Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Its a little more than not being suspicious: she has views that exactly match the official line, seems very familiar with this type of work already, and has a tendency to answer questions about her background a little too completely.

How to be sure? I suppose the most common ways to be sure would be to verbally trip her up, to find contraband in her belongings, or to set a trap (perhaps a honeypot trap?) and catch her red handed.

Or perhaps to tell them she might be suspicious and call it a job well done.

Senatrus purses his lips. "I understand your request. I will convey it to men more experienced in such matters than me. I am not he who you must speak to. It may take some time to get back to you. Chamberlain Gadialtus will see to your needs. Will you be waiting here, or returning to the Worlds beyond the Worlds? We can provide you with a bed, food, and even an assistant or two."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll let the Colonel know that I'm going to try to set a trap for the possible spy. I'll use Intelligence Analysis to determine what kind of trap to set up (i.e. whether it's more likely to be information gathering and passing it on or trying to directly sabotage operations), Memetics! to tailor the trap for her, and hm... Administration to actually create a false document that is the trap?

Next, I'll keep an eye on the possible spy in case she does something suspicious:

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Your hospitality is accepted with my gratitude. Might I have a tour of the temple while I await an audience?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

At this level, espionage is much more likely than sabotage. Halcyone is able to make a document implying some false information about troop movements that made its way into this pile: specifically, it gives away where the main rebel air force will be at a given moment


Halcyone is able to spot the instant the potential spy comes across the document, as the woman starts, reads the page more carefully, and looks around. She's certainly noted its potential information. She sets the page aside ... possibly for further processing, possibly to transfer information from.




Senatrus: "A Full Tour? That may be awkward. There are portions of the temple not even I have visited. We can arrange a partial tour though, one that will keep you out of the most sacred areas while still keeping you out of the site of the common visitors.. unless you can turn of your glorious radiance..."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious sheaths her sword to see if that puts out the light and if not, attempts to banish it by force of will. Assuming it the light dims...

"That's not a problem, though I would enjoy the opportunity to bask in the spiritual energies of the more sacred areas if that might be permitted."

As they talk, Vassarious watches for signs of evasions or falsehoods and tries to get a feel for his hosts.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Or maybe she read all the information and memorized it... Well unless I can get any further information from passive observation I think this is the point where I can turn it in. Halcyone isn't built for shadowing, and if there's any physical evidence it's probably better to be caught at the source.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The glowing stops on either cue.


Senatrus: "I am not sure if our... um... pantheons are compatible. I will pass on your request to the priests. They will know much more of that than I. Perhaps we can find a suitably sacred location. Also, could you conceal your wings for the public tour?"


The man was caught very off-guard. He is a bit defensive about the whole situation. And really doesn't want to commit to you meeting with the emperor. Or even getting close. And he's nervous about making a mistake, either overstepping his bounds with you, or telling you more than he should, or something.




Wait, the cyberpunk face-changing social manipulator doesn't have shadowing? she doesn't. has observation and stealth though, which indicates her style.



The colonel gets the report of what Halycone has done. "Huh, we'll see what comes of it. I think we'll leave you in this group for the moment. You might be useful hear. tonight we'll see how good you bodyguard"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Yeah, I was surprised too. If Chameleon worked with shadowing then I'd be a bit more willing to attempt the default.

"That's good; I'll look into the four possible sympathizers then."
"Expecting any action tonight? Who needs guarding? You?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"That's not a problem..." And Vassarious shifts the wings away.

((OOC: I'll add a detailed template when I get a chance to write it up...))

"Tell me more about your current situation. I understand there is significant unrest."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Colonel: "Not on the job testing: I want to see how well you shoot, and how good your eye for trouble is."

The angel template has a perk that lets it hide its wings, so if you want to stay as an Angel for now that's just fine.

The Commandant pauses for just a second, then says: "Then there is no objection to giving you the public tour, I suppose."

"There is indeed significant unrest... but I'm sorry I cannot divulge more without a decision from the Imperial Governor. Enjoy your tour, and I hope we can arrive at a decision quickly"

He turns to leave without waiting for a response.

Gadialtus the chamberlain steps up almost immediately: so would you like the tour first, or some food? There is a dish that is said to be the Emperor's favorite, we often serve it to important guests, a seethed mixuture of 5 herbs and 5 tubers. Or we can start you on the tour, would you like to walk, take a vehicle, or ride a beast? Or if you want to rest for a moment, I can get you a bed or couch in the chamber of the otherworld...."

