Realms S2E19 Misdirection

Feeling the effects of their battle with the dragon, our group musters their strength to track the beast back to the mountains and finish the job!

Player Characters Present
Eclipse, Naphako, Keywynn, Kyrealle, Kerrick

Synopsis
After surviving the dragon attack the party regrouped and rested before traveling toward the mountains where the beast fled. Upon arriving they left the honka truck and traversed the mountain side to the large opening at the top. There they found something unexpected. At the opening of the mountainside they found an interior of a large complex. They began to wonder if there was more of the artificer’s tower than they had seen. Rolan, with Eclipse closely behind, began investigating the tunnel. It showed signs of the dragon clawing through the tunnel, but no other traps or enemies. They follow the tracks into the tunnel, along the way they find a large open door and find a work space of sorts, containing weapons and books. Everything was trapped. Carefully navigating the traps, the group pocketed several powerful items. Kyrealle also found a trap door beneath the table. Pushing aside the table and opening the hatch, they continued to investigate.

Naphako found volume 4 of the Artificers journal and began reading. Inside the artificer described his experiments using Viktor and the vampiric curse. The Artificer was attempting to allow constructs to create life themselves. However, the outcome of the tests continued onto Volume 5 which was nowhere to be found. The group investigated the room below to find a barracks of sorts, with about 10 beds with foot lockers with no signs of life. There was another door that locked from the outside which told the party that who lived in this room could not get out on their own. They went through the other door to find a long corredor of other rooms with viewing windows. There was no sign of life but left the party with an eerie feeling. What was the Artificer doing with all of these people, and where were they now? They did arrive at the end of the hallway to find a very large cafeteria that was also empty. During their investigations the group noticed dozens of tiny spider constructs that followed them and cleaned up any messes they left. During which time Eclipse crushed one that quickly repaired itself and ran back under the wall. Kyrealle was able to identify they were construct spiders of mending.

At the end of the cafeteria Kerrick noticed through the large doors was another very large room. In that room was a giant pile of construct parts and junk with the construct dragon lying on top of it. Telling his friends, they quickly sprung into action. Charging the beast the party attacked as they spread out through the room. The creature reacted to their attacks but did not attack in return. Somewhat confused by this, Naphako approached the creature and attempted to intimidate into yielding. To their surprise the creature did in fact yield. The large construct raised her head and spoke to the group. Revealing that it could speak to them verbally and telepathically. The creature also knew all of their names and things about them as if she could see into their minds. The dragon explained that when the group attacked, Keywynn and Kyrealle broke the connection the Artificer had with her and set her free. She continued to speak with the group eventually revealing that she was able to create life showing a mechanical looking egg, revealing that she used to be an ancient dragon that died somewhat recently. Shortly after their conversation started the egg hatched revealing a tiny golden dragon. The group gave the mother dragon the name of Fejiel as she grabbed her dragonling and flew away.

Confused by what just transpired the group went back into the cafeteria where Eclipse was focused on finding out where the spiders came from. Following the tiny creatures into the wall the group found a large machine on rails with several containers filled with weapons and supplies beginning to depart. The group jumped down on top of the train as it began to move faster and faster down the tracks. Running against the wind, to try and reach the car in control, the group was forced inside the cars of the train as it entered a tunnel. Kerrick was separated from the rest of the group in the 4th car while everyone else sheltered in the 5th. Inside they were greeted by a friendly construct who told the party they were headed to Pyriel’s Castle. However, the group shared a little too much information: that Naphako was the Artificer's daughter. The construct quickly grabbed Naphako as more constructs appeared and engaged the party.