2019-02-25: Validating Paranoia: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:(Plot) The Nightmare Kingdom]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:50, 23 June 2019
- Log: Validating Paranoia
- Cast: Elhaym van Houten, Lunata Croze, Josephine Lovelace, Fei Fong Wong
- Where: Krosse - Proving Grounds
- Date: February 26, 2019
- Summary: The Black Wolves venture into the Military Wing, in seek of what helps to keep sealed the passage to Krosse's court.
DG: A party led by Elhaym van Houten is now entering Krosse Castle - Military Wing. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
======================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>======================= =======================<* CHALLENGE - Paranoid Patrols *>======================= |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Reckless/The military wing of Krosse Castle has been bedecked with Royal Guard operating on a deluge of paranoia for months now. They are also now, thanks to the assault of Gryndille and the ensuing expansion of the Orb's Domain, on high alert. Many heavily armed members of the Royal Guard patrol the entrances of the castle's military wing now, Hellionized one and all, anxiously searching for any foreign elements. The volume of their numbers might make the prospect of just wading through them a difficult one, especially when time is not exactly on your side -- but perhaps some clever sneaking might do the trick. Or just trick them. Tricks work too. Sometimes, perhaps, the best way to deal with the paranoid is to play to their fears. =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
AND SO
Despite panicked administration of omegasols, which Elly MADE FEI SIT AND DIGEST UNTIL THE SHAKES WORE OFF, the group cannot stop in the face of this expanding Domain. Sure, they seem fine, but they're all hardened killers, especially their guest star, the DEATH WAITRESS, DESTROYER OF WORLD, LUNATA CROZE.
The problem is how to get into the castle.
Not for the first time Elly is wishing they brought their Gears. As they approach the military wing, Elly even speaks on this. "We should develop some kind of tactical doctrine about our Gears, just so we don't have any regrets. I keep thinking about it, since... well... I mean, what I was trained on..."
Elly doesn't really finish the thought.
BUT COMING UP... the Military Wing of the castle. The bridges haven't been blown, but they have had barricades put up, and as Elly crouches behind a scenic planter with a sufficiently overgrown piece of hedgery for the entire group to be screened, she frowns.
"... In this weather we can't even try swimming... we have to get across that bridge, and I don't think we should destroy it behind us..."
Elly looks at the group, with hope in her eyes.
She has no plan, probably because most of her talents involve destroying things with elemental magic or simpering.
DG: Elhaym van Houten has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Paranoid Patrols.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Elly is wishing they brought their Gears.
T MINUS THREE MINUTES AGO, THE YGGDRASIL
"OHHH MY GAHHH she pressed the button again!!" hollers one technician as the Rephaim begins walking all on its own, marching towards the catapult as it reaches for its beam rifle and shield from the weapon rack.
"CLEAR! CLEAR!"
"Why did we ever let her have the Call Gear button?!"
"Power lines loose GET CLEAR--"
"AAAAAA"
T MINUS NOTHING WHICH MEANS NOW
oh that is certainly the Rephaim right there serving as a hella loud distraction, bright blue wings and copyright-infringing looks prompting a whole bunch of guards to just point and scream and go, "Take it out of the sky!" as they try to ready mortars and other heavy-duty ARMs amidst other spells to take it out of the sky.
DG: Lunata Croze has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Paranoid Patrols.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
An entry into the castle had, eventually, granted them the way forward towards the throne room.
TThere was just one problem with that: the way was sealed. Symbology, Josie had named it; not something she could do anything about with her talents either.
So here they are now, in the hopes that the depths of the military wing might turn something up.
They don't get halfway far in when the patrols generate their own problem.
Specifically, a problem for the woman carrying the heavy cannon that only has so many shots remaining to it, and is an enormous burden to lug around, to boot. She's already stashed it just outside where they crouch now, the tattered remains of her jacket draped over it in an attempt at a camoflauge. It's fine, if anyone takes it, she'll have their guts for garters.
So now it's them vs the patrols.
"Sometimes you don't want to burn bridges," she comments from where they're crouched, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with a snap of her fingers.
She takes one good, long drag off of it.
"So, figure we're well hidden?"
Without waiting long for a reply, she tosses the still-smoldering barely smoked cigarette out onto the bridge.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Pack of Cigarettes toward her party's challenge, Paranoid Patrols.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
AND SO
Fei Fong Wong is looking for either the krossian power orb or Josie's dad. Truthfully, it feels a little different to be looking for someone to murder than it is to look for a krossian power orb so Fei is pretending that's what they're doing a bit more than Josie's dad who, to be fair, probably deserves a murdering. Maybe there's some perfectly reasonable reason to keep him from witnessing a patricide. That would be nice. Yeah, that'd be nice. But Fei's past experience with Dads have taught him this is pretty unlikely.
Fei probably doesn't mind leaving the gears behind. "Tactical doctrine?" Fei asks in the tone of someone not entirely sure of the definition.
Fei looks at his wine soaked clothes. "I have an idea." Fei says
And then he rushes out towards another nearby patrol approaching the group and falls flat on his side.
"Bluggghh!! Intruders!! That way...!!"
