Heroica RPG- Quest #103: Alfendi Lupine Strikes Again!

[Flipz]

"Nice boots," Arthur remarks.

[UsernameMDM]

What do I need to speak up about? Everything looks good to me. Carry on.

[Kintobor]

What do I need to speak up about? Everything looks good to me. Carry on.

Sorry, I meant Thormanil and Guts. If Guts doesn't post by a bit later today, I'll move this along.

[Scubacarrot]

Guts groans as he climbs out of the carriage and joins the conversation, buckling under all the extra weight his companions have thrown at him. He also switches out his Pugilist's gloves for the Overkill Gloves, nodding towards Arthut's suggestion of sharing, and changes his Blessed Amulet for the Jester's Hat, instantly making Guts look... strangely intimidating?

"Right. Non-violent thug with possibly-violent gang is after some collection in your mansion or surroundings. Now here's what I think. Bottles of wine, actually not very easy to conceal, however, a man that is attacks a place where fine wine is made and celebrated, is a criminal deserving only the lowest circle of hell. We'll make sure he, and anyone else is dealt with. One question: how sure are you, that you are dealing with the actual Alfendi Lupine?"

Sorry for being late! My stats seem to be in order, except for the stuff Flipz already mentioned, thanks for having me! Does there need to be a party leader?

You may remove the bigger picture from the stats next time though, if you'd like.

The alchemist nods at the new hero, Lind.

"That Amulet should bring you up to speed in no time. It's good to meet you, I'm Guts Holla. Captain of the Wind Thief and Raider, I mean, Alchemist in the service of Heroica." Guts chuckled to himself. "I do like introducing myself like that."

Edited July 17, 2014 by Scubacarrot

[Lind Whisperer]

"That Amulet should bring you up to speed in no time. It's good to meet you, I'm Guts Holla. Captain of the Wind Thief and Raider, I mean, Alchemist in the service of Heroica." Guts chuckled to himself. "I do like introducing myself like that."

The lone Rogue nodded back. "I am Lind Whisperer, a wanderer from the Munchkin people. It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

Edited July 17, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[Kintobor]

"How many days till the full moon?"

Sally grimaces.

"None. The full moon is tonight, which is why your timing was of the essence."

"How would one recognize a changeling? And what happened sixty-four years ago to make newer wines less valuable?" Not being a connoisseur, he had no clue how long wine took to age, but "sixty-four" seemed a little too specific.

"I doubt we'd have time to do that for the entire collection...but maybe we could switch the absolute most valuable bottles just to ensure their safety?"

"It's not very easy to spot a changeling. Often they'll study a particular individual before they take their identity, taking in mannerisms and other factors. Changelings also tend to have a "normal form", one they use in day to day use to make themselves fit in. No one's quite sure what happened to create the race, but they're often cold and calculating.

Sixty four years ago was when the business switched hands from my late father in law to my husband. It was also a very good year. It's simply more valuable for that reason."

"I believe that the card is in the manner of a brag, a taunt to his victims, of his skills and power. However, your mention of the word "you" does give me a thought. I had wondered myself earlier, as to whether the wine was the real target. Now that I think of it, Lady Perin, did you not say that you are escorting Mrs. Akrone to Luosh? Mrs. Akrone, although Lupine does specifically mention collection, a word that I find difficulty in applying to this idea - what would be the effect, the political fall-out if you were the target of this robbery?"

Sally's face turns pale.

"I seriously hope you jest. Why would Alfendi want me, of all people?"

Lady Perin growls.

"Besides, no mutt of a burglar is going to get past me. There's been a reason I've been assigned to escort Miss Akrone to Luosh, because I'm efficient and I don't screw around like what you guys are doing right now."

Alexandre catches up to the party. "Hello heroes, greetings madame. Just had to prepare a bit. I heard the discussions and I think Lind had a good idea. A trick would be good. Also, maybe the wine is a trick. Maybe Lupine will steal something else. One bottle of wine can only sell once. It could be a diversion."

"Think of the psychological impact stealing the face of manor, the one thing this place is renowned for. I'm more than certain he's after the wine to tarnish my reputation. In order to replenish our stock of vintage wine would take years."

"Nice boots," Arthur remarks.

Sally looks down at her boots, admiring them.

"Oh, you like them? Thank you! They're designer made by a woman in Eubric. The armour you wear is quite stunning, yourself."

Guts groans as he climbs out of the carriage and joins the conversation, buckling under all the extra weight his companions have thrown at him. He also switches out his Pugilist's gloves for the Overkill Gloves, nodding towards Arthut's suggestion of sharing, and changes his Blessed Amulet for the Jester's Hat, instantly making Guts look... strangely intimidating?

