Alerted by the loud, crackling, blast of electricity, two more Aeorian Hunters closed in on FCG. Triple J kept the feline entity at bay, repeatedly sending it scurrying down the hallway opposite the party, on the far side of the circular security checkpoint, with dissonant whispers. The rest of the party turned to face the hairless hulking monstrosity behind them. The beast charged in to pummel the smaller Nyx, but the sorceress’ companions made quick work of it. Malcolm then set his sights on the cat-like hunter and charged across the electrified chamber, suffering another shock along the way. Triple J confused the hunter just as Malcolm arrived and began laying into the beast. Endrin, Artaema, and Nyx peppered the creature with spells until it fell.
Having seen Malcolm twice electrocuted by the haywire security pillar in the chamber’s center, the rest of FCG was hesitant to cross. Malcolm lopped off the feline hunter’s eye stalk and tossed it into the chamber, causing the pillar to expend it’s charge. With mere moments before the security device recharged, FCG made a mad dash to the other side. Endrin, and Triple J made it across just in time, but Eris, Nyx, and Artaema were not quick enough and suffered the full brunt of the security checkpoint’s defenses. Nonetheless, the party pressed onward toward the Genesis Ward and, hopefully, a cure for the Woe.
Rounding a bend in the brass tunnels, the party came across an open exit way and a sprawling urban jungle, the Genesis Ward, beyond. Amongst the ruined metal structures, FCG picked out one of the larger ones, labeled Auxiliary Robotics on their map, and began making their way. As they approached, the skeletal remains sprawled about their feet began to tremble as a metal clanging sound grew louder and louder. Many of the party sought cover behind the debris and ruined structures, fearful of the sound’s source.
Moments later, around the street corner strode a large iron golem, an Aeorian Sentry of old. Familiar with these entities from FCG’s prior encounters in Eiselcross, Endrin emerged from hiding and held out the gemmed Aeorian badge they’d acquired prior. The sentry scanned the gnome with a bright red beam before beginning to spark and whir. Seemingly malfunctioning, the sentry engaged FCG in defense of city. Endrin created a large sphere of gravity with which he continuously pummeled the sentry. Malcolm ran in head on and sword out, but found himself quickly outmatched by the raw force of the golem. Nyx and Artaema fired off spells of their own while Eris blessed the party and began making her way down the street toward the sentry. Triple J attempted to gain a vantage point from which to enact his plans and scaled a building. Unfortunately, as the bard attempted to hop between buildings, the roof beneath him gave out and he found himself face down on the ground near the sentry’s feet. The sentry then unleashed a stream of toxic gas from deep within it’s gullet, causing Malcolm to fall unconscious, before setting it’s cold gaze on the fallen bard.
Eris arrived just in time to save Triple J from the bulk of the sentry’s enormous blade, but could not save Triple J from himself as the bard, Artaema, and Nyx all suddenly found themselves irresistibly drawn toward Endrin, upon whom wild magic now swirled brightly. The sentry swung at Triple J, nearly knocking him out with a single blow. Eris revived Malcolm, and the fighter rejoined the fray. Finally, Triple J managed to short circuit the golem with his psychic attacks, allowing the rest of FCG to reduce it to scrap.
Safe for the moment, the party headed inside the ruined robotics facility in search of a place to rest. While rummaging through the building’s debris, FCG discovered an unfinished set of Aeorian armor as well as an Aeorian laser sword which seemed to still be intact. As the group sat down for a short rest, they took a moment to ponder the thickening plot around the Remnants, Bladescarred, Vecna, the ongoing war that still plagued Wynandir, and what their next moves would be should they find a cure for the Woe.
Before long, FCG renewed their search for L-17I and began combing the streets of the Genesis Ward for anything that might resemble a laboratory. After an hour or so of searching the city, the party looked down over the edge of the gaping hole at the city’s edge and discovered many exposed subterranean levels below. Malcolm and Artaema descended down to the first terrace to take a look. The pair noted the sign on the wall, which read Provision C 1, and informed the party. This jogged Endrin’s memory as the gnome recalled that L-17I and L-17H were originally developed in Provision C: Bio-Chem. Elated at the discovery, the whole party began descending the chasm until they reached a level not entirely blocked by debris. Upon landing on the eleventh level FCG discovered at glitching bronze door, stuck halfway open. One by one, the party crawled through the narrow opening and into the bowels of the Genesis Ward.
