vivala | MISSION #02 A MAN OF WORTH PLANNING PHASE

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MISSION #02 A MAN OF WORTH PLANNING PHASE

EVENT #02: A MAN OF WORTH PLANNING PHASE

The time has come to begin preparing to engage and capture the VIP. The knowledge he holds will be imperative to further Corsair operations, and they absolutely cannot let this opportunity slip by.

By a narrow vote, the Corsairs have elected to destroy the escort fleet, deeming a capture operation on the ships far too risky while also attempting to secure a VIP. As such, the Corsairs have two primary duties - discern information on the movement of the troops and prepare heavy munitions to sink the airships.

Since the game’s population is still in flux due to our new status, we are scaling back the people requirements and opening all event logs to everyone. Now, in order for a given log to be complete, we only require that players start logging it out. We’ll continue to assess and refine our mission style as the game continues and we see what works and what doesn’t, please bear with us as we get this all figured out.

CORE MISSIONS

Gather Information: Negotiators will need to connect with the Imperials in Elysium and wring as many details about the upcoming visit as they can. The more the Corsairs know about the timetable, expected escort, and armaments, the higher the chance of success.
Conflicts: A delicate touch will be needed to avoid arousing suspicions. Corsairs will need to be able to justify why it is important for them to have the knowledge, and Imperials tend not to like to give information to staff if they acknowledge they exist at all.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read GATHER INFORMATION.

Gather Munitions:Suppliers will need to start preparing and developing heavy munitions to attack the escort fleet. It is imperative that every airship in the escort sinks beneath the waves, and the crew along with it, and the Corsairs will require a lot of firepower to see it done.
Conflicts: Working with explosives is risky business, and unskilled hands are liable to get blown off. Suppliers will need to be careful with both their preparation and their handling, even moreso if they go out to gather particularly volatile materials from particularly volatile wildlife.
Requirements: To participate in this mission, your thread header should read GATHER MUNITIONS.

SIDE MISSIONS

With Hesaeth captured, the Corsairs will now need to hold it. Players may propose Player Plots to see to its defenses, in the likely event that the Empire attempts to reclaim it in the near future. The below prompts are potential things that may be done, but players are encouraged to think up their own plans and run their own logs if they think of anything. These Plots may be submitted here.
Trap the Mines: Line the mines with explosives so they can be collapsed in the event of an attack.
Undersea Route: Carve an undersea route into the mines so people can be evacuated via submersible.
Rallying Point: Set up a Rallying Point in the Hesaeth wilderness where evacuees can rendezvous for escape in the event of attack.
Defense Systems: Set up cannons to fight back against Imperial Invaders.

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Link had been planning to let down a rope for her; he knows not everyone can climb like he can. But then just as he's about to reach the window she ends up leaping right past him.

For her feat of athleticism, she gets a blink of surprise, and a soft noise of appreciation - it is impressive - and then Link gets right back to the job.

Hanging by the windowsill, Link briefly looks into the window. Then, satisfied that the coast is clear, he reaches up and just pulls the window open.

Apparently, no one was expecting anyone to break into the building this high up.

For better or worse, Sentinels are kind of used to having to do stuff themselves, and Nephenee more than usual. Nothing against you, Link; she appreciates it!

Crouched above on the...well, heck if she knows what it's called here (maybe a dormer?), she silently waits as her comrade checks inside, peering around to make sure they're still safe. So far, so good. Her mind goes to much the same place as his on the subject of people not thinking to secure egress points so far above the road. Admittedly, there's probably not many who can get up here...at least locally. Since the Empire started bringing in Outlanders, though, you'd think they'd take a bit more care...but she might be giving some of these people a bit too much credit. She'll take being underestimated, thanks.

"Think my friend Heather'd be disappointed in not havin' a challenge..." She mutters softly. Probably for the best the Whisper isn't here; she's fantastic at this sort of thing, but she also lacks a lot of scruples regarding it. The lack is probably tacked onto Nephenee, as she tries hard to not to think about what they're doing.

After today, maybe they'll take the Outlanders a bit more seriously.

But for now, they're good to go - so Link hops up through the window, before reaching out to help Nephenee follow him.

Inside, they'll find themselves in what looks to be a richly decorated office. A big mahogany desk, rich tapestries, delicate porcelain vases in the corner. It's clear that the owner of this office has money, and lots of it.

Link wanders in, casual and unburdened by any guilt. The desk gets a quick glance, but Link can't read Imperial - the papers strewn on top of it don't mean anything to him.

