>>3441608
>Ask Orrin about possibilities before making a decision.
>Check to see if the button leads anywhere.

>>3441608
>"Press the button Edgar"

>>3441608
>>Check to see if the button leads anywhere.
>"Press the button Edgar"

(( Tried to post last night. Connection errors.
Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=ShogunRyuusha ))

"Orrin, what are the dangers involved with this idea?" Ursd asked, rubbing his chin with his finger.

"Sentry alarms. Explosions. Temperature changes. Summoning of dwarven butlers. Immediate firing of arrows. Who knows?" Orrin shrugged. "I could attempt to scry it-"

"Edgar, press the button." Ursd pushed the young Prince forward. The man looked back at him, then at Orrin, then at Ana, then held up his hand.
"I feel like you're doing this for ulterior motives, Aufkrager." Edgar said, his voice ladeled in suspicion.

"No. Never." Ursd said. "You wanted to press the button. You can press it."

Edgar gave him one last look, then pushed his finger firmly on the button.

There was silence.

"...Looks like it's bro-" Edgar began.

There was a very loud whirring noise as the walls around them lit up. The ceiling blasted bright, yet gentle, light upon the room, blinding them for a moment. The floor shook a moment. Edgar grabbed the wall. Ana fell into Ursd who grabbed her. Orrin fell over slightly, stopping himself by clutching Ursd's arm.

Edgar shouted, "By the Twins! What was tha-"

"Shakor. Mudan grovei."

There was a voice from the ceiling above them. Edgar blinked. Ana breathed.

"It's Dwarvish! It's an older dialect, but that's definitely Dwarvish!"

Her mood from earlier was gone, replaced with utter fascination. She stepped forward slowly.

"Mudan grovei?" the voice repeated. She rubbed her chin. Orrin seemed impressed.

"Not many of your youth in the Empire probably know old Dwarvish dialects. What drove you to learn?" Orrin asked.

"Diplomacy." Edgar replied for her. "She adores diplomatic talks. More than I ever did."

"Why am I not surprised?" Ursd rolled his eyes.

"It's asking who we are. Erm..." Ana began. "Groveth Ana, Ursd, Orrin, Edgar, shikor nanu darmei."

"....Darmei grove..." the voice mulled. "Changing to Empirean voice patterns. Some words may not be recognized."

"Holy shit it speaks our language?!" Edgar said.

"Shit not recognized." the voice uttered, if a machine could be confused.

"Careful, Edgar. It can only understand what words existed during the time of its construction." Ana informed, quietly.

Ursd began to ponder a moment.

>Ask about the former inhabitants.
>Ask it to turn the city back on.
>Ask it about the island.

>>3442324
>>Ask about the former inhabitants

>>3442324
>Ask about the former inhabitants.

"What happened to the previous inhabitants of this place, ... voice?" Ursd asked, confused.

"Searching." the voice replied. There was a long moment of silence.

"Redacted information. Classified. Cannot divulge to newcomers." the voice admitted.

"Classified..? You mean hidden? By whom?" Ana asked.

"Also classified. Much data removed." the voice chirped.

"Data?..." Ana seemed at a loss.

"Information." Ursd said. "It's used primarily by the Gnomes and Dwarves. But it's an Empirean word."

"Fascinating.." Ana said.

>Ask it to turn the city back on.
>Ask about the island.

> Ask about the island

>>3444035
>Ask about the island.

>>3444035
>Ask about the island.

"Then what about this island?" Ursd asked. "Odinhjem?"

"Odin... hjem? Designated name for landmass not recognized." the voice said. "Name of landmass was originally Kurgan."

"Kurgan?!" Orrin exclaimed. Ana seemed equally impressed, clasping her hands together. Ursd raised an eyebrow. Edgar was lost.

"...Kurgan?" Edgar asked, turning to Ursd.

"Do you even get taught things in the Empire, boy?" Ursd said. "Kurgan. Think about it."

"...Nothing."

Ursd shook his head solemnly.

"Kurgan was one of several famous Dwarven cities that fell to ruin and vanished beneath the waves during the Great Disaster. Arguably the most famous. It was the Kingdom of the Great-Thane, Grekann Kurgan himself."

"...Well I mean what are the chances we really found it?"

