The Defenestration of Hawklor

[texlaw1992]

[Same here TG, but have friends in from Canada, so I have to be a good host]

Ok, I suggest we continue to Syr once the dragon is gone.

[thingirl]

That sounds like a good plan.

[zmflavius]

You arrive at the outskirts of the great city. A man rides out to meet you, explaining that Lord Sentaron has learned of your arrival, and he (the man you just met) will escort you to him (Lord Sentaron).

You wonder how Lord Sentaron found out you arrived so quickly, but decide not to dwell on something so petty.

[texlaw1992]

We actually made it!

Let's see if Arcana / Lore / Divination can tell us anything about what we'll encounter in Syr.

Assuming no great evil comes to light, let's go inside and meet Lord Sentaron.

[thingirl]

Agreed, unless something comes up, let's go meet him.

[zmflavius]

You make it to the palace without event, and are admitted to Lord Sentaron's solar.

After a long string of formalities, Lord Sentaron explains the nature of his job offer, which necessitates a rather long backstory.


Two thousand years ago, towards the end of the Age of Araludon, and the beginning of the First Interepochal Period, the Demon Lord Araludon launched one final attempt to destroy the world of Sryth. This took the form of a silent infiltration of ninety sleeper agents, who scouted out a location suitable for creating a gigantic "Gate Nexus," essentially a huge, one-way shadow path that would allow him to quickly deploy thousands of troops quickly and at the same time. This worked by establishing multiple "minor gates" in various points in the many worlds he ruled. When he gave the signal for attack, all these minor gates would be opened, and a large army would proceed through each, allowing him to send dozens of armies into Sryth, adding another world to his trans-planar empire. The location he selected was Syr.

Syr was suitable for a number of reasons; It was easily defensible in case one of the first armies he deployed would be defeated and forced to fall back to defend the Gate Nexus. In addition, a little to the north west was a gigantic series of tomb complexes, with hundreds of natural guardians, and the significance of which I will explain either. Syr also was the resting place of the Emblem of the Tysian Crown, an immensely powerful but sealed (with a complex code) energy source which had two purposes:

1) As an emergency energy source for use in times of national crisis
2) When someone touched the Emblem, it would glow white, unless the person was the rightful ruler of Tysa. In that case, it would glow bright blue. There is no way to fool the emblem, and it's part of the crowning ceremony of the King of Tysa. Of course, the energy source was moved to Talinus after these events, but that's another story.

Basically, the time came, and Araludon attacked Syr, and conquered it. After a long war, Araludon was nevertheless defeated, and soon held only Syr out of an empire that had once comprised most of the Northern Broadlands and the Freelands. When this occurred, Araludon set up a powerful binding spell, so that when the people of Sryth sealed the Gate Nexus to close the flow of troops, there remained enough of a link to Araludon's primary realm (which had been shattered and utterly ruined by the magical side effects of sealing the Gate Nexus), so that if Araludon eventually regained his power, he could re-open the Gate Nexus, and repay the defeat he had been handed. The people of Sryth, having defeated Araludon in Sryth, now had two choices, follow Araludon to his own realm, and try and destroy him once and for all, which would require the consumption of the remaining power in the Gate Nexus, or to use this remaining power to permanently seal off Araludon's realm as completely as they could. It was judged that the second course was wiser, for Araludon, though much weakened, along with his realm, still was extremely powerful in his home realm, shattered as it was. Furthermore, if they failed, Araludon would be able to enlist the aid of other Demon Lords, for they would not have sealed off Araludon's realm, and the problem would resurface in a few generations, only to be worse.

But back to the magical link.

It was well-known to the magicians sealing off Araludon's realm that this was only a temporary measure, for Araludon had not been able to conceal his magical link between his world and the world of Sryth. All they could do was to block it up as best as they could. But because of the fact that the spell sealing the gate and Araludon's Realm would deteriorate eventually due to the natural deterioration of spells, and because the magical link only made the deterioration effect worse (for Araludon could only break the seal so long as the seal deteriorated enough), they created a reinforcement spell, to be cast once every one thousand years, that would reinforce the sealing spell. The day of the second re-sealing is approaching, but there is a serious problem.

The Cult of Araludon was an organization of evil people who worshipped Araludon, and knew enough of magical theory in order to turn the reinforcement spell into a release spell, to destroy the seals holding in place Araludon. If Araludon were to be released, then all the work of sealing him in the first place would be in vain, for by now, he has surely repaired his realm, though he cannot break the sealing spell. With the Age of Igtheon imminent, this would present another crisis on top of the existing one. But while the Cult of Araludon is barely a shadow of its glory days, an incident three hundred years ago caused our work to nearly be in vain.

Due to difficulties in security in Tysa, a privateer called Death’s Shadow, commanded by the Tysian Crown, was ordered to take the only existing copy of the reinforcement spell from its home in Talinus to a port in the Phaiglae Sea, from which it could be sent to Asphyr, to be guarded by the Grey Circle in Anarain, judged the most secure location in Sryth. This privateer was commanded by a sorceress, who held great mastery of the elements and was extremely powerful in magic as well. It was judged that this would be the safest method of transportation, since there was a large rebellion occurring in Tysa.

It was not.

(cut in two for space)

[zmflavius]

The Cult of Araludon, though almost completely powerless nowadays, was extremely powerful back then, and had even infiltrated the Tysian government. They assassinated King Daereald IV, and in the brief interregnum, they ordered three Tysian warships whose captains were not privy to the mission of Death’s Shadow, to destroy the privateer, which they claimed was associated with the rebels. Death’s Shadow was taken by surprise, and sunk in the Deadwater Shoals. Fortunately, the Grey Circle in Talinus had cast a binding spell which bound the sorceress, her crew, and the ship to this world and to the reinforcement spell, so that in the event of a disaster like this, they could search for it. The binding spell would expire when the reinforcement spell copy was back in the hands of the sorceress, who would be able to use the ghost ship to transport the spell to the original destination, where the Grey Circle would retrieve it. This binding spell, unfortunately, used the wand of the sorceress as a material focus, and due to bad luck, it washed ashore, and was found by an antiques dealer, and for three hundred years it was lost.

