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

[Peppermint_M]

"Hmm, think you can spot any keys that are more worn?" Aysu looked closely at the keypad, it would narrow things down to see which buttons were pressed most often...

[Scubacarrot]

"Sure... Retrieve. Kvorvan Plague.. maybe the thing those changelings had?" 

[Waterbrick Down]

8 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

"Hmm, think you can spot any keys that are more worn?" Aysu looked closely at the keypad, it would narrow things down to see which buttons were pressed most often...

Aysu Perception Check (DC 3,5) - (4,6,4,+1) 4 Successes

Aysu notes that at least the 1 and 5 have some wear, but can't be sure if those are the only digits used in code.

7 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"Sure... Retrieve. Kvorvan Plague.. maybe the thing those changelings had?" 

Jonk directs the system to retrieve the storage unit. A motorized hoist speeds off down the hallway on a servo driven gantry and a few minutes later swings a sickly chamber into view.

[Scubacarrot]

"Hello! Are you Jippo?"

[Duvors]

Enson shook his head. He hadn't expected that they'd be able to get in the vault without forcing it. His hand lighted on the hilt of his plasma falchion, intending to cut through the door again. Before he could however, the grinding on heavy-duty servos and Jonk's voice caused him to turn to look back. He started back in shock when he saw the occupant of the pod, distress twisting his features out of shape.
"What in all the spheres-!"

Meditate, three successive castings of Acute Purge on dwarf, Medicine check to determine nature of malady.

[Waterbrick Down]

16 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"Hello! Are you Jippo?"

"Mwwaww!"

The figure vomits a nearly flourescent slime over the front of the container.

<Well that is unsettling.>

21 minutes ago, Duvors said:

Enson shook his head. He hadn't expected that they'd be able to get in the vault without forcing it. His hand lighted on the hilt of his plasma falchion, intending to cut through the door again. Before he could however, the grinding on heavy-duty servos and Jonk's voice caused him to turn to look back. He started back in shock when he saw the occupant of the pod, distress twisting his features out of shape.
"What in all the spheres-!"

Meditate, three successive castings of Acute Purge on dwarf, Medicine check to determine nature of malady.

Enson Medicine Check (DC 3,5) - (6,4,6,2,1,6,+1) 5 Successes

Enson finds his magical casting inadequate to relieve the dwarf's symptoms. The Quo'ri recalls a scroll he had once studied on the Kvorvan Plague. Originiating on the proto-planet of Kvorv, the inhabitants reproduce asexually once a year via the release of spore clouds. After first contact with other species it was found that the spores produced an acute malady where in the Kvorvan biloogy attempted to co-opt its host with monstrous results. Most cases resulted in the death of the host within a few days, survival rate was low without the applicaiton of a particular fungicide that would render the spores sterile. Unforutunately the fungicide required a number of extremely rare ingrediants from across the arm.

Rix shakes his head with a sorry tone while inspecting the dwarf.

"I'm assuming you were hoping for something different?"

[Duvors]

Unless I'm misremembering, I equipped the Plasma Splicer instead of the Utility Belt, and shouldn't have gotten that +1. I will equip the belt now however.

"Ask one more rhetorical question-" Enson muttered to himself as he hurried over to inspect the pod's occupant, his face an expressionless mask.
"Right," he said, "we've already sent off for medical aid, but since we don't know how long he's been infected we'll have to act as if this is a crisis. I need two of you to fetch that doctor from the lab, he's probably already aware of how to treat this malady."
Enson strode over to the console and began hunting through the index, frantically wracking his brains for the ingredients to the treatment and trying to see if any of them could be located in the vault.
"Most collectors take care of their collections," he muttered to himself, "most collectors value what they possess."

[Scubacarrot]

"Uhhh, right, cure, is our plan, then? Let's pull up the kvorvan that they have in the collection."

