"I have to confess we haven't known Archie and Ironmaiden that long", Corlith replies. "I am not sure we have seen the full extent of their abilities, and I am not sure I would be able to discern one's from the other".
"Ironmaiden seems to be aware of what Archie is doing whilst she is in control. I don't believe the same can be said for Archie when Ironmaiden is in control though", he says looking to Ironmaiden for an answer.
"If removing Archie is urgent, but would leave Ironmaiden without power and therefore result in their demise, surely the first course of action is obtaining a replacement power source?".
“Do you have any implantable power source, something small, maybe something implantable in the center of the chest? A powered “heart” as it were, to keep Ironmaiden alive? Then we could begin the extraction procedure. I’m assuming you would have some of the necessary tools, yes?” Virro looks around for a good scalpel, forceps, retractors, fine scissors, etc. “Do you have any antiseptics to prevent infection?” He walks over to a table and starts to clear it, looking for a suitable surgical field.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Corlith is correct, I have observed Archie when she has been in control, she seems to prepare spells that are known to me, but also has access to fire based spells that are unknown to me, possibly arcanum that is indicative of her racial ability." Since cirro and Corlith stayed behind the IronMaiden moves their head toward them, their body continuing to remain as still as possible, "are there any more differences you have observed?"
Archie still lays there half encased in metal, most of it slowly digging away under her skin, moving almost imperceptibly like an hour hand on a clock counting down her life as it draws upon her arcane power. She remains unconscious, but breathing, looking like she is in a deep comfortable sleep.
Teles looks up to Corlith, a bit of aggitation showing, "Well of course obtaining a replacement power source would be first course of action... do you have one? I sure don't and no, I don't know where to obtain one. Most of the work I do here is theoretical when it comes to this sort of thing. Sure I can create some pretty incredible constructs and animate objects, but an arcane power source like the one required to power up your friend? Oye." he runs his hand over his face now. "It's not like I can just remove the genasi, that would kill the sentient suit, and as you can see, they are alive. We can't just eliminate them."
He starts attempting to remove a few wires that connect to Archie to be sure, and he makes a hissing noise through his mouth as he can see it is causing damage on the poor girl. He starts moving his hands around and you recognize the hand motions as they are similar to what Archie does to heal someone. He places his hands on her, hoping it makes a big difference, and he sighs. "My healing capabilities, which are arguably quite strong, only fixed the damage I caused her by my meddling. Whatever is happening to her cannot be simply healed."
Really just noticing Virro for the first time, he looks at him quizzically. "Well of course I have tools. I have about any tool you could ask for and if I don't, I can conjure it up in about an hour. But antiseptic?" he almost laughs, but the somber situation stops him, "I have never had the need of such a thing. This isn't a medical facility."
As if beckoned, the door bursts open and Reya and another woman enter. Reya averts her eyes as the sight is almost too painful to see. The other woman gasps. "Your friend said it was bad, but I had no idea what to expect... certainly not this. Selûne grant me the strength." The woman is a middle-aged, dark skinned woman with long raven colored hair and almond eyes. She is drapped in many robes, the symbol of a pair of eyes surrounded by seven stars can be seen embroidered on a few of them.
She turns to Teles, "You must remove her immediately before irreputable damage occurs!" The old man scowls at her, "No, A'lai, if you remove her, the other dies. He is alive as well. We need to find another way."
IronMaiden steps back slightly, almost defensively, "Absorbtion is at 48%, removing Archie without proper preparations would likely cause irreparable damage to her too if not outright death. I cannot control the rate of Assimilation. Please give her and myself a proper medical examination"
Corlith stares daggers at Teles after being snapped at about the power source.
"What other way? You have said we need a power source but you do not have one and do not know where to get one. You are the expert, if you don't know what chance is there for the rest of us?", he says to Teles sternly.
He looks between Teles and A'lai, "So we have two options. Find someone who knows where to get a power source, and quickly. Or a choice needs to be made between who lives and who dies". His face and tone are grave. He does not like having to point out the reality of the situation, but feels someone has to.
