Palathadric Posted June 29, 2014 Posted June 29, 2014 "It's rather rare that somebody just makes demons appear by accident. Such a person would have had to have been dabbling in the dark side for some time, I would reckon. Still, I suppose we may as well meet the doctor and see what no good he is up to."
CMP Posted June 30, 2014 Author Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) OOC: My grandfather just passed away; my posting is going to be inconsistent this week. I'm sorry-- I'll be on as much as I can. I leave Em in your capable hands. I'm sorry to hear that. Take all the time you need. We're more or less at the end of this anyway. "You have helped us this far. You need to help save your city. It will be difficult to defeat whatever is in there without your help. But I need your word that you will not kill the doctor, not without knowing what he has to say first." Hybros tries to sound as commanding as he can. (OOC: is Command not working?) Basically. "No. My contracts...few were about dealing justice. My life is forfeit now since I've left the Blue Assassins - I'll be killed as soon as a whisper of my presence reaches them." "But I've spent a decade down here in this sewer. I've been staring death in the face since I was a child in the service of those marauders. Nobody here cares about that life or how many deaths I've dealt. None of these people have done anything to deserve this kind of punishment. That this Doctor would risk their lives to fulfill his careless curiosity...I'm not letting that endanger them again." "If you go in there without the intention of killing him, you won't have my company. If you do insist on rescuing him, make sure he doesn't set a foot in our city for the rest of his life." Wally crossed his arms, looking deeply troubled. Eva patted his shoulder and eyed the dim, greenish glow in the depths of the forge they were about to enter. Edited June 30, 2014 by CallMePie
JimBee Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 "Fine. It is not my decision what is best for the people of Zylstra. We do not have time to go and ask them, and I doubt they would be in a condition to answer. But the doctor's fate is not in my hands, nor will his blood be." Hybros pulls off the Baron's Pauldrons, dusting off his Cloak of the Red Assassin in the process in a showy manner before pulling his Sticky Gloves on. He looked toward the forge doors, indicating that he was ready.
CMP Posted June 30, 2014 Author Posted June 30, 2014 "I think his fate is very much in our hands if I may say so. I will fight with you to the end, heroes. I am curious to understand the threat that has been spawned in this place, but don't mistake my professional interest for complacency - I am more than prepared to finish my mission."
JimBee Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 "Well then, what do you think, Soryx? Your mission and ours are the same - to stop the threat to Zylstra. Do you think killing the doctor will achieve that? And you, Wally? Eva, Melvin?" "I still do not believe we will know we have made the right decision until we enter that room. It appears as though some of us have made up our minds already, however..."
CMP Posted June 30, 2014 Author Posted June 30, 2014 "Well then, what do you think, Soryx? Your mission and ours are the same - to stop the threat to Zylstra. Do you think killing the doctor will achieve that? And you, Wally? Eva, Melvin?" "I still do not believe we will know we have made the right decision until we enter that room. It appears as though some of us have made up our minds already, however..." "I do not make hasty judgments. I would very much like to hear what the doctor has to say first." "Er...heha. Yeah. This is a mite over my head, Hybros. I'm sure all of ye have our best interests in mind." "I'm POSITIVE it was just an accident. Doc would never ever do something like this." "I kinda wanna bite a few of his fingers off, but -" Wally blinks at her, horrified. "- I'm sure this is all some kinda misunderstanding."
JimBee Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 "I do not make hasty judgments. I would very much like to hear what the doctor has to say first." "Neither do I, eheh... the old men in our party would seem to think differently." "Er...heha. Yeah. This is a mite over my head, Hybros. I'm sure all of ye have our best interests in mind." "This is as much your problem as anyone else in Zylstra, Melvin. What were you doing there anyway? I thought you had a ship or something, heh." "I have no intention of killing the doctor before he has had words to say. Anyone who attempts to do otherwise will have to deal with me. Those who are coming under those conditions, let us go."