The man continues to make offers of small niceties, all of which are simple material comforts that keep V inside of the temple complex, and away from important parts of it.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Both, of course. Its not a proper test if we only do one! any heavy weaponry I should add? Light machine gun, perhaps?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"But of course; just wanted to know which first.". I hesitate a little about heavy weapons, "Well, I wasn't trained with LMGs but I have good feel for these."

Assuming nothing else of note happens for the rest of the day. I'll take 5 rolls with each weapon, starting with Rifles first arbitrarily. Add modifiers as needed.

After the shooting, I take the Colonel's opinion on how I did. "I think I was a bit unlucky with the rifle. So, hand-to-hand next, or are you expecting no one to get in melee range?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well, Halcyone will need a way to provoke the sympathizers into saying something that could be considered suspicious. Or some other way to determine their true sympathies.

The officers is mildly impressed with the shooting

"Yes, Hand to Hand... and then we'll have you observe a crowd and analyze it for potential threats to a high profile individual."

The Hand to hand challenge is against a young soldier who seems surprised at the request, but happily brings up his guard against Halcyone. "We're pulling our punches, yes?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll try to befriend them, while dropping carefully researched and crafted hints that would indicate I'm receptive to more pro-Imperial thinking. The first Memetics! roll is an influence roll to befriend (as it covers Diplomacy and Fast Talk, and SF (Paramilitary) seemed like a bad fit.), the second is to craft the hints. I'll add Acting to deliver the hints and Research to make sure the hints are accurate to pro-Imperial thinking.

I briefly consider that I'm probably at least twice as strong as him, and agree.

How in depth are we going here? Full combat? Regardless:
-> I'll leave my extra arms tied behind my legs (which for better or worse means only two attacks/turn)
-> I'll begin with a feint and a grapple to the torso

Assuming this worked, next I'll go for a takedown and a pin.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious will try and be patient and give the diplomatic approach a fair shake and accept their niceties while he awaits an audience with someone who can provide real intelligence on the situation in the empire and with its Emperor.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

It takes most of the day, but Halcyone is able to provoke two of the five into making subtley pro-imperial statements. The first one doesn't notice they've done so. The second one has a moment of panic, then says "But of course, I chose to side with the rebellion because my Father was thrown out of his house when he could pay the increased taxes." Halcyone isn't sure she should buy it.


Lets do this quick... rolled for his first break-free and an attempt to strike back. Neither succeed. The takedown and pin go quickly, and after a second or two the soldier is immobilized. There is a touch of terror in his eyes at her raw strength.


The colonel is shocked at how quickly it all ended. "Ok... you can handle yourself in hand to hand combat..."


He takes her to a dusty market square where a bunch of people, mostly civilians, are listening to a live speaker give a lively speech. Its being recorded. takes her to one corner, gives her a chair to stand on, and asks her to evaluate the crowd for threats.


Vassarious is led on the public tour, seeing the sights of the temple complex. There are a lot of tombs, and a lot of other buildings. Vassarious is led to outside the emperor's tomb, which appears quiet, peaceful, and remarkably clean for a thousand year old building.



Vassarious is fed food, some of which is exquisite, and some of which can only have survived to this advanced society through nostalgia and historical significance. After the tour is over, chamberlain Gadialtus lead him back to the "Chamber of the Otherworld".



"It seems they are still discussing what to do. How can I help you? You may need to stay overnight... As you can see, we have already added a couch... actually two. One is made for our hawk troops, who have wings... and one is a more stately place to rest."


"I have received a request for you though: The Imperial Governor wishes to know if you have the power to wake the emperor"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"You need not make accommodations for my wings, I will be would be quite comfortable with the latter arrangement."

"I would welcome the opportunity to make the attempt to wake your sovereign. It is his lack of appearance at this tumultuous time that has drawn our attention and brought me to you to offer what assistance I can."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll mention to the Colonel the two possible sympathizers who were induced into saying subtly pro-imperial things. I'll try to sell the Colonel on this in case he finds my methods a bit dubious.
I'll try to use my danger sense and case the crowd.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The speaker is not in actual danger, so Halcyone has to make do looking for potential trouble rather than actual trouble. She finds a couple of threats, and passes them on to the colonel, along with why that threat is minimal ("That man could be hiding a weapon, and he's positioned well for a shot... but you can see a small boy hovering around him)



The Colonel is quite impressed by the results.



"By the way, you got a promotion for the suspected spy: she turned in the documents to us. And I can see the problematic sympathies you're talking about. Well done. I've made some notes about your performance tonight. I suspect someone will be very happy to have you on security duty."


"One more personal question, if I may: Do you think the emperor will side with us or with them?"



