Heroica: Glory Amongst the Stars Mission #3: Rat Catchers

[Kintobor]

1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Oh what I would have given to meet her. She sounds like an incredible individual. Wait, you worked for the actual hotel? I thought most of the staff were new hires. When we get back up top, I want to hear everything!"

"Heh, well, I never met Ms. Laserie. I heard a lot about her before I joined, but I cannot say I met her while she was among the living, may her soul find peace." Mr. Grumble makes a motion with his hands across his chest which Valesia recognizes as being a sign of reverence in the faith of the Boundless Sky. "I believe we have a portrait of her we're putting up in the entrance hall if it's not already there, but Rachel and myself been quite busy with other matters.

Well, I did not work here prior to this place becoming a guild hall for mercenaries, but I did make an attempt on a few occasions to try and be head concierge here a few times while it was still a functioning and profitable hotel. Apologies for the misconception my part. I didn't get the job for head concierge when I applied, but maybe that's for the best. This place gained a... reputation prior to Laserie's purchasing of the hotel and it's grounds." Mr. Grumble grows dour in his tone of voice, implicating nods after being requested to speak more on the subject.

"That being said, I am quite knowledgeable on this building's history. What good as a concierge would I be if I was not knowledgeable regarding this building and it's once illustrious history. I would be more than honoured to speak to you about it, madame."

 

[Waterbrick Down]

Valesia looks disappointed at Mr. Grumble's sharing, but brightens up at his offer of relating what history he does know. "I'll be glad to learn as much as you're willing to tell me sweetie."

[Kintobor]

After a moment of walking, the party reaches a locked iron gate, beyond which they can see the garbage chute room. The room is surprisingly bare, save for a lone bag on the floor. A ripe, stale odour emits from the room.

"Right, stand back." Mr. Grumble begins to pat down his bright yellow coat before retrieving a large metal ring, choked with keys. He quickly begins fingering through the keys, until a few second seconds later he finds the one he's looking for and inserts it into the lock of the gate, opening the door.

As the party enters the room, the sound of scurrying and shuffling can be heard around them, the clanging of air ducts and pipes above. The party isn't quite sure if it's just the age of the building showing, or something more sinister.

"I've got this chute door, heroes, no need to worry." With a great show strength, Mr. Grumbles grabs the handle to the garbage chute and heaves it open!

...only for garbage from the overflowing chute to come crashing down on the concierge! The newly formed pile in front of the party quakes as Mr. Grumble begins to crawl his way out of the pile.

"...ow."

Scratches and squeaking can be heard from inside the chute, as more garbage shuffles around inside.

[Duvors]

"Oh dear," said Enson as helped the concierge to his feet, "Do you need any healing?"  He glanced at his companions.  "You two should take a look at that." he said, motioning toward the garbage chute.

Enson will cast Sustaining Healing on Mr. Grumble if he requires it.

[Peppermint_M]

"Can I just Check the Bag? If you have Mr Grumble covered, we might find some clue, or something handy for later. I mean, it either came out of the chute first or was left by the chute before." Aysu gingerly prodded at the sack, ready for more surprises.

[Waterbrick Down]

Having observed the rats from earlier, Valesia wonders if their appearance stems from their natural biology or if they seemed mutated in some fashion. "Oh dear, Mr. Grumble do be careful, while we're thankful for the assistance we really don't need you injuring yourself on our behalf."

[Kintobor]

The Party

Ensonvilterayquis (Enson)
60 cycles old male Quo'ri
Vitality: 5/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Spirit: 2/2
Credits: 5

Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 1, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2
Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font

Credits: 10
Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental)
Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 2x, Broom (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon)

Valesia (Waterbrick Down)
110 Year Old Female Cladrasith
Character Points: 1/11
Vitality: 4/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Spirit: 0/3
Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 1, Nature 2
Known Spells: Elemental Evocation, Healing Light, Mystic Binding, Photonic Manipulation
Credits: 5
Equipment: Holo-scroll, Chef's Kit (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon)
Inventory: Ætherbrew, Essence of Precaution

Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M)
22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human
Character Points: 1/11
Vitality: 6/6
Velocity: 2
Strength: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Spirit: 1
Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 2, Nature 1, Survival 1
Spell: Enhanced Vision
Credits: 15
Equipment:  Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, Energy), Farsight Goggles
Inventory: Plasma Potion, Essence of Glibness

On 7/5/2021 at 4:15 PM, Duvors said:

"Oh dear," said Enson as helped the concierge to his feet, "Do you need any healing?"  He glanced at his companions.  "You two should take a look at that." he said, motioning toward the garbage chute.

