Author Topic: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...  (Read 60403 times)

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #100 on: June 03, 2014, 08:10:10 AM »
A dull mental hum washes over those near Grey as he focuses the power of his mind on the beast, trying to override it's emotions.

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« Last Edit: June 03, 2014, 08:12:33 AM by phaedrusxy »
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #101 on: June 03, 2014, 10:32:05 AM »
The ape shakes its head in mild confusion, glaces Grey for a moment, during which its shoulders slump a bit.  It looks back at the three creatures to its right, however, and its muscles tense.  This fight may not yet be over...

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Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #102 on: June 03, 2014, 10:45:22 AM »
Grey speaks to the creature's mind with soothing words, and aloud, trying to keep its focus on him. It's OK. They won't hurt you. Follow me over here, and lets see if we can find something to eat.

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I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #103 on: June 03, 2014, 12:06:47 PM »
The druid attempts to use his talents to further calm the ape, but finds that his talents are minimal outside the desert region that is his home. "A pity. We will have to slay the creature at this rate."

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #104 on: June 03, 2014, 01:29:16 PM »
Heeding the little man's words, but remembering the restraint requested by the old man, Thokram acts.  Adrenaline surges through his veins, and his muscles grow larger, straining the links of the mithril chainmail beneath his loose linen shirt.
Manethak's insight flashes through Thokram's mind, and he cries out "Oamomatha kanith melaneag!" as he strikes at the ape with his heavy sap.

Despite the trees and foliage, Thokram's aim is true.  The sight of his blow awakens a primal urge within each of you, and even lessens the pain of Bathra's wound.

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Offline Risada

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #105 on: June 03, 2014, 02:11:50 PM »
Novihrek focuses for a single moment, imbuing his crystalline halberd's head with psionic energy and takes a quick step towards the ape. He then unleashes a single blunt strike against the animal.

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Offline VennDygrem

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #106 on: June 03, 2014, 08:48:40 PM »
"I do not want to hurt you, beast, but I am forced to do so. Let's get this over with."

Fina's skin begins to glow as tangible flame manifests around her. She darts up next to the creature, hoping to avoid its attention. Smoke gathers at her hands, and she reaches up. Heat and sickening smoke issue forth, collecting around the ape's head.

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« Last Edit: June 03, 2014, 08:52:59 PM by VennDygrem »

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #107 on: June 03, 2014, 09:47:37 PM »
Fina's fiery touch burns the ape and shrouds its head in roiling black smoke.  That smoke leaves an arching path through the air as the ape crashes to the ground.  The beast was burned, but luckily his fur does not appear to have caught on fire.  It lays there taking deep steady breaths, marred only by the snuffling sound produced from having its snout pressed against leaf-strewn floor.  Thokram, his muscles already relaxing, rolls the creature on its side.

"Hmm... It seems we chose well."  Viorr waves at you all to approach as he hobbles back to the table.  As you gather around once again, he begins rummaging in the satchel hanging on his chair.  "I represent an element of the King's Citadel known as the Dark Lanterns," he says.  "We perform certain ... intelligence-related ... duties for King Boranel.  We need adventurers of skill and action who can bring a rogue agent back to us – alive, if possible." He pauses momentarily before finishing, "If you're willing to swear to keep secret what you're about to hear, I'll tell you more."  He leans on his cane, watching each of you expectantly, waiting.

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Offline VennDygrem

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #108 on: June 03, 2014, 10:32:51 PM »
"If this rogue agent is a danger to people, I will swear to this secrecy and aid in bringing him or her back to you, as safely as possible. Pending more details of the job, of course. Though I must ask, why seek us out? We are strangers to one another, yet your courier had descriptions of each of us."

Serafina claps the residual smoke from her hands, looking over at Viorr intently. Suddenly, the flames around her fade, and with them, much of her energy. Fatigue settles in, though the girl does what she can to hide it.

Offline Risada

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #109 on: June 03, 2014, 11:32:40 PM »
"Most likely, the rogue agent isn't a danger to the people... But to Breland. Should someone manage to nab what this agent knows...  Only Il' Yannah knows what would happen to this country. Now..." While the kalashtar pauses, the psicrystal intervenes mentally.

<<Watch out... HE is the one with over ten people ready to kill you all. You should be more polite with them.>>

Novihrek sighs mentally, then continues.

"...why can't you guys deploy someone from your own side after this agent? I am not complaining, mind you... But I think this question deserves to be answered so we know what's going on."

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #110 on: June 03, 2014, 11:48:09 PM »
"Knowing things is our business," he says in response to Fina, a touch of haughty pride to his voice.  Glancing at Thokram and Fina, he continues, "When unique individuals are noticed in Sharn, or those with unusual powers," he says as his gaze shifts toward Grey, "we take notice."  Gathering up the sheaf of papers from the satchel, he sits down, sighing a bit as weight is taken off his leg.  He glances toward Bathra as he continues, "When we hear stories of good deeds done, we will sometimes investigate; the doers of such deeds can sometimes prove to be helpful in certain situations."

"Imagine my surprise when one of our agents noticed each of you entering Thokram's place of employment, just when the need for such individuals had come to pass."  Looking down at Ǽlǽtan he adds, "... well, most of you, anyway."

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"One of our best agents, Lucan Stellos, disappeared three days ago.  Yesterday, a high-security vault we maintain here in Sharn was compromised, and a powerful magic sword was stolen.  Shortly before dawn this morning, Lucan was spotted leaving Sharn by the east road.  We want you to catch him and bring the sword back."