Vassarious only has to wait a few hours before an escort shows up to present him to the emperor. Its quite large: 10 priests in their distinctive robes, holding various personal effects of the emperor, including clothing, a sword, and a clipboard. 10 avian soldiers, the feathers of their arm-wings dyed a striking black, their eyes eiriely human in their hawk faces. five are armed with bows. five are armed with scoped riffles. Five cat soldiers carry pairs of swords in their furry hands, while five cat soldiers carry pairs of submachine guns. 10 snake warriors are split between spears and assault riffles. The massive Bull warriors hold pole arms, grenade launchers, and what looks like a machine gun built as a riffle. Their broad chests and horns are almost big enough to make the weapons look normal. 20 human soldiers are also present, with a mixture of weapons, and a small band of musicians follows.



They march Vassarious to the tomb of Maximus, moving in precise movements, and playing a jaunty tune.



The tomb is farther back in the complex than Vassarious suspected, and a touch smaller than expected. Vassarious gets to look at the intricate maze of pillars surrounding the center, and the strangley curved arches: the key to the places magic. A stone box encases the body, carved with depictions of heroic deeds.



An 11th priest, who was walking with Vassarious, leads him up to the tomb. The soldiers post up all around her: Vassarious can tell the intent is to destroy her if she tries to hurt the emperor.


Th 11th priest turns the Vassarious: "Radiant one, we deeply need our emperor. If you can wake him, please do so."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Halcyone is kept with the staff-officers in training for another day. About halfway through the next day, she is called up and given transfer papers to work with the personal security of one of the top four generals. She is not to be in charge of the detail, merely to be part of the team.



The head of the detail meets her personally. He's a handsome looking fellow, dressed in a baggy uniform made to blend in with sand: a field uniform rather than a dress uniform. He looks at her. "They say you're a living terror in hand to hand. You don't look it. Welcome to Lithus and the heart of the rebellion. I'm Talthus, head of security for general Rubrum. Lets get you situated."


Halcyone is assigned to travel duty, protecting the Red General when he's traveling off of the base.


What is her next step?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious studies the architecture and state of the chamber, looking for anything out of place or missing. She looks for any disturbed runes or damaged stonework that might be disrupting the magical flow of this place.

She also uses the "Outcast Angel" Ability to "Detect Evil Supernatural Beings" as well as try and use their ability as a "Face Man" get a feel for the functionaries here to see if any of them seem concerned at the possibility of her success.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I'd be a worse bodyguard if I did look it.", adding silently, That's why I was made like this.


I imagine unless the General on the road all the time, I'll have a considerable amount of free time. I'll try to get to know my colleagues, in part to sate my curiosity and in part to hopefully make things go more smoothly.
Now with regard to my mission, I'll try to gather up information on colonel-level officers (see #70) in a way that won't immediately alert anyone. Then get down to reading to separate the suspicious out.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The room does have an occult function, and as far as Vassarious can tell (secret roll), its magic is focused on stone sarcophagus, and does seem to have a life preserving effect. Vassarious learns a little more about how the effect works by observing the building. There seems to be a component preserving the body, and another preserving the mind.

Detecting evil supernatural beings turns something Big in that sarcophagus. Its not exactly "Evil", but it is undead, and its taking a LOT of power.

(rolled a 9 on face-man!) The functionaries are certainly invested in the success or failure, and quite anxious about the outcome. A fair number of them seem like they are expecting a fight. Vassarious isn't sure why though... she'd need to take some sort of action to read the response.

Give me a few rolls to gather the information on the officers.



Talthus chuckles: "Sure, but we don't usually have the luxury of people who are dangerous without looking like they are. Glad to have you as our secret weapon."


The security detail for the general is six people. Halcyone is the only woman. Talthus is in charge. He and Tenilis run security for top-secret meetings. Thelodox is Halcyone's counterpart for travel, and Marcus and Myrlon are qualified to command larger units as security forces.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

OK, in addition to the Admin roll, I'll use:
-> Research, to read between lines in non-sensitive documents
-> Scrounging, to turn up discarded memos and documents that may implicate an officer
-> Observation, to eavesdrop on conversations that may provide more context on particular officers
-> And Savoir-Faire (Paramilitary) to meet with people who work closely with any officer I may be targeting. (I suppose there may be a negative modifier to this?)
And if all that isn't enough I'll consider trying to head into the City and see if I can make street level contacts who may know something.
Wow, that's a lot of Ts.

I'll focus on trying to befriend Thelodox first. I'll also ask what happened to whoever I replaced (it would seem like there should be a replacement).

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious inspects the form of the place and tries to determine the flow of form and magic to see if there is any evidence of damage, tampering, or any other indication of something that might inhibit this place's function.

