Heroica: Glory Amongst the Stars - Mission #9: He's Dead, Jim

[Duvors]

17 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Let's check these wanted posters and see if these names match anythin' we got on hand," Decker says, doing precisely that.

Walking over to the lamppost, you take a gander at who the law currently has it in for. The first one reads:

Wanted
Avery Mann

Age: Unknown           Eyes: Black     
Height: Average         Hair: Unknown
Weight: Unknown      Build: Average

The 'mugshot', if you can call it that, is the most absurdly generic police sketch imaginable. You can't imagine anyone being conclusively identified from this.

The other poster is somewhat less infuriatingly vague, though you think it may have been issued by a different institution due to the differences in style:

Wanted

Flatfoot Thompson
For: Bank Robbery, Highway Robbery, Grand Larceny, Petty Larceny, Theft, Burglary, Grand Theft Speeder,
Cattle Rustling, Horse Theft, Murder, Manslaughter, Assault and Battery, Smuggling, Drug Dealing,
Arms Dealing, Sale of Unlicensed Alcohol, Sale of Dangerous Occult Objects, Arson, Violation of Parole, Conspiracy,
Piracy, Disturbing the Peace, Kidnapping, That's it, I quit. I can't take this anymore. My mom was right, I should've been a dentist, Vandalism.
Dead or Alive
Reward
500 Credits

Well.

Oh, by the way, the teens have seen you now. They're watching you curiously.

[Yzalirk]

While climbing the ladder, the initials E.S. run through his head.  Something about it seems familiar to him.  After reaching the top, it hits him.  A sudden chill to his bones devours him.  E.S. could be Erik Sharpey.

"Um, Decker, those initials on the watch, E.S.  One of the missing people Vinoq told us about is named Erik Sharpey.  Do you think we found his arm?  I found a nurse's ID card with the name Reid Catlow printed on it.  That too is another missing person Vinoq told us about."
Ronin pauses, haunted by this sudden revelation.
"Decker, I think those remains we found down there were the four missing people Vinoq said all disappeared on the same day.  And they are in black robes and died in the same area so they all knew each other somehow.  I will speak to the kids and convince them to get back home."

Ronin approaches the teens.

"Hello.  I am Ronin."
He bows.
"Over there is Decker.  We are members of Heroica on a mission here.  It is not safe here, I encourage you all to go home.  We found several dead men brutally killed in the sewers just below where we are standing."
He directs his attention to the alien kid.
"You must be Neros Solon, son of Merol Soron.  We spoke to your father while on our mission and he is very worried.  Please return home and spare him of his anguish.  He is a good man."

Edited March 13, 2022 by Yzalirk

[Duvors]

3 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"Hello.  I am Ronin."
He bows.
"Over there is Decker.  We are members of Heroica on a mission here.  It is not safe here, I encourage you all to go home.  We found several dead men brutally killed in the sewers just below where we are standing."
He directs his attention to the alien kid.
"You must be Neros Solon, son of Merol Soron.  We spoke to your father while on our mission and he is very worried.  Please return home and spare him of his anguish.  He is a good man."

"What the hell? Who the hell are you? What're you talking about?"

"Killed? Wha-?!"

"Calm down, both of you." Neros says firmly. Tuning to you he says, "What is all this about dead people, and what does this have to do with my father?"

Edited March 14, 2022 by Duvors

[Endgame]

6 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

While climbing the ladder, the initials E.S. run through his head.  Something about it seems familiar to him.  After reaching the top, it hits him.  A sudden chill to his bones devours him.  E.S. could be Erik Sharpey.

"Um, Decker, those initials on the watch, E.S.  One of the missing people Vinoq told us about is named Erik Sharpey.  Do you think we found his arm?  I found a nurse's ID card with the name Reid Catlow printed on it.  That too is another missing person Vinoq told us about."
Ronin pauses, haunted by this sudden revelation.
"Decker, I think those remains we found down there were the four missing people Vinoq said all disappeared on the same day.  And they are in black robes and died in the same area so they all knew each other somehow.  I will speak to the kids and convince them to get back home."