But in the nick of time, it was found by the Grey Circle that a mage called Yirsinn, also not privy to the secret of Death’s Shadow, had discovered the wand. We contacted the sorceress, and she managed to enlist the aid of an adventurer who later retrieved it, and returned it to the sorcerer. But the sorcerer disappeared after receiving the wand, so obviously the reinforcement spell was destroyed by the elements or the Cult after the sinking of Death’s Shadow.

Time has been running out, but the Grey Circle has contrived a plan. A young scholar recently discovered the location of two of a set of four magical artifacts, who have an even longer backstory that I have not the desire to relate, due to the general tediousness of that backstory, are rumoured to have a powerful sealing effect more powerful than that of the original sealing spell, but which would also seal off the magical link, and which would not deteriorate. The Grey Circle always has possessed one of them, as has the Crown of Tysa, but unless all four are gathered, they are nothing more than useless trinkets. One was found to be hidden inside the giant series of tomb complexes I mentioned earlier, which is Vorenthan in nature, and has a history dating back to the War of Six Kings, and is another story I have not the time to relate right now. The other is apparently in the possession of famed retired adventurer Tallys.

We never really considered the Storm’s Lament set seriously up until the serendipitous discovery of the existence of the last two objects because the disappearance of the last two objects from historical record caused us to assume that the Idol and the Sword were destroyed in some historical accident or something. The sword is in the possession of Tallys, who apparently did not realize the significance of it, probably since the Sword was part of a huge haul he got from some dragon, and he hadn’t checked it over that carefully. We just need someone to bring the Sword here so we can reunite it with the Eye of Storm’s Lament, and the Shield of Storm’s Lament.

The Idol is another matter.

It is in the tomb complex of some Vorenthan warlord, and unlike the other three artifacts, has some power by itself, mostly to control the weather. We think it’s made of ravenbone, which is useful in itself. A number of groups are jockeying for it, and we have reason to believe that Ziard attempted to send one of its agents to seize the Idol at the Vorenthan tomb complex it is hidden in. Apparently, the agent was unsuccessful, but I have reason to believe that Ziard will attempt to take it once again, as soon as it gets its house in order, which will probably be in a few weeks.

Once we have the Idol and the Sword, we will move them to the Gate Nexus, or rather, a secret chamber connected to my castle around a hundred feet below the Nexus. The sealing effect will be just as effective there. We will require around sixteen adventurers with considerable stamina (I reckon 175 SP ought to do the trick), but also with good fighting ability, the ability to think outside the box, and reasonable critical thinking skills and intelligence. I reckon a tournament ought to do the trick. We will have to do this around a year from now, during an alignment of the planets which will permit the Storm Lament set to be at its most powerful.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to retrieve the Sword from Tallys (asking nicely ought to do the trick), and to retrieve the idol from the Vorenthan tomb complex it is hidden in. Should any member of your team be caught or killed, I will disavow all knowledge of your actions. Also, your cup of palo will self-destruct in five seconds. Nah, just kidding.

Oh, and if you have any questions, do ask. Especially if it turns out the script I was reading from has some poorly written bits or some plot holes.

[texlaw1992]

Sounds right up our alley - nothing like exploring old Vorenthan tombs and having a chat with Tallys. Ladies, your thoughts?

[thingirl]

(I hate it when 2 people are typing at the same time....)

"Sure, why not. But why do I have this feeling that some weird time warp is gonna take me and Lance, but not Myre?"

"Because you're always full of strange ideas that never happen..."

[zmflavius]

So...which mission do you intend to complete first?

[texlaw1992]

Let's go have a chat with Tallys first. He was quite helpful getting me those bills of sale back in the days of the Ziard trial, so hopefully he'll be equally helpful this go-round.

[zmflavius]

Ok...so there are two roads to Tallys, through Central Tysa, or the direct route to the Edgelands. Normally, you would just go directly, but since this is an RP, you suspect you will probably run into foes more lethal than a band of highwaymen.

[texlaw1992]

I feel like directness is in order, but I'll leave it to the ladies for the final decision.

[thingirl]

Let's go direct.

[zmflavius]

Ok then. This requires that you go over a mountain pass.

Partway through your ascent, you come upon what appears to be a carving of an anvil on a large stone shaped like a crown.

Your adventurer senses tell you this probably has treasure related to it.

[texlaw1992]

Arcana / Lore / Divination to see if it tells us anything else.

[zmflavius]

The stone is hollow inside.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, let's open the stone using elementalism to prevent damage to the contents.

[zmflavius]

For some reason, the stone resists your attempts.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, I'll try bashing it with Demonscourge, but not so hard as to break the contents of the stone (I'm assuming that the anvil sign indicates we should hit it with a hammer).

[thingirl]

And if that doesn't work, we'll do Divi/Arcana/Lore again to see if we can figure out how to open it.

[zmflavius]

The stone falls apart. Sir Tiriyhim mashes his that was easy button.

Inside, you find a round iron ring, around three inches in diameter. Inside the ring are two perpendicular iron bars, evidently meant for holding it. You have acquired an unidentified iron object.

[texlaw1992]

Identify the ring with Arcana / Lore / Divination.

[zmflavius]

Hmmm...

It appears to be a magical weapon of some sort.

You cannot discern any bonuses yet.

[thingirl]

Try Divi/Lore/Arcana again.

[zmflavius]

Your use of Lore determines that you might want to equip it.

[thingirl]

Seriously? Alanne volunteers to take it.

[texlaw1992]

I defer to you, fearless leader. Take the ring.

[thingirl]

Alanne takes off the Band of Gruljasa and puts on this ring.

[zmflavius]

It doesn't fit over your finger, probably because it's three inches wide, and has a crossbar. You decide to un-equip your weapon instead.