He points in the opposite direction as the party.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Artist's Toolkit toward his party's challenge, Paranoid Patrols.
======================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>======================= =======================<* CHALLENGE - Paranoid Patrols *>======================= |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Reckless/The military wing of Krosse Castle has been bedecked with Royal Guard operating on a deluge of paranoia for months now. They are also now, thanks to the assault of Gryndille and the ensuing expansion of the Orb's Domain, on high alert. Many heavily armed members of the Royal Guard patrol the entrances of the castle's military wing now, Hellionized one and all, anxiously searching for any foreign elements. The volume of their numbers might make the prospect of just wading through them a difficult one, especially when time is not exactly on your side -- but perhaps some clever sneaking might do the trick. Or just trick them. Tricks work too. Sometimes, perhaps, the best way to deal with the paranoid is to play to their fears. =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless=================================================
=================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing - Round 1 *>================== =========================< Results - Paranoid Patrols >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elhaym van Houten 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lunata Croze 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Pack of Cigarettes 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Artist's Toolkit 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Elhaym van Houten 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Reckless(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Elhaym van Houten has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Lunata Croze has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>====================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - The Walls Have Ears *>===================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- There are many unusual things about Krosse Castle, but one thing that is just simple fact is that the kingdom plays host to some of the most talented symbologists in Filgaia. Security, therefor, is second to none as far as sorcerous means are concerned -- and when Malevolence is introduced, that takes on a whole new meaning. The walls in these corridors gleam with an eerie purple-black light as you approach, each etched into symbological runes of truly esoteric origins. A sinking feeling of unease, like someone is watching you, is pervasive here. For those who might have the knowledge to tell, these runes are a strange modification of security wards. The louder the sound one makes here -- the more obvious it is that they /do not belong here/ -- the more the runes glow, and glow, and glow, until they begin to emit an almost frightened siren sound, alerting /everyone/ to your unwanted presence. So maybe try not to frighten the xenophobic walls. They're delicate. =Dungeon Conditions: Tire=====================================================
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
"Oh, I mean... we decide what we do in certain situations in advance," Elly tells Fei. "So we all know what we'd do. Even if it's not the best choice it can be a real relief in battle."
Elly watches Fei as he moves towards an approaching patrol, covered as he is. She tenses up at the glutes, even as Fei ends up falling over. She gets up, popping into view, but two things interfere.
The first is Josie's flicked cigarette, which lands near a guardsman's boot. She pulls her sword, jumping and saying, "What -- Which one of you --"
BGM INTERRUPT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQf75VBHc8I
At that point Rephaim arrives.
Everybody's paranoia is instantly validated! THEY ALL KNEW ABOUT IT. There is screaming; a snap-pop of musketry as gunsmoke arms are discharged at the Gear, which floats there imperiously. Perhaps even roundly. A ballista is swiveled from where it was covering the approach and shot at Rephaim, with several other pieces of siege machinery also being brought around.
The squad that Fei had engaged instantly forgets him in a chorus of screams. "IT'S AVEH! AVEH'S MAKING THEIR MOVE!" "I DON'T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS!" "KYAAAHH!!! FOR KROSSE!"
Elly, very tentatively, gives Lunata a thumbs-up before moving forwards. Strangely enough everyone is occupied by the Gear and does not really pay any attention to a group of motley adventurers slipping in, although there is some shoving aside of half-sealed barricades to deal with.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Sweet, it worked." Fei says after a moment, completely oblivious as he stands back up, offering Elly a big dumb thumbs up.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Cut to Lunata inside the Rephaim. 'that idiot' poit-poits above her head, complete with a fat cartoon arrow pointing down.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
" " shouts Lunata.
A pause, as the Gear looks down at itself, then a crackle bursts through its speakers. Lunata clears her throat;
"SHAKHAN SUCKS DON'T BELIEVE HIS LIES" shouts Lunata, part two. A pause, as she looks down and actually catches sight of Elly, Fei and Josephine running on through and shoving themselves past the barricades while she inadvertently makes her distraction known.
"Mm... should give them backup," Lunata frowns as she looks around to where she's tracked their IFF signals--
Wait, they're on foot. They don't have IFF signals.
It doesn't take long for the rest of the sensible group to arrive inside, and not terribly surprisingly, the path is laden with all kinds of security runes -- Symbology, Josephine can detect -- that bear the stench of Malevolence (lower-grade, because I'm too lazy to do the gradient) upon them. They inspire paranoia and unease, as is the Domain's wont, though their spiritual strengths are strong enough to resist it...
*BAM*
And, it seems, so is a Gear fist to the wall, which takes out a number of the struts that've set the runes up and disrupts some circles as Lunata slips in past the smoke, dust and debris.
"Ugh, I'm hungry after all that," Lunata droops as she pats the thermos on the side. "Too early for you guys?"
SOMEWHERE NEARBY
A Malevolence-tainted Krosse guard stares through the rune-fed scrying surface at the current surveillance image of Lunata, growling as he goes, "Drifters! They won't get past... hmm?"
He squints a bit closer. There's a blackboard dangling at her hip.
"Today's soup... chicken and leek risotto, made with arborio rice, flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon and fresh tarragon..."