"That all checks out to me," Decker says. "And this missing poster shows that Pip wasn't kiddin' when he said Flatfoot Thompson was bad fella. This list of crimes, god... The police don't have a damn thing on Avery. Seems like Thompson was arms dealer to these folks - look, he was even bagged for the sale of occult objects - and Avery was a leader of sorts. But we know what that blood said. He turned on them, and it got them killed..." Decker shudders. "This is... starting to come together."

"But where does Greg fit into this? He wasn't dead among the robed figures. He was dispatched for routine maintenance. Did he... see something that he shouldn'tve?"

"Regardless, looks like turning in Flatfoot could be pretty good for us, monetarily speakin'..."

3 hours ago, Duvors said:

"What the hell? Who the hell are you? What're you talking about?"

"Killed? Wha-?!"

"Calm down, both of you." Neros says firmly. Tuning to you he says, "What is all this about dead people, and what does this have to do with my father?"

"Listen, uh, kids," Decker says, walking over to them. "First order of business, this graffiti your work? Because I think it came out pretty damn well, adds some life to this place! What was the inspiration?

That being said, my friend wasn't mincin' words.We're investigatin' some mishaps in the area. Now, I don't think y'all would get deliberately mixed up in this sort of thing, you seem like good kids. The point is it ain't safe in these parts, and it'd be better if you were safe and back home with your folks."

"That includes you Neros. We bumped into your dad to ask him for a bit of advice on how to proceed. Your old man's worried sick about you. He'd be happy to have you home, y'know."

Edited March 14, 2022 by Endgame

[Duvors]

14 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Listen, uh, kids," Decker says, walking over to them. "First order of business, this graffiti your work? Because I think it came out pretty damn well, adds some life to this place! What was the inspiration?

"Do we look like we're carrying paint? I don't even know what the hell this says."

"Nem Var."

"What?"

"Nem Var, 'I will not'. It's a revolutionary slogan from the Pluravvian civil war. The way the colors around it mimic a sunrise is likely a reference to-"

"Can it, no-one cares."

14 hours ago, Endgame said:

That being said, my friend wasn't mincin' words.We're investigatin' some mishaps in the area. Now, I don't think y'all would get deliberately mixed up in this sort of thing, you seem like good kids. The point is it ain't safe in these parts, and it'd be better if you were safe and back home with your folks."

"That includes you Neros. We bumped into your dad to ask him for a bit of advice on how to proceed. Your old man's worried sick about you. He'd be happy to have you home, y'know."

"I asked you what was going on, not to repeat what your friend said. If you'd tell us, we might be able to say if we've seen anything."

"You can't be serious! You want to talk to the police now?"

"I really don't think these guys are police, Aeson. Besides, they know my father. I think they can be trusted."

[Endgame]

1 hour ago, Duvors said:

"Do we look like we're carrying paint? I don't even know what the hell this says."

"I really don't think these guys are police, Aeson. Besides, they know my father. I think they can be trusted."

"When I was your age, the second I was done with a mural like that, I binned the spray can and ran as far possible," Decker shrugs. Simpler times. "Although that is downright fascinatin', that history lesson, so thanks.' Decker says genuinely.

"Listen, I'm trying to keep you away from this trouble," Decker warns. "That being said, have you seen anyone go in and out of the sewers 'sides us? Could you describe 'em? And was there one you were... unable to describe?"

[Duvors]

22 hours ago, Endgame said:

"When I was your age, the second I was done with a mural like that, I binned the spray can and ran as far possible," Decker shrugs. Simpler times. "Although that is downright fascinatin', that history lesson, so thanks.' Decker says genuinely.

"Well, if you'd've run as far as possible, then it stands to reason we'd do it too, eh?" Neros grins at you.

"Thanks."

