Ruins of Azlant Gameplay

"Is that so," the machine says. "What skills and abilities do you possess that will allow you to eliminate such a threat as this aboleth?"

"While I would like to give a full summary of our abilities, we currently have a number of enhancements that are limited in time. If I went over everything, we'd lose some of our advantages," Amissa says with a frown. "The short version is that we have two capable fighters alongside two spellcasters, one with divine influences and one with arcane magic."

"I see," the machine says. "Have you formulated a plan with which you believe you will be able to counter the aboleth's abilities, and thus defeat it?"

"We already have protection against mind-influencing effects," Amissa says. "The physical effects of the aboleth shouldn't be a concern in an underwater fight. Its illusions may be more difficult, but we don't have anything available to us that specifically counteracts those."

"You may very well be able to defeat it, if that is the case," the machine agrees. "What are your names?"

Amissa provides the names of the party, to which the machine asks "Do you have any personal attachments to the colonists you are rescuing? Or are they only acquaintances?"

Amissa glances at the group. "Some of them are close with members of our group. Others are acquaintances."

"What are the names and appearances of those who are closer to the members of your group?" the machine asks.

Jax swims up to Amissa, waving his hand across his throat in a motion to stop the conversation.

Amissa looks at Jax, then back to the machine. "Why do you need that information?"

”Can you help us find them?” Kaimana asks, oblivious to Jax’s signals.

Jax frantically swims in front of Kaimana, making the same motion to stop. He then turns and ensures Aisha also sees.

"My purpose is to learn all that I can, so that the information contained may become of use," the machine answers. "I will use the information I possess to help you find them, once all my questions are answered."

Jax swims to where everyone can see him, shakes his head, and motions to the machinery, then the door.

Amissa frowns at Jax and shakes her head, then provides short descriptions of Perrell, Carver, Kurvis, and Kereda.

"Thank you for the information," the voice from the machine says. The face on the machine quickly changes into what looks like a giant, primordial, three-eyed fish, which Amissa can easily identify as an Aboleth. The friendly voice vanishes and only the harsh voice remains, saying, “Now you must die.” The display forms a sharp, spear-like protrusion from the metal pins and attacks

The spike hits Amissa, releasing a cloud of blood into the air. Aisha quickly heals her, and Amissa shouts "Cover me!" as she teleports across the room, now swimming in front of one of the eyes on the face adorning the opposite wall. She quickly begins tinkering with the face as Jax and Kaimana fight off clouds of gears which form around the room. After a couple of attempts, both eyes are disabled, and the clouds of gears stop attacking. Amissa turns to the group. "I've disabled the analytical engine, and I've unlocked the door to the aboleth's chambers. Let's go."

Jax glares in frustration at the group, but nods and turns to swim to the door.

As the creature speaks, powerful vibrations in the water
carry its carefully articulated words, echoing like a
resonant whisper. “Retribution—is that why you are here?
Or do you seek to understand designs infinitely larger than
yourselves? You have no idea what is about to transpire.
You puny creatures have released a veiled master, and
when it gets the weapon it is looking for, your cities and
your civilization as you know it will be gone. And yet, here
you are, looking for petty revenge.” With a disgusted shake
of its head, the creature lets out a long, condescending
sigh that echoes in the water for a moment, after which it
continues, “Be that as it may, I cannot suffer you to leave
after what you have done to my home and servants.”
The creature’s eyes give off a flash of bright red light, and
its four slimy tentacles shoot forward to crush the life out of
anyone they can reach.

[Placeholder for aboleth fight. It wants a truce after Kaimana hits it three times]

"Hold, hold!" the aboleth cries, raising its tentacles in a non-threatening fashion. "There is another out there, one with plots more wicked and devious than mine, more powerful than myself! Should you spare me, I will tell you all I know of his designs, leaving no detail left unsaid, for I hate Ochymua, the true mastermind behind the attacks on your colony."

"You'll also free everyone currently under your control, release any captives you have, cooperate with undoing the experiments on the mutated ones, and swear to never move against our colony ever again," Aisha demands immediately in Aquan.

"I also want that headband," Amissa says. "That's Azlanti in make, isn't it? I'm not sure what effects it has, but I would feel more comfortable in our safety if it were in our possession."

The aboleth gives a sharp exhale of water, not unlike a snort. "Azlanti? You insult me. This headband was crafted by Aboleth magic, using technology the Azlanti learned from us. But if that is your terms, I will accept," the aboleth readily agrees. "Though, your fellow colonists will likely not appreciate my working on them again, hmm? I would happily share my notes on using the machine and the mutations it can produce with you."

"Whatever, Amissa's smart enough without you," Kaimana comments, sword still elevated and still in a fighting stance. "Will you get on with it before I decide to keep going?"

"Some foolish humans from your colony released the veiled master spy, Ochymua, from his stasis of 10,000 years. Now, Ochymua seeks to wreak destruction on the surface world, by finding an Azlanti doomsday weapon. In search of this, he has traveled to the underwater city of Talasantri," Onthooth explains.

"Ah," Amissa says. "I think I remember coming across the tower that used to house him, although it was populated by skum at that point." She hesitates. "The doomsday weapon... is it related to how the Azlanti civilization was originally destroyed? And what exactly is a veiled master?"