Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Varsarious keeps running, heedless of her wound. Moving at a slower speed, the man in black is gaining... but not enough to matter for the seventh second. He closes in, dropping the distance to 13 yards... but the next three bullets wiz past without striking. The man holsters the pistol on the ninth second, coming to 10 yards away... and draws a new pistol for the last second... two more bullets are coming for Vasarrious, and then She'll be a creature of air.



We know how that goes! take care of yourself!

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Its a long walk in the dark. The caves are ancient, and the main routes are well paved. The front areas are touristy, but once in the restricted area, everything is spartan. A lot of development was done here, though.

The Area Halcyone wants to visit is blocked by a large metal gate and a lock.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll retroactively remember to bring a flashlight or something similar.
[Then again I do have a smartphone so that would work too?]

Well I was never good with locks, so I'll just bust through:
Or not. I'll shoot that lock off unless there's a modifier I'm not aware of.. I'll try to squeeze through a gap if there is any.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

A smartphone would work for a while, but you probably want a better battery and bulb. You can have a flashlight. As soon as I retroactively strap a 10lb backpack full of retroactive items to you. Your ST is 20, so it should be fine...



Oh, right, you're an extra-flexible octopus. Roll escape at -2.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

That's fair. Then again I'd also have gone with a -1 for every additional thing I forgot. On the other hand I don't think I'm getting the backpack through the gap either.

Yeah, apparently I forgot too.

So I twist myself around in a way that would make a contortionist green with envy. What's behind the gate?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

After a few more bends in the cave, Halcyone sees peices of what looks like a small temple, looking a great deal like the temples at the imperial tomb that Halcyone saw pictures of during research for the mission. There does not seem to be any power associated with the installation, just an ancient and stately building. It seems to have been kept clean until comparatively recently.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Anything written or drawn anywhere? If I can't spot anything, I'll enter the temple and see if I find anything.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious takes another bullet before dissolving fully into mist and taking for the skies...


(uggghhh!)

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Nothing is written or drawn on the outside of the temple. Its inside contains a message, and an Image.


"Here lies a sacred temple of Maximus. Tresspass not. If ye be not a priest, tresspass not. If ye be a priest, trespass not. Approach not, unless ye be commanded."


A small glowing translucent hologram begins to appear in front of Halcyone, in the image of the emperor.


10 damage to the torso. Make a HT roll to stay conscious... Vassarious does turn into mist to flee... but at below 0 hit points...

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I turn to the hologram, and say: "You know, you could have gotten away with just the first and last sentences. Then again you'd think the gate would be a strong enough message too."


"I'm Halcyone. Some splinter of the Emperor said to come here, that he's been betrayed by the priests who keep his body. He said I could fix this somewhere in these caves."

So I guess if Vassarious passes out they're going to hoover them up?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

(( Silly that this is the state of affairs... it's because I was too busy/lazy to specify the form I was in, so I tried to extricate rather than engage, and then had some horrible rolls. ))

Vassarious will spend a Style! Wildcard point on a flesh would and reduce the damage to 1 point and keep it above zero to make their escape.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I am the splinter who sent that message. I do not know where the other splinters are. I needed to be clear. Too many priests need to be told specifically."


"We should move quickly. You are in danger. If I can see you, the emperor can see you. He has sent someone to kill you. And probably, now, to destroy me."


The hologram spirit thing leads you into the temple, and shows you Eight shoulder high walls about 20 feet long made of different kinds and sizes of stone, arranged in intricate patterns: "This is my pattern. Someone has changed it. Learn this pattern."


Yeah, I'm used to you pulling out something spectacular when faced with a singular foe like this.


Which wild card?


Do you want to escape into the ventilation system, or under a door and then through a window, or do you have some other escape route in mind?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"So they're really pigheaded, huh?"

"So there's a fake emperor who's making decisions? Not just some kind of puppet of the priesthood? How could someone create an imposter like this? Is it even usefully controllable?"

"Given this cave's in the middle of a war zone, is he likely to do something unsubtle like send in the whole army or just a few people?"

I'll take a few pictures with my smartphone while studying the walls. I'll try to apply my understanding of interior decorating to help memorize the pattern.
"So to fix the pattern in your main temple, could I just use a sharpie to undo the change or am I going to need to learn stone masonry?"

The "Style!" wildcard skill, I think.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Yes, I was referring to the Ultimate Combat Style... Alternatively, I could save the point if you want to rule that 90% of the way to diffuse grants some damage reduction.

Under a door and out a window is fine... I don't have a good visual of where Vassarious is, other than "not outdoors like I thought".

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

[QUOTE=TGLS;2403753]"So they're really pigheaded, huh?"



