Wargolems?!

War Golems.

A dozen of them were located buried in the Red Ridge Mountains, old ones from the days of the Crown Wars who had been thought lost.

That's why you've been selected to head into the mountains and help with the reactivation process of these sentients and to protect against any potential hostilities until their status can be ascertained.

You're arriving at the dig site now, a half-collapsed series of tunnels inside a recently reactivated mine.

Goblin and gnome workers are the primary drivers here, and well, the tunnels are correspondingly a bit...cramped. You can still fit, but...the taller you are, the less fun you're having.

WAR GOLEMS!! YAY!!! Alaryn volunteered the moment the G-Word was spoken. She's been almost vibrating with anticipation and energy. Like a six year old on a Caffeine rush. "How many are there again?" she asks, "And what types are they? Warrior? Defense? Assault? Oh, what sort of mana storage do these models use?" she asks, going on and on and on and on even as she ducks to avoid a stalactite while moving along behind the Goblins. She -is- an expert in artifice, who is a member of the Society of Progressive Arcanists, her presence here could be due to any one of a number of factors.

Merek is next to Alaryn while she talks, his black attire on with alchemical sigils upon it. He has with him his amulet as well, while he takes his time to look about in thought, then to the place in full, "I like golems," he says.

Victor is similarly drawn to the idea of uncovering long-forgotten war golems. "'Type' may be something of a misconception," he remarks. He is stooped almost constantly to avoid scraping his head on any low hanging tunnels. "While it is true that we are constructed with differrent attributes, I have observed that almost any role can be filled by one with any combination of features..."

It's a good thing for the golem lovers that there is one among them, perhaps. His careful movement due to being so tall and in cramped quarters is nearly hands and knees, but he's at least showing that war golem physiology is not having problems with it. "May I recommend this tunnel be made bigger before we free any more of my brethern?"

This kind of work didn't sound particularly glamorous to Jeirath. However, it did sound like easy money. Jeirath was all about that.

He doesn't know anyone in the group, but he's never been a shy one. That said, he hangs out at the back of the group, eyes swivelling around between this and that and just keeping quiet for the moment. All while his hand rests on the handle of his rapier.

"It's not like we can do much about it. We've got to be careful to dig them out. Who knows what sort of bizarre explosive magical residue might be left around? We're fully pulling the first ones free now."

There's a long pause from the goblin who explained that, but well, soon enough they're pulling the first golem free. It's still inactive, at the moment. It's going to need something to power it back up.

But it'll work.

Probably.

It's just stasis.

"Well of course. We wouldn't want to trigger any defense mechanisms or enchantments. Don't none of you worry. I got this." says Alaryn with a bright and wide smile. Oh boy! A chance to examine inactive golems and work towards reactivating them!

She glances to Victor and offers an innocent smile, "Hey, I'll be totally respectful and I wouldn't -dream- of trying anything untoward. Did I mention how much I'd love to examine the mana channeling functions you possess?"

Victor, still hunched over, moves closer. He's ready to lend his strength to the effort. Or if needed cast a few spells he's picked up that help to restore constructs to full repair.

Merek nods a bit while he shifts his longcoat about his frame a bit as well, then he looks to the goblin and back towards Alaryn as well, "You know, I don't think you're being that convincing," he says.

Echo looks to Alaryn, then to Victor. "... I think we need to keep an eye on that one, cousin." He helps with the pulling the war golem out, then moves to see if there are any more that need to be extracted.

Jeirath, moves about the area, looking around and getting a feel for the place while everyone was aiding in removal of the golems. Of course, he had thought to lend his aid, but with everyone in the area he decided he would only get in the way so he opts to stay back until someone asks for him specifically. He takes a look at Alaryn, taking note of how enthusiastic she seems.

GAME: Alaryn rolls perception: (3)+8: 11

GAME: Merek rolls perception: (11)+13: 24

GAME: Jeirath rolls perception: (2)+8: 10

GAME: Victor rolls perception: (4)+6: 10

GAME: Echo rolls Perception: (15)+7: 22

The first golem is out, carefully being wheeled out on the cart that they took into do it. It's heavy and big and covered in spikes and dear god that's a lot of spikes and oh wow how did you fit that many spikes on a golem.

It's definitely /functional/ from the look of things, at least in one piece, though it's not outstandingly evident why it went into stasis aside from 'buried underground indefinitely'.

Frowning, Echo looks to the others, "That... is a lot of spikes on that one."

"There looks to be a bit of damage, warrior golemn probably," Merek says, while he points out a few lightning marks, for the others to look at as well.

