EVENT #17: ENDGAME PART 1/2

[vivalamods]

Event #17: END GAME PART 1/2

Odilo Durst and his family had only started to settle into their new home on the newly Corair-controlled island of Larendt. Now they were packing again. Leaders of the Corsairs assured them they'd be safe hiding at The Vault. Odilo complained and doubted how safe it really was. Quietly, some Corsairs agreed.

Corsair intelligence is kept busy between watching for signs of the Emperor's announced attack launching, and tracking whoever has publicly announced an interest in the bounty on Odilo's head. Occasionally a fellow Corsair expresses a wish to get rid of the snobby Durst family, and

The Imperial air attack fleets steadily grow in size. Intelligence comes in that the promised weapons have been distributed to troops, and that generals have been seen preparing to board ships. The fight is about to begin. Flotsam prepares and battle positions are discussed.

When the Imperials arrive in full force, several generals and their ships descend towards Flotsam from multiple directions. It would seem that the Imperials somehow knew exactly where the Flotsam fleet was waiting for them.

During the chaos of the Flotsam battle, other Imperial ships and bounty hunters aim their efforts towards landing on Larendt to head search.

MISSIONS

Defend the Lower Isles: The Imperial Army descends on the Isles Below, with the majority targeting the Flotsam fleet. The Corsairs rise to meet them, but the sheer number of enemy ships and armors is unlike anything seen in previous battles, and a sense of dread spreads as it becomes clear the Empire somehow knew where to find Flotsam.
Description: Flotsam must be defended from heavy fire. If Flotsam decides to flee, an opening must be made for the escape.
Elsewhere, civilian homes are being targeted by aerial explosive drops. Towns need protection and/or evacuation.

The Spearhead: One of the Emperor's favorite generals is among the enemies who break through the Corsair air defenses and steps foot on Larendt, chasing a tip on where Odilo and his family had previously been seen. It is said General Quirin Blumstein, a large spear carrying woman, has a lifeforce so impenetrable, she cannot feel pain.
Status: Open
Description: Quirin, her troops, and any accompanying bounty hunters need to be delayed long enough for the Durst family and other civilians in the area to escape the island. The enemy must be defeated and leave, or else Larendt will fall into Imperial control again.

2-3 participants may take part in this prompt.
Quirin may be played by a log leader or written jointly by all participating players. She will not die in this battle but can be seriously injured or forced to retreat for other reasons. Corsairs may lose this battle and control over the island of Larendt if desired. (Please tell the mods if you plan to lose the battle. Minor effects on Part 2 will follow.) Additional information is in the comments below.

The Former Advisor's Fate: Odilo and several Corsairs go missing. Corsairs must decide the best way to track him down before he is taken to the Isles Above.

Status: Closed
Description: The Durst family arrives successfully at The Vault, but as the battle drags on attentions turn to treating the injured and sending arms out to assist Corsairs on the front lines. Then Odilo's wife reports her husband missing. Looking around, several people are missing, including two important Corsairs- Emery and Rezo.

2-3 participants may take part in this prompt. NPCs and descriptions of the mystery at hand will be provided in tag replies by the mod account based on what actions the player characters take.

Rally the Rebels: Morale grows poorer by the day. As some of the most admired among their ranks, the PC Corsairs are asked to reassure the others... And perhaps each other.
Description: Rousing speeches, correcting pessimistic assumptions, storytelling, prayer circles, song, full bellies- as long as it can be provided during battle or in the temporary lulls of Imperial attacks, any of a number of approaches might get the Corsairs energized and hopeful again.


OOC INFORMATION

-Is there a traitor among the Corsairs? Yes. Characters can pursue the truth of who this was, or cut their losses and concentrate on the battle and raising morale. Either or both paths can be followed.

-Keep in mind that major injury to your character might mean they cannot participate like usual when the final battle in February. Emery and Rezo are no longer available to provide healing. If you wish to kill your character (temporarily or permanently), please DM blessmefather about interaction with Hades in the underworld.

-Quirin can be injured with great effort, but cannot be killed in this battle. Regardless of Imperial success or failure seizing back Larendt, she will reappear in next month's final battles.