"He is not false. I theorize he has had his mind altered. I am the copy, created by him to safegaurd and preserve himself. Our minds are not preserved in his body, but in the stones of the temples. I do not know who reproduced my secrets, but they must be cunning, must have access to priestly information, and must have had a heretical and self-aggrandizing streak. He must have figured out how to alter our minds in a useful manner"


"He has sent Kunnifax, one of our undying heroes, to kill you. Kunnifax is in the cave already. He may send more regular forces if Kunnifax fails. He can tell where you are, unless you are in a very few places, such as this one."

"You must arrange the stones. I know not if they will be load bearing, nor if the stones are present."


OCC: you have artist(interior decorating)? that's... surprisingly relevant. good use of flavor skills!


done. 120 posts until you get it back, or the end of the Maximus plot.


Vassarious is outdoors now. The man in black seems to know exactly which direction Vassarious went, kicking down the door and following through the window... but the gaseous Vassarious can get through those obstacles faster, and the man seems to need to focus to identify Vassarious.



Once outside, in what direction will Vassarious flee?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I suppose he can't be reasoned with. Does that whole undying thing mean he shrugs off bullets and strangulation or he just comes back after being killed? Gotta learn that trick one of these days."

"So is there a time delay, or will the Emperor be flipping out as I move the stones around? Are they about the same size as the stones here?"

"One other thing, is there anything else in these caves worth looking into?"


OOC: I half thought that this might have been something you adjusted the scenario for

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious heads for the sun to try and make themselves hard to track until they are high enough to be out of firearm range, and then moves several miles out of the city to get their bearings and figure out the route to the caves.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"His body is powered by power and will, rather than breath and blood. Poking a hole in it or cutting off its breath will not stop him. He does need the body in order to move, so dismemberment will slow him down. He will heal within a day or so."


The Emperor will not be able to feel the stones move until he is rendered dormant. If he is watching you, he will send his full wrath against you."


"I was intentionally hidden in a place of no consequence. Other features of this cave are lacking in interest by design"

Nope! lets see what other flavor skills come up!



Vassarious flies through the sky, and the man in black shades his eyes. Vassarious makes it out of gunshot. From this high in the air, he can appreciate the enormous Megalopolis, home to over 100 million people. Leaving the entire city will require quite a trek.



Will Vassarious be landing and transforming to pull out their electronics? What form would they take in that case? What sort of area will they land in? Are they willing to fly 30 miles just to get out of the city?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Hm... I could bust his legs but I don't have the equipment to cut off like that. He definitely can't be reasoned with, right?"


"So he'll have to be rendered dormant to fix his mind?"

Right, so I guess this leaves:
1) Don't get killed on my way out of the caves
2) Figure out how to get to the capital
3) Figure out how to get into Maximus's tomb
4) Move the blocks into the right place without alerting anyone.
5) K.O. the Emperor so his mind's refreshes (?)

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious leaves the city entirely to seek out a secluded spot to take their hybrid Angel/Demonspawn hybrid form and checks their reference materials to figure out how to get to the caves.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"a broken limb will suffice as well. though he will heal from that faster. You possibly could reason with him, but if you convince him, the emperor is liable override his decision. The undead heroes must obey the emperor's commands. It is part of how they were built."


"It will happen as you fix his mind, unless the fix is very small... in which case he should be changed without needing to be dormant."



Number 4 will accomplish #5 one way or the other.



You'll need to get to the appropriate temple-gate, which is about 1,000 miles away. You know the direction, and you have been helpfully pointed to some commercial flights.



The gate it-self is currently under military administration: you'll need to get aboard a millitary train or sneak through the tunnel on foot to pass. The zone on both sides has a strict curfew and will require faking documents. There is a large city (~5 million total) on both sides though, which will help with concealment. Once through the gate, its about 100 miles to the caves.



lets bump this up to +5, it will make the math easier, and it matches a demon upgrade option.


Ok, this is a little over the top. Could you give me a visual description? I think you want it changing shape into any weapon you want, and I'm going to say no to that-- that's gear, not an alternate form, and I just don't see that intuitively coming out of a angel/demon hybrid. A hidden natural weapon with a single versatile form is fine.


Also, what are you doing with the sword you were given? does it stay as part of your form?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"So I guess it would be pointless to attempt to disguise myself as Kunnifax?"

"Are these stones the same size as the ones in the tomb?"
If they are, I'll give on a test lift to see how heavy they are.

"Is there a spare key for the metal gate out front?"
If there isn't, I'll check the gate to see if it can be opened from this side.

I'll also ask about what tactics Kunnifax will use, and if Holo-Maximus doesn't know I'll check the research materials.

Then I'll try contacting Vassarious to explain what's going down (i.e. that the emperor has had his mind altered, that we need to rearrange the stones in the tomb, and that the Emperor is sending his undead heroes after us and they can only be dealt with by crippling their limbs).