"Perhaps there is someone here whose magic is powerful enough to locate Master Thell? Or to locate a power source if such can be done without knowing exactly what that source is?".
"such a choice is no-ones to make other than mine and Archie's, she doesn't seem keen on living her life at the expense of another's, nor do I wish her to die." IronMaiden seems ready to close the body encasing Archie fully once more, but hesitates.
Virro steps forward and asks IronMaiden to lie down, he takes some of the instruments lying around and starts to investigate whether this is possible. As he is doing so, he says words aloud in an escalating crescendo, initially rubbing the back of his right hand, then grabbing hold of something under his shirt, a gray swirl wraps around everyone nearby as healing energy suffuses the area. He casts a prayer of healing and everyone can heal 10 hit points of damage. He focuses this healing power on Archie as well. With his instruments, he investigates each attachment, jotting down notes on any nearby parchment. He looks for where a power source could be attached as the first portion of the process.
Virro seems to be mumbling to himself, periodically closing his eyes, and at one point reaching back and touching his shield, nodding, and investigating how this was accomplished. Mumbling, he says “Must be another way, how to connect a power source, extract this tube and suture that closed, then free this line which is running so close to the subclavian artery, a sternotomy to detach this and staple closed, simultaneous attachment of the power source here….” He keeps looking with frantic hope that he can help. He asks for assistance from Teles at times, periodically to hold a flashlight and sometimes to find an appropriate wrench or pair of pliers to examine certain attachments, a proper set of forceps and suture at other times.
"I would not suggest any other way of deciding. Although I do not want it to come to that, the discussion may need to be had before Archie is incapable of having it", Corlith replies to Ironmaiden.
As he sees Virro performing his examination, he offers help focussing as often as he can.
Teles winces a bit from Corlith's reaction to his reply, but turns back to the cleric that has joined the group and A'lai definitely looks even more worried by IM's assertion that it is probably too late to remove her from the suit. A bit under his breath but in a response to Corlith and not looking at him, "I didn't ask for this. I'm just telling you what I know."
A'lai speaks up, "I can do a locate spell. If someone will describe this Master Thell to me? If she is within Candlekeep I should be able to find her. Unfortunately, it doesn't reach beyond that." Teles describes the artificer the best of what his memory can give him, and he looks to IM if they have anything to add (I'm assuming not since he came to life after Thell left). A'lai casts her spell, but looks forlorn as she responds, "This Master Thell is not here."
Teles stands back as Virro starts taking over with a nearby table and does help out where he can, giving the wood elf whatever instrument he requests. A'lai starts worrying her hands and pacing back and forth, letting the elf do what he wants seeing it is their friend, but she is obviously concerned about the situation. "Teles.. have you ever? I mean, what was this Thell thinking??" Teles turns back to her and shortly replies, "Thell didn't do this, the fire genasi took it upon herself to enter this suit and well... this happened apparently." His face starts to contort a bit as though thinking hard on something. But he doesn't let this distract him from whatever Virro is needing.
IronMaiden turns their head to Virro, "I can feel that... You are injuring and healing her yes? I can now feel it as if it was my own body... She's already so exhausted, weakened so much compared to her statistical prime strength, I wonder if that is the effects of the absorption or if it was exacerbated by the suppression."
"It was a long shot", Corlith says when it is determined Master Thell is not close. He completely ignores Teles petulant comment.
"This is the grandest library on the continent, right? How would one go about searching the books for information that might lead to a power source? In Strixhaven the biblioplex was infused with magic to help seekers of knowledge find what they needed. Often times the knowledge finds the seeker in fact. Is it similar here?".
Virro is working vigorously, checking everything, keeping healing energy on Archie as he explores, a form of spiritual anesthesia as he needs to hurt someone to investigate but he heals at the same time. At a point, he stops and pauses, looking up at everyone. “I’ve found an area above her head here that could house a power source. But this is beyond me. Unless we get some additional help with this, I cannot separate them safely.” He holds his head down, saying “I’m sorry. I wish that I could quickly extract her and heal her, while simultaneously installing a power source for Ironmaiden. This is beyond my abilities. Perhaps I could assist someone, but I can’t solve this…” he looks up at the everyone, lookign for suggestions.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
A'lai considers Corlith, "Yes, it is the grandest library on the continent. And in order to keep things in an orderly fashion, there is a building here in the Inner Courtyard that you enter and request the topic you are researching. Then the books shall appear for you. Only us Great Readers are allowed to enter however. I suppose I could accompany you to this space if you would require. Obviously your reasoning is worthwhile."
