NeoExodus: Whisper and Steel, Shadow and Flame

Game Master Jeff Lee

As tensions rise between nations, the Imperial Senate struggles to maintain peace. Looking to make a reputation for yourself, you have come to the capitol and taken service with a young promising senator. You hope that as his star rises, you'll rise as well by serving him honorably. Of course, if the Alliance falls into chaos, it may all be for naught...


251 to 300 of 316 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | next > last >>

AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

Shrugging his shoulders "Maybe the rats took his bones?" But standing here won't solve the problem, we should pick one of these.... and go on." Motioning towards the three passages.

"But maybe there is some trail here somewhere..."

Looking for some clue where to go, Broderick examines the floor.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

or

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Puffing on his pipe contentedly, Master Parisos wanders around the cavern, looking at the shape, color and structure of the place; its rock structures, stalactites, stalagmites, etc.
Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
He goes to the three passages and places his most polished spherical sling stone at the entrances, checking for slope.


AC20/FF:19/Touch:14/HP:9/Init:+1/F:+4,R:+4,W:+1 Machinesmith 2

Kon-Tao stands around mostly unsure what to do and then he remembers.

"Are we not ehre to retrieve documents? It seems unlikely they would be here."


Female HP: 10/10 AC: 18/12/16 F: +3 R: +2 W: +5 Per: +3 (+5 w/ Familiar) Init: +2

"Ah yes, of course," the P'tan concedes, "...but wouldn't it be beneficial to at least know who or what is behind the stalking of those that keep the library?"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Parisos: The middle passage shows the most slope. The cavern itself seems fairly normal, likely the work of an underground tributary of the nearby river, now diverted or gone. The lack of anything organic is likely the work of the slime, as you can see signs of acidic deterioration on much of the stone at floor level. The slime likely cannot climb, hence the remains of the nests and rat-creatures in the higher niches being undisturbed.

Amon (remember Amon?) says "It seems like the thing to do would be to ensure there are no further enemies about, but--" He cuts off abruptly, his head cocking like he's listening to something, though the rest hear no other sounds. After a moment, he continues. [b]"Whatever you decide, I need to return topside. I'll inform the guards and the Senator of what we've found, unless you all wish to come back up and gather the documents and return with me?"


AC20/FF:19/Touch:14/HP:9/Init:+1/F:+4,R:+4,W:+1 Machinesmith 2

Kon-Tao seems open to the idea but pauses to awaits the others decision.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Parisos draws on his pipe and considers.
"You know, you may be right. I don't think we actually checked to see if the documents were present before coming back here. Let us go back and complete our mission first before perhaps continuing this investigation later."


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

"Shouldn't we still be looking for our missing aide? And besides we've come this far, we may as well see how deep this rat hole really goes..." Broderick protests.

"Why not let Amon gather the documents while we continue exploring?"


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Reminded of the missing aide, Master Parisos stops and waivers.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Let me know what the party decides. If you guys want to elect a party leader/spokesperson to make executive decisions for the group, please do.


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

Well Broderick's vote is fairly obvious


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

"Yes, yes of course you are right. The missing archivist. We must proceed to follow the traces we have to find him if we can. Amon Please check with the Archivist about our documents."
Parisos turns to follow Broderick.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

"Well, the central passage has the most slope. I think we should search it."


AC20/FF:19/Touch:14/HP:9/Init:+1/F:+4,R:+4,W:+1 Machinesmith 2

Kon-Tao shrugs and follows along for now.


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

Leading the way down the suggested passage, Broderick walks with purpose as he adjusts his analyzer to compensate for the darkness.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Amon gives a nod and departs, leaving the lot of you to explore the tunnel. It descends for perhaps 40 or 50 paces before leveling out. This appears to be a natural formation, but there are signs that work has been done here and there to level the floor, remove stalagmites, and the like.

You follow the twisting tunnel for several minutes, noting branching passages here and there, but these are still in their natural state, tight-fitting, and show no signs of traffic.

The tunnel ends abruptly in what appears to be a dead end. However, closer observation reveals that the end of this cul-de-sac has a portion of wall that appears to be made of wood, streaked with thin deposits of limestone from the ceiling.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Cautiously, Parisos pokes at the wooden section of wall.
"Hm. I wonder if this is some kind of secret door..." He mused aloud.
Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Upon closer examination, it appears to be a hole blocked by some large, wooden object, perhaps a shelf or cabinet.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Reaching out, Master Parisos pushes at it, then pulls at it trying to get it out of the way.


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

"Oooooh! A secret passage!!" Broderick chips in excitedly, as he rushes forward to help Parisos, Broderick draws from his pack; a crowbar. "I've got just the thing!! Always wanted to do a little smash and grab!"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Master Parisos is unable to push it out of the way, and it seems larger than the hole it covers, so it won't pull in. He does not immediately note any mechanism to open it.