So, assuming I can't disguise myself as Kunnifax, how difficult would it be to sneak past Imperial lines?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"That would depend on whom you wish to deceive. Only the undying heroes would spot the fraud instantly. The undying heroes have great freedom of movement and respect. Maximus could call and inform that you had disguised as him... but he seems to not be using his mortal forces against you, only the undying heroes"


They are exactly half-scale: you'd need to lift eight of them to get the right feel. Halcyone has ST 20, and thus a basic lift of 80. The individual blocks aren't bad here, but you think you might need help for some of the bigger ones on the real thing. Though the hologram Maximus thinks most of the moves will be small blocks... but he's not sure.


Maximus: "Not that I'm aware of, but I wouldn't know. I spend most of my time looking at the greater world, not maintaining my temple"


Maximus: "Its been a while since the undying heroes have been active, and I don't know what their intent is. Kunnifax was chosen for being able to operate in enemy territory, he may disguise himself or try to set an ambush for you. He can shoot firearms, but is better in hand to hand combat.


Vassarious, we can have this call as you are looking up the way to the caves




Obstacles:

• You need to get past the manual and automated guard systems. These include lookouts, and night vision and infrared cameras.
• You need to make it through the enemy troops ready on the front line. This area will have a number of lesser guarded checkpoints.
• You need to make it to the temple gate, which is 100 miles from the front lines, and in the middle of a city of about 5 million people (about half on each side of the temple gate)
• You need to make it through the temple gate. The military controls the train through here. After that point, military control relaxes.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well I'll go looking for that key while I'm waiting for Vas to pick up the pen-phone.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

It would take more than 10 hours to fly there under the air elemental's power - so slipping on to a flight and stowing away is a good plan.

Can't Vassarious just slip past stealthily in air form?


It's the value from the template I'm copying, but okay.

let's call it a kusarigama, bladed hands, folding bow and shuriken, that should cover it. The weapons can be present and the build lets him pretend to fast draw on command.
Might as well take it out and have it on their hip...


So after taking the pen phone call, Vassarious will pick a flight, go back to air elemental form to sneak aboard, and stow away...



But first...

"Hello, Halcyone... I hope you are having a better time of this than I"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Well unless you have worse than 'in a dark cave where an immortal guy is either coming to kill you', then no I guess."

"There's a, um, holographic spirit thing at a temple in the Caves of Calthyone. This is the shard of Maximus that told us to come to the caves. Holo-Maximus has explained things"

"Basically, the stones in the tomb you visited earlier control Maximus's mind, and somebody moved the stones to the wrong place. All we need to do to fix him is to move the stones back into the place their supposed to be. I know how the stones are to be laid out, and I've got pictures so I don't think it's strictly necessary for you to visit the caves."

"Maximus is sending his undying heroes after us to kill us. They can only be stopped temporarily, and they can only be stopped by maiming them, like by cutting off a limb."

I'll also ask Holo-Haximus if he knows who's after Vassarious and relay that information too.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I was ambushed at the capitol and took some fire while vulnerable and I doubt I have accomplished the goal of starting a civilian investigation."
That's fantastic! If you know the pattern, it's probably best if you come to me and we can re-infiltrate the temple together. Can I do anything on this side to support your efforts? Perhaps set up a change of identity? I may be able to hack some of their systems. perhaps get you listed as missing in action from the imperial side."

Vassarious draws the flaming sword and considers it and says,

"I'll have to keep that in mind."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Setting up a change of identity would be appreciated. I don't know if getting listed as missing would be all that helpful. The emperor isn't using his mortal forces, at least not yet, and even if he did I think the being marked as missing would only draw attention to someone infiltrating their systems."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Probably, yes.


which?

So a winged Angelish creature armed to the teeth is hanging out in a stand of trees talking to his octopus friend with a pen. Awesome.


"Retifurus is chasing your friend. He achieved fame as a detective, and he's one of the youngest of the immortals... only about 500 years old."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"A diplomatic envoy? A soldier at the end of their rotation? What role suits you? "


Vassarious ponders what the most common and least scrutinized kind of crossings back to through the portal.

"It's likely easier to steal an identity for you than to create one... can you change your appearance based on a photograph if I can locate a likely candidate?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Eh, crowd me in with a bunch of soldiers at the end of a rotation. That should probably be harder to notice."

"Well, I am good at disguise, but I'm not a shapeshifter; try to find someone with the same body type."

"How are we going to get a picture to me? I knew we should have sprung for the pen fax machine."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I'm pretty sure I'll have to find a phone on a different network but it should do."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The two sides aren't connected by internet officially, but if you can both find a black market connection, I'll let you transfer.



OR...