22 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Listen, I'm trying to keep you away from this trouble," Decker warns. "That being said, have you seen anyone go in and out of the sewers 'sides us? Could you describe 'em? And was there one you were... unable to describe?"

"Unable to describe? The heck that's supposed to mean?"

"Maybe he means people it's not safe to describe? Like... gang leaders and stuff?"

"What, like those guys who used to have that warehouse over there? Cause I'm pretty sure I saw one of them on a wanted poster."

"The hell would he ask us to tell him stuff like that?" Aeson looks at you suspiciously. "We don't even know you're telling the truth! You could just be pretending to to know Neron's dad to find out what we know!"

"That's... true."

The three start to back away from you.

[Endgame]

1 hour ago, Duvors said:

"Well, if you'd've run as far as possible, then it stands to reason we'd do it too, eh?" Neros grins at you.

"Thanks."

"Ya got me there. And, you're welcome."

1 hour ago, Duvors said:

"What, like those guys who used to have that warehouse over there? Cause I'm pretty sure I saw one of them on a wanted poster."

"The hell would he ask us to tell him stuff like that?" Aeson looks at you suspiciously. "We don't even know you're telling the truth! You could just be pretending to to know Neron's dad to find out what we know!"

"That's... true."

The three start to back away from you.

"Hey, if you saw Flatfoot - he's the one on the wanted poster right there, ugly son of the gun with the hat - then we'd be pretty interested in knowin' what you know."

Decker holds up his hands in the 'hey, I'm unarmed!' sort of way, despite clearly having a shotgun slung over his back.

"Hey, woah, let's settle down here. First of all, we did chat with your dad." Decker brandishes the hallowed candle that the priest had given them, the warm glow still emerging from it. "He gave us this to lend us a hand on this lil' errand o' ours. And we promised to tell his boy to scamper home in return if we saw 'im, as thanks for his gift."

"As for unable to describe, y'see that second wanted poster, above Flatfoot's ugly mug? Y'see how it's got no details, no nothin', just a name and a pretty borin' sketch? That's not from a lack of tryin' on the poster's artist, y'know. it's not because the police got lazy on this one. His appearance literally can't be nailed down. There's bad folks around these parts, and we're not tryin' to meet 'em to shake their hand, I can tell ya that much."

[Yzalirk]

Getting fed up with the theatrics of this interaction, Ronin speaks up.

"Enough!  If we were pretending to know Neros' father, how would we know both of their names?  We speak truthfully, no lies, no deceit."
He speaks directly to Neros and the other teen.
"Do you two follow Aeson?  Is he your leader or boss?  You seem like good kids, do not let him make decisions for you."
Now he speaks directly to Neros.
"You know, I promised your father if we found you that we would tell you to go home.  He is worried about you and clearly loves you.  I may not know Merol personally but I have been around for a very long time and am a good judge of character.  The situation here is currently not safe.  Please go home for your father's sake, Neros."

[Duvors]

20 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Hey, if you saw Flatfoot - he's the one on the wanted poster right there, ugly son of the gun with the hat - then we'd be pretty interested in knowin' what you know."

Decker holds up his hands in the 'hey, I'm unarmed!' sort of way, despite clearly having a shotgun slung over his back.

"Hey, woah, let's settle down here. First of all, we did chat with your dad." Decker brandishes the hallowed candle that the priest had given them, the warm glow still emerging from it. "He gave us this to lend us a hand on this lil' errand o' ours. And we promised to tell his boy to scamper home in return if we saw 'im, as thanks for his gift."

"As for unable to describe, y'see that second wanted poster, above Flatfoot's ugly mug? Y'see how it's got no details, no nothin', just a name and a pretty borin' sketch? That's not from a lack of tryin' on the poster's artist, y'know. it's not because the police got lazy on this one. His appearance literally can't be nailed down. There's bad folks around these parts, and we're not tryin' to meet 'em to shake their hand, I can tell ya that much."