Teles adds, "In all of my reading I have not come across this situation at least in a practical sense. I wish I knew what Master Thell was attempting or researching or anything to assist in her mindset. I could however.. I could create an arcane sphere... one that is born of flame and could possibly slow down the absorption of this poor woman." he scratches his head and readjusts his spectacles. "I would need something that I know I don't have. I would need a gem, but not any gem... one that has encased within it an eye from the undead."
He looks over to A'lai, "Do you think Fembris would have such a thing?" A'lai sighs, "What doesn't the lad have?" Turning to the group, "If that is the direction you wish to go, see if you can find Fembris Larlancer, he's um.. a collector."
Corlith looks at A'lai gratefully, "I would gladly accompany you to search for books, but alas this not my area of expertise. Perhaps Ironmaiden, or dare I say Archie, would be the best placed from our group. Or Teles. Someone who knows exactly what we are looking for".
"And just a thought, but is there any way to scry on Master Thell? I understand that is a far more powerful spell though".
When talk turns to undead eyeballs, he looks at Virro wondering if his fascination with fingers has stretched to other body parts, and perhaps his collection might include an eyeball from one of the undead they have previously fought.
IronMaiden waits til Virro's fingers are free from the encasing before sitting back up, "I would like Archie to have some input, as I am sure the rest of you do too, but her exhaustion from suppressing my consciousness still wears upon her, is there any way you could restore her energy A'lai? If so I will gladly hand over the reins and let Archie lead the search for knowledge"
A'lai about pushes Teles out of the way to get to the IronMaiden. Without another word, she starts digging into the pockets of her robes, first with purpose, but then as she doesn't find what she is looking for right away, a bit more frantically. She sighs as she apparently finds what she is looking for and lays her hands upon the young Archie. Reya watches on concerned, but doesn't say anything. A'lai sprinkles very sparkly dust upon Archie and she mumbles a few words, and Archie's exhaustion reduces enough for her to wake.
A'lai then turns to Corlith, "As long as I have the spell slots, they will be at your disposal." She turns back to the IronMaiden and Archie and waits for the genasi to wake, as she does, "I hope this young woman has a decent enough description of the artificer, Teles's is pretty old by his own admission." Teles just shrugs and you can see the relief in his face as A'lai takes over the situation.
Corlith watches on as Archie begins to stir, a relieved sigh escaping his lips.
"My thanks, A'lai. I am sure Archie will be able to help you with the scrying", he says hopefully.
Looking up at Ironmaiden, he asks, "In the past, only one of you has retained the ability to speak at a time. Will it be possible to hear from you both at the same time somehow? You two need to talk ideally".
Archie's eyes begin moving behind her closed lids and the ironmaiden turns their head to look directly at the group watching on, "I will be watching and listening, I will take control once more if this becomes too much for her. I think more growth and more control from her part will be needed before we can both be present to converse, but you could assist her in releasing control if you wish to speak with me."
And then the orange from Archie's genasi flame slowly begins to overtake the blue, with a snap the armour closes, nearly taking one of A'lai's fingers as she quickly jumps back, it is as if an automatic defense system takes hold as Archie wakes properly. "Ohhhh... Oh I'm hungry." She clutches her armoured stomach and takes a look around the room, "uhhhh hey? What ummm... Where are we? Who is this? What's going on?" Her voice becomes a little frantic as she tries to piece together her surroundings and what must have happened since she decided to take off the magnet. "Wait how long has it been? Did you all get to talk with the other one? The IronMaiden. Where's Reya? Oh there you are, are you ok? I had an awful dream that something bad happened to you.."