Things look different once Halcyone has penetrated enemy lines. Though she will still need to get a phone somehow... even if its just "borrowing" one for a moment

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I wonder if we may already have a way... "

Vassarious looks over his pen-communicator, and checks it for hidden data-ports under the cap... and he checks his laptop wireless to see if there is an unexpected network visible... perhaps there is something in their communicators that will allow them to connect... Vassarious makes a mental note to request such a feature for similar situations in the future...

Using Tradecraft as research and Faceman as Administration, Vassarious will try and figure out the best method to acquire an identity and portal pass for Halcyone.

Thinking it might not be the wisest idea to try and hack their system at their skill level and familiarity with their systems, V will see if he can come up with a low-security route or black market contact to assist them.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

OK, assuming this meeting is over, I'll:
1) Slip through the gate again to root through my bag for a cord of rope and a knife.
2) Disrobe sufficiently for the full Chameleon bonus. Then I'll stash my clothes in my backpack.
3) I'll hide my backpack somewhere.
4) I'll find somewhere to hide on the other side of the gate.
5) Then it's just waiting for Kunnifax. Possibly also lunch time.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious can't find a port on the pen, but he does notice a wifi network available named "C0rC05 V1114". The security just sort of works.



rolled 9 vs "research" and 14 vs. "administration"...


The best way to get an identity of a soldier on the front is to find someone you can buy one from... you've already identified such a seller in the capital. The two best places to buy are at the front, or in the capital.


I need a scheme and a roll for where Vassarious be getting their cash from.




Will Halcyone be turning off the lights? before or after she hides?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious connects to the wifi network.

"I believe our communicators are carrying a WIFI signal, do you see 'C0rC05 V1114' on your phone?"

Vassarious reaches out to the contact in the capital to find out the expense of arranging such an identity, or if some sort of (not too unethical) service barter can be arranged.

((Roll: FaceMan to work out a deal

3d6 <= 14
5 + 1 + 4 = 10 ... success))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll check, presumably see it and say:
"I see Corco's twelve-year-old nephew's has been doing the IT. I'll try to connect."

Then I'll try to connect and send over the pictures I took.

The flashlights or the lights in the temple? I'll leave the lights in the temple on if I can hide somewhere in the shadows. If there's nowhere to hide that isn't lit I'll turn the lights off.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Bartering for a service... The guy asks if you can place ten bugs in the house of the current high priest over architecture.


You connect, and the two of you can exchange pictures now.



The temple doesn't have its own lighting. Halcyone fades to match the rock, and waits for Kunnifax, weapon in one hand, food in the other.


Is she waiting inside or outside of the gate?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious thinks this could be useful to them as well, as the high priest in question may have information that could be helpful in the process of restoring the temple's proper patterns... So will take the gig in exchange for an appropriate identity and the travel papers to bring Halcyone to the capital. Vassarious will need a location to pick up the listening devices and the address of the domicile.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I suppose I was unclear, on the inside of the gate. I'd like to hear him coming; surely the gate isn't too quiet.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The contact provides a drop-spot to get the listening devices, as well as the address. Its at the top of a large skyscraper on the edge of the business district closest to the temple district. Its about four miles from the temple district, so quite a ways from where you are now.

Halcyone hears the gate creak and then break, and Kunnifax enters. She can see the beam of his flashlight in the dark, and hears him give a small exclamation when he shines on on the temple.

He is behind the flashlight, of course, so she can't see him 100%, but she can tell where he is, and that he has a sword in the hand without the flashlight.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious gathers their things and returns to air elemental form to travel quickly and stealthily to the vicinity of the pickup.

Vassarious will keep an eye out for someone very nondescript who is leaving the area, then locates a private spot to change and takes on the Genisis from, but makes a few changes, removing appearance [15], wings [30] and enhanced move [20] with Enhanced Dodge [15], Extra Attack [25], DR 5 (Tough Skin) [15] and +5 HP [10], and resembling the nondescript sample person.
Vassarious will spend 4 FP for +4 skill (net -2, final skill 12) for the improvised form. They fail the first time but will wait until the fatigue is recovered and try again, succeeding on the repeated attempt.

Vassarious will take a break and lay low to rest to full FP recovery, and will commit this form to memory.

Once thus disguised and recovered, Vassarious will make the pickup and go find a secluded spot to return to elemental form to break into the target's address.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

And here was me worrying that he'd attempt to impersonate Thelo or something. I'll try to reposition myself closer to the entrance so I can trip him.

Cool, success by 11.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

It takes 80 minutes to recover, correct? Or do you have something to get back FP more quickly?

Kunifax shines his light around the dark cave and temple, looking for
Halcyone. She moves quietly to near the gate, where she is sure he will walk by.*

He's within two yards of Halcyone, going back towards the gate. Now is the moment.

