Heroica: Glory Amongst The Stars - Mission #10: Pins & Needles

[Scubacarrot]

"Let's pretend I am unfamiliar. Seems to me this guy left you only able to speak in questions. Seems very annoying."

[Duvors]

4 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Rix glares at Enson before stewing in the background.

"And how will you know if he is lying?"

"I don't, but he might not be. There's no need for assumptions."

4 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"I talk to myself. It gets a little lonely since most of the specimens don't talk back." The doctor glances behind him at the passage. "Split path, one heads back to a storeroom near the entrance, the other goes directly outside."

"And the rest of the facility?" Enson said, "What further rooms are there? what is the layout? how many guards would you estimate there are?"

Enson will give Felthorn to Rix and take the trident against the far wall.

[Waterbrick Down]

18 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"Let's pretend I am unfamiliar. Seems to me this guy left you only able to speak in questions. Seems very annoying."

Jonk notices the wrinkles and aged lines across the Camazon's face.

"When ones existence of merely eleven cycles is nothing but pain, wouldn't you question everything in your life?"

15 hours ago, Duvors said:

"And the rest of the facility?" Enson said, "What further rooms are there? what is the layout? how many guards would you estimate there are?"

Enson will give Felthorn to Rix and take the trident against the far wall.

MM Note: The information given will still be based on the original intimadtion roll. If Enson wants to try another tactic, there may be other things to be gleaned.

"Oh, I'd say the Archivist employs a good dozen at least. Business has been busy as of late and the collection takes a lot to manage..." The masked man strolls toward the table with the glass bell jar. "As for rooms," The doctor unfurls a blueprint on the table.

"Satisfied?"

As Enson reaches for the trident a jolt of electricity jumps from the weapon zapping the Quo'ri. (-2 Damage)

"If you intend to simply waltz about the place, I'd suggest more caution, unless of course you have a death wish."

[Duvors]

Enson looked at the trident for a moment, shook his head, and reproached the doctor. He perused the map for a moment. "I see," he said, "Thank you. Tell me, are there any special dangers we should be aware of? traps and suchlike. And how does one open the locked doors?" He looked at the doctor. "I'd advise you to answer truthfully, you'll have a better chance of receiving merciful treatment."

Enson will attempt to persuade the doctor.

[Scubacarrot]

1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Jonk notices the wrinkles and aged lines across the Camazon's face.

"When ones existence of merely eleven cycles is nothing but pain, wouldn't you question everything in your life?"

"Perhaps. Hard to imagine we are the first to go looking for someone or something taken to this place."

While the doctor is explaining things to Enson, Jonk attempts to pickpocket the doctor.

[Waterbrick Down]

11 hours ago, Duvors said:

Enson looked at the trident for a moment, shook his head, and reproached the doctor. He perused the map for a moment. "I see," he said, "Thank you. Tell me, are there any special dangers we should be aware of? traps and suchlike. And how does one open the locked doors?" He looked at the doctor. "I'd advise you to answer truthfully, you'll have a better chance of receiving merciful treatment."

Enson will attempt to persuade the doctor.

Enson Persuassion Check (DC 1,3) - (2,1,2,6) 0 Successes

"Apart from the collection being filled with monsters, cursed artifacts, and nightmarish powers you can only imagine? Do they not have keys where you come from?" The doctor moves over to the desk with alchemical reagents, rearranging the bottles.

"Mercy? Do you have any idea the kind of stuff he's done to those in the collection?"

"All at the request of my employer of course, mind you."

Rix seems to be becoming more agitated as the interrogation continues.

11 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"Perhaps. Hard to imagine we are the first to go looking for someone or something taken to this place."

While the doctor is explaining things to Enson, Jonk attempts to pickpocket the doctor.

Jonk Sleight-of-hand vs. doctor Perception - (3,5,2,3,5,+1) 3 Successes vs. (2,3,6,1,4) 2 Successes

Jonk manages to fish around in the doctor's coat pockets undetected and pulls out:

 Crescendo (Consumable, Used as part of the Attack Action, grants three attacks but then inflicts Stunned the next round)
Scrap of Paper

Quote

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[Duvors]

"I was hoping you'd explain where the keys were. Oh well."
Without a further word, Enson grabbed the doctor by the shoulder and thrust him into the containment chamber, sealing it after him.
"Perhaps you could be less snide in future." he turned to his companions, "Shall we go?"

