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

[Kintobor]

On 7/8/2021 at 8:09 PM, Duvors said:

"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?"

<"For a number of years my kindred and I survived in the walls and garbage of this station. I can remember when they came with vests and hard hats to clean this place up, and ruin our home. It was quiet for some time, and sustenance was scarce, and then finally food became easy to find in these halls. We would need someplace new, someplace safe, where my kindred and I can live without fear of being exterminated by exterminators.

I understand you've already slain some of my kindred. A misfortune, really. They will be missed in the pack. If you so wish to continue our discussions, you will need to descend downwards, to the end of the chute. I wish to see your faces. The area is quiet, and secluded, and safe, away from the jaws of the machinery beyond. If it's a parley you wish to partake in, you will receive it.">

On 7/9/2021 at 12:06 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"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.

Looking down, Valesia picks up something curious: a name tag. The name on the tag is Hugo. It's old, and worn with age, it's lustre fading.

<"Perhaps, but this warren has existed for some time, and while they cannot express the exact emotions, my kindred seem ready to protect what they believe is their own with their lives, as any creature would.">

22 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

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

<"My kindred have always found solace in tight spaces, like warren tunnels, along with the ease of pilfering delectables they cannot otherwise find in the wilderness. You cannot blame them for wanting a life of ease, away from hardship, like most creatures.">

[Duvors]

"I understand, thank you." Enson said with a bow.  Turning to his companions he said: "Do any of you have anything you wish to do before we descend?"

[Peppermint_M]

"No, I'm alright." Aysu said, "Down is good." 

[Waterbrick Down]

Valesia pockets the name tag making note to ask Grumble later. "I'm all set, let's descend."

[Duvors]

"Excellent, let us descend then."
He turned to go, stopped, and shifted to face his companions again with something of a contrite expression.  "I'm sorry, before we go any further I must apologize.  I really shouldn't have come up here without you, or at least consulting you.  If I hadn't been put out of sorts by that absurd bomb..."  He coughed; "But anyway, that's all past and done with.  If you'll allow me?"

Enson will head down.

[Waterbrick Down]

1 hour ago, Duvors said:

"Excellent, let us descend then."
He turned to go, stopped, and shifted to face his companions again with something of a contrite expression.  "I'm sorry, before we go any further I must apologize.  I really shouldn't have come up here without you, or at least consulting you.  If I hadn't been put out of sorts by that absurd bomb..."  He coughed; "But anyway, that's all past and done with.  If you'll allow me?"

Enson will head down.

"Aww think nothing of it, Hun. We've got your back either way. 'Sides if someone's gettin' their face eatin' by rats, I'd prefer I not be the first one." Valesia smiles.

[Kintobor]

MM Note: I'll have an update a little later today. Apologies for the lack of an update yesterday.

[Kintobor]

MM Note: I'll have images ready for tomorrow. I want to get something for you guys to interact with up tonight.

Athletics Proficiency Checks (DC 2): Valesia (1,2,5) 1 Success, Enson (3,4,4) 2 Successes, Aysu (1,3,4) 1 Success

The party descends down into the chute, which is more difficult due to needing to move garbage while climbing down, and the path into the bowels of the garbage disposal chute is longer. Aysu and Valesia both find themselves scrapping against sharp, shattered objects, such as broken glass or the edges of metal, cutting into their skin and leaving them somewhat bloodied (Valesia and Aysu lose 2 vitality each). Eventually the group reaches the bottom of the clogged chute: a series of large metal pipes stuck against the walls at the perfect angle to cause the back up of waste.

Looking around in the darkness, the group can hear the occasional clatter or clang of objects deeper down the chute, while to their left, just in reach, they notice a run off chute, the grate pried open. It's large enough for a person to step through. Peering at them from the darkness are two glowing eyes.

"Squeak?"

The heroes feel a familiar tingling sensation in their minds as the visions of scampering rat feet and warmth fills their minds, as the rat scurries along down the run off shoot, looking back at the heroes.

Will they follow, or did they have any other plans in mind?

 

[Duvors]

1 hour ago, Kintobor said:

Aysu and Valesia both find themselves scrapping against sharp, shattered objects, such as broken glass or the edges of metal, cutting into their skin and leaving them somewhat bloodied (Valesia and Aysu lose 2 vitality each).

"Oh dear, you're hurt." said Enson, noticing his companions' injuries.  "Here, let me help you-"

Enson will cast Sustaining Healing twice, once on each of his allies.