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NPC INFORMATION

[vivalamods]

Quirin Blumstein is among the younger generals in the Imperial Military. She is a seven foot tall woman with long white hair, an eerie, gentle smile, and an intense unblinking stare. Her even taller spear is almost always seen by her side, even at court. Many rumors swirl around her but no one dares speak them in front of her or the Emperor, as she is one of his favorite generals and a friend.

Most rumors surround her personality. Quirin seems to always be smiling and "easygoing" despite her threatening aura. She enjoys battle immensely. She believes so firmly in the Empire's ways that she thinks of it as the natural way of the world. She views enemies of the Empire as pitiable, confused people, who simply need reminding of the natural order. If only her enemies were better educated or more faithful, they could battle for sport in an arena instead of to the death.

In battle, Quirin is a fierce melee enemy and extremely difficult to injure. Some rumors claim she cannot feel any kind of pain, and on the rare occasion she is injured, she will barely blink. While she certainly passes for and identifies as wholly human, many quietly believe she has inherited traits from either a celestial or powerful beastkin bloodline. This particular rumor is true, and she is gifted with a large natural store of ether and life energy, as well as thick protective skin that cannot be cut by normal blades. (Rumor has it there are scales or stones on her skin beneath her armor, but any sign of her being a mixed human is normally hidden as the Empire demands.)

When she is injured, she is quick to heal herself and will require a serious effort to tire out or injure seriously enough to convince her to retreat. It might be easier to force a retreat by forcing her to protect her troops or through trickery. While Quirin is not completely oblivious, she is used to being able to strong-arm or out-endure her way though most challenges in battle and might not immediately notice traps.

QUESTIONS & MOD CONTACT

[vivalamods]

SIGN UP FOR THE SPEARHEAD

[vivalamods]

Re: SIGN UP FOR THE SPEARHEAD

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl will help out here. Not interested in being a log leader.

[vivalamods]

Since only Ilphyl is signed up for the battle against Quirin, would you want to continue and have them face a challenging opponent alone, at higher risk of failure? Or would you prefer a mod add their character into the mix?

[spacetogrow]

Might be best to have a second character since Ilphyl is also helping with the investigation

SIGN UP FOR THE FORMER ADVISOR'S FATE

[vivalamods]

Re: SIGN UP FOR THE FORMER ADVISOR'S FATE

[theriflespiral]

signing up

Re: SIGN UP FOR THE FORMER ADVISOR'S FATE

[upupatomway]

One of my two characters can be a backup participant. Going to give it a couple more days for other sign ups but I expect this thread in particular needs to be started soon to avoid spoiling things come February.

TL;DR Atom or Matt will join if nobody else signs up before Jan 15th.

Re: SIGN UP FOR THE FORMER ADVISOR'S FATE

[spacetogrow]

Signing up

[vivalamods]

This prompt is closed now

[open] Your friendly boy robot has evolved into...

[upupatomway]

Something has changed...

Everyone is in a rush to make last minute preparations as word comes in about new arms getting delivered to the Imperial forces as the Emperor had announced. The attack lead by his generals could begin any day, any hour now.

Those who know Atom might notice, either in passing or during a quick break between tasks that he's taller. A good six inches, in fact, and a glance at his shoes will show he isn't on any kind of platform. He's officially becoming a bit gangly in limb, like a true young teenage boy starting to shoot upward. His pants are short on him, and he might need new clothes in the following months if he keeps growing.

Defend the Lower Isles

Atom flies low over part of Flotsam. "I've got the incoming armors! Focus on the ships!" Atom calls out to those manning the cannons and guns of the nearest ship, before flying up to confront the next wave of armor pilots.

It's bad enough the Imperials have surrounded Flotsam from the air- if the ships touch down at any of the nearby islands, they'll have ground troops to worry about as well.

Rally the Rebels

Atom takes Rezo's disappearance hard. The man had always provided an ear and advice when asked for it, and it was fair to credit Rezo for helping him learn magic. To lose not only Rezo but Emery, Apollo, as well just after the last several days of non-stop fire...