You discover that you have to un-equip your shield as well.

Suddenly, your hand feels weird.

You feel, instead of your hand, an extension of your arm into a glowing blade. At least, it looks like a blade. Actually, it looks like a large ray of energy, around two feet long.

Sir Tiriyhim stares at it, and says,

"Funny, I recall reading something about this...Ah-ha! I remember now! It's the Fabian Blade!"

[thingirl]

"The what?"

[texlaw1992]

[I hope it doesn't make you sing '50s love songs, lol]

Also Arcana / Lore / Divination to learn more about Fabian's Blade.

[zmflavius]

"Ah, yes! Fabian was a famous general during the Age of Araludon. He was a legendary unarmed combatant! The Fabian Blade reportedly gives you a bonus equivalent to your MR bonus if you were unarmed + 15 SP and 5 NV. However, the energy requirements make it so that you cannot wear a shield while carrying it."

(There was a backstory as to why the weapon is called the Fabian Blade, but it was kind of a thin connection to the real-life Fabius Maximus, and I lost it in Pennsylvania)

[texlaw1992]

Ok then, Alanne does all the fighting from now on (lol).

Let's get going to Tallys' place.

[zmflavius]

Strangely, you encounter nothing.

You arrive at Tallys' Trading post.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, let's have a chat with Tallys about the item we need from him.

[zmflavius]

Tallys ushers you into his hut and asks whether you would rather have root wine or palo.

[texlaw1992]

Palo for me.

[thingirl]

( *curses time-suckers and broken computers* )

"Same here."

"And here, Sir."

[zmflavius]

You receive your palo. How do you plan to go about asking him for the sword.

[texlaw1992]

Just explain the purpose of our visit, our need for the sword, and ask if he would turn it over to us. With Tallys, I figure the direct approach is the best approach.

[thingirl]

[Ninja....]

Agreed

[zmflavius]

Tallys agrees...on one small condition.

"You see, I am much willing to help you, but my own calculations indicate that we have a good seven to eight years to act. So a task taking only a few days ought to be of no consequence, eh? And you didn't think this quest would be that easy, did you? I would appreciate it if you took this letter to a friend of mine, who lives in Port Hallik. The address is on the envelope."

He hands you a sealed, and rather large envelope. You can feel some papers inside, as well as what feels like a small booklet between the folded papers.

[thingirl]

"Why not? It's been a while since I've gone there."

"Wait, should we be expecting anybody to ambush us?"

[texlaw1992]

Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if we got ambushed.

On the other hand, Camelot House is just outside Port Hallik, so perhaps we could take a short walk to Trithik and ride my coach back home, then all we have to do is step outside, deliver the letter, and take the coach back.

[zmflavius]

(...)

Your incredibly reliable coachman is there, and carries you on a swift, and mostly uneventful journey to Port Hallik.

But just outside the city, a band of sixteen highwaymen ride up on horses and surround the coach!

They demand that you get out or they will fill the coach with arrows.

(Also, congrats on getting your learner's permit)

[texlaw1992]

Pulls out his Shadowfire Sword - "Gentlemen, do you REALLY want to do this?"

[zmflavius]

The leader of the highwayman draws his sword. He says,

"No, I would rather not actually. However, our sources say that you are carrying an envelope containing information and documents which we must take. We will let you go in peace if you yield this envelope and all its contents as you received it. We'll even pay you."

[thingirl]

(:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D Thanks :D:D:D)

Alanne puts up a fortification barrier around the coach and the steps out threateningly. "No," she said, "I think we'll be keeping this."

[texlaw1992]

Lancelot steps out as well. "You know, most bandits ride away from me without a fight. You'd be better off doing the same."

[zmflavius]

"Really...but that's other bandits and not us. Do you even know what's within the envelope?"

[texlaw1992]

"No, but if you claim to know, why don't you enlighten us?"

[zmflavius]

"Why don't you open it and find out?"

[texlaw1992]

"Well, then who hired you to waylay us for the envelope about which you apparently know nothing?"

[zmflavius]

"Well, actually we do know, but we would like to confirm it. As for our masters, we are not permitted to reveal it."

[thingirl]

Alanne stepped in. "Oh, you think you know? Well, then, tell us, and if you find us again, we'll tell you once we open it."

[zmflavius]

"We would prefer to tell you at the same time it is opened. Also, we will not leave unless you give us the envelope."

[thingirl]

"So, if you tell us when the envelope is opened, then we're finding out for ourselves and not having you tell us? That doesn't make sense, why don't you tell us?"

[zmflavius]

"If you open the envelope, and then we tell you what we think it is, you can confirm or deny it, and if we are wrong, we will be on our way. However, if we are right, then you probably will be more inclined to surrender the envelope."

[thingirl]

"You just want to know where we hid it."

[zmflavius]

"You hid it?"

[thingirl]

[OOC: Alanne has a padded shirt on under her armour that she modified by putting pockets on the outside of. She puts importent documents and other stuff in them. It's in one of the larger pockets. Guess I forgot to post about that :o]

"Yes, and you don't want to know where."

[zmflavius]

"Whatever, just give us the envelope."

[thingirl]

Alanne makes sure the barrier around the coach will hold, then refuses.

[zmflavius]

"Listen. Why won't you give it up?"

[thingirl]

"Why should I tell you?"

[zmflavius]

"Because it's in your best interests."

[thingirl]

"How do we know that? I am convinced that your power will not seperate us from the pleasure of delivering this."

[zmflavius]

"I can assure you that it will not be your pleasure to deliver it."

[thingirl]

[OOC: Tex, if Lance has something ot say here, feel free to step in. :)]

"How do you know? What is in there?"

[texlaw1992]

[Hey, you were doing fine, so I've stayed quiet]

"Yes, what she said."

[zmflavius]

The speaker rides over to one of the other riders, and converses with him silently for a few minutes.