"Right. Non-violent thug with possibly-violent gang is after some collection in your mansion or surroundings. Now here's what I think. Bottles of wine, actually not very easy to conceal, however, a man that is attacks a place where fine wine is made and celebrated, is a criminal deserving only the lowest circle of hell. We'll make sure he, and anyone else is dealt with. One question: how sure are you, that you are dealing with the actual Alfendi Lupine?"

Sally grins.

"I'm glad we can agree on something, Mr. Holla.

As for whether this is the Alfendi Lupine, we'll have to wait and see. I'm taking every precaution to ensure that my winery is protected, and some of my associates recommended your organization."

Lady Perin's agitation clearly rises as she taps her foot on the ground.

"Are you done yet, miss? We need to get moving before nightfall."

"Of course. Are you heroes ready to head inside? I'll give you a quick tour and then I must be off. I fear staying here would not only force you to protect my cellar but I as well."

[Lind Whisperer]

"I seriously hope you jest. Why would Alfendi want me, of all people?"

"I was merely considered the potential effect that might happen if you were to simply 'vanish'. Members of the Wolfgang do not simply leave the Wolfgang, unless they have an important reason to do so. We must keep in mind this matter may be political in origin."

Lady Perin growls.

"Besides, no mutt of a burglar is going to get past me. There's been a reason I've been assigned to escort Miss Akrone to Luosh, because I'm efficient and I don't screw around like what you guys are doing right now."

"To paraphrase the great Je Pei strategist, Sun Hu¿, and his masterful text, The Farce of War, the first victory of a battle is not on the battlefield, but in the efforts of the general to plan for all possible attacks, and to arrange his forces in such a way as to lessen or eliminate the chances of the success of the majority of them."

"Of course. Are you heroes ready to head inside? I'll give you a quick tour and then I must be off. I fear staying here would not only force you to protect my cellar but I as well."

Lind nodded. "I do believe we are." He bent down and scratched Butch's head. "That's a good boy, yes you is, yes you is." He looked up at Lady Akrone. "I don't suppose that Butch might stay with us? Having a dog to smell for enemies would give us yet another advantage over Lupine." He kept on rubbing Butch. "What do you say, do you want to catch a Big Bad Woof with me? Yes, you do, yes you do*!"

Ooc: *And yet again, I at how baby-talk to dogs sounds like when it's typed out...

Edited July 17, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[UsernameMDM]

"Indeed we need at walk the perimeter and get inside. Do you have any house guards that will aid us?"

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Yes, let's head to it. It would be best to learn everything about the building so we can figure out where someone could break in and what places are vulnerable."

[Lind Whisperer]

"Indeed we need at walk the perimeter and get inside. Do you have any house guards that will aid us?"

"Also an excellent question. However, we must remember that any guards might very well be a changeling in disguise, and thus, we must be very careful in how much trust we place in them."

[UsernameMDM]

"We also require a map of the manor and grounds if there is one available. If we intend to protect multiple areas, if Lupine may actually be after something else besides the wine, we may have to split much. There is much planning to do before the full moon rises."

[Flipz]

"Right. Non-violent thug with possibly-violent gang is after some collection in your mansion or surroundings. Now here's what I think. Bottles of wine, actually not very easy to conceal, however, a man that is attacks a place where fine wine is made and celebrated, is a criminal deserving only the lowest circle of hell. We'll make sure he, and anyone else is dealt with. One question: how sure are you, that you are dealing with the actual Alfendi Lupine?"

"I wouldn't know, I've never really had the chance to appreciate wine all that much--too busy having my taste buds burned out by Mead and Nostrum and all the rest. I'd agree with the eternal placement, though, if only because he dares attack a friend of the Shadeaux." Arthur glances toward Thormanil and the cloak he now wore. "Of course, my feelings on that were probably obvious already."

Sally looks down at her boots, admiring them.

"Oh, you like them? Thank you! They're designer made by a woman in Eubric. The armour you wear is quite stunning, yourself."

"Ah, thank you. Its origin is...rather unique. I've had some work put into it since then."

Lady Perin's agitation clearly rises as she taps her foot on the ground.

"Are you done yet, miss? We need to get moving before nightfall."

"Of course. Are you heroes ready to head inside? I'll give you a quick tour and then I must be off. I fear staying here would not only force you to protect my cellar but I as well."

