Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

"The usual. He got too greedy, over extended his reach, pissed off a group known as the Guardians, some offshoot of the Star Cult. They researched a way of dealing with him and destroyed him and his empire in one fell swoop, or so it goes. There's not a lot of specifics left. Where did you find him, anyway? He was supposed to be destroyed." Lagun eyed Astok. Astok "eyed" him back.

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

"Found this thing lying around in that ruined city. Got too close, and this was the result." Alira tugged at the bracer futilely, and gave Lagun a rueful look. "These Guardians, or the Star Cult... are they still around?"

Then something Lagun had said set off a spark in Alira's mind. "Wait a minute... You called Astok the Lord of the Six. So he made pacts with only six demons? Can you tell me anything about them?"

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

"I don't think so. They're legends. I wouldn't have an idea where to find them, if they still exist. And yeah, Lord of the Six. Let's see, there's Ahael, Glas, Bakh... uh... Unciel... hmmm... I can't remember the other two. It has been a long time and I don't think my mother ever wrote those stories down. She said that each had been steeped in sin.." He drummed his fingers on his head as he thought. "No, sorry. There was something else about them but I don't remember it. I think Bakh and Unciel were female, though."

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

"Female, huh? Well that's something to look forward to." Alira looked out the window for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. So where does all this leave me? Still in the dark, chasing down legends.... She glanced back at Lagun. "You know, I sort of expected a bit more of a reaction from you lot when I showed up waving around a long dead malevolent spirit in a box. Maybe some chanting about the "Evil One", a few vague prophesies at least. Guess this happens more often in your line of work, huh? It's still pretty new for me, usually all I have to worry about is how well paid the guards are..."

Alira nodded at Lagun, and started to rise. "Thanks for your time, I guess. I have a name at least, that's something." She glanced back toward the altar room. "By the way, who's that elf out front? She didn't seem very happy to see me."

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

"We see a lot of things out here. Most of the time it is harmless enough. But the invasions caused a shockwave that made things that were dormant become active. All the death. I wouldn't go waving that thing in front of anyone else. And she is Kirata. She's got a chip on her shoulder about her race's distant cousins. It's not up to me to tell you. Ask her yourself if you wish.." Then Lagun got up and left the room.

"...I suppose giving you the last name wouldn't hurt. You've already met Kozel. The sixth is Rasab. But that's all you are getting from me about them. Anyway, they aren't in the area.." They -ren't a-swe--ng -y c-lls -i-he-. Damn -hem. -re th-y rea--y th-t w-ak? Or is -o-me-hi-g else --p-en-ng?

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Alira watched the man leave as Astok began to speak.

"...I suppose giving you the last name wouldn't hurt. You've already met Kozel. The sixth is Rasab. But that's all you are getting from me about them. Anyway, they aren't in the area.." They -ren't a-swe--ng -y c-lls -i-he-. Damn -hem. -re th-y rea--y th-t w-ak? Or is -o-me-hi-g else --p-en-ng?

Lost as she was, Alira was strangely happy to sense Astok's confusion. "Oh ho, what's this? Astok having trouble with the old crew? Now there is something to think about..." She rose, and headed toward the exit.

Walking back out through the small altar room, she spotted Kirata once more. The elf gave her another hard look before turning back to her work. Alira stood still for a moment, then shrugged and moved on.

Stepping out into the bright sunlight once more, the thief considered her options. Not much to go on... I need some time to think, to figure this out... As Alira paced, a subtle clink from her pack drew her attention. Glancing down, her eyes settled on the set of linked rings she had found in the tomb, and she recalled the story the merchant in town had told her. The mysterious Duchess... well, might as well drop by there, might track down a descendant or someone willing to give a good price for these things.

As she headed toward what used to be the d' Graten manor, her mind worked back over the information she'd gathered so far. Let's see... Ahael, Kozel, and now Rasab, Glas, Bakh, Unciel... wait, wait something is off here...

"So, Astok, Lord of the Six, who's Invidia? Kozel mentioned her, and was about to name others. I've got seven names, and six demons to fit them to. When that orb exploded and I saw your throne, there were seven figures there, then six... what's going on?"