He then turns back and says,

"Illegal documents."

[texlaw1992]

"Illegal under what law and in what country?"

[zmflavius]

"They're forgeries, which are illegal under Tysian Law."

[thingirl]

"So why do you want them? And if they're illigal forgeries, why shouldn't I burn them?"

[texlaw1992]

"Also, how do you know they're forgeries and by what legal right do you assert a claim to them? You're not authorized representatives of any Tysian law enforcement agency, much less one with jurisdiction in such matters."

[zmflavius]

"We are in fact, affiliated with the Tysian Royal Police Force, but in such a way that it is critically important that our role not be revealed, since it would compromise the TRPF's effectiveness, and also be highly embarrassing to the Tysian Crown. We do, however, have documents on hand verifying this. And by the way, under Tysian Law, burning the documents would be destroying evidence."

[texlaw1992]

"Ok, then let's see your papers."

[zmflavius]

The man once again consults with his leader, and eventually, they show you their papers.

The Exnon agency.

You've never heard of it, but these papers look authentic.

[texlaw1992]

"Let me guess, Exnon backward is NonEx, for a non-existent agency?"

[zmflavius]

Unfazed, the man replies.

"It was meant to be a joke. We operate in secret, you realize."

[texlaw1992]

"If you operate in secret, then how can we verify your alleged identities?"

[zmflavius]

"Technically, you can't (and shouldn't). On the other hand, you could follow us (or we follow you) to an official at a high-enough level to confirm our existence."

[texlaw1992]

"And which official would that be?"

[zmflavius]

"We could travel along the Saarn Split and visit King Wenreald. I suppose Thane Monrell at Charna would work as well."

[texlaw1992]

"I have an easier solution. How about you come into our coach, we'll zip back to Trithik and you can explain yourself to our good friend Tallys?"

[zmflavius]

"Given that he is also under investigation, that is impossible."

[texlaw1992]

"Ok, I'll bite - why is he under investigation and who ordered the investigation?"

[zmflavius]

"Forgery, aiding and abetting a criminal and his actions, and several other charges which are related to Tysian foreign affairs. The investigation was ordered by the King's Secretary."

[texlaw1992]

"Who is the criminal or criminals Tallys is alleged to be aiding and abetting?"

[zmflavius]

"Unfortunately, that is classified information."

[texlaw1992]

"Ok, then we're at a stalemate. We know Tallys - we don't know you.

Two of you can come with us to meet our contact. The rest stay here. We'll sort things out inside Port Hallik."

[zmflavius]

"We would actually prefer if you let us see the contents of the envelope before doing. Barring that, we would accept allowing eight to follow you, at a distance."

[thingirl]

Alanne wispers to Lancelot, saying "I still don't bandits who won't tell us anything. I'll go with whatever you think is best here."

[texlaw1992]

"Up to know you have insisted that you knew the contents of the envelope, now you claim the need to see them first. I think our duel of words is drawing to a close. The only question is will our duel proceed to one of steel?"

[zmflavius]

"..."

I could trawl through the last 60 or so posts of our conversation.

Or I could just start a fight.

The policemen attack!

[texlaw1992]

I still don't buy that they are legitimate police.

I doubt they're any match for us - let's subdue them and tie them up. I'm sure the ladies can assist with powers as needed.

[zmflavius]

Suit yourself.

They divide into four groups of four to fight you. The leader is in the group which engages Lancelot.

[texlaw1992]

Like I said, I'll subdue them and tie them up, assuming they're attempting to do the same. If they try to use lethal force, then I'll respond in kind.

[FYI, TG told me that her time on the forum may be limited during the holidays].

[thingirl]

(Yeah, I'm going out of town, and Dad's gonna be home, so not much comp time...)

Same here; we'll subdue until they try to kill us. But where's the 4th group going? There's only 3 of us who can actually fight well.

[zmflavius]

Sir Tiriyhim. And he used to be a Ryorsilian Knight. He was one of their mightiest knights, and is still strong despite the fact that he is on the wrong side of seventy.

They are...

You know what?

Alanne and Lancelot QC them all and crush them. When was the last time you encountered a non-boss foe who wasn't 3+ to hit?

They're all 200/200 MR/SP.

Well, they're that way for Texlaw. Alanne faces one equally easy 4+ to hit foe.

Myrenne has a harder time of it. They're all 18+ to hit for her. So make that two who can fight well. She uses powers, but they have magic resistance. She fells three, but the fourth captures her.

We'll say that Sir Tiriyhim is soon about to be overwhelmed.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, I'll subdue the guy whose got Myrenne (have to help a lady in distress) and then help out Sir Tiriyim.

[thingirl]

(Says you, Tex....)

Lancelot started going after the guy who had Myrenne, except that as there was a pair of earth elementals there already. One had grabbed Myrenne (who, upon being captured, used the last of her NR to form a weak Fortification barrier between her and her foe) while the other tried to hold off the man. When Myrenne was safe, Alanne set her down and engaged the remaining of Myrenne's enemies.

(Sissies ♥ each other. :))

[texlaw1992]

Ok, as the sisters appear to have things well in hand, I'll help out Sir Tiriyhim.

[zmflavius]

You defeat them.

And...I forgot the joke I was going to slip in here.

Oh well.

Now what?

[texlaw1992]

Tie them up and search them, especially the leader. Maybe they have documents indicating who sent them and what their real agenda is.

[zmflavius]

Tie them up and search them, especially the leader. Maybe they have documents indicating who sent them and what their real agenda is.

It appears that they really do belong to an Exnon Agency.

Past that, you are unable to determine their allegiances, past what they told you.

[thingirl]

"They probably stole those documents. And besides, we're porbably already done for by defeating them. We may as well go find this guy."

[zmflavius]

Which guy?

Wait, the guy Tallys wanted you to send the envelope to?

[thingirl]

Yes.

Alanne then asked Lancelot for his thoughts.

