Azhanti let the others do most of the talking, the thinking machine was glorious and wondrous.  And so very infuriating,  All at once - a reflection of the Creators, perhaps.  Alive in every sense of the word; or at least, reflecting of the Makers own anima.  Ultimately, she'd hoped the machine would be ... you know, more helpful.

And though generally quiet, she did feel compelled to tack onto Sylvia's train of thought.  "And what of their victims, BARTOC?" the diminutive blue-skinned mutant asked rather plaintively, "Are, ... are they to be condemned as well?  Do they not deserve more?"  She pursed her lips, causing them to whiten slightly, asserting, "They deserve better." adding after a thoughtful moment, "Rehabilitation or ... or remuneration of some sort..."

Moonlight finally asks.
Could you show or teach us the basics of how to make electricity.  If we are to rebuild the world and help you keep alive we need to start learning these things.  A day or two is nothing to you but it give us the basic knowledge so we will be more helpful, more useful when you wake up in 15 years time.  We would became a backup for you.

Moonlight looks across to Sylvia.

Think Sylvia.  The bigger picture.  We need to learn about electricity so we have the tools to sort out both justice and a lot of other things too.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Tue 01 Aug 2023.

Mephis's question is easiest to answer, "I can only open this side. If they send a signal to open it, I will ignore their request. Given the state of the world I am finding myself in, it would seem little has changed. Imprisonment is the appropriate punishment for such a crime. What justice would you offer? Murder perhaps?" The being's flat voice makes any emotional cues impossible.

To Moonlight it answers, "I do not have that information within my system and I am not a teaching machine."

Sylvia's question causes the plinth to become dark. There are several minutes as nothing more happens to the point everyone starts to think it just shut itself down, but then it comes back to life. "Rehabilitation is beyond my programming and capabilities. I do not have the ability to foresee the future either. They must do this on their own. How you and your other organics live are none of my concern, only the readiness of the portal. From my time before I see little has changed. Did you read the records within the tablet?"

The face then disappears as a picture of Alex appears. His body floats about a room similar to what you all were in when you visited. "Our supplies are low, but the council has a plan," his voice comes from the plinth, "I've tried to show them a new technique I've devised to create more food, but they are trying another tactic. It seems that we have finally repaired our side of the portal. They only hope the supercomputer on the other end hasn't been damaged."

The screen flickers and he comes up again, looking a little older and tired. "The portal worked, but what we've found on the other side is deadly to us. Apparently, living in the low gravity environment has warped our bodies to the point that we can no longer survive more than a few minutes on Earth's surface. At least we can still generate what we need here. Well, except offspring."

Flickering again, "The council has decided to leave the portal open in hopes that someone from the other side might stumble in. This, I feel, is a bad way to go, but the council has been right so far. My technique was adopted, but it takes much longer to make our food than is used to."

Again, but this time the lights are off and have been replaced with a red glow. "One of the plants seems to have gained some kind of life and escaped through the portal. This complicates things greatly as the beast killed three other crewmates on its way out. It . . . It swallowed them whole. The other plants hadn't shown any mobility like the other one, so the council has stopped any extra experiments on them."

Another scene, "A woman has come through the portal! The plant beast chased her into it, but we were able to get it to return to Earth. It is much to powerful now for us to handle it as it seems to have gotten bigger and resistant to our weapons. Even fire did little to harm it, but some quick thinking let us send it back. She on her own isn't enough to save our facility, but hopes are high. She seems to like it here, but she wishes she could go home. She seems sad and homesick, but, as her body adapts to this moon of Jupiter, that will become less and less likely."

Then another, but this one looks more like him. It was probably made just before he entered to help with Azhanti. "The council is acting strangely about the new visitors, but it is great that we now have four new females. Hopefully, the one we've healed, Azhanta, I think they called her, will want to stay as well as the other three or they might stay long enough that they won't have any choice to. I hear one of them is extremely large and one is cat like and smells nice. All I know for sure is that I need to go to help with the injured one's recovery."

Finally the face comes back, "I only have the Law of the Maker's programmed inside of me and this is the punishment that is suggested. You say locking them up would hurt you as well, but this is the nature of things. You must learn to live in the world you are in, not for what was. Humans are much more resilient and adaptable then the machines they created are. You will adapt. If you wish to talk to them after their sentence has ended, I will open the portal for you, but until then it is done."