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

"Hmmm? Oh, right, Invidia. She was a special case. She was the only one in the group to not be a demon. She was... I believe she was a simple human who began challenging the strong. One day, she thought she could fight Ahael. She was wrong. He was always a twisted bastard, though. After the fight, he threw her into a pit crawling with tentacled horrors. He bragged to everyone about his new conquest. When he went to retrieve her, though, he almost had his head chopped off. Every single one of Ahael's pets had been drained dry by Invidia. She was corrupted more thoroughly by demonic energy than anyone I've ever known. Ahael had no idea what was going on and if Kozel hadn't been spying on him, he might have died. Needless to say, I recruited her, offering her the opportunity to fight. She was quite the battle maniac. She fought Ahael a handful of times but neither of them ever ended up winning. After her transformation, she chose the name Glas. We still called her Invidia though. An inside joke.."

He seemed content to think about the old days. "She might even get along with you. If she doesn't think you are good enough for a fight. Then she'll probably just kill you. Oh and, before you ask, the reason no one thought she was male was that she was always encased in thick armor and anyone who found out was generally too close to get away with that information."

***

A guard clad in mail stopped her at a rusty gate. "Closed for renovations miss. Can I take a message?"

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

"Yeah, it sounds like you all just had a blast back in the day. Tentacle horror pits, infighting... sounds fun!" Though Alira tried to hide it, she was surprised and a little unnerved by Astok's information. Corruption.. a human becoming a demon... I've heard the ghost stories, but... is that what Ahael is doing to me? Should have asked Lagun... damn it!

***
"...Can I take a message?"

The guard stared at her woodenly, as only guards can. Typical...Why can't I ever get along with these people? It's like they know... Behind the rusty gate, the bulk of the old manor loomed in the distance.

"Sure you can. Tell whoever is around that's getting paid more than you that I've foun- recovered an old, valuable d' Graten relic, and am willing to part with it, for the right price. Used to be their place, right? If they're not interested, no harm done, I'll be on my way."

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

The guard raised an eyebrow but leaned over and picked up a bell Alira hadn't seen. He rang it loud and soon a man came up to the gate. There was a whispered conversation and the man departed. He returned soon after with two additional guards. "You may enter the premise." The guards walked on both sides of Alira as she went. When she got to the manor, she saw it was a mess. It looked like it was barely standing up. Nevertheless, there were builders working, entering areas that seemed to be ready to collapse. A balding man with a golden ring turned to Alira. "Yes, you mentioned something about a ring?" His voice was unpleasant. It was too high pitched and extremely arrogant.

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Alira was immediately wary. The arrogance of the man's voice irked her, and she had an instinctive dislike of those claiming a noble's affectations. She looked the man in the squarely in the eye. "No, I mentioned something about a relic. You made up the ring part all on your own. What ring would that be?"

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

He looked flustered. "Of course, of course. A relic then." He seemed to be trying to sidestep his early eagerness. "Present it.?" A man with a book under his arm looked at the bracer and then whispers something to the noble. The noble looked at the bracer as well. His eyebrow quirked. He motioned to a guard. The guard came closer and he whispered something to him.

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Alira's eyes darted between the noble and the guard. Over the years, she'd learned to read the body language of guards as if her life depended on it. And this one was getting ready to do something stupid. She glanced at his partner, and the man also seemed a little too relaxed. This has 'Deal Gone Wrong' written all over it. Do I threaten or do I run...or do I play the fool a little longer?

"Sure, sure, I've got it here somewhere..." Alira made a great show of patting her pockets. "Soon as I saw it in that old abandoned inn I said to myself, 'Kylie, someone out there will be happy to pay for it!'"

As she prattled on, Alira kept a wary eye on all those involved. She discounted the builders as threats for now, and felt pretty confident in her ability to handle the guards. The noble looked like a toad, and probably fought like one. Still, can never be too sure. The one with the book was a mystery. Could be nothing. Could be a mage or a wielder...

OOC:

Spoiler

Alira prepares a Sudden Shot with her crossbow against the first person to attack her, or make an overtly aggressive move. If more guards are summoned (i.e. the guard is sent away under some pretext) Alira will attempt to stop him from leaving with a threat.

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

The guard moved to the side, attempting to get into Alira's blind spot. Then he made to grab her. Alira wasn't having any of that. The guard didn't know what hit him. He went down with one bolt, whether dead or just unconscious, Alira didn't know. Then the man with the robe simply glared at Alira and she felt her body become heavy. To her horror, her wrists, hand, ankles, and feet had all turned to stone. The noble smirked and groped Alira's check before pushing her. She fell backwards, unable to balance herself. The caster kept his gaze locked onto Alira's eyes. "Try anything and I'll let the curse consume you."

Well, that went poorly. I think they may be interested in me.