[Waterbrick Down]

13 hours ago, Duvors said:

Unless I'm misremembering, I equipped the Plasma Splicer instead of the Utility Belt, and shouldn't have gotten that +1. I will equip the belt now however.

"Ask one more rhetorical question-" Enson muttered to himself as he hurried over to inspect the pod's occupant, his face an expressionless mask.
"Right," he said, "we've already sent off for medical aid, but since we don't know how long he's been infected we'll have to act as if this is a crisis. I need two of you to fetch that doctor from the lab, he's probably already aware of how to treat this malady."
Enson strode over to the console and began hunting through the index, frantically wracking his brains for the ingredients to the treatment and trying to see if any of them could be located in the vault.
"Most collectors take care of their collections," he muttered to himself, "most collectors value what they possess."

MM Note: You are correct. I'm fine with the swap prior to the check.

"You'd like the good doctor retrieved?"

Enson focues his mind and expressly remembers the four ingredients: 
Ground shards of Rubinite Akharif Lighting Crystal
Melted silk of a Juvenile Female Araneidae Umbra Clavipes
Crushed petals of Recivic Wyrmsfoot
Boiled liver of an Aquin Land Squid

A quick search of the database reveals that the Land Squid is still in the West Vault, however the three other ingredients are listed as already retrieved. Looking the dwarf over, Enson surmises that the infection is likely 75% advanced.

7 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"Uhhh, right, cure, is our plan, then? Let's pull up the kvorvan that they have in the collection."

Jonk acesses the database oncemore.

On 6/3/2022 at 3:47 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Database Search
3. Containment Size (5-10 Stud)
 i. Changeling
 ii. Cricet
 iii. Dwarf
 iv. Elf
 v. Human
 vi. Kvorvan
  A. Life Cycle (Living)
  B. Life Cycle (Dead)
  C. Life Cycle (Undead)
 vii. Ptoksan
 viii. Ytaxxi

 

[Duvors]

5 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"You'd like the good doctor retrieved?"

"Yes, and with speed. If anyone would know where the wyrmsfoot is, it would be him."
Enson spoke without looking up from the console, already in the process of calling up the landsquid. That done, he quickly checked through the Kvorvans on file, calling up any live specimens he found.
He turned to face his companions. "There were some of those spiders we need in the atrium, and there are lightning crystals in the main gallery. I'd appreciate it if you'd grab them while I handle things here. Remember, we need a Juvenile Female spider and a Rubinite crystal."

[Scubacarrot]

If I am correct i should have two spare points (coma puzzle and console puzzle?) Can I put a point into Persuasion please?

After getting shoved off the console by Enson, Jonk walks away. "What a rude man." Jonk follows Rix. Just in case revenge is still on the menu.

[Waterbrick Down]

13 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Yes, and with speed. If anyone would know where the wyrmsfoot is, it would be him."
Enson spoke without looking up from the console, already in the process of calling up the landsquid. That done, he quickly checked through the Kvorvans on file, calling up any live specimens he found.
He turned to face his companions. "There were some of those spiders we need in the atrium, and there are lightning crystals in the main gallery. I'd appreciate it if you'd grab them while I handle things here. Remember, we need a Juvenile Female spider and a Rubinite crystal."

Enson remarks as a rather large gantry crane detaches itself and speed off down the hallway for the landsquid. The Kvorvan request, while made second actually arrives first.

"Please, no more. I can't take it anymore!"

1 hour ago, Scubacarrot said:

If I am correct i should have two spare points (coma puzzle and console puzzle?) Can I put a point into Persuasion please?

After getting shoved off the console by Enson, Jonk walks away. "What a rude man." Jonk follows Rix. Just in case revenge is still on the menu.

MM Note: Stat change noted.

Jonk and Rix return to the laboratory and find the doctor still sitting in the containment unit.

"Well, look who's returned. Bite off more than you could chew? You know you've only got a little time left right? The Archivist was entertaining a rather high profile client today, I'm sure his meeting will finish soon enough."