Atom puts on a brave face among the crowds. In a quiet corner, he can be caught frowning to himself, bent over a paper with a pen in hand, trying to calculate something or get his thoughts onto paper. He easily forgets to join the others at mealtime as he loses himself in thought.

Rally the Rebels

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl has been mostly in the various hospitals set up after the battle, but there is only so much magic they can use. And they still need to eat. They do smile when they see Atom. "What are you working on?"

[upupatomway]

Atom doesn't respond at first despite his sensors picking up on Ilphyl's presence coming closer. When they speak, he finally snaps to attention. "What?" he blurts out, realizing he hadn't been paying attention to the physical world for a while now.

He blinks, and the face of a friend in front of him brings it all back. He tries to give a solid smile, but struggles, all things considered. "I've been um... Trying to calculate the most likely answers to a couple questions before tomorrow." He gives an uneasy laugh. "Not sure I'm getting anywhere though..."

[spacetogrow]

Ilhpyl does jerk back because they aren't used to Atom being that tense. More of a 'grabbed a bit of wood that still had a bit of splinters in it' than anything obviously scared. "Calculating?" They aren't used to that word being used for anything other than accounting.

[upupatomway]

"Attempting to determine the most likely answers based on the facts and behavior patterns I do know about," he tries to clarify. He's not sure if Ilphyl has run into conversations about statistics before or not, now that he thinks about it.

The end goal might better explain what he's trying to do more than anything.

"I'm trying to figure out if Rezo and Emery are likely still alive. And what kind of words or action would be most effective at making everyone feel more hopeful."

[spacetogrow]

"I think Rezo and Emery are alive," Ilphyl said. "They know too much about the Corsairs, and the Empire knows we take care of our own, so they can also be bait."

"Sorry, that's not particularly hopeful. It's mostly my gut feeling."

[upupatomway]

Ilphyl makes a good point. The Corsairs had always opted to save as many as they could. Even if the leaders didn't care about Rezo or Emery (and he is sure they do), it would do more to maintain the Corsair's reputation among the civilians if they are loyal to their own.

"Gut feeling..." Atom's expression starts to soften. "That might be better to go with than a calculation. I can't say presenting a prediction will inspire those who are starting to worry about our chances against the Empire." He puts his pen down.

"Have you ever been in this kind of position before?" he asks. "Where a group of people are relying on you to give them hope?"

The Former Advisor's Fate [closed]

[vivalamods]

"I last saw him here," Mrs. Durst shows the curious Corsairs into one of the many residential dorms within The Vault. "We just got here a couple days ago when they moved us after the Emperor put the bounty on my husband's head. We were both trying to unpack and make this tiny hole look halfway decent. We've been working on that all day. He said he'd step out to get food for the family, but he didn't come back and it's been hours! The children and I have been searching everywhere between here and the place you people give out the food but he's nowhere to be found!"

Mrs. Durst presses a worried fist to her mouth. She hasn't quite reached the point of desperation where she'll plead, but she seems to be on the way. Her youngest child, a daughter about 12 years old, goes to hug her while the other two Durst children, the eldest son and middle son, both older teens, stare at the Corsairs with sour expressions.

Re: The Former Advisor's Fate [closed]

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl nodded. They could understand that while Odilo Durst might have made the decision to trust the Corsairs, Mrs. Durst and the children was relying on her husband's judgement of people she probably had only heard scary stories about. "I know you're new here, ma'am, but did you notice anyone who stood out as odd to you today?"

Truthfully, they would like to try wildshaping into something that can track people better, or had senses they didn't have, but best not to scare the poor family. Gain what they can by talking.

Re: The Former Advisor's Fate [closed]

[theriflespiral]

Natalia has, for once, shown up in... Relatively normal clothes. She knows her flamboyant costumes are well-known at this point, so anything that can confuse the notoriety helps.

In the meantime, she takes in the little details of their living quarters with her abilities. It's amazing what people will leave out when they're in turmoil; and every little thing shall help.

[vivalamods]

Mrs. Durst bites back her initial reply to Ilphyl's question and after a moment of reconsidering, replies a little slower. "An odd character... We're new to the region... Let alone an underground city... We don't know what a normal person is here."