((OOC: I'll spend a wildcard point for a success or margin enhancement if it is needed or helpful.))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

No point spending needed.


The tomb appears to be untampered with... at least at this location. There is a different location that this location uses as a power source: that one might have been tampered with.


How much time are you intending to spend on these activities?



And as a GM aside, what is your plan after you find a traitor? You've proved your basic abilities already... how does this further the core mission?



Thelodox is happy to chat and play cards while they wait for general to come out of headquarters. He'll ask quite a lot about Verdaze, where she is supposed to have come from: roll some skill and talk about your stratedgy to make sure he doesn't find out you're an imposter.



Thelodox loves to talk about cars.



Your are replacing a Alexa, who is in the hospital with a badly lacerated leg from jumping into a dumpster. Your assignment is temporary.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Maybe traitor isn't the best word here. Basically, the way I see it, the situation here is one of the following:
A) There's a spy working for the imperials working over here. Perhaps the goal is to wipe out the rebels before the Emperor wakes up.
B) The rebellion is keeping the emperor asleep somehow, and naturally the coordination for this effort is going through Rebel HQ.
C) This is all a wild goose chase and I ought to let you get me somewhere else where the plot can advance.

Maybe the things I want to do are more in aid of determining whether A is true and not B, but I think that trying to determine whether B is true would probably be more dangerous, and should be done after.

I'm sure he's just being curious; I'm sure I researched enough before to have a clear picture of what Verdaze is like, and will use Acting to make sure I'm consistent and Memetics! to inject life into the answers I'm giving (it would be awfully weird to sound like and encyclopedia article.)
If the card game is common to both Verdaze and Lithus, I'll mention I've played before and pick up the rules as I go:
If it makes sense (as in, makes sense for someone from Verdaze), I'll mention that I don't know how to drive.

"Into a dumpster? What's that all about? Taking cover?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Ok, that makes sense. What's the answer to "How much time"

Well done, you satisfy him in your answers.


Halcyone plays unexpectedly well for a beginner. He enjoys having a partner who enjoys such things.


"What? Didn't they test that? whose oversight was that? I'll teach you! We have the car right here..."


Its an old fashioned clunker built for style (at least to the TL10 eyes beholding it). Thelodox has Halcyone slowly driving it around the parking lot.

Quote:

"Into a dumpster? What's that all about? Taking cover?"

"Well, actually... that was a bet between me and her. I feel kind of bad about it. We were on the roof to have a good vantage view, and she said the dumpster would be fine exit in an emergency. I said it wouldn't, she said it would... and then I put money on it, and she jumped."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I would look upon the mystic source of these enchantments. Please, show me the other chambers... I must see the full context of the enchantment before interceeding."

Vassarious maintains a pleasant and 'angelic' tone, conveying a sense of warmth, despite speaking in a stark formality...

She adopts a falsehood as truth in her imagination and thinks of the forces present as her own entourage to banish any feelings of intimidation that might otherwise show.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll go with maybe a third to half my time, for maybe a week.

"Well I guess learning would beat walking everywhere."

This calls for a roll, I guess.
Well, it doesn't look good, but I suppose once you add TDM it should fall well under margin.

"Well I guess I'm lucky that I'm more risk averse than her. Or less of an acrobat. Probably both."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The "tour guide" priest looks confused: "which other chambers? I am not sure of what you are talking about."


He is intentionally being obtuse.


Ok... we'll roll at the end of that time.
Halcyone manages not to crash into anything, but isn't picking up driving nearly as quickly as she would have hoped. Thelodox is fairly patient with her, and says he hopes they will soon move on to actually navigating traffic... which will be harder to practice.

Quote:

"Well I guess I'm lucky that I'm more risk averse than her. Or less of an acrobat. Probably both."

"We'll see. I haven't dared you to do anything yet!"


As Thelodux is driving the General to a place to eat, General Rubrum leans over the Halcyone. "Miss, I hear you came from Verdaze. How do you like the desert!" He chuckles to himself. "They always pass on a doctored picture to us. How is the rebellion there going, really? They still confident the emperor is going to stay asleep?"


After the Dinner, Rubrum has Thelodux make a detour to a hospital, and asks to see Alexa, the injured bodyguard you are substituting for. How will you be securing this hospital visit?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll present a reasonably accurate picture from my research earlier, peppering it with anecdotes the same way I did with Thelo earlier. With regard to confidence in the emperor, I'll say:
"More or less. Some people find it quite odd that the Emperor is staying asleep for so long, but they tend to keep to themselves about it."

How was dinner? Is food on Verdaze as awful as they say?

