Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Emjajoas]

"The sound of dogs promises the presence of enemies-- Or anyone, for that matter. Silence worries me."

Em stares at the northwest route for a long moment before shaking his head. "The silence worries me more than it should."

[Flipz]

"Hmm...Em, can you tell what the dogs are saying?"

[Kintobor]

"Hold on. The Northeast route obviously has dogs. The Northwest route obviously doesn't. But the question is why are the dogs barking? My interpretation: whatever's down the spindly Northwest route has the dogs spooked. My pick goes for the Northeast route personally, because although there may be nothing down there, there could also be, say... a big ugly, three eyed, child eating, fire breathing, snoring, winged boar. From space."

Karie was letting her imagination get to her. And it was showing.

[Shoker86]

"I think you're right Em" Em spoke rarely, but when he spoke, he had something to say "Well if the dogs ain't in attacking mood, you could talk with them."

"Hold on. The Northeast route obviously has dogs. The Northwest route obviously doesn't. But the question is why are the dogs barking? My interpretation: whatever's down the spindly Northwest route has the dogs spooked. My pick goes for the Northeast route personally, because although there may be nothing down there, there could also be, say... a big ugly, three eyed, child eating, fire breathing, snoring, winged boar. From space."

Karie was letting her imagination get to her. And it was showing.

"Exactly, silence is fishy, very fishy"

Edited June 7, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

Em tries to translate the dog's howling, but fails - coming to the realization there was nothing to translate. They seemed to be howling in rage and pain...

[Flipz]

"In pain...? We should help them, don't you think?"

[Kintobor]

"I don't see why not. Lead on, Boomingham, I just so happen to be rather good with canines!"

Edited June 8, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

The party forges through the alley's bends, th howls of pain and rage getting louder and louder. They dogs sounded almost deranged, barking as fast as they possibly could... in about a minute they reach the oirgin of the chilling noise, only to see a sight far more sinister then what they expected.

Three chained dogs are practically hysterical at this point, almost frothing at the mouth. They twitch and spasm, in both ectasy and pain... But their attention was drawn away from the canines when they see who else was in the clearing with them, or rather, what else. Seven skeletons lined the walls, some of them slumped, others imapled on the barbs, and the other almost disassembled entirely. Feeling an ominous chill going through their spines, the party recalls Lilith's testimony:

"Seven. Seven men have gone missing in that one alley.

...Oh, and one dog. His name was Arrow."

They had located the seven missing men - but it was too late. A wave of naseua washes over the five heroes as they look at the dismal scene before their eyes.

But if this is where all the men are... then where is the dog?

[Kintobor]

Karie could already feel herself getting faint and lightheaded. She could feel the bile coming up her throat.

"Guys, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to-"

Karie's cut off as she lurches back, takes two steps, and then vomits, leaning against the wall. She took deep breaths as she tried getting her mind off of the mess of cartilage and bones in the alley.

"Should have mentioned: I'm a bit queasy when it comes to this kind of crap."

[Shoker86]

"What an megablocks. Treating deceased man like that" The sight was disguisting. "May gods give peace to ther souls. It's all right Karie we understand. This is slaughter"

"Em, could you calm the dogs?"

[Flipz]

"Oh..."

"Crap...one of them must be Arrow. Em, can you ask these pups their names? And, uh...why is that one skeleton blackened? I...half-expect them all to get up and attack us..." Zee...she may be gone, but her kind still walks the world. And if Baba has friends and has recruited them to the Wolfgang...

Arthur turns back to Karie...the sight of the woman, contorted by pain...it was almost exactly the same. Exactly the same...as her...

Who are you, Karie Alderflask?

"It's fine, Karie. Here, need a Remedy? I find them quite soothing, myself..."

Edited June 8, 2013 by Flipz

[Zepher]

"Let her get through it." Boomingham sighs. This is a different sort of hero than he's used to dealing with. "I'm afraid Nyx has spoiled me."

