Kintobor

"Hmm. I can't really say I hold your world view." Cassandra comments towards Bers. "It is good to have convictions and passion in what you do. Otherwise you are merely wasting what time we have to experience the world." She pauses. "I did lead an exciting life, but I put it behind me to take care of Clover." Bers Persuasion Check (DC: 3): (3,4,4) Two Successes Cassandra looks down at Clover and then back to Bers. "It's not a story you'd be interested in, I assure you." Moving their way through town and the bustling crowds, Cassandra stops by at a cider stall, paying ten credits for a mug for both her and Bers. "Here. Bottoms up." "... are you sure this is the best idea? Drinking cider now?" "One glass will be fine." Cassandra assures the concerned looking dragon. Avgustus returns the handshake with MILES as best he can. "Ah hahaha, yes. I must admit, I didn't know your machine was sentient. Greetings to you as well, friend." Avgustus looks to Polaris worryingly. "Recruit Mr. Fix-It? Goodness. That's quite the possibility. Tell me, what makes you think such a possibility exists?"

Zaria turns around after entering the room, cupping her hands to her mouth as she shouts down the corridor. "WORK YOUR FINGERS, MAGIC MAN!" She returns her gaze to Viper. "Give it a minute and we will have you out of there." She couldn't imagine being locked in a cell, let alone one for a week. Although she was wary of Viper's intentions, she could not leave him here in this cell.

"If I am being honest, I care little about its origins or its purpose. It is a menace to us as much as it was and is a menace to the crew." Zaria looked to Kirwin. "Let me move to the cell first. I'll call for you when I'm there and when to open it." Zaria did as she said and moves to the cell room with Viper in it.

"... I suppose..." The dwarven woman shrugs. As Yelana bites into her croissant, she feels inspired by the fluffiness and richness of the dough. Yelana's next skill check is made with +1 Success. "If you head down the street it's in a large field. You can't miss the benches and the range." The dwarven woman points down the street. "It won't start for awhile, but if you wanted to speak to an organizer to sign up, one should be there." Meanwhile... *image coming soon* Polaris heads to the Knothole Inn, a quaint but spacious two story building made of brick and wood. Large power cables ruin the immersion of it being an old rustic inn as they run along the outside roof and along the outside walls; metal pipes sticking out amidst chimneys. The inside of the inn is far more immersive in it's atmosphere: a large fireplace crackles and burns, warming up the foyer as a few tables host guests in the entrance hall. What it lacks in the grandeur of the Grand Ebria it makes up with in it's charm. A clerk works behind a large desk, a repository of card keys hanging behind them. "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise!" The adamite approaches Polaris with a large satchel strapped around his shoulder, the weight of the bag's contents apparent from his constant adjustment of it. "Polaris, correct? I hope I'm not being too intrusive: Bers was quite the fond company on the bus and I was hoping to speak to you." He outstretches a hand to shake Polaris'. "I am Professor Avgustus Leopold. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Bers told me your group is here to see if you Mr. Fix-It could fix your guild's gear. Is that correct?" Avgustus smiles, his pearly whites shining. "Sounds like a plan. Why don't we mosey on over to the shooting range? I technically need to be there soon to oversee the competition. We can stop by a beer or cider stand and I'll grab us both a drink?" She reaches down to pick up Clover and moves to close her ajar door. "Heroica... hmm. That's the new upstart mercenary guild, isn't it?" Cassandra asks. "If I was younger I might've been compelled by such a guild... maybe, but now..." She looks down at Clover in her arms as he nuzzles against her chest. "... I'm not so sure." "I hunted pirates for Ark Victoire as a Free Captain. I was captain of the Comet of the Commonwealth. I sailed the star for five decades and hunted pirates from Aluriel to Port Drandora. It was exciting... and heartbreaking." She moves down the path and out of her yard. "I left and became mayor of Knothole. It can be boring around here, but... boring can be nice at times."

Watching the others taper off down the hall, Zaria turns to Viper, speaking to him. "If anything happens to show up that looks like a creepy crawly, shout like your life depends on it. I will try not to be too long." She leaves Viper for the time being and follows the group, as baffled as she is disturbed by the corpse in the bars. "This entire place is less a cargo freighter and more like a tomb the further we press on." She comments solemnly. "As much as I have a desire to press on, it is not out of curiosity anymore. I know what we will find."