*growl*
"I'm hungry now! Dang these Drifters for making me hungry!"
He gets up and leaves.
Indirect... win??
DG: Lunata Croze has used her Tool Soup of the Day toward her party's challenge, The Walls Have Ears.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
Well, that's a fortuitous turn of events. Josie just watches on from behind their cover.
Before, smiling lopsidedly in a manner that can only be described as 'indulgent' she reaches over to pat Fei on the head.
Before leaping to her feet and taking full advantage of their opportunity to escape inwards.
"Wonder if they all ran out," Josie comments, snapping her fingers to spark the appearance of a light spell; the orb levitates lazily into the air above her. "Heh, now that'd be a bit of luck, wouldn't--"
She stops that sentence dead-on, gazing at the Symbols scribed on the walls here.
Her expression grows, if fleetingly, drawn.
'Act casual', she mouths at the others, going so far as to fish out another cigarette.
"Anyone got a light?" she asks, as if they were just here going about normal business.
Possibly even normal guard business.
Damn. Damn, he's been here, run her thoughts, as she stares still at the markings on the wall.
And she can't even explain the trap without springing it...!
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Pack of Cigarettes toward her party's challenge, The Walls Have Ears.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei says, "Bart's gotten to you huh?" to Lunata mildly as he fans out a paper hat that he has made labeled 'NOT SUSPICIOUS' which he places on his head. This is of course to encourage any Krossians watching that he isn't suspicious. Either that or maybe Fei is just trying to have fun with it. Sometimes Xenogears does goofy shit like this.
Albeit this is maybe a bit more goofy than the average.
But he does move quietly, at least. This isn't the first time Fei had to sneak into a hostile enemy palace after all and it won't be the last! Fei has very low levels of respect for national authority and most governments not run by Cecilia Adelhyde! She's helping him get a house. In this economy? If that doesn't mandate loyalty what does?
"Sure I do." Fei says, flicking a finger up and setting it on fire with his ether. He offers it for Josie in case she wishes to light up.
"I could see that," He adds to Elly, a touch belatedly from all the hub ub.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Artist's Toolkit toward his party's challenge, The Walls Have Ears.
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Elly would have really wanted that soup...
But she's more worried about Fei, which is not an uncommon turn of events. "Oh, Lunata's in there? Well, that's good," Elly says, as the walls rise around them.
The Symbols...
Elly has studied Symbology as an abstract overview but for some reason these symbols seem richer with portent for her now, as if she can almost-but-not-quite read them. She looks around for a moment, before Josie asks. She raises her own hand without thinking -
And then looks at Fei, who has the same idea.
She tries not to giggle.
It doesn't quite work... but she does make a strangled little squeak instead of a full bodied HA, HA, HA HA HA! -- leave that for another day, another place, perhaps another pair.
Especially when THERE'S LUNIE! "If you're offering," she tells Lunata.
DG: Elhaym van Houten has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Walls Have Ears.
=====================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>====================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - The Walls Have Ears *>===================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- There are many unusual things about Krosse Castle, but one thing that is just simple fact is that the kingdom plays host to some of the most talented symbologists in Filgaia. Security, therefor, is second to none as far as sorcerous means are concerned -- and when Malevolence is introduced, that takes on a whole new meaning. The walls in these corridors gleam with an eerie purple-black light as you approach, each etched into symbological runes of truly esoteric origins. A sinking feeling of unease, like someone is watching you, is pervasive here. For those who might have the knowledge to tell, these runes are a strange modification of security wards. The louder the sound one makes here -- the more obvious it is that they /do not belong here/ -- the more the runes glow, and glow, and glow, until they begin to emit an almost frightened siren sound, alerting /everyone/ to your unwanted presence. So maybe try not to frighten the xenophobic walls. They're delicate. =Dungeon Conditions: Tire=====================================================
================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing - Round 2 *>================= ======================< Results - The Walls Have Ears >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elhaym van Houten 5 --(0)--> 5 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lunata Croze 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Soup of the Day 4 Wits Effects: Liability, Efficient, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Fail Pack of Cigarettes 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Artist's Toolkit 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Elhaym van Houten 20 --(15)--> 35 Pass Conditions: Reckless(1)|Tire(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Elhaym van Houten has passed this challenge! The party gained 15 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
SOMEWHERE ELSE
The guard returns half-way through the group making it past the trap-laden room with a big bologna sandwich, peppered with paranoia.
He squints. "That guy with the paper hat is not suspicious at all!" he declares, waving Fei past (by whatever metric it measures), and he's already gotten well distracted already by Lunata.
However...
Elly asks for some, and Lunata obliges as he watches piping-hot risotto be poured from thermos to cup, sprinkled with a garnish of spring onion and a sprinkle of garlic croutons...
The Anomalous Orb's effect shines over him. Jealousy is rising...!
He spots Josephine for a moment. She's very casual, asking for a light. He blinks a few times...
"Wait, it's a no smoking room!"
Fortunately, the group is past already and the guard has bigger problems like the drip from his sandwich getting all over his tunic, eww.