joeshmoe554 Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) "I have no intention of killing the doctor before he has had words to say. Anyone who attempts to do otherwise will have to deal with me. Those who are coming under those conditions, let us go." "I agree with Hybros, and the rest of this company. Deciding to kill the doctor before we have properly ascertained what threat he actually poses is rushing to judgement. If he is unable to defend his actions, then he will be terminated but we need to uncover more information before coming to that decision." "If you go in there without the intention of killing him, you won't have my company. If you do insist on rescuing him, make sure he doesn't set a foot in our city for the rest of his life." "It seems we can't force you to come with us, but if there is a greater threat behind the door than what we have already faced, do you really wish to simply walk away and leave your city in danger over a difference of opinion?" Edited June 30, 2014 by joeshmoe554
Palathadric Posted June 30, 2014 Posted June 30, 2014 "Posco, I must say it is a pleasure working with you. It seems the retirees are better than the still working assassins." Hybros ignored Pretzel's previous comment. Just realized this now. Actually Pretzel's comment was not referring to Hybros at all, but to the blue assassin in the last quest. I guess it is even more fitting the way it was interpreted. "As I said before, I should like to meet the doctor and speak to him first, but if he has no intention of ending his dangerous experiments or if he is deemed to be a continued threat, or if he fails to realize the seriousness of the situation (and possibly pay reparations), then I think we have to eliminate the threat somehow, either by locking him or by slaying him. Posco, what say you to this? Are such terms reasonable to you for whether we spare the doctor's life or not?"
CMP Posted July 1, 2014 Author Posted July 1, 2014 "This is as much your problem as anyone else in Zylstra, Melvin. What were you doing there anyway? I thought you had a ship or something, heh." "They cracked open the city a few months back and I heard my cousin Vinum's been livin' it up down here, so I paid him a visit. The Magpie's fine, the crew can get along without a cook for a few days." "As I said before, I should like to meet the doctor and speak to him first, but if he has no intention of ending his dangerous experiments or if he is deemed to be a continued threat, or if he fails to realize the seriousness of the situation (and possibly pay reparations), then I think we have to eliminate the threat somehow, either by locking him or by slaying him. Posco, what say you to this? Are such terms reasonable to you for whether we spare the doctor's life or not?" "It seems we can't force you to come with us, but if there is a greater threat behind the door than what we have already faced, do you really wish to simply walk away and leave your city in danger over a difference of opinion?" "I'm not helping you save the professor, but don't think I'm leaving this situation. On the chance he dupes you and you end up like these elves we keep finding lying around, I'll be waiting to kill anything that crawls out of this forge."
JimBee Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 "I'm not helping you save the professor, but don't think I'm leaving this situation. On the chance he dupes you and you end up like these elves we keep finding lying around, I'll be waiting to kill anything that crawls out of this forge." "Fine, stay here. We are going." Hybros swallows his Fenghuang Essence, a Meaf, and Mulled Wine before entering the forge.
joeshmoe554 Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 (edited) Jeaux places a phoenix essence in the hollow compartment of his handcannon "I'm not helping you save the professor, but don't think I'm leaving this situation. On the chance he dupes you and you end up like these elves we keep finding lying around, I'll be waiting to kill anything that crawls out of this forge." "As you wish, though if you are not entering the forge with us, may I ask for one of you smelling salts to help protect your village." Edited July 1, 2014 by joeshmoe554
CMP Posted July 1, 2014 Author Posted July 1, 2014 I'll post the last sequence tomorrow. "As you wish, though if you are not entering the forge with us, may I ask for one of you smelling salts to help protect your village." Posco carelessly tossed Jeaux some Spoiled Smelling Salts.
Palathadric Posted July 1, 2014 Posted July 1, 2014 "Your voice is sounding a bit weak Melvin. Here, take a drink to sooth it. Some of those songs were...interesting by the way." I hand Melvin a Tonic, which he downs.
joeshmoe554 Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 Jeaux uses the spoiled smelling salts and enters the forge behind Hybros.