Victor nods in agreement. He begins moving to one side, looking for a place he can tough the golem without puncturing his own hands. "I am preparing a spell to repair constructs and other objects," he notes.

Eyeing the spike golem, for that's what Alaryn has dubbed it in her head (and notes!), she holds a hand out, as if trying to trace the contours of the thing. "I've got a spell like that too should the need arise. But also... I wonder if activation could something more.. simple than that."

Jeirath looked the golems over as well. Even though he was only here for the money, it did feel good to at least be present while others were being productive and helping. He tries hard not to appear standoffish or aloof, and offers a hand when he can. He notes the spikes as well, a brow lifting as he also notices the marks that Merek points out. He hears Victor mention preparing for a spell, and he steps back out of the way, his grip tightening on his rapier just in case something goes wrong. In Jeirath's experience, something always goes wrong.

Frowning, Echo moves to look a bit more careful. He looks at the golem and calls to the others, "Be careful. I would recommend we try to be as non hostile as possible in it's presence. Is there another ready?" He looks to the goblins, then looks to Victor. "Be careful with your spell casting, please. We do not know what state of mind they were in."

GAME: Alaryn refreshes spells.

GAME: Alaryn rolls craft/artifice: (11)+11: 22

GAME: Victor rolls knowledge/history: (5)+9: 14

GAME: Victor rolls craft/artifice: (20)+11: 31

"Huh." remarks Alaryn with a shrug, "I have a supply of magicite handy." she remarks, "That's all we need to revie these golems.. at least -this- one." She looks about at the others, "Are we doing this here and now? Or transporting them elsewhere first?"

GAME: Merek rolls craft/artifice: (15)+7: 22

Victor turns to the goblin who led them to the golem. "Do you have a preference? It will be able to move on it's own power, which might be easier than carrying it through the tunnels we came through to reach this area."

Jeirath steps forward, stroking his chin a bit. "This one doesn't know much of golems..." He pauses, looking at the spike-covered Golem. ".... but would it be wise to awaken it? Is it possible that it might percieve us as an enemy, or perhaps it thinks it is still in battle?"

"It's certainly possible," agree the goblins, "but we can't leave them in stasis. Even if they're Charnish, that war is over and they deserve the chance to live. They're sentients, you know?"

The gnomes and goblins gathered about murmur their assent.

Echo frowns, "We should awaken it outside where it can see that things have changed for it. I was buried myself once. If I did not happen to be in a shrine whenever I reactivated, I would have not realized that any time had passed at all."

"Indeed. They -are- Charnish. But that doesn't mean they will be hostile automatically." says Alaryn. "And that is why I asked instead of just blowing magicite up the equivalent of their nostrils." she says, eyeing the others.

Jeirath shrugs a bit at the goblins. "Of course they are sentient, but so are the rest of us. This one does not see much wisdom in risking our sentience so needlessly just to awaken these golems. Surely, there is a safer way to be doing it than in this current location. Perhaps they can be restrained or something until after they've been awake for a while... just for the sake of their safety." He pauses, looking at Alaryn. "And our's."

"I suppose that's a good idea. We can gather them up outside, activate one of them so he can see we're not hostile?" That goblin that seems to be in charge, or at least nomijnally in charge, nods to Echo. Still, Jeireth's words are a fair point and he gives a thoughtful nod in his direction as well. "Restrained is wise, I agree."

"Perfect!" says Alaryn with enthusiasm and a big smile. "I can help luggin' things out... or wheelin'... or whatever." Yeah, her pipestem arms can't possibly carry much. But her pack does seem a bit overlarge as she steps in to offer her assistance as... pack mule-ish.

"That'd work well, but let's not overdo it. Who wants to wake up in restraints?" Merek asks, while he looks to the others also. "Maybe just a safe place with some protection between us as well as them."

"We're open to ideas. We're going to need tro find out what it is they 're doing down here, too. If only we had some era appropriate charnese uniforms..." The goblin sighs, "Ah well. Come on. Let's get this one up.."

And the ystart carting it up.

Victor lends a hand wherever he can. Many times he has to go ahead or wait behind if the tunnel gets too low. He makes it a point to emerge on the surface first, surveying the area for the best place to attempt a revival.

Echo considers as he follows after, being careful as he follows along the tunnel.

Jeirath nods at the goblins. "This one will do whatever is decided by the group. He doesn't know anything about Charn... or golems, best to let a more educated person decide." That said, he keeps his grip on the rapier ready. He is not sure how useful it will be against the golems, but he also isn't sure what else he should do. He follows everyone up.