Don't eat at your workdesk, says
the world's biggest hypocrite
DG: Josephine Lovelace has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>======================= ====================<* CHALLENGE - Differences of Opinion *>==================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Not all of Krosse's soldiers agree with the actions of their king or the people that lead them. Not even amongst the Royal Guard, who might well be the most fanatically loyal of them all. Everyone has their breaking point -- and as you come to these wide, open barracks, you get to see one ensuing right before your eyes. Guardsmen of Krosse lock blades with violent, panicked shouts as infighting blossoms into a full-blown battle. Most are Hellions, some are not -- but Hellions fight Hellions, and humans fight humans, as you try to make your way through the chaos, making it increasingly difficult to determine who is fighting who. You could just as easily leave this be and let them sort it out themselves -- but helping Guardsmen sympathetic to your cause of saving Krosse might well yield some benefits in figuring out how to navigate your way to the military wing's symbological seal, if you can figure out who is on what side. Maybe try asking. That always helps. =Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Treasure==========================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
Josie pauses a moment. Then shrugs, lighting her cigarette off of Fei's finger. "Thanks, Junior." She takes a good, long drag.
Unaware of what peril she has almost visited upon them, Josie goes so far as to ultimately toss her cigarette away once she's finished it. At least she steps on it as she goes, grinding it underfoot.
Shouts echo distantly from the hall ahead, beyond the trap they've just evaded.
"...Those were my father's. Those markings. Maybe it weren't him that put them there," she adds, as they head onwards towards the shouting -- interspersed with a roar and a guttural howl -- "but they're his style. ...Every mage worth his salt's got his own twist on the symbols, if you know what to look for. It's one way to know who taught who... or who enchanted what."
They pass through a gateway arch and the distant shouting resolves into a tumult: below soldier fights soldier.
Soldier fights Hellion.
And occasionally, Hellion is fighting Hellion...?
"...Guess even they're not all on the same page, huh," Josie says, drawing her flask from her hip pocket. Very nearly, she moves as if she were about to take a drink from it, only to reconsider. "Hey, Red. Or Junior. Ever heard of a Kislevi Cocktail?"
She shakes the flask, meaningfully, and smiles.
Brightly.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Liquid Courage toward her party's challenge, Differences of Opinion.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
"You've got a real troublesome father," Lunata murmurs, maybe a little surprised that Josephine's father is involved in all this, but at the same time... she's not unfamiliar to weird, troublesome dads.
"Hmm. Magic's not really my thing... never will be," she grumbles as she stares towards the big battle that's broken out between them.
Her face falls just a bit flat at Josephine's idea of a Kislevi Cocktail, and she sighs as she whips out--
An enormously evil looking single-edge greatsword with an EYE on it!!
Fei's seen it before.
"Ugh... Fei, how's your own Devil Arm doing? This one won't shut--"
Slake your thirst for blood, young one.
Succumb to thine desire for eternal death and--
"I told you I got suckered by another evil weapon already! Shush!" Lunata thunks the weapon against the wall, and the eye goes 'X_X' (except it's more like X since it's just a single eye).
She shakes her head with a loud sigh. "Really..."
The young ex-waitress charges as she holds the starter and revs--
vrmmmm
"Anyway. Uh, how about--"
She charges forth as her sword blazes with fire.
"Think fast: Hail King Krosse!"
She's gonna smack the first person to agree with her.
DG: Lunata Croze has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Differences of Opinion.
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Elly munches up the soup.
* Elly regained 40 Stamina!
* Elly gained 1 permanent Stamina!
* Elly gained 1 ARM!
* Elly gained 2 Will!
* Crunchy... savory... ahhh... <3
Breathing out, she offers it back to Lunata with a smile. Then she looks to Josie. She needed those 2 Will, because Josie shares a rather dire piece of news. Elly blinks slowly, once, and blanches slightly. "I... I see. I didn't think it would be as literal as that... ...Then, he, or someone he's trained... is..."
KLASH!
Elly's eyes widen.
Josie proposies some fiery throwsies. Elly blinks several times, trying to gather her thoughts. Lunata charges forwards with a blade of fire. Elly exhales and says, "Sure. Do you need me to -"
This time Elly's going to start the fire, like her title says!
After that she whips her hand around, jagged disks of ice skidding across the floor. It's relatively non-lethal.
DG: Elhaym van Houten has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Differences of Opinion.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei looks back to Elly as Josie uses his finger to smoke up and winks at her before blowing out the flame in a smooth motion then 'holstering' his finger in his pocket. He does get his other hand in time to cover his mouth as he laughs a bit into it. You have to enjoy cute moments like this from time to time.
"Hm? How's it doing?" Fei says, looking to Lunata. Then he looks down towards his gloves. He tilts his head as if to listen to them.
...............
................
"Yeah they seem to be doing okay." Fei says. "I mean, I'm not sure what they'd be but okay. They are just gloves. Slighty spooky gloves...but gloves."
Maybe he can't hear them because the malevolence of the area is just too YUGE or maybe he is too resiliant by now or maybe he is lying or maybe they're non-talking demon gloves.
"Wait." Fei says. "They're called Devil Arms?" His eyes widen. "I didn't know they had a name!" He didn't read the weapon story when he was checking them out in the inventory screen!!