Alright; I think it should pretty simple. We'll have one of us with the General at all times (to keep him safe in case something happens), and another wherever the General will be next (to case the area for potential threats). I'll volunteer myself to case ahead, though the general has the final say. In either case I'll be keeping my eyes peeled.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

From what Vassarious sees here, can they guestimate where a power source might need to be?

The angel cocks her head so very minutely that only the very observant would notice the body language.

"Pay that no worry. A person cannot be expected to know everything. I'm sure I can find it... or perhaps there is someone more knowledgeable?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"So they're suppressing any worries with public pressure. Hmmph"


The food is better than the military stuff you've been eating. But this is a fairly exclusive place mostly frequented by the brass: you get leftovers from the kitchen to eat on the way to the hospital. Its good food, if a bit greasy.



That's what I needed to know.



As you are sweeping ahead, a man in a hospital bed with several bandages and covered in wires and tubes suddenly sits up and points "Its Her! The woman to watch for! The tentacled herald of beyond! You found me!"



At least some of the priests are trained in this architecture. You don't know if any of them are present. On the other hand, the location of the power source is simple: its the very center of the complex.


The Guiding priest bows his apology. "We have no expert here. Would you allow us to fetch an architectural expert?"


Vassarious's danger sense is tingling. They have no intention of letting her anywhere near this power center, and she's shown herself to be a threat somehow. She expects a fight soon.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

How far ahead of the general am I? Did anyone else witness this?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

There is an inconvenient nurse in the hall, who may or may not have heard something. You are about 20 yards in front of the general.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

How far ahead is the destination? Would it be practical to doubleback after leading the general to his destination? Could I possibly delay the general without it being suspicious? There's no plausible explanation for this, right?

In either case I'll play it off like I didn't even notice the patient:

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Destination is another 20 yards ahead. Doubling back is practical. Delaying the general while you check out a potential threat is quite possible (you can even say you had to make sure a man muttering insane statements wasn't a threat). There is no obvious mundane explanation, I suppose...


The patient wavers in his confidence: "You are her, aren't you? He showed me you..." He lays back down "please be her."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well, I was just a bit worried that I forgot that this skerry has seering magic or something, given right now the only plausible explanation I have is that this is Maximus, or somehow related to him.

Hm... I'll swing back around after guiding the General to his destination. I think that should give me more time to talk to, I dunno, I'll call him Max for now.

I'll give him a gesture to let him know I'll be back. Then I'll lead the general to his destination and mention that I'll be sweeping around, before slipping into Max's room. When I arrive, I'll say "Who are you? I suppose you know our mutual friend?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious tries not to let on that they sense the trouble, hoping to divert it... While they are a confident creature, they're not prepared to take on 60 superiorly armed warriors.

Vassarious hopes the threat of the potential for back-up or additional angelic interference will dissuade them, and says "I must ask for a brief respite, as I will soon be overdue to commune with my brethren, and they do tend to worry.


Does everyone involved seem unified in their attitudes? So it looks like they are all in on it?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Roll Faceman!


No, the priests are far more worried than the soldiers, most of which seem to be unaware of the shift in mood.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

((Faceman - Skill 14 - Roll 4+5+1=10 | Success by 4. If that roll is insufficient due to penalties, I'll use a Wildcard point to turn the fail into a success, or to pad the margin if it matters ))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"What? I am Octavian. He came to me in a dream and showed me you. twice, once like this, and once with tentacles. He said you are from beyond the known universe. He says he needs you to help free him. He says he has been betrayed by those who keep his body, and is no longer in control of more than a few of his actions."


They begin to escort him back to the chamber of the otherworld. He has bought more time for himself... but has not completely dissuaded an attack.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Did he say what needed to be done? Did he say if the people who betrayed him are working with anyone else? Did he say which actions he was in control of?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"He said he was a splinter and a memory... a small part of the emperor preserved against such a day. He needs you to go to 'The Caverns of Calthyone'. I'm... not sure where that is. He says the knowledge to fix him is in the caverns"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll thank him, slip back into the hallway and return to security sweeping.
While sweeping, I let my thoughts wander: "Find the emperor, and you will find naught but the crack" Perhaps this splinter Octavian spoke of is the crack? "Find the first crack, and you will find the true emperor" Maybe that means that the first crack is inside these 'Caverns of Calthyone', or perhaps instructions to find the first crack are in there. Hopefully Maximus is metaphorical than Pang Zhen and the Caverns are a real place.

Do I have a smartdevice to look up these Caverns? If not, I'll start my research after returning the General.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Wait! Where are you going! take me with you!"


yes, you do. Make a research roll at the point you choose.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll persuade Octavian that this is impractical.
I'll look up the location while I'm making my sweeps on the way out.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious will take the form of an air elemental, and become as misty and translucent as possible to try and not be seen. Then will slip through the cracks around the door and slip up to the ceiling and go looking for the power source...