Round 3 Turn Order Bers Attacks Cassandra: (4,3+1 Success) Two Successes vs (1,2,4) One Success. One Damage. KO! Gripping his blade, Bers slices upward, knocking Cassandra back into the snow. Despite an attempt to deflect the oncoming attack, she hits the ground as she loses the grip of her rapier, landing a few feet away from her. Bers stood victorious as Cassandra steps up, brushing herself off of the cold snow on the ground. "Well... I guess drinks are on me." Bers is Victorious! Clover scurries out from the door as Cassandra stands up, gripping her leg in a hug. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" "No, no. I'm alright, Clover. A little sore, but I should be fine." The mayor pats the dragon wyrmling on the head as she looks to Bers. "Well fought. Your armour is quite solid. Anything less and I think I might've had the upper hand. Needless to say, you're no rookie if your changing stances that well." She picks up her rapier and sheathes it into it's scabbard. "Where did you learn to fight like that, if you don't mind me asking?"

"A criminal?!" The dwarven woman looks taken aback, almost as if the thought has never crossed her mind. "Mr. Fix-It has been a pillar of our community ever since he came to our town some... oh, six months ago I believe?" The dwarven woman ponders on the circumstances for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, six months ago. He hasn't so much as hurt a flea, let alone done anything remotely criminal." MM Note: Apologies if I wasn't clear. You are free to move around to any location mentioned in town. If you wanted to go to Mr. Fix-It's workshop, you could. If you want to see what Bers is up to, you could do that too. This was meant to be a side thing for Bers, not a main thing to drag away from you two. Sorry if there was any miscommunication on my part. This is a fairly open ended mission, so if you would like to investigate a location mentioned, feel free to move there. I should note though, some locations might benefit from being together as a group. So far, the inn, the shooting range, Fix-It's workshop, and Cassandra's manor house are all areas that have been mentioned, but feel free to poke around and use the information you have to investigate. I will run Bers' combat round in a little bit.

Round 2 Turn Order Bers Moves to C2, Attacks Cassandra: (4,5+1 Success) Three Successes vs (1,2,3) Three Failures. Three Damage Cassandra attacks Bers: (4,5+2 Successes) Four Successes vs (1,5+1 Success) Two Successes Two Damage Bers' feint succeeds with spectacular fashion, nearly knocking Cassandra off her feet. She takes a moment to recuperate as her rapier holds out against a follow up attack from the adamite in a flash of steel. Cassandra's rapier finds its way back into a spot between Bers armour as it punctures through. Cassandra removes the hair from her eyes, as she takes a few deep breaths. She smiles. "Either you knock me on my megablocks here, or your buying drinks, Bers. Come and show me what you've got!" The Hero Designation: B3R5 - 3rk (Dutch Thriceman) Age: Unknown, Gender: Mechanical, Race: Adamite Character Points: 0 / 14 Vitality: 2 / 6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 2, Intimidation 2, Athletics 2 Known Spells: None Credits: 85 Equipment: Chain-Greatsword (Standard Kinetic Weapon) Mecha-Plate (Standard Kinetic Armour) Inventory: Shield Booster, Energy Cell, Nanite Elixer, 2 Plasma Potions, Sawn-Off Shotgun (Standard Short Range Kinetic Weapon) The "Enemy" Mayor Cassandra Skyreach Vitality: 1/6 Velocity: 3 Strength: 3 Skill: 3 Smarts: 2 Proficiencies: Piloting 2, Insight 2, Persuasion 2, Melee Weapons 2 Spirit: --- Equipment: Captain's Power Rapier (Precision Kinetic Melee Weapon), Protective Leather Coat (Standard Energy Armour), Utility Belt (+1 success on Medicine and Engineering checks) Inventory: Essence of Precaution Credits: 220 Special Rule: Sparring Match- When a character hits zero vitality, they are not considered unstable. Combat ends when either character hits zero vitality. Health will be restored to full at the end of combat. MM Note: Everyone else holding up alright? C_S? samurai-turtle? If there's issues, let me know.

