Heroica RPG - Quest #159: An Unexpected Return - Sewers

[Asphalt]

Vindsval bows and places a mechanical fist against his chest.

Greetings Mistress.  

He straightens and looks around the work area, open awe and wonder on his large green face.  His eyes widen more with every moment.

I have long wished to visit this place, it is a shame that I am only now arriving as you all seem to be leaving.  He steadies a wobbling stack of crates.  If it would help, is there anything with which I may I offer you my assistance ?

[Waterbrick Down]

10 hours ago, KotZ said:

"I can do that," Kiray says as she accepts the items. "Something tells me these are going to be handy."

"Well, stranger things happen," Kiray says. She sticks out a hand. "Kiray. I worked with your colleague Dr. Nicole Tesla awhile back. Is she faring well?"

"I'm sure she's around here somewhere, sorry it's all a bit chaotic we really need to get some things taken care of quickly."

48 minutes ago, Asphalt said:

Vindsval bows and places a mechanical fist against his chest.

Greetings Mistress.  

He straightens and looks around the work area, open awe and wonder on his large green face.  His eyes widen more with every moment.

I have long wished to visit this place, it is a shame that I am only now arriving as you all seem to be leaving.  He steadies a wobbling stack of crates.  If it would help, is there anything with which I may I offer you my assistance ?

Monalisa smiles at Vindval, a gleam in her eye as she surveys his mechanical arm.

"Yes, well it can't be helped, I can't stand the idea of my life's work just being wrenched away."

[Asphalt]

I can understand that Mistress.  I can understand that.  I am called Vindsval.  Might I ask you a question?  As you see I am not wholly of flesh.   He flips his scorpion cloak back over his left shoulder, exposing the entirely of his artificial arm. Is this of your work?  I received it several Grogmas ago, though beyond that I know nothing of its origins.  It has served me, and the people of this land, very well over the years.

 

[Waterbrick Down]

5 minutes ago, Asphalt said:

I can understand that Mistress.  I can understand that.  I am called Vindsval.  Might I ask you a question?  As you see I am not wholly of flesh.   He flips his scorpion cloak back over his left shoulder, exposing the entirely of his artificial arm. Is this of your work?  I received it several Grogmas ago, though beyond that I know nothing of its origins.  It has served me, and the people of this land, very well over the years.

"Allow me to inspect it." Dr. Giocanda lowers a magnifying contraption over her glasses and investigates the arm. "Hmmm, well some of the tech is ours, probably from the home office back in Xu, but other parts look to be Dwarven possibly Brumpknob in origin. The housing may actually be Gnomish in origin. All together a very fine piece!"

[Asphalt]

Vindsval grins, It seems my arm is nearly as far travelled as I am.  I appreciate the information. He pauses a moment, thinking. You wouldn't perhaps have any compatible components or upgrades available?

[Waterbrick Down]

1 hour ago, Asphalt said:

Vindsval grins, It seems my arm is nearly as far travelled as I am.  I appreciate the information. He pauses a moment, thinking. You wouldn't perhaps have any compatible components or upgrades available?

"I'm afraid, most of our supplies have been packed away, due to the... uh... You've caught us at a rather awkward moment."

[KotZ]

3 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"I'm afraid, most of our supplies have been packed away, due to the... uh... You've caught us at a rather awkward moment."

"You want to explain that?" Kiray asks as she searches around.

[Waterbrick Down]

44 minutes ago, KotZ said:

"You want to explain that?" Kiray asks as she searches around.

Kiray notes a variety of equipment, automatons, ether-cannons, steam-ship engines, and a host of other technical parts being loaded into wooden crates and stamped with the royal Xuese symbol.


"We were delivered an edict to turn over all of our automatons and ether-tech to the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity by the end of the day. Something about being implicated in a Ji Pei conspiracy. But there won't be anything for them to take, if there isn't anything here." Monalisa signs off on a few check lists offered her by assistants. "Now then, to what do we owe this visit? I doubt you came here to throw a going away party."

[Palathadric]

20 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

"Not to mention the fact that they've been just as active as everyone else in garnering support for their cause in Heroica. For crying out loud- two of our Veterans were working for them!"

"Not quite." I say, coming up behind the party. "The way I heard it told, they were, in a sense, forced into the arms of the Wolfgang, because they didn't see anyway of bringing about their goals for the city. I may not agree with their actions, but it's not as if they were wholly throwing their support in with the Wolfgang, or blind tools of Ulric's ambition...

However, I must add the working with the devil is sure to have consequences. ...Not necessarily associating Ulric with the devil, but a figure of speech, you see?"

I survey my surroundings and the Tritech packing up shop.

It's certainly hard to see the Founders as evil when they're doing so much good, I muse.