Nephenee takes his help gratefully, unaware her cheeks are red, and as she starts to get a look around the joint, she lets out a quiet, appreciative noise. It's been awhile since she's been in such a fancy place, if you don't count the Castle Crimea. The tapestries get inspected first, and they spark a quick pang of jealousy at the skill needed to make them. She's a pretty good seamstress just from having to do so much sewing in her life, but this is something else. The vases get a glance, but they look fragile and therefore they're not something she wants to get near. Seems a fantastic way to give away something's wrong. ~~Don't even think about it, Link.~~

The desk, meanwhile...she hasn't the foggiest what this wood is, but it's gorgeous, and so smooth her fingers glide effortlessly across as she runs them over it. These papers...her Imperial isn't fantastic, but she can make out a decent bit, or at least get the gist. "?" What have we got here?

Thankfully, Link doesn't comment on her red cheeks. Though whether that's because he's being polite, or just hasn't noticed, it's hard to say.

And Link had been looking over in the direction of those vases with interest - was there something interesting inside of them? - when Nephenee pulls his attention away. The vases were safe...for now.

But her question's not one he can help with. "...I can't read them," he admits, after staring at them a moment. He'd managed to learn how to speak Imperial well enough - but his reading skills were non-existent.

His admission gets a nod. "Imperial's real different than Tellisian...'s taken me a mite to catch on, too." Nephenee's not super smart or anything, but she kind of used the first few weeks to try to learn as much as she could. Partially because of plants, to be honest.

Hm, well, now she's curious. "Lemme see 'em in better light." Since she really doesn't want to light a lantern unless she has no choice, she crouches near the window and places the papers down in the moonlight, and shuffles them around into piles as she gets a better look. Hm... "Reckon these are trade agreements an' routes...cargo manifests..." She's not certain, but based on what she's gleaning, that seems to be the case.

A few papers look a little different; they're tugged out next. "These look like...lists?" A few mention what look to be names of people, and then...possessions taken? Nephenee grunts with disgust at that. She's not certain, but... "Maybe folks that work for this fella? Calls the stuff 'contraband', but...not seein' that makes sense. It's...stuff that seems...innocent. Like...belongin's..."

Is this merchant really taking away personal things from servants? That's... "Yune..." She's seen nobles back home that did similar, back during the wars, but to see it here...it really drives home what she noted at the party she had to infiltrate in that gross maid outfit.

But then, one list pulls her out of her thoughts. "This one's a whole lot bigger..." She has no idea what half these things are, but it's...geez, that's a heckuva list. But the description of who the items were taken from really gets her attention. "Short Outlander elf with blonde hair, blue eyes..."

Her head snaps up to Link, and she holds up the paper. "S-Sir Link, ya know how ya said ya heard this fella might know where your stuff is? Reckon this might be him after all. Some o'this stuff sounds like how ya described things ya lost, and the description fits ya mostly."

It certainly was a hell of a list. Compared to most others - which often were no more than ten items long - the 'Outlander elf's' list was pages and pages long. And mention of it most certainly gets Link's attention - in a moment he moves next to Neph, staring down at the list with wide eyes. He still can't read it, but he stares anyway.

"...Does it mention the Sword?" he says, eyes wide. "Purple winged hilt, yellow gem? Three triangles at the base of the blade?"

Because while losing everything else had been gut-wrenching...it was the loss of the Sword that Seals the Darkness that hurt the most. The Sacred Blade was his duty, and his responsibility. Having it taken from him...more than anything else, that felt like failure.

It's probably a credit to her getting more used to working with Link that his doing that doesn't make her start badly or get a dagger pulled. She just looks over to him suddenly there, blinks for a moment, and then back to the list. A few pages in...

"Yeah, there's a sword mentioned here...seems to have a description like that." Nephenee looks back up to him, frowning. Even as much as the Hylian fails to emote in a more easily read way, there's something there that catches her attention. "It's important to ya, ain't it?"

"...Yes."

Though in many ways, calling it just important didn't cover it. It was the Sacred Blade of Hylia, wielded by countless Heros across aeons of Hyrule's history. The Sword that could fight back the darkness. The blade that chose him, heralded his fate as its bearer.

The blade that Zelda carried as the Light Dragon, for thousands of years, imbuing it with her power. She'd sacrificed so much to get it back to him, to give him a chance against Ganondorf. For that alone, he could never let the Sword go.

"Is it here?"

She can't begin to guess how much that blade had been through or what it means for his world or him in general. But it's important to him, and he's a comrade. That's enough for her.

A quick double-check confirms what she feared she'd spotted out of the corner of her vision before, and the Sentinel shakes her head. "Ah'm sorry...it got sold to someone named...Tam...Ramoga?" The odd name takes her a moment to sound out. "It says where at, though...an'...that it...requires care handlin' it? Looks like it hurt 'em?"

