The Snow Prison

[Sliver]

For a moment, the armor stands motionless. Then, after the spheres brighten for a moment again, it resumes "breathing" and speaks "Wait here.. While I... Check.. If you may... Pass.." It stops speaking and returns to it's motionless state, doing nothing.

[Cogwheel]

"Very well, than." He nods to the rest of the group, motioning for them to remain still. There was some chance, at least, that it would let them through, and it was best not to waste such a chance on mindless and risky violence. Quite aside from that, he had given his word to attempt a more pacifistic solution wherever possible. The Ragman's word carried considerably more weight than most might expect.

"We will wait here until your task is completed. I can only hope that your master sees it fit to allow us through." And if it doesn't attempt to kill us where we stand, than that would be quite the improvement over the other denizens of this place.

[Xaklin_Magewrit]

(1d20+8)[23] Diplomacy check
"Please let us pass we mean you no harm we need to deliver something.."

[Sliver]

Are you sure that is diplomacy and not bluff?

The mountain shakes slightly at Xanamros comment. "Access denied. Please try again at a later date." The suit speaks in a different voice, similar to the female's one that you have heard before.

[Cogwheel]

The Ragman shakes his head in mild dismay, backing away from the hall and beckoning the others to, for the time being, follow him. Once this is done, he closes the door and holds up the raven.

"Surge, we've run into something of a problem. There is a suit of armour here. Full plate, pink and yellow, breathing, with golden eyes. It appears to be a guard of some sort, and described its work as welcoming the master's guests, whoever that may be. It demanded an invitation, which we lack, and turned us away. Might you know anything about this? And, rather more pertinently, do you have any sort of invitation you might send to us through the link you mentioned in this room?"

[Sliver]

"Odd... Those passages were empty last time I went through.. They were also cleared and maintained while the smuggler's route was still active.. I have no idea about this invitation thing or the armor.. Could you show it to me?"

[Cogwheel]

"That would be.. quite the risk. We have, after all, already been turned away. It may grow suspicious.. but I will do what I can. An excuse will serve well enough, I think."

Slowly, he opens the door, stepping in again with a bow. Holding the raven in one hand as before, with its eyes pointed discreetly at the suit of armour, the Ragman asks in a meek tone "My apologies, guardian, for a second intrusion... but I don't suppose you would know of any other way out of this cave? I'm afraid we're all quite lost.. but if you do not know of any other route, than we will leave you be."

[Sliver]

The armor ignores your question and turns it's look at the raven. "Master?" it asks, it's voice is different, unlike the hollow voice it used before, or the female one, now it has a deep, human like voice.

Slowly, Surge's voice is sounded "I... I built that.."

[Cogwheel]

After the shock, a single word passes through the automaton's mind: Creation. The bond between creation and creator, to the Ragman, was all but sacred. Not to be regarded lightly, certainly. He steps closer and places the raven before the suit of armour, almost reverently, then steps away.

To the creation, he says this: "This is Surge, your creator. He is not here, but he may speak to you through this bird."

With his piece said, the cloth figure steps back, though he does not leave the room just yet. Instead, he stands in place, waiting to see what transpires.

[Sliver]

"I.. It was my first project.. It vanished in the mountains a year ago.. I thought I wasn't strong enough, and it went berserk.. I heard they do that sometimes.." Surge says quietly.

At first, the armor's eyes glow brighter then ever before, looking unstable, but after the raven stops talking it looks to calm down. It looks like the discovery and hearing Surge has a strong emotional effect on the armor.

"Master" It speaks "I.. Wasn't abandoned?" It looks like it considers its words "I was lost.. Tried to protect.. It told me he would destroy you.. That I had to work for it.. To continue my mission.. To guard you.. Was to leave.."

"We are leaving, friend" Surge's voice continues "The village won't survive long without the merchants coming through. You won't be able to return, the way back is blocked. Could you do, one last thing for me?" Surge asks.

"Anything, master" it answers.

"Could you make sure this raven is delivered safely to my brother. Please.."

"Anything" it answers immediately.

[Grumman]

Ashley breathes a sigh of relief and walks over to where the Ragman waits.

"Thank Istus for that. I don't know if you've got steadier nerves or are just better at hiding it, but when I saw the explosive beads I was halfway expecting it to blow up in our faces."