Taking a look around him, Enson let out a long breath.  "Well, it seems I owe the elusive Mr. Georgi an apology.  This really does seem to require extreme measures."  He glanced after the rat, them back at his companions.  "I think we should follow them.  We are here to negotiate after all.  What do you think?"

Edited July 13, 2021 by Duvors

[Peppermint_M]

"Ouch, thanks for the heal." Aysu shook her arms a little, that had been a slicey journey. "Our ratty friend ran away, I guess we have to follow for a chat."

[Waterbrick Down]

8 hours ago, Kintobor said:

MM Note: I'll have images ready for tomorrow. I want to get something for you guys to interact with up tonight.

Athletics Proficiency Checks (DC 2): Valesia (1,2,5) 1 Success, Enson (3,4,4) 2 Successes, Aysu (1,3,4) 1 Success

The party descends down into the chute, which is more difficult due to needing to move garbage while climbing down, and the path into the bowels of the garbage disposal chute is longer. Aysu and Valesia both find themselves scrapping against sharp, shattered objects, such as broken glass or the edges of metal, cutting into their skin and leaving them somewhat bloodied (Valesia and Aysu lose 2 vitality each). Eventually the group reaches the bottom of the clogged chute: a series of large metal pipes stuck against the walls at the perfect angle to cause the back up of waste.

Looking around in the darkness, the group can hear the occasional clatter or clang of objects deeper down the chute, while to their left, just in reach, they notice a run off chute, the grate pried open. It's large enough for a person to step through. Peering at them from the darkness are two glowing eyes.

"Squeak?"

The heroes feel a familiar tingling sensation in their minds as the visions of scampering rat feet and warmth fills their minds, as the rat scurries along down the run off shoot, looking back at the heroes.

Will they follow, or did they have any other plans in mind?

 

"Ow, ow, ow... definitely need better armor next time there." Valesia squints at the buildup, "Well at least we've found our clog then, though it looks intentional so I doubt it'll stay clear without taking care of the perpetrators. Speakin' of which..."

7 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Oh dear, you're hurt." said Enson, noticing his companions' injuries.  "Here, let me help you-"

Enson will cast Sustaining Healing twice, once on each of his allies.

Taking a look around him, Enson let out a long breath.  "Well, it seems I owe the elusive Mr. Georgi an apology.  This really does seem to require extreme measures."  He glanced after the rat, them back at his companions.  "I think we should follow them.  We are here to negotiate after all.  What do you think?"

"Mmm, that's better now. I didn't know you were well versed in the healin' arts there, Enson." Valesia looks from the chute to the grate. "I'm all for finding these rats, but do we have any ideas where we'll suggest they go? Should probably get our strategy set before walkin' in there, especially some contingency if things go south."

[Duvors]

4 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Mmm, that's better now. I didn't know you were well versed in the healin' arts there, Enson." Valesia looks from the chute to the grate. "I'm all for finding these rats, but do we have any ideas where we'll suggest they go? Should probably get our strategy set before walkin' in there, especially some contingency if things go south."

"Healing is my primary calling nowadays, I haven't been much of a fighter for a while now.  Yet somehow I always seem to find myself on the front lines anyway."  He shook his head.  "The rats?" he said, "Well I've been thinking of just letting them move into the basement.  We don't use it much anyway and other than access to some of the maintenance areas there's not much we need from it."  He leaned in and lowered his voice, "As for backup plans I suggest attempting five all-one-color combinations on the bomb.  That should at least tell us what colors and how many of each are present in the combination."

[Waterbrick Down]

16 minutes ago, Duvors said:

"Healing is my primary calling nowadays, I haven't been much of a fighter for a while now.  Yet somehow I always seem to find myself on the front lines anyway."  He shook his head.  "The rats?" he said, "Well I've been thinking of just letting them move into the basement.  We don't use it much anyway and other than access to some of the maintenance areas there's not much we need from it."  He leaned in and lowered his voice, "As for backup plans I suggest attempting five all-one-color combinations on the bomb.  That should at least tell us what colors and how many of each are present in the combination."

Valesia responds with a whisper, "You're considering blowing up the colony? I was thinking something a little less destructive like bashing their tails until they ran away."