*don't want to loose +3 to try and creep up on him, I think your motive is? but your stealth is 15, not 16. He makes his roll by 9... so you win. by one.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Oh, I thought there was a corridor or something Kunnifax would need to traverse that I could ambush at. Anyway:

Right. I guess he has no defense? I'll grab at his torso with 2 arms (so with 1 arm holding a knife that leaves three arms free.)
Next I'll try to bring him to the ground:
I'll wait to see how he fares against that before deciding the third attack.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

8 successful breath control rolls make that 16 minutes (two 8 min periods, as they recovered between attempts).

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Kunnifax is almost as strong as Halcyone, and spreads his feet to take a solid stance against her takedown, even in the dark. He stays up.. barely


Thought there was something like that. Part of ultimate style, I take it?


Vassarious is able to arrive at the target's address in elemental form.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll grab a hold of that sword arm with another two arms.
So that leaves me at:
-> Two holding the torso
-> Potentially two holding an arm
-> One holding a knife
-> And one free

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious checks out the security and proceeds to bypass what he needs to to remain undetected, enters the apartment, plants the bugs and gets out...

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

He jerks his arm away from the grasping tentacles and then attempts to break away... he rolls a 10... success by 10 on a ST attempt, and by 5 on a wrestling attempt... I think you need an 11 or lower to beat him.


Vassarious arrives in elemental form... its 22 stories off the ground, and the building seems to be sealed and pressurized. However, slipping into the door behind someone is quite easy, either as an elemental or as a human.



Vassarious can try slipping up the building through the vents as an elemental or switch into human form and take on security traditionally. At what stage of the climb does V change form


V has the damage in non-regenerating forms... plus needs to heal it at some point in a regenerating form.



I'd say you've had enough time to heal two points of damage while arranging your job.



fair enough.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Don't I get a +5 for two hands (B371)? Anyway:
Well he's stuck anyway. Assuming he doesn't have an extra maneuver up his sleeve, I'll proceed.
Let's try that takedown again:
And I'll also try grabbing at his arm:
And cutting at his neck with another arm:

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vasarious will slip through the door and through the building in air form and will try to navigate the vents into the apartment and evaluate the security system before taking a solid form.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Yes, you get +5.



He is forced down by your superior strength and speed, and is now prone.


Note: you only have -1 to aim because this is a grab and penalties are halved. You also might want to consider using deceptive attack here. he feverishly defends, and his arm is still free.



The knife of course misses.



Kunnifax pummles Halcyone's body, trying to strike something vulnerable. Despite being at -4 to attack, he hits. That's potentially five damage. (its 2d-1, not 2d+1)



Vassarious makes it into the suite at the top. Extensive security keeps people out from the outside, and the entrance areas have cameras and mics watching them. V isn't sure what they are hooked up to, but at least one area is "clean" lacking them. It's obviously a room for talking in. V isn't sure yet what the cameras are hooked up to... a personal recording system, or a remotely monitored one.



Go ahead and describe how Vassarious overcomes the cameras and places their own bugs. You've already made the roll for overcoming the security system.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll deflect his fists with a free arm:
By two.

Now on to a pin attempt:
Well that probably didn't work.

Grab for the arm:
Slash at the neck:

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

He roll's a 12... that's a success by 8 for him, and by 10 for you... He's pinned! and "helpless"


No defenses, no actions but to break free.... once every 10 seconds. at -10



The arm is now grappled... and the knife hits the throat.


The fight is pretty much over. What will you do with your immortal victim?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious will make sure he knows where the cameras are and if possible, simply take on a solid form out of sightlines to take a form that he can access the equipment from (behind furniture or counters).

While disabling the cameras entirely is an option, it would likely generate a security alert of some kind. Generally, footage is not checked unless there is an event to prompt such a review, so Vassarious elects to let them run and try to be as unnoticeable as possible if he needs to cross the camera views.

Vassarious sets down the remaining bugs and takes the form of a small chameleon, camouflages themself, and sneaks about placing the bugs in optimal positions. If they can get into the walls, he will place them on the backsides of electrical outlet plates and other thin barriers they find that would be thin enough for the bugs to do their work while never entering the sightline of the cameras. If he is forced to cross a camera view, they will be as small as possible and use camouflage to avoid detection.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Actually it's a regular contest, but because of how normalized regular contests are it's the same result. Go figure.

I'll try to interrogate him (questions like, "Why did the emperor send you to kill me?" and "What were you told about me?"). Something tells me he isn't going to be to willing to talk. Unless he says something startling, I'll proceed with decapitating him.
Oh, I should probably include an interrogation roll:

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Nicely done. Vassarious places all of the bugs. Will he inform his contact the job is done before he leaves the building or afterwards?


Good catch... I thought that was a little quick.


