[Adventure]Ghosts and Mechanical Mayhem!!! (Open to All)

[Fish Stick]

Timestamp: 15th of Ponitus, in the Season of Winter, Era 1 of the Celestial Mandate, Era XV PF

Time had seemingly passed slowly, and the people of Vers wanted to start working on opening up the school of mechanics that they had once had open. It was a strategic move by the council in an attempt to bring more people into the city of Vers, but there was one problem. As soon as the Thane opened the door, a large blast of wind came out, and suddenly three large golems made of various mechanical parts emerged, knocking the Thane of Vers off of his feet. He managed to scramble up in time enough to get out of there, but as he looked back, the golems shut the door tight, and a lock could be heard.

Returning to the council with failure in his task, they scolded him, and then told him to find a group of people to enter the building, and get rid of the ghosts that haunted it, so they could reopen that portion of the Imaden. The Thane signed, and then began to post posters up in the center of town, and everywhere else. The posters read:

5,000 gold to any adventurers who can brave going into the Imaden's Mechanica building and exterminate the ghosts that have taken over the gadgets in there!!! Inquire at the Thane's Office.

And so the thane of Vers just sat in his office, and awaited any adventurer's whom may have had the guts to face the ghosts within the Imaden Academy...

OOC: This Adventure is an Open adventure to anyone whom wishes to join.

[Lyssoryl]

16th of Ponitus, in the Season of Winter, Era 1 of the Celestial Mandate, Era XV PF

In the early morning of the 16 of Pontius, a small Cether girl entered the Thane's office. She was carrying a bag in her hand which emitted a delicious smell of backed goods. "Serale!" She said, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I've come to help you out with your ghost problem. I’ve also brought you an apple fritter just in case you’re in the mood for one.”

She placed the bag on his desk.

“You may wonder what my qualifications are, so I will tell you! My eyes are sharp and my senses are keen. I ask questions, and winkle out secrets. Also, I am a fully trained bard who has been to Vers’ very own Imaden college.”

“Unfortunately, what I do not do is fight, so I would prefer to wait until some other adventurers show up that can provide that service. I can use my magic to enhance or heal them, but physically abusing ghosts is not my strength.”

[Z'kron]

This old elf moved differently from how you'd expect an elf to move. There was something odd about him.. a slight wooden nature to the movements, like every limb was a sapling bending slightly awkwardly rather than a joint. His eyes were like rocks, azure pebbles inside white. And his hair, what hair he had, was green. He smiled, displaying unnervingly white teeth.
"Z'kron. Imperial high sage. The one who built the airships. Here because I'm curious, I like finding out about machines and ghosts interest me. Also, because I'd like to see the technology school not-disabled before it's really restarted." He tipped his hat, showing two antennae and bright green hair.

[Xyltha Thanole]

16 Ponutis, Winter, Era 1, PF XV

The elfling had heard of the troubles that plagued the city, for ill-tidings as shocking as this travelled fast, rippling through the denizens as they exchanged morsels of information for another. Hence, by the time he had a chance to read the poster himself, he had already heard half a dozen half-baked tales of what manner of beasts inhabited the abandoned building.

A little voice in his head, the voice of rational thought, cautioned him from doing anything rash. Yet, the lure of 5000 crowns overcame any such misgivings. After all, there was no harm in at least inquiring about the going ons in the facility, was there? He could always pull out, if need be.

He arrived at the Thane's office, patiently waiting for his presence to be accepted and duly introduced to the Thane in his chambers.

"Serale, I'm Xyltha. I hear you've got some trouble at the school of mechanics. Something about monsters keeping people out? Well, I've come to see if there's any way I can help out. I've dabbled into the arcane a little, myself. Maybe there's something I can do..."

[Fish Stick]

As the three adventurers all signed up with the Thane for the task at hand, he would gather them in a small room to explain everything that happened. Having started out from the beginning, when he opened the door, and the golems burst out, knocking him off of his feet. "Now, we could have just hired some of the teachers at the school, but the council felt that would be overkill for this project. So, we are hiring you instead. You will get 1000 crowns now, and if you manage to defeat the ghosts, and clear them out of the School of Mechanics, then you'll get the other four thousand crowns," he said, and then pulled out three sacks of 1000 crowns. "I want you all to meet me at the school of mechanics tomorrow, and be prepared for anything..." he said...

[Lyssoryl]

Lyssoryl took her sack of money gratefully, repressing a happy dance. Then she turned to her fellow adventurers.

"Xyltha! How nice to see you again! We really must catch up." Turning to Z'kron, she curtsied. "Serale. My name is Lyssoryl, this is Xyltha. I am a Bard, I shall let Xyltha describe himself since I have not seen him for a while and do not know what tricks he's been up to."

To the Thane she said "Excuse me, but I do have a question if I might be indulged. Do we actually know that the troublesome force or forces we're trying to eject are ghosts? Or might these golems simply be running amok?"

[Xyltha Thanole]

OOCThis sounds like a fun dungeon. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us, Fish Stick.

His almond eyes popped open in shock, and not the unpleasant kind; he grinned stupidly as he accepted the sack of crowns. He had never received so much money all in one go, before. Immediately, all previous doubts he had concerning this project vanished from the forefront of his mind. This was one job he was determined to see to the end.

"Wow, thanks, Lord Thane. You are most generous indeed."

Shifting the sack of crowns to his feet, he turned to survey the other guests who had volunteered for the expedition. It would appear that his acquaintance from the Versian Festival was here, well and alive. He grinned as he greeted her in return.

"Serale, Lyssoryl. It's been a while. I've been around... travelling and the like. Fancy meeting you here, how're you faring these brightenings?"

