Quest #121: Want Your Mummy?

[Chromeknight]

I've always played music, all my people do. Music is the language of creation, the purest exp<b></b>ression of mathematics and philosophy and the deepest connection to magic and the Gods. What I do here is merely brushing the potential that music has.

As for these others, Guts, you could be right. Usually when heroes get involved, people either join our party and let us direct them or get the hel out of the way. This black kettle did neither. speaking directly to him she says Stand very still and don't do anything that could even remotely look like trying violence or intimidation, you just saw only a little of what these boys can do, crossing them'd be a fatal mistake.

As for tremblepants here, defeating someone's assailants ought provoke a flood of gratitude, where they tell anything useful rather than forcing grumpy heroes to dig the information out, possibly requiring the application of more ... Persuasion. So, spill it. Saving you rather than letting you die is an action that we can quickly undo.

And you cloaky. she says, turning on the third 'fig, Muttering doesn't win you friends either. If you're overwatch, say so and give us the info on your organisation. We're here to investigate the bodies and, as heroes will tend to go through obstacles rather than around them. Don't be an obstacle.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Chromeknight

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Lady Nerwen, that escalated fast."

[Palathadric]

I look on somewhat perplexed by the party's heavy-handedness, but the diplomacy I used to frequently a few quests ago seemed strangely absent now.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen shrugs.

This entire town has been uncooperative, doling out vague slivers of information after half a dozen of us ask a long list of questions. I'm quite happy to be diplomatic, but only with someone who gives out more than a muttered grunt.

[Palathadric]

I grunt affirmatively.

"You have a point," I mutter, still somewhat taken aback that the beautiful minstrel who had just been playing a lively tune was now looking rather uncompromising.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre shrugs in return. "You're right. Let's get information. "

[The Legonater]

Anyone have any preference for loot?

I turn to our 'help'. I'd listen to the woman if I were you. Speak up, fast.

[Emjajoas]

The cloaked figure glances between the heroes, caught off guard by their verbal onslaught. He raises his chin slightly, setting his jaw.

"Overwatch?" he asks skeptically. "Are you-- You're not planning on taking them down, are you?"

He pauses for a moment, again glancing between the heroes. "I'm Marcellus. My task is to find some missing men. The Ironwill hired me; if you're investigating bodies, I've some questions for you. How many have you seen? What did they look like? Where did you find them? If the bodies you're investigating and the people I'm looking for are the same, then that's troubling news."

The black-clad figure slowly sheathes his sword, completely silent, eyes darting between the heroes. He doesn't move otherwise, a black statue standing vigil.

The shaking citizen, however, can't seem to regain his cool. He keeps shaking, now even more afraid-- not only had he been attacked, but he might've landed in a more dangerous situation than before. Slowly he speaks up, voice wavering.

"I-I'm afraid I don't know anything about the bodies," he stammers. "I'm just a cook. If you're looking to get information on the Overwatch, you should try the Smithy. They're always getting stuff from there."

Edited January 8, 2015 by Emjajoas

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen nods approvingly seeing the black armoured figure's discipline.

Speaking to the cook she says.

Thank you for your help. Where is it you work? We may drop by later for a meal.

Turning back to the cloaked fig she replies.

The Ironwill? Who are they? And how many factions does this town have?

We do not know much yet, but the Guard, who hired us, think the victims were wearing a uniform, which they have been stripped of.

[UsernameMDM]

I'd like a Grating Stone most of all.

[Scubacarrot]

"This is our investigation now." Guts says. Then shrugs. "I kind of just wanted to say that."

The Alchemist brightens up. "Hey, this means we can get two rewards for one job, after we find our killer, we should stop by these Ironwill." Guts walks around the armored fellow. And holds a finger as to poke him. "This your golem or something?"

Emjajoas, I should be 500 gold down from the decamon tournament, and got these prizes: Tonic, 4 Grand potions, 1 Remedy, 1 Elixir, 1 Topaz, 1 Amethyst, 1 Sapphire

[The Legonater]

Our running theory is the bodies have been... drained somehow. They're all missing any sort of hair and their skin is thin and gaunt.

Here Hoke, take the Halberd instead. We all know Guts is going to need as many of these stones as he can get. I'll take the tooth for now, unless anyone wants it.

Loot:

Alexander - 44 Gold, Grand Potion, Topaz

Dyric - Shark's Tooth (Artifact. Accessory. Wearer's power is increased by 5 against Aquatic enemies)

Guts - 44 Gold, Grating Stone (x2)

Hoke - 44 Gold, Glistening Halberd (Lance, WP: 10, 1/2 chance to cause the Stunned effect)

Nerwen - 44 Gold, Mead

Monk Pretzel - 44 Gold, Grand Potion

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke looks up at the hooded man.

"Who are you that we should volunteer this information that we may or may not know? How about you tell us what you know first."

[Scubacarrot]

Guts gives the 44 gold to Dyric.