Broderick steps forward, crowbar in hand, and works one wedged end in between the stone of the opening and the wooden barrier.

Strength check, +2 for the crowbar. If Master Parisos pitches in and puts a shoulder to it, he can make a check as well, and add it to Broderick's total.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Master Parisos pitches in with the crowbar and puts his back into it.
Strength check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

After taking a deep breath, Broderick puts all the force he can muster into the crowbar. With some grunts Broderick's face contorts as it goes red with effort.

Str: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 2 = 13


AC20/FF:19/Touch:14/HP:9/Init:+1/F:+4,R:+4,W:+1 Machinesmith 2

Kontao will contribute if he can.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Str. check.


Male Orc Expert 5

No. No he can't.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

After a second or two of straining, there's an audible snap, and the wooden obstacle swings out like a hinged door. Peering through, the party sees what appears to be someone's cellar. Racks with kegs and bottles line the walls, and bulging burlap sacks hang from hooks affixed to support beams in the ceiling.


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

Looking at the others Broderick whispers "Now this is not what I expected...." before creeping further into the room, looking for any avenues of entrance/exit.

He even goes as far as to try and peer into one of the sacks (if they are within reach).


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Master Parisos entered the chamber after Broderick. He closed his eyes and concentrated on Detect Magic,


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

As Master Parisos stretches his senses for magical emanations, Broderick discovers that the sacks are filled with onions, potatoes, and yams.

A rattling sound from the far side of the room catches your attention. A metal accordion gate slides back as light spills into the room. A portly, bearded fellow holding a lantern steps into the room, humming to himself off-key. When he catches sight of your group, the hum dies away. He gives a conscious blink, as if not sure he's actually seeing you. Then he takes a step forward, pointing his finger at you.

"Hey! What're you lot doing in my cellar?"


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

"Us? Why we are searching for a missing person!" Broderick replies, before squinting his eyes to focus on this new intruder.

Does he have specific markings on his clothing? Face?

"But what are you doing with a secret tunnel?!?! Hmm?" Broderick points back with an accusing finger of his own.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

He's wearing shoes, trousers, and a shirt, all in darker colors. Over them he has on an apron that appears stained, perhaps by food. A port wine birthmark sits on his bald head just over his left eyebrow.

The man's face reddens as he sputters angrily. "I don't know nothin' 'bout any missing person! And I've never seen that before! Mayhaps you lot dug into my cellar to steal my stock! I should call the guard on you!"


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Parisos blinks at the newcomer.
"Oh. Terribly sorry for the intrusion. We were following a secret passage and it came out here. Have you seen anyone come out here in the last day or two?" Parisos asked politely.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

"Oh and no we are not thieves. And yes we do have the authority to be here."
Master Parisos pulls out his badge (a pin identifying him as a member of Croy's staff, bearing his family's crest along with the symbol of the Imperial Senate) and waives it in the stranger's general direction.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The fellow seems confused, angry, and now rather nervous. He stammers and mumbles a bit before saying "I'll call the watch. We'll sort out this mess..."

A few hours later, there are watchmen, Imperial Guards, and others involved. The man eventually confesses to using the caves, along with other man-made tunnels, to smuggle in goods and avoid Imperial tariffs on products for his tavern. He claims to know nothing about a break-in at the Senatorial Archives, nor anything about the missing archivist. He's taken into custody for further questioning, and the lot of you are recalled to the Senator's office for a briefing.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Waiting nervously outside, Parisos hopes against hope that Amon had managed to put his hands on the documents they had originally been sent to retrieve.


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

Pacing around the waiting room, Broderick tries to verbally go over their accomplishments: "So we managed to get into the archives, give the list to the remaining archivist, but unable to find his companion..... and we don't have anything to show for it. Did I miss anything?"


AC20/FF:19/Touch:14/HP:9/Init:+1/F:+4,R:+4,W:+1 Machinesmith 2

"No. That is an accurate assessment. We did not perform the simple task required of us."


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

Luckily for you, Amon had the archivist collect and deliver the required documents before leaving. He alerted the Senatorial Guard to the circumstances in the archive as well. The Senator asks that you all get a good night's rest and come see him again first thing in the morning.

The next day you all arrive on time, only to be told by his clerk, Alden, that the Senator is in a meeting elsewhere and asked that you await his arrival. When Senator Croy arrives nearly an hour later, he seems in good spirits, all things considered.

"Good morning, gentlefolk. I trust you are all well? I've been informed of the circumstances in the archive. People have been dispatched to deal with the clean up and seal off the tunnels leading under the Senatorial grounds. One of the wizards I spoke to who was investigating tells me you lot destroyed an arcane slime! Well done! That's a rather dangerous beast. It's possible that it, or perhaps those aspic rats, were the demise of that poor missing archivist."

