mackstein each facing X1 Pillar trap hazard attack)

Combat summary:

Von Mackstein and Alaerin’s melee strike true finishing off the blue helmeted golem.

Von Mackstein’s line fusiliers put down the red helmeted golem with suppressive fire.

Francis is grappled, drained for speed (-1 effectiveness for actions involving)

Silus is grappled. Drained for speed and strength (-1 effectiveness for actions involving speed and strength)

Francis and SIlus at risk of being hit with hallway trap triggered.

Von Mackestein at risk of being hit with hallway trap triggered.

AnoYi is able to dodge the first strike but the second strike hits him badly and he is sent prone, risking losing consciousness from damage sustained from the heavy hit.

Silus, Francis, Von Mackstein each facing X1 Pillar trap hazard attack

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

(Narrator note: Being charitable here, normally a potion being made via magic ability that lasts more than 1 turn usually isn’t a thing without duration or consumable skill involvement. it’d act more like a splash potion narrative flavor wise as is and normally would have just applied to Francis as targeted. However with my discretion as Narrator I’ll allow this target shifting, this time, but in the future I’d prefer if they act as splash potions on target(s) selected, unless Silus attempts to create one with the alchemy kit or something of the like)

(In short even though not really allowed under RAW normally with ability used, I’ll let Alaerin use the strength potion this round if want too if he successfully gains possession and drinks it.)

The sandstone block was likely one of the first things that changed noticeably in the room, between Alaerin striking it with a striking lightning bolt from his blade. This was followed up nearly simultaneously with order line fusiliers opening fire with explosive rounds, by that point the chunk had broken up and scattered, explosive rounds creating loud sounds in the space, The rock breaking up into many fragments, none of which were large enough to deal any damage real damage even as some fragments fizzled out against Alaerin’s ward, and some grazed up against Von Mackstein.

However a more sizable chunk of the stone did kick up a sizable cloud of dust which made it a bit harder to see briefly for those with mundane means of sight.

Despite the dust which kicked up Alaerin was able to bring his sword down on the blue helmeted golem it’s armor damaged by the attack, crackling energy burns left on it as well as the blade mark.

The crackling ward ate up damage for the combat round even as some of the debris which had been pulled telekinetically to help lessen the blow assisted in lessening the full force of impact. Ward energy lessened and crackled from the strain of the fire and rock damage it adsorbed, it was also notable that the ward and sand strangely appeared to “be on fire” with some minor flames from what the red helmeted Golem spewed onto it.

The line Fuilister’s assault proved to be effective on the red helmeted golem as shells struck it’s armor, Von Mackstein’ shot allowing for a ‘team up, where it’s basic shot worked in tandem wit the line Fusiliers ones, corrosive poison damaging the construct as well through it’s heavy armor.

As damaged as the red helmet golem’s armor looked, a strange orangey magical interior sparkling where it’s body was broken, it then raised it’s head back ( reasonably giving a window of opportunity to guess what it was about to do next) Before it spewed some follow up more typical orangey yellow fire after the fact that appeared significantly less intense compared to the prior attack but still was threatening nevertheless.

(Line Fusiliers and Mackstein in range of lesser ? Fire attack from Red helmeted golem)

The coyote combatant AnoYi gained advantage in his counter attack in part because of Alaerin distracting the blue helmeted golem, as it turned it’s head to face him instead as it brought down it’s arms, not noticing AnoYi leap up with grace and precision flipping over the golem, and landing a well placed fencing saber stab right in the back, his sword piercing it’s armor creating more magical sparks to fly out as it tried to turn around and retaliate swinging at him with one of its blocky arms, before swinging again at him.

(AnoYi X2 ??? melee attacks coming at from blue helmet golem)

The blue helmeted golem then rotated it’s waist aggressively and attempted a wide swipe attack, where a strange blue glowing kinetic energy left it’s arm and went flying at Alaerin.

(X1 ???swipe energy Melee attack against Alaerin)

Francis found himself running across the hallway battlefield, hopefully less likely to trigger any red tiles thanks to AnoYi’s warnings, carrying a potion that Silus had procured to offer it up to Alaerin. However once he was in range to hand it to him, he’d hear the whispering start to intensify again that they had heard from the cave entrance, and a loud almost heart beat-like rhythmic sound filled his ears.

“You…do..not..belong here..” It spoke in a distorted almost common language, seemingly telepathically to Francis. Soon after the voice finished few strange green, semi transparent, ghostly skeletal hands suddenly started to reach out from the ground, trying to grab and grapple Francis

(X1 ??? Grapple hazard targeting Francis)

Even as Silus slinked away 15 ft toward the door while the fighting raged on, he heard a similar voice and pounding heart beat in his head, as well as the same whispers,

“You..are not..here for the right reasons..” It also spoke telepathically to Silus. Three more skeletal semi transparent hands came out of the ground and attempted to Grapple Silus.