[Duvors]

12 minutes ago, Palathadric said:

"Not quite." I say, coming up behind the party. "The way I heard it told, they were, in a sense, forced into the arms of the Wolfgang, because they didn't see anyway of bringing about their goals for the city. I may not agree with their actions, but it's not as if they were wholly throwing their support in with the Wolfgang, or blind tools of Ulric's ambition...

However, I must add the working with the devil is sure to have consequences. ...Not necessarily associating Ulric with the devil, but a figure of speech, you see?"

"Who is this 'devil' person?"

26 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Kiray notes a variety of equipment, automatons, ether-cannons, steam-ship engines, and a host of other technical parts being loaded into wooden crates and stamped with the royal Xuese symbol.
 

Throlar is confused by this as last he heard the old Xuese government had been overthrown and replaced with a representative democracy, with the aid of the Ji Pei no less.

32 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"We were delivered an edict to turn over all of our automatons and ether-tech to the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity by the end of the day. Something about being implicated in a Ji Pei conspiracy. But there won't be anything for them to take, if there isn't anything here."

Throlar really didn't like the idea of this new council getting it's hands on even a few automatons. After all, they'd probably be sending them after himself and the other heroes if they did.

41 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Now then, to what do we owe this visit? I doubt you came here to throw a going away party."

"We want to go to Faerie."

[Kintobor]

42 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"We were delivered an edict to turn over all of our automatons and ether-tech to the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity by the end of the day. Something about being implicated in a Ji Pei conspiracy. But there won't be anything for them to take, if there isn't anything here." Monalisa signs off on a few check lists offered her by assistants. "Now then, to what do we owe this visit? I doubt you came here to throw a going away party."

"I like how you think." Karie cuts in. "We're-"
 

Just now, Lord Duvors said:

"We want to go to Faerie."

Karie looked at Throlar, shaking her head. "Well, that's the long and short of it. My name is Karie Alderflask, and if you're interests are in ensuring these automatons do not fall into the hands of the Council, than perhaps we have a mutual interest. Mind if I ask as to where these automatons will be taken?" Karie asks. 

[KotZ]

46 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Kiray notes a variety of equipment, automatons, ether-cannons, steam-ship engines, and a host of other technical parts being loaded into wooden crates and stamped with the royal Xuese symbol.


"We were delivered an edict to turn over all of our automatons and ether-tech to the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity by the end of the day. Something about being implicated in a Ji Pei conspiracy. But there won't be anything for them to take, if there isn't anything here." Monalisa signs off on a few check lists offered her by assistants. "Now then, to what do we owe this visit? I doubt you came here to throw a going away party."

Kiray studies the seal, but it doesn't have meaning to her. "Those automatons are pretty useful. And that's what they're calling themselves now? What a bunch of malarkey."

[Waterbrick Down]

7 minutes ago, Kintobor said:

"I like how you think." Karie cuts in. "We're-"
 

Karie looked at Throlar, shaking her head. "Well, that's the long and short of it. My name is Karie Alderflask, and if you're interests are in ensuring these automatons do not fall into the hands of the Council, than perhaps we have a mutual interest. Mind if I ask as to where these automatons will be taken?" Karie asks. 

"We're shipping them back to the capital in Xu to Monsignore Legonardo's base laboratory." 

7 minutes ago, KotZ said:

Kiray studies the seal, but it doesn't have meaning to her. "Those automatons are pretty useful. And that's what they're calling themselves now? What a bunch of malarkey."

"We think so, but most of the citizenry is still cautious about automation and our technology in general, of course in the wrong hands it can lead to disaster, as some of your fellow heroes can attest to, I'm sure. Now what's this about the Faerie?"

[Lind Whisperer]

16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Kiray notes a variety of equipment, automatons, ether-cannons, steam-ship engines, and a host of other technical parts being loaded into wooden crates and stamped with the royal Xuese symbol.

Lind also takes note of the royal insignia.

16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"We were delivered an edict to turn over all of our automatons and ether-tech to the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity by the end of the day. Something about being implicated in a Ji Pei conspiracy. But there won't be anything for them to take, if there isn't anything here." Monalisa signs off on a few check lists offered her by assistants. "Now then, to what do we owe this visit? I doubt you came here to throw a going away party."

"A lot of fine equipment you have around here," the Black Knight mused. He held out his hand. "Lind Whisperer." Should I mention our loose connections via the Union? No...better not to risk. No idea how she'd take it, and given everyone else's sentiments on the matter...best to be careful.

15 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"Not quite." I say, coming up behind the party. "The way I heard it told, they were, in a sense, forced into the arms of the Wolfgang, because they didn't see anyway of bringing about their goals for the city. I may not agree with their actions, but it's not as if they were wholly throwing their support in with the Wolfgang, or blind tools of Ulric's ambition...

