Chapter 3 - Session 8 - Veins of Lead, Heart of Oak, Breath of Ghosts

Face to face with the Herald the air was thick enough I could taste it. Ozone and a metalic taste of blood. In the center of the mechanical spider web of tubes and pipes the herald's eyes opened and fixed it's gaze on us. Bruin with shield raised slowly advanced upon the monstosity. As soon as Bruin got within striking range the Herald struck out at him with a mechanical piston fused claw tearing into flesh and fur. Z'ed started throwing thunder and lightning around striking the abomination. Odra rushed up next to Bruin and started wailing on the thing as well but it seemed to shrug off the slashing strikes. I tried to throw an exceptionally potent alchemist fire but missed. It did get hit with a bit of the splash but didn't seem effected by the fire whatsoever. Klackers moved up to support Bruin and Odra. Amani started summoning thralls and was eyeing the soul pump inquisitively. Bruin tried to take a bite out of the Herald and that proved not very successful it seemed to shrug off the damage easily. Z'ed used more thunder and lightning and struck out at the tanks on the side of the tree cracking them. confirming they can be destroyed! I tried to rush over to MSDOS and as soon I moved I was overwhelmed with panic and lost my wits about me. I accidentally lashed out at MSDOS but luckily her chassis is hard metal and it didn't phase her. Then I rushed the creature as fast as I could. Klackers followed Odra and tried to administer some field medic healing and patch up some of the scuffing she had taken thus far. Amani made her way to the base of the tree around the mechanism and messed with the souls. Whatever she did had an immediate effect. Are aura around the creature seemed to quiet and the screaming inside my head when silent. Bruin kept trying to bite it but that was proving useless. The Herald cast a spell as Odra tried to interrupt it but that didn't stop it. It started spuing grease all around those of us next to it and we all fell on our asses hard. He then proceeded to beat the living shit out of my green ass. Z'ed targeted the pipes and pressure valves with some lightning and thunder but they didn't seem to have an effect on it at all. Odra tried her best to strike at the Herald again and did some slight damage to the thing. I found my self again and came to my senses now that the voices had stopped so I got to my feet and headed for the mechanism where Amani was. I sent MSDOS over to Bruin to try and cauterize some of his wounds. Klackers also helped patch up Bruin before getting to his feet as well. Amani tried to cast some confusion but it resisted some of the spell and just became slightly stunned at the mental assault. She then summoned some thralls to attack the Herald taking mighty swings at it. Bruin then stood up himself and tried to strike and grab him. He successfully smacked the Herald and grappled it in his large bear hug. But not for long as it quickly broke free and punched Bruin back dealing a massive blow. Bruin was a bloodied pile of matted fur at this point. Z'ed continued to throw around more lightning and electricity. Odra called upon Bruin for the ol' Slip and Sizzle with Bruin trying to trip the creature but slipped himself and fell on his furry behind. Odra improvised and just tried to take a swing at the creature but also missed terribly. I tried to throw a quick vial of cold concoction but missed it fully. I then turned my attention to the pumps and started draining the residual material from the lines pumping into the tree and creature. I was able to reverse the flow and cut off the remaining supply helping sustain the creature. Klackers started bonking the thing with his whackin stick. Amani left me and cast a boney barrage causing one of thralls to burst into a flurry of bone shards and shrapnel. As the Herald attempted to move away I was continuing to release the chemicals from the pipes causing them to super freeze and damage the creature.

The herald’s end was a dissonant symphony of cracking wood and shrieking metal. As the absolute zero of the frost took hold, the amber sap within the trunk froze and expanded, splintering the ancient bark with the sharp reports of a firing squad. The creature’s mechanical nervous system fared no better; the pressurized fluids within its brass tubes turned to jagged ice, causing the conduits to burst and spray frozen mist like severed arteries. Trapped in a permanent, agonizing spasm, the herald’s glowing eyes flicker and dim behind a veil of rime, its final breath hitching in a throat of rusted iron as the cold turns its living clockwork into a brittle, silent tomb.

The reverberation in the air faded and silence fell on the grove. The smell of oil fading to the scent of moist earth and woods. The sound of birds started filling the air as nature moved quickly to reclaim its realm. As it did we could see bodies strewed around the battlefield. Unfortunate victims of the abomination we had just faced. Taking a look at the remains of the machinery and mechanisms it is very apparent that the engineering and craftsmanship was very subpar and haphazard. Its a miracle the contraption worked at all. The planar tear probably did most of the heavy lifting to even make the Heralds components functional in the first place. Klackers spent the next hour or so patch us up as Odra and Z'ed looted the bodies and area for valuables and anything salvageable. We made out pretty well. There was quite a bit of sellable items that will net us some nice coin to fund our party for a good while.

We slowly made our way back to town and found it quiet and calm. The Syndicate presence had fled and the town can finally breath a sigh of relief. There was no fan fair or celebration just the quiet calm satisfaction of freedom and relief.

Amani spent the rest of our time in town with her friend Dugan. Encouraging him to find his happiness as he continues to help those in need.

The rest of us found some downtime to relax and rest as we prepare to leave Len's Hollow our mission complete.