"I have to confess we haven't known Archie and Ironmaiden that long", Corlith replies. "I am not sure we have seen the full extent of their abilities, and I am not sure I would be able to discern one's from the other".
"Ironmaiden seems to be aware of what Archie is doing whilst she is in control. I don't believe the same can be said for Archie when Ironmaiden is in control though", he says looking to Ironmaiden for an answer.
"If removing Archie is urgent, but would leave Ironmaiden without power and therefore result in their demise, surely the first course of action is obtaining a replacement power source?".
“Do you have any implantable power source, something small, maybe something implantable in the center of the chest? A powered “heart” as it were, to keep Ironmaiden alive? Then we could begin the extraction procedure. I’m assuming you would have some of the necessary tools, yes?” Virro looks around for a good scalpel, forceps, retractors, fine scissors, etc. “Do you have any antiseptics to prevent infection?” He walks over to a table and starts to clear it, looking for a suitable surgical field.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Corlith is correct, I have observed Archie when she has been in control, she seems to prepare spells that are known to me, but also has access to fire based spells that are unknown to me, possibly arcanum that is indicative of her racial ability." Since cirro and Corlith stayed behind the IronMaiden moves their head toward them, their body continuing to remain as still as possible, "are there any more differences you have observed?"
Archie still lays there half encased in metal, most of it slowly digging away under her skin, moving almost imperceptibly like an hour hand on a clock counting down her life as it draws upon her arcane power. She remains unconscious, but breathing, looking like she is in a deep comfortable sleep.
Corlith shrugs, "Not that I can think of that would be relevant".
Teles looks up to Corlith, a bit of aggitation showing, "Well of course obtaining a replacement power source would be first course of action... do you have one? I sure don't and no, I don't know where to obtain one. Most of the work I do here is theoretical when it comes to this sort of thing. Sure I can create some pretty incredible constructs and animate objects, but an arcane power source like the one required to power up your friend? Oye." he runs his hand over his face now. "It's not like I can just remove the genasi, that would kill the sentient suit, and as you can see, they are alive. We can't just eliminate them."
He starts attempting to remove a few wires that connect to Archie to be sure, and he makes a hissing noise through his mouth as he can see it is causing damage on the poor girl. He starts moving his hands around and you recognize the hand motions as they are similar to what Archie does to heal someone. He places his hands on her, hoping it makes a big difference, and he sighs. "My healing capabilities, which are arguably quite strong, only fixed the damage I caused her by my meddling. Whatever is happening to her cannot be simply healed."
Really just noticing Virro for the first time, he looks at him quizzically. "Well of course I have tools. I have about any tool you could ask for and if I don't, I can conjure it up in about an hour. But antiseptic?" he almost laughs, but the somber situation stops him, "I have never had the need of such a thing. This isn't a medical facility."
As if beckoned, the door bursts open and Reya and another woman enter. Reya averts her eyes as the sight is almost too painful to see. The other woman gasps. "Your friend said it was bad, but I had no idea what to expect... certainly not this. Selûne grant me the strength." The woman is a middle-aged, dark skinned woman with long raven colored hair and almond eyes. She is drapped in many robes, the symbol of a pair of eyes surrounded by seven stars can be seen embroidered on a few of them.
She turns to Teles, "You must remove her immediately before irreputable damage occurs!" The old man scowls at her, "No, A'lai, if you remove her, the other dies. He is alive as well. We need to find another way."
IronMaiden steps back slightly, almost defensively, "Absorbtion is at 48%, removing Archie without proper preparations would likely cause irreparable damage to her too if not outright death. I cannot control the rate of Assimilation. Please give her and myself a proper medical examination"
Corlith stares daggers at Teles after being snapped at about the power source.
"What other way? You have said we need a power source but you do not have one and do not know where to get one. You are the expert, if you don't know what chance is there for the rest of us?", he says to Teles sternly.
He looks between Teles and A'lai, "So we have two options. Find someone who knows where to get a power source, and quickly. Or a choice needs to be made between who lives and who dies". His face and tone are grave. He does not like having to point out the reality of the situation, but feels someone has to.