However, I must add the working with the devil is sure to have consequences. ...Not necessarily associating Ulric with the devil, but a figure of speech, you see?"

I survey my surroundings and the Tritech packing up shop.

It's certainly hard to see the Founders as evil when they're doing so much good, I muse.

The Black Knight surveyed the monk favorably. "Very true...there's always a price to be paid.

And it's often so expensive as to make you wish you'd never made the deal in the first place..."

15 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

"Who is this 'devil' person?"

"A religious figure. It varies from religion to religion, but it's typically the direct counterpart to a monopantheistic god - and very nearly always representative of evil. Fond of making bargains - which it always gets the better end of."

14 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"We're shipping them back to the capital in Xu to Monsignore Legonardo's base laboratory." 

"We think so, but most of the citizenry is still cautious about automation and our technology in general, of course in the wrong hands it can lead to disaster, as some of your fellow heroes can attest to, I'm sure. Now what's this about the Faerie?"

"Transport - I believe, although Mrs. Alderflask could probably fill you in better." Having been filled in by Karie on the way, Lind had a vague idea of what was going on, but only barely.

"Planar transport - we need to get across the dimensions to the Faerie. Bad things...bad things are happening."

He looked around the room. Nearly everything's already crated up...

OoC: I thought she was Mrs. Alderflask-Cour now?

Also, I have a bad feeling about that highlighting of "basement laboratory in Xu"...

Edited April 6, 2018 by Lind Whisperer

[Palathadric]

15 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

"Who is this 'devil' person?"

I look at Throlar rather astonished.

"He is...the king of the demons. Surely you didn't suppose the arch demons answer to no one?"

[Duvors]

10 hours ago, Lind Whisperer said:

"A religious figure. It varies from religion to religion, but it's typically the direct counterpart to a monopantheistic god - and very nearly always representative of evil. Fond of making bargains - which it always gets the better end of."

 

10 hours ago, Palathadric said:

I look at Throlar rather astonished.

"He is...the king of the demons. Surely you didn't suppose the arch demons answer to no one?"

"Ah, you mean Zoot. Well that makes sense, although saying that the archdemons answer to anyone is probably inaccurate. All accounts of them that I'm familiar with have them acting on their own initiative."

On 4/5/2018 at 4:55 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"We think so, but most of the citizenry is still cautious about automation and our technology in general, of course in the wrong hands it can lead to disaster, as some of your fellow heroes can attest to, I'm sure. Now what's this about the Faerie?"

"Well," said Throlar diplomatically, "This thing about the founders of Heroica returning, we've noticed one of them, The Fey One, is missing. In addition we've received a message from one of our former members that seems to allude to the Faerie being overrun by something related to plants. Which way or may not be related to a number of strange white roots that are overtaking the sewer system. There seems to be a clear connection between these things and this may have something to do with the sudden return of the founders. So if you have any equipment that can take us there we'd be grateful if you'd see your way to sending us over before packing it away."

Edited April 6, 2018 by Lord Duvors

[Palathadric]

2 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

"Ah, you mean Zoot. Well that makes sense, although saying that the archdemons answer to anyone is probably inaccurate. All accounts of them that I'm familiar with have them acting on their own initiative."

"Yes. In a sense you speak rightly. Just as devils and demons are virtually synonymous, so Zoot and the devil himself are virtually synonymous. Whether Zoot actually is the devil himself or another underling, I'm not sure. Names get confused when translated."

[KotZ]

23 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"We think so, but most of the citizenry is still cautious about automation and our technology in general, of course in the wrong hands it can lead to disaster, as some of your fellow heroes can attest to, I'm sure. Now what's this about the Faerie?"

"The automata are some amazing piece of technology. I was lucky enough to work with one. Now, if I may ask, is it possible you would be willing to sell one to us? It could come in handy with what's going down."

[Waterbrick Down]

16 hours ago, Lind Whisperer said:

"Planar transport - we need to get across the dimensions to the Faerie. Bad things...bad things are happening."

He looked around the room. Nearly everything's already crated up...

11 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

"Well," said Throlar diplomatically, "This thing about the founders of Heroica returning, we've noticed one of them, The Fey One, is missing. In addition we've received a message from one of our former members that seems to allude to the Faerie being overrun by something related to plants. Which way or may not be related to a number of strange white roots that are overtaking the sewer system. There seems to be a clear connection between these things and this may have something to do with the sudden return of the founders. So if you have any equipment that can take us there we'd be grateful if you'd see your way to sending us over before packing it away."

