Complete Challenge High March Just Another Escort Quest

Tarkya

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Just Another Escort Quest

MITHRA-II, High March, Astorea


On paper, the job is simple enough. Escort an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies from MITHRA-II to Vintergard. It's a little odd, considering most of the flow has been to MITHRA-II, but it's not as if you're being paid to theorize.

The group that's answered the call is a mixed bag. Perhaps the only shared trait is a willingness to brave both a dissonant hellscape and a robotic battlefield. Well, two shared traits - it takes a certain kind of person to willingly sign up for an escort mission.

"Alright everyone, gather round!" Bartholomew Lux is a familiar face by now. He's spent most of his time onboarding the various hires on the team or shouting at the Fixers as they load up the caravan. He's friendly enough, though the observant or nosy may have caught him pausing to scratch furiously at his arms.

"You should all have your squads assembled and your cart assignments figured out. If you don't, you better come talk to me. This is a group project." The half-hearted joke draws a few chuckles, mostly from the Fixers who have clearly had to deal with this man's sense of humor. "Remember - UI-locks have priority on sleepers! If you're planning on logging out, change your settings to 'Unsynced' and use the designated log-out locations. If you're logged-out body is in the way, don't be surprised if you wake up in a pile."

He looks down at his collection of flash cards, sifting through to find anything he might have missed. "The weather's expected to hold, but if we hit a storm we'll be pushing through. If you're on weather crew, you already know what your job is."

Flip, flip, flip. Bartholomew eventually runs out of announcements to make and shoves the stack of cards into his pocket. "Last of all, please read the warnings before you go poking around the shipments. We have some very expensive and very dangerous cargo, and you will be held liable for any damages your fuckery incurs. Specifically, Winter will hold you liable, and I'd really suggest not messing with her."

He gestures to the other familiar face in the crowd, though this one hasn't spent nearly as much time socializing. Wintermute has been an omnipresent sight near the "high-risk" cargo, directing the few Fixers and scientists trusted to move it. Everyone else has been warded off with sharp glares and vague threats. She's quick to shy away from Bartholomew's spotlight, though not before shooting him a look that promises later reprisal.

"Alright, we clear? Everyone got their spells prepped and their weapons sharp? Then lets get this train moving!"


The Caravan

Weather: Clear | Morale: High | Risk: Secure

The caravan is a hodgepodge of wagons and carriages, as if gathered from whatever was left over. Most are wooden, but a few, well-guarded wagons look almost modern, driven by magitek engines rather than drawn by livestock. There are a few for resting and sleeping, but most of them are supplies. You're expected to spend most of your time walking here.

Bartholomew Lux
Interaction
He's been pretty insistent you call him by his full first name, but it seems like most people call him "Barty". He's open enough to conversation when he isn't busy. His arms are pretty messed up from all the scratching he does.

Wintermute
Interaction
Quiet and sharp. She spends all her time around the high-clearance wagons and isn't much for conversation. She'll be pretty upset if she catches you messing with them.

Caravan
Investigation
Most of the caravan consists of construction supplies and food, but a few of them contain samples and projects looking for a new home. Some of them seem pretty important, but you'll have to snoop to learn why.




OOC

Escort the caravan across the High March and to Vintergard, protecting it from bandits and monsters, and maybe have a chat with the people in charge of the whole thing. Don't worry too much about the mysterious containers. Or maybe do. I'm not your mom.

Two posts per "cycle", one character per player. Mostly freeform, but complicated actions and certain scenarios may warrant a dice roll. Drop in and drop out at any time. Updates whenever it feels right.

Tag me if you interact with an NPC or if you do something that warrants a roll.
 
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Chrys

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《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》
Adventurers Guild

MITHRA-II, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

It's been a while, Chrys mused as he dragged his feet toward his employer. He didn't really need this job. For practicality's sake, he was pretty much set in terms of what could be argued as financial stability in here, which wasn't far off from where he was in the outside world, but boredom can be quite the motivation. The marching orders were simple. Well, expected might be the more appropriate word, but as Chrys tugged at the hood over his head, he couldn't help but think about the cause for why they were moving things from this place and not to this place. As far as he's heard, mostly from his few friends from MIT, wasn't Mithra-II the go-to place? Not the go-from?