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Octavian looks at his tubes, wires, bandages, and monitors. "I suppose I am in no shape to come along. But give me your contact information! That way I can tell you if Emperor Maximus says anything else!"


The Caverns of Calthyone are not well known, but Halcyone finds them easily enough. They are close to one of the Temple Portals connecting Arthus with Lithus... one of the active portals the imperials are trying to push through. Its an active warzone. There are many entrances, and the caves are a near labyrinth. Parts of them are open, but parts were closed to the public for years.



Please give a face-man! roll and describe what Vassarious says to cover going translucent over the course of 10 seconds while 60 armed soldiers are watching.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well, it's against my better judgement but I'll supply my phone number. I'll emphasize that I shouldn't be contacted unless there's something that cannot wait.
Sorry, wrong log.

Alright. I'd like to quietly look into these caves to make sure there's no funny business with them being ordered at rebel HQ. I'll try to make up an excuse to go visit these cave; if someone tries to interfere that should let me know if these some kind of interference. Admin to do this?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

((OOC: Sorry, I mistook your post, I thought they were escorting Vass back to the quarters that they arranged for them. They will have them return them there before the shapeshifting and exploration bit.))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

This is not a short trip. For you to have an excuse to be there, you pretty much need to convince General Rubrum to go to the nearby front (The Sabuleum gate). Halcyone doesn't see a way to get to the front without abandoning her duties otherwise. Though she could ask for leave... not that she's especially likely to get it after the first few days. If she thinks she's found a traitor there she might be able to justify a trip to her superiors... though they might send someone else and leave her at her post. She's not sure.



Halcyone eventually makes it to hospital room. Rubrum seems to really care for Alexa. They're chatting and she's reporting on when she will return to work. Halcyone has the thought she might be more than his security guard...



Ok, That works. Vassarious is returned to the chamber of beyond, and changes into a nearly transparent gaseous form. As V slips out, they notice that 30 guards and two priests are at the door. They aren't expecting intelligent wind, and aren't especially alert, and so let the transformed dragon breeze past them.



Vassarious pokes around the complex, and quickly finds the power source... its a large temple in the center of the complex with lots of guards around it. Its built fairly similar to the tomb building Vassarious was led to before, but bigger and grander, with a few wings attached. It also has a few priests milling about.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious inspects the chamber and its wings closely, looking for signs of anything amiss, and keeping an ear out for any chatter from the priests.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well, I suppose persuading Rubrum to go inspect the front is probably the most straightforward way to reach the caves. Of course, a direct approach probably won't work; I imagine just asking him would probably be suspicious in of itself. I'll instead take a more roundabout approach:
1a) I'll construct a psychological profile of Rubrum. (Memetics!)
1b) At the same time, I'll get a feel for how rumors spread through Rebel HQ (Savoir-Faire Military)
2) After both 1a and b, I'll create a meme that there's trouble near The Sabuleum Gate (ideally trouble that can be countered with an inspection). This will be designed to appeal to Rubrum in particular while still spreading through the rumor network in HQ. (Memetics!)
3) Then all that will be needed is to start a whisper campaign and wait for it to reach Rubrum. (This would be Fast-Talk, and thus also Memetics!)

I'll put my traitor hunting off for three days and focus on this.

Well, I don't know what use it will be, but I must know exactly! I'll try to broach the topic with Thelodox. Surely as her partner he would know; or at least be vaguely aware.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The inner chamber is a tomb, larger and much more finely adorned than the first one you saw. Two priests are standing there with a change of clothing, a tray of hot food, a portable shower, and a small mobile office that still uses paper.



The wings are mostly empty, but kept well-maintained, spotless, meticulously covered in murals, and seem connected to scrying magic, and to providing the central mystical effect in the tomb chamber.



Starting the clock... Synchronizing you two is looking like a real challenge.


Thelodox is at first evasive: "Huh? there is nothing going on there. He just sees us a lot and wanted to make sure she was ok."


With a little more pressing, he relents: There is a romantic dalliance between Rubrum and Alexa. Thelodox emphasizes that its harmless and there is a war on, but try to keep it a secret:


"What do you need to keep quiet about it?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll make my rolls at the end of the period, like with the traitor investigation.