"Sounds like your in need of a planar gate." Monalisa removes and cleans her glasses lenses. "Well you're in luck, we haven't started dismantling it yet. Should do the trick, thankfully for you, we've gathered a fare bit of info on the Faerie's planar sigil so the trip shouldn't be too painful... No guarantee we'll be able to get you back though. Granted the Fae haven't had any issue on shifting to our world willy-nilly in the past via their magics. So how's that sound?"

7 hours ago, KotZ said:

"The automata are some amazing piece of technology. I was lucky enough to work with one. Now, if I may ask, is it possible you would be willing to sell one to us? It could come in handy with what's going down."

"We might be able to part with one of the G.E.M. Automatons. 2000 Gold seems fitting."

At that moment the heroes hear a pounding on the lab's door.

"Open up in the name of the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity!"


"Sod, they're a day early!"

[KotZ]

Quote

"We might be able to part with one of the G.E.M. Automatons. 2000 Gold seems fitting."

"Damn," Kiray let out a whistle. "2000 gold? That's a bit too much for what we have. Say, is the Stealth Shadow around? He and I go a way back. If he was here, I'd love to see him, even if he couldn';t join us." Kiray then begins to hum the tune her mother taught her thatthe Stealth Shadow noticed, just in case.

1 hour ago, Waterbrick Down said:

At that moment the heroes hear a pounding on the lab's door.

"Open up in the name of the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity!"


"Sod, they're a day early!"

Kiray kept humming the tune in her head when she heard the knocks. "A day early? Well, that's more efficient than most governments." The Warden went to the door and intimidated "Give us a second to open the door! Do you haver any idea how many locks are on this thing? We're scientists trying to protect our information from corporat espionage." She turns to the rest of the party and the scientists. "This should give us a few moments. Hopefully. If not, well, this won't be happy.|

[Asphalt]

Yes, your planar gate sounds like it is exactly what we need.  Do not worry about the return trip, we will manage something.  Of that I am certain.  But we must leave quickly.  

[Duvors]

16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Sounds like your in need of a planar gate." Monalisa removes and cleans her glasses lenses. "Well you're in luck, we haven't started dismantling it yet. Should do the trick, thankfully for you, we've gathered a fare bit of info on the Faerie's planar sigil so the trip shouldn't be too painful... No guarantee we'll be able to get you back though. Granted the Fae haven't had any issue on shifting to our world willy-nilly in the past via their magics. So how's that sound?"

"That'll be excellent thanks. To be honest the bizarre way time passes in the Faerie means you'd never be able to get any kind of lock on us even if we had a way of telling you when to open the gate to let us back in."

16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"We might be able to part with one of the G.E.M. Automatons. 2000 Gold seems fitting."

At that moment the heroes hear a pounding on the lab's door.

"Open up in the name of the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity!"


"Sod, they're a day early!"

"Miss," said Throlar diplomatically, "I believe it would be a good idea for you to make all haste in sending us through. Additionally, you may want to reconsider the price you're asking for an automaton as sending them through with us seems to be the only way you'll keep them out of the council's hands at this point."

[Lind Whisperer]

23 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Sounds like your in need of a planar gate." Monalisa removes and cleans her glasses lenses. "Well you're in luck, we haven't started dismantling it yet. Should do the trick, thankfully for you, we've gathered a fare bit of info on the Faerie's planar sigil so the trip shouldn't be too painful... No guarantee we'll be able to get you back though. Granted the Fae haven't had any issue on shifting to our world willy-nilly in the past via their magics. So how's that sound?"

"Excellent.

How quickly can the gate be geared up?"

At that moment the heroes hear a pounding on the lab's door.

"Open up in the name of the Eubric Council for Peace and Prosperity!"


"Sod, they're a day early!"

Lind listened and tried to get a rough idea how many people were standing outside the door. If there are any cracks on the door, he peers through them.

6 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

"That'll be excellent thanks. To be honest the bizarre way time passes in the Faerie means you'd never be able to get any kind of lock on us even if we had a way of telling you when to open the gate to let us back in."

"Miss," said Throlar diplomatically, "I believe it would be a good idea for you to make all haste in sending us through. Additionally, you may want to reconsider the price you're asking for an automaton as sending them through with us seems to be the only way you'll keep them out of the council's hands at this point."

"He makes a fair point..."

Edited April 8, 2018 by Lind Whisperer

[Palathadric]

"Bringing automatons to the Faerie..." I muse aloud, thinking about the consequences such an action could have.

That's the problem with such things, they become a danger no matter whose hands they are in.

"We cannot let the council have those things...You should accompany us through the portal, if you can, miss..."

[Asphalt]

If there is anything else you would rather not have fall into the hands of the council, point me to it.  I will carry it through with us.