"I'm sure your weapon is just misunderstood," Fei says as he looks towards the guards fighting guards. He looks towards Josie. He looks towards the Guards.
"Hey! If you'd rather Rock Paper Scissors than sword fight, duel me!!" He holds up his badge.
This uh...this may line up the guards for that Kislevi Cocktail.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool RPS Badge toward his party's challenge, Differences of Opinion.
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Elly meanwhile does several double takes as she realizes that Fei is wearing evil gloves and that Lunata has something similar, and also it has an eye. (Had she not noticed? Well, things have been kind of hectic.)
======================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>======================= ====================<* CHALLENGE - Differences of Opinion *>==================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Not all of Krosse's soldiers agree with the actions of their king or the people that lead them. Not even amongst the Royal Guard, who might well be the most fanatically loyal of them all. Everyone has their breaking point -- and as you come to these wide, open barracks, you get to see one ensuing right before your eyes. Guardsmen of Krosse lock blades with violent, panicked shouts as infighting blossoms into a full-blown battle. Most are Hellions, some are not -- but Hellions fight Hellions, and humans fight humans, as you try to make your way through the chaos, making it increasingly difficult to determine who is fighting who. You could just as easily leave this be and let them sort it out themselves -- but helping Guardsmen sympathetic to your cause of saving Krosse might well yield some benefits in figuring out how to navigate your way to the military wing's symbological seal, if you can figure out who is on what side. Maybe try asking. That always helps. =Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Treasure==========================================
=================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing - Round 3 *>================== ======================< Results - Differences of Opinion >====================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elhaym van Houten 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lunata Croze 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Liquid Courage 3 Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass RPS Badge 3 Combat Effects: Rally -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Elhaym van Houten 35 --(25)--> 60 Pass Conditions: Treasure(1)|Wound(2) Effects: ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Elhaym van Houten has passed this challenge! The party gained 25 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Fei Fong Wong has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>====================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - The Hidden Path *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- Castles have secrets. That's just a fact of life. It's practically part of the appeal of a castle, besides having a large and heavily fortified structure with which to defend your monarchy if you live in such outdated times that you are ruled over by a monarchy: all the strange, hidden anomalies of its structure. The secret passageways! The strange riddles! The bizarre and tedious puzzles that require you to light a series of lamps in a specific order and if you get it wrong a monster drops in out of nowhere and forces you into a fight sequence! Also, hidden doors! Why, this very dead end of a room you find yourself stumbling into might well have one of those secret oddities of architecture that will help you cut through a swath of Krosse's military wing. Maybe there's an unusual painting. Or a stone in the wall that looks just slightly out of place. Or a bookshelf. No one in the military reads books! Awfully suspicious. Or it might just be a dead end. Those exist too. Man, wouldn't that be a bummer? =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Could be. This sort of thing's pretty complex, but not as complex as the ones Lily showed me," Josie says, her already uncharacteristically serious expression heightening into something more grim. "He's had more apprentices and students and the like that I can shake a stick at, though, so I can't help you there."
She sighs, running her one good hand through her bangs. "No kidding, Little Bear. You'd think a geezer his age would have settled down." She makes a noise that dances somewhere halfway between a scoff and a bitter laugh. "...But of course. He only gets worse with age."
With that recrimination cast out to the world she strides on, takes in the sight of the conflict unfolding about and below them and--
Jerks her head to stare at the sword that Lunata has produced. She arches a pale eyebrow.
"...Sure that's okay, kiddo?" she asks, jerking her head as if to indicate the most certainly harmless blade.
Before it's tucked away.
And before she glances over at Fei's own weapon. Cue both raised eyebrows.
"Must be all the rage," she comments blithely, before, as Elly lends a hand, she sloshes out someof that liquor--
Towards the set of Hellionized soldiers that Fei has so neatly lined up before them.
It helps tip the odds in favor of the... rebels?
Are... those technically rebels?
Considering that one of the ones that had been struggling against the Hellions, snaps off a salute when Lunata shouts out 'Hail King Krosse'. ...War sure is complicated.
But they do, at least, helpfully point the group down a certain path -- the middle one -- which apparently should take them somewhere where they've seen unusual Symbological markings. Before they head out at a jog to try and take back the military wing.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong Wong was wearing them when fighting Gryndille! They didn't actually help much! Fei doesn't seem to be particularly affected by them though. Eiteher that means he's successfully resisting them or he's succumbing rapidly to its effects. Maybe he can't tell the difference between this evil voice and the one he always has in his head.
"We found 'em in that Trial place." Fei says. "The one we couldn't get through before? I figured it must've been important to hold onto since it was in a place that--" He frowns, thinking of the right word. "--Awful."
Speaking of Lunata, however, the next area is a dead end. Fei blinks. He looks around a bit. He sets his gaze on all three walls surrounding them. And then he looks at the walls once more.
"Hm." He says. "You know, this place does look pretty uh...suspicious, don't you think? Maybe I have notes from when I was last here..."
He starts fidgeting through his sketchpad just to make sure. "Maybe there's a secret passage!"
Or it's just a dead end.
Like Lunata.
