Lost Lab of Kwalish

Arcana: 11
Investigation: 21

"Again with the science(?!) Where is the intrigue, the drama the romance? All I ever hear about is science, technology, magic, blah,  blah, blah." bemoans a weary Editha (brain 5).  "I do so miss the theater.  What I wouldn't give ro hear a sonnet instead of another dissertation"

Sigurd senses that a performance might sway her to help the traveller's enter the treasury.

Corliss is not quick to respond to LeAnn, but does eventually concede,"I suppose you can be trusted, but wha5s to say you haven't been fooled by into helping this band of marauders, yourself?   Brayden,  the power cells can only sustain one of us due a short time. There not a Pendergrass solution. That's the real magic of  Kwalish's apparatus.  He somehow harnessed energy from other planes directing into the engines he constructed.   That's why they can keep running indefinitely.  Even this planar craft needs fuel, but Kwalish surpassed even they're technological limitations.   If he washed to, he could have built new buddies fur all of us.  I know it did awful,  but I truly hope Kwalish is dead. The idea of being resigned to this fate,  to the hope of his return,  of salvation... if he's not dead, surely he deserves a wise fate due having disheveled us so." The gruff brain might be sobbing now as it verbs is sorrow to the grip of strangers, had it the capacity to express its woe.

Huarache abs Dunstan chat about the writings of magical things.  At one point, the brain asks the Tabaxi abut his fiery hammer (which I assume is presently unlit, but if it is, it's an even more obvious thing to ask about) "How does it work?" he enquires.

(Ooc: your checks were successful, just answer him)

"So, in the end, you need Kwalish." Leann says with a frown. "Seems like he is the only one who could find a way to get you bodies of your own again."

Dunstan considers: "He certainly could do it if you find him alive.  Of course, it's not the only option.  He built many things through the years and powered most in this way.  Indeed, even a device that consunes fuel akin to the warforged of my homeworld would suffice, as long as it has a fuel converter and enough material can be consumed."

"That would take forever. Our best shot is finding Kwalish's lab.  Maybe if one of us accompanies you, we can come back for the others." Alton offers.

"Not so fast" protests Corliss, "Just because they have the paladin with them,  doesn't mean we can trust the whole lot.  They're like as not to abscond with whichever of you accompanies them and sell you on the streets of the next port they make.  You, paladin of Torm, may search for the investor's lab.  The rest of you will remain here with us."

"I've found that if you can heat up gas a lot, it becomes a different substance that I am still studying. Very hot, but it can extinguish in a second, if you don't mind the shockwave; it isn't all that dense. I've figured out a way to create a field of abjuration that keeps it contained, but it can still allow the head of the hammer to hit objects and bone devils. I've built a sword that functions similarly, although those were from blueprints I found."

Huarache and Dunstan strike up a conversation that stokes the embers of a strong commaraderie. Huarache knows he can count on the brain's help.

Corliss, meanwhile has revealed that his antagonism is steadfast, but notices he didn't question LeAnn's assertions or logic. Huarache sees that he is surprisingly gullible despite his intellect.  Corliss also seems to control access to the building, Huarache infers.

"Sorry, I cannot find this lab without the aid of my companions." Leann says with a frown at the brain that suggested she leave her companions here. "To have any chance at success I will need their aid."

Omiy crosses her arms in front of her chest impatiently, fingers tapping on the side of her arm as she listens to the brains argue with each other and with her companions. She sighs heavily as she feels like this is becoming a waste of time and she’s sure they can figure out the way to the treasury themselves. She gets a bit irritated when Corliss suggests that they were usurpers trying to continue the Grand Master’s evil reign. “That’s right,” she echoes along, “you tell them, Leann.“

#should have noted in previous post, Corliss (who controls a force field around the control room in which you now stand, not that anyone bothered to check) can be duped pretty easily: DC12 deception check.

That just leaves Editha, who can be appeased with a successful performance check.

"Hmm," Omiy thinks for a second, "seeing that we're companions of the paladin of Torm, shouldn't that mean we are trustworthy too?"

Deception: 5

I will FoG that to make it 11. We just need literally anything else.

Corliss is not convinced, "A diamond in the rough does not make the dirt shine bright.  I'm deactivate my plates on the treasury path.  I suggest the rest of you do the same."

"I swear of I do t get some artistic stimulation soon, I may do just that." Editha seconds.

The barrier remains in place.

"Deactivate all the plates you wish." Leann says with a frown. "You prove yourselves unworthy of our aid by doing so, but that is fine. I have nothing I need out of the treasury, and would have only gone there to get those power cells you wished." She looks between the brains. "I would seek justice for you, but you need to show yourself worthy as well, as doing evil yourself will have Torm's justice falling on you instead."

“Listen here you little piece of rotting brain,“ Omiy presses closer at Corliss, baring her teeth, “you don’t get chance like this very often. Maybe time to get your arrogant and snorty head out of your ass, because like Leann has said here, we were on your side. If you don’t want our help, you can rot here more another hundreds of years, or we can just feed you to the sphinx for breakfast. I know I would reconsider my position if I were nothing more than a brain in a jar.”

She turns to Edith and grins, “how’s that, was that entertaining enough for you?”

Performance: 8

If anyone who has proficiency in Performance can respond with another roast, please do, and I can offer FoG (+6).

"Power corrupts all who wield it. That sphinx that toyed with us even as a cat does a mouse, then Kwalish himself, who saved our brains only to let us linger so despite having the power to restore us to something closer to life than this, abandoning us so.  The boundless cruelty of man and monster is what awaits you here.  The temptations of the knowledge this alien vessel holds will corrupt you yet, pure of heart as you are." responds the brain, unmoved by your pleas.

Editha answers Omiy in her monotonous robitic voice: "That monologue was duller that listening to these four prattle endlessly about quantum field theory.  I don't know if Corliss was right about your intentions, but I don't feel that your'e interested in saving us.  I'm taking my platforms offline as well."  

OOC: RP is appreciated, but these brains are set up as a series of skill checks with actual stakes.  One or more possible outcomes was that the place becomes unstable and will cease to be habitable in a short time; you managed to avoid such a countdown scenario.  You are now left with a bit of a puzzle: Corliss does have you trapped in here, and he's not going to reverse his position.  I'm not saying you have to do as Omiy/WB suggested in the other thread (hinted at in this thread) but you'll have to do something to get out of here.  This might seem restrictive, but it's actually just the anchor for immensely open creativity.  I am closing off dialogue as a solution, because the brains are (on some level) traps that have already been activated or bypassed, though you can still certainly talk to them.  I would encourage players to look not to the rules or their character sheets for solutions, but to your own imaginations.

"Well, Leann, seems that the Paladin of Torm thing shows your mettle. I guess you're going alone. I'll talk with Dunstan; I'm sure I could learn some good ideas from him... him? Them? Do you have a gender if you're just a brain? I mean no offense; I just-- I'm just going to stop talking."