"Hoke, if you want me to feed you tonics during fights, hand them over, and tell me when. My tricks let me do it instantly and all that. Nerwen, will you be playing that speedy march the entire time, I mean, I like it, but if you are it means I don't have to use smelling salts. For some reason."

[UsernameMDM]

"Hoke, if you want me to feed you tonics during fights, hand them over, and tell me when. My tricks let me do it instantly and all that. Nerwen, will you be playing that speedy march the entire time, I mean, I like it, but if you are it means I don't have to use smelling salts. For some reason."

"It is a catchy tune."

Hoke hands Guts a Grand Tonic.

[Palathadric]

I use a Potion on Nerwen and a Grand Potion on Dyric.

"This should keep you going," I try to say gruffly.

I handed over the Magical Staff (WP:15) and received the Splinter Broom (WP:8; broomstick; defies SP) and Shadeaux Mace (WP:9; deals fragile effect)

I also received: 2 Health Cores, 2 Phoenix Essences, and a Demeter Bomb from the Decamon Tournament

[Emjajoas]

Nerwen nods approvingly seeing the black armoured figure's discipline.

Speaking to the cook she says.

Thank you for your help. Where is it you work? We may drop by later for a meal.

"I work for the City Guard," the man replies, calm slightly, his shaking more contained. "They sent me home for the day, though I c-can prepare you a meal there if you're hungry..."

Turning back to the cloaked fig she replies.

The Ironwill? Who are they? And how many factions does this town have?

We do not know much yet, but the Guard, who hired us, think the victims were wearing a uniform, which they have been stripped of.

"The Ironwill... are an army. An opposing army. From the next city over."

Sighing, Marcellus continues. "They were afraid that men were deserting here in fear of the brewing war-- or worse yet, had been captured and questioned. No doubt such an act would result in bloodshed. If they were in uniform, perhaps they are who I am searching for. That would also explain the missing uniforms. Hm."

"This is our investigation now." Guts says. Then shrugs. "I kind of just wanted to say that."

The Alchemist brightens up. "Hey, this means we can get two rewards for one job, after we find our killer, we should stop by these Ironwill." Guts walks around the armored fellow. And holds a finger as to poke him. "This your golem or something?"

"If you find out who's responsible, I will lend what aid I can--including my pay. Should the City find out about my affilation with the Ironwill, it would turn out bad for both kingdoms. And... Golem is... accurate enough," Marcellus nods. "He's not one for words, but he's handy in a fight and, hm, loyal to a fault."

Hoke looks up at the hooded man.

"Who are you that we should volunteer this information that we may or may not know? How about you tell us what you know first."

"All I know is that men are missing and the Ironwill told me some made their way here. I just arrived; tension between the Ironwill and here makes for long travels. The bodies were a passing rumour-- apparently one that's true, if what your Assassin says is correct."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen holds out an arm blocking the cook's path.

So. Opposing army from next village over, but they wander into town, in uniform, and hang out at the local forge where we can find out more about them?

And a cook from the Guards knows this, but the Guards haven't done anything about it? Sounds fishy.

Tremblepants! Your story doesn't add up. Tell it again, with the parts you left out put back in please. Otherwise my friend the assassin here will prod your... memory. Nerwen's mode of speaking is diplomatic, commanding, bordering on intimidating.

[Scubacarrot]

"I say we go to this forge, but these three are coming with us. You know, just in case?"

[Chromeknight]

The March does seem to be a useful song. If you used your salts on me, the song would last longer and I could do other things every other round too.

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke shakes his head in disbelief.

"Soldiers from an opposing army come into their enemies city for safety? And now the cook for the city guard knows this?"

[Palathadric]

I shake my head to clear it of the confusion.

"So, men are deserting the Ironwill and are getting killed in this city from the looks of it? That's not good...not good at all," I muse. "I have to wonder why the city guard didn't mention some of these things."

[The Legonater]

Guts gives the 44 gold to Dyric.

Wow. Thanks.

Tremblepants! Your story doesn't add up. Tell it again, with the parts you left out put back in please. Otherwise my friend the assassin here will prod your... memory. Nerwen's mode of speaking is diplomatic, commanding, bordering on intimidating.

I twirl my knife in my fingers, looking as intimidating as possible.

War is the catalyst for a lot of decisions, but I'm not buying the whole 'let's run into enemy territory, FOR SAFETY!'

[UsernameMDM]

War is the catalyst for a lot of decisions, but I'm not buying the whole 'let's run into enemy territory, FOR SAFETY!'

"Agreed," Hoke says as he nods at the assassin.

Hoke uses Diplomacy.

"Why are these missing soldiers really here?" he asks the hooded man as Torc snorts a stream of smoke from her snout.

[Scubacarrot]

Wow. Thanks.

Guts rolls his eyes, and sighs. "Whatever."

"Guys aren't we getting things confused? It's the Overwatch who have the smithy here, the Ironwill have missing men. Possibly the same men that are turning up dead here."

Edited January 8, 2015 by Scubacarrot