"Do we really need him alive? How about intact? Fingers, toes, could those be optional?"

[Scubacarrot]

1 minute ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Jonk and Rix return to the laboratory and find the doctor still sitting in the containment unit.

"Well, look who's returned. Bite off more than you could chew? You know you've only got a little time left right? The Archivist was entertaining a rather high profile client today, I'm sure his meeting will finish soon enough."

"Do we really need him alive? How about intact? Fingers, toes, could those be optional?"

Jonk ignores the doctor until he's talked (quietly) to Rix. "You want cut digits off with that little knife? Sounds messy. I don't think I have all the same moral hangups as Enson back there with you going to town on your torturer, but I want to save Jippo and this situation just proved why it would have been bad if we hadn't convinced you to let up. Way I see it, we can use him now, but when we got Jippo, not anymore"

Jonk moves in to talk to the Doctor.

"Hi! It's Jonk again, never did get your name. You know, this place is quite impressive, but your guards were real pushovers and your security system can be cracked by someone that wouldn't be able to hack itself out of a wet paper bag. Your impressive boss and equally impressive cliënt are probably not going to be too pleased when they see the mess, stolen items, bodies of customers, guards... The Archivist is sure to make some changes... That includes you, maybe? You let yourself get locked up in the collection, how embarrassing. Filing system wouldn't make sense that way either. Bad for business. Who would want to buy a Rix but end up with you? But i have a proposal."

Jonk amps up the persuasive factor to the max.

"How about this: If, when, we do run into your Archivist, we tell her you were a rock, fouled us at every turn, fought back tooth and nail, etcetera, really gave us a hard time. In return, you will be helpful Mr. Doctor until that time. Can you work with that?"

[Waterbrick Down]

7 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

Jonk ignores the doctor until he's talked (quietly) to Rix. "You want cut digits off with that little knife? Sounds messy. I don't think I have all the same moral hangups as Enson back there with you going to town on your torturer, but I want to save Jippo and this situation just proved why it would have been bad if we hadn't convinced you to let up. Way I see it, we can use him now, but when we got Jippo, not anymore"

"Are you really so naive to think a sadist like him will help us?"

7 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

Jonk moves in to talk to the Doctor.

"Hi! It's Jonk again, never did get your name. You know, this place is quite impressive, but your guards were real pushovers and your security system can be cracked by someone that wouldn't be able to hack itself out of a wet paper bag. Your impressive boss and equally impressive cliënt are probably not going to be too pleased when they see the mess, stolen items, bodies of customers, guards... The Archivist is sure to make some changes... That includes you, maybe? You let yourself get locked up in the collection, how embarrassing. Filing system wouldn't make sense that way either. Bad for business. Who would want to buy a Rix but end up with you? But i have a proposal."

"You can refer to me as Doctor Ivam. As for our security system, well I doubt you'd be coming back here if you weren't in some sort of trouble."

7 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

Jonk amps up the persuasive factor to the max.

"How about this: If, when, we do run into your Archivist, we tell her you were a rock, fouled us at every turn, fought back tooth and nail, etcetera, really gave us a hard time. In return, you will be helpful Mr. Doctor until that time. Can you work with that?"

Jonk Persuasion Check (DC1,3) - (6,1,1,1) 1 Success

"Oh I'm supposed to trust you'll talk me up while trying to kill my boss? Yeah, I'm going to need more assurances than your word. Let me out of here as a show of good faith and we'll see what sort of help I can give."

"And give you free reign of your lab?"

"What is a doctor without his tools?"

[Scubacarrot]

The celestial thinks for a moment.

"Rix, this might work out for everyone . If he moves even one muscle that we don't trust, he is all your and you get what you want. Careful, don't let him near anything."

Jonk moves to unlock the doctor.

"Doctor Ivam, I don't particularly want to kill the Archivist or you. Rix here however... We need Recivic Wyrmsfoot."

[Duvors]

10 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Please, no more. I can't take it anymore!"