"Neither. My group and I were hired to find out what happened to the Valencia, but it seems that all hell's broken loose in here." Zaria replies. She appreciated the nonchalant attitude Viper was taking, but she briefly observes him to see if he was nervous or not. She notices Kirwin and Merei enter the room and furrows her brow. "Yes. There is a number of us here. The lawyer should be here shortly." She thinks on the subject at hand. "Would you mind telling me how you got in this cell? A talented stowaway tends to not get caught."

Zaria relaxed at the sight of the person of the cell. A cell. As much as she was wary of the stranger, the sight of him in an impromptu cell made her feel a twinge of remorse for him. "In a place like this?" Zaria replies. "I have come to learn you cannot be over-armed in this hellish nightmare space." She approaches the bars. "My name is Zaria. Who might you be?"

Maybe! Needless to say, good to see you, MDM. I hope life's been treating you well.

Round One of the Sparring Match Turn Order Bers Attacks Cassandra- (4,4+1 Success) Three Successes vs (1,3,4) One Success. Two Damage to Cassandra Cassandra Attacks Bers- (4,6+2 Successes) Four Successes vs (1,5+1 Success) Two Successes Two Damage. Moves to D2 Bers opens up the duel with a hefty swing, striking Cassandra and catching her off guard, her rapier doing little to block the weight of the adamite's blade. She stumbles as she moves from her position on the stairs and into the snow, deftly parrying Bers' follow up swing as she moves against his strike. She responds by striking Bers with her thin blade as he opens himself up for an attack. While Bers' swing and stance have more weight behind them, he quickly finds that Cassandra's form with a rapier is equal parts precision as it is insight into his openings. Cassandra grins as she returns to a fighting stance. "Good opening strike, Bers. You have better form than most of the moronic pirates I hunted down. Now then, show me more of what you're made of." She prepares herself for Bers' next move. Designation: B3R5 - 3rk (Dutch Thriceman) Age: Unknown, Gender: Mechanical, Race: Adamite Character Points: 0 / 14 Vitality: 4 / 6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 2, Intimidation 2, Athletics 2 Known Spells: None Credits: 85 Equipment: Chain-Greatsword (Standard Kinetic Weapon) Mecha-Plate (Standard Kinetic Armour) Inventory: Shield Booster, Energy Cell, Nanite Elixer, 2 Plasma Potions, Sawn-Off Shotgun (Standard Short Range Kinetic Weapon) The "Enemy" Mayor Cassandra Skyreach Vitality: 4/6 Velocity: 3 Strength: 3 Skill: 3 Smarts: 2 Proficiencies: Piloting 2, Insight 2, Persuasion 2, Melee Weapons 2 Spirit: --- Equipment: Captain's Power Rapier (Precision Kinetic Melee Weapon), Protective Leather Coat (Standard Energy Armour), Utility Belt (+1 success on Medicine and Engineering checks) Inventory: Essence of Precaution Credits: 220 Special Rule: Sparring Match- When a character hits zero vitality, they are not considered unstable. Combat ends when either character hits zero vitality. Health will be restored to full at the end of combat. Meanwhile... "Well, I suppose that makes sense. Chimerans haven't been around for a very long time. Well, I hope in some capacity you adopt some of our traditions into your personal life. Harvest Week may end with the Day of Solitude, but it's a reminder that we all have a responsibility and a role to play in our communities: no one is comfortable unless we are all comfortable." The dwarven woman points down the street to the far end of town. "If you're looking for Mr. Fix-It's workshop, just keeping following the road until you see the barn: that's it. There's a small wind turbine outside the building, but most likely you'll find it from the crowd of people outside." She sighs and leans on the table, fondly looking down the street. "I swear, that Fix-It's a real saviour, I tell you."

"I think calling this scene upsetting is putting it mildly, Merei." Zaria comments, disturbed by the scene in the cargo corridor. The silence was more off-putting than the corpses. Normally there was sounds, ambience to go along with carnage and death. This was more akin to a painting or tapestry, one which was painted by a grim artist devoid of compassion. Gripping her khopesh, she moved to peer around the corner and look down the hallway leading to the Secure Cargo Hold.

"I am ready to head out whenever. I have a feeling Linda knows more about the current situation, and I would very much like to have a word with her." Zaria states intensely.