CMP Posted July 2, 2014 Author Posted July 2, 2014 The party enters the forge. A dim greenish glow waits to greet them at the end of a long hallway, lined with ancient, exquisite blacksmith equipment. At the end was a small, simple chamber, its only occupants being two figures and a surprisingly unimpressive forge, the strange glow from which serving to light the otherwise abnormally dark room. One was a tired-looking U'Kin, who was immediately spotted and rushed to by Wally, followed closely by Eva. "Doc!" "Wally? What on Olegaia are you doing here on Olegaia?" The other, elvish figure was quite tall and extremely pale, dressed in regal robes. But a shadow clung to her back like a cloak, and one arm seemed to be composed entirely of the substance, which strongly resembled that of the shades the party had been encountering. Soryx gripped the hilt of Vanquisher tightly, but she did not react, staring straight ahead at the heroes, a knowing smile on her face. The silence was tense. What will the party do?
Palathadric Posted July 2, 2014 Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) "So, elf, you've got a lot of explaining to do. Or would you just like us to arrest you now at once? What, in God's name, is going on here anyway? It seems the darkness has or seeks to swallow you and you do not resist it." I say gruffly right after slipping on my Ethereal Cloak. Edited July 2, 2014 by Palathadric
JimBee Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 Hybros nodded to the U'Kin. "I hope I can say that it is good to see you, Doctor, eheh... Would you mind explaining all this? The kidnappings, the painting device, the shades, the elves... all of it." His voice was amiable but his crimson eyes burned with intimidation. He ignored the Moon Elf before him for the time being, trying to feint the uneasiness she was giving to him. He could see her intense gaze out of the corner of his eye as he spoke. Instinctively, he gripped the hilt of his sword.
CMP Posted July 3, 2014 Author Posted July 3, 2014 "So, elf, you've got a lot of explaining to do. Or would you just like us to arrest you now at once? What, in God's name, is going on here anyway? It seems the darkness has or seeks to swallow you and you do not resist it." I say gruffly right after slipping on my Ethereal Cloak. The elf remained silent, still smiling oddly at the party. Hybros nodded to the U'Kin. "I hope I can say that it is good to see you, Doctor, eheh... Would you mind explaining all this? The kidnappings, the painting device, the shades, the elves... all of it." His voice was amiable but his crimson eyes burned with intimidation. He ignored the Moon Elf before him for the time being, trying to feint the uneasiness she was giving to him. He could see her intense gaze out of the corner of his eye as he spoke. Instinctively, he gripped the hilt of his sword. U'Reeka lowered his head. "Hybros. So I assume most everyone else here is Heroica too I assume." "Most. Not all." "Indeed...thank you for saving the citizens. It is by my own error they were put in harm's way by my own error. When Wally showed me the entrance to the Iron Spire, the tower we are in now, I knew I had to move my experiments down here. The benefits of using the Moon Elves' research and methods far outweighed the risks. You see, everything in this tower was constructed for the purpose of this." He nodded to the glowing green fire within the furnace. "Which I have labelled the Abyssal Forge I have labelled it. The Elves used pure dark magic, molded it into molds it was molded into. They waited until the moon was best visible, usually during a solar eclipse, and transmitted the light of the moon down here, where it was manipulated and liquefied to serve as the basis of their weapons, which I call starbeam. I attempted to recreate this reaction, using the two dimensional images printed by the AIUPIIUP to imprint the molds. Moonlight is a powerful magic, and the elves were very familiar with it. My first test was simple and beyond disastrous and simple." "What the hell happened, Doc?" U'Reeka dug a picture out of his satchel. It was of an apple. "This is what I tried to recreate." He pointed to a microscopic dot of missing ink within the apple's image. "This is where the shades came from. I modified the AIUPIIUP so that the printed areas of the image would be imprinted into a mold and then filled with moonlight after being imprinted into a mold. This mere spot was missing on the mold. A blank space. I don't know why it...mutated, I suppose. I theorize that to fill out that blank space, the darkest light of the moon found its way there, to naturally counteract the sheer brightness of the light surrounding it. That's the reason the process works in the first place - a mold of pure darkness to shape a creation of pure moonlight is the reason the process works. And now a spot within filled with the worst of both." "This all happened because...because the picbox ran out of ink?" "Yes. And that led to the creation of these shades."