[Cogwheel]

Stepping forward to pick the raven up, he pats the plate suit's shoulder gently and turns around. "Explosive beads?" He asks nonchalantly, though clearly at least a little surprised. "Perhaps my lack of knowledge on such subjects serves me well after all? Ignorance is bliss, after all."

Nerves of steel? Most likely, whether he had known of the beads or not. Slowly, he moves towards the exit, claws extended once again, speaking to the suit of armour over his shoulder.

"I imagine the master of these caves will not be pleased to see you leave. I will attempt to keep you safe, if I can. Do you have a name? And what can you tell us of the.. creature behind the scenes here?"

[Sliver]

"I.. Was called Scraps for as long as I was in this mountain.. I don't think I will feel at ease with a new title.." The armor sounds far more humane now, after speaking with Surge "This creature.. The master, as he demanded I call him, he does not have a body, not anymore at least." It speaks while moving to the exit, opening the door "The center of his being, is located deeper into the mountain. We will have to continue further, but following the marked halls will help us avoiding main contact. His presence is weak, and I have the mark of protection. The other creatures won't attack right away, but it will only buy us a few seconds before they will understand what is going on and attack anyway."

One of his fingers transforms into a key that fits into the door and he opens it into a hall with similar markings on the walls "The passage is divided into 2 parts. This part, fire is used, a lot. It is up to you, but while putting me on the front may give us the advantage of surprise, it might cause the beads that are set into my head to explode. I will be fine, I was protected against fire. But for you it may be less comfortable." He addresses Ragman mainly, his voice is filled with respect and gratitude.

[Xaklin_Magewrit]

"Scraps I think it is best that one of us leads you can give us directions. We don't want you hurt. We don't want you injured when unite you with your master."

[Grumman]

"What sort of fire are we talking about? Magical or nonmagical?"

[Sliver]

"The way is straightforward, as the markings are quite accurate about where you need to go for you to get out of the mountain. And I am quite formidable myself. You don't think the master of this mountain would have placed me to protect the passage if he didn't think I could be at least a moderate hindrance to any pests trying to get in, right?" He oddly sounds amused. "The fire.. There are some creatures that use it, but not many. The master dislikes it, and only uses it to filter out intruders, as the second path is concentrated on ice and not many can handle both.." he looks at you "I will only follow you if that is what you wish, but it is against my nature. I was made to protect, not be protected."

[TheThan]

Faith

Faith stood back while the ragman entreated with the suit of armor. Waiting for it to so any signs of hostility towards the group. But the sudden turn of events causes Faith to reflect upon the nature of the entity in this mountain. This master is clearly as vile and repugnant as she feared and as Luna warned. Pressing a being, even a man made one such as this suit of armor, showed this thing’s indifference to life, and his cruelty. Its clear to her, the armor “scraps” as he’s identified himself as, clearly longs to be with his former master. However he is forced to stand guard in order to protect his creator from this monster that lies deep within the bowls of this mountain.
These thoughts pass through her mind as she quietly follows the others down the hallway, taking note of what Scraps says about the denizens of this place.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Luna is quite relieved that the formidable-looking automaton is not hostile. She mouths a 'thank you' to the Ragman for his efforts. Fire, ice, earth... there seemed to be an elemental theme to this abysmal place. Luna shifter her grip on her staff as she followed the group, sticking to the rear, not certain if Scraps could be effected by her aura but not wishing to risk it.
"Thank you, Scraps. Only by defiance against those who seek to oppress us can we truly be free. Such obedience to those who truly care for you will be rewarded, in this life or the next."
She did not know if Scraps had a soul, but then again, given the nature of Faernacha and the Ragman, she had long ago decided to revise her old views on what could be considered a sentient being.

[DragoonWraith]

Faernacha
Faernacha looks at Luna. "Only by being free may we be free. A leader may be followed if respected, but begging for scraps, even from a benevolent master, is not freedom."

[CockroachTeaParty]

Luna had not considered whether Scraps was free-willed or not, but she remained silent. She guessed it wasn't a good idea to bring up such issues to the hulking construct that had only so recently promised not to pulverize them...

[Sliver]

Scraps looks at Faernacha "Begging for.. me?"

After a few turns being taken or ignored, you reach a door that is in the middle of the hall, it continuing south, the door on the western side. Scraps shuffles uncomfortably "The fire begins from this room.. I shouldn't reveal more" he quietly speaks and waits for your action.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Luna bites her lower lip.
"I'm afraid I have no defense against fire's touch. If we had some time to rest, I could shape a soulmeld to protect me, but none of the spells I know could protect any of you, I'm afraid. The best I can offer is to heal the wounds we may suffer once we're safe again, but that depends on us getting through alive..."

