29th of Planting, Low SummerThe Fellowship now stand on a high pedestal looking out into a vast space that goes down as far as the eyes can see. Having recently been transported by Khore-1 from the shoulder of the colossus - FERA - to the head. Specifically on top of what appears to be the spinal column.
From the pedestal, a gently ascending ramps about 20 feet wide go up to left and right through a vast open space, and meeting again above and away from the party approximately 100' above. The ascending ramps have no railings and standing looking over, the adventurers cannot help feelings of vertigo looking so far down. Lighting arcs through the open spaces all around as well below.
Above where the ramps meet, a hallway leads off into another larger room where what seems a pulsing blue light emanates from. Khore-1 points to the hallway up the ramp. The party spellcasters realize - Gothi in particular - insight that magic is alien to the foreclaimer society. Science and similar non-magical technology was the backbone of Gothi's civilization. She realizes also that the black blaster pistols used by the insectoids is not their creation but her ancestors - the Foreclaimers.
Tentatively at first, the heroes slowly move up the left ramp. Obaz takes one last look over the edge and for a moments though they saw movement far below, but then it is gone.
Gothi hears a whisper voice in her mind..: "Gothi." The Ranger hesitates and feels memories(?) flooding back to her that FERA - the colossus did exist during her civilization, but the thoughts and feelings coming from FERA seem to hamper any more memories.
The party moves up: Doc, Kantif, Obaz, Grax and finally Gothi with JawBone and Khore-1 bringing up the rear. As Doc moves ahead he notices something on the walkway ahead, holding up a hand he cocks his pistol and takes a step forward. near one of the ramp is the body of an insectoid swarmer but it looks to be dead, fried and burnt, from the 1/2 orc's estimation by electrical or lighting, perhaps 3 weeks dead one of the jumping arcs hit it.. looks to have dragged itself opposite direction the party is moving.
The adventurers reach the hallway that opens up without further incident to see:
They step up on to a long walkway overlooking a limitless expanse into space. A parallel walkway goes
along next to towards a raised dais with what appears to be a massive liquid gold sphere, it ripples and moves with eddies and currents, never still. 2 smaller platforms each are empty but perhaps held similar spheres at one time. The walkway or floor beneath the party is clear glass or similar and is very disconcerting.. As if walking on nothing.
The eddies and currents in the what looks like gold sphere disappear for a moment and all hear in their mind.. A soft voice in each character's racial language speaks to them. "Come forward.. Do not be afraid.."
"Ahh Gothi.. It has been so long since one of you have visited.."
The voice seemingly has no ill intent, so the party slowly moves forward. Grax looks back to see Khore-1 is kneeling and seemingly humming something.. a song perhaps. Obaz and Gothi whom both are in the lead approach the main platform and the rippling golden sphere goes perfectly still and shiny. Gothi feels purse bliss, safety and comfort. At that moment Gothi realizes with astonishment that FERA is not a goddess, but more like a Mother/Father to her and to all the Foreclaimers. The colossus was.. were.. constructs, servants, companions to Gothi's long departed culture.
With this insight the group continues to approach until reaching the main platform a large very strange looking bipedal figure steps out from one wall.
Gothi feels FERA's pain, fear and helplessness at this point as this massive strange monster approaches. It seems to be partly amour made of jagged ice, areas not covered by the ice appear to be body parts incased in the ice. There are three humanoid skulls in the chest(?) of the creature, all looking at the Fellowship, eyes glowing red.
As the party react and prepare to battle, the creature seemingly ignores them and looks to Khore-1.
In a strange high-pitched voice from one of the heads (the right) calls out, "You! Khore-167! You did this!" Pointing a massive clawed finger at Khore-1, behind the party.
The golden sphere is swirling and massive waves are going across its surface. Gothi and the party all feel that FERA is agitated to the extreme. Fear as well..?
At this point, Khore-1 stands up and slowly lumbers forward.
The 2nd skull in the chest calls out, "Why did you betray all of us.. Khore-167?!"
Gothi steps up and calls out "How did Khore-1 betray you?"
One of the skulls looks over to the ranger and seemingly in surprise call out, "Founder! There is a Founder here!"
A 2nd skull rebukes harshly, "There are no Founders left! They are all dead."
The 1st skull replies back, "Right there, look!"
The 3rd skull wonders, "The Founder travels with Khore-167.. hoe can that be..?"
The 1st skull replies again to Gothi, "That is NOT Khore-1." pointing a massive claw again at Khore-1(?) that is still moving slowly towards the group, "That is Khore-167!"
Doc, first putting the comatose body of the BlackRune dwarf down [
DM: blogpost]. moves in front of Khore-167.
With a wave of a clawed hand energy eave moves from the large 3 skulled creature and Doc notices the letters and number of Khore-1 have 2 more runes under grime and rust next to them, Gothi had translated this for the party early on... Khore-167 in Foreclaimer language?
Gothi steps up and calls out, "You have not answered my question, what did Khore-167 do to you?"
"He allowed the insectoids to invade FERA!" the 1st skull barks out.
"He did not follow his programming!" The 2nd skull screams.
The party tries to defend Khore-167, but for naught.
"Oh! he is trying to make-up for over 300 years of failure." Shouts the 1st skull.
"327 years to be exact!" screeches the high voice of the 2nd skull.
Gothi intently looks at both Khore-1 and Khore-167.
Khore-167 pushes Doc to the side as well as Kantif. Doc asks, "What're ya doin' Khore-167"
The 9' tall caretaker looks briefly at Doc and then rumbles out, I must atone for my failure."
Gothi looking astonished, calls out, "What did you do Khore-167!?"