[texlaw1992]

I'd first like to try Divination / Arcana / Lore on our new "guests" and see if we can learn anything more about them. Also, see if the leader is more inclined to be a bit communicative now that he's defeated and bound.

[zmflavius]

Your Divination reveals very little, except that they were ordered to intercept the documents by a very powerful person, and that they do belong to an Exnon Agency. Which, by the way, is more than what you normally get.

The leader refuses to talk.

[thingirl]

Maybe we could got back to the coach and seal it off and look at the documents to see what they are before deciding what to do.

[texlaw1992]

I can't remember if Tallys told us not to open the documents or not. If he didn't say one way or the other, then that may not be a bad idea.

[zmflavius]

Gah, my internet broke while typing my reply.

Because I was pretty vague on Tallys' instructions, here are them now:

"You'll do it for me? Good! Now, when you reach Port Hallik, go to the DBZ Inn. It's three blocks away from Hallik University, on Plume Street. You'll know you're there because you'll see students from the Hallik Divinity School moralizing at the other students who frequent the Inn and because it's three stories tall. Don't go to it until it's night time. Anyways, when you reach there, ask to rent room 204. He'll say its occupied. Then, ask to rent room 61. He'll give you the room key. Inside the room, there will be a timer. Set it to one hour, and when it runs out, go downstairs in no less than ten minutes. There will be a table in the corner, with a lit candle at it, and a person cursing the darkness. Go up to him, and ask for Gaius. He will tell you 'I am he.' Give him the letter. It is absolutely necessary that the letter reach him completely intact."

[texlaw1992]

[Thanks Zm. I'll wait until TG gets back from vacation before posting further].

Well, Tallys instructions appear pretty clear. I'm inclined to trust Tallys over our new "friends." Ladies, do you concur?

[Edit: Welcome Back TG!]

[thingirl]

[:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D::D:D:D:DD::D:D:DD:D:D:: D:D:D:D:D Tired + sore = not typing well/.... and being completely random!!! hahahahaha]

"Hmm, yes, I agree. Well, let's get going..."

[zmflavius]

So, are you examining in the contents.

[texlaw1992]

Well, Tallys said the letter must reach his contact completely intact, not the envelope or other conveyance in which it presently resides.

How is the envelope sealed? Can we open it and then reseal it without anyone being the wiser?

Let's first try arcana / lore / divination to see if we can magically determine what the letter says without opening the envelope.

[zmflavius]

There appears to be a magical seal, but there's no other trigger. The magical seal's sole purpose is to seal the envelope.

[texlaw1992]

Well Alanne, you're a better spellcaster than I. Do you know any way around this magical seal?

[thingirl]

"Hmm, maybe, I'll have to see what kind of seal it is..."

(@Zm: Possably a luck+arcana roll to see if she can find a way to open it?)

[zmflavius]

You need to be a grandmaster arcanist (arcana) AND sage (lore) to open it.

You need to be a grandmaster conjuror to conjure a seal of the same strength.

However, you have no idea how you could make one exactly identical, that would require some detailed magical blueprints.

[thingirl]

Could she possibly divine/examine(arcana+lore) to find at least some structure on which to figure out blueprints?

[zmflavius]

There are an infinite number of possible blueprints, and the magical seal system is designed to provide a fool-proof security system. Obviously, you could break the seal with magic, but that would require you to literally rip apart the seal, and would be like opening a door by sawing out the lock. Obviously, sawing off the lock will result in the lock not being able to be replaced without it obviously having been broken into before.

And even if you were to replace the door entirely, any sharp person would note that

1) Their door has been changed.
2) Their key does not work.

To normally unlock a magical seal, we need to take another dose of exposition.

A magical seal works thus: A magical "mini-maze" of sorts is created using conjuration. This maze creates a small area of extreme nevernal influence, with 49 small magical receptors arranged in a square. The receptors are all entrances to the mini-maze, and some of the receptors, usually 8 or 9, need to be simultaneously threaded (sticking magical energy threads into the receptor) with magical energy. The magical energy threads proceed through the receptors into the mini-maze, and after navigating the maze hits several more magical receptors. The magical threads must hit the receptors in a pre-determined order. So, if receptors 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 13 were the correct receptors, and then were threaded with magical energy, the energy receptor at the end of, say, receptor 2 might have to hit first, followed by 1, 8, 5, 3 or 13, or the seal would not open. On a side note, this would mean that the seal was a 2-1-8-5-3-13 seal. Furthermore, repeated attempts to force magical threads into the receptors will cause the seal to lock down, preventing any attempt to open the seal. Obviously, this process is still insanely difficult magically, and communicating the correct combination is just as difficult. As a result, the seals are often made using magical signet stamps. The signet stamps can make only one combination. So, for example, the signet stamp to make the above combination would be a 7-1-8-5-3-13 stamp. Signet stamps, when used, leave a small magical signature to indicate to the recipient what sort of combination there is. The signature generally remains a secret kept between sender and recipient. Signet stamps can only be used by a person with a fairly high level in conjuration, and requires the conjuror to funnel energy through the stamp and then hit the desired location. It then works rather like a seal. Magical seals are usually used to seal doors and letters. The stamps require a fairly skilled conjuror to craft them. You don't need the stamp to craft seals, but it's useful for repeated use and identification. The signatures are also functional for indicating the sender.

To open a signet stamp, you can either funnel energy threads into the seal as mentioned above, but it's usually easier to use the keys associated with the stamp. Keys are magical items which also require you to funnel magical energy into them, but much less magical skill is required, since you just have to put energy into the key, and it will direct the energy into the desired location upon placing the key on the seal. Keys are generally made for specific seals, rather like locks and keys. Multiple keys can be made for a single seal. A key cannot create a seal, it can open one. A few hybrid devices of keys and stamps have been created, but they tend to just be curiosities.

