CMP Posted April 14, 2014 Author Posted April 14, 2014 He eyed Soryx warily. "I am still uncertain why we must have two parties investigate this case, but I suppose you will have to prove your worth and loyalty out there." He nodded to remove any sense of threat he was giving, but then felt his sheath to make sure his sword was secure, as if to reassert his caution. "How will bait be effective, if there is no trap to utilize it? I can see no benefit to you purposefully endangering yourselves with no plan to catch the culprit when he comes to take you." "Hmm...I must say that whoever is manipulating the machine has at least half a brain. Baron, wouldn't you think it better if you accompany us at least for the start until we can find out more? Also, forgive me if you told us before, but how long ago did the first kidnapping occur and how frequently have they been occurring since then? Every day? Every few hours? Every week? From what you can determine has there been any pattern of any kind? For instance: timing, the number of persons kidnapped in a week or day, etc.?" "Perhaps I should stay with the Baron? I doubt this culprit will feel as threatened with only one man protecting them, but I may be able to hold them off long enough for you to arrive if they try anything." "The timing has been mostly random, monk. The number of people vanishing at once has been increasing, however. They've probably just gotten more confident over time. First disappearance was one week ago."
JimBee Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 "Perhaps I should stay with the Baron? I doubt this culprit will feel as threatened with only one man protecting them, but I may be able to hold them off long enough for you to arrive if they try anything." "Not a chance, I am afraid, heheh. We will need someone more trustworthy for that task."
Emjajoas Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 "If you are adamant about not coming with us, perhaps we should move on," Em suggests, inspecting the area around them. "Time is a precious resource."
joeshmoe554 Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) "Perhaps I should stay with the Baron? I doubt this culprit will feel as threatened with only one man protecting them, but I may be able to hold them off long enough for you to arrive if they try anything." "Not a chance, I am afraid, heheh. We will need someone more trustworthy for that task." "Perhaps there is another alternative." Jeaux opens a small compartment in the side of his briefcase, placing his hand near the opening. A small fly buzzes out of the briefcase landing on his palm. <"Hello Turdwing, I am in need of your assistance."> <"I don't know big pooper, you coop me up in that cornhole for weeks without so much as a piece of shit to snack on. Why should I help you?"> <"The residents of this city have been disappearing. If that includes the sanitation workers, then there is likely plenty for you to snack on here."> <"Holy crap of the great feceles, you're right. I can smell it now!"> <"If you watch these two individuals while I scout around the town, you can have your pick of the waste when we're through."> <"You got it big pooper! I'll keep all my eye segments on em!"> <"If anything happens to them while I am away, come and notify me immediately."> "Unless one of you has an objection, this fly should be able to notify us if the kidnappers arrive, and in the event are unable to reach the baron in time, he should at least be able to give us more information regarding the kidnapper's appearance and methods." Edited April 14, 2014 by joeshmoe554
JimBee Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 "Hm. I do not know if I can trust a fly, either, but you seem to Jeaux so that sounds like a reasonable plan to me, heheh. Then Soryx stays with us."