She's heard stories of weapons that refuse to let but a chosen few wield them...was this that sort of weapon, or a cursed one that hurt the bearer regardless? She's hedging closer to the former based on what she's noticed about him. "Does that make sense to ya?"

Link's shoulder's drop, just slightly, when he here's that it's been sold on. The Sword isn't here. He can't get it back, not yet.

But he'd remember that name. Tam Romoga. Link was going to find them. And get his Sword back.

To Nephenee though, he nods. Because yes, that did make sense to him. The Sword would allow no one but him to wield her. And the only one who could touch the blade itself apart from him was Zelda.

"...Is any of it here?" The whole reason they were here was because the Corsairs thought at least some of it would be. Surely it hadn't all been sold on already...

That reaction solidifies something in her a bit more. She hasn't the foggiest what it is yet, but she can't stand the thought of a friend...
...Oh. She hadn't realized she considers him one of those, and not just a comrade. It's certainly not a typical friendship, but most of her relationships back home aren't either, so she reckons that tracks.

Anyway, she can't stand the thought of a friend hurting, and while she can't tell exactly how bad it is, something tells her it's pretty bad.

Before she can react to this revelation, though, Link asks about the rest of the stuff taken from him. Flipping through the papers slower now, she runs a finger down the column stating where they are, or at least if they've moved on or not.

"...Yeah, lotta stuff still here. Your bag an' a buncha stuff in it...though Ah ain't sure Ah'm readin' some o'these right." It certainly looks like it says there's lizards and other things in there, but...naw, she's gotta be reading that wrong.

Before she can ask about that, though, she looks up at him from her crouched position with that intense determination burning in her eyes, and carefully takes one of his hands in hers. "...Hey. We're gonna get back as much o'your stuff as we can. An' e'en if your Sword ain't here, Ah'll help ya get her back. Don't matter where or how long."

She squeezes Link's hand, once. "Ah swear it." Which is about as strong an oath someone could give, coming from her.

Link nods, a flash of determination across his face. He doesn't realise the revelation she's just made, being all too focused right now on the missing Sword, and the task at hand.

But her support is still welcome, all the same. Link's used to be the one who quietly supports others. The list of those who support him is a much, much smaller one. But...it's nice, to have that list grow.

And Nephenee was right. They were going to get the Sword back. And anything else of his they could find. Even if he had to fight the entire Empire to do it.

"Let's go," he says. They had a Merchant House to raid.

Eh, it's just an entire Empire, it could be worse. Could be the world. Could be the gods. But an Empire? Bah, their ragtag band's got this.

Her sense of scale could also be monumentally screwed due to what she's seen, too.

Nephenee knows the feeling of being the quiet support. Most of her adult life she'd say qualifies as that (aside from some of the things she's done that are obviously more leadership roles than she gives herself credit for...). It's always nice to have someone in your corner; everyone needs people they can depend on. Especially those who think they hold the world on their shoulders...no matter if they do or not.

"Mhm." She nods back, releasing his hand (she'll flounder about that later when she's not getting into Sentinel mode). She does a quick scan through the rest of the logs before she scoops them up, and puts the rolled bunch in her satchel, completely missing a few things that would be of interest to her.

"Let's check this desk 'fore we move on. Might be more stuff." Even if it's not immediately useful, it might prove to be later. Or at least inconvenience the merchant and others. She's annoyed enough with these guys that she'll take that.

That doesn't stop her from looking up and muttering quickly in her mother tongue, "{Sorry, Pa. Know ya an' Ma taught me to not steal stuff, but the rebellion needs this. An' it's not theirs anyways. We're jus'...gettin' it back to where it belongs...}" Apology done and some guilt assuaged, she starts rummaging as quietly as she can.

Link waits while she searches the desk, but it's clear now that he's itching to get going. He bobs up and down on his feet, waiting need the door, full of restless energy.

Which reminds him. He had wanted to look in those vases, to see if there was anything in there. Couldn't hurt to have a look while Nephenee searches...

Meanwhile, inside the desk isn't much else of interest. More ledges and records. Assorted stationary and writing implements. The boring minutia of a Merchant House.

Hmm, yeah, these papers are boring and, worse, don't seem to be super useful...at least to a farm girl. But she'll yoink the ledgers and records anyway - maybe something in them the Corsairs can use. Some of this stationary might be good for if they need to forge something, and that's a seal...yoink.