"Odd, isn't it?"



Chrys muttered to the person closest to him, though his eyes were fixed and narrowed at the woman who was always with a specific cargo. Winter, Barty called her, though the geomancer heard other people refer to her as Wintermute. Was she actually unable to speak? Or was that a personal choice? Smart, if the latter. Chrys himself knew the importance of words, and their absence, and wondered if that cargo she was never seen without was the cause of her speechlessness. Can't accidentally spill the beans if you swallow them.

"Also that woman next to the cargo... What do you think her story is?"



Definitely a bean swallower, that one.
 
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Chako

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This time, Chako decided to do something wild... She decided... To actually go further away from Honeyhome for a change! She decided to live up to her name as a member of the Explorer's League and actually explore!

... How did she arrive at Astorea though? Well... Chako doesn't know how to answer that question.

In fact, Chako was lost. Very very lost... Until she just so happened to find a group of people who seemed to be moving somewhere, so... She joined them. Talked a bit here and there... Apparently they're moving a caravan to a place called Vintergard?

Chako felt like she remembered hearing this word before at Honeyhome, but she didn't quite remember why exactly it was important... Well, if I'm not remembering its importance, then it wasn't that important in the first place.

So, some dialogue with people who loved breaking her immersion later, she was now accompanying the group in their trip.

"What's odd?" Chako asked back at a perfectly normal and audible tone.

"Her story..." Chako put a hand on her chin... "Maybe she's just on her first high-profile task and is very nervous about taking care of whatever important things that need to be protected here?"

Chako honestly didn't mind it that much. She had her fair share of gloomy moments back on Earth, so she was not going to fault anyone from having their own gloomy days too.

@Chrys
 

Chrys

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Adventurers Guild

MITHRA-II, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Chrys turned his attention toward the beastfolk when he heard her speak up. He could've sworn he was talking to another man, an elf, but he probably had other matters to attend to. People like speaking to Chrys, especially elves. People like hearing from Chrys, especially elves. What's another theory from the well-read geomancer?

"That we're moving things out of this place when we should be moving things in..."



Chrys has been to Vintergard before. As an adventurer who was also a businessman, he's dealt with folks from that place, especially during Wintersday. He's also dealt with a bunch of beastfolk. Now he was feeling nostalgic. And sad. Whatever happened to his buddies? He hasn't heard from them in a while. Especially the girls. Maybe if he actually reached out. Nah, they're the ones who should reach out. Not me.

"Slime shot tastes the same as I remember... But where are those who share the memory?"



Chrys took out the cube-shaped stone bottle, which resembled a golem's face, before taking a swig of the lime-green liquid, which came out of the bottle as a cube, a cubed jello. Without looking at @Chako, he offered her the bottle, his eyes back on Wintermute.

Slime Shot
★ ★ ★
A uniquely pungent liquor with a viscous and throat-clinging texture. Each gelatinous shot comes with a strong hit of lime and potent alcohol. The bottle itself is cube-shaped and made of stone and uniquely contoured to resemble that of a golem's face. Considering that the lime-green liquid inside the opaque bottle glows with intense vigor, which can be seen in place of the golem's eyes. With the mouth of the bottle squared, every shot of jello that comes out is cubed, making it difficult to find a fitting shot glass for such a strange drink.

This bottle supplies an endless amount of alcohol. Anytime the bottle isn't full, it will refill itself over a long period of time. Don't drink it too hastily though, if the bottle is ever empty, it will stop refilling itself.

 
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A hand suddenly reaches out to firmly grasp @Chrys' hand mid offer. It belonged to one impassive looking old man, weathered and scarred face further accentuated by the considerable frown he was wearing, complete with a deep creasing of the eyebrow and the tips of his lips dropping downwards.

"Hey, take a good look at who you are offering that to." Santiago started sternly. "I don't know what kinda drink that is, but it doesn't look like lime juice. Nor smell like it." He eyed the strange stone bottle, carved into the shape of a face, from which the strange gelatinous green substance which smelt faintly of alcohol emerged from with great suspicion. "Care to explain what that is?"