"A candle? You expect us to-"

"Wait, hold on." Neros gestures to the other two to wait. "That looks like something my father would give you, but..." Pausing in his speech, he approaches you and holds out a hand toward you, as if feeling for something in the air. Suddenly, he drops his hand to the side and nods. "They're telling the truth, there's a spell of protection on them. I can feel the extra air resistance."

"You can do that?"

"If you know what you're looking for."

As you describe Avery's odd effects on observers, the three look at each other nervously.

"Spooky."

"Ah, no chief. I think we'd remember seeing something like that." he said, not knowing how wrong he was. "Honestly, I don't actually pay much attention to wanted posters. The other guy I was mentioning, the one I recognized, I think I half-saw his poster and sorta caught the resemblance, but I can't confirm."

"If you're going after those guys at Grey and Brown though, you're outta luck. The whole crew of them cleared out about five or six days ago. Looked like they were in a hurry too." He gestures over to the right - his left - at a small warehouse to one side of the storage yard.

"And now you say the sewers are full of dead people."

16 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"Enough!  If we were pretending to know Neros' father, how would we know both of their names?  We speak truthfully, no lies, no deceit."
He speaks directly to Neros and the other teen.
"Do you two follow Aeson?  Is he your leader or boss?  You seem like good kids, do not let him make decisions for you."
Now he speaks directly to Neros.
"You know, I promised your father if we found you that we would tell you to go home.  He is worried about you and clearly loves you.  I may not know Merol personally but I have been around for a very long time and am a good judge of character.  The situation here is currently not safe.  Please go home for your father's sake, Neros."

"I sure-"

"No."

"Hey!"

"Just telling it like it is." He turns to you. "You're right. Honestly, if what you say about people dying in the sewers is true, this place isn't safe to hang around in anyway. C'mon people."

With a nod to his companions, Neros leads the trio away - or most of them. The kid in blue hangs back for a moment.

"Uhh, umm, uhh." he swallows, "Listen, I know this guy, and about a week back he said he saw some weirdoes in cloaks - five of them - going down into the sewer in this neighborhood. That's not too weird for these parts, but he also said - this is why I haven't told those two - that they had another guy with them. And this guy was, er, wrong somehow. Made my friend's head hurt to look at him, and he seemed to be normal sized and too tall at the same time. I thought he was just making stuff up but-"

"Come on." Aeson calls back.

"Uh, sorry, catch you later! ...?"
And without a word more, he runs after his companions.
And like that, you're alone.

[Endgame]

"Wait, that must be-"

And then the kids make a run for it. "They weren't bad kids. Made the right decision in the end," Decker nods, affirmatively.

"And it sounds like Blue Jacket's friend was probably last to see those hooded figures alive. We found four o' the corpses... brain-on-the-floor guy, second dead guy, flamethrower fella, and arm on a rung guy. Is there a corpse we have unaccounted for, Ronin?"

Decker says as he goes to inspect the small warehouse. Was there a door, was it locked?

[Yzalirk]

"Hopefully they return home safely."
Ronin says as they walk off.
 

20 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Wait, that must be-"

And then the kids make a run for it. "They weren't bad kids. Made the right decision in the end," Decker nods, affirmatively.

"And it sounds like Blue Jacket's friend was probably last to see those hooded figures alive. We found four o' the corpses... brain-on-the-floor guy, second dead guy, flamethrower fella, and arm on a rung guy. Is there a corpse we have unaccounted for, Ronin?"

Decker says as he goes to inspect the small warehouse. Was there a door, was it locked?

"I am not sure.  We can either investigate the sewers again and try to find the corpse of the fifth man or check out the warehouse.  I would like to know who this fifth man is.  I believe we discovered the identities of the four.  My guess is the fifth man is Alex Kampf.  He knew those four men and lived in the same part of town as them.  But I am not sure if it is worth it.  We may not find him but rather whatever thing is down there that killed them.  I think the other man accompanying them was Avery Mann himself.  He is the only person who seems to fit the... unnatural category.  Maybe we can find this guy the boy mentioned?  He may give us more insight on Avery Mann."