CMP Posted April 14, 2014 Author Posted April 14, 2014 "Not a chance, I am afraid, heheh. We will need someone more trustworthy for that task." Soryx peered at Hybros through his hooded yellow eyes, and silently nodded. "Unless one of you has an objection, this fly should be able to notify us if the kidnappers arrive, and in the event are unable to reach the baron in time, he should at least be able to give us more information regarding the kidnapper's appearance and methods." The Baron frowned at the smelly fly flitting around his hat. "That will do, I suppose. Best of luck to you, heroes." The party sets out for Shelby's store. The Party Hybros (JimButcher)*Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements* 53-year-old male imp Assassin Level: 29.66 Power Bonus: +1 Defense: 0 Health: 44/44 Gold: 949 Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 43.33, gains 1/3 WP every kill made with it, light-, darkness-, fire-, ice-, and wind-elemental; longsword), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, wood-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), The Black Hat (Suitable for anyone, grants Intimidation, immune to darkness and cursed, headwear) Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental; scythe), Clock Cog (WP:14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, daggers), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Dastan Dual Axes (WP: 7, 1/6 chance to seal dragons, dual-strike, axes), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Minuet of the Forest (Causes Wood damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Minstrel Song), 14 Potions, 15 Grand Potions, 19 Health Cores, Tiger Balm, 15 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, 5 Phoenix Essences, 2 Deadly Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 7 Nostrums, 3 Meads, 3 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 4 Mythril Shards, 3 Pumpkin Bombs (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used) Monk Pretzel (Played by Palathadric) *Immune to Fragile* 463-year-old male "hermit" Paladin Level 27 2/3 Power Bonus: 0, (+5 in the front row) Defense: 27 (+5, in the Back Row) Health: 48/48 Ether: 36/36 Gold: 936 Equipment: Dual Staff (WP:8, Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; dual strike; staff), Mythril Shield (SP:20), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; headwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4; backwear), Heavy Armour (SP:5, Immune to Fragile) Inventory: Heavy Flail (WP:5, causes fragile; mace), Flying Cross (WP:6; Darkness; broomstick), Steak (WP: 1; instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Impervious Shield (SP: 5; grants immunity to Fire), Duplovian Helmet (SP: 2; Immune to Magic and Healing; headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1; Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Soothing Slippers (meditation restores 5 ether; footwear), Magic Viper Skin (heals 1 health to wearer each round of battle unless knocked out; accessory), Shackles of War (accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (handwear), Amethyst, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blinding, Scroll of Arc Sleep, 3 Potions, 5 Grand Potions, 5 Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 7 Remedies, Neutralizer, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Smelling Salts, 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, Fire Bomb, Holy Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest), 10 Bones, Raw Meat (+5 max. health upon consumption) Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused* *Party Leader* Unknown age automaton male Evoker Level 16.5 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 2 Health: 24/24 Ether: 17/17 Gold: 615 Equipment: Divine Cannonade (WP:11; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; hollow; handcannon), Enchanted Bracelet (protects from sealing; accessory), Automaton Armor (SP:2, immune to bleeding and confused; suitable to automata only; bodywear) Inventory: Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear), Topaz, Soma, Smelling Salts, Tonic, Grand Tonic x2, Grand Potion x3, Remedy x4, Venom x2, Volatile Venom x4, Jinxy Juice, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x6, Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 Items; accessory) Summons: Thunder Mode Em (emjajoas) Unknown age human male Warden Level 15.5 Power Bonus: 4 Defense: 19 Health: 33/33 Gold: 6 Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory) (Power +2, SP +2, Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Fashionable Shield (SP:7) Inventory: Consumables: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone x2, Nostrum x2, Potion x5, Remedy x4, Venom, Grand Potion, Mead x2, Ambrosia Weapons: Quality Cutlass (WP:6, Dagger), Bow(WP:5) Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Equipment: White Marksman's Hat (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear), Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by (Asleep), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect),Frost Helmet (SP: 3, ice immune) Soryx Dourskull (NPC, controlled by Palathadric) *Favors Demons* *Counterstriking* *Immune to Darkness, Hexed, and Confused* 43 years old male wereviper Hunter Level 22 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 13 Health: 37/37 Gold: 26 Equipment: Vanquisher (WP: 23, light, ice, and lightning elemental, greatsword), Darksteel Armor (Suitable for anyone, SP: 6, max health +3, immune to darkness, hexed, and confused, bodywear), Counterstrike Gauntlets (Suitable for Soryx, SP: 7, if the wearer is damaged by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level) What should be a city is disturbingly silent, the only sound being the low rushing of the waterfall in the background. The shop isn't far off from the administration building. It's oddly dark when they get inside, however.
JimBee Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 Hybros nodded as they departed. He was beginning to find the automaton oddly trustworthy despite barely knowing it, and his previous encounters with such machines. Hybros' eyes adjusted to the darkness, the crimson irises becoming narrow rings a his pupils grew wider. He stepped forward and grabbed what appeared to be two golden rings on a shelf, playing with them in his hands. "Ehem, well Soryx, how long have you been down here in Zylstra? Do you have an idea of the nature of these disappearances, or who might be behind them?"