Enson will cast Sustaining Healing on Mr. Grumble if he requires it.

"Ergh... no, I should be fine, I don't think I'm bleeding." Mr. Grumble does take Enson's hand as he gets up to his feet. "Thank you, once again."

20 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Having observed the rats from earlier, Valesia wonders if their appearance stems from their natural biology or if they seemed mutated in some fashion. "Oh dear, Mr. Grumble do be careful, while we're thankful for the assistance we really don't need you injuring yourself on our behalf."

Nature Check (DC 2): Three Success (1,2,4,5,5)

Valesia ponders on the subject of the rats, thinking to what she's heard and knows. The thought approaches Valesia that the rat's may be Cranium Rats, a particular breed of rat known to have a hive mind-like connection to their brood mother and the rest of their pack, and are capable of basic psychic communication and spell casting-like abilities. The more rats in a given area, the more powerful their spell-like abilities become. As they are still animals, they have been known to attack people in large groups.

On 7/5/2021 at 5:13 PM, Peppermint_M said:

"Can I just Check the Bag? If you have Mr Grumble covered, we might find some clue, or something handy for later. I mean, it either came out of the chute first or was left by the chute before." Aysu gingerly prodded at the sack, ready for more surprises.

Opening up the bag, Aysu finds a metal spherical device, and a small box with four rotating dials, a large red button, and a cheap looking speaker on the side. In the bottom of the bag is a piece of paper with a brief note on it.

Quote

This garbage chute needs to be dealt with, it's already clogged. Take this compact explosive device, place it in the chute, and dial it's activation code with the safety application device.

There are four dials, going left to right. On each dial there are six colours, red, blue, green, purple, yellow, and black. You need to key in the proper colour combination on the four dials, from left to right, and then hit the arm button.

If you insert the wrong combination, the device will tell you through the speaker whether you have any correct colours in the correct spot, or correct colours in the wrong spot. Inserting the correct colour will begin a one minute countdown timer. By the looks of things, insert the device into the chute from the basement level. That seems to be where the garbage is collecting.

This needs to be done sooner than later: this could lead to vermin tunnelling in the garbage, and showings for the building start tomorrow. By the sounds of it, Ms. Ablis and Mr. Hart will be some of the first in the building. Enough slacking, let's get this done! -Georgi

 

[Peppermint_M]

"Looks like someone had a job that didn't get done." Aysu read the note. "This will be handy though! Once we solve the puzzle..."

[Waterbrick Down]

15 hours ago, Kintobor said:

Nature Check (DC 2): Three Success (1,2,4,5,5)

Valesia ponders on the subject of the rats, thinking to what she's heard and knows. The thought approaches Valesia that the rat's may be Cranium Rats, a particular breed of rat known to have a hive mind-like connection to their brood mother and the rest of their pack, and are capable of basic psychic communication and spell casting-like abilities. The more rats in a given area, the more powerful their spell-like abilities become. As they are still animals, they have been known to attack people in large groups.

"Cranium Rats! I knew I had seen those somewhere before. They were always making nests near the grove growing up and interrupting the elder's Remembering with their psychic chatter. Quite the nuisance really. If there's a nest of them down there we'll have to be careful like."

Valesia peers down the chute trying to determine if anyone could fit or if they'd have to unblock some of it first.

"What you got there, Sweetie?" Valesia reads the note over Aysu's shoulder. "Huh, so are we still missing this safety application device or is it incorporated into the explosive?"

[Duvors]

"This... this is the stupidest bomb I have ever seen." said Enson, "Why in all the hells does it use colored dials instead of a pair of keys or a numerical code or something?  Why did someone spend the money to put a speaker on something that's going to blow up?  Was this thing built by a toy company?  And on the subject of stupidity who in the blue blazes thinks that the best way to clear a blockage in a garbage chute is to blow it up?  I'm pretty sure any sane person would expect that just to cause more damage.  And why, if he was giving this to a subordinate to use, didn't this 'Georgi' write down the combination in the note?"
He shook his head.  "Someone else take this... thing.  I'm going to poke around in that chute there to see if I can find anything."

[Peppermint_M]

"Ok, so I'll hang on to this until we need it then, hopefully we won't..."