Yes, you can "pick" a magical seal. Obviously, a archmaster thief would have trouble maneuvering around one of the complexity you face right now, and they need fairly high conjuration as well. The much easier method is to use magical energy and "slice off" the seal. This destroys the seal, but also leaves a ragged magical footprint. An expert thief can destroy most seals, with high enough arcana/conjuration ability, and a adept thief can destroy one without the magical footprint. Of course, this really is no more elegant than breaking a lock using might, and the missing seal will be noticed.

Questions, comments, concerns, criticisms?

[thingirl]

(OOC question: how long did that take you to come up with?)

"Dammit. It's magical. I'm not going to try to open it. I could get it open, but the end result would be somewhat similar to smashing your way through a locked door. Now, I trust Tallys for the most part, let's just get going and deliver this already."

[zmflavius]

(About the same time I planned the entire arc. I promise you, I planned this entire arc)

[thingirl]

(I promise you, I planned this entire arc)

(If you say so....)

[texlaw1992]

"Ok ladies, let's go deliver the letter."

[zmflavius]

The rest of your journey is uneventful.

You arrive in Port Hallik at 2:00 PM.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, let's find our contact.

[zmflavius]

Ok, after following Tallys's instructions, you enter the inn. The innkeeper is washing the counter. You see several people in groups of two and three at separate tables carrying on low conversations. In one corner, someone, clearly a student at Hallik University, is standing on an empty crate and yelling about something. Meanwhile, across the room, a professor of Theology famous for being fairly liberal in comparison to most of his colleagues is addressing a group of six or seven people. Four or five old men sit at a round table, playing a card game. Then, you see in the furthest corner, a large table which could seat ten people, and has ten chairs around it, but at which only one person sits at. You only failed to notice this because the corner there is dark and despite being night, is lit only by a single candle. A single person wearing a dark red cloak and hood fitted with a golden clasp sits there. His face is obscured, and he appears to be writing in a notebook and mumbling something.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, if the ladies concur, we'll follow Tallys' instructions

[as set forth in post #2115]

[thingirl]

"It's the guy in the corner. But, let's do follow the procedure..."

[zmflavius]

"I am he."

After a short pause, he speaks again.

"I believe you have something for me?"

[thingirl]

(Tex, you can do the talking here. And you can have me hand over the envelope when it's time. Alanne is holding it in her hand covered with her cloak.)

[texlaw1992]

"What is your name and what is the password?"

[zmflavius]

"As I believe you told me, I am Gaius. And what password do you speak of?"

(OOC: I don't think I gave you a password in 2115...)

[texlaw1992]

[You didn't give us a password - just testing out Gaius]

"Ok Alanne, this looks like our guy. You have something for him."

[zmflavius]

He takes the envelope and thanks you. About half an hour later, he leaves in the direction of the Hallik University campus.

Suddenly, as he proceeds down the block, you see someone move in the same direction, but unmistakably following him.

[texlaw1992]

Let's watch the watcher and follow the follower.

[zmflavius]

You attempt to follow them, but in the darkness, you eventually lose them at Peacock Road. This road is in an upper-class part of Port Hallik, and the inhabitants tend to take poorly to dirty adventurers mucking around their nice, clean, sanitized district.

Suddenly, you see a suspicious sight on top of one of the houses. Some fat guy in red appears to be breaking and entering through a chimney!

[texlaw1992]

Well, it COULD be Kringol, but ... it could also be a thief.

Do we see a sleigh drawn by griffons or some other flying creature?

[zmflavius]

Actually...no.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, let's take a closer look and see what's going on.

Also, try thievery / woodsmanship to see if we can find where the person we were following went.

[zmflavius]

You see he has a sack full of boxes slung across his back.

Unfortunately, both appear to have disappeared. However, you see footprints entering one of the houses.

[texlaw1992]

I'm thinking we should split up, one group checking out Rengol, the other following the footprints. Ladies, your thoughts?

[Edit: Duly corrected Scarbrow]

[Scarbrow]

(Sorry to intrude, I've been lurking here for a while. Good narration, ZM, BTW. I think you mean Rengol (http://sryth.wikia.com/wiki/Quest:A_Cold_Winter%27s_Night), Tex?)

[thingirl]

('s OK, Scarbrow. :) )

Myrenne follows Rengol while everyone else tries to pick up the trail of the follower.

[zmflavius]

As Myrenne reaches the roof, she sees Rengol climb out the chimney, his sack slightly smaller. He slides down the opposite side of the roof to a sleigh with a dozen reindeer hitched to it.

The house is a rather large and expensive-looking townhouse.

[thingirl]

(Dang it.... She doesn't know the legends.......)

Myrenne reasons that, if the sack is less full, he must be doing good. Then again, she thought, he could be leaving compensaon for murder. She tries to approach him.

[zmflavius]

(She doesn't?)

Rengol sees her. He asks her what she's doing here.

[thingirl]

(*headdesk* That's what I get posting when I'm tired...)

"Well, Tallys had a misson for us. We delivered something to someone, but he was followed out of the meeting place. So Alanne followed the person following our contact. Then we saw you and didn't get a good look at you and thought ou might be someone up to no good. So I followed you and didn't see your sleigh until just a bit before you saw me."

[zmflavius]

"Oh. Ok then. He tosses four packages up to Myrenne, with instructions to give one to each member of her party. He then slides down into his sleigh, and it flies off."

[thingirl]

Myrenne goes to find everyone else.

(OOC: Shouldn't that be 5 pouches? Alanne, Myrenne, Lancelot, Sir T., and Python?)

[zmflavius]

...Oh right. I forgot about Python. Five packages.

[thingirl]

So Myrenne goes to find the rest of the group.

[zmflavius]

She finds the group and delivers the gifts.

[thingirl]

They continue tracking their contact's tracker. (Unless Tex wants to open the boxes now.)

[texlaw1992]

Not my holiday, but hey, a gift's a gift. Let's see what's in the box.

[thingirl]

Fine. They all open their boxes.

[zmflavius]

Each box contains a roughly fist sized lump of black rock.