"As for the dogs, I hope one of them is Arrow. You're not able to get anything out of them, Ranger?"

[Kintobor]

Karie looked at Arthur's outstretched hand, remedy in one hand. She chuckled nervously.

"I wouldn't call a remedy soothing. Thanks Private, but no thanks."

Would he find out what she did back in the prison? She wondered what the Stealer did with the Apprentice's body.

[Shoker86]

"Let her get through it." Boomingham sighs. This is a different sort of hero than he's used to dealing with. "I'm afraid Nyx has spoiled me."

"As for the dogs, I hope one of them is Arrow. You're not able to get anything out of them, Ranger?"

"We should give them a proper burial, while Em talks with the dogs"

[Endgame]

And, uh...why is that one skeleton blackened?

Upon further inspection, that particular skeleton was covered ina thick layer of ash - this one must've suffered a fiery end.

Em speaks to the dogs and inquires about their names:

<Names??>

<What do you want with our names, huh?!>

<What are names...?>

The dogs seemed more confused then any creature they had met - drugged, and quite a potent dose. Feeding a remedy to the wrong dog could result in a nasty bite, though... they had to tread carefully.

[Kintobor]

Karie was still unnerved by the massive amount of corpses in the alley, but she had enough energy to at least make suggestions, while looking away from the atrocity.

"Ask them about how long they've each been here individually. The one here for the shortest amount of time is most likely the Watch's dog."

[Flipz]

Arthur begins using his shovel to dig a hole in the dirt in which to bury the corpses.

[Shoker86]

Arnulf helps Arthur with corpses "Who knows what connections this guy have Arthur, but I don't like this a bit"

[Flipz]

"Yes, I'm starting to think this Stealer might be the greater threat after all. Still--we can't forget our mission, nor can we forget that the Wolfgang are known to be active in this part of the city; for all we know, they could be working together, or they could be enemies who are more than happy to let us get caught in the crossfire. Either way--CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Arthur blushed; he hadn't meant for that last bit to come out as a yell.

[Kintobor]

Karie giggled in the back. She had found Arthur's battle cry more than a little amusing.

"Private, for one who claims to be constantly vigil, you really can't keep your eyes off me!"

She immediately broke into laughter after her comment. She didn't really need his remedy. Laughter tended to make her feel better, but here, it felt to her more like a facade. She found her remark funny, yet still couldn't get her mind off things...

Edited June 8, 2013 by Kintobor

[Flipz]

Arthur smiles, then winces. What are you doing? Stay focused, man! He looks back to the dogs. "Once we determine which one's Arrow, I'll feed him the Remedy. Best that a Watchman does it, he'll probably be calmer seeing a familiar uniform."

[Endgame]

<Uh...>

<...Seven years? No, wait, six. Maybe two.>

<No, you idiot, that is me!>

It seems only yes or no questions could get the heroes a straight answer from the drugged up dogs.

[Kintobor]

"Ugh, blasted drugged up dogs.... did any of you know any of the the men currently being buried?"

This was going take longer than she thought.

Edited June 8, 2013 by Kintobor

[Shoker86]

"Were you trained by town watch?"

[Endgame]

Arthur beings to dig, trying to give his fallen comrades as respectful of a burial as possible. He even sweeps up the shattered skeleton, partially reassembling the man before depositing him into the grave he had dug. he wipes the layers of ash off the the other skeleton, carefully place him along with his comrades. With Arnulf's help Artur buries the seven skeletons. It was what the men deserved.

"Ugh, blasted drugged up dogs.... did any of you know any of the the men currently being buried?"

This was going take longer than she thought.

<Recognize? What's that?>

<You ask hard questions, lady...>

<I think I might've taken a bone from one of them. Is that what you're looking for?>

"Were you trained by town watch?"

The dogs simply cock their head in confusion, looking at eachother... they needed to ask simpler questions. Which was the most recent event in these dogs' lives, right before their drugging?