DDD4 Preview

The spider-like construct hung suspended from the ceiling, its metallic limbs folded into an impossible geometry. Cyan lines pulsed beneath its translucent exoskeleton, creating an eerie, almost beautiful display of arcane precision. Its head, if it could be called that, was a cluster of glowing orbs, eerily scanning the corridor beneath.

“So, care to tell us what’s the deal with that thing, big girl?” whispered Mizz’ri, leaning against a wall. The party was tucked away in a side room while Angra, near the door, peeked out at the monster.

The warrior replied, trying to not let Mizz’ri comment let her cheeks flush. “That’s a Detector, but it shouldn’t be here…”

Aside from an encounter with a stray band of crabhawks, the exploration of the third floor of Qof had been uneventful, even calm, but everything changed once Bryn had sighted those blue orbs hanging from the ceiling in front of them, prompting Angra to drag the party away from its sight.

“It’s definitely out of place” chimed in Fia. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those on the third floor…”

“Does it do anything other than its namesake?” asked Bryn, looking for their next step.

“Positively. While it won’t attack us directly, being spotted by a Detector sends basically every monster in its reach to get us” replied Fia. “It’s… not a good time.”

“And what do we do now? Are we stuck here until help comes?” said Odessa with a tinge of a tremble on her voice.

“No, look” answered Angra, her calm and confident tone soothing the cow zoahume. “See the cyan line behind it? The glowing pattern is… different. It’s connected to some sort of… crystal thing? If we take that out, the Detector is as good as dead. We need to go around it and find it.”

“I see. Well, let’s get to it, then” said Mizz’ri, walking towards the exit.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea” interjected Angra, receiving a puzzle look from the drow.

“There’s something… suspicious about this thing, and I don’t want to put you at risk. Fia and I already know the layout of this section, so we’ll deal with that while you wait here.”

“Oh yeah? You and the little elf?” said the drow, a sly smile parting her lips. “But that could be… dangerous in its own way, right?” she continued, making Fia tremble. “Who knows what might happen with just the two of you in those dark corridors…”

“Y-Yeah, b-but…” replied Fia, tripping over her own words.

“Why don’t you take Odessa with you? A cleric’s protection is always nice… Bryn and I will stand guard, alright?”

“She has proven herself already, and her skills will more useful to you than to us” added Bryn, inadvertently aiding the drow in her little teasing game.

“Are you sure? I don’t wanna cause any trouble, but I would love to help!” beamed Odessa, sealing the fate of the party.

Angra let out a small sigh, and she was sure she could hear Mizz’ri giggling behind her back. “Alright, let’s move. Fia, Odessa, behind me. You two, stay put and don’t alert that thing. If we’re not back here until the end of the day, climb back up and request support.”

“Oh well, there they go” said the drow, going back to the wall she was leaning against, looking again at the nails on her gauntlets. “Should have brought a book to kill the time…”

“You didn’t seem to need a book to kill time last night…” fired back Bryn, making the enchantress raise an elegant eyebrow.

“Oh, are we discussing my evening activities now? I’m not quite sure of what you’re talking about, dear wolf, I was sound asleep!” said Mizz’ri, not caring about how fake she sounded.

“Come on, even if I hadn’t seen it myself, I can smell it on you” replied the zoa, a grin on her teeth.

“If I knew I had an audience, I would have put on more of a show…” said Mizz’ri with a laugh. “…you could also have joined us, you know? It would be better than just sitting there, languishing in jealously…”