"We've yet to determine the extent of the damage, or whether this intrusion was accidental or intentional, but the investigation is underway. In the meantime, I have a mission for you. An old friend of my family, Sir Otto van Korrien, is in need of aid. He was a staunch supporter of my bid for the Senate and I'd like to repay the favor. I want you to travel to the Caneus Empire, meet with Sir Otto, and assist him however you can."


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Master Parisos bows with relief.
"Of course your Lordship. If I might ask the question; how exactly does this Sir Otto stand in need of aid? What happened?" He asked curiously.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"I'll leave him to explain the details, as he's more informed than I, but he did tell me that he needs experienced folk to investigate a curse in a village within his lands. It's a long trip, and his message said it was urgent, so I'll be sending you via magical transport."

The Senator is about to add something when Alden bursts into the office unannounced.

"Sir! I'm sorry, but it's Graff. He's at it again. This time with Von Kessel," the clerk blurts out, looking embarassed.

"By the Sanguine Lord, again?" The Senator stands, giving a sigh. "I'm afraid we'll have to delay this conversation for the moment. Where, Alden?"

"The front steps, near the fountain, sir," Alden replies, as Croy moves to leave.

"You lot might as well accompany me. It will allow you to see first hand the chaos I have to deal with on a regular basis. You'd think we had enough enemies outside our lands without making them with our neighbors."


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Parisos bows.
"Yes your Lordship. Of course."


AC: 14 T: 11 FF: 13 Fort: 4 Ref: 3 Will: 1 HP: 11/11 Per: +5 (DV 60 with Analzyer)

Following behind, like a good lackey Broderick rubs his hands together expectantly at the mention of confrontations.

"By all means Sentaor, lead on!"


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

The senator leads the group out the front entrance and down the steps. A small crowd has gathered around two men, who are in the midst of doffing their senatorial robes and handing them to aides standing nearby. As they do so, they shoot angry jibes and retorts back and forth. One is a tall, burly man--though gone a bit to fat with age--hair snow-white and receded mostly to the back of his head. He sports a large mustache. His face is currently a shade of red normally reserved for the sunburned and cooked lobster.

The other is shorter, wiry of build, his hair still dark but with gray peppering his close-cropped beard. He belts on a rapier, an ugly smirk on his face as he mutters something you can't overhear at this distance. The older man's reaction makes it clear that it wasn't complimentary. His red face begins to show shades of purple and there might be flecks of foam at the corners of his mouth as he bellows "By the Sanguine Lord, I'll not stand idly by while you toss such slander about, you bastard upstart! I demand satisfaction!"

Senator Croy groans. "Graff is a member of my faction. He takes great glee in pushing the buttons of the more conservative members of the Senate. Dueling is technically illegal. If he gets himself killed in a fight, or worse, kills old Von Kessel, he'll cast us in a bad light."


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

"Ah, my lord, do we have the rank or authority to interfere?" Parisos asked nervously.
Politics made him wary, and for good reason.


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"I've made certain that the discovery of the breach on the grounds and who helped resolve the problem is common knowledge. By all means, please feel free to step in. I'm afraid Graff is all too fond of dueling, and Von Kessel is too much of a hothead not to be baited."


AC20/FF:19/Touch:14/HP:9/Init:+1/F:+4,R:+4,W:+1 Machinesmith 2

"Perhaps if they settled matters with less than lethal implements? I have plans here for a pistol round that paints the target rather than penetrates." Kon-Tao says, ever the engineer.


Male Prymidian Arcanist L1/Oracle L1 | hp 12/12 | AC 16 T12 FF14 | Saves F2R2W3 | Percep -1 | Init +2 | Status: OK

Master Parisos hesitated, not being very facile with people or politics. He racked his brains for any historical examples that he might be able to apply to this situation.
Knowledge:History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"A novel idea, Kon-Tao," replies Croy, "but while Graff is of the Protectorate, Von Kessel is from Caneus. He'll never agree to a duel of pistols. It will likely be blades."

Master Parisos:
While there seems to be little historical information you can call upon to dissuade to people from having a duel, there does seem to be precedent to speak out against such a wasteful display during a time when the Imperial Alliance has enemies arrayed against it and is already in a state of entropy. Further weakening it does no member party any good.


AC20/FF:19/Touch:14/HP:9/Init:+1/F:+4,R:+4,W:+1 Machinesmith 2

"Hmmmm, stun batons then? The twitching is quite satisfactory to the victor while doing little lasting harm to the loser."


Male Human(ish) Level 7 RPG Monkey

"That might be acceptable, if you can convince them. I wouldn't mind seeing Graff put Von Kessel down temporarily. We just can't afford to be killing one another over minor grievances."

251 to 300 of 316 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / NeoExodus: Whisper and Steel, Shadow and Flame All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.