Recently G4 members Tyrman “Mad Dog” Bladebreaker, Mynday Sprocketflange, and Triksi Sparkbarrel join Kascryn Copperhollow in a risky endeavor to enter Gnomeregan using a Dark Iron mole machine to better reach the deeper levels of the city. Will they find their missing friend? Catch up on previous exciting entries or continue on to enjoy the tale:
Sub-Level 16
(Part 1)
Kascryn’s Gambit
Written by Tyrman Bladebreaker
It felt strange wearing the full suit of armor again. The last he wore it was to fight the Legion, as it was intended, it saved his life more than he could recall. Designed for durability and brute force, the power armor held a built in SHIELD tech of his design. If anticipated, a barrier field would surround the wearer and keep them from harm. Useful when fighting demons twice or even twenty times your size. A dull yellow glow would shine from under each metal plate.
Tyrman Bladebreaker stood alone in New Tinkertown as he reminisced about past battles. Admittedly, donning the armor felt like home. Feeling the weight of the large sword on his back was reassuring. The gnome brawler felt he could take on anything Gnomeregan could throw at him. As more of the team arrived, his confidence would grow. None of the gnomes would show signs of hesitation for this plan. They would descend as far as they could go and were equipped for not only confrontation, but for the radiation.
Agent Kascryn Copperhollow was the mastermind behind this plan. After borrowing a Dark Iron mole machine, family heirlooms in their culture, the squad would drill to Sub-level 16 where Rose Softtrigger last sent her transmission. Dr. Mynday Sprocketflange was impressed with the entire operation, anything to reach the missing apprentice quickly and “safely”. A new face and recruit, Triksi Sparkbarrel joined on the mission. The gnome operative held a custom rifle in her hands, outfitted with a large backpack filled with essential equipment, and wore the colors of the Alliance. Recently she decided to not re-enlist into the Military and focus more on assisting her kind. Tyr was thankful to have her skills as he was sure they would be tested in the underground city.
“Nervous?” Tyr grins before tying on the mask his lovely wife made for him and the team entering Gnomeregan. Lilyanabell tailored and enchanted them herself, the otherwise pieces of cloth would protect them from most toxic airborne chemicals and radiation. Not to mention, they had an apple scent!
“Of course. Only crazy folks and fools feel no fear. Dealing with it, is the trick.” Kascryn responds.
“If you ask me, busting down the front door is a better idea than this.” Triksi adds as she also prepares her mask.
“Right?!” Tyr chuckles, a gnome after his own heart. “Alright, show us the way, Kas and we’ll load up!”
The agent leads the squad up a snowbank. As the tip of the drill was spotted, Tyr would make a slow grin. His excitement grew as the dark metal hull of the mole machine came into view. The gnomes would gaze at the heavy dwarven equipment as Kas would go on explaining how it would work.
“Alright… so… here we have a Dark Iron Mole machine. Apparently, these things are like family heirlooms and this is a rental… so… let’s try not to get me on a Dark Iron hit list by… messing it up. I’ll be piloting it. Apparently, it’s… uhh… fast and a little rough. I’m told kind of like jumping off a cliff but louder. And with the sound of insane metal grinding like you’ve never heard before. So… let’s get this done.”
“Shotgun!” Tyr just dives right into it looking for a seat.
“I hope we drill straight to the target!” Just as determined, Triksi is the next to take her place within the Mole Machine, “Well, come on then!”
Mynday takes a deep breath. “Let’s go get Rose!”
Kascryn nods and carefully gets into the driving seat.
The ride inside the Dark Iron mole machine was loud and disorienting. Easily chewing through the crust of the world, the engine transports its passengers past several levels of Gnomeregan. After a final deafening crunch and rip as the dark iron tip of the mole machine tears through a metal wall, it comes to a stop. Reaching their destination, hopefully the right coordinates.
As the gnomes disembark, an earthy musky scent assails them. Spotlights from the mole machine flicker on to better see. Spores drift lazily, fungi and low hanging vines cling to the walls and ceiling. Each step they take leaves a print slowly filling with seeping murky water. The floors and walls once pressed metal now coated in soft squishy moss and mold. It is hard to decipher what this room was previously intended for.
Kascryn squints and frowns, looking around intently “…huh”. He looks over his shoulder to examine the mole machine looking for damage.
“Whoo, that was a fel of a ride.” Tyr stumbles out before looking around. His goggles light up.
“This is not what I had envisioned.” Mynday says as she stares around her, completely discombobulated, before lifting her feet trying to shake the damp off her cloth shoes. Saying what everyone is thinking. Triksi barely notices the damp, pungent smell of the room, “It’s almost like we’re inside the belly of a beast.” she mutters.