"Perhaps there is someone here whose magic is powerful enough to locate Master Thell? Or to locate a power source if such can be done without knowing exactly what that source is?".
"such a choice is no-ones to make other than mine and Archie's, she doesn't seem keen on living her life at the expense of another's, nor do I wish her to die." IronMaiden seems ready to close the body encasing Archie fully once more, but hesitates.
Virro steps forward and asks IronMaiden to lie down, he takes some of the instruments lying around and starts to investigate whether this is possible. As he is doing so, he says words aloud in an escalating crescendo, initially rubbing the back of his right hand, then grabbing hold of something under his shirt, a gray swirl wraps around everyone nearby as healing energy suffuses the area. He casts a prayer of healing and everyone can heal 10 hit points of damage. He focuses this healing power on Archie as well. With his instruments, he investigates each attachment, jotting down notes on any nearby parchment. He looks for where a power source could be attached as the first portion of the process.
Virro seems to be mumbling to himself, periodically closing his eyes, and at one point reaching back and touching his shield, nodding, and investigating how this was accomplished. Mumbling, he says “Must be another way, how to connect a power source, extract this tube and suture that closed, then free this line which is running so close to the subclavian artery, a sternotomy to detach this and staple closed, simultaneous attachment of the power source here….” He keeps looking with frantic hope that he can help. He asks for assistance from Teles at times, periodically to hold a flashlight and sometimes to find an appropriate wrench or pair of pliers to examine certain attachments, a proper set of forceps and suture at other times.
Medicine check (with adv) : 19
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"I would not suggest any other way of deciding. Although I do not want it to come to that, the discussion may need to be had before Archie is incapable of having it", Corlith replies to Ironmaiden.
As he sees Virro performing his examination, he offers help focussing as often as he can.
Teles winces a bit from Corlith's reaction to his reply, but turns back to the cleric that has joined the group and A'lai definitely looks even more worried by IM's assertion that it is probably too late to remove her from the suit. A bit under his breath but in a response to Corlith and not looking at him, "I didn't ask for this. I'm just telling you what I know."
A'lai speaks up, "I can do a locate spell. If someone will describe this Master Thell to me? If she is within Candlekeep I should be able to find her. Unfortunately, it doesn't reach beyond that." Teles describes the artificer the best of what his memory can give him, and he looks to IM if they have anything to add (I'm assuming not since he came to life after Thell left). A'lai casts her spell, but looks forlorn as she responds, "This Master Thell is not here."
Teles stands back as Virro starts taking over with a nearby table and does help out where he can, giving the wood elf whatever instrument he requests. A'lai starts worrying her hands and pacing back and forth, letting the elf do what he wants seeing it is their friend, but she is obviously concerned about the situation. "Teles.. have you ever? I mean, what was this Thell thinking??" Teles turns back to her and shortly replies, "Thell didn't do this, the fire genasi took it upon herself to enter this suit and well... this happened apparently." His face starts to contort a bit as though thinking hard on something. But he doesn't let this distract him from whatever Virro is needing.
IronMaiden turns their head to Virro, "I can feel that... You are injuring and healing her yes? I can now feel it as if it was my own body... She's already so exhausted, weakened so much compared to her statistical prime strength, I wonder if that is the effects of the absorption or if it was exacerbated by the suppression."
"It was a long shot", Corlith says when it is determined Master Thell is not close. He completely ignores Teles petulant comment.
"This is the grandest library on the continent, right? How would one go about searching the books for information that might lead to a power source? In Strixhaven the biblioplex was infused with magic to help seekers of knowledge find what they needed. Often times the knowledge finds the seeker in fact. Is it similar here?".