[Scubacarrot]

Jonk asks Enson and Aysu, hopefully in a way the others can not hear. 

"What do we do with the doc? I dont trust him enough to let him go and he is clearly a bad guy but i don't feel much either for killing him or letting Rix go to town on him. How about we lock him up in the place we found Rix and deal with him later?"

[Scubacarrot]

Posted around the same time

As Jonk proposes it Enson is already in motion. "Well, that solves that."

"So we got two options, the room the doc came from and I have a code or part of it... Didn't you find something similar before, Enson?" Jonks shows the scrap of paper he yoinked from the doctor to the others.

[Peppermint_M]

"I mean, the more I am in this place, the worse I am feeling right? I'm the only me that my family ever met, and here at Heroica too, so this Archivist's collection is giving me the jeebies..." Aysu shrugged. 

[Scubacarrot]

"Don't worry, this collection will not get any new additions anytime soon."

[Duvors]

9 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"So we got two options, the room the doc came from and I have a code or part of it... Didn't you find something similar before, Enson?" Jonks shows the scrap of paper he yoinked from the doctor to the others.

"Yes, good work Jonk." Enson said, taking the two pieces of paper.
"Western Vault access code: 5709372984." Enson lowered the scraps of paper. "Well, it seems our next destination is obvious. Shall we?"

Enson will return to the main gallery.

[Waterbrick Down]

21 hours ago, Duvors said:

"I was hoping you'd explain where the keys were. Oh well."
Without a further word, Enson grabbed the doctor by the shoulder and thrust him into the containment chamber, sealing it after him.
"Perhaps you could be less snide in future." he turned to his companions, "Shall we go?"

Enson Athletics vs. Doctor's Athletics - (3,4,6) 2 Successes vs. (1,1,1) 0 Successes

The speed of the Quo'ri catches the doctor off guard as he shoves the man into the containment unit sealing it shut in one fluid movement.

"What the? Hmmph... fine good luck, hope you don't get eaten by a hrogbog."

Rix looks with anger at Enson.

"What right do you have to deny me justice?"

17 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

"I mean, the more I am in this place, the worse I am feeling right? I'm the only me that my family ever met, and here at Heroica too, so this Archivist's collection is giving me the jeebies..." Aysu shrugged. 

"Hmm... One of a kind aye? I'm sure the Archivist would pay a pretty penny for one such as you. Life in the collection isn't so bad, food, drink, a safe living space. Perhaps a little boring, but at least it's predictable."

MM Note: Just a note folks, I'm currently traveling the next three days, so updates are going to be a little sporadic I'm afraid.

[Duvors]

12 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Rix looks with anger at Enson.

"What right do you have to deny me justice?"

"Justice?" Enson said grimly, "Revenge is not justice, no matter how much you've suffered. The authorities will deal with him when we have done here, you can have your justice then."
As he spoke, Enson seemed to be gazing past his surroundings, into a place only he could see.

[Waterbrick Down]

11 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Justice?" Enson said grimly, "Revenge is not justice, no matter how much you've suffered. The authorities will deal with him when we have done here, you can have your justice then."
As he spoke, Enson seemed to be gazing past his surroundings, into a place only he could see.

"He has caused great harm, should he not reap what he has sowed? Why do you fear serving as his judge, did you not already do so to other guards? Why should he be given such mercies?"

The Camazon shakes his head dejectedly

"What can you say? Will you give me the key?" 

 

 

[Duvors]

"I am a Qoun'ahn. I fear nothing. I do what I must, because it must be done. If I strike down someone who is actively attempting to do harm, who presents a threat to the innocent, this is necessary. Not desirable, and perhaps not justified. But I will not strike down someone who cannot defend themselves, no matter how evil they may be. It is not necessary, and I do not indulge in wrath."
He looked straight into the camazon's eyes. "Believe me, I sympathize with you, and with everyone else who has suffered at this torturer's hands, but I intend to let those legally empowered to do so serve as his judges. If you think that is merciful, then you have a strange understanding of mercy."

[Waterbrick Down]

MM Note: Hey folks just made it back home from traveling will have a full update tomorrow.