"Now, I am going to sleep. I wish you luck." With that, the plinth goes dark except for a single light that flicks in a very regular and consistent way.

Sylvia frowned at the darkened plinth, then shook her head.

"No wonder the Ancients fell," she muttered as she turned to stalk back through the door. "The children they depended on couldn't help them when it mattered." Back in the room full of cabinets, she began looking around for other doors, or anything else that might be salvageable.

"We should grab what we can and get out of here -- from the state of this place, it's likely that the ceiling will cave in well before that thing wakes," she said to whoever was nearby and willing to listen. "Those Io folks are most likely on their own. Poor Helena." She patted her pouch, where she'd tucked Helena's letter.

"Once we're done here, we should try to find her parents."

Mephis turns to Gralgal "Is there anything you ant to take from this place? It was your mission after all."

Ocean having already left the area continues to look around in the other area just in case there was anything that was missed.

Perception - 15


15:44, Today: Ocean rolled 15 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 11.  Perception.

Alyx saw Ocean and watched her for a second before looking down. What the hell was wrong with him? His temper had flared before, and he had stormed out of the room like a child. He usually did at least a fair job at keeping his emotions in check.

He found a place to sit down, folded his legs before him and closed his eyes. He began meditating to try and not only calm himself but clear his mind of the distractions and emotions.

"Wait, BARTOC, who is your `Maker`..." Azhanti blurted out even as the plinth went dark; the thing had implied that it was a singular being.  She pursed her lips and the blew an errant lock of black hair from her face with a puff of breath from the right corner of her mouth.

She sighed, "Well, that wasn't very helpful of him." Noting only to herself mentally that the computer had hidden behind its programming when convenient and yet able to take enough initiative to coherently respond and act when it wanted (or was impelled) to.  The blue-skinned mutant shook her head glumly.

"I agree with Ms. Sylvia." Azhanti noted softly, "Let's take what we can and go."  Though she did pause to hear Gralgal's response to Mephis' question.

The plinth was silent with the only sound being the cabinets behind them.

Gralgal pulls out two of the pistols that the floaters had and smiles, "I have one of des for display and one fur use, plus dis big bag of doo dads," he pats a bag full of odds and ends from their trip, "I'll have plenty of stories to tell until me dyin' day. It would have been nice to have some domars or gold, but can't be a pot o' gold at de end of every rainbow now can there?"

The party packs up and heads out of the building, passed the now dark and still ring. The running water sound that had been in the room has stopped with now the only sound of it in the next room as it rushes down the drains. They walk up the steps and down the hallway passed the remains of Helfina's brother and the plant creature that had had the misfortune of just being in the wrong place.

Finally they emerge into the sunlight, only to find it behind a light cloud cover. Their eyes adjust to the brightness helped by the light that filtered into the building through various holes. Moonlight feels the pull of the skys as he is finally able to feel the open air underneath them. A light breeze is flowing through the swamp trees that helps with the moist heat that is all around them. Hissers grumble far off in the distance as birds tweet their mating songs blissfully unaware of what sentient creatures are planning. Only eating and mating are on these creatures' collective minds as the party moves, leaving the strange computer to its slumber.

You travel for the week to get back looking over the objects you all found and the strange outfits' capabilities as the party finally arrives back at the tower.

OCC: I'm going to move to milestone leveling, so everyone gains a level. Remember that you all gained an extra MP to spend from the red fog when leveling up. The outfits can be used as if the wearer was under an Endure Elements spell as long as the outfit is worn and it has can cast Life Bubble on their wearer once per day that only lasts for 2 hours. If the spell is used, the suit must be shut down for 8 hours to recharge. They weigh 20 lbs each. The pistols are all stun guns found here: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equip...eapons/#TOC-Stun-Gun. On top of that, you have 1000 BPs to build/repair items
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:08, Tue 15 Aug 2023.

Once back to the tower, Sylvia divvied up the cash they'd found on the trip, and checked in one last time with Gralgal to make sure he was satisfied with the outcome of the explorations. Finally, she provided directions to anyone who needed them back to Meal, the town that they'd started from. She, however, disappeared into the tower itself, clearly not wanting to talk further -- at least for the time being. [Private to GM: Sylvia is going inside to check on Aron and see what's been happening, as well as bring him up to speed on things.]

OOC:
1. If asked, she'd simply say that she'll meet any/every one back at the tavern in a day or so.