[Kintobor]

7 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Cranium Rats! I knew I had seen those somewhere before. They were always making nests near the grove growing up and interrupting the elder's Remembering with their psychic chatter. Quite the nuisance really. If there's a nest of them down there we'll have to be careful like."

Valesia peers down the chute trying to determine if anyone could fit or if they'd have to unblock some of it first.

"What you got there, Sweetie?" Valesia reads the note over Aysu's shoulder. "Huh, so are we still missing this safety application device or is it incorporated into the explosive?"

"There was an infestation of those on an space liner I worked on, once. Was not a pretty sight." Mr. Grumble comments.

Peering into the chute, her leaves brushing against the side's of the chute's entrance, Valesia could tell the garbage was packed densely, but it was possible to crawl through the garbage. What was down at the bottom of the garbage, and what it led to, was a mystery.

5 hours ago, Duvors said:

"This... this is the stupidest bomb I have ever seen." said Enson, "Why in all the hells does it use colored dials instead of a pair of keys or a numerical code or something?  Why did someone spend the money to put a speaker on something that's going to blow up?  Was this thing built by a toy company?  And on the subject of stupidity who in the blue blazes thinks that the best way to clear a blockage in a garbage chute is to blow it up?  I'm pretty sure any sane person would expect that just to cause more damage.  And why, if he was giving this to a subordinate to use, didn't this 'Georgi' write down the combination in the note?"
He shook his head.  "Someone else take this... thing.  I'm going to poke around in that chute there to see if I can find anything."

"Wait a minute, can I see that device?" Mr. Grumble reaches his hand out to look the device over.

Enson lifts himself up and into the chute. While crawling in was easy, crawling up or down would prove more difficult, as he would have to move through the garbage while keeping his footing steady. A creeping, unnatural sense of unease begins to wash over Enson as he looks around the dark, unlit trash tunnel.

[Duvors]

5 minutes ago, Kintobor said:

"Wait a minute, can I see that device?" Mr. Grumble reaches his hand out to look the device over.

Enson lifts himself up and into the chute. While crawling in was easy, crawling up or down would prove more difficult, as he would have to move through the garbage while keeping his footing steady. A creeping, unnatural sense of unease begins to wash over Enson as he looks around the dark, unlit trash tunnel.

"Do as you please, I'm going to try and find someone to negotiate with.  Or get eaten by, as the case may be."
Looking around, Enson decided that up would be a better way to go than down for now, if only because he didn't know if his companions would follow him.

As he climbs, Enson will attempt to use his Insight to pinpoint the direction the sense of unease is coming from, because why not?

[Waterbrick Down]

2 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Do as you please, I'm going to try and find someone to negotiate with.  Or get eaten by, as the case may be."
Looking around, Enson decided that up would be a better way to go than down for now, if only because he didn't know if his companions would follow him.

As he climbs, Enson will attempt to use his Insight to pinpoint the direction the sense of unease is coming from, because why not?

"Would you like some light Enson?"

[Duvors]

"Thank you, no.  Please, save your strength, I have a feeling you'll need it."

[Kintobor]

21 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Do as you please, I'm going to try and find someone to negotiate with.  Or get eaten by, as the case may be."
Looking around, Enson decided that up would be a better way to go than down for now, if only because he didn't know if his companions would follow him.

As he climbs, Enson will attempt to use his Insight to pinpoint the direction the sense of unease is coming from, because why not?

Mr. Grumble takes the explosive and looks it over, chuckling.

"So, by the look things, this box is the safety application device, and this cylinder is obviously this metal sphere is the bomb, and... ah, there it is. The Haast Company logo. Should've just stuck to making space ships, if you ask me."

Insight Proficiency Check (DC 2): 0 Successes (1,2,2,2) Ouch.

Athletics Proficiency Check (DC 1): 2 Successes (2, 6, 6)

Climbing through the garbage, Enson tries to pinpoint where the sense of unease is coming from, but cannot quite figure out where. It feels as if he's being barraged from all angles, even though as he climbs up he encounters no cranium rats. As he ascends, the garbage becomes looser and less compact, making it easier to climb, although the sense of unease turns into a sense of aggression. His head becomes agitated with the images of hissing mouths and looming eyes. Making it to the top of the garbage pile, Enson is now alone in the darkness of the chute. It's hard to tell how high up he climbed or where in terms of the hall's layout he is, but that feeling of anger still looms around him.