"Mmm... well... okay, then." Clover skittishly remains behind the door, clearly not fully trustful of Bers yet. Cassandra smirks as she turns to see the young dragon and then back to Bers. "How about the loser buys drinks? I'm pretty sure ten credits would buy us both a cider from one of the festival vendors." Cassandra prepares with a more traditional fencing stance, lowering her sword in a preparation to respond. "Let us begin. En garde!" PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!! The Hero Designation: B3R5 - 3rk (Dutch Thriceman) Age: Unknown, Gender: Mechanical, Race: Adamite Character Points: 0 / 14 Vitality: 6 / 6 Velocity: 2 Strength: 3 Skill: 2 Smarts: 1 Spirit: 1 Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 2, Intimidation 2, Athletics 2 Known Spells: None Credits: 85 Equipment: Chain-Greatsword (Standard Kinetic Weapon) Mecha-Plate (Standard Kinetic Armour) Inventory: Shield Booster, Energy Cell, Nanite Elixer, 2 Plasma Potions, Sawn-Off Shotgun (Standard Short Range Kinetic Weapon) The "Enemy" Mayor Cassandra Skyreach Vitality: 6 Velocity: 3 Strength: 3 Skill: 3 Smarts: 2 Proficiencies: Piloting 2, Insight 2, Persuasion 2, Melee Weapons 2 Spirit: --- Equipment: Captain's Power Rapier (Precision Kinetic Melee Weapon), Protective Leather Coat (Standard Energy Armour), Utility Belt (+1 success on Medicine and Engineering checks) Inventory: Essence of Precaution Credits: 220 Special Rule: Sparring Match- When a character hits zero vitality, they are not considered unstable. Combat ends when either character hits zero vitality. Health will be restored to full at the end of combat.

"We are making it back to the hall." Zaria replies to Merei, smiling wearily. "Things may be bleak, but that is no reason to get complacent on me." "Well, the Hydra being contained to the cargo section no longer seems to be the case. Do you know anything about the whereabouts of Doctor Linda Greenlaw?" Zaria asked the dwarf.

What if we limited the amount of times Meditate could be used? As in you can only meditate once per mission?

"Oh, I didn't mean to sound offended, dearie." The dwarven woman replies. "I can't say I know much about chimera culture, or the cultures of many other species, but I think it's important to have an open mind when dealing with strangers. It tends to bring in more profits." The dwarven woman giggles to herself. "Are you here for the festivities? Or are you here to see Mr. Fix-It? We get so many visitors nowadays ever since he moved in." -Meanwhile...- Cassandra leads Bers towards the far end of Knothole, through the crowds and merriment-making to a rustic looking manor house on a hill. The house was painted a muddy red, with gardens surround the grounds. Frost-bitten flora sprinkle the white, snowy ground with pinks, whites, oranges and purples. Like most of the town, the manor house is adorn with Harvest Week decorations: garland, branches of holly and sprig, and other bushels of fragrant spice plants accentuate the home's pillars and balconies. A large sun room extends from the house, full of tropical plants and bushes. As the two approach the front door, it opens to reveal a small, purple winged lizard. "Cassandra! You're home!" The dragon wyrmling pipes up, it's wings flapping excitedly. The dragon recoils at the sight of Bers. "Wh-who's your... um..." "It's alright, Clover. This is Bers. He wishes to duel to me." The dragon's nervousness increases, as he steps back to hide behind the door. "... you're going to fight him?" "Well, no. We're going to spar." Cassandra swiftly draws her rapier, levelling it towards Bers. "Alright, we need to lay down some rules. We are not fighting to the death. First to fall over loses. No preparation prior. Just your skill with your sword and your wits. No ranged weapons. Do these terms sound fair to you? Perhaps you'd like to make a wager?" Cassandra smirks, enjoying the excitement as Clover peers out from behind the door, equally curious as he is terrified.

Perhaps meditate can only restore half of a PCs Spirit and always activates at the end of combat? So you always get back at least half your spirit at the end of combat instead of meditating?