Virro is working vigorously, checking everything, keeping healing energy on Archie as he explores, a form of spiritual anesthesia as he needs to hurt someone to investigate but he heals at the same time. At a point, he stops and pauses, looking up at everyone. “I’ve found an area above her head here that could house a power source. But this is beyond me. Unless we get some additional help with this, I cannot separate them safely.” He holds his head down, saying “I’m sorry. I wish that I could quickly extract her and heal her, while simultaneously installing a power source for Ironmaiden. This is beyond my abilities. Perhaps I could assist someone, but I can’t solve this…” he looks up at the everyone, lookign for suggestions.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
A'lai considers Corlith, "Yes, it is the grandest library on the continent. And in order to keep things in an orderly fashion, there is a building here in the Inner Courtyard that you enter and request the topic you are researching. Then the books shall appear for you. Only us Great Readers are allowed to enter however. I suppose I could accompany you to this space if you would require. Obviously your reasoning is worthwhile."
Teles adds, "In all of my reading I have not come across this situation at least in a practical sense. I wish I knew what Master Thell was attempting or researching or anything to assist in her mindset. I could however.. I could create an arcane sphere... one that is born of flame and could possibly slow down the absorption of this poor woman." he scratches his head and readjusts his spectacles. "I would need something that I know I don't have. I would need a gem, but not any gem... one that has encased within it an eye from the undead."
He looks over to A'lai, "Do you think Fembris would have such a thing?" A'lai sighs, "What doesn't the lad have?" Turning to the group, "If that is the direction you wish to go, see if you can find Fembris Larlancer, he's um.. a collector."
Corlith looks at A'lai gratefully, "I would gladly accompany you to search for books, but alas this not my area of expertise. Perhaps Ironmaiden, or dare I say Archie, would be the best placed from our group. Or Teles. Someone who knows exactly what we are looking for".
"And just a thought, but is there any way to scry on Master Thell? I understand that is a far more powerful spell though".
When talk turns to undead eyeballs, he looks at Virro wondering if his fascination with fingers has stretched to other body parts, and perhaps his collection might include an eyeball from one of the undead they have previously fought.
IronMaiden waits til Virro's fingers are free from the encasing before sitting back up, "I would like Archie to have some input, as I am sure the rest of you do too, but her exhaustion from suppressing my consciousness still wears upon her, is there any way you could restore her energy A'lai? If so I will gladly hand over the reins and let Archie lead the search for knowledge"
A'lai about pushes Teles out of the way to get to the IronMaiden. Without another word, she starts digging into the pockets of her robes, first with purpose, but then as she doesn't find what she is looking for right away, a bit more frantically. She sighs as she apparently finds what she is looking for and lays her hands upon the young Archie. Reya watches on concerned, but doesn't say anything. A'lai sprinkles very sparkly dust upon Archie and she mumbles a few words, and Archie's exhaustion reduces enough for her to wake.
A'lai then turns to Corlith, "As long as I have the spell slots, they will be at your disposal." She turns back to the IronMaiden and Archie and waits for the genasi to wake, as she does, "I hope this young woman has a decent enough description of the artificer, Teles's is pretty old by his own admission." Teles just shrugs and you can see the relief in his face as A'lai takes over the situation.
Corlith watches on as Archie begins to stir, a relieved sigh escaping his lips.
"My thanks, A'lai. I am sure Archie will be able to help you with the scrying", he says hopefully.
Looking up at Ironmaiden, he asks, "In the past, only one of you has retained the ability to speak at a time. Will it be possible to hear from you both at the same time somehow? You two need to talk ideally".
Archie's eyes begin moving behind her closed lids and the ironmaiden turns their head to look directly at the group watching on, "I will be watching and listening, I will take control once more if this becomes too much for her. I think more growth and more control from her part will be needed before we can both be present to converse, but you could assist her in releasing control if you wish to speak with me."
And then the orange from Archie's genasi flame slowly begins to overtake the blue, with a snap the armour closes, nearly taking one of A'lai's fingers as she quickly jumps back, it is as if an automatic defense system takes hold as Archie wakes properly. "Ohhhh... Oh I'm hungry." She clutches her armoured stomach and takes a look around the room, "uhhhh hey? What ummm... Where are we? Who is this? What's going on?" Her voice becomes a little frantic as she tries to piece together her surroundings and what must have happened since she decided to take off the magnet. "Wait how long has it been? Did you all get to talk with the other one? The IronMaiden. Where's Reya? Oh there you are, are you ok? I had an awful dream that something bad happened to you.."