"Here. Let me help." says Alaryn as she reaches for one of the handholds to help lift and carry things out. She has hidden reserves of strength it seems! Or magic. Most likely magic.

Merek nods a bit while he moves to assist as well.

GAME: Merek casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

GAME: Victor refreshes spells.

GAME: Victor casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16

Good news, everyone!

You're able to get the war golem outside with no problem and soon enough the goblins and gnomes are working on erxtracting another. There's more than a half-dozen, after all, leaving you to restrain and power this one up as you choose.

With it chained and manacled and tied to a boulder, Alaryn is able to reactivate the golem.

It takes a moment but then all at onc, it begins to function and then strains against its bindings.

"...wrrrr you do not...! Where... what has happened?"

Straaaaain.

"I am aware."

Echo looks around, then decides that maybe another war golem might be better. "Greetings, cousin. We found you in a cave in."

Merek waves to the golem with a polite smile for him also.

Jeirath watches as the golem is awakened. He is obviously concerned... the grip on the handle of his rapier is white hot. Once it awakens and states that it is aware, he looks around. "Perhaps this one will not pose a danger. We could unrestrain it now..."

Okay, so Alaryn is less concerned about the golem's reaction as she is about the fact that it worked. "Yes!" she exclaims, "It's my first golem revival." she says half-sheepishly, but then she bounces on her feet, "I REVIVED A GOLEM! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?!" she asks pretty much everyone.

Merek looks at his pack and takes a cookie from it, which he gives to Alaryn, and pats her lightly on the shoulder also.

Victor smiles indulgently at Alaryn. Then he turns to address the newly awoken golem. "Do you remember how you came to be buried?" He gestures towards the cavern. "We believe you may have fought in a conflict that is long over."

"...wheeeeeeeere am I. Where are the others. Where is my unit. What is happening. What did you find. What have you done."

The questions spill out of the golem's voice box in a rush.

"Oh that is easy. There were a bunch of you guys down there buried. We had to make sure that you wouldn't wake up and go into total killer mode, so we tested -you-. I'm sure you understand." Alaryn speaks quickly as well. She understands that. "Given that you seem rational and open to talking, I don't see why we couldn't get the rest of the ones we found out here. I could wake up an entire UNIT!" Another cheerful squeal.

Frowning, Echo looks to Alaryn. "Easy, Alaryn..." He looks to the golem, "Give me a moment and I will free you. Do you have a name and what purpose were you built for?"

Merek seems content to watch and listen also.

Victor starts to nod along with Alaryn. But as she goes on he stops nodding. And instead he gives her a small sideways glance.

"I am... this is not acceptable. You can not keep me bound. IF you are speaking truly, you will see to my immediate release so that I can return to the rest of my unit and oversee their recovery."

The golem rattles the chains. They strain.

"That one is speaking at an extraordinarily high pitch. Are they well?" IT means Alaryn.

Echo nods, moving to release the war golem. "Easy, cousin. Your unit, I believe, is through that tunnel. However, it is a bit too large for us to go through easily. Our friends here will bring the rest out as they can. Do you have a designation?"

Grinning like a loon, Alaryn stops speaking. She just turns and starts heading back down the tunnel towards the rest of the unit. What can she -possibly- be entertaining as an idea?

Merek looks as the woman moves to find all the others. "... I'm worried."

Victor moves to follow Echo. "I am certain she goes to oversee their retrieval and reassembly here. Only then will she revive them." He is actually not certain in the least.

GAME: Jeirath rolls diplomacy: (6)+8: 14

GAME: Echo rolls Diplomacy: (5)+7: 12

GAME: Merek rolls diplomacy: (3)+15: 18

"...yes, please retrieve the others so that that they may be activated. I am 2187, War Golem Detatchment designed for sapping and ending the threat of the Golden Burrowers."

Who?

Oh well, it's probably irrelevant now... right?

Echo nods, "... huh. So you are still with numbers? At least I was designated 'scribe' here..." The golem looks at where they are. "I think you did your job a little too well."

"...nnnno. That does not register," replies the golem to Echo. "Something is wrong."

It is not sure what, but its clear its concern that there is something wrong is lingering.

Down the cavern, tunnel, whatever... work work work.. shuffle... *BANG!* "Ow!" comes Alaryn's voice. But then more banging and clanging. Then heavy footfalls come from the tunnel before Alaryn comes walking slowly out. Halfway staggering under the weight she carries. She has one other entire Golem over one shoulder in something of a fireman's carry. Yes folks, little miss petite pipestem has a heavy-ass (well, heavy everything) golem over one shoulder as she carries it outside. "Got another one!" she calls out cheerily though she -is- breathing heavily by now.