He then turned to @Chako, his face immediately softening from stern to apologetic. "Sorry, was looking and asking around for a bit and lost track for a moment. How are you doing so far? Seen anything interesting? People been nice to you?" He asked quickly, concern etched in his wrinkles.
 

Chako

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"Uhn... Maybe they just moved too much stuff in?" Chako asked. She didn't feel like it was that strange to move materials from workplaces.

... What is this guy on about? Slime Shot? Is he drunk-?

OMG! What is this smell!? This smells horrible! It's disgusting! Get it away from me!

Chako was now sure the person next to her was drunk. No wonder his sentences were so disconnected.

"Yeah, no, I think I'm good-" Chako started saying before... Oh, dear gods, that old man is still here!

Chako was plenty frustrated by now... Why did he follow her all the way to Astorea!? Didn't he have horrible memories of this place!?

... Well, not like Chako was planning on getting to Astorea in the first place, but she was here now, and he was here too, somehow!

"Thanks, gramps, I'm fine..." Chako begrudgingly replied, "And I can refuse a drink just fine on my own... And yeah, people are being nice to me! I even got a ride to this Vintergard place! You know anything about it?" She felt a bit snappy, but she also understood the old man meant no harm... It was just hard to stay calm when people. Didn't. Want. To. Let. Her. Explore. Alone! Come on! Give me a break, already!

Chako then started stumbling a bit... "Ugh..." She felt like puking... The smell of the drink was overwhelming her already.

@Chrys @Santiago Marlin
 
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"Good, good." Assured, Santiago nodded his head rapidly, letting her obvious annoyance slide off him like rain drops. Oh, he knew exactly what her protests were, and such independence was a good thing for any youth to strive towards, really- but he also maintained that letting a clumsy kid with a phobia of wolves run off into the woods alone was an incredibly irresponsible idea, magic wielding or not.

Frankly, the fact that he even compromised by joining her mad jaunt to keep an eye on her, instead of just dragging her back was already gross negligence on his part. In the end, it's not like her irritation bothered him all that much- he had reared kids long enough to know that sometimes, to counteract foolishness you had to hunker down and act as a passive counterweight to whatever shenanigans they were up to.

"Ah, Vintegard..." His face scrunched up as he looked up in deep thought...and quickly concluded he had no idea what was that place. It sounded norse, so maybe there were vikings there?

But before he could admit that, he heard the groan and looked down. The way Chako was stumbling on her feet and her nauseated face did not look good.

What the hell was in that bottle?! "Now look at what you've done." he glared at the obvious drunkard, before turning back and fetching out a handkerchief. "Here, cover your nose. Lets not linger around that tramp any longer." He muttered. It didn't matter if it was accidental or if that stranger was up to no good, it was always better to er on the side of caution- there were too many bad intentions in the world to think otherwise.

@Chako @Chrys
 
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Eva

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Initially, she had next to zero interest in anything MIT-related, but then the details of this job came and the woman sensed something worth looking into. Work's somehow low profile, despite its important nature, not to mention basically nothing goes from MITHRA-II to the ruined city.

Eva looked around. and so far there was no particular person that she recognized (or who would recognize her back) in the group. It's not like that matters, but having one or two people she could ask for help might make things easier. Her eyes slowly and discreetly looked to the side, observing Wintermute while the white-haired woman preps her inventory for the long escort mission.

Well, time to fish for some information.

"Mr. Lux,"
She walked up to Bartholomew, who seemed easy enough to converse with. "As you mentioned that some of the cargo is very dangerous, I assume there are precautions in place to ensure its safety?" Eva motioned towards Wintermute as a group of Starcalled was making some sort of a classic Starcalled mess in the background. "Outside of a lone woman woman standing by."

"I need to know at least whether it is volatile in any way before I'm able to assess which course of action I'm off-limits to."


@Tarkya

 

Tarkya

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Just Another Escort Quest

MITHRA-II, High March, Astorea





"I dunno, maybe something to do with the Dragonship?" The elf man that Chrys had been talking to shrugged. "Personally, they can't pay me enough to go back into that place. Ought to leave it to the wurms."

He wrinkles his nose as Chrys pulls out his drink and elects not to join the lively debate between the three. He melts into the crowd instead of participating, leaving the group to their own devices.