Edited March 17, 2022 by Yzalirk

[Duvors]

3 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"I am not sure.  We can either investigate the sewers again and try to find the corpse of the fifth man or check out the warehouse.  I would like to know who this fifth man is.  I believe we discovered the identities of the four.  My guess is the fifth man is Alex Kampf.  He knew those four men and lived in the same part of town as them.  But Vinoq did not describe him as the child has.  Maybe the fifth man was Avery Mann himself?  He is the only person who seems to fit the... unnatural category."

MM note: Quick correction, the description you heard was 'five hooded guys who had another guy with them'. This other guy was the one described as weird. I thought the description wasn't as clear as I wanted.
I'll have a response to @Endgame in a little while.

[Yzalirk]

2 hours ago, Duvors said:

MM note: Quick correction, the description you heard was 'five hooded guys who had another guy with them'. This other guy was the one described as weird. I thought the description wasn't as clear as I wanted.
I'll have a response to @Endgame in a little while.

OoC: Okay, thank you for clarifying that.  I will edit what Ronin says to avoid confusion. 

[Duvors]

On 3/16/2022 at 9:38 PM, Endgame said:

"Wait, that must be-"

And then the kids make a run for it. "They weren't bad kids. Made the right decision in the end," Decker nods, affirmatively.

"And it sounds like Blue Jacket's friend was probably last to see those hooded figures alive. We found four o' the corpses... brain-on-the-floor guy, second dead guy, flamethrower fella, and arm on a rung guy. Is there a corpse we have unaccounted for, Ronin?"

Decker says as he goes to inspect the small warehouse. Was there a door, was it locked?

Your footsteps echo against the foamcrete floor. Most of the time it's easy to forget that everywhere in this station is an interior space, but with the absence of any other sound here the echo takes on an oppressive weight, pressing down from the nighttime-dimmed lights overhead. As you reach your destination and stop walking, the echoes fade into absolute silence.

Reaching the building, you fail to see any entrance other than the rolling door. The only other distinctive features the building seems to have are a keypad for the door and a rather untalented graffito.

Decker Smarts Check (DC 1,3): (5) One success.

Looking at the keypad, you can see the door requires a four digit combination. From what you know, the number of possible four-digit combinations is... errr... over nine thousand? Anyway, the likelihood of you being able you just randomly punch in some numbers and get it right is astronomically low. On the other hand, you could try to hotwire the door. Maybe change the combination or trigger it to open?

Edited March 18, 2022 by Duvors

[Endgame]

"Not havin' the best of days, but thanks for the wishes," Decker mumbles, running a gloved hand across the graffiti. He inspects the numpad to see if any of the numbers were more worn down than others. If he could narrow it down to just 4 numbers, that'd be... that'd be uh... less than the amount of combinations currently available, Decker concludes.

"Think that sword of yours can cut through this door too, Ronin? It looks pretty sturdy," Decker worries aloud. "I can take a crack at popping off the numpad and hotwiring this thing, but in case that sets off an alarm or somethin' I'd like to save that as a last resort. Worst case we just scamper back into the sewers I s'pose..."

[Duvors]

52 minutes ago, Endgame said:

"Not havin' the best of days, but thanks for the wishes," Decker mumbles, running a gloved hand across the graffiti. He inspects the numpad to see if any of the numbers were more worn down than others. If he could narrow it down to just 4 numbers, that'd be... that'd be uh... less than the amount of combinations currently available, Decker concludes.

Decker Perception Check (DC 2): (6,6,3,3) Two successes.

Checking over the numpad, you're able to determine that the most used numbers are one, three, six, and eight. That should bring the number of possible combinations down to about... somewhere in the mid-to-low twenties.

