[HQ Ignorance] Scene 114: Below The Iron Fort

[Lev Lafayette]

On Thu, 2010-08-05 at 16:00 -0700, Erica Hoehn wrote:
> Kalen wonders around the fort as the others deal with the diplomatic
> issues.  He notices that parts of the fort resemble dwarven work but
> is unsure which type of dwarf could have been responsible as it is not
> to any design he is familiar with.  He approaches Rotterex and the
> wizard with his findings.
> 
> Off course this raises the interest of the wizard who finds some old
> maps of the building and they all begin to explore - and where else
> would they start but underground, the natural home of dwarves.
> 

OOC: Well there's a twist!

Kalen stands, clicks and whirls, and announces his departure from the
strategic debate. "I must investigate architectural of this building
further and compare with blueprints in memory banks". An attempted
translation is successful and whilst soldiers initially move to prevent
the Dwarf's departure, General Han Sui waves them away, and then sends
just a single guard to follow, whilst the rest continue their discussion
over strategic interests.

Kalen's fascination with the fortress continues and he compares
everything from diamond vaults to skirting boards with his modest
knowledge of Dwarven architectural techniques. He's a little
disappointed that he did not not have a Rock Mostal brother to assess
the degree that the design matched Building Regulations.

Nevertheless, Kalen followed his basic programming, his intuition, and
sought the deepest possible point to the Fort. Things that would by-pass
human eyes for centuries can be found by a Dwarf and this was no
exception. "No Dwarf would design a plumbing unit with so much space",
Kalen muttered, half to himself, as he worked around the latrines. "And
there!"; a resounding click, and the walls opened, revealing a dark
passageway within.

Kalen led the way, followed by Guillarme and Rotterex. The passage was
short, but very steep, almost a ladder rather than stairs. It exited
however into a large chamber with most unusual contraptions, some even
unfamiliar to Kalen. Most importantly however was three tables and a
glass cover, with wires linking the glass to each other and to a slowly
humming machine underneath the tables.

"Must seek operator's manual", the Dwarf clicked. It didn't take long;
located as expected in a draw on underneath the central table. The
writing was archaic but discernable; "The Legion Machine". This was a
machine made by the Dwarves captured and forced to work by Godlearners,
seeking to induce lycanthropy between the subjects - one one table a
wolf or similar would be place, on the opposite a person. With the right
operation a legion creature would appear between them.

"Madness", Kalen clicked. "Who would want to do such a thing?" he
remarked.

Guillarme and Rotterex looked back at him, their expressions unchanged.