Enson held up a hand. "It's fine, it's fine, I mean you no harm. Do you know how to open your pod? Are you currently emitting spores?" Enson spoke in the most calming, persuasive voice he could muster. As he was speaking, Enson took a moment to examine the container's ventilation.

[Waterbrick Down]

2 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

The celestial thinks for a moment.

"Rix, this might work out for everyone . If he moves even one muscle that we don't trust, he is all your and you get what you want. Careful, don't let him near anything."

Jonk moves to unlock the doctor.

"Doctor Ivam, I don't particularly want to kill the Archivist or you. Rix here however... We need Recivic Wyrmsfoot."

"Do you know how long I've waited for this, Doc?"


"Oh I can only imagine." Doctor Ivam exits the containment unit strolling around the lab from table to table. "Wyrmsfoot hmmm? Stem, root, seeds? Why don't you humor me a little as to your need?"

1 hour ago, Duvors said:

Enson held up a hand. "It's fine, it's fine, I mean you no harm. Do you know how to open your pod? Are you currently emitting spores?" Enson spoke in the most calming, persuasive voice he could muster. As he was speaking, Enson took a moment to examine the container's ventilation.

The Kvorvan looks frightened.

"You mustn't open the pod. Yes, it is the phase of my Glömerörum. Please I can't control it."

Enson Engineering Check (DC 1) - (5,6,1,+1) 3 Successes

Enson notes the ventilation on this containment pod contains a significant number of filter units.

[Scubacarrot]

8 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Do you know how long I've waited for this, Doc?"


"Oh I can only imagine." Doctor Ivam exits the containment unit strolling around the lab from table to table. "Wyrmsfoot hmmm? Stem, root, seeds? Why don't you humor me a little as to your need?"

"Petals, crushed. You infected a dwarf with the kvorvan Plague, we think this might be our target. Angry Guy that shoved you in the tank is working on a cure. Hey you got any Crescendo, while you are at it?"

[Duvors]

53 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

The Kvorvan looks frightened.

"You mustn't open the pod. Yes, it is the phase of my Glömerörum. Please I can't control it."

"I understand. Has that maniac of a doctor been deliberately exposing others to you in this state? Has there been any opportunity for an accidental exposure?"
Enson turned to the others. "Wolly, Aysu, would you mind helping me move this pod somewhere unobtrusive? I'd like this fellow safely out of the way once the landsquid arrives."

[Peppermint_M]

"Sure, I can lend a hand." Aysu joined Enson and Wolly in moving the pod.

[Waterbrick Down]

9 hours ago, Scubacarrot said:

"Petals, crushed. You infected a dwarf with the kvorvan Plague, we think this might be our target. Angry Guy that shoved you in the tank is working on a cure. Hey you got any Crescendo, while you are at it?"

"Well it was a personal request by the Archivist. As for Crescendo... I could of sworn I had some in my pocket..." The doctor pauses at the alchemical table before moving to a few of the nearby crates. "A cure for the Kvorvan Plague? You know it's not really a plague right? Some fools dropped in on Kvorva during the local's mating season and got infected. Nasty bit of business that. Ah here we are." The doctor pulls out a red flower and hands it to Jonk, "I assume you'll be needing someone to mix your concoction up, no?"

8 hours ago, Duvors said:

"I understand. Has that maniac of a doctor been deliberately exposing others to you in this state? Has there been any opportunity for an accidental exposure?"
Enson turned to the others. "Wolly, Aysu, would you mind helping me move this pod somewhere unobtrusive? I'd like this fellow safely out of the way once the landsquid arrives."

"Yes, a few days ago a scientist hooked up my pod's ventilation to another pod... a dwarf I think. Oh no, oh no, oh no. I can only imagine the suffering... I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I can't control it you see."

7 hours ago, Peppermint_M said:

"Sure, I can lend a hand." Aysu joined Enson and Wolly in moving the pod.