2. Treasure Post has been updated to include the most recent stuff.

3. Rewards and Splitting cash:

Alex: 2pp, 16gp, 78sp, 568cp
Azhanti: 2pp, 16gp, 78sp, 568cp
Katrina: 1pp, 28 gp, 68sp, 568cp
Mephis: 2pp, 16gp, 78sp, 568cp
Moonlight: 2pp, 16gp, 79sp, 558cp
Ocean: 2pp, 16gp, 79sp, 558cp
Sylvia: 2pp, 16gp, 79sp, 554cp
Gralgal: 1pp, 26gp, 78sp, 568cp

Note: This includes the 1gp Katrina was owed in cash distributions. Sylvia ends up with 1cp less than everyone else but she won't quibble about it.

We still have gems to split, so if anyone's interested in the gems I suggest we swap those out for cash paid. We can also divvy up equipment. I'd suggest that Katrina, Ocean, Sylvia, and Moonlight split the old stuff (above the first line) before we decide the new stuff -- remembering that Moonlight has already gotten a choice. Sylvia's choice from the prior stuff will be the Hairling's laser rifle... unless Katrina or Ocean object.

3. I think the GM actually meant UPBs, not BPs -- you can read more about them at https://aonsrd.com/OtherItemsD...000)&Family=None. If that is not the case, please feel free to correct this!

Once back at the tower Ocean approaches Azhanti, "Are you ok?  I mean I can see you look like you are not likely feeling well and want to see if there is anything I can do to help?"  she asks out of concern.

The trek back to the tower had been hard on Azhanti and it showed; she was often winded after the simplest set of exertions and her blue-skin had a pasty, pale pallor to it.

While she still watched in wonder as the group's base of operation came into view, the wide-eyed curiosity that Azhanti usually displayed was tempered by the fatigue that she felt.  Still, more than one "Whoa" escaped her blue-tinged lips as they approached.

Taking the hand offered by Ocean, as she disembarked from the wagon. Azhanti smiled wanly to the feline-featured humanoid.  Having closed her eyes for a moment, she let the beautiful furry healer's marvelous scent tickle her nose.  "Mmmm..." Azhanti noted dreamily before opening her eyes once more, "I... I'd love some help, Ms. Ocean."  Her eyes were down cast and the leather soles of her well-worn boots scuffed the floor lightly as she shifted her weight idly back and forth, "I just feel so drained after... after dyin' and being brought back."

Her bluish lips were pursed into a thin moue, "I'd hoped that a few days rest would make things better, but... but, I just feel so out of sorts."  Azhanti fought hard to hold back the tears, "I'm just so tired and miserable ..."

Alyx gave a small glance and a slightly sad look when they passed the remains and plant creature. He'd wished things could have been different in a few ways, but it was what it was. He blinked a bit at the sunlight when they emerged, pulling the smoked goggles down from his head over his eyes to make it easier to tolerate.

Over the course of the next week, he could feel his body changing slightly, becoming a bit...sturdier. Or maybe hardier. Or something. But he knew the red fog had changed him a little.

He glanced over at Ocean and Azhanti, watching the two exotic women as they spoke. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again. He turned away, not wanting to appear rude and interjecting himself in to their conversation or like he was a creep eavesdropping on them.

Moonlight had looked at the black space that was the computer.  He looked at it thoughtfully thinking what to do.  Was there some way he could get the thing to be of more use.  He then turned to Sylvia.
A good observation and something to be very mindful of for use in the future.  It is clear that when tech thinks for itself it does not think for the wishes or best options of it's creators.

He then follows the others and help then salvage what he can from the place.

On getting outside and making sure there is no red mist he opens his wings and is up into the sky to scout around.
The simple word "Freedom." on his lips.

Once back at the tower he sets about working on it.  Trying to make it a better place for the group to live in.
He also spends time in his room.  Which often has a sign on the door.
Do not disturb unless we are attacked.  Grumpy elf at work!

As Sylvia is about to disappear.  He says.
Call me what I am doing when we are heading out next.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:15, Thu 17 Aug 2023.

Mephis is fairly surly during the ride back to the tower. That whole turn of events didn't sit well with him. They could have handled things better, saved more people,  made use of the still functioning technology, so many missed opportunities.

When they finally returned to the community he spent a few nights indulging in drink and telling tall tales of their adventure. But once the thrill wore off he decided that sulking wasn't going to change the past. He worked with some of the others to get the tower back up and running. Clearing out clogged sewage pipes was no treat but it was  world better to do it telekinetically than to do it by hand.