In fact, a lot of the laborers seem to be packing up, choosing to stay behind rather than follow the caravan. But it's hard to blame them.



Chrys' steady gaze is not missed by his target. Wintermute crosses her arms as she meets it. Her expression is somewhere between annoyed and confused as she takes stock of the group. "...oh, I thought he looked familiar..."

Wintermute relaxes after whatever realization she's had. She turns away from Chrys and places a clawed golden gauntlet against what could be best described as the armored van version of a stagecoach. Any words she says are too quiet to hear unaided.



"Ah... Eva, right?" Bartholomew's voice catches slightly on her name, but he plows through with the same energy he's brought to the caravan thus far.

"Oh, most certainly. Winter's one of the best containment specialists in the MIT. She personally designed the high-prio units." He turns to wave at Wintermute, who returns the cheery gesture with a frown and an eyeroll. "And if she's incapacitated, we've got a few others on the team. Even I can keep the seals up in a pinch."

He looks towards one of the nearest carriages, which looks more like a portable greenhouse than anything else. It's the smallest of several, but it's near impossible to see what's inside through the pollen fogging the interior. "I'd be more worried about things trying to get in than out. But that's what you're all here for, eh?

His smile is friendly enough as his fingers scrape intently across his neck.


Eastbound road, High March, Astorea
Mid-day

For a place ravaged by Magia and Dissonance both, this part of the High Reach is surprisingly peaceful. The first leg of the road is little more than a beaten dirt path, but it seems like the effort of previous caravans have cleared out most of the troubles here.

It's when the caravan breaks from the beaten trail that things get more difficult. If the terrain isn't rocky, then it's dusty, or it's tangled with whatever bizarre plants have managed a foothold in the drained soil.

It's pretty slow going. But it's at least a little more interesting than a flat road with nothing to do...


The Caravan

Weather: Clear | Morale: High-ish | Risk: Secure

The road is either rocky or dusty, with no real in-between. Some effort might make the trip easier and more comfortable for everyone involved. It's not your job, but it could improve the opinions of the other people in the caravan...

Bartholomew Lux
Interaction (NPC)
He's been pretty insistent you call him by his full first name, but it seems like most people call him "Barty". He's open enough to conversation when he isn't busy. His arms are pretty messed up from all the scratching he does.

Wintermute
Interaction (NPC)
Quiet and sharp. She spends all her time around the high-clearance wagons and isn't much for conversation. She'll be pretty upset if she catches you messing with them.

Caravan
Investigation
Most of the caravan consists of construction supplies and food, but a few of them contain samples and projects looking for a new home. Some of them seem pretty important, but you'll have to snoop to learn why.



@Chrys @Chako @Santiago Marlin @Eva
 
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Chrys

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Adventurers Guild

MITHRA-II, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Hmm? Chrys squinted at the old man as he felt his old hand around his younger arm. The gross geezer, with his wrinkly skin and close-to-dying face, had a point. Then again, as someone who used to run with a couple of beastfolk in this game, they don’t really need that much protection. The girl even said she could say no for herself. Like those idiots he used to run with. Hmm, I wonder if those two morons are still playing this game…

Chrys simply nodded at the pair before taking one last swig of his drink and stowing it away, his attention back on Wintermute. The other man, the elf, also had a point but he disappeared far too quickly for Chrys to reply. Not that he would’ve anyway. He remembers the Dragonship. He was there. The geomancer clenched his jaw, though internally he was shuddering. For a minute there, he could’ve sworn Wintermute returned his steely gaze. Nah, couldn’t be. Must be the slime shot.


《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》
Adventurers Guild

Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Has Chrys been around the area? He couldn’t quite remember exactly. He’s been to so many places, it’s all starting to melt together in his brain. One thing’s for sure, he realized as he squinted around them, it’s a bit too peaceful for his taste. Hmm… Dust.

Or maybe it’s just the dust. He extended his hand toward it, discreetly willing some to swirl around the same hand. It has been a while, yeah, but he still had his tricks, his magic. Everything feels different yet familiar. That said… Chrys heaved a sigh, bored out of his wits, as he made his way to where Wintermute was. Might as well, right?