Then he turned to greet his elderly brethren, according him the respect due to one of such venerable age.

"Vedui, old one. It is a pleasure to meet another elf in Vers. May I enquire as to how you are addressed? I am Xyltha Thanole."

[Lyssoryl]

As the two elves spoke to each other, Lyssoryl spoke once more to the Thane. "And if we do know that ghosts are the problem here, do you have any idea of who's ghosts they might be? Was a student recently killed in a lab accident or some such thing?"

[Z'kron]

"Prepared for anything. Hmm. Well, if it's spirits that are happening, then maybe it's spirits we should consult. Unless there'd be any objections." A quirked, quiet smile as the druid reached to his belt, carefully withdrew two carrots,took a bite of one, and offered one to Lyssorol in gentlemanlike fashion.
"Thanks for the curtsey. Allow me to offer a carrot in return. Keeps you lucid. Rather good for the teeth, too."
A turn, and a bow towards Xyltha, flashing bright, almost uncomfortably white teeth. There was something odd about this old elf; something almost plantlike in his motions. Still, this things were not unheard of among the elves- to dwell among trees apart from others of their kind so long that they became like them.
"Vedui, Master Xyltha. I am Z'kron. I serve as Imperial High Sage and advisor to the Imperial Regent. I look forward to working with you on this investigation."
The elderly druid turned back towards Lyssoryl, blinking in rheumatic fashion. A brief look of confusion passed over his face, as he attempted to reorient himself, leaning heavily on his stick as his caught the end of her question. In casual fashion, he appended his own query onto the conclusion of hers.
"... evidence that they might instead be golems gone rogue? Or clockwork sentience? Or any of the other dozens of potential explanations for this phenomena?"

[Lyssoryl]

Lyssoryl accepted the carrot gratefully. "Thank you very much! I've always been of the opinion that one should resort to lucidity on occasion, if only to keep things interesting."

She watched her two companions as the Thane considered his response. She began to hope that the ejection of the ghosts, if such they were, would not require a lot of force of arms. She was not a bold warrior type at all, and Z'kron, though surely wise and perhaps an expert mage, did not look to be the physical type. Perhaps Xyltha was good with a sword or something. She made a mental note to get herself a staff which if necessary she could charge with Sonnet in Solo.

[Z'kron]

"Yes indeed. Though lucidity is also often far overrated, I find." A smile, and pause while he waited for the thanal response, before offering a suggestion of his own, spoken with a level of odd self-assurance that belied his experience and rank.
"Tell me, have any of you encountered a nature spirit before? I was considering consulting with one of the local ones here for a little more information on the matter. They tend to be well attuned to disturbances in the area- though they do rather take on the aspects of the places they live in. I could attempt a communication now, if we needed."

[Xyltha Thanole]

Xyltha cocked his head in surprise. He had never heard of such feats before - contacting local spirits and what not, except perhaps in campfire tales, and everyone knew those were just tall tales... Or were they? It was indeed rather fanciful, but then again this old elf before him was the Imperial High Mage. Perhaps he would be able to see one of these nature spirits before the brightening was through!

"Nature spirits?! Is such things possible? Perhaps if they can indeed help us, that may shed enough light on the issue that we can properly prepare ourselves before going head on with whatever is residing in those halls. When can you start? Do you mind if we watch?"

Excited at the prospect, the bright-eyed elfling was almost on the edges of his heel. Surely now with such an august personage in their group, this matter would be taken care of in no time.

[Z'kron]

The old druid laughed, exposing his brilliant white teeth. The enthusiasm of the young one was contagious. "I'm not the type to exclude in such things. Dealing with nature in such a way is a birthright to every creature on Telath, just sadly a one that has often been neglected; and I have no plans to prevent anyone from watching, or even talking. It's a practise that was well established in the old times.. but now, while elementalists are perfectly willing to wrench their elemental-counterparts from far off planes, even druids forget to bother to talk to the spirits who are already here."
He leant heavily on his staff for a moment, glancing at the others. A small wink to xyltha, and a whispered tone practised in imperial courts intended only for his ears. "And I can conduct the communication whenever needed. But maybe we should let the Thane finish answering the questions before we rush off too quickly."

[Fish Stick]

OOC: Sorry about the lateness on this.

IC: As the group of adventurers were talking amongst themselves, the thane answered their questions. "I have told you the story of what happened, all I felt was a woosh of wind when i opened the doors, and then the golems came out, and tried to kill me before shutting the doors closed again. There was no evidence of anything other than golems and perhaps ghosts trying to injure me..." he said, a sigh immanent as he did. "Perhaps when you investigate, you'll be able to answer those questions for me, sad to say, we really need this building opened up, so we have to get these ghosts or whatmay you have it out of there..."

[Lyssoryl]

Lyssoryl believed she got the picture. They were not the experts brought in to handle a problem no one else could puzzle out, there were the paid workers brought in to clean up a problem that the important people didn't want to bother with. She had worked this style of job dozens of times, but on this occasion had been thrown off by the high pay, which if they were successful would be more money than she had ever had together in one place by a wide margin.

Her attitude deftly switched gears. Customer relations for this sort of work required that you did not hang about annoying the patron, as he was paying you primarily to not be annoyed.

"Ah, yes, of course." She replied. "Well, never fear, we'll have your place cleaned out of wicked influences in short order, whatever they might happen to be."

To her companions she said "If you gentlemen are ready, perhaps we should go prepare. I am definitely eager to meet Mr. Z'Kron's nature spirit, and I must get myself a golem whacking stick."