"I'm a Skirmisher, milady, protecting others is my specialty--but yes, we do need to get moving. I'm ready to head inside."

Lind nodded. "I do believe we are." He bent down and scratched Butch's head. "That's a good boy, yes you is, yes you is." He looked up at Lady Akrone. "I don't suppose that Butch might stay with us? Having a dog to smell for enemies would give us yet another advantage over Lupine." He kept on rubbing Butch. "What do you say, do you want to catch a Big Bad Woof with me? Yes, you do, yes you do*!"

"No," Arthur says, a little more forcefully than he intended. He clears his throat. "The last time my party was on guard duty and a fuzzy animal showed up, it turned out to be a spy for Violetta the Cat Burglar. If the Wolfgang are involved again...it's not worth the risk."

[Lind Whisperer]

Ooc: Hmm...You make a good point.

I was thinking, from the way he responded to my petting, that he was an NPC, that could join the party as an ally...But I guess it's not worth the risk. I'm not entirely convinced he's with Lupine, as that would mean that Alfendi's plan hinges on a single point that he has absolutely no control over, but Butch is another loose end we'd have to chance.

"You make a good point, my friend."

Lind turned to Lady Akrone. "Perhaps then, it might be best if we didn't keep him with us."

He turned, and regretfully patted the dog on the head one last time. "If we are wrong in suspecting you, then I apoligize."

[Scubacarrot]

"No need to be zealots about it, Arthur. I've met Count Shadeaux. He's just a man, and not a great one, at that. Let's go."

Guts suddenly felt his Alchemical powers weakening, and got hit with a great feeling of annoyance. "Had you ever had it happen that someone went out of their way to cause inconvenience for you for no good sensible reason whatsoever. I hate it when that happens. Those kind of people SHOULD be spending their time making life better for those around them, make sure everything goes well and things happen fairly, but instead they waste it with pointless micromanaging." Guts shrugs. "Why are we still standing here, again?"

[Flipz]

"I'm not sure why we're still standing here. Probably just to raise your blood pressure so you get madder and hit harder." The Skirmisher's smirk betrays his joke.

[Lind Whisperer]

"Indeed - I think that continuing on into the house is the logical next step."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Guts, I've think we all have had that happen." said Alexandre as they walked. Alexandre grins at Arthur.. concealing a chuckle.

[Scubacarrot]

"Probably just to raise your blood pressure so you get madder and hit harder."

"If only it was that easy..."

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke tries to soak in any and every detail of the landscape and the people they pass on the way to the manor.

[Kintobor]

The party follows Sally up to the manor proper, looking through the rows of posts and bushes for anything out of the ordinary. Sally unlocks the door and ushers the party into her house and immediately leads them to the cellar door, located under the stairs in the foyer. Going down the spiral staircase, the party sees how much liquor is stored beneath the house. Kegs of various shapes and sizes, crates full to the brim, racks with individual bottles; all holding the nectar of the gods. Nicole leads them to the back of the room and stops in a particular section, pointing to a section.

"This is the wine he'll be after. All of it in this section. If Alfendi makes off with these, my reputation is over with. As you can see, there's a lot of space, but I thought it best to start here. Now then, we'll head-"

"Hurry up! We don't have all day!"

Perin's voice echoes through the cellar, Nicole looking agitated as it registers with her.

"That woman has no patience... I'm going to have to cut this short. You can explore the manor for a short while still, since it's not yet sun down, but it appears my bodyguard is incredibly impatient, as always. Do you have any final questions before I leave?"

[Lind Whisperer]

"That woman has no patience... I'm going to have to cut this short. You can explore the manor for a short while still, since it's not yet sun down, but it appears my bodyguard is incredibly impatient, as always. Do you have any final questions before I leave?"

"Just two. Are the statue and the fez* both supposed to be there, and could you possibly give us a map of the house and grounds?"

Ooc: *If the fez is supposed to be just a bottle, just ignore that bit.

Edited July 19, 2014 by Lind Whisperer

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre looks around the cellar, trying to find any holes, cracks, or smaller windows above. (I've seen some cellars have little windows because they aren't completely underground.)

[Flipz]

"I'll second the request for a map. On the off chance Lupine isn't after your wine, what other valuables do you have that he might be after? A list would be most helpful."

[swils]

Pulling out the Magnifying Glass he had just picked up, Thormanil checks the area for traps, especially the ceiling.

[Lind Whisperer]

As he waited for answers to his question, Lind looked around the cellar.*

Ooc: *This is just a bit of role-play of my character. I'm occasionally illustrating/rendering pictures of his journeys and quests.