"Hello. Barty said something about you and expensive and dangerous cargo. What are your rates? I might be looking for a, uhh, helping hand with regards to my business. Or an extra job for myself. Whichever interests you more."



Chrys squinted at the nearest cargo with the woman. He took note of her gauntlet, clawed and golden, not unlike his magic rocks that he throws against magic beasts. Hmm, the damage I could do to another robot if I threw her hand at it... Was the stagecoach her own? Or was it her employer’s? Either way, that’s some armor on that stagecoach. Must be really important, what she’s guarding. Rock hard daddy likes the sniff of money.

@Tarkya
 

Chako

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Chako could hardly believe it when she heard the word dragonship... We're going to that place!?

Which was... Kinda cool, actually! Chako wanted to see what it was like! She wanted to know what was this place that little Emmie was connected to!

Just... "Uhn... You sure you're okay with getting near the dragonship?" Chako asked the old man after he helped her recover from the disgusting smell... "You don't have to accompany me all the way there, you know?" The why was left unsaid, as it was unneeded... No need to rekindle bad memories if one could help it.

She had a feeling the old man was sticking with her until she got back to Honeyhome though... So she didn't try arguing too much about it.

Instead, she paid attention to the road that seemed like a mess... Well, guess I can do something about that, at least.

Chako started a ceremonial dance. Copying one of Ruby's performances that she saw on metube. Slow and rhythmic steps that were befitting of a shrine maiden.

Green light emanated from her body as the magic was activated. It flowed towards the plant roots that were getting in the way, and gently rearranged the plants away from their path, making the trip forward a bit less rocky... Or more rocky in a way, it was less planty, after all.

Nailed it! Take that, Honeyhome kids! Not a single trip in this dance!
Chako happily thought to herself.
 

Tarkya

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Wintermute bristles like a cat as Chrys approaches, but at least she doesn't hiss like one. Instead she raises a gauntlet in a "stop" gesture. "No closer, Starcalled."

The air is warm near the armored wagon. Are those heatwaves radiating off the metal surface? But Wintermute neither looks like a pyromancer or has the name for one.

There's a bit of disdain in her voice as money is brought up. "If you wished for a better contract, you should have negotiated with Bartholomew. But whatever you're being paid, knowing what we're transporting isn't part of your job."
 
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After disengaging with the tramp- who must be stoned on top of being drunk, considering there was hardly any cognizance to observe when he drunkenly nodded before going off to harass the woman guarding the cargo- Santiago only allowed himself to let out a sigh of relief after he was certain he was a good displacement away from their general vicinity.

"Lets not go near him again if we can help it." Santiago decided, before pulling back his handkerchief from Chako's nose, who had recovered enough to speak.

"Uhn... You sure you're okay with getting near the dragonship?" Chako asked the old man after he helped her recover from the disgusting smell... "You don't have to accompany me all the way there, you know?"

"Of course!" Santiago smiled, having absolutely no idea what she was talking about. It sounded like a really big dragonboat, or maybe it was a ship with dragons! That might be a bit intense, if there was a Smaug in there. Maybe even two?

His smile faltered slightly. Okay, maybe he should have asked more questions beforehand. But...

"A promise is a promise. Besides, it's not like we're going that close to it- that's well beyond what's expected of us."

And there was that. Turning his attention to the rocky road, he wrinkled his nose at the vegetation and stones in the way. It made for quite a bumpy trip- no outright obstructions, but plenty of distractions. He could cut some plants with a bush knife and the help of his newfound strength, but he wasn't sure how much that would accomplish.

Then, Chako stepped forward and begun doing a dance. Santiago watched curiously- he knew that Chako had some sort of magic, but he had yet to really see it being used beyond small things. Then, to his astonishment, the vegetation begun to peel away, coaxed by the movements the way a shepherd would herd his flock.

The old man couldn't help but clap a few times. "Good dancing!" He cheered, not really understanding how her "shamanism" worked, but recognising that the skilled movements probably had something to do with it
 

Chako

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For a moment, Chako doubted her own ears as she heard the old man cheerfully reply that he had no issues getting near the Dragonship... How did that make any sense?