He seems startled about something, hesitates for a moment, and then says "What did you do to the emperor? He's Gone"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vasarious will get clear of the building and mist off to a remote spot to reach out and update his contact and continue the arrangements for an identity with travel authorization that fits Halcyone's physical characteristics closely enough to pass the checkpoints.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"What? I didn't do anything to the emperor."
I pause to think for a moment.
"Oh right; it's an effect of the shrine near here. The emperor can't contact you and I think he can't see what's going on in here... There's a holographic copy of Maximus who knows more than me."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

As Vassarious leaves the building, V notices that there are a few Hawk warriors with both swords and assault riffles sitting on the tops of buildings nearby... those weren't there when Vassarious went in the building.


Vassarious gets to the private and remote location, and tells his contact the job is done. The contact takes about 20 minutes to confirm the job, and then expresses his satisfaction, and offers to work with Vassarious anytime ... as long as she wasn't spotted and the bugs immediately removed.



He says he'll get the identity to you in 24 hours.




"A copy of the emperor in a shrine that blocks his sight and voice?" Kunnifax ponders the claim. Then he closes his eyes and concentrates on something. He opens them again. "Ok, you just doomed me to stay in this cave until things are fixed."


"The Emperor says you're an invader from beyond the five worlds, trying to interfere in our affairs and alter his mind."


"That's completely true, its just that if his mind has been altered, and our fun little friend here says it has, that makes you a friend. Where are you from anyways? and do you mind getting off of me?"


"Now, its possible that you have the means to build a copy of the emperor yourself, in which case you're deceiving me, and the copy is a ruse... but everything about this says otherwise. The worlds are in chaos, this cave is far too old, and the emperor would have seen you build a false shrine and warned me."


"I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help. The moment I leave this cave, the emperor will take control of me again and I'll be convinced you're a foe and that we aren't supposed to interfere with mortal affairs. So I'm pretty much stuck here. I suppose I can defend this place if someone tries to attack it."



"So what are you anyways?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Well you let go of that sword and then we'll talk."

[Everything else assumes he does]

I'll let him get up. "Corco sent me. You may know of him; Maximus has helped him out sending troops sometimes. Last time was like a hundred and fifty years ago."

I glance at his neck. "Sorry about the neck. I'll buy you a beer when this is all over."

"Well believe you me if I knew about this whole pattern business I wouldn't be here."

"Don't worry you'll be really helpful. I'll need you to brief me on your arrangement with the imperial forces on your side, I'll need your clothes, and it'd really help if you told me you were chauffeured here."

I bet he's really confused now. I'll push my nose flat and say, "Don't worry, I can definitely disguise myself to look like you."

Halcyone got a very strange look on her face and began speaking strangely.
"The OAI you see before you is a Tendriloid 300X series by Primedia Labs. Named Best Chimeric Model by AMQ in 3108, and type-modelled by Hariyō Pāla ver I, the exotic forms of Tendriloids are now a semi-commonly seen waiting on the trendiest executives and statesmen. The 300X series has been equipped with a heightened sensory response to know your orders before you ask them. This particular unit was commissioned b--"

I shook my head and blinked a few times.
"Sorry, it's stuff like that that makes me think I'm a spineless automaton. Got the spineless part down just fine."
I gave sheepish laugh.

"Well you asked me one so I might as well ask you one. What'd you do that made Maximus decide to make you immortal?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

He does. Not that he could do anything with it.


"Troops sent off the skerry a hundred and fifty years ago... ok, I'm not supposed to be up on that, but I have an inkling. They didn't say anything about six armed girls with active camo though.


"I've had worse. I'll heal slowly... I think at least once I leave this temple"

"Its certainly an odd place to put such a shrine... right under an active battleground."



"


"I've got a Badge that makes them quake in fear and let me do anything I want. Sometimes they look me up first to double check. I had them fly me out to the front lines in a military jet, then was driven to the caves in some general's private car... He's waiting 48 hours for me, then returning."


"Not sure how long it will take Maximus to notice that you're using my badge. Once he does, you can bet it... actually... whatever they did to Maximus really messed up what he will or won't do. Murder them for me, will you?"



"you're a constructed person. But built by a research team instead of the benevolent genius who is the emperor... I'm rather glad to be on the emperor's side of our divide. Once we get him back, of course."



"I infiltrated a gang of slavers. Went under deep cover for a year. They eventually figured out who I was, but not before I tipped off the identities and locations of 34 operations, and then personally took out 4 more when my cover was inconveniently blown. The emperor was impressed, and inducted me with the heroes. They try to keep my identity suppressed, because my job is to go undercover, and having a universally recognized face interferes with that."


"Adjustable face... that'd be really nice to have"




"I mean, I've got a rival who took down all my bugs at renix ford. Bad neighborhood, but worth having eyes in. I'll give you enough to make it worth your time to stick eyes up there."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Send me the details and I'll evaluate the situation and see what I can do."

As long as Vassiaruous has to wait a day, they decide to build up some resources in case they should need the funds going forward.