(.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Artist's Toolkit toward his party's challenge, The Hidden Path.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Linaweyul, I think?" Josie says, following shortly on his heels as they pace the direction the guards had given them previously. "So you managed to do it! Good job, kids," the archaeologist says, a slight smile on her lips.
"Maybe I should give it a go. What do you think, any chance there'd be some sort of cursed revolver?" She grins, briefly. "Eh?"
With that merry thought in the air, they...
...find a dead end.
"...Hm. Wonder if they were giving us the runaround," she muses, left hand on her hip.
A heavy-lidded gaze rests again on the walls.
Drawing out a single cigarette, she again lights it with a burst of ozone.
She doesn't smoke this one. She just lets it burn in the air. ...Until she has some ash.
This, she smears with her gloves against one of the walls. If there's a secret door...
There should be cracks.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Pack of Cigarettes toward her party's challenge, The Hidden Path.
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Elly did remember seeing them, but at the time they didn't stand out as much. It's when she can also see the cursed devil arm in the hands of the death waitress that things become clearer...!
"... It does seem like an oddly situated dead end," Elly says, craning her head around as she digests the words of the troops and the truth of Josie's father. The puzzle of any possible hidden passageway eases her, but... considering that they WERE guided here...
Her first activity is to look upwards and move around, avoiding what seem like curiously regular tiles and periodically poking at parts of the wall. If she finds a secret door she will absolutely disappear in it without saying anything, given this focus for 'finding traps and secret death keyholes.'
DG: Elhaym van Houten has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Hidden Path.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
"Yeah... it just wound up pissing me off further," Lunata frowns deeper as she mumbles, "I'm not proud of yelling in front of Jay or Shalune."
A pause, as she looks towards Josephine as the combat settles down. "Uh, sorry to hear that, by the way. Parents... are troublesome, huh?"
Lunata sure feels like a dead end right now, glancing about as she murmurs, "I don't get... I don't get that, speaking of secret passages and parents."
She shoves her hands in her jacket pockets and says, "Mom'd basically bore me to death talking about secret panels and illusory walls and such. Never understood the appeal."
She lifts her head up as she murmurs, "... you gonna go... kill him when you see him, Josie?"
DG: Lunata Croze has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Hidden Path.
=====================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>====================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - The Hidden Path *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- Castles have secrets. That's just a fact of life. It's practically part of the appeal of a castle, besides having a large and heavily fortified structure with which to defend your monarchy if you live in such outdated times that you are ruled over by a monarchy: all the strange, hidden anomalies of its structure. The secret passageways! The strange riddles! The bizarre and tedious puzzles that require you to light a series of lamps in a specific order and if you get it wrong a monster drops in out of nowhere and forces you into a fight sequence! Also, hidden doors! Why, this very dead end of a room you find yourself stumbling into might well have one of those secret oddities of architecture that will help you cut through a swath of Krosse's military wing. Maybe there's an unusual painting. Or a stone in the wall that looks just slightly out of place. Or a bookshelf. No one in the military reads books! Awfully suspicious. Or it might just be a dead end. Those exist too. Man, wouldn't that be a bummer? =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing - Round 4 *>================= ========================< Results - The Hidden Path >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elhaym van Houten 5 --(5)--> 10 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lunata Croze 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Josephine Lovelace 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Pack of Cigarettes 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Artist's Toolkit 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Elhaym van Houten 60 --(20)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Stupify(2)|Wound(1) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Elhaym van Houten has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Elhaym van Houten has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>======================= ====================<* CHALLENGE - Guardian at the Gates *>===================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Deep in the heart of the military wing is, of all things, a prison. It is here that knights of Krosse who have fallen out of line are stowed away -- the most dangerous of the king's enemies and, thus, the most well-guarded. Perhaps it makes sense, then, that the symbological glyphs resonating with the barrier keeping you from the king's court can be found here, where the Royal Guard rightly ought to be on high alert. And yet -- thanks to the chaos caused by both Gryndille and the Drifters (that's you! (probably!)) -- many of the guards defending the route leading to this place have been scattered elsewhere throughout the castle. The way leading up seems empty. Suspiciously so. Which is, of course, when that emptiness is disrupted with a horrifying howl that shrieks across the senses. Just before the gates leading into the heart of the military wing, a massive, two-headed Hellion Hound falls upon you, one clawed paw burbling with flame swiping wildly while frost spews from the gaping maw of one of its heads. It is tremendous, and it is here to guard this passage with its life. It bubbles with Malevolence-fueled zealotry, and it will not let you pass -- not without a fight. IMAGE: https://gamefaqs.akamaized.net/faqs/57/72557-92.jpg =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Are you still on 'awkward' terms with them?" Fei asks because he likes to put his foot in his mouth most of all.
He ends up turning towards Lunata as she talks about illusory walls and the like and he says, "Hmm...but you know, I think.... I think that maybe, like, I was wrong about this being a secret passage."
He leans up against one of the walls...
...and then falls right on through as the illusion shimmers away into a new open hallway.
"Guh...!" Seems like Josie just simply picked the wrong wall.
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
The hidden entranceway reveals the prison. No wonder it was hidden. Even in better times you might not be eager to show this place to casual onlookers. Coming inwards, Elly turns her head. "Those glyphs," she says, looking at something on the roof's buttresses, well above the cells that seem eerily empty. "Josie, are they..."