Tyrman scans the area, “Levels of radiation seem low here for some reason… I imagine it will spike the deeper we go. We could be below the cooling tanks. You know those huge vats of water that help keep generators from overheating?” Tyr observes as he picks up a sheet of metal, he tries to remove the muck as he makes out some lettering. A sign perhaps?
Kascryn sighs and looks away from the mole machine, “I’m not an engineer but it seems fine… uhh …this is not familiar. Did Gnomeregan have a secret greenhouse for mushrooms?” The herbalist finds common cave fungi, among other more dangerous mushrooms.
”…nothing too strange. Standard things you’d expect this far down. Some death caps… uhh… don’t’ eat those, please. And this looks like an old Mechano Sabercat.” Kas finishes as he carefully searches through the grime and moss.
To everyone’s surprise, they would continue to find more evidence of robotic devices such as a mechanical parrot in dire need of repairs. Nearby was also a large rusty lever. While the urge to pull it was strong, the gnomes would investigate further before pulling it. Unable to find the source of what it would power, or if it would even work, the squad decided to activate it. Tyr drops the sign he was working on and easily pulls back on the lever.
As the switch is flipped, lights flicker and switch on. Some pop and explode while most remain intact, giving the gnomes enough illumination to see. In addition, other devices and doors begin to activate and open. Many of the mechanical animals boot up. Shaking off their rust and corrosion, the robots continue their function as if they were never deactivated. Broken vox roars from different types of predators could be heard from a distance.
Sparks fly from the mechanical parrot as it tries to flap its broken wings. The metal bird emits a cracked squawk before shutting down. Even in its rusty state, the sabertron shambles forward. Its light bulb eyes flicker on as it shifts its shoulder hydraulics, readying itself to pounce. Triksi slowly distances herself from the rest of the group while maintaining the attention of the cat. Her flashlight starts emitting in a strobe-like fashion to test its visual software. Her weapon is slightly off-center of the cat’s head while she does so.
Unfazed by the strobe, the automaton feline leaps at Mynday! The mage quickly moves, only having her robe ripped. She would try to respond with magic, to cast a powerful arcane blast, but it would veer away from the sabertron! The others quickly respond by assaulting the metal beast. During the confrontation, Kascryn would kick up moist dirt and dust into the optical sensors of the mechanical feline. Behaving much like a feral jungle cat, it rears up as dirt is caked in its eyes. Flailing its claws desperately. It takes a critical blast from Triksi. Oil and sparks fly as the saber cat retreats down the open hall before crumpling into the muck.
“Target down… I wonder why that thing wasn’t locked up?” Triksi says as she reloads.
“Maybe an old defense system… or it went haywire?” Kascryn shrugs
Tyrman spits a glob of blood before stomping over to the discarded sign. He brushes away the last bit of grim with his boot. He covers his face with his palm as he reads; “Wondrous Mechanical Zoo: Repair Bay and Power Station.”
“There is something messing with magic down here.” Mynday mentions with worry as she looks over her torn robe.
Triksi nods and answers, “Magic dampening field. It has to be the only explanation.”
“If what you say is true, Mynday, be careful what you cast, aye?” Tyr says before adding, “We better keep our eyes open. Cog knows what else was kept here.”
Executing more caution, the gnomes continue through the opening where the rusty sabertron collapsed. The small room would open into a vast cavern filled with more fungal life that clung onto the old metal walls and surfaces. Each step they took made a sucking noise on the soft wet moss. More robotic animal-like sounds came from all around. Many of the roars, chirps, and squeaks could be recognized. A split in the path before them causes them to pause. More sounds come from either direction. Roars are louder on the right while screeches come from the left.
Kascryn frowns slightly, “It seems we have a choice… Choose your mechanical nightmare.” He smirks.
“So long as there isn’t any mechanical squirrels.” Tyr shivers before adding with a grunt, “I’m good either way.” He looks back at the others before rolling his shoulders.
“Ok. I feel like screeches… I think… Parrots seems less lethal than cats, yeah? …or they WANT us to think that.” Kascryn’s frown deepens as he mulls it over.
“Birds are harder to hit for all of us. But whatever’s on the other path sounds more formidable.” Triksi chimes in.
“What else screeches? I feel that is important…” Tyrman says mostly to himself.
“Rodents.” She answers.
“Oh, Cog that shite. I vote roar.”
Kascryn nods, “Alright. Roars then?”
