"Renato, why did you use Spider Climb?" Klauthsura floated up from the mine pit below. "Instead of taking the elevator outside the node?"
Renato offered an offhand excuse:
"What if the Elder Brain noticed something was wrong here and sent reinforcements? Balin and I could keep watch up above and check on movements in District 2 while we were at it."
The female Dragonborn glanced at the silent Dwarf beside him and shook her head.
"The Elder Brain must already know we're attacking the psionic nodes."
Klauthsura took out a crystal ball, made a gesture, and examined the cryptic text flickering across it.
"The Mind Ripper produces a very distinctive effect when it severs a psychic connection. Since the Elder Brain didn't immediately send a new Overseer to investigate the location that went silent, it means it has already relinquished control of this node and is consolidating its forces."
The elevator gave a piercing screech of grinding metal as the last batch of Hobgoblins rose from the bottom of the mine pit.
They wore ill-fitting spiked armor, with breastplates so large they almost reached their crotches, clanking with every step.
Their weapons were all unusually heavy designs as well: double-headed battle axes, great machetes, iron hammers...
All the greenskins formed ranks in the clearing and were divided into several squads under the Drow Priestess's direction.
Tristana handled the deployment competently, every gesture carrying an air of unquestionable authority.
"Most of the servants previously under this psionic node's control were Orcs," Klauthsura explained, following Renato's gaze. "That's why this metal armor doesn't fit the Hobgoblins. Its ergonomics are terrible."
"But these Hobgoblins are highly adaptable. I don't think the heavy equipment will impair their fighting ability too much in the short term."
"Enough pointless chatter, Klauthsura." The old Dwarf stood and