And then it comes.
The howl rings through the blood! It is not endearing, not sweet in the slightest. This is not an animal like that great hound who became a Hellion in order to try to protect its family. The howl is blood-curdling, a thing that reminds you of the time when your soi-distant genetic ancestors on the plains of Filgaia (?) were hunted. When they were prey.
The Hellion-Hound leaps downwards and Elly screams in response, slamming against a stone wall instead of skidding out as she wheels to face the thing. Her eyes flick around - can they escape? No - the exit ramp on the far side of this prison section is too open - they'd be sunk in a moment.
She looks back at the creature and -- sees the fire.
"Fei! Lunata!" Elly cries. "I'm going to try to do 'That Thing' again. In a moment, try to get it to attack -" Her hands come together, twist and a soccerball sized form of ice comes together, making Elly hiss from both the effort and the fact that she is abruptly holding ice.
"Attack this." The ice begins to glow from within...!
... as induced electric current begins decomposing water into gaseous oxygen and hydrogen!
The Hellion-hound is not obliging and leans one head down to attempt to swallow Lunata whole, having determined her to be the most bite-sized of its foes. Fortunately it's the ice head, so the breath is a little refreshing...
DG: Elhaym van Houten has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Guardian at the Gates.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata yelps as she goes, "Fei! You okay?" But fortunately, it's not one of those falls that sends you into an abyss, just to the next area; she follows on after Elly as she mentions the glyphs and--
*howl*
Elly informs her of her plan to try to get it to attack a sphere of ice. "Got it," she affirms as she charges ahead and gets aggro anyway because she's the shortest of the group, gnunununu...
"This way, you mutt!"
In a burst of speed, Lunata jukes and thrusts the Devil Arm forward!
The gleam of mine demonic blade shall--GWURKKK--
The Hellion Heckhound's left head counters with a powerful swipe and the blade goes flying into the wall with a resounding 'PING'.
"... fine, if that's the way you wanna do it--"
Lunata summons Orochi-Agito into her other hand; she withdraws into battou-stance, and splits her strokes each into powerful carves that draw an ethereal kanji character into the very air:
,,,xxxx\
``==xx#################xxxxx===---xxx##########\
`################################\
####
####
####
####`'=..
,#### ###,,
,###`'== '####\
,,##` ""### ####
#### ####
#######
####
####
####
,####'
,####'
,x##
*PING*
The right head knocks the katana and sends it to the *opposite* wall.
"OH COME ON I'M NOT DONE DRAWING THAT"
With intense 'mrgrgrgrgr' summoned into her, Lunata procures her final weapon:
*Call Gear button*
A beam saber descends from the skies.
DG: Lunata Croze has used her Tool Call Gear Button toward her party's challenge, Guardian at the Gates.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
It's hardly the first time Josie's seen them, either, but some things come into focus when put into context... and it had been somewhat chaotic in that point of time.
"No secret door here," she says, her ash painting revealing nothing but the rough surface of the wall. "Want to head back?"
...Before Fei falls right on through the illusion. Josie cranes her head through the now-open doorway. "Hey, nice find. Looks like whoever did that illusion really knew their stuff."
But she doesn't follow after him immediately. "Yeah..." Josie sighs at Lunata's question, glancing up at the ceiling. "Even when you grow up, they keep on being a right pain in the ass."
Which, really, is a mild way to phrase 'my dad has been playing with an artifact that should not be in the hands of men' and 'has been creating hideous abominations of sorcery and flesh', but, perhaps it's the thought that counts.
Is she going to kill him?
"Maybe. There's something I want to tell him."
Staring on ahead for a moment, she doesn't elaborate before moving on.
This is the prison, she realizes, lifting her her head to take in the symbols that Elly points out to her. "Those are..." she starts to say.
Only to trail out as a howl hits a multi-part dissonant wail, rattling down the avenues of cells. "Get back!" she shouts.
Too late. She rolls back hard, slamming her bad hand -- and arm -- into the wall as she ducks out of the way of the incoming Hellion, which evokes a particularly pained-sounding hiss. Cradling her arm against her stomach, she goes, rather than for her gun, for her flask.
There's still some left.
It's not for her. As the beast reels towards Elly, Josie darts in, briefly inserting herself betwixt ice -- and, as it happens, blade.
Or to be more accurate, she inserts a slosh of the worst swill this side of Ignas.
Right for the Hellion's tender eyes.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Liquid Courage toward her party's challenge, Guardian at the Gates.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei lies on the floor for a few seconds before raising his hand in a thumbs up gesture to Lunata. Apparently this is a familial trait now.
Fei does eventually get up and take a look around at what he ended up tumbling into. He glances this way and that and frowns deeply. "That's right...the prison." The paranoia has gotten so bad that it has turned to feed on itself rather than on errant drifters and traders. If this isn't dealt with there may not be a Krosse tommorow.
Fei crosses his arms as he examines the double headed hellhound. Is this a guard dog? He'd rather not murder another dog just because it happened to also be a hellion. He can only do that so many times in his life, but maybe it's actually a guardsman who is now a doubleheaded dog? He suspects malevolence works rather strangely even now.
