Inside the Colossus - FERA

 

28th of  Planting Low Summer

The Fellowship looks out into a large chamber dominated by a large structure in the centre. Swarmers scuttle and move all around and about the building. Khore-1 advises this is Power module juncture. The caretaker of Fera advises and also that the insectoids have been converting them to nests all over through the body of Fera for their clutches of eggs and infected.

The areas are covered in a green fungus, similar to the bulbous pods all around the room. The green fungus seems to spread from the pods. Gothi notes the electrical / lightning emanating from the charges as the energy. Graxusas notes that some are hurt - assumedly from the electricity. One area of the power module juncture where one of these pools is.

The party arranges a gauntlet death trap after a scouting mission goes around the room:

Graxxuzzaz - after failing to activate the wand and then successfully shoots out a sticky area of webs [20'x20'] in front of the party as Doc fires his musket, Gothi shoots her bow, Kantif as well shoots while Obaz flies up using a multiple of spells. Swarmers poured out to move towards the Fellowship. [DM: it turned into a Tower defense game] Battle started, as the mass of swarmers were cut down efficiently by the heroes. JawBone - Gothi's dog/shark waits impatiently for the swarmers to get close.. it takes a while for them to.

Obaz flying over top has an excellent view to keep the swarmers at bay. Kantiff, pops out of cover and fires using his sneak attack to deadly effect. They summon a fire elemental that enjoys destroying masses of the swarming insectoids.

Gothi continues to shoot accurately and deadly shots with her bow. The foreclaimer ranger staying near Khore-1.

Graxxuzzaz fights the mental blocks to cast his spells blasting many with fire.

After some time, all the swarmers are dead as well as a larger scorpiod, and the Fellowship moves up to the large building. 

With Khore-1's assistance the party is able to gain access to the structure. Gothi notes drag marks where it seems bodies are being dragged further in to passages.

The Fellowship grit their teeth, grip weapons, and move onwards. The party comes up to an iris door that is closed. Khore-1 advises Gothi that as one of the Founders, she can access this area as the automaton gestures to a plate to the left of the door with what looks like a handprint. Gothi places her hand on this and the door slides open to reveal further passage way.

Stealthily as possible the adventurers move onwards. The party can here a humming and it gets louder as the move deeper in. Gothi has many  feelings that this is familiar to her.. she notes inscriptions and pictures on the wall that remind her of - she thinks - her childhood. The ranger feels a contentment even as she feels an emptiness at the centre of her being..

They come to what seems to be an antechamber as Khore-1 reminds the party that the next chamber is the area the insectoids have their egg pods and infected. A large round room, there is a number of pods all around the room, as well as many swarmers fill the area as well as a large number humanoid bodies. In the centre of this room is one of the leaders, it is holding one of the silver rods aimed at the party and lets loose a blast of dark energy right at the group.

The party also ready, attack.

 All the insectoids avoid the centre iris of the round room where the Master stays. Using his rod, a rolling black wave of energy hits the group as if something was trying to control them. Gothi seeming under control of the Master, fires her bow at the party. 

A blast of psychic energy rolls out from the Master knocking all the Fellowship down.

The battle rages as the swarmers and hybrids attack while the Master invokes energy blasts and more on the group. Graxxuzzaz uses his spells as best he can to hit the insectoids as well as Obaz. 

[DM: We have never seen that many NAT20s - 6 and NAT1s - 11!]

Obaz tries to cast tidal wave spell but unable to invoke the magic. The fire elemental still under control

moves in and starts to destroy more swarmers.

Gothi as well as JawBone starts tearing into the swarmers, very much enjoying the taste of the swarmers.

In the end, the insectoids and Master are defeated. Searching, they discover two humanoids that are being infected, and possible to be saved - swarmer hatchling to be extracted. Grax, and Obaz assisting the Doctor, the first is unable to be saved. The second humanoid - a BlackRune dwarf is able to be saved - removing the insectoid and killing it. The young dwarf is still in a comatose state. The rest of the infected are put to the sword before they .. turn. 

On the body of the Master a silver rod is found, which it looked to control the swarmers, an armlet that healed him as well what looks like a bandoleer - with 2 pouches. The rod - about 3' long with 3 buttons. Graxxuzzaz is unsure if magical or not.

Obaz takes a 2nd check of the Master to ensure it is dead. Looking over.. the party. Gothi comes over, and realizes this creature may be a servant of or ally of.. something called an illithid or.. mindflayer. The inside of the tentacles, are curved teeth or fangs, helpful for removing a flesh, or bone.. or similar.

Jawbone does not seem to be interested in eating the flesh of the Master, but does enjoy feasting on the insectoids which tells the parry that perhaps the Master is not an insectoid..

Doc finds markings gear or uniforms of the BlackRunes, caravans and even an elf of the Duchy of Ulek. This reminds the party of what Khore-1 had said, the insectoids had been invading Fera for 100s of years now.

Khore-1 moves to the centre of the room and shuts down, a blue glow encompassing the caretaker. Doc goes on guard, while Gothi closes the doors into the structure. Gothi notes the fungus has receded off the power module. When Gothi steps into the circle area, she feels at home.

Around six hours pass, and Khore-1 reactivates. Addressing the founder - Gothi - "I can now take you to her - Fera = Founder. I have not been there for many of your years - close to 200 years. I do not know what the status is, and suggest you prepare for any eventualities for when I transport us there." Looking at the rest of the group, the automaton, intones, "your what you call magic will be even less efficient there near Her. So invoking it now may allow it to work." 

Khore-1 stands in the centre and looks at Gothi, "Doing this will deplete me nearly of all power, Founder, so I will invoke clarity or a temporal shield on you all."

Khore-1 invokes clarity on the Fellowship [DM-equivalent of a bless spell] 

Graxxuzzaz tried to cast polymorph but the magic does work the 1st time and then is able to polymorph into a firegiant

Obaz does a barkskin

Doc calls upon his goddess and casts divine favour

Gathering around Khore-1 the party waits. Khore-1 holds out both hands over the party. A bluish glow encompasses the party and with a whoosh they are transported.

The Fellowship stands now on a high platform looking down into a long deep abyss. They stand at the top of what Khore-1 tells them is the spinal column of Fera. 2 curved walkways lead up to a set of stairs that lead up to Her. The brain of this colossus. Streaks of blue energy and lighting arc around the large space constantly. Looking down brings a wave of vertigo to all..

Looking up beyond the stairs and ramp, the heroes see a pulsing blue glow. Fera. Gothi starts to hear a voice in her head.. "Gothi..."