His smile showed a different story though... He is forcing himself for something really stupid. Chako thought to herself. Like, who cares about a promise, old man? What if you have a heart attack seeing that thing?

Honestly, Chako couldn't help wondering if the old man was trying to treat her as a substitute for his grandkid or something. It was the only explanation she could find for this kind of behavior... But she had enough sense to not accuse him of that. If that's what he was doing, then he would have to snap out of it himself.

So, instead, she just focused on her dance to get the plants out of the way... Ideally a geomancer would be helping out too, to make the road smoother, but she felt like she was already doing plenty with this. It's not like she could use every sort of magic, after all.

That said... She was very happy to hear the old man's compliment, "Thank you!" Her blissful smile was easily the biggest and warmest one she had ever shown him. It was obvious it meant a lot more to her than compliments about her practice with the harp... Even though she was visibly better with the harp than she was with her feet.

Either way... With the immediate bumps on the road gotten out of the way, Chako figured she might as well try to make herself more useful. Right now she was just freeloading in this trip, after all. It couldn't hurt to at least earn her keep.

So, she approached the guy who had that incredibly annoying habit of scratching himself that really bothered her ears, "Say, Barty," That was his name, right? Chako honestly didn't remember. She didn't pay that much attention, "Is there anything in particular that needs help with right now? Dunno, some carriages that need cleaning, canteens refilled... I can take care of those things."

@Santiago Marlin @Tarkya
 

Eva

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"Hm," Discreetly, her eyes followed scratching motions that Bartholomew did, noting the heavy scratch marks. "Is that so?" Eva just nodded slightly, before walking away. "I will get back to work, then."

Containment. Seals. Bartholomew was most likely downplaying the risk and value of what they were currently transporting here, for better or worse. She didn't push more questions, though; there was no reason to raise suspicions this early into the mission.

The opportunity will arise sooner or later. In the meantime, she just occupied herself with some mundane tasks, like patrolling around and between the wagons while keeping a detailed eye on each of them while Wintermute was preoccupied with another Starcalled, possibly having the same interest as her.

One carriage held the most interest to her for now; the one looking like a greenhouse. The amount of pollen obscuring the view inside added to the mystery. Connection between MIT and plants seemed to be unheard of, for the uninitiated. Fortunately, she remembered that one tale Tick and Tock told her some time ago about plants, flowers, high school, and stuff.

The unfortunate part? It was told in such a greatly exaggerated matter that it was nigh impossible to distinguish which information was accurate. Guess she'll find out later.

@Tarkya

 

Chrys

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Adventurers Guild

Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Chrys heeded Wintermute's directive. He'd been around for so long that patience in this game was now second nature to him. Not that it wasn't in the real world. His job required it. This game never did. Besides, he'd seen enough chaos come out of being stubborn and lacking foresight, pretending a tourist knew more than the locals. He wasn't going to make that same mistake. Not here. Not now.

He held up both hands, signaling to the woman that he wouldn't be a problem. All he wanted was to get paid, and to ensure that payment, he knew he had to be very thorough with this job. Since Wintermute wasn't going to be that helpful in that area, he realized he had to be more helpful instead. Compensating for lack of intel wasn't always fun, but that's where experience usually comes in. That and being a greedy mofo.

"Duly noted. Just know that whatever happens, YOU will be my priority. The rest will be noise."



By you, Chrys initially meant the really-important looking cargo. Mostly. But then he realized that without knowing what it was, he would need to ensure the safety of the person who knew what it was. Can't get paid protecting a mystery box without knowing how to actually protect the mystery inside that box. He was good taking damage, but what if that wasn't what the cargo needed?

@Tarkya
 

Tarkya

❮ II. Dungeon Knave ❯
Messages
63
Gold
240
Mastery
120
Valor
0
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0
Special
0
OOC
Storage
a meat popsicle
Just Another Escort Quest

Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea


Wintermute frowns, but it's hard to read how she feels beyond that. Eventually she shakes her head. "Return to your post, Starcalled."

She doesn't seem interested in further conversation after that.

At first, @Chako's dance draws only mild interest. Maybe a few polite smiles before the group continues on its path. Then the plants begin to shift along with her steps.