"Sure thing Elly. I'll do my best!"
He rushes to the hell hound, flicking his rps badge in the air to try and distract it so he can try and slam both of its heads together.
He will try very hard to not get skewered by Rephaim's beamsaber.
"Well that's fair." He asides to Josie.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool RPS Badge toward his party's challenge, Guardian at the Gates.
======================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>======================= ====================<* CHALLENGE - Guardian at the Gates *>===================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Deep in the heart of the military wing is, of all things, a prison. It is here that knights of Krosse who have fallen out of line are stowed away -- the most dangerous of the king's enemies and, thus, the most well-guarded. Perhaps it makes sense, then, that the symbological glyphs resonating with the barrier keeping you from the king's court can be found here, where the Royal Guard rightly ought to be on high alert. And yet -- thanks to the chaos caused by both Gryndille and the Drifters (that's you! (probably!)) -- many of the guards defending the route leading to this place have been scattered elsewhere throughout the castle. The way leading up seems empty. Suspiciously so. Which is, of course, when that emptiness is disrupted with a horrifying howl that shrieks across the senses. Just before the gates leading into the heart of the military wing, a massive, two-headed Hellion Hound falls upon you, one clawed paw burbling with flame swiping wildly while frost spews from the gaping maw of one of its heads. It is tremendous, and it is here to guard this passage with its life. It bubbles with Malevolence-fueled zealotry, and it will not let you pass -- not without a fight. IMAGE: https://gamefaqs.akamaized.net/faqs/57/72557-92.jpg =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
=================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing - Round 5 *>================== ======================< Results - Guardian at the Gates >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elhaym van Houten 10 --(20)--> 30 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lunata Croze 5 --(20)--> 25 Pass Call Gear Button 4 Combat Effects: Sacrifice and Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 5 --(20)--> 25 Pass Liquid Courage 3 Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 5 --(20)--> 25 Pass RPS Badge 3 Combat Effects: Rally -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Elhaym van Houten 80 --(35)--> 115 Pass Conditions: Suffer(1) Effects: ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Elhaym van Houten has successfully explored Krosse Castle - Military Wing!
======================<* Krosse Castle - Military Wing *>======================= ==========================<* CHALLENGE - The Rescue *>========================== |Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Past the innermost chamber's defenders, this room is large, but surprisingly empty of Guardsmen. All of them but their most able, it seems, have been diverted. At the center of this room lies a glowing series of glyphs, ebbing with the white light of magic. The key to the barrier warding off Krosse Castle's inner sanctum, where the Anomalous Orb lies. The key to putting a stop to this madness. One by one, key glyphs are inactivated -- removed, altered, or however they may be changed -- and the white-light glow of the circle fades into nothing. Its strength has been sundered, and with it, the enchantment lending strength to the seal into the court proper. Even those less sensitive may notice a shift in the air, and for the truly resonant there passes an alteration that seems to ring out like a clear-voiced chime. When the other half of the barrier is broken, the way into the court will be open. But this is not the only thing in this chamber. Lining the halls are prison cells -- each of them containing members of the Guard who turned against their king, recognizing the madness possessing them and their peers. If freed, they will offer their help to bring the city in line, protect the citizenry -- and do everything in their power to assist you, whatever way they can. Even here, in the heart of fear, there are those who have not lost their way. There is, without a doubt, still hope. (OOC: Access to THE BALLAD OF THE FISHER KING for this group is now possible -- please feel free to explore the other wing of the castle as well if desired. Please contact Josie or K.K. with any questions.) =Dungeon Conditions: Save Point===============================================
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Josie stabs first. She goes for the eyes. Soon enough one of the eyes of the Hellion's fiery dome is impaired. It howls in fury and spits fire at Josie, but it can't AIM - the head thrashes around.
Fei challenges the creature according to ancient law. The pain-maddened Hellion growls at Fei and then chooses Rock with one paw, jabbing it forwards - or is that paper? The Authorities may differ but the over-committing strike as light strikes its wounded eye has the same effect. A gout of flame -
Which hits Elly's improvised bomb. The detonation is quite loud, forceful; the creature reels, its fiery head lolling. It whines - but it's an unnatural sound.
HELLION OF GUARD - PHASE TWO -
>> Call Gear
A shining Beam Saber slides in.
It slides through the forward half of the Hellion-hound, and... well, mercifully it's mostly purple fog rather than...
"..."
Elly lowers her hands.
"... hurray!" she says finally, looking upwards towards Rephaim.
Rephaim - winks at her? Or is it just a twinkle in the eyes of GUND*abrupt scene change*
"Say," calls someone in the second row. "Are you all... Hellions?"
Elly looks up, blinks, and points at herself.
"Yes," says the person in the prison cell, who sounds weary. "You with the red hair."
"No, ma'am," Elly calls up.
"That's swell. Are you here to try to stop what's happened to our country?"
Elly looks at Fei and Lunata and Josie, but the general consensus is... yes. Elly even paps her fist into her palm for emphasis.
"Can you let us out please"
"oh my goodness," Elly gasps, "they must have all been TERRIFIED--"