The World is Made of Words

The PCs enter a room where humanoid entities called Language Miners are operating some kind of free-standing machine full of knobs, dials, levels and chimneys of various widths and heights. The machine is made of an unknown material. The design looks like it could have come from the Victorian-era Industrial Age of the 19th century.

The Miners are using the machine to create language, the substance that builds the world. Letters of the alphabet rise from the chimney which initially appear solid, but slowly become a smokey, translucent substance and melt into air.

If the PCs ask the Language Miners any questions, they answer back with the following. Roll (d7):

1. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you...we’ve been expecting you. We believe you have many questions for us”
2. “A mystery solved loses all luster...let us preserve the wonder of this event by leaving it unexplained”
3. “In this circumstance, I can think of no useful magic.”
4. “It’s creator would be proud to see such an inventive use for this device.”
5. “Your lives hang in the balance. What is your choice?”
6. “You have picked such an inconvenient time to arrive....I’m afraid we can’t attend to you at present. We are unable to take any questions at this time”
7. “We have some very, very bad news for you...what you are searching for is very far away from here. And by the way....you are all doomed.

Language Miners: (4 or more): Init +1; Atk language blast +1 ranged (60’ range, 1d8) or paralyzing scream (special); AC 16; HD 4d4+4; hp 15; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP undead traits; immune to non-magical weapons; paralyzing scream (affects 1 target, DC 8 Fort save or immobilized for 1d4 rounds); SV Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +10; AL C.

Language Miners are about 4’ high and look like a cross between a Halfling and Dwarf. They are plump, have tangerine skin, bright green hair, wear glowing white overalls as a uniform with brown long-sleeve shirts underneath, and polished brown boots. When describing them, use the Oompa Loompa men from the 1971 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a comparison. 

Stats provided are for DCC RPG.