If the situation calls for it, he can plant the bugs in a similar way.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Yeah, well Corco collects heroes like I collect baubles. He could have a fallen angel arch-mage and he wouldn't bring it up until it comes in handy."
"I think the shrine came well before the war. Then again, who's to say the battle lines weren't deliberately placed?"I'll ask Holo-Maximus if Maximus will be able to trace the location of the badge.
"Well, Maximus seems to only be sending heroes after me and V. That might change if he decides you failed. No idea if someone else is sending the army after us.""Well I won't pretend I don't angst about being the world's smartest fashion accessory, but working for Corco means sooner or later something will be done to help the two or three billion other OAIs. Well after everything more important on the list is cleared.""Slavers? I must have missed that in my research. Like human traffickers?""And only done because it 'looks cool and let's you stay up-to-date without surgery'. And not that helpful when you get stabbed in the back."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

It might be time for a call to exchange information, send Halcyone the new ID, and so forth?


Vassarious is given a pickup location for the bugs. A few different spots will be difficult: three restaurants run by dangerous men are on the list, which means a lot more eyes but ones that probably don't care as much.


The Hologram appears.



"Maximus himself will have no special link to the badge. He will sense if you use any of your unique power from off-world, and he will be able to watch you over most of the five worlds. I would have said all, but then I found this spot"


"Yes... perhaps the foulest of all criminals. They are more or less powerful at different times. The Emperor can see much, but he cannot see everything all at once. I don't know how big of an issue it is now... when I woke up I didn't feel it was important. I'm somewhat curious now."



"That sounds quite extravagant."


Anything else you need from Kunnifax.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I was waiting until I had the identity to provide, but Halcyone can initiate the call...

Vassarious waits until the businesses close, so he can slip in and plant the devices unobserved.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Hasn't it only been maybe a few hours since the last time I talked with V? I assume she's good but under a day seems a bit overconfident. I check in after reaching [frantically checks previous posts for city name] Gatetopolis.

So he'll be able to tell if I adjust my pigmentation, my face, I pick anything up with a third arm or my Danger Sense triggers? That's a little strange but I can roll with it.

"Well, I don't think I have the time to check in on it, but I think V might."

"I dunno; I thought a bodyguard/fashion accessory who can discuss the finer points of psych was a bit much too."

Names of his contacts (i.e. the general, the airplane people). The key for the gate. Whether it will be believable or not if I come out with a knapsack full of stuff and no sword. If I look like him now.

I'll probably proceed out of the caves towards the imperial side now. I assume I can just walk through the gate now. I'll lock it behind me if I can. Then I'll recover my knapsack if it's not suspicious.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

my bad, good call.


That works for some of the business... but two of the three trouble spots are open 24/7.



Sabuleum is the name of the city. You can call or not.



Kunnifax is unsure what the triggers Maximus can track are, only that they exist. Maximus's "splinter" clarifies a few actions that stick out. Generally, its your abilities that are strait up magic. Using the Pen to talk to each other is visible. Transporting into world using Corco's method is a visible. Vassarious shifting forms is visible (it has the magic power modifier on it).


"A thoughtful bodyguard is a real pain to deal with. Speaking as someone who tries to deceive criminals who employ bodyguards."

He doesn't have the key to the gate: he smashed the lock with his sword. he had no idea it was here. He happily gives you the names, but then assures her that until she blows her cover, people will happily bend over backwards for her. The general is named Yortifus, should it be important.



"Showing up with no visible sword and a knapsack full of stuff will just add to my mystique. Lets see if I can fit into your clothes... how attached are you to them, and do you have a needle?"


Its not a comfortable fit, but its close enough, and Kunnifax says its better than nothing.



Halcyone begins the long walk out of the caves. She eventually reaches the imperial side, where guards scan Kunnifax's badge and give her sharp and overly crisp salutes.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Hm... Well I guess we'll just keep using the pens as limited as possible.

"Yeah, and it helped me save Ardelean more than once. Of course the design reference document was more focused on resistance to small arms fire, and assumed there would be a separate chief of security."

"You can have everything but the armor I'm wearing. Not taking that off; I'd be naked and then it would be awkward. Only fits the tentacle legged anyway."
*rummage* *rummage*
[OK, that's the last of them, at least for a while]
I'll give them a few salutes back and ask where the general is. When I find him I'll say:
"I'm done here. I need to go back to the capital tout suite."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

While casing the first target for a few hours, Vassarious watches the behavior of the patrons and employees and tries to identify the players and who to avoid. They consider the best locations to plant the devices and the best route to take and cover activities to pursue...

They observe an unobtrusive woman, bussing dishes and straightening up the establishment. She's barely noticed as she moves among the tables. She asks her tables one by one if they need anything before she heads into the back and, past the restrooms and then by the kitchen door. A ritual Vassarious has seen twice before. Vassarious watches her as she pulls out a pack of cigarettes as the door closes, hiding her from view.