"We'll pay you 2,000 gold each to return Lucan alive, plus another 500 each if you recover the sword.  If Lucan dies, we'll pay you 1,000 gold each for proof of his passing.  Either way, we need Lucan back here – or dead so that he can't betray us.  The price is nonnegotiable.  Let's just pretend that we haggled, you won, and these are the terms we arrived at."

Looking at Fina and Novihrek to answer their questions, Viorr says, "Lucan was a trusted agent before all of this occurred.  We have no way of knowing whether Lucan has allies within the Citadel.  So I can't send my own people – I'm the only member of the Dark Lanterns that I trust.  Time is against us, so I've turned to you for help."

"Oh, and there's one other complication.  Based on eyewitness accounts and the condition of the bodies left near the vault, Lucan appears to have gained powers he's never displayed before.  Still interested?"
« Last Edit: June 03, 2014, 11:51:50 PM by ksbsnowowl »

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #111 on: June 04, 2014, 12:09:15 AM »
"If Lucan has turned to dark forces to gain these powers, it is my duty to see that he is stopped. I will do what I can to see that he is brought back alive for questioning and a fair assessment of his actions- after all, it would not be the first time someone fell under the influence of dark powers without their knowledge or consent. He could still be innocent, to whatever degree."

Fina turns the details over in her mind.

"How long has Lucan been a member in the Dark Lanterns? Does he have any ties here in Sharn, anyone who might know where he is going and for what purpose?"

The girl absent-mindedly taps on the emblem of the Silver Flame on her buckler with her fingers as questions form in her head. Her energy seems to be refreshing itself, as the potential to stop some evil force has renewed her vitality.

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #112 on: June 04, 2014, 12:43:52 AM »
"Lucan has worked for us for several years; he grew up here in Sharn.  He was quite skilled at bringing the enemies of the King to justice, and thwarting plots against Breland.  He has a sister, Grilsha, in the city.  We've been looking for her all day, but we haven't tracked her down yet.  She's a striking young woman with long red hair."

"I'm going to go through this quickly, so pay attention," Viorr says as he thumbs through the papers in his hands, plucking one out of the middle, and placing it on the table, beside the unused potion vials.

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"Here's a picture of Lucan, done by one of the King's artists.  Lucan is a male human, well trained in both combat and espionage."  Drawing out another paper, he continues, "Here's a picture of the black coach he was seen traveling in as he passed through the east gate."

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Setting down a short stack of papers, Viorr continues, "Here are traveling papers that identify you as working for the King of Breland.  Through House Vadalis, we've arranged to have magebred horses waiting for you in a stable near the east gate.  Consider them an additional payment; we'll settle with House Vadalis later."

Viorr then sets down a folded paper, sealed with green wax, and impressed with a signet.  "Here's a letter of credit.  If you run into unanticipated expenses, present it at any House Kundarak bank and you'll receive a cash advance.  A friendly warning: King Baronel doesn't like to see his gold spent frivolously, so save the letter of credit until you really need it."

"The sword is called the soul blade, and it has a big ruby in the pommel.  Our mages say it radiates evil, so be careful with it."

"We don't know what Lucan's intentions are, but we do have a clue based on a search of his living quarters.  Based on some notes he made – notes he thought he destroyed – we know he's going to Trolanport.  That's in Zilargo.  The only other word we were able to salvage from the notes was 'krell.'  We have no idea who or what a krell is."
« Last Edit: June 04, 2014, 12:47:29 AM by ksbsnowowl »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #113 on: June 04, 2014, 01:59:33 AM »
"Would it be possible for one to describe the new powers of said agent? One does not like to enter into a situation without first learning all one can with regards to said quarry. Especially given the rather energetic implications of the rest of said descriptions."

Ǽlǽtan paused, and looked at the others in the room.

"Perhaps our hiring agent would be able to assist via the loan of either funds or equipment, given the importance of this stalk? One would be most appreciative..."

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #114 on: June 04, 2014, 02:41:06 AM »
"Lucan is a master of disguise, though that's not new.  He was able to coerce an otherwise loyal agent into opening the vault.  He shrugged off attacks that should have brought down a normal man.  He walked down the side of a tower just as you or I would walk across this room.  It could be the sword, but he displayed some of these powers before he got his hands on it."

Offline Risada

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #115 on: June 04, 2014, 09:02:38 AM »
"Those abilities are a lot like magic or psionics. Was he a mage before? If you guys don't know, could he be hiding this from you?"

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #116 on: June 04, 2014, 09:29:43 AM »
Grey, still in his ghostly form, glances at Novihrek as he replies "And sometimes people have such powers inflicted upon them against their will...

I agree with 'Fina that we should at least consider the possibility that he's being controlled by someone else. We will do our best to avoid killing him."
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #117 on: June 04, 2014, 10:41:05 AM »
In response to Novihrek, Viorr answers, "As I said, if he'd previously held these abilities, he kept them from us."

"But that does bring us to another concern. ...  Lucan worked in counterintelligence.  He was superb at gaining the trust of enemy agents, figuring out who they worked for, and exposing entire networks of enemy spies.  Not only have we lost that expertise ... but one of those spy networks may have turned Lucan against us."

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #118 on: June 04, 2014, 10:50:40 AM »
The halfling eyed the speaker for a moment before giving voice to what was most likely in everyone's head. "And you are also afraid that those standing before you could also be turned... Perhaps you have become paranoid as a result?"

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Re: And I Have to Start It in a Bar...
« Reply #119 on: June 04, 2014, 11:01:22 AM »
"Nay, there would have been little reason for another network to be interested in you any more deeply that we were, and we've already checked out your backgrounds."  He says that last while looking at Novihrek.  "What you might face in the future is not my immediate concern, but rather that formerly trusted agents could now be secretly divulging information to our enemies."