[thingirl]

They examine them to find out whatt they are. (Divi/arcana/lore)

[zmflavius]

You cannot determine any magical properties, but your skill of lore reveals some stuff.



The rock is combustible
It resembles something blacksmiths might use as fuel.

[texlaw1992]

[C'mon TG, I'm not Christian and I get it, lol]

Sigh, a lump of coal, what a surprise.

[thingirl]

(*headdesk* I've never really been into the whole Santa thing. I knew the truth since I was.... IDK. I can't remember learning. So probably like 2 or 3. And same with my sisters, so no lording it over them "give that back or you'll only get coal from Santa!" or anything. So, yeah........

And, besides, I thought it was ravenbone. :p Ahh, too much to hope for... And it could have been magic coal or something....)

"Really? Myre, you brought us coal?"

"Well.... Rengol told me to bring them......... Maybe we'll find a use. Other than the obvious."

"No matter. Let's see if we can follow the trail."

[zmflavius]

Of Gaius, right?

[thingirl]

Of Gaius, right?

I'm not sure if you told us his name. Our contact and his follower.

[zmflavius]

The contact was Gaius, his follower is unknown.

So...you follow him.


The house is a rather large and expensive-looking townhouse.

And...if that post was unclear, this is where the footprints led.

[thingirl]

Oh. I thought you meant that was where Rengol had just been.

They look for any evidence that would indicate a struggle or Gaius knowing he's been followed.

[zmflavius]

One set of footprints enters the house, the other heads down the street.

[thingirl]

Can we divine who belongs to which set of footprints?

[zmflavius]

The follower is moving away from the house, and Gaius is entering the house.

[texlaw1992]

Some of us should follow the follower, others follow Gaius.

Which say you, fearless leader?

[thingirl]

"Well, unless something like this was to happened, I had been planing on going back to Tallys. I trust him, mostly... Let's all of us follow this follower."

[zmflavius]

So...your collective decision is?

[thingirl]

4 votes everyone follow the follower (A, M, P, and Sir T because Sir T goes with the magority unles you have something importent to say about the majority vote).

So I'll let Tex decide if he wants to go with us or investigate Gaius and meet up somewhere some time later.

[zmflavius]

Ok...considering Tex's above post, how do you wish to split the party?

[thingirl]

Well, unless he says otherwise....

Let's send Lance and Myrenne to spy on Gaius and the other three to track the other dude.

[texlaw1992]

Works for me - I wanted to spend some time alone with Myrenne anyway, hadn't had much of a chance since we left Ziard.

[thingirl]

I don't know weather I should have her slap you or kick you or employ her sister's favorite underhand tactic...

Oh, interpretations mean so much... ;)

[zmflavius]

You attempt to track the follower. Eventually, he reaches the main street of Port Hallik, which has been swept clean of snow. However, you're fairly certain that since you don't see him walking down the long street, he entered one of the buildings.

Meanwhile...

Ok. You stand in front of the house Gaius entered.

[texlaw1992]

[Lancelot and Myrenne sneak off to a tavern, get a room and ... lol, just kidding]

Use Divination to see if we can determine what Gaius is doing inside.

[zmflavius]

Gaius is apparently in bed. For the record, it's by himself.

[texlaw1992]

Well Myrenne, what do you say to a little quiet late-night reconaissance (perhaps regarded as breaking & entering in some circles)?

[thingirl]

"Well, you're not going to put this to rest until we do, so why not? Oh, but first, excuses for if we get caught. I'm your daughter. Nothing else. Is that clear?"

[zmflavius]

[OOC: Wait a second, I know that Alanne's supposed to be 21, what about everyone else. I'm guessing Python's in his twenties or thirties, and I'm putting Sir Tiriyhim at nearly seventy]

[thingirl]

[I think said something in this thread about Lancelot being 40 or close to it. Myrenne is 18 (Or so I say in this thread :p).]

[texlaw1992]

I hadn't planned on specifying any type of relationship, familial or otherwise, but daughter is fine. Just don't call me "Daddy" - that'd be, well, too weird.

Let's look around for the easiest way in, presumably a back door or window. Then we'll look around and see what we can find, if anything.

[zmflavius]

It's a townhouse.

(OOC: And Lancelot's 40, and still chasing women?)

[texlaw1992]

[Lancelot's hardly "chasing" Myrenne, but don't you 20-somethings know that 40 is the new 30 (lol)].

Ok, let's go in the back door and quietly look around a bit. Of course, before going in let's use divination / arcana / lore to make sure there are no magical or other alarms.

[zmflavius]

Actually, there is no back door. The townhouse's back is filled with another block of townhouses, and the nature of the townhouse means there's no side alleys anyhow.

[thingirl]

[Thinks of many things regarding 40 somethings chasing women. Then doesn't say anything beccause she can't think of anything that isn't mildly insulting. :)]

Window? Arcana/Divi to make sure it's not trapped first.

[zmflavius]

None of the windows are trapped.

[thingirl]

"Well, Lance, it was your idea to track him in the first place. You get a window open without leaving evidence."

[texlaw1992]

[You'll understand when you get older - ah, memories ...]

Ok, Myrenne, you're smaller - I'll open the window and boost you inside first, then I'll follow.

[thingirl]

"Ehh, OK. No wonder you get along so well with Alanne..."

[zmflavius]

You get in suprisingly easily.

[texlaw1992]

Ok, let's look around (quietly) and see if we can find anything indocating what Gaius and Tallys have planned. We'll use Divination / Arcana / Lore to help us spot anything of significance.

[zmflavius]

This appears to be a normal residential house. The letter has been opened, but the information has been locked in a safe. Most of the items in the house are mundane or unrelated to Gaius or Tallys, except, incidentally, the items in this safe.

[thingirl]

"I'm not helping you break into the safe. I'll stand guard while you do it, but I'm not touching the thing..."

[texlaw1992]

Sigh, why is it everyone expected the lawyers to do the dirty work?