The four of them veer toward the path on the right. It wouldn’t be long before they’re met with a rustling from nearby fungus and moss. Tyr would immediately prepare one of the grenades on his belt to deal with it swiftly. However, Kascryn would advise against it as it could be a friendly or even Rose. With a grumble, the brawler places the explosive back on his belt. The rustling stops, before a challenging roar bellows followed by a wall of metal bursts from the foliage. A mechanical gorilla charges toward the gnomes. While surprised, the squad were prepared as they quickly dispatched it. A fan of knives was thrown by the agent followed by Triksi’s strobe flashes and gunfire. Mynday would cast a barrage of arcane blasts, even if they were a little wild or weakened. Tyr’s blade crackled with electrical arcs as he sliced through the shoulder of the gorilla. The mechanical ape didn’t stand a chance against the gnomes. As it fell, its lights would flicker off.
“Looks like someone didn’t feed this guy his three-square meals of mecha-nanas per day.” Triksi comments casually.
“Let’s rescue Rose and then when we get out, you need to start a second career as a marketing genius. Mecha-nanas? Brilliant name.” Kascryn praises.
Even deeper the gnomes move into the dilapidated mechanical zoo. More of the same animal-like calls echo all around. Although, not quite like the real counterparts as there is a crackle or cut off. However, the more violent roars and cries seem to be congregating further in. They become louder as they venture deeper. There is another sound among the vox calls. More organic. After Tyrman spots something on a distant ridge, Triksi’s goggles zoom in on the location. There seems to be a struggle, she reported. Masses of roaring shapes followed by flashes of sparks and shouts. Despite Tyrman’s distaste for stealth, Kascryn suggested using a Cloak of Shadows to get them closer without being detected. One they reached the top, they stood in awe.
The scene before them is a frenzy of metal claws and blunt objects. Mechanical raptors lunge and leap at a group of troggs. In the center is a large metal devilsaur. Its silver teeth glistening with crimson as it takes another chop on an unfortunate trogg. The guttural cries of the cave dwellers continue to throw themselves at the mechanical dinosaurs.
While it was a wondrous violent sight of machine versus trogg, at least to the brawler who watched with glee, the others didn’t wish to jump into the fray unnecessarily. Mynday advised against teleportation due to how random her magic seemed to react. The ex-soldier of the Alliance suggested a distraction using flares. Everyone agreed to give it a try.
Triksi gets up to a crouching position and returns to a prone some distance from her original spot. She aims towards the devilsaur’s left, to the back of the room. She fires, the shot itself is sort of muffled, but the explosion is delayed until a couple meters from discharge, similar to a firework. There was a strange silence as the flare detonated a brilliant bright light and drifted slowly, causing the primal programmed dinosaurs and troggs to stare at it before a roar of fighting broke out again as they scramble for it. Wasting no time, the gnomes burst into action. All of them sprint past to bypass the danger. Just when they thought they were safe, a group of troggs splinter from the fight to follow the gnomes. Each one snarling and banging their fists on the ground as their pace increases. Some have fungus growing on them. All of them ugly as fel. Quickly, with a hail of bullets, knives, and wild magic, they would drop without even uttering a scream.
There seems to be less and less noises as they move further away from the battle. Tyrman spots a structure and leads them toward it in hopes it would lead out of the mechanical zoo.
A deep gargling roar fills the room causing the troggs to scatter away in fear. Lumbering thumps stomp toward the group. Hulking and covered in mushrooms, a giant trogg joins the fray. It is covered in scars and seeping pores. One of its eyes is crusted over and riddled after many years surviving deep within the radiated halls of Gnomeregan’s depths.
“Four against one! Better odds eh?” Tyr grins as he pills a pin from a grenade and lobs it at the monstrosity. The explosion only seems to anger the trogg further as it takes another lumbering step toward the group.
“Uh… I’ll take the five hundred troggs over this thing! Our weapons can’t crack this trogg!” Triksi shouts as she takes a shot.
“I’m not going to stand here and do nothing either!” Tyrman readies another grenade and lobs it.
Triksi gets a brilliant idea, “Tyrman!”
“What!”
“The Devilsaur! Let’s make them fight each other, teach ’em to pick on somebody its own size!
Kascryn risks glancing over at the riflewoman with a confounded stare, “The wha? …you want to kite this thing back to the Mecha… Saur, thing?”
The armored brawler blinks. Gears in his head start to mesh as the idea becomes clear, “Sweet Cogs… YAAAS! That is… The best Cogging thing ever.”