CMP Posted April 14, 2014 Author Posted April 14, 2014 Hybros' eyes adjusted to the darkness, the crimson irises becoming narrow rings a his pupils grew wider. He stepped forward and grabbed what appeared to be two golden rings on a shelf, playing with them in his hands. "Ehem, well Soryx, how long have you been down here in Zylstra? Do you have an idea of the nature of these disappearances, or who might be behind them?" Hybros scooped up the rings. x2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver) "Not long. I work as your organization does, though I often seek jobs out myself. The Baron believes there is something corrupt behind the disappearances. I think he may be right. If any man is skilled enough to pull all of this off without being seen or leaving any trace at all, I doubt they would be down here simply terrorizing an enclave of gnomes. There is something magical at work here. I know it."
joeshmoe554 Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 Jeaux searches for a window to open and let in some of the light from outside.
Emjajoas Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 Em strides over to the desk, glancing over its contents. He strains his eyes to read whatever letters/notes/other writings are present.
Palathadric Posted April 15, 2014 Posted April 15, 2014 I peer into what looks like a barrel and then rummage through the box.
CMP Posted April 15, 2014 Author Posted April 15, 2014 (edited) Jeaux searches for a window to open and let in some of the light from outside. There are no windows in the building. Em strides over to the desk, glancing over its contents. He strains his eyes to read whatever letters/notes/other writings are present. Em's hands find a stack of letters and some documents on the desk, plus a quill, but he cannot read any of them without proper lighting. I peer into what looks like a barrel and then rummage through the box. The barrel is sealed shut. The box is full of fragile-feeling mechanical parts. Edited April 15, 2014 by CallMePie
JimBee Posted April 15, 2014 Posted April 15, 2014 Hybros swiftly pockets the rings. "Heheh... I wonder who left those here." He then inspects the shoulder armor on the counter. "Perhaps we should return outside to read those there," he tapped on the envelopes that Em was holding.
CMP Posted April 15, 2014 Author Posted April 15, 2014 Hybros swiftly pockets the rings. "Heheh... I wonder who left those here." He then inspects the shoulder armor on the counter. Hybros looted the other shelf as well. Pauldrons (suitable for knights, dragoons, and skirmishers, SP: 2, accessory)
Emjajoas Posted April 15, 2014 Posted April 15, 2014 Em nods, gathering the stack of letters and documents and stepping outside to look for proper lighting.
CMP Posted April 15, 2014 Author Posted April 15, 2014 Em nods, gathering the stack of letters and documents and stepping outside to look for proper lighting. Em can now see the documents all seem to be records for the shop, while the three letters are all sealed.
joeshmoe554 Posted April 15, 2014 Posted April 15, 2014 Jeaux continues to look around the shop for a light source. They must have had someway of lighting the shop, or they would not have had much business. As he sees Em walk outside with a stack of letters and papers, he calls out to the warden, "Anything in those documents that may help identify the culprits behind these disappearances?"
JimBee Posted April 15, 2014 Posted April 15, 2014 Hybros stashes away the pauldrons as well. "...Ehehm, unless anyone can use these... I will just hold onto them for now, eheh..." "Not long. I work as your organization does, though I often seek jobs out myself. The Baron believes there is something corrupt behind the disappearances. I think he may be right. If any man is skilled enough to pull all of this off without being seen or leaving any trace at all, I doubt they would be down here simply terrorizing an enclave of gnomes. There is something magical at work here. I know it." "Corrupt? Do you mean to say that someone... inside Zylstra, one of their own, is responsible? What evidence do have to suggest that magic involved?" As he spoke Hybros stepped outside with Em to investigate the documents. He looked up to see what sort of light source illuminated the hidden city. He had never thought about it, but they were underground, after all.