Before she moves on, though, a thought occurs. One time when she was very small and went with her Ma and Pa to market day, a neighbor had shown them a pretty box he'd bought his wife that, at first glance, just looked like a small box for holding whatever. But he'd then pressed a button hidden in the carvings, and, to her amazement, a compartment revealed itself from seemingly nowhere. Her Pa had said some people did similar with bigger pieces...

So she feels around, knocks, and listens intently. But despite trying her best, after some time, nothing pops up, literally or metaphorically. Aw, well, she tried. Maybe there isn't anything like that here, and she isn't about to literally tear it apart to find out. The owner might be a dastard, but this is a piece of art. You just don't do that unless you don't have a choice.

When she's done, she shuffles things around to try to hide that some of the contents are gone, and looks up over the desk. "Find anythin'?"

As Nephenee searches the desk, Link's been giving those vases a closer look. He's sure there's got to be something in them.

Only problem is, the vases are quite large. Large enough that they're as tall as Link...and he can't easily reach inside. So he's dragged over a nearby chair and stood on top of it while he peers inside.

He's so focused on the task that he almost forgets Nephenee is there...and startles when she calls out to him. His arm slips, knocking the vase sideways and tumbling to the ground.

CRASH! The vase hits the floor and shatters, and Link winces. For a moment, he doesn't move.

At least not until he notices a flicker of something reflective in the shattered pieces - there's coins in there! Link hops off of the chair and reaches down to pull them out of the rubble. Nice!

Oops! She hadn't meant to startle him (she thought she was making enough noises for that to not be an issue...), and she freezes when it shatters. Aw, horsefeathers... Hopefully no one heard that.

Wait, why is he stooping down, he can't think he'll put it back together...hold up, what's that glitterin'? Carefully, she tiptoes over...

"...Who in tarnation puts coins in vases???" She whispers, her voice a little squeaky from trying to keep it quiet even as she's absolutely befuddled.

Link shrugs, as he fishes through the rubble for a few more coins. He rarely knows why anything ends up where it is; he just knows that if he looks properly, he'll usually find something interesting.

Still, that noise was a bit loud...and they don't know if this floor is guarded.

"We should go," he says, jerking his head towards the door.

Nephenee isn't the greedy sort at all, but she spent enough time in poverty that there's a small moment of wondering if there's more in those other vases...that thought is batted away quickly. No, bad.

Nodding at Link's statement, she stays put just long enough to lay the chair on its side like it was what knocked the vase over, before following after him with her lance and shield at the ready.

...Look, she's too much of a nice country girl to be actually good at making something that passes the slightest test of scrutiny on this. But maybe they'll get lucky and this merchant's a moron!

"R-right."

Don't worry, Nephenee. They have the rest of the House to search. Not to mention the real valuables are more likely to be stored with Link's things, not here in an office.

Link opens the door, sticking his head out to listen. The hallway is dark and unlit, apparently empty. And Link has absolutely no idea where in this place they might have his things.

There's only one thing for it, then. They'll just have to search everything.

So Link turns to the left, finds the next room, and opens it looking inside - and then proceeds to do the same with every other room. If it looks like somewhere that might have storage or valuables, he'll pause to search further. But otherwise, he's going to try and move quickly.

He might have to make her take something fancy or sneak her a thing, honestly...if it were just the Corsairs, that'd be easier to justify for her. Herself? Not so much.

Unfortunately, Nephenee's no better than Link for knowing where things are. At some point, as they search around somewhat blindly, she mutters, "Next time, lessee if we can find house plans..." Assuming they can get an in with someone who deals with that, of course. She takes turns with him searching and keeping watch, meanwhile. So far, though, this floor isn't doing too hot aside from the office. But having items waiting to find buyers on lower floors makes some sense: means less effort to move it.

When they've exhausted the area, she nods towards the stairs. Down they go?

Link nods in agreement; a map would be really appreciated right about now.

Down the go, a slow search on every floor. And it's not until they reach the very bottom floor, that they finally find something promising - a solid metal door, adored with a large heavy lock.

Now, they might be getting somewhere. Link approaches, peering into the lock. How exactly to open it...?

Finally; she was starting to wonder where the heck this merchant stored things...

Nephenee looks at the lock for a second as well, thinking, before asking, "...Want Ah should break it or the door? Might cause a ruckus, but...can't pick locks." She's never needed that skill before now...usually she's had someone who can do it nearby or, if not...well,"Nephenee Smash" works most times.

Link considers this. Normally, this is the kind of puzzle that would have him hunting throughout the place, searching for secrets or anything else that might help him find a solution.

But then, sometimes he'd also solved problems by throwing bombs at it. Maybe more than sometimes. He didn't see any reason not to try the 'Nephenee Smash' approach.

So Link nods, and steps back to give her room to move.

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