All four would act quickly as they made a hasty retreat. Kascryn lets loose a volley of throwing knives and Mynday casts wildly at the giant. It lets out a roar, causing the very room to shake before it starts to increase its pace toward the gnomes. It would be hot on their tails, scrambling to catch them as they backtrack to the battle between the brutish troggs and automatized prehistoric predators. As the giant trogg thunders around the corner and barrels into the struggle, the smaller troggs scramble away or crushed. The Devilsaur would face the giant and roar a challenge. Bellowing in response, the trogg tackles into the mechanical dinosaur. The giant’s bulk would easily knock away the raptors clawing at its legs.
The squad watches the scene in complete awe. However, time was not on their side and would leave the distracted giants to their duel. They would go uncontested. The only sound was from their heavy breathing and the roars from the giant battle behind them. Reproaching the structure, it was clear of moss and fungus. It was nice to step on metal, even if rusted. Before them is a sealed door. A light flickers behind it.
“… Think we should knock?” Tyr asks.
“I mean, we’ve been so subtle thus far.” Kascryn says before clearing his throat, “Uh. Hello?”
The flickering light within bobs as the group speaks. A pair of eyes peer through a small slit on the door.
“W-who goes. t-there? You speak well for a t-trogg!” A shaky voice carries from behind the door. After a few minutes of coxing them out, a lean gnome carrying a lamp creeks open the rusted door. It was clear he was a leper, his skin an unhealthy green. His mustache and clothes were dirty. The leper wore a tattered old pair of coveralls and boots to match. He introduced himself as Robben. He seemed hesitant at first but when Mynday mentioned Rose, Robben waved for them to follow before disappearing into the doorway.
The group exchanged a few glances before following. Mynday, Tyr, and Triksi were eager to pursue while Kascryn advised to stay sharp.
Robben waited at the top of the ramp, waiting for them with his lamp before toddling on.
As the gnomes follow their strange “friend”, they would be met with more lights. At each dim little light sat or slept one or two just like him wearing ragged clothes. Some wore bits of armor or had rusty rifles. Some of them stared at the gnomes as they passed. Some would cower. Others laugh uncontrollably. One would claw at Kas as he walked by, mumbling about their son before pulling back. Kascryn pauses to give the Leper a sympathetic look before sighing and moving on.
Another would reach out for Triksi. Whispering incoherent babble uttering, “Sector 17.” Triksi had to rest the lower receiver of her rifle upon her shoulder, in order to avoid people snatching it. None would even go near Tyr with his power armor humming. Even more so with Mynday. Possibly her arcane signature? Mynday looks at the gnomes and her heart constricted at the thought of the lives they must lead.
Robben stops near a huddle of leper gnomes. Gathered was an elder and a smaller gnome. Unlike the others, they wore a full suit and a large dome-like helm that resembled an old Gnomish military helmet.
An elder leper turns to face the gnomes and waves them over. “Come! You’re expected.”
He places a hand on the suited gnome at his side. As they drew closer, it was clear she had a feminine figure. She seemed to be resting. “Child, your friends are here.”
Triksi glances behind her, then back towards the group of lepers, surprised. Mynday’s head snapped towards the suited gnome. Tyrman looks at the elder than at the small resting gnome. He glances at Mynday, giving her a nod.
“Rose? Is that you?”
Rose Softtrigger removes her sealed helm and smiles weakly at the group. “H-hi. I’m so happy to see you.”
“ROSE!!!” Mynday rushes forward to give her a hug. Rose would not rise but she does her best to hug Mynday back. Tears would sting her worn out eyes. Mynday notices Rose has lost a lot of weight, “Are you okay?”
“I’m sure you have a lot of questions. But please, rest.” The elder smiles at Mynday and bows his head before stepping away from the suited gnome.
“You could say that. You’re the first Gnomes deep within Gnomeregan who haven’t tried to kill us.” Kascryn addresses the leper, both he and Triksi were relieved to find the missing gnome but are skeptical, “You’re clearly not Thermaplugg goons… who are you?” Kas finishes.
“Thermaplugg?” The elder spits away from the others. “That traitor can rot on the lowest level. No, we’re against that tyrant. At least, what is left.” He watches Mynday care for Rose and Triksi offers food and water. With a sigh, he adds, “There is a device that is siphoning magic. It is powering something, but we’re not sure what.”
It was troubling news to say the least and it explained why Rose did not simply open a mage portal to return home. Even Mynday felt her mana being drained as they remained. Kascryn offered sanction to the surface for the lepers to visit a reclamation station for possible decontamination, the elder would refuse. Instead, he would insist they return Rose topside to recover. She would protest but was convinced on the terms she could return to help. Tyrman and Triksi offered to remain behind while Mynday, Rose, and Kascryn returned to the mole machine.