Rolls

Spoiler

Alira hits on any roll
Sneak Alira 15 + 34 vs 11 + 20 ALIRA WINS
Damage: (5 + 3 + 2 + 6 + 6 + 8) x 2 = 60 damage

Gorgon's Gaze
Resistance 7 + 20 vs DC 36

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Alira cursed as she hit the ground. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Well, that went poorly. I think they may be interested in me.

Yeah, I'm getting that. How about some more of your shadow magic?

"Try anything and I'll let the curse consume you."

"Really?" Alira spit out through gritted teeth. "Do you want to see what happens when you petrify that bracer? I'm guessing I'll be the lucky one, being turned to stone and all. I just had a recent experience in destroying arcane artifacts, trust me it won't be pretty."

Stalling and desperate for time, Alira looked around for any sort of way out of the trap she'd allowed herself to fall into. If I can just break his concentration...

OOC:

Spoiler

So I hadn't really looked at the magic system, deciding to keep things simple for the first character. Wish I had now, that is some seriously overpowered stuff...or at least it seems like it.

PS. Don't take that as griping on my account

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 30/45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

Astok drew energy from Alira. First some to deal with the effects then, as if somewhat annoyed, fired back the same effect at the mage who instantly turned to stone, fell over, and shattered as the fool looked briefly at the amulet when his power was dispelled. This time the drain was quite significant. The noble, hearing the sound, turned his back on Alira to see the spirit user shatter. That was a mistake, to say the least. Alira plunged a dagger into his back and he fell easily.

One of the laborers, an older man, probably the leader, came up to Alira. He had seen everything that had happened. Without a word, he dropped to the ground and collected the noble's purse. He counted out some money, then some more, and threw the purse to Alira. It jingled a little but had significantly less. "I saw the way he acted. This our pay, plus a bonus. We accidently released a demon. It turned him to stone before stabbing our employer in the back but we managed to destroy it. Since we were paid, we finished our work." He turned, letting Alira see a blade at his side. "He bought some rings and those, along with the deed to the manor, will be passed on according to his will."

Oh, I like him. Find out his name. He may be useful when I need to construct something.


Notes

Spoiler

Astok first drew 5 EP from Alira to negate the effect, then 5 more to use the same ability. (5 + 5) x 1.5 = 15 EP

Alira auto hits.
Dagger: (6 + 4 + 20) x 2 = 60

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Alira tried to massage the feeling back into her hands, watching the builder warily as he knelt and searched the body of the noble. The eerie sensation of her limbs turning to stone had been unpleasant to say the least. Still the effects were fading quick enough. Thanks Astok. Still can't get used to saying that...

When the man stood and tossed the lightened coin purse toward her, she caught it deftly, and her practiced fingers ran over the leather, estimating the value of the contents.

"...He bought some rings and those, along with the deed to the manor, will be passed on according to his will."

Oh, I like him. Find out his name. He may be useful when I need to construct something.

Alira blinked at the builder, then threw back her head and let out a laugh. "Well, that's a likely story." She gestured at the guard on the ground, her crossbow bolt still sticking out of his chest, blood oozing out of the wound. "Though I think those other guards might have some questions about this crossbow wielding demon of yours, especially if this one makes it. Still I appreciate the effort. And the guts to threaten me after you watched me kill two men and turn another to stone. What's your name?"

Still, the idea of leaving the rings behind is a good one... I don't need some overeager heir coming after me over some trinkets. Kneeling down, Alira tucked the silver rings into the man's pockets. Straightening, she considered her next move. Getting far enough away to outrun the news of the noble's death seemed like a good idea. Glassmoor would be far enough, certainly... maybe some work there as well... She glanced down at the bracer. I should probably cover this thing at least. Don't need any more curious glances...

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 30/45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

He nods at the body. "Thanks. My name is Hammer Erant IV. I run the Hammers and Tongs. You need equipment or construction, you come to us. We've got a outpost set up in several areas. I stay here, though. I know this land." While he was talking, a work arrived. He looked at the man with the bolt in his chest, who was long dead. He nodded and picked up a large rock. He let it fall on the guard's chest. Any evidence of the bolt's existence and the method of death was almost completely obliterated. "You should leave. I'll need to send a runner to the guards." Alira then scarpered. She found herself having to travel through mist again but this time it was only Kozel, whom she tripped over. He had been sleeping in the middle of the road. The only thing he had to say to Astok was that he had nothing to report and slipped away before Astok could properly rebuke him.