[Duvors]

"I'm considering that we may not be able to get back down here if a fight breaks out and we have to flee.  We don't know how many there are and we may not be able to drive them off if things turn hostile.  If so, I'd like to be able to blow this blockage here as quickly as possible before we're driven out.  Admittedly that will probably destroy the colony and I'd really prefer not to do that, so if driving them out or getting them to move on their own is possible I want to aim for those options first.  Still, the course of true diplomacy never did run smooth and I believe one should always be ready for all possibilities."  Enson looked a bit uncomfortable as he spoke, as if he were trying to convince himself as much as Valesia.

[Peppermint_M]

Keeping her voice low, Aysu touched her gun, "I was hoping we could parlay something with them. There are probably some much nice warm spaces on the station that won't cause problems."

[Duvors]

"Well that would be my preference too.  If hostilities do break out I have no intention of being the instigator.  We are effectively under a metaphorical flag of truce at the moment and if they choose to violate it I have no intention of giving them a justification.  In fact..."
For a moment Enson took a look around, trying to find a white flappy thing he could use as a flag.
"You know what?" he said, "Perhaps we should just leave the bomb here and deal with it once the talks are done.  A gesture of goodwill will probably be more helpful."

[Waterbrick Down]

6 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Well that would be my preference too.  If hostilities do break out I have no intention of being the instigator.  We are effectively under a metaphorical flag of truce at the moment and if they choose to violate it I have no intention of giving them a justification.  In fact..."
For a moment Enson took a look around, trying to find a white flappy thing he could use as a flag.
"You know what?" he said, "Perhaps we should just leave the bomb here and deal with it once the talks are done.  A gesture of goodwill will probably be more helpful."

"We'll probably need it if we want to unstick this obstruction anyways, though I don't know about just leaving it here. They may not even be aware that we have such a device."

[Peppermint_M]

"It is complicated enough to trigger, so I think it might be better to keep hold of it. Maybe if we act like it is part of our equipment, not something we plan to use?" 

[Waterbrick Down]

6 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

"It is complicated enough to trigger, so I think it might be better to keep hold of it. Maybe if we act like it is part of our equipment, not something we plan to use?" 

"Or it's simply something we found. Which is true."

[Duvors]

"I doubt it matters much if they know what it is.  We'll likely have to use it anyway and it's impossible to conceal an explosion.  I'd rather just be honest about how we intend to remove the blockage.  We'll tell the truth and so puzzle and confound our adversaries."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Fine by me, Hun. Let's follow that rat."

[Kintobor]

On 7/13/2021 at 5:31 PM, Duvors said:

For a moment Enson took a look around, trying to find a white flappy thing he could use as a flag.

It doesn't take long for Enson to find what he's looking for, scrap cloth was seemingly in abundance, although to call the cloth "white" wasn't quite correct. Years of being in and among the rubbish had left it an off white.

On 7/13/2021 at 2:36 AM, Duvors said:

Enson will cast Sustaining Healing twice, once on each of his allies.

Enson invokes Sustaining Healing on Aysu: (4,6) Two Successes, 3 Vitality Restored!
Enson invokes Sustaining Healing on Valesia: (1,2) Two Failures, 1 Vitality Restored!

 

The Party

Ensonvilterayquis (Enson)
60 cycles old male Quo'ri
Vitality: 5/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Spirit: 0/2
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: 3/5
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

---

Following the large rat, the party's footsteps clatter and clang along the metal floors of the garbage chute run off. Occasionally the rat will turn back and look at the heroes to ensure that they're following it, before finally they come to a large scrim made of cloth, acting as a barrier going forward. Pulling back the scrim, the party progresses discovers something new.

The rat leading the adventurers rubs affectionately against a tall, thin human before running off. His face is a patch work of stubble, a sign of his youth, and his clothes are covered in grime. Safety stripes adorn his coat, and in his hand is a old looking blaster pistol. Aged, yellowing posters line the angled walls where curious, vine like growths don't. Torn, aged furniture is scattered about the tight tunnel, most of it looking like old furniture from the hall. Another emotion enters the heroes heads': anxiousness. The figure before them speaks in a soft voice.

"The rats seemed to recognize you. They're a little antsy right now. I don't blame them."

Edited July 15, 2021 by Kintobor

[Duvors]

"Are you the person Georgi sent down here?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"Well, I can honestly say I wasn't expecting to see another friendly face down here." Valesia smiles bowing slightly, "I'm Valesia, that's Enson and Aysu. The rats give you trouble?"

[Peppermint_M]

"Or are they your buddies?" Aysu asked, she had noticed the affection from the little creatures. It reminded her of the ship's cat that had always like to sleep on her feet back home.