The change is immediate. Some of the researchers turn their attention to the newly affected plants, while others begin muttering with each other in increasingly frantic tones. Things about the the application of Harmonic magic to plants, how it could apply to the restoration of the wasteland, whether plants even have feelings to be affected...

More importantly, a few of them clap enthusiatically when her performance is completed.

As @Eva passes the pollen-filled greenhouse, something shifts within. A single tendril presses against the glass, sliding languidly, following her path.

The next time she passes, Bartholomew is pressing his hand against the glass. Darkness bleeds from the point of contact until the glass is dark, hiding whatever lies within. "It's naptime for you, miss."

And after that, he's back to his original position at the front of the caravan.



Rocky Riverbed Path, High March, Astorea


The efforts of the Starcalled make the path much easier. The sky stays clear, but Bartholomew keeps looking up at sky with concern and bothering the weather crew for further preditions.

Even Wintermute seems content, though it's hard to tell. She's allowed herself to move away from the armored wagon, but only so she can better see the path ahead.

"...hm? What is that?"

A pile of sandstone lies in the middle of the path. It stands out in a land that's mostly exposed granite bedrock. It stands out even more when it literally stands, the jagged stone resolving into a roughly humanoid shape.

Wintermute steps forward, magic sparking around her gauntlet. "Security team, forward-"

"Hold on." Bartholomew holds up a hand, and the motion in the caravan pauses. "Let's see what it does."

The rock man slowly turns, taking in the people massed at the front of the caravan, and raises one massive hand. "Halt," it rumbles. "No passage... without toll."

"You're kidding. Barty, we are not entertaining this creature."
"And I'd rather not risk the cargo, and I don't trust this weather to hold."


With the caravan leaders caught up in their debate, and the MIT employees paralyzed by indecision, it falls upon you to make a choice in their stead.

Stone Person's Checkpoint


Weather: Dusty | Morale: High-ish | Risk: Moderate

The stone person isn't making any aggressive movements yet, but it seems ready to attack at any moment.

As a group, make a choice of which approach you'd prefer to take, then roll the check with your preferred mastery. If you have relevant masteries or expertise, multiply your final roll results by 1.5.

You may distribute masteries based on your character's current ranks, following 3.10 MR/ER progression:
10 (D) 15 (C) 25 (B) 30 (A) 40 (S)​

Avoid
Consequence Roll
You can choose to pay off the stone person, or simply route around its checkpoint entirely. This will extend the amount of time it takes to get to your destination, leading to consequences.


Argue
Expertise Check
The stone person doesn't seem particularly clever. You might be able to confuse it or trick it, but it might get angry if it catches on.

Bartholomew favors this approach.


Aggress
Mastery Check
If all else fails, there's always the judicious application of violence. You'll get the jump on the stone person, but you risk damage to the caravan.

Wintermute favors this approach.



@Chrys @Chako @Santiago Marlin @Eva
 

Chako

❮ Lyrical ❯
B
NG+
Messages
364
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700
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3
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AliceShiki
Chako was happy with the claps, but... She also had a really hard time holding back her laugher when people started talking about how Harmonics might be useful for helping plants and the like... It's just Nature Magic! Come on! I just use dancing as the medium for spellcasting!

Well, Chako didn't want to burst their bubble, so she just contented herself to holding back her laugher for the time being.

Until... A golem? In the middle of the road? For real? It was Chako's first time seeing a golem in Arcia... And she couldn't help feeling like it was really off, like... Shouldn't it be a troll that guards the bridge?

Not like it mattered much though. And Chako could overhear people discussing about what the best approach for it was, and... Well, Chako certainly did not want to fight a golem, so... Let's take the initiative before anyone can tell me otherwise!

So, she jumped forward, got close to the golem and started talking, "Toll? What do you mean we have to pay the toll? We already paid it, remember? All those ugly plants dirtying your beautiful rocky road... How could they!?

"That's why we took care of them for you! Those dirty plants won't get in our way, so... Pretty please let us pass?"