As a final indulgence to himself he reaches out to the Blacksmith in Meal to start working on a new sword for him.

Silvia arrives to find Aron moving about, but a bit slowly. "Oh!" he says "Hello friend." He is currently working on something that she doesn't recognize. He still has a hole in his outfit and Silvia can see that the wound has been mostly put back together. "I am Aron2. How may I be of service?"

In reply to Mutant Master (msg # 589):

Seeing Aron move about brought a smile to Sylvia's face, although his subsequent comments cause it to vanish.

"Aron2," she repeated. "Do you remember me? Sylvia. I'm one of the group you hired to help you get back into this lab, because the Hairling had taken over. Things didn't go quite like we planned, but we did it. We killed the Hairling and got the lab back. You were hurt -- um, damaged -- by the Hairling. I put you in there, hoping it'd fix you up." She gestured at the place where she'd put Aron's body, before moving over to the work space she'd set up for herself. "I've been working here, trying to fix these things in the meantime," she continued, keeping an eye on him for his reaction to all of this, "but we got hired to help someone, so I've been gone. You called me on this." She pulled out the device she'd taken that Aron had used to contact her in the swamp. "We came back as soon as we could."

She stopped speaking then, and waited for Aron to respond.

"You do seem familiar," Aron2 says. "I remember some things and others I had to see on the cameras." He gestures to the screens hanging up need where he was placed to heal. "Is this your house?"

"Yes," she said, and moved over to Aron2, "as well as Moonlight's, Ocean's, and Katrina's... and yours." She looked at the screens then back at Aron2. "If you can show what the cameras captured, I can explain what happened, and maybe fill in some of the gaps."

Aron2 spends time reviewing the footage Sylvia shows him. "My! That Hairling was a pretty bad person."

In reply to Mutant Master (msg # 593):

Sylvia bit back on a sarcastic response. "Yes," she said dryly, "he was. He's the one who did this to you" --she pointed toward the partially repaired hole in his side-- "which is probably why you don't remember a lot."

"Strictly speaking, this lab -- this place -- is yours. The Hairling kicked you out and took over, and you hired us to kick him out so you could come back. But by the time it was all said and done, you had a big hole through you. I wasn't sure if you were dead or not, but I put you in there, hoping it would repair you. But it didn't seem right to just abandon the place, especially when you'd said that it could be dangerous, so we moved in. We've been trying to fix it up, make repairs, get stuff runnin' again. I mean, if you want us gone, you have the right... but I think it'd be best for all involved if we work together here -- especially since you're not quite back to where you were before all this happened."

Moonlight puts his head round the door.

Hi Aron.  I am Moonlight the winged elf.  He opens his wings to prove his point and hope this would allow Aron to remember him.

I started to fix the Sanitation, Living Quarters and Food Production.  So we will be less of a problem to you while we are at the tower.  I will stop if your not happy with what I am doing but if you let me carry on it will give Sylvia more time to help you with your work.  It will give her the basic need to live here and more time for you.

OOC:
I was going leave this to you Sylvia but as GM running two threads and this seems to have became part of the story I though Moonlight would sick his 2 pence worth in for good measure.

Sylvia knows deep within her heart of hearts, that Aron, the original, is probably gone. The damage must have been so bad that it damaged his internal programming much like a human getting shot in the head can change personalities and forget things. They might be in the same body, but they are forever changed.

"This is mine?" he questions as he looks about. "I do not have enough information on how to process this thought. You all seem very helpful to me, so it would be prudent to have you all stay."

When Moonlight comes in, Aron2 smiles and nods, "That is acceptable. Thank you for the information."

In reply to Mutant Master (msg # 596):

Sylvia nodded decisively. "We'll stay then. We can help you, and in turn you can help us."

In some ways, Sylvia reasoned, this might be an even better outcome than she'd hoped for with the original Aron -- one in which the new Aron would be more amenable to assisting them. After all, this tower had been his original home, which likely meant that he could access its functions and make it work far better than any of the rest of them could.

"For now, would you be willing to get the lab to repair the other robots? Some of them were broken when we got here, and we had to disable some of the ones the Hairling sent out to stop us."

OOC: Unless there's something else that needs to be handled, Sylvia's accomplished the stuff she wanted to do at the tower.