We found ourselves resting just outside of RESEARCH. Betrayer has bonded some with Cleis Frostclaw, now wielded as an estoc. We took the time for a large meal, Woodsworth Moure conjured a four-course meal to celebrate the destruction of an ancient abomination 2A-8D (perhaps they were given identifiers, to prevent others from forming a name):
- Hors D'oeurves:
- Leek and pesto wontons
- Salmon and feta pancakes
- Main Courses:
- Leek and Apple pizza
- Delicata Squash and Tangerine Salad
- Mint and coriander Stew
- (onion | salt | black pepper | potatoes | mint | coriander)
- Bacon and mozzarella Ball skewers
Ripley found herself with new purpose, especially after the warming food.
After feasting, we traveled back into Research. Woodsworth cast True Seeing for the first time, witnessing the strange effects in our realm. The very walls had a strange void, sucking things in. Wiggling things exist, swivling away once in sight. A now-noticed tether connected both Xael and Woodsworth, trailing away from Research. Around Xael, and those who got close, some strange effects seemed to come and go. As we traveled around, the acts of the past seemed to stain the realm in a metaphysical sense. For the first time, Woodsworth would witness how the power of Caduceus channels through his form.
In the south of the facility, an area for maintaining food and water was discovered. Various notes of the past - presumably from the former staff - muse over individuals who were kept here, stuck here, researching for some being they did not personally know, with perhaps no chance to ever see their family again. Even the researchers complained of feeling like parts of them were "missing".
We obtained the details of another subject. 4N-C3, who had seemed to be an opposite to 2A-8D. This subject, 4N-C3, seems to have some layers of docileness and advanced mimickry. As a being, it prefers to not disguise. It was marked as successful and was sent away. We intend to Scry for 4N-C3, to see if they too still wander this realm. (Were that to be so, we have our first likely being strong enough to want to oppose the Ancient Evil. Would they don the emerald cloak? Find that Emerald Cloaked Figure)
We discovered the southern coil was still in operation, despite the state of rust. We didn't touch it.
To the east, the discovered a pile of rubble - sealing of a section referred to as CONTROL. Inside, two Clockwork Surgeons assailed us - but we cut them down with ease. One pod glowed at the end of the room, deigned with a name:
R. Bleek
Inside one of the pods, filled with a strange liquid. A pale skinned creature with flowing white hair. A lithe, agile, tall humanoid, who has aged well. We released them from the Evil's clutches. Panicked, sputtered and spattering - we held him down and healed him. His memory was muddled, unable to remember where he was from or who he was. The blessings of the Idol undid this malevolence.
With renewed memory, they introduced themselves as Richmond Bleek. He is some sort of non-bestial humanoid, as he referred to us as "beasts" or "beastmen". He did not speak of his country nor realm, but worried of his wife and estate - the Bleek Family. His last memory is of at home, in his bed next to his wife. We gave him basic clothing, and rested for a day after retreating - Fabricating him an outfit from Ripley's former Winter Clothes.
We then rested again, going down to The Vault. Inside, the same set of traps from before awaited us. Xael went forward after J'ack Rameur verified the room of other traps. Woodsworth formed two invisible walls of forth with a short amount of time before they'd fade. Xael went up to the frame holding the Fragment of Isolation, and tugged it out of the vestigal hands of the strange statue. He holds it, and it weighs 27lbs
An Earthquake began, causing the walls and floors to shake...