"This unit would like to inform you that the High Thane Grekann Kurgan, His Royal Majesty, Slayer of Throngar and Hammer of the Gods, is currently unavailable for communication. Apologies for the inconvenience."

"Must be a coincidence."

"Dammit, Edgar. One second you're harping about adventure, next second you're skeptical about our findings!" Ana grasped his shoulders, staring him in the eyes. "We! Prince and Princess! Finding the legendary city!"

"During a time of war and crisis when the information from this city could be used to kill our father?" Edgar said.

"...Or, used to turn the war in our favor." Ursd famously crossed his arms. "I'm not one for first aggression but if this place contains weapons or war-based knowledge it would be a great help to us. If anything, it's a powerful fort."

"So... you're agreeing with me that we should make it a shelter?" Edgar hoped.

"....If by shelter, you mean heavily armed, strategic hold then yes." Ursd sighed. "Fine."

"I KNEW it." Edgar grinned.

"Ursd..." Ana began, disappointed. "Shouldn't we be more concerned about the historical value of this place in general?"

"Certainly, Ana." Orrin said for him. "But Daag is a pragmatist as well as an optimist. We can't ignore the possibilities of this place as a castle. It was once one anyway."

>Ask it to turn the city back on.
>Leave the city off.

>>3444060
>Ask for food and shelter for travelers

>>3444060
>Ask it to turn the city back on.

"Hey, ... you, can this place support a group of travelers for a good amount of time?" Ursd asked.

"This kingdom is self-proliferating, containing farms, ore mines for energy, water purification devices, and many other conveniences. It has everything a civilization needs to grow and flourish, as expected of our Dwarven creators." the voice praised. "However, many of those devices are currently shut down."

"Shut down? Like off?" Ursd asked. "Mind turning them back on?"

"...Processing.. Processing... Unit has access to level 1 reengagement."

"Do it then." Ursd said.

"Reactivating. Greetings travelers, designation Ana, Edgar, Ursd, and Orrin, and welcome to Kurgan, the City of Nobles."

There was another shake as everything in the room lit up, turning an icy blue. This time the group was more prepared, already holding on to the bars on the side of the room (which seemed to be meant for this specific purpose) as the entire building shook.

Outside, as the prisoners watched, the island began to rise further from the waves. Pipelines extended out into the water, beginning to drain the ocean for purification and use. More and more ground emerged from beneath the waves, until the island was half a size bigger. The small amount of forest shook as the buildings began to activate. But some of them remained without power, especially the ones further within the depths of the island.

".....What the hell was that?" Edgar asked, as cool wind began to blow through the building.

"Apparently level 1 activation." Ursd replied.

"I wonder if turning the city on is really a good idea." Orrin said. "After all, now any defensive mechanisms now have power."

"As I said before, I'll handle them." Ursd said, rubbing his shoulder.

"By the way..."

They all looked at the ceiling to hear the voice speak again.

"You all wouldn't happen to know what happened to the entryway door, would you?"

"Erm... well,... unfortunately, the door was rusted shut and unable to open, so we were forced to blow it open." Ana admitted. "We apologize."

"Ah." the voice went silent a moment. "Should it come to it, you'll be sent a bill for the damages later. Need to get it appraised first."

"Erm... very well." Ana nodded. "We don't have any money currently but we'll see what we can do-"

"Wait. This could be mutually beneficial." the voice pondered. "This unit is gaining more power as more of the servers are turned on. As a result, I am able to see the extent of the city and its current status. Since I do not have any contact with engineers or other professions necessary to help fix the city, I would like to contract you four to assist in the processes needed to fully reactivate Kurgan."

"...Sounds reasonable." Ursd shrugged. "We'll see what we can do. We want the city turned back on as much as you do."

"Then you will require these." the voice chirped. There was a small noise as a hole in the wall near the button from earlier ejected four small devices.
---1/2---

"Small rectangles?" Edgar asked, picking one up.

"Key cards with Engineer-level clearance. You will need them to get around the city.. and avoid having to destroy more doors." it added.

"Sorry again."

"Very useful." Ursd commented, placing the keycard into a satchel at his side. "Then let's begin this excursion."