'Four minutes then..' Vassarious thinks as they move to the restroom as their features start to soften. Moments later, Vassarious exits the lady's room in the waitress' image. They re-enter the dining room and grab a few napkins and place settings to set up the recently vacated tables,

'Three minutes' they think, as they look out to the curtains and take a moment to adjust them to better effect.

'Two minutes' their internal monolog states as they step behind the bar and give it a quick wipe down, and turning to reach up and shift a few bottles into a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement.

"One minute." Vassarious says sweetly as a customer makes a motion with their hand looking for their check, and they come out from behind the bar to the hall, disappearing into the lady's room. Just as the waitress comes in and passes the kitchen, Vassarious exits the bathroom as a silver-haired elder who, before strolling out the back door, turns to the waitress and says...

"Oh sweetie, I think table 2 is ready for their check."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Kunifax thanks Halcyone for the clothing, and briefly discusses exchanging contact information for phones, but figures the phones won't work in here, and he's stuck. He bids her fairwell, and starts sewing up his new uniform.

Holomaximus warns that his ability to communicate will be even weaker on the capital world, and that he'll have to relay any information through the dreams of the soldier she met in the hospital.

They happily load "Kunnifax" onto a plane and to the capital. It a small multi person craft: Halcyone would call it a private jet if it weren't for the fact that it was so obviously military.

How far out from the capital do you want to land?

Nicely done!

Vassarious is leaving the last of the "dangerous" establishments when he sees Retifurus (The immortal who shot him up before) coming down the street towards the elderly woman.

The light is dim in the street, as its late and only streetlights are available for illumination (-2). Retifurus says something into a microphone on his shirt. He's holding an assault riffle, and a long thin sword at his waist. He has just come around the corner, and is seven yards away.

Vassarious is in a much more combat ready form, even if they look like a little old lady at the moment.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

OK, so on Arthus now. I'll aim for, oh, maybe five miles from the capital. If I know V's cell number I'll:
1) Ask for some cash
2) Slip away and make sure I'm not being followed
3) Hide the badge in my pocket and disguise myself as someone else.
4) Buy a drop-phone and reach out to V

OK, assuming that all goes to plan, I'll message V, something like:
"V: Halcyone here. Pen phones and shapeshifting draws attention from Maximus. Best to avoid this. In Arthus City; call to arrange meetup at first opportunity."

(And if I'm confused and I'm actually in Sabeleum, I'll go for the same rough strategy, though I won't try to arrange a meetup).

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Oh my!"

The old woman exclaims as her hands disappear into her purse, only to reappear with a pair of vicious-looking clawed gloves. Several lines of ridges are on the backs and a closer examination would reveal they are rows of shuriken.


"Are you sure you want to do this, sonny? You should have respect for your elders."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Halcyone makes it to the capital, gets off of the plane, and walks into the city a new person with a large wad of cash. She buys the phone, and sends V the message.



Where is she headed now?


"I'm fairly advanced in years myself. But where are my manners? May I have this dance?"


He smiles as he grips his gun. He isn't pulling it up quite yet, waiting for his "dance partner" to make the first move.




Yeah, this is all good dramatic setup.



The heavy metal door of the establishment is two yards behind you, and has swung shut. It does open in such a way so as to grant cover though. Its probably bullet-proof, and the brick walls of the establishment lack windows. A simple metal trash can seems to be empty next to it. Retifurus is one yard away from his corner. 4 yards behind that is a t-section of the alley, and behind that are old brick residential houses. The buildings are all four stories tall, and you think they have flat roofs. The alley is about 10 feet across. The building across from you has large broken and boarded up windows and a heavy metal door 4 yards from both you and Retifurus. Around the corner are concrete and wrought iron stairwells going both up and down. At the end of the alley (26 yards or so) is a giant heavy metal garbage dumpster and a 10 foot fence with barbed wire.


First action goes to the combatant with the higher speed...which would be the immortal.... if it weren't for danger sense.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well as much as I'd like to waltz into the Maximus's temple and take a good look around, I'm pretty sure my Kunnifax disguise, even with the badge, would fail rather quickly. Maybe if I could tell a good story. I'll look for a hotel that deals in cash to use as a base and start casing the exterior of the temple.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Are you sure you don't want to buy a lady a drink first? You came on a little strong last time."

The old woman takes a step closer and whips her hand around and letting fly a shuriken that arcs in a curve through the air, narrowly missing Retifurus.

((Vassarious takes the Step and Attack maneuver, and makes a ranged Feint.

Throwing Art - 14 (Technique, Feint, +4; Range, 7yds, -3; Acc, +3) Effective Skill 18

3d6 <= 18
3 + 4 + 6 = 13 ... success by 5 ))