CMP Posted April 15, 2014 Author Posted April 15, 2014 Jeaux continues to look around the shop for a light source. Jeaux can't seem to find any light source. Even with the door opened to Zylstra, it seemed no light was naturally seeping into the shop. "Corrupt? Do you mean to say that someone... inside Zylstra, one of their own, is responsible? What evidence do have to suggest that magic involved?" As he spoke Hybros stepped outside with Em to investigate the documents. He looked up to see what sort of light source illuminated the hidden city. He had never thought about it, but they were underground, after all. "No. Corrupt as in dark or demonic. I am well accustomed to the feel of such things. Something unnatural is at work here." More or less all the light came from the enormous glowing mushroom.
Emjajoas Posted April 15, 2014 Posted April 15, 2014 "The letters are sealed," Em reports, shrugging. He pulls a small knife from his belt, ready to open the letters. "Unless anyone has any objections...?"
joeshmoe554 Posted April 15, 2014 Posted April 15, 2014 "The letters are sealed," Em reports, shrugging. He pulls a small knife from his belt, ready to open the letters. "Unless anyone has any objections...?" "Given the owner of the letters is currently missing, I suspect he would not mind you taking a look." "No. Corrupt as in dark or demonic. I am well accustomed to the feel of such things. Something unnatural is at work here." "This darkness seems to support your belief that magic is at work. Whether or not that magic is natural remains to be seen." Jeaux takes a closer look at the odd decoration in the back of the room. "Have any of you seen art like this before? It looks somewhat like it is made from a collection of bones."
JimBee Posted April 16, 2014 Posted April 16, 2014 "No. Corrupt as in dark or demonic. I am well accustomed to the feel of such things. Something unnatural is at work here." "Hmm, judging from the way this building is somehow keeping all of the light out, it would appear that you are right, eheh." "This darkness seems to support your belief that magic is at work. Whether or not that magic is natural remains to be seen." Jeaux takes a closer look at the odd decoration in the back of the room. "Have any of you seen art like this before? It looks somewhat like it is made from a collection of bones." Hybros shrugs. "Maybe it is just the gnomes' decoration. And I do not know for sure, but perhaps you could use your lightning magic to somehow light this room up?"
joeshmoe554 Posted April 16, 2014 Posted April 16, 2014 "It is worth a shot, though I'm not sure how long the light will last. Lightning typically is not known for its duration." Jeaux withdrew the divine handcannon from a sling on his back, hoping the etherial energy produced by it would help him generate some sustained illumination. He then cast a lightning spell trying to focus his energy on the light output instead of the damage it dealt.
JimBee Posted April 16, 2014 Posted April 16, 2014 "It is worth a shot, though I'm not sure how long the light will last. Lightning typically is not known for its duration." Jeaux withdrew the divine handcannon from a sling on his back, hoping the etherial energy produced by it would help him generate some sustained illumination. He then cast a lightning spell trying to focus his energy on the light output instead of the damage it dealt. "Aim for those parts over there. I think shiny things make lightning brighter."
CMP Posted April 16, 2014 Author Posted April 16, 2014 (edited) "The letters are sealed," Em reports, shrugging. He pulls a small knife from his belt, ready to open the letters. "Unless anyone has any objections...?" With no objections, Em slits open the first letter. "This darkness seems to support your belief that magic is at work. Whether or not that magic is natural remains to be seen." Jeaux takes a closer look at the odd decoration in the back of the room. "Have any of you seen art like this before? It looks somewhat like it is made from a collection of bones." It was still quite hard to see anything in the darkness. The pattern did seem to be some sort of art piece. "It is worth a shot, though I'm not sure how long the light will last. Lightning typically is not known for its duration." Jeaux withdrew the divine handcannon from a sling on his back, hoping the etherial energy produced by it would help him generate some sustained illumination. He then cast a lightning spell trying to focus his energy on the light output instead of the damage it dealt. At the cost of 1 ether, Jeaux lit up the room briefly, dispersing the darkness....most of it, anyway. Edited April 16, 2014 by CallMePie
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