>Go East through the door labeled, "Water Purification and Processing - Employees Only."
>Go North through the door labeled, "Main Entryway to Residential."
>Go West through the door labeled, "Main Entryway to Commercial and Industrial."
>Go back outside and talk to the prisoners about what happened.

>>3444465
>Go back outside and talk to the prisoners about what happened.
>Go North through the door labeled, "Main Entryway to Residential."
We should get them settled as soon as possible.

>>3444465
>>Go back outside and talk to the prisoners about what happened.

>>3444465
>Go back outside and talk to the prisoners about what happened.

Ursd allowed the others to look around the first room as he headed back out into the camp. He passed through the trees from earlier, down the small steppes, and immediately noticed the island was... different.

"It got bigger, Champion." Charles said as Ursd approached.

"What?"

"The island." Charles pointed out into the water. "Never seen a thing like it. What did you guys do?"

"Activated the Dwarven ruin. It's Kurgan."

There were a few hushed whispers and a loud shout from the crowd. Several moved forward.

"...Kurgan? The lost city?"

"The very same." Ursd nodded in affirmation. "At least, according to a voice that speaks to us from within."

"One of those Dwarven magitech devices most likely." Charles nodded. "Did you find any safe haven for us within? It looks like a storm."

"For now, possibly. There's a residential quarter." Ursd said. "But I'm unsure of how safe it is."

"Just lead the way. I'd rather be inside, dry and uncomfortable, than outside, wet and haggard." Charles said, grabbing some wood from the beach. "Can always pitch a tent and a fire. The boat had supplies."

"Get some of the men together to haul along some of the cargo from the boat. If you can, try to pull it closer to shore, get it anchored and sails down before the wind blows. We don't want to lose it." Ursd commanded, pointing to a few men. "We'd be stranded for a while without it."

"We'll get it anchored sir. Just get my wife and child inside." Charles promised, pushing them towards Ursd.

"But honey, what about you?" Victoria asked, holding the child firmly in her hands.

"I'll be fine, Tori." Charles kissed her cheek, pushing her gently towards Ursd.

"If it gets fierce, you join us immediately. We can build another boat. I can't make another husband."

"As you say." Charles nodded. "Take good care of her, Aufkrager."

Ursd gave him another nod and then headed within the ruins, bringing several more women, older men, and the grandmother from before into the ruins. Nine men stayed out, helping with the cargo haul and the supplies.

Soon, the group was within the entryway, many in awe of the devices and the other strange sights all over the walls and ceiling.

"This unit has recognized that eight more people have entered than before. Is this correct?" the voice asked.

"Correct. All ours." Ursd commented. "Nine more on the way. Looking for shelter."

"There are public accommodations located within the residential quarter. Better housing must be purchased through the financial and housing department located further in the city, within the commercial district. Attempting to live within unauthorized public places may be met with punishments including fines and imprisonment."

"Sorry to ask, but who will come to collect these fines or imprison us?" Edgar asked.

There was a pause.

"Currently this unit cannot contact any of the military or local public constable officials. This is most distressing."
---1/2---

"We won't cause any trouble regardless... right Edgar?" Ursd asked, looking at the shorter man.

"What? Why are you aiming that statement at me?" Edgar asked, leering. "I don't like that tone."

"No reason." Ursd replied, leading the group through the room into the residential section...

----

They came upon a vast room, the entire infrastructure based on a small settlement. There were high rises. There were small shelters. There were signs in Dwarvish everywhere. Within this fortress was an isolated village, with fresh water being pumped in in the form of waterfalls.

"...There are FISH in the water!" one man commented, leaning down. "Fishing!?"

"There're orchards! Fruit trees!"

"Well of course." the voice beeped almost matter-of-factly. "The residential section was made to handle most problems of living as well as provide easy access to large amounts of food and drinking water. Fish are raised in one pond. Regular water in others. Plants of all types are harvested here."

"But shouldn't the forest have been overgrown by now? The fish have no natural predators, do they?" Orrin asked.

"The trees are tended to and regrown by machine workers. The fish are dealt with in the same manner."

Ursd noted a golem with shears for hands pruning a tree that seemed to be producing apples.

".This... there's nothing like this in the Empire." Victoria said. Ana agreed, grabbing an apple from one of the trees. The golem nodded at her.