[Scubacarrot]

"Rix, I'd say do what you want, generally, but consider this: Dr. didwegethisname here is just a small cog in a machine designed by this Archivist. Trust us that you are better off saving your -justified- anger for them. Our objective, rescuing Jippo and whoever else seems self aware from this place, is different than yours, but can we count on you to help us out and follow our lead until that's all done? Would make us square for the whole freeing you after years in the cage thing."

Jonk tries to be persuasive towards Rix.

"That reminds me, Bertram, you still with us without being snagged? Havent heard anything from you in a bit."

[Waterbrick Down]

On 5/20/2022 at 11:32 PM, Duvors said:

"I am a Qoun'ahn. I fear nothing. I do what I must, because it must be done. If I strike down someone who is actively attempting to do harm, who presents a threat to the innocent, this is necessary. Not desirable, and perhaps not justified. But I will not strike down someone who cannot defend themselves, no matter how evil they may be. It is not necessary, and I do not indulge in wrath."
He looked straight into the camazon's eyes. "Believe me, I sympathize with you, and with everyone else who has suffered at this torturer's hands, but I intend to let those legally empowered to do so serve as his judges. If you think that is merciful, then you have a strange understanding of mercy."

8 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"Rix, I'd say do what you want, generally, but consider this: Dr. didwegethisname here is just a small cog in a machine designed by this Archivist. Trust us that you are better off saving your -justified- anger for them. Our objective, rescuing Jippo and whoever else seems self aware from this place, is different than yours, but can we count on you to help us out and follow our lead until that's all done? Would make us square for the whole freeing you after years in the cage thing."

Jonk tries to be persuasive towards Rix.

"That reminds me, Bertram, you still with us without being snagged? Havent heard anything from you in a bit."

Jonk Persuasion Check (DC 3) - (6,2,6,6) 3 Successes

"Why trust in institutions when you know what suffering has been caused? Why should he be allowed the mercy of living longer than he ought, when it is within your power to judge him?"

"Perhaps there is yet a way through his livin' we might still stop the sufferin' of others? Who knows what other info he might have that we may need while delvin' through the vaults. Jonk is right, he's but a cog and there's no use in crushin' a cog until we understand how the machine works."

"If the machine is disassembled and the cog escapes destruction, who do you think I will blame?"

Bertram looks anxiously at the heroes.

"Perhaps, let's cross that bridge when we come to it."

Rix nods his head and sheathes his blade still glaring at the doctor, but turns to follow the group.

"Where to?"

<I believe we were ready to journey back to the large hall.> Wollipog strides forward in his new mech suit leading the heroes back to the main gallery. From the entryway the group can hear the Phejharan Gold Feather ransacking the breakroom looking for food.

MM Note: Ignore the enemies and the Gold Feather, I didn't have a picture without them.

[Scubacarrot]

Jonk puts in the code for the western door, 5709372984, then immediately takes cover.

[Duvors]

"I have no power to judge, only to kill. If the authorities forfeit their power by abusing it, then we may return to the discussion. But, in all honesty, waxing faux-philosophic because we won't let you kill someone you don't like is rather petulant."

Sidling over to the western door, Enson concealed himself to one side, motioning his companions to do the same.
"Be careful," he muttered, "I do not believe the doctor was telling the truth when he said he was alone. We may be expected."

[Waterbrick Down]

8 hours ago, Duvors said:

"I have no power to judge, only to kill. If the authorities forfeit their power by abusing it, then we may return to the discussion. But, in all honesty, waxing faux-philosophic because we won't let you kill someone you don't like is rather petulant."

"Do you think to confuse my hatred for the man for mere dislike?"

<Quiet Rix, the door opens.>

Jonk punches in the code to the Western Vault causing the massive blast doors to slide open. A hallway stretches before the heroes to either side farther than the eye can see. Scaffolding and ladders ascend upwards at least fifty feet and before them in row after row are lines of containment units holding a plethora of flora, fauna, and all manner of creatures.

"By Tiig's bosom, how are we goin' to find Jippo in all of this?"

[Peppermint_M]

"Ah flip." Aysu looked ahead at the tubes. "Why couldn't this Archivist just collect POGs or something?"

Stopping, she Listened out for more guards or staff. (Perception)

[Scubacarrot]

"Uhhh.. Right. He probably also collect POGs but performs weird science experiments on them..."

Jonk inspects the console.

[Duvors]

"There should be an index somewhere. Collectors like their things neatly organized so they can show them off at a moment's notice."

Enson will attempt to open the container across from the door without alerting anyone.