JimBee Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 "Ehem, okay... I do not really understand... what are the Shades? They seemed to... share one mind, and the one possessing the painting device talked to us. And the Shade in Zylstra was speaking in some sort of Elvish to us. What does that, and the kidnappings, and the Moon Elves have to do with this? And, ehehm, who is this?" He didn't have to indicate who he was talking about.
Palathadric Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 "So you are the creator that vile creation, are you, sniveling snout for mouth slime worker. By the way, excuse me if I didn't hear it, but there was no apology made to the citizens of Zylstra, or to us for that matter for your deeds, hardly anything to show that you are even remotely sorry for what you've done. People could have been killed, you know? At the rate this machine was spewing things out, anything could have happened, the city could have been taken over. Also, Wally, why were you tied up where we found you, was it by yours and the doctor's design or what? Also, what use were you planning on putting these weapons to in the first place? All I can say is that I'm glad they appear to be of such a shoddy workmanship. Also, is it just me or does that very much look like another shade back there." I am furious and getting madder.
CMP Posted July 3, 2014 Author Posted July 3, 2014 "Ehem, okay... I do not really understand... what are the Shades? They seemed to... share one mind, and the one possessing the painting device talked to us. And the Shade in Zylstra was speaking in some sort of Elvish to us. What does that, and the kidnappings, and the Moon Elves have to do with this? And, ehehm, who is this?" He didn't have to indicate who he was talking about. "I know where they came to be, but not how, but where. I suspect the fact that I used the Moon Elves' process had something to do with it, as-" The elf opened her mouth suddenly. A black void lined the inside of it. Slowly, as if working to figure out just how to speak, she did so, voice low and quiet, a heavy, distorted one sounding in unison. "I am Selenrae. Body of the High Astronomer. We speak as our creators did." She fell silent, and U'Reeka quickly continued. "- they are adamant they are the spawn of the Moon Elves, and that we and everyone else are responsible for their deaths." "So you are the creator that vile creation, are you, sniveling snout for mouth slime worker. By the way, excuse me if I didn't hear it, but there was no apology made to the citizens of Zylstra, or to us for that matter for your deeds, hardly anything to show that you are even remotely sorry for what you've done. People could have been killed, you know? At the rate this machine was spewing things out, anything could have happened, the city could have been taken over. Also, Wally, why were you tied up where we found you, was it by yours and the doctor's design or what? Also, what use were you planning on putting these weapons to in the first place? All I can say is that I'm glad they appear to be of such a shoddy workmanship. Also, is it just me or does that very much look like another shade back there." I am furious and getting madder. "It was a mistake! Have you never made such an error? I am sure Heroica is responsible for more needless deaths than I am I am sure!" "I was in Zylstra when Doc started the experiment. I think they went for me first..."
Palathadric Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 "It was a mistake! Have you never made such an error? I am sure Heroica is responsible for more needless deaths than I am I am sure!" "Such an error? Do you not realize the gravity of what you just did? You created something that could destroy the world as we know it. Have you no shame? Don't try to excuse yourself by pointing out the mistakes of others. The only reason that Heroica is forced to exist as the organization it is, is because of the likes of you. What were you doing hiding up here anyway? Did you even attempt to stop the process? Stop for a drink with your fiendish lady friend. Bah!" A rather large spittle flies from my mouth and lands on the ground.
CMP Posted July 3, 2014 Author Posted July 3, 2014 "Such an error? Do you not realize the gravity of what you just did? You created something that could destroy the world as we know it. Have you no shame? Don't try to excuse yourself by pointing out the mistakes of others. The only reason that Heroica is forced to exist as the organization it is, is because of the likes of you. What were you doing hiding up here anyway? Did you even attempt to stop the process? Stop for a drink with your fiendish lady friend. Bah!" A rather large spittle flies from my mouth and lands on the ground. "They do not have any intention to destroy the world, or they would've killed us all by now." "We must...know...why."
joeshmoe554 Posted July 3, 2014 Posted July 3, 2014 "We must...know...why." "Please elaborate as to the context of your question."
Recommended Posts