Khore-167 looks at Gothi and the automaton seems to sag, "I am sorry Founder. My duties were to take care of the heel - right heel - of FERA. But.. I.. wished for more.. I.. I have.." He cannot seem to think of a word to explain or his low power perhaps.. "I wished for more and I went into a dormant state and during that time.."
The 2nd skull interrupts, "AAAnd during that time, the invasive insectoid mold and creatures invaded FERA! IT grew and took over and it is all Khore-167's fault.
And for the 1st time all 3 skulls look at the Fellowship. "and you.. ALL of you are invading FERA as
well now!" The creature jumps with great agility close to the golden sphere "FERA, Goddess! They invade you. Destroy them, We have to destroy them all!"
Khore-167 looks at Gothi and then the rest of the Fellowship, pointing a long arm at the 3 skulled monstrosity. "That.. is Khore-1, but he is wrong, he has been infected by the insectoids or some other entity.."
At that moment a blast of energy comes out from Khore-1 slamming into Khore-167 and knocking him back. nearly also bowling over Kantif and Doc both slightly knocked the party prepares to battle!
Kantif jumps forward and attacks with his dagger. jabbing the dagger into the ice armour of Khore-1. The icy armour seems to deflect some of the damage and then Graxxuzzaz - as a firegiant - steps forward. Declining to try and open his bag of holding to get his magic hammer, he swings to massive fists but the agile Khore-1 dodges both fists.
Gothi pulls 2 arrows and fires both. 1 hits Khore-1 cuts into the Icey shoulder. JawBone jumps forward to also engage Khore-1.
At that moment, Khore-1 raises a fist towards FERA and calls out, "Goddess! Summon your defenders!" Lighting arcs or wisps seems to swirl out of the golden sphere and race out towards the
Fellowship. They look like a bouncing lighting charge, pulsing skull shape and continuously morphs and changes.
Doc pulls his blunderbuss and blasts three of the pulsing Mind-Mite [DM: Gothi advises after the battle] into nothing as it shreds all three of them.
Obaz takes out one of the Foreclaimer blasters and takes a shot missing.
Khore-1 fighting giant-form Grax, says, "That is not your true form! You should change back!" This wave of energy flows over Graxuzzaz but the lizard-folk keeps his concentration of his spell. Another of the skulls, screams, "That is not the way!" Swinging a jagged claw at the giant digging into the firegiant's darkskin, blood pumping out. With his other arm he pulls out a rod and this expands into a large electric glaive, slashing it into Grax.
Khore-167 is able to stand up and fights the mind-mites.
The battle rages on, going back and forth. The mind-mites all destroyed and Khore-1 is heavily
damaged the centre skull invokes a plea to FERA, "We must take them to Version TWO."
The other 2 skulls call out in unison, "Version 2!"
The party appear to have transported to a different area, strange.. nearly like a temple, some of the blocks seem to shift or move.
The arty move forward and engage with Khore-1 with missile weapons, spells - if they can activate them as some of the party moves forward to try to get into melee.
The blocks are treacherous, smooth and falling does not look healthy so the party carefully moves forward.
Khore-1 calls out to FERA, "Invade their thoughts, FERA!"
At this moment, creatures appear near each of the party, perhaps each of their most fearful enemy or worse..
A skeletal figure near Grax and JawBone
A hydra next to Gothi and Kantif
A drider and BlackRune appear near them as well
A demon similar to one Doc fought in Wayberry barks and howls next to the gunslinger
2 massive rat like creatures morphs into being next to Obaz.
2 hybrid insectoids appear next to Khore-1
Khore-167 calls out to Gothi, "It is in your mind, Founder! These are not real!" as he rips one of the hybrid insectoids in half and it seemingly vaporizes
Some of the Fellowship are able to confirm the creatures are figments of their imagination but others are not able to.
Gothi [DM: with a NAT20] realizes these are just images possibly created by FERA, words like "virtual reality" and similar but unsure what they mean..
Gothi tries to contact FERA to stop this, and for a moment feels a connection like a child to a mother with the colossus. The ranger thinks that Khore-1 has some type of control over FERA, an item perhaps that allows control over FERA.
It seems that this is an illusion or simulation that the party is in as Khore-1 looks to be draining each party member of energy to heal and restore himself.
Doc fighting the demon feels the burning blood from its wounds as he cuts into the demon but then calling on the favour of the Raven Queen, he is able to fight it off - it was only an illusion.. all an illusion, then suddenly all are back in the main room with FERA. A long thin cord of lightning is attached to each of the Fellowship leading to Khore-1 whom appears to be draining their energy to heal himself!
A line of mind-mites face the party with Khore-1 behind with the lighting cord going to each of their chests.
Battle continues as the mind-mites are taken out and then Khore-1 is engaged in battle, as he heals each turn, the Fellowship are drained of life energy. Khore-167 falls, JawBone falls, Graxuzzaz falls, every party member heaping blows and attacks on Khore-1 and then..
Gothi shrugs off the pain, spits blood and aims her bow with Hunters Mark cast, looses the arrow and it pierces the broken ice armour of Khore-1; a second arrow slams into Khore-1, bleeding pure blue energy that fizzes and mists out of all the wounds, the arrow goes through the front skull and the other 2 skulls look surprised as Khore-1 crashes to the ground. Gothi jumps forward and for a full 30 seconds pounds her trident into the monstrous creature.
FINALLY, after multiple party members go down and close to death, Khore-1 is defeated by the Red Water Fellowship!
The party after a few moments to rest and rejoice.. then in a moment of inspiration, realize they have not heard from their 2nd crew that is in charge of the town.. what could be going on there as the party realize they were not getting the
Sending from Skrit.. (
DM: normally daily call - possibly no bars in the Colossus? Blogpost]