That last bit's a surprise! "What? I'm just being a bit nosy; I can keep it quiet. I wouldn't betray your confidence like that." I briefly consider that there may be a few situations where I'd need to, but deem it unlikely. I doubt Alexa's a spy and surely Thelodox would know if Rubrum is pressuring her in some way.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious continues to stick to the ceilings to remain out of eye-lines while searching for evidence that the mystic apparatus has been tampered with for a while longer, and checking for any new construction or alterations that may interfere with the flow of power.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The place has been maintained constantly over the last 50 years. The flows are quite complex.



Vassarious does come across a part of the construction that seems exceptionally intricate, a set of walls of strangely proportioned bricks of different kinds of stone. If there was a part of the whole structure to change to alter the effect, it would have been these walls. And they're made to be replaced and interchanged... the mystic flows through them must wear them out after a while. They still seem strong right now though.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious studies the stones and bricks and stones and examines the patterns, trying to internalize the workings of the components. They ponder to themselves as they study "I suppose finding a crack would be a little on the nose."

Once V believes they've absorbed all the insight they can for time being from the workings of this place, they will turn their attention to the priests here and study them a bit further. Are they attending the scene akin to a watch, or are they interacting with this office space? Are the clothes more priestly vestments, or something else?

((OOC: I would happily expend a Wildcard Point from Occult! for the structure, Face Man! for the priests, or Tradecraft! for the investigation if it is applicable or appropriate to enhance a roll for a missed success or margin.))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The stones appear to be in perfect working order... but if one stone is wrong, that could have some pretty strong effects on the whole system, without actually looking wrong. Understanding it all will take study, a little experimentation, or finding someone or something that can explain it to Vass.

The priests are wearing formal garb. They seem to be mid-tier, not part of the top levels, but having advanced fairly far up the ladder. They're standing at attention, watching the sarcophagus in the center.

After quite some time, they are relived by a new pair of priests, dressed the same. They have new, hot, fresh food, and they replace a some of the documents.

Before they start their watch, they chant to the sarcophagus: "If thou art pleased with this world, and with thy governors, rest in peace, sleep on. If we have gone astray, awake and save us."

******************************************

Halcyone can work on both traitor searching and planting the rumors to get Rubrum to the The Sabuleum gate at the same time.

In the evening, Halcyone's phone gets an alert, and alarms begin to go off in the city... a bombing raid is coming in.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Bombing raids? I guess the portals are rather large then? Or there's territorial controlled by the imperials on this side of the portal? I guess there's little to do besides head for the bunkers/possibly help Rubrum to the bunkers.

Maybe I could spend a destiny point to ensure nobody bombs HQ, so I could snoop around while everyone's hiding in the bunkers. I guess the question would be what to go looking for.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Each side owns some of the portals, including land on the other side of them. For instance, the Sabuleum gate, which has a zone around it owned by the imperials.

You could do that, yes. Do you want to?

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Hm... Is there anything that I could look into that would help with the traitor hunting? I don't think there's anything I could do to help the rumor plan; though I suppose I could try bypassing it by altering his agenda in a week, but that would probably be noticed.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well, she doesn't have hacking, so she can't go riffling through email using hardware access. There is SOME physical mail people are getting, though not much, and speed of information transfer might lean against that.


I'm trying to think of other things that could be useful to check during a bombing raid.

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When you say he would have to study to understand this more, do you mean he will need to find more materials, or just spend more time in the examination of the stones?

Vassarious will see if they can access the sarcophagus. Is it air-tight?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

He'd need to either find materials to experiment with or find a person or book to explain this to him. Or both. And it'd take quite a matter of weeks.

It is not air-tight.

Inside the sarcophogus is quite dark, but a man rests in state, exposed to the open air. He's undead. And his features look quite similar to the pictures of the emperor you've seen...

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Is there room for two? If so I will take his form and memorize it...

After inspecting the sarcophagus, Vassarious will go looking for the high priests in hope of some eaves dropping... If he is unable to locate them, he will head back to his room.

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Yeah, I have no ideas either. I'll go with staying in the bunker then.

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There is room for two... nice! you can now impersonate him!


Merely looking around the palace for them blindly won't locate them... do you have a more specific plan to find them?



General Rubrum talks the entire time. Half of the conversation is to other generals and the local military staff. The other half is him grumbling to his security detail about the attack. The bombs are being targeted very well, but the planes don't seem to know what is in what building. Sample grumbles:

"Just let us hunker down, Vincio. They have local superiority."

"Hah! they went after arms decoys! Told them the fakes were worth it!"

"They're ignoring that part of the city because there's a cloud there. Obviously. Not because they want 400 yard radius around any traitors. Idiot."

