Chapter 2: Expedition to Farsky

Clarice responds to Eunbyeol's question in its monotone voice, its red light flashing: "You are mistaken."

The construct steers the group slowly, gracefully into the circular room of golden hands. It stands in the doorway and again speaks in its monotone voice.

"Open the door to the outside. Sing a song."

"Oh wise Clarice, there is nothing outside. We came in this way." Hashia plants her feet.

"SING YOUR SONG."

Aduan looks at Desoto and nods. "Whistle that tune again."

Desoto obliges, whistling his tune.

The doors phase from reality as Desoto's tune catches the wind. The construct named Clarice drops its guard at this point and steps towards the doorway, its grace replaced with halting, uncertain steps. It stares out along the bridge and sees the crumbled ruins of the drop off. Reaching the door, it simply stares, its lens continuously focusing and refocusing.

"How long since your last visitor, Clarice?" Hashia asks gently, uncertain how responsive this creature is.

"I thiiiiiink we have an ~ERROR~..."

Clarice withdraws from the door, and drones a reply:

"It has been 22,841 days since the last visit. If there is no gatehouse, there can be no IDs. Therefore, nobody may be admitted. Leave, now. You have 10 seconds to comply."

Clarice moves into an aggressive stance.

Hashia's outer layer of skin turns into an energy barrier. "We are from Tarshu, Clarice, and I am the mayor. I order you by the power of my office to stand down and allow us entry. "

"Hey, deathbreather, I think you have that backwards..." Eunbyeol does a spinning motion with her outstretched forefinger. "If there's no gatehouse then that means they decided IDs weren't needed anymore. They probably told you and you forgot. It was sixty years ago, after all. Why would you try to go against your masters like this?"

Fascinated by the automaton, Desoto taps curiously on Clarice's armor. The wright is clearly oblivious to the present danger.

Lucina doesn't make any moves, but her grip on her sword tightens and she prepares herself for a battle.

The room suddenly is enveloped in soundlessness. If Desoto was still singing, the door suddenly phases solid. Clarice's red light continues to flash, indicating it is speaking, but of course, none of you can hear it. Moments later, it attacks!

Clarice is a level 5 foe! Roll initiative! Those that roll higher than 15 can act immediately. Battlefield Features: If you like, you can use these features on your turn in some creative way! It may grant a bonus or have an interesting effect.

Silence Field - prevents all noise and noise-based attacks / senses
Wall of Golden Hands - Hundreds of golden hands are grasping inward from the circular wall
Doorway - Requires an action to open by singing a song, and can be closed without an action at any time (currently not operational due to silence field)
Hallways - Hallways lead to the right (back to Clarice's dead garden and well) and to the left (unknown source of groovy music).

Hashia has expected this to turn sour.

Lucina prepares to fight, grateful that she had her sword in hand.

Lucina darts forward and takes a stab at Clarice, not wanting the thing to have a chance to fight back.

In the silence, the outline of glowing white hexagons form and multiple through the space between Lucinda and Clarice.

GM INSTRUSION!

Naat, if you as a coauthor of this story think this sounds cool, gain 1 xp and give 1 xp to another player and it shall come to pass and Clarice negates the hit with her energy shield. If you don't think it's cool, you can pay 1xp and it shall not come to pass.

Lucina's eyes widen for a moment before she dances back with a determined look on her face, "She has some sort of barrier!"