<No problem.>

As Aysu and Wolly move the pod, the group hears a monstrous screech as a gigantic ancient containment unit sluggishly moves down the track system rocking and shaking under its own weight. Metal bends, the track squeal, and with a mighty crash the pod breaks loose and plummets to the floor smashing open. Out of the wreckage a giant cephalopod crawls out of the twisted metal and begins to charge down the hallway toward the heroes.

<Uh oh!>

Heroes
 Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) (Duvors)
60 cycles old male Quo'ri
Character Points: 2/26
Vitality: 4/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 2
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/3
Proficiencies: Insight 2, Medicine 3, Melee Weapons 2, Performance 1, Religion 2, Explosives 1
Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font, Warding Bond
Credits: 62
Equipment: Plasma Falchion (+2 Melee Energy), Utility Belt (Tool, grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Successes)
Inventory: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental), Plasma Splicer (Tool, as an action, transfer Vitality with an adjacent ally), Essence of Glibness, Essence of Precaution, Nanite Elixir 2x, Dagger's Letter (Mission Item), Tehanui Teal (Consumable, Mission Item), Crude Machete (Standard Kinetic Melee Weapon), Nanite Elixer? (Quest Item),  Exo Suit, Plasma Pistol (Standard Energy Short Range Weapon), Felthorn Cleaver of Fate (Standard Kinetic Melee weapon, 1's are rerolled once), Aquin Knighting Ceremonial Sword (Standard Kinetic Melee weapon)

 Ernest Wollipog
Vitality: 3/3
Velocity: 3
Strength: 3
Skill: 1
Smarts: 1
Spirit: 6/6
Proficiencies: Arcana 1, Culture 2, Insight 2, Nature 1, Occult 1, Perception 2, Persuasion 2,
Spells: Tongues, Transmute Matter, Enhanced Vision, Photonic Manipulation, Securing, Obfuscate
Credits: 0
Equipment: Power Armor (Standard Kinetic Armor), Power Fist (Standard Kinetic Weapon), Mech Suit (Tool, +2 to Vitality, Velocity, and Strength, +5 Inventory Slots)
Inventory:

 Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M)
22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human.
Character Points: 3/21
Vitality: 6/6 (2 Temp)
Velocity: 2
Strength: 3
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Spirit: 1
Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 3, Nature 1, Survival 1
Spell: Enhanced Vision
Credits: 182
Equipment:  Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, Energy) with Gravimetric Bipod - Weapon Attachment (The first Offensive Combat check with this weapon is Lucky) attached, Farsight Goggles, Plasma Chain Shirt (Standard Energy Armor), 
Inventory: Plasma Potion 2x, Essence of Glibness, Field Rations (Consumable, Restores 1 Vitality), Gator Hide (Can be converted into either Kinetic or Elemental Standard Armor by a craftsman), Zinc (Calibrated Kinetic Long Range Weapon), Flowing Font Scepter (Standard Short Range Elemental Weapon, Adaptable [Spend 1 action to change the range of the weapon]), Plasma Pistol (Standard Energy Short Range Weapon), Exo-suit, Crystal Staff (Standard, Kinetic Melee Weapon), Translator Cube

MM Note: You all have one action before the Landsquid shows up.

[Scubacarrot]

"I'm sure Enson is able... What was that sound? Rix, watch the Doctor, he tries anything, you know what to do."

Jonk runs back to the others.

[Duvors]

Enson looked at the charging monstrosity and shook his head. "Shoddy construction." he muttered as he brought his hands together and began reciting a droning, tuneless chant.

Meditate.

Edited June 8, 2022 by Duvors

[Waterbrick Down]

MM Note: @Duvors Feel free to post an appropriate action for Aysu or Wolly, otherwise we'll kick things off here.

[Duvors]

Aysu will attack.

Wollipog will cast Distracting Illusion - Effect 1, appearance of a second squid about to attack the first. Effect 2, sound of a second squid about to attack the first.