"Well... that's one problem handled." Edgar nodded. "What's next then, Aufkrager?"

>Help the people settle down.
>Leave them for now. Head further into the residential section.
>Go to Water Purification.
>Go to Commercial and Industrial.

>>3446075
>Go to Commercial and Industrial.
Let's see what jobs they have to offer

>>3446016
>>Go to Water Purification.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Ursd gave a good look over the group and then turned to Orrin.

"Keep them situated. Guide them. I believe in you." he said, beginning to walk off.

"And where are you headed then, Daag?" Orrin asked.

"The Industrial section. May as well begin our work."

Ana and Edgar moved to catch up to him. They journeyed back the way they came, through to the entryway. Ursd reached into his satchel and retrieved his card, looking around the door for a moment as he tried to figure out how to use it.

"The right hand slot, sir." the voice beeped.

Ursd obeyed, placing the card within the hole in the wall. It beeped twice, then ejected the card. The door opened quickly and a blast of air hit them in the face. There was loud, mechanical noises beyond.

"What is this tumultuous sound?!" Ana yelled, concerned. The noises began to die down after a moment and the voice beeped again.

"Apologies. The machines had just been turned on for the first time in approximately one thousand, five hundred years."

"Could do with a bit of fish oil, then?" Edgar suggested.

"It would require more fish oil than in the general vicinity of this island could possibly hope to possess, and perhaps every fish your Empire has ever caught beyond that, to oil every single intricate mechanism." the voice replied.

"Nevermind then. Twas a suggestion as an engineer." Edgar shrugged. "I thought it was rather brilliant."

The group entered the doorway. Beyond, they found...

>A foundry dedicated to weapon and armor making. Once reactivated and suited to their needs, it could create powerful armaments..
>A factory based on textiles, wondrous clothing, and normal needs. It could produce enough supplies to keep the civilization clothed and comfortable.

>>3447808
>A factory based on textiles, wondrous clothing, and normal needs. It could produce enough supplies to keep the civilization clothed and comfortabl

>>3447808
>>A foundry dedicated to weapon and armor making. Once reactivated and suited to their needs, it could create powerful armaments..

>>3447808
>A foundry dedicated to weapon and armor making. Once reactivated and suited to their needs, it could create powerful armaments.

It spread before them, a great machine foundry, warm and heated by the magma of the volcano it was built into. Far below them, the lava surged, covered in some form of magical barrier. The bridge before them extended outward, suspended for a short time over the lava. But buildings were built that raised from the depths of the melted rock, some carved with faces of Dwarves, others adorned with symbols of weapons and armor. The door closed behind them. The voice beeped.

"Welcome to the Foundry of the Great-Thane." it said, announcing. "There don't seem to be any problems with the machines here as of yet but one of the forges in the back has not yet stated it is active."

"Then turn it on?" Edgar proposed.

"It's not responding to attempts to activate it." the voice replied. "Otherwise, I would rather love to do so."

>Head for the back of the foundry immediately.
>Check out some of the other forges for any possible damage. You're also kind of interested in how they work.
>Go to the left and check out the finished weapons area. May as well see what you're going to get from this.

>>3449393
>Check out some of the other forges for any possible damage. You're also kind of interested in how they work.

>>3449393
>Check out some of the other forges for any possible damage. You're also kind of interested in how they work.

Ursd began to walk forward, Ana and Edgar following from behind. They stepped across the metal bridge, towards the working forges which pumped molten metal and hot iron.

"Blacksmithing... without human hands? How?" Ursd asked, looking at the molds filling themselves. He had to cover his eyes a moment from the heat.

"Dwarves designed the schematics. The machines follow them. It's simple programming." the voice emitted.

"Simple... eh?" Edgar asked sarcastically, watching the metal cool in another bucket. "Sure..."

"This entire place is amazing." Ana breathed, watching the fires burn. "Kurgan... to think we're standing here.."

"It is quite astounding..." Ursd frowned, looking over the forge mechanisms.

>Study the forging hammer.
>Study the cooling mechanisms.
>Study the molds themselves.
>Study the heating mechanisms.

>>3450626
>Study the heating mechanisms.

>>3450626
>>Study the heating mechanisms.

>>3450626
>>Study the forging hammer.