Lancelot used Divination / Arcana / Lore to check for traps/alarms on the safe and to divine the combination (if it's a combination lock). Assuming it's just a locked iron/steel box, Lancelot uses thievery to open it and check out the contents.

[zmflavius]

The lock is a combination lock, and you divine the combination correctly...hopefully. No way to tell if you failed unless you fail to open the safe.

You detect two alarms, one which is just wired to the lock, and set to go off if someone attempts to unlock the safe with the wrong combination, and the other which automatically goes off if the safe is opened.

[texlaw1992]

Use thievery to disarm the alarms, then use the combo to open the safe (assuming the alarms are disarmed - too much rhyming).

[zmflavius]

You're certain you disabled the first alarm, but you can find no way of getting to the second lock, short of drilling or breaking into the safe.

[texlaw1992]

So I have the right combination and can enter it, but the second alarm goes off just because the safe is open? That makes no sense, unless there's a shutoff switch somewhere, otherwise the constabulary would come to Gaius' house every time he opened it. I'll use thievery, divination. lore, arcana, and anything else to find the shutoff for the second alarm, which must be here somewhere.

[zmflavius]

Because Gaius can't shut off the alarm, this makes the alarm incredibly difficult to disable, because it's designed to go off whenever the safe opens, and thus, is placed in such a way that it cannot be opened from the outside, and also has no existing mechanisms that can shut it off. Furthermore, the alarm is only loud enough to be heard clearly within the house. And anyways, the inhabitants of the house would not be surprised if the alarm were to go off during day time, since it would be "Gaius is working on something," but if it were to go off at night time it would either be, "GAIUS, GO BACK TO BED!" or "THERE'S A BURGLAR IN THE HOUSE!"

[thingirl]

"I told you it would be a bad idea to come here... Maybe we can catch up to everyone else and come back in the morning?"

[texlaw1992]

Yes, well, there's little point in doing this if we can't be stealthy, and Gaius hasn't done anything to us to warrant making him mad. Let us leave and try to get some further nformation from him tomorrow.

[zmflavius]

Ok, you sneak out of Gaius's house.

Meanwhile, what do Alanne, Sir Tiriyhim, and Python do?

[thingirl]

I could look up the last 10 times I've said "let's follow him", but what's the point? they track the tracker

[zmflavius]

They what? You mean the follower?

[thingirl]

We gave the stuff to Gaius, then someone followed him. They follow the person who isn't Gaius.

[zmflavius]

Yes, and you tracked him to a main street where his tracks disappeared, in part since the snow had been cleared.

[thingirl]

(You didn't say that until just now.)

Alanne uses Divination/woodsmanship/thivery to see if she can detect him or his tracks.

[zmflavius]

Your skill of woodsmanship allows you to identify his tracks with a 75% certainty.

[thingirl]

(OOC: Sorry, I thought I had replied to this, but I guess I didn't. Funny how that works sometimes... :o)

Alanne decides to wait for Lancelot and Myrenne to catch up before moving along.

[texlaw1992]

We catch up to Alanne and company.

[zmflavius]

Ok. Now what?

[thingirl]

We follow what we think are the correct tracks.

[zmflavius]

You are led to the Citadel of Port Hallik.

[thingirl]

We search around (Divi/woodsmanship) to see if we can find out if he went in.

[zmflavius]

Yes.

[thingirl]

Yes we find out or yes he went in?

[zmflavius]

His tracks lead there, but, you can't tell if he went in or not.

[texlaw1992]

Per the request of our fearless leader, let's ask the guards at the gate if anyone has passed through in the last couple of hours.

[thingirl]

Agreed, let's ask the gurads. :)

[zmflavius]

One of them looks at the other.

The other simply says, "Nope."

[texlaw1992]

"Is there another entrance besides the main entrance guarded by your goodselves by which someone may have entered?"

[zmflavius]

"Unless you count the windows, no."

[thingirl]

"Sirs, did you see anyone or anything suspicious in or around the windows?"

[zmflavius]

Both guards say at the same time, "No."

[texlaw1992]

Divination / Arcana / Lore to see if the guards are telling the truth or not.

[zmflavius]

They're both lying through their teeth. Well, on the first question at least. They're honest on the second one.

[texlaw1992]

[There were actually three questions - have you seen anyone, is there another entrance, did you see anyone around the windows. Which were lies and which the truth?]

[zmflavius]

Have you seen anyone - They're lying.
Is there another entrance - They're telling the truth.
Did you see anyone around the windows - They're telling the truth.

[texlaw1992]

Let's wander around the building and see if we can figure out where our friend went.

[thingirl]

"So you're saying we should fin a window that they can't see and get in? I suppose we're not gettting out of it this time. Come on...."

[zmflavius]

So...are you trying to get in, or trying to tell from outside where the person went?

[texlaw1992]

The latter, not the former.

[zmflavius]

He definitely did not climb inside through a window. In fact, you're becoming more and more certain he actually was let in by the two guards.

[thingirl]

We try (Divi) to see if we can figure out where he went.

[zmflavius]

No luck, you don't know the castle's layout well enough to divine where he went.

[texlaw1992]

Well Alanne, I don't know about you, but I've had my fill of breaking into buildings tonight. Unless you feel strongly about it, I think we should find an inn and wait until morning to investigate further.

[thingirl]

"Oh, the lawyer has had enough of breaking and entering, has he? Well, I agree, let's continue this search in the morning."

[zmflavius]

Do you plan to return to the DBZ, or do you wish to find a new one?

[thingirl]

I say we sneak in, that is, try to avoid being seen, and one of us keeps watch to see if Gaius or anyone else returns.

[texlaw1992]

Works for me - I'll take first watch.

[zmflavius]

Wait, where are you going?

[thingirl]

To the DBZ inn. And we're going to

sneak in, that is, try to avoid being seen, and one of us keeps watch to see if Gaius or anyone else returns.

And Lancelot is taking first watch.