"You're only the third or fourth elf I've ever talked to," the daughter adds, clearly staring at Ilyphyl.

Mrs. Durst hushes her. "Becca, the adults are talking. We don't have time for chatting- we still haven't found your father." Becca frowns slightly but continues to observe Ilphyl.

"I still think he got lost. You'd be better off asking the cooks if he took a right instead of a left turn out of the mess hall. You worry too much, Mother," the eldest son says, shrugging.

"Hans, the Emperor himself wants your father's head! We can't worry enough!" Mrs. Durst insists.

Meanwhile, the middle son, Gregor, shifts his gaze between his mother's conversation and Natalia as she investigates. His attention turns more sour whenever Natalia gets closer to any of the extra expensive items the former aristocrats had unpacked from their large trunks.

Their living space is like any other given to families in The Vault, but instead of the mountains of books piled in most of the academically obsessed residents' homes, a number of valuable decor items have already been put on shelves and hung on the walls. Almost all the trunks of the family's belongings are lying open; the contents a picture of typical aristocrat lifestyle- nothing particularly odd in view.

Odilo had left behind an entire trunk of accounting papers from the Empire. If Natalia looks through them, she'll see the growing spending of the Empire that had Odilo doubting the might of the Emperor to begin with. But nothing is present that seems odd or that points to Odilo's plans for today. It's fair to conclude he really had been unpacking with the family as claimed until recently.

[theriflespiral]

She touches nothing but the books, hunts for nothing, speaks in a carefully-cultivated Imperial accent that speaks to later proper education-- which is true, but not in the way most would expect. "... I can say one thing for certain. If he was planning to leave, he did not write it down. So. I shall find your father."

For her, this is personal. All her hard work, undone in a single day, and for what? "... Though I will admit I am frustrated. I think we shall learn little else here, for now."

That said, she notes Gregor's nerves about the valuables, and Hans's blithe acceptance. Mrs. Durst's distress seems to be quite genuine.

"... And if it is in my power, I shall make sure he is not himself fed into the rifle."

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl does smile back. Being just an elf is still a novelty. The wealthy items feel... like people trying to cling to the familiar in extraordinary circumstances, but it does show that the family has accepted that they will be here for a while, and it's worth unpacking. And that at least Mrs. Durst -- and Ilphyl does have to remind themselves that the Empire would consider her husband the head of the family, not her -- has decided that they can trust the Corsairs enough to not hide the valuables in their home. Regardless what the younger son might think.

But they turn to Natalia. "It might be best to see what we can find outside."

[theriflespiral]

Natalia nods. There might be more questions to ask here, but only after they've got a good lead.

[vivalamods]

"We'll be here, hoping he turns up," Mrs. Durst says. Her children watch Ilphyl and Natalia leave, Becca with curiosity, the brothers with a hint of either disdain or stress.

The mess hall where Odilo was headed for his family's next meal isn't far from the underground neighborhood of living quarters. Further out lies The Vault's many research areas and library, and further out still the workshops and training areas leading into the underground crop fields, storage, and secret entrances that lead out to the surface of the island. There has been an increase in foot traffic on the island surface since the Corsairs drove the Empire off the Lower Isles, but not to the point of guaranteeing witnesses if Odilo had been carried out and off the island. The size of The Vault is too large for two people to search completely by normal means in less than 24 hours.

Hopefully they can find help from others, eliminate some possibilities, or get lucky choosing their path.

[spacetogrow]

"I'm going to see if I can pick up a scent. Will you be all right talking to people to see who saw Mister Durst after he left here?"

More likely, it would be a sign of a fight or strangers they'd identify. If that didn't work, walking around with Detect Magic might work, though it only picked up active spells.

[vivalamods]

When Ilphyl starts sniffing around, they'll notice hints that smell like Odilo's belongings leading towards the mess hall. Lucky for them, the cooks will still be in the kitchen and available to talk if the two decide to question them.

Otherwise, Odilo's scent seems to veer off from the mess hall entrance more recently, suggesting he was there but headed in the wrong direction for some reason. A wrong turn? Or something else?

Out in the passage, another possible witness, a halfling walking his dog, passes them coming from the direction Odilo's scent went in.