When she got to Glassmoor, a few weeks later, there weren't any bounty posters and few people even glanced at her so apparently the murders had been covered up. She did get a few glances at the bracer but now that it looked silver (due to a special semi-magical pigment she had bought for 3 denarii) no one gave it that much notice. She found a nice inn, then went for a slightly cheaper one that gave her an acceptable, if slightly malodorous room for a scant 4 denarii. This included two meals so it was well worth the bargain. The meals, it turns out, weren't bad. Someone in the kitchen had at least a modicum of skill.

Finding another target was harder. There were plenty of rumors flying, plenty of information to be had, but it was mostly useless for Alira's purposes. Finally, she heard of a settlement that had been abandoned by the Amazons after the invaders had appeared. The aliens had apparently since left the settlement but everyone was too spooked to get anywhere near the place.

She also heard about the invasion of Gods-Reach by the orcs. Apparently, there had been something built under the city that someone had discovered. No one could figure out how to open it and all the attempts to dig around the door had ended in failure. Might be interesting.

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Alira sat in the inn's common room, finishing up her breakfast and considering her next move. A day in the city had yielded two promising leads. If you can call this a city... Alira spent part of the night getting acquainted with the shadier part of Glassmoor, sounding out contacts for possible jobs. There was a general reluctance on the part of the locals to deal with an outsider. Well, I'm new around here. I do a couple of jobs, there'll be a waiting list for my services. And it wasn't a complete waste. Hmm, Gods-Reach or the abandoned settlement?

Gods-Reach was still occupied by the army that had conquered it, and the elven population of the city was enslaved. Could be trouble.. still, the war had nothing to do with me. Besides, I'm a night elf... The thought of an unspoiled vault beneath the city was a tempting one. But...I don't think I'm ready to leave the Amazon just yet. I'll go and check out this abandoned settlement, see what can be salvaged, then head out to Gods-Reach. And if the settlement is just a dead end, I'll move on to Crolia straight away. It's practically on the way.

Alira stood up and walked to the bar to pay her bill. Walking out into the sunshine, she stood still a moment, getting a feel for the flow of the streets. She quickly picked out a pair of purse cutters working a small crowd at a nearby stall, and smiled to herself. It's good to keep the old skills sharp...

With her equipment in order, there was no need for last minute shopping. She headed to the gate, casting a glance at the ever present bracer on her arm.

You've been pretty quiet of late. And no news from your lackeys. What are they up to?

OOC:

Spoiler

Any experience gained from that last encounter?

 

[dragoon93041]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Spoiler

Alira: HP = 57, PP = 58, EP = 30/45 CP: 149 CL: 1 Status: Fine

Mmm... Astok makes a ruminating noise. Well, they are probably still awake. The problem is that, like Ahael, they are probably massively disempowered. That's probably why they aren't responding. Kozel kept his power by the dint of the fact that he probably slept all this time. He sighed. Then he made a sound of surprise. She was here! Sl- Er... Alira! Head outside and follow these directions! I've caught a whiff of Bakh!

If Alira followed his directions, she would find herself outside of a warehouse. Entering if, she found activity. Drinks being passed around, dice being rolled, money exchanging hands. It was a gambling ring. A woman with dark hair and skin, with a dress that shimmered like gold oversaw the room. She wore several gold rings and used makeup to enhance her already startling beauty. A young girl, with blonde hair and yellow eyes, sat next to her, clutching at the woman's dress. The girl had an odd birthmark over her throat. Unfortunately, the mark made it look like she had a pouch on her throat. The woman was flanked by two large bodyguards, one of which was an orc, the other a powerfully built Amazonian woman. Over there! Her! She's Bakh! I don't know how she is but I would recognize that essence anywhere! No one seemed to have noticed or, if they had, cared about Alira's arrival.

OOC

Spoiler

Hmmm.. no

 

[orcha]

Re: Seeker of the Lost (orcha) GMed by dragoon93041

Finding an unobtrusive corner, and taking advantage of the anonymity the crowded warehouse provided, Alira blended in with the crowd.

Over there! Her! She's Bakh! I don't know how she is but I would recognize that essence anywhere!

Alright, alright, pipe down, you'll blow my eardrums-- well you know what I mean. So that's Bakh... what do you want me to do about it?

Alira kept a close eye on the woman and her entourage, curious despite herself. So, that's another one of Astok's old flunkies... seems mobile enough.. wonder why this one didn't come running... Trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, Alira found a table running a game she was familiar with. Watching the table for a while, she was reasonably sure the game was clean. During a break in the action, she reached into her coin purse, and tossed 5 denarii onto the table.

OOC:

Spoiler

The specific game is up to you, as is the outcome of Alira's bet. If you like, you can leave the details vague. She's just aiming to blend in with the crowd a little better.