"Launch the attack already! This is the perfect moment. Infrastructure, my <long and colorful expression>"

"He's forgetting we're not on the front lines"

From the sound of things, a lot of damage is being done to the base. The bunkers seem to be same though. Halcyone has a thought flash through her head that its weird that they used planes and not rockets. And that she's glad this place doesn't have nuclear weapons.

The bombing raid is declared over. Rubrum stays in his bunker working for another three hours, and then goes back to bed. He says he'll be having a short day tomorrow: if everyone wants to sleep in the afternoon, they probably can.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

There we go, adventure solved. Find a way to stash the emperor away somewhere, stage rising back up, and you could end the war in a few days.

Hm... I should ask around about the planes as opposed to rockets (not the nukes, that might cause a bad problem):
I bet my "Light Sleeper" is triggered:
Well the first succeeded so no extra lost sleep. I like to work hard, so I'll decline to sleep in the afternoon:
That went about as expected.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Rather than go searching, Vassarious reconsiders and spends a little more time in the sarcophagus. They will see if they can feel any of the magics influencing them while in the form of Maximus, and then will return to their air elemental form and buffet Maximus with some winds to see if they can shake him awake (and so he can fly away if there are any unforeseen consequences to that).


From what they have seen and read, Vassarious gives some thought to the triggers that are likely in place to wake Maximus, and if there may be an alternative path to rousing him rather than the standard settings. Has he gained enough understanding to disrupt the workings of this magic in some way that may wake the Emporer outside of his usual alarm clock?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Her research reveals the planes are there to pick up targets: the imperials don't have control of the survey satellites over Lithus: they have to fly missions in order to get reconnaissance. Combine the need to get the data back and the need to fly a fighter screen, its more efficient to send the smart bombs on planes than to use long-range rockets.


Halcyone falls asleep in the afternoon after the long night. Rubrum is also asleep, which makes this sleep excusable. The man is very engaged... the raid seems to have energized the entire base, one way or another.



Vassarious feels himself connected to this palace complex... he feels the deep desires of the emperor... to rule... to observe from afar... to preserve the memory of his home... to not interfere unless necessary...


Vassarious has hardly buffeted the man when the eyes flicker open. A strong hand lifts the stone lid, and he sits up. He is grey as a corpse and dressed in finery "I awake. Destroy this intruder."


The soldiers nearby look around for what intruder is being spoken of. The priests standing by with the food and books start reacting almost mechanically, bowing down and moving towards the sarcophagus.

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Vassarious retreats to the corridor, trying to keep in a subtle spot out of the room where he can still observe what happens next, but also be in a position to beat a hasty retreat if needs be.

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Air elemental are see-through, but not invisible. This helps them sneak, and gives Vassarious a moment to start retreating, but the emperor repeats his order: "Shoot the Wind Creature!".



There are 12 guards present: two of each soldier race, plus four humans. Half are armed with ancient weapons, half with modern. The guards spring into action around their emperor, with the ones with ancient weapons rushing to surround him.



Two of the guards open up fire, three aim their weapons, and the big bull soldier selects some setting on his grenade launcher. To be specific: One human aims their assault carbine, while the other sends a wild stream of bullets at V. The Bull-soldier has a massive grenade launcher, and he's selecting some setting on it. The bird-soldier has leapt into the air, but seems to be sighting in anyways. The snake-soldier has a heavier storm carbine, and fires away at V. The cat soldier has an assault carbine and takes a turn to aim it.


15 yards away is a -5 to hit. The number of bullets fired gives the assualt carbine +3 and the storm carbine +2. The Guard's base skills are 15 (the human) and 17 (the snake).



Two bullets hit, one from each shooter. simple dodges can negate each one. More bullets are incoming...

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

After waking up, Halcyone briefly daydreams about what V's doing before heading back to work.

(OOC: I'm not ignoring the thread, I'm just waiting around for either of my long tasks to complete or something to interrupt.)

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The Air Elemental flees and throws up a 'Twister' between itself and the guards to distract them and hamper their view. It flies down the corridor and hides in the high ceilings trying to lose any pursuers before returning to Vassarious' room. (( Move and Attack ))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Yeah, I think we're due for a synch up and swapping of information. Thank you for your patience


The additional blasts of air distract the guards who weren't aiming at V, and their bullets are sprayed elsewhere. The second human guard doesn't shoot, presumably confused by the happenings.

Bullets do find their way towards V though, fired by the bird guard and cat guard. Dodge 2 bullets, and dodge 3 bullets.

None of those damage amounts are enough to stop V, and the air elemental escapes into the open sky. An alarm goes off, and soldiers go on high alert. V is able to loose them (tradecraft 14 rolled a 12) and return to their room. There are soldiers already in the room, searching both by hand and with strange scanning devices V doesn't recognize.