Zaria holds a hand out to help the dwarf up. "It's time to get you to safety. My name is Zaria, and I am a priestess of Varuth. We've been sent to help you. Mind giving me your name?" Zaria asks the dwarf. She knew she looked weary from all this death surrounding her, but she knew if there was one person who needed protection, she had an obligation to help.

Zaria makes an attempt to wake up the dwarf. She kneels down and begins to speak to him, shaking him if need be. "Are you alright? It is not safe and we need to get you out of here. Varuth's guidance will be with us, friend."

Yelana Insight Check (DC:2): (1,2,4,6) Two Successes Yelana comes to the conclusion that likely what the mayor is interested in is Bers combat prowess, and less so a desire to flirt with the adamite. Yelana Stealth Check (DC: 2): (1,4,6,6 +1 Success) Four Successes Yelana Persuasion Check (DC: 5): (1,4,5 +1 Success) Three Successes Yelana successfully sneaks up behind the two humans in the crowd, but does little to deescalate the situation. Upon speaking, the man jumps in surprise. "GAH! What the- who the hell just sneaks up behind people?!" "Are you trying to agitate my brother, girl?" The woman asks Yelana bitingly. "Don't give me that lip! I saw you eavesdropping on my sister and I! Didn't your mum ever tell you it's rude to stare?" As the man begins working himself up into a furor, the woman puts a hand on the man's shoulder. "C'mon, let's move along, Toby. There's no reason to start a scene." Toby turns from his sister back to the two heroes and exhales sharply, snorting as he does so. "I'm keeping my eyes on you two. You're both a bunch of sneak thieves if you ask me." Toby responds, pointing to himself with two fingers and then throwing them back at Yelana and Polaris. The two humans walk away from the stall and into the crowd. "I have no idea what was up with those two, but how about a cookie to get your mind off of that bit of nastiness, eh?" The chocolate chip cookies are soft and warm, the chocolate chips inside gooey and rich, while not being too sweet to become overpowering. The cookie was close to divine. "My husband does all the cookies and pastries while I knead and bake all the breads and pretzels we sell. Traditionally dwarves would use a family forge for many purposes: the word hearth and forge are same in the dwarven language. You bake with the forge, you heat iron and metal in the forge: it is a place of creation and community. Families come together and pass down their skills and traditions around the forge."

Zaria stands up and moves to the other person on the floor, looking them over to see if they're injured.

"Well, let's be off then, Blader." Mayor Cassandra leads Bers through the crowd towards her home. MM Note: I'll be giving you an update soon regarding what happens next. "I would hope most of our contestants would be understand how to handle a firearm responsibly, but if something happens I will remember your offer. We do have some medics on site, but so long as you know what you're doing I won't step between you and someone who's injured." The baked goods stall had signage advertising the pastries sold: Stonehearth Bakery. A dwarven man steps forward, bundled up in a orange coat. The sounds of a cooing infant strapped to his back interrupt him occasionally as they laugh and blow raspberries. "Are you interested in any of our baked goods, their ma'am? All are made with hand-kneaded dough and baked in an authentic dwarven forge. Here, try one our cookies!" He holds out a tray of cookies for Polaris, grinning as he does so. The dwarven woman working the stall readjusts her thick, round glasses as she plainly addresses Polaris. "We sell bread, pies, cookies, tarts, cakes, pretzels, and... yeah, that's just about it. Anything pique your interest?" -Stonehearth Bakery- Ancient Grains Bread - 5 Credits Salted Pretzels - 5 Credits Fluffy Croissant - 5 Credits Vanilla Creme Pie - 10 Credits Black Forest Cake - 15 Credits Polaris Perception Check (DC: 3): (4,4,4) Three Successes While speaking to the dwarves, Polaris manages to overhear the two humans speaking to one another in a hushed tone. The male side eyes his partner as he browses the baked goods. "There's a lot of guns coming into town." "You're way too paranoid. Calm down, dude." "Paranoid?! I-I'm not paranoid!" The man raises his voice as he addresses his partner, looking around to see if anyone notices him. He looks at Polaris, squinting his eyes. "What are you looking at, furball, huhl?"

Zaria frowns in dismay at the state of the woman as she examines her. So much death, and for what? "I feel like we should at least speak to him before we do anything hasty." Zaria points to the man on the floor. "I would prefer not being jettisoned out into space."