[Justyn]

Aias closes his eyes and shakes his head.

"I have no spells prepared that can ward against fire; however, given enough time, I can prepare them."

[Sliver]

"Given enough time, we should be out of the mountain already! The master won't allow his challengers peaceful resting! Anyway, wizards should always keep some of their mind unoccupied by spells so that they can fill it later, adjusting to the situation at hand"

[Justyn]

"Given enough time, we should be out of the mountain already! The master won't allow his challengers peaceful resting! Anyway, wizards should always keep some of their mind unoccupied by spells so that they can fill it later, adjusting to the situation at hand"

"And I need time to change what spells I can cast; I am forced to prepare my spells in advance, and cannot simply cast any spell I wish at a moment's notice! That is the domain of dragons and sorcerers."

[Cogwheel]

"If we encounter this 'master', than I will see to it that it is dealt with. If not, however, than I suggest that we simply leave this place for now, and return for it at a later date, when we are better prepared."

What had been done to Scraps was, without a doubt, inexcusable. Yet the Ragman was a creature of practicality - he was in no hurry to rush headlong into a situation likely to kill them all, if it could be helped. For now, all that needed to be done was to escort their newest charge to the surface. The mention of fire, however, worried him.

"As some of you might have guessed, I... I do not far well against fire. I also lack any sort of defense against me. But tell me, Scraps, exactly what means does the fire come by? Are the rooms ahead simply on fire? Are there traps, or creatures which make use of fire? And lastly, is there any for those explosive beads to be removed from their places, to keep them from causing any harm? I apologize for all the questions, but I must know everything I can before we move on."

[Sliver]

"Those.. Are attached to my being.. Even if they detonate, they will regrow in a matter of minutes.. Fire is used by traps and creatures... A moment please" Scraps requests and starts changing color, to a darker one, almost blending with the walls.

[Grumman]

Having moved away from the party to think, Ashley now steps forwards, her planning complete.

"Xanamros, if I was correct in identifying your counter as one taught by the Desert Wind school, I should be able to grant you knowledge of the techniques you need to resist fire." She continues, in the same tone her master had used with a misbehaving apprentice. "But if I do this, I expect you to act with restraint. Do not consider this permission to do whatever you wish without thought of the consequences."

Not waiting for a response, she then turns to Aias.

"Aias, while I share your distaste at being told how to practice our craft, the construct is correct in this case. Waiting here will only allow more of the earth elementals to attack, and letting down our guard while you prepare might be fatal. That said, you still possess some magic, do you not? I would be grateful if you cast one of your weakest cantrips on me before we head off."

Finally, she turns to the group as a whole.

"If Faith wishes to walk at the rear with Luna and the others, I can take the lead. If the passages ahead are trapped with magical fire as I suspect, I am probably the best suited of any of us to survive any initial ambush."

[Cogwheel]

"I suspect that you are correct, Ashley. Once we bypass the traps - which, I assume, take a little while to reset themselves - there will only be a handful of fire-using creatures remaining. Dangerous, to be sure, but nothing that cannot be dealt with. Should the traps be restricted to floor level rather than the walls and ceiling as well, I should be capable of bypassing them."

Truth be told, he felt more than a little stab of guilt at allowing the others in the group to shield him from harm, but with any luck, there would be an opportunity to make up for that at some later point. Debts must be repaid, after all. Shaking his head slightly, he looks at Ashley again, adding only "well than.. good luck."

[Justyn]

A look a realization hits Aias, and then a look of embarrassment.

"I, uh... actually thought he was talking about something else for some reason... And yes, I do have some cantrips that have seemingly proven useless thus far."

OOC: Casting Resistance on Ashley.

Spoiler

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Wizard
0: {Prestidigitation}{Read Magic}{Resistance}{Resistance}
1: {Magic Missile}{Silent Image}{Silent Image}{Lesser Orb of Fire}
2: {Knock}{Scorching Ray}{Web}

Cleric
0: {Cure Minor Wounds}{Cure Minor Wounds}{Mending}{Resistance}{Resistance}
1: {Endure Elements}{Doom}{Comprehend Languages}{Command} (Detect Secret Doors)
2: {Silence}{Sound Burst}{Hold Person} (Detect Thoughts)