Ursd took the time to lean over, studying the heating mechanisms in detail. The forge drained the magma itself for the hottest heat it could muster, pulling it through channels like a river and flowing it across the bottom of a basin made to withstand the sheer, blistering fire of it. This melted down the metal into a fine liquid and helped rid it of impurities. The ore was dropped from what appeared to be a long, moving platform. If anything were to be wrong with the machines, he wagered, the heating mechanism could be a good start.

He made mental notes of it in particular. After all, the metal began in fire. Trace it to the start.

"Learn anything interesting, Aufkrager?" Edgar asked. "I was looking over the hammer itself."

"And I the molds." Ana added. "Ursd, the designs they have prepared are awe-inspiring."

"Wouldn't doubt it." Ursd said. He crossed his arms a moment and pondered.

>Head to the back of the foundry.
>Go back and to the left and check the finished weapons area.
>Head forward across the bridges towards the weapon market.

(( For this dungeon segment, trying to make as many chances for information as I can. As slow as it may seem, there's a reason for any of it. ))

>>3453719
>Head to the back of the foundry.

>(( For this dungeon segment, trying to make as many chances for information as I can. As slow as it may seem, there's a reason for any of it. ))

Oh god it's gonna be like Valen quest and rememberings

(( I hope not! ))

Ursd decided it would be better to go ahead and find the source of the troubles. He gathered the other two and headed for the back of the foundry, using the key card again to access its depths. Within, they found the machines powering the forges, pistons and engines moving in almost perfect unison - except for one. Along the wall, multiples of the same design of pulley and metal arms moved upward and downward, powering the hammers and pouring the metal - ...except for one.

"Well! That was relatively easy to find!" Edgar said, relieved, as he wandered towards the one in question. Ursd grabbed his shoulder as Edgar almost fell over the side of the bridge.

"So now you can walk on air?" Ursd said, as Edgar gasped for breath, shocked.

"N-no, I thought there would be floor LEADING to the device!" Edgar replied quickly. The voice beeped from above them, slightly muffled for all the noise.

"It would be impossible to leave bridges back here. They would blockade the pistons full rotation. In order for any maintenance to be done, the machines must be deactivated for a certain period, and the bridges will extend to the desired machine." it said helpfully. "However, keep in mind that the problem may be worse than it seems. From what you said, it appears to be an obvious blockage?"

"Why yes!" Edgar replied. "There's something jammed inside of one of those weird, round circular holes."

"...Weird... circular hole?"

"Yes, looks like a cavity in the metal." Edgar responded. "I think the big pole-things go into them."

"... A piston."

"Sure?" Edgar responded, lost. "It may have been pissed on. Can't tell from here."

There was a long silence as the obvious joke was made and even the robot seemed to facepalm. Ursd sighed.

"Pistons. Dwarves use them to create combustion using magical fuel." Ana informed as Ursd shook his head with disdain. "If one is broken, it removes a certain amount of energy from the system and prevents it from working properly."

"So the pole going into the hole is important?" Edgar grinned.

There was another moment of silence.

"Yes. Very." Ana replied, her face disgusted. "In any case, how do we turn off the machines?"

"There should be a machine near the center of the room. Insert your key card into it and it should activate and allow you to operate the machines."

"And if we have no idea how to operate them?" Ursd asked.

"...Wing it? Sadly, I do not have sight in this area other than diagnostic scanners. The cameras have all been deactivated and I cannot seem to turn them on. So I can only hope you figure out how to work the machine. My apologies."

Ursd walked over to the machine, a complex console array of buttons and several devices, one of which was covered by a plastic case, appearing to be a button. Ursd gazed the thing over, inserted his card as he had learned from before, and watched as it lit up.
---1/2---

>Press the green button on the left.
>Spin the valve on the side. (write direction)
>Pull one of the two levers on the right. (Left or right.)
>"Edgar. Button."
>Press the blue button.
>Flick the little flick thingy that all these sorts of devices have. The little lever no one knows about or uses. It's always there.

>>3453992
>"Edgar. Do the thing."

> Flick the little flick thingy that all these sorts of devices have. The little lever no one knows about or uses. It's always there.

(( Next post will be a new quest in this board. That may not be for a few days. But the next part will be worth it! ))

>>3458269
Good to hear! Thanks for running.