[Yzalirk]

19 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Think that sword of yours can cut through this door too, Ronin? It looks pretty sturdy," Decker worries aloud. "I can take a crack at popping off the numpad and hotwiring this thing, but in case that sets off an alarm or somethin' I'd like to save that as a last resort. Worst case we just scamper back into the sewers I s'pose..."

"This door looks better maintained that those bars in the sewer.  But I can try.  Stand back."

Ronin unsheathes his energy sword and attempts to slice through the door.

[Duvors]

4 minutes ago, Yzalirk said:

Ronin unsheathes his energy sword and attempts to slice through the door.

Ronin Melee Weapon Check (DC 7 3 {Calibrated Energy Weapon}): (2,3,3,2,4) One success.

Proving once again that doors are Heroica's true nemesis, your attempt to cut your way through the door ends with your sword lodged in it to no visible effect. Grimacing as you tries to pull it free, you can at least take solace in the fact that you don't seem to have set off any alar-

Ronin Strength Check vs. ???: (6) One success vs. (6,2,1,5,3,3,6) Three successes.

Before you can finish that thought, something on the other side of the door grabs the point on the far side and pulls with immense force. Before you can stop yourself, you feel yourself pulled into the door, slamming into it with a grunt. You can feel the... whatever on the other side, seemingly trying to pull the weapon for the door. After a moment, it releases its grip, and you're able to easily draw forth your weapon.

What... what was that?

[Yzalirk]

Caught off-guard by that, Ronin recollects himself and sheathes his sword after whatever is behind there lets go.

"Dear Gods.  Decker, maybe we should not go in there.  Whatever that was is incredibly strong.  I think whatever is in there is in there for a reason."

[Endgame]

Decker stands there, trying to puzzle out what sequence of numbers it could possibly be. "Maybe just punch 'em in in orde-"

And then Ronin slams against the metal, and Decker springs to attention, moving to check on his friend. "Ronin! The hell?! You okay?" Cautiously, and without pressing himself up against the metal door, Decker tries to peer through whatever small slit the altercation just created.

"I, I think you're right. I'm trying to get a glimpse at it, but... I feel like we're gonna have to deal with whatever that thing was eventually, if this is Flatfoot's warehouse, but... we ain't ready yet. Back into the sewers, y'think?"

Edited March 19, 2022 by Endgame

[Duvors]

15 hours ago, Endgame said:

And then Ronin slams against the metal, and Decker springs to attention, moving to check on his friend. "Ronin! The hell?! You okay?" Cautiously, and without pressing himself up against the metal door, Decker tries to peer through whatever small slit the altercation just created.

Carefully positioning yourself so you don't burn your face on the still-glowing metal, you lower your eye to the slit and peep through. You can't see anything that might have caused what just transpired, but you do see a door and what looks like a blue shipping container. Oddly, you notice that the lights are still on inside. Apparently Flatfoot's gang cleared out so fast they forgot to turn them off.

[Yzalirk]

"Do you see anything, Decker?  If you can get the door open that may help.  But we will have to deal with what is in there.  I will let you decide, I support whatever your decision is."

[Endgame]

"Can't see a damn thing," Decker sighs, standing up. "I'm not confident in hotwirin' this thing. It's not really my specialty, and if I screw it up, well... I was worried about an alarm before, but now I'm more worried about whatever just tossed ya like a ragdoll. I think I'd like to find our friend Flatfoot or one of his posse and drill 'im for info, figure out what we're dealing with in there, before we walk in there and get tossed about again. They left the lights on too... feel bad for whoever picks up th' utility bill."

"One last thing before we head back into the sewers, Ronin. The numbers on the keypad most worn down were one, three, six, and eight. If we can find anything with those numbers on 'em, that may very well be our passcode..."

Decker starts to walk back towards the manhole cover they emerged from.

[Duvors]

Having decided that discretion is the better part of valor, the two of you make your way back down the sewers and prepare to travel on. The only question is; where do you go?

Map

L is the lever.