Rolls


Expertise Check
1d100 (11) + 25 = 36

Society (B-rank) | Chako | Tricking Golem

 

Chrys

❮ Stalwart Defender ❯
H
NG+
Messages
408
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2,260
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3,720
Valor
63
Event
0
Special
0
OOC
Storage
@Veilwalker
《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》
Adventurers Guild

Eastbound Road, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Return to my post…

Chrys heaved a sigh, though he expressed no resistance to the directive, simply nodding at Wintermute and walking back to where he came from.

Return to his post? After everything he’s done for this world, everywhere he’s been, every sacrifice he’s made… Still, he realized right then and there, he had no post to return to.

Even his businesses—the Wicked's Rest Tavern (and Funeral Parlor) in the Falderen capital of Stokbon and the Golden God Mining Co., also known as the Lyrwick Nuggets, in Lyrwick—felt no more his post than they had been before.

...have I lost my way?

No, I just need a new gimmick.


《⋯《 ⋯ ❖ ⋯ 》⋯》
Adventurers Guild

Rocky Riverbed Path, High March, Astorea (Escorting an MIT caravan of equipment and supplies)

Chrys had been keen on watching Wintermute and the special cargo, though he did it discreetly and mostly just stole glimpses whenever he could. When she moved away from the armored wagon, he moved closer, though he made sure to keep a safe enough distance to not spook anyone, especially Wintermute. Gotta respect a girl and her boundaries, after all. Especially since he wasn’t sure what that armored wagon was actually hiding.

Worst case scenario?

It was a ticking time bomb, and Wintermute had distanced herself from the inevitable boom.

Best case scenario?

It was just a red herring and contained nothing of note.

When she called for the security team to move forward, Chrys instinctively followed her directive, his curiosity piqued. He was a little disappointed to see some kind of creature made of rock, acting like a bridge troll. Chrys had felled annoying magia boss monsters and more dangerous threats. This just felt like something beneath his Orichalcum-ranked Adventurers Guild payroll.

But was it true?

Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t. That became less important compared to the decision that hung in the air, a decision he was not even getting paid to make. Still, the quicker they get over this hurdle, the quicker they could get paid.

"She’s right, old friend. The toll has already been paid. By our merchant employer. We’re just workers out here, blue-collar laborers moving useless things from here to there. Surely, a wise entrepreneur such as yourself would understand this unfair—to us, blue-collar laborers—but very profitable—to our merchant employers—system of commerce?"


The Stonelord Sovereign tried his best to speak commerce to the cragged capitalist. But just to be safe, Chrys tightened his grip around the hilt of his massive sword, The Claymore of the Fated Loyalist (Greatsword), all the same. Even with his fingers sheltered within the Fated Fist of Excellence (Gauntlets), he could feel the sleeping power of the earth between them. Hmm… Is it clobberin’ time? He stole a glimpse of Wintermute, not unlike an American child wanting to see his immigrant father see him hit a homerun.

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (32) + 40 = 72
Commerce (S) | Chrys | Taking Advantage of Poor People

 

Eva

Magia
H
NG+
Messages
147
Gold
0
Mastery
0
Valor
12
Event
0
Special
0





The white-haired woman eyed the single tendril as she passed through the greenhouse, noting its movement and size. The next time she walked back toward it, Bartholomew already darkened the inside.

An opportunity came when the caravans were stopped and the leaders were in debate. It was a shame that she had no means to investigate the greenhouse further during this short direction, but she knocked against the glass discreetly before joining the others at the frontmost of the group.

The rocky creature seemed simple. Gold should have no value for a stone person sitting in the middle of the road, so what exactly does it want for a toll?

A small catgirl beat her to it first, by reinterpreting this 'toll' into a favor that they allegedly did for the stoneperson. Not a bad approach, especially because the thing doesn't look that bright. Then the business guy who was harassing Wintermute came in and let's say, his corpo jargon might unintentionally provoke the creature if it understands none of it.

"That's right," She tried to reassure while adding a few things to convince the walking talking rock. "But if you think that what we paid is not enough..." Eva pulled something out of her inventory; a cube-looking contraption, roughly with a side length of 8 inches. "... This is our most prized possession." The woman held it with both hands, showing it to the rock person.

Hopefully, it doesn't boil down to a confrontation. But if it does...

She's armed and dangerous.

 
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