(X1 ??? Grapple hazard targeting Silus)

Combat breakdown:
Lesser fire attack heading toward Line Fusiliers and Von Mackstein from a now heavily damaged Red Helmet Golem

Two melee attacks heading toward AnoYi from blue helmet golem who is damaged from penetrating Melee attack

Blue helmet golem attempts X1 ranged kinetic energy attack against Alaerin)

Grapple hazard attempting to hit Francis from below

Grapple Hazard attempting to hit Silus from below)

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

AnoYi:
At looking down the hallway with enhanced sight, he’d see that some of the redstone floor tiles had small subtle ridges on the borders of them, spread throughout the hall. To learn what they meant or did if anything would need to be determined through further exploration if desired.

Alaerin & Von Mackenstein:

Alaerin continued to illuminate parts of the space with the energy on his sword. He successfully moved into position and advanced down the hall, a ward of electric energy the same color that Alaerin’s sword had been illuminated.

Von Mackenstein’s appraisal told him that the language was sort of like beastial but it didn’t follow all the rules and seemed to have odd inconsistencies. However what they’d also gain from the appraisal is a faint hint of what might have been magical energy, with how the text had been carved into the door itself.

Mackenstein ordered their Line Fusiliers to advance and position themselves accordingly to cover Alaerin’s advance, each one diligently moved their mechanical nature signified in how they moved, looked, and sounded, the rhythmic sounds of analog filling the space, Four, behind Alaerin now as he advanced, following, ready to engage if necessary.

One with the torch, staying near Von Mackenstein, illuminating the area around them the brightest.
====

Meanwhile Silus stayed near conversational range of Anoyi and Francis for the time being.

However as Alaerin advanced onward and the units stepped behind, there was suddenly a clicking sound in the floor, one of the strange looking red stone tile’s edges sunk into the floor and there was a very loud rumbling sound that filled the air, suddenly a sizable sandstone stone block came loose from the ceiling and came careening down,

Alaerin + Line Fusiliers 1# and #2 (Closest to Alaerin) at risk of being hit by large sandstone block)

Simultaneously, a loud crashing came from the left wall of the group, and two sizable golems came through. There were elements on the golems which suggested they were possibly of West empire origin, with the stylized “Helmets” on them. One of them had red cloth on the top of the helmet, the other one had blue.

Blue Helmet Golem

The blue helmet golem came rushing down the hall on the left side parallel of where the square rock was falling from the ceiling and looked like it was trying to get to AnoYi as quickly as possible with its sizable arms raised to try to strike him.

(AnoYi targeted for a melee attack)

Red Helmet Golem


The red helmet golem on the other hand quickly lumbered over before it was in range of Von Mackenstein and Alaerin and, a gear of sorts clicking could be heard before a small pipe emerged from where the golem’s ‘mouth’ would be and a cone of reddish orange fire shot out toward them in a 30 ft long, 15 ft cone shape, illuminating the rock surfaces on the walls of the hall and the rock. (The golem is 10 ft away from Alaerin to the side of the fallen rock)

(Von Mackenstein, Alaerin, some Line Fusiliers targeted by ranged fire attack)

Narrator Note: Combat rules are in effect, 1 turn per person per combat round, 3 actions per turn.

[West Empire-Kingdom of Rotia Border] Beneath The Sands

Von Mackstein I’s orders were followed successfully by their subordinates, the torch grabbed and ready for descent.

Alaerian’s blade illuminated with electrical energy making for a makeshift torch, the light cool, the range not as pronounced as a torch, but it would work to make sure that he knew where he was going even if he didn’t have a torch ignited himself.

Francis and Silus were both successful in their repositioning and supplies managing in the group as they were also ready for the descent.

Anoyi found himself toward the back of the group, in the position for a rear guard.

In two by twos the group would descend, the strange whispering sounds growing louder suddenly until it paused entirely at a certain point as they went down the dark sandstone staircase which seemed to continue on and on..

Each of them successfully traversed the stairs without problem, their various light sources illuminating the stairwell in warm and cool hues, bringing more color to the space than it had likely seen in many decades.

At the bottom of the stairs, the group reached what looked like a very large doorway in a small chamber where four could stand side to side allowing for room to make a more cohesive formation. rThe floor and walls were also sandstone

A very large tan stone door of sorts had been pushed over to the side of the wall, creating enough space for the group to continue onward. Written on the door was a language that almost looked Beastial in nature but something about it was off like it was even older then modern beastial, however for those in the party who could understand and read beastial, if they looked some words could be made sense of

“<Enter…Risk..Curse..>”

Beyond the large door, the start of a hallway of an even greater width could be seen dimly.
In order to see deeper into the hallway the party would need to illuminate it further.

From what could be seen however, some redstone and lapis lazuli titles decorated the ground. Ornate pillars with primitive almost hieroglyphics depictions of beastmen playing different musical instruments going down each segment of pillar, some looked more like instruments of the West Empire, other those of the Kingdom of Rotia, some of the beastmen looked more canine and feline like, others reptilian. All were depicting wearing clothing which suggested they were from times long ago.

On the sides of the high ceiling hallway between the pillars were approximately 12 ft tall stone statues of beastmen, many of them wearing what looked like armor, as well as wielding spears and swords at their sides, alternating between the two on either side, and in the faint distance at the end of the hallway it looked like there might be another door way, albeit a much smaller one but it was difficult to make out from where the party was.

In order to see more they’d need to explore more.