[Duvors]

Enson would've looked around himself, but in the absence of light that would be useless.  Instead he closed his eyes, focused on the overwhelming psychic hostility around him, and, breathing steadily to calm his nerves, spoke:
"Listen.  I have no desire to harm you, or to take anything away from you, but none of that matters if you keep constantly trying to attack us without any communication.  I'd much rather talk this over with you and try and come to a consensus.  Please, just say something."
Enson waited in the dark for any response - even hostile - to his attempt at communication, trying to keep the crawling fear he felt from overwhelming him.

[Peppermint_M]

 Aysu looked at the chute, tight spaces were fine. "Mr Grumble, shall I take that bomb with me, just in case."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Heavens above, that man is going to get himself killed leaving us down here alone." Valesia downs an Ætherbrew and casts Revealing Light on herself before climbing upwards in the chute.

[Peppermint_M]

Aysu follows the others, the bomb safely tucked away for later. "Good job I am a shooter, huh, trailing at the back." 

[Kintobor]

3 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

 Aysu looked at the chute, tight spaces were fine. "Mr Grumble, shall I take that bomb with me, just in case."

"Sure thing." Mr Grumble passes off the bomb to Aysu, looking a little relieved to have the device off of him. "I'm going to stay here, where it's reasonably safe. If you need anything, feel free to howler."

2 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Heavens above, that man is going to get himself killed leaving us down here alone." Valesia downs an Ætherbrew and casts Revealing Light on herself before climbing upwards in the chute.

1 hour ago, Peppermint_M said:

Aysu follows the others, the bomb safely tucked away for later. "Good job I am a shooter, huh, trailing at the back."

Valesia Athletics Proficiency Check (DC 1): 3 Successes (4,5,6)

Aysu Athletics Proficiency Check (DC 1): 2 Successes (2,5,6)

Valesia Spell Check (Revealing Light): 1 Success (3,4). Revealing Light successfully invoked!

Valesia leads the way into the garbage heap, with Aysu short behind her. The light helps somewhat in avoiding anything potentially dangerous in the heap, but climbing up the chute is still physically taxing. Reaching the top, the party reunites with Enson, and with light now flooding the chute, the party can see their surroundings. Standing on the top layer of garbage, the heroes can see the grimy walls are seemingly numbered at certain intervals. Six feet up, the party can see what is seemingly the garbage chute entry for the 4th floor of the hall. Around them is old, stained pillows, likely from the old hotel room furnishings. The feeling of aggression and tension grows as the group looks around. Something shiny glints in the darkness.

3 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Listen.  I have no desire to harm you, or to take anything away from you, but none of that matters if you keep constantly trying to attack us without any communication.  I'd much rather talk this over with you and try and come to a consensus.  Please, just say something."
Enson waited in the dark for any response - even hostile - to his attempt at communication, trying to keep the crawling fear he felt from overwhelming him.

Enson's voice echoed down the chute as he waited in the darkness as his friends appeared, the shared feeling of aggression turning into a feeling of danger, almost of curiosity. Then, together, the party feels the emotion swell in their minds, as the emotions twists into a tangible, understandable language.

"<You are a curious one. We anticipated violence, your descent down into the heap. Instead you crawl upwards, ascending our growing kingdom. We cannot pierce into your minds and read your thoughts, only project our thoughts onto others outside the network I am a part of. Who are you?>"

Something down the chute heard his request.

[Duvors]

"My name is Ensonvilterayquis - Enson if you prefer - a Qoun'ahn from the planet Vin'quo.  I don't know if that means anything to you, but it signifies that I have been trained in the ways of patience and rationality.  I understand you have made your home here, correct?  I do not wish to seem unempathetic, but the building this chute is attached to is currently in use and as long as this chute is stoppered up we cannot dispose of our garbage.  I understand that, being classed as 'vermin' by most, you do not have many places that you can live safely.  Tell me, if you were offered another place to reside, what reasons - physical or emotional - would prevent you from accepting such an offer?"

[Kintobor]

MM Note: Just so it's clear, everyone can hear the telepathic voice.

[Waterbrick Down]

"I'd echo Enson's reply here, your kingdom is not sustainable. At some point others will come who are not as understanding or willing to compromise." Valesia walks over and investigates the shiny object.

[Peppermint_M]

"There are lots of great places to live that aren't a garbage chute." Aysu added, hoping that she sounded friendly enough.