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15:58, 23rd May 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead.

Posted by Vaelan NightshadeFor group 0
Quentin Fox
player, 276 posts
Human medic / alchemist
P:5+1 T:5+1 W:0 B:2 PP:20
Mon 13 May 2024
at 16:32
  • msg #393

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Quentin first checks that these are not fresh, then proceeds to guesstimate their age, the predominant cause of death, whether they seem to have been infected and whether they were twisted dead or alive. The dogs meanwhile stay wary, sniffing the air.

21:28, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 5,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Healing.
Lirian
player, 486 posts
Half elven bard
P 6/7 T 5/6 W:0 B:4 PP:15
Mon 13 May 2024
at 17:26
  • msg #394

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Lirian looked at the many corpses there. “The mouselings already warned us they also used other races, but this clearly is mass murder…” she said. Then she seemed to be thinking for a moment.

Something doesn’t fir here…” she thought on loud, again sharing her thoughts. “They say to venerate Teknos, but those ritual deaths and sacrifices don’t fit with someone looking for technology, they are more about an evil god. Technology doesn’t use to need the power you may obtain with sacrifices or mass murder, doesn’t it?” she asked to Hunter, as he was more tech inclined than herself.

The other explanation is those are experimenting subjects…” she added, having second thoughts about what she had said. “If so, be careful” she warned Quentin “They may have toxins or diseases…
Vaelan Nightshade
GM, 635 posts
Master of Stories
B: 4
Mon 13 May 2024
at 18:40
  • msg #395

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead



The smell inside of the room is so strong the dogs refuse to enter. Even with Quentin's commands, too much death has spooked them.
Piper
player, 231 posts
P:4 T:7(2) W:0 B:7 PP:15
Mon 13 May 2024
at 22:39
  • msg #396

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

For once Piper's curiosity did not lead her to boldly forge ahead.

While a part of her was morbidly curious regarding the metal tank it was tempered by the surroundings enough that she would be fine if that particular object was left a mystery as to its contents or purpose.

"The rat spider monster was feeding off others without eating them.  Perhaps whatever secrets this Teknos gave them can be fueled by such things.  Or it may have not been a sacrifice in that sense, but an amusement for whatever was here.  Cruelty may have been the point."
Aeress Veles
player, 294 posts
Delusional Knight Errant
P:7(1) T:8(2) W: 0 B: 5
Tue 14 May 2024
at 01:00
  • msg #397

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Aeress went from mummified corpse to mummified corpse, wondering if there was some detail they hadn't picked up on yet.  She doubted it, but she would try.
Hunter Gallagher
player, 399 posts
P:7(2) :7(2) W:0 B:3 PP:0
Tue 14 May 2024
at 11:12
  • msg #398

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Hunter looked discomforted by Liriams words. "I have heard some rabid bleeding hearts say so, indeed almost exactly those words, in my father's hall. But not like this. He was referring to slavery and workers being crushed by giant machines, of children slaving in the dark in coal mines. Patently the chap was a mad quack, technology will improve the world not make it worse, but disquieting thoughts nonetheless."

He coughed, amd hastened to change the subject back to the matter at hand. "If I might opine, I doubt those bodies are mummified, at least, not in the way of some desert kings I heard of once. I suggest that they are fairly recent, human bodies that have had the life force sucked out of them so that their whole bodies shriveled up like dried apples. Like the Spider king was doing with Piper's poor kin."

"Perhaps they twisted like that out of sheer agony. Or perhaps here was where foul magical experiments were done to them, blending Man with Machine such as the Spider Rat. Or experimentation with drugs amd potions."

"But I would wager that that tank yonder contains their life essence,  stored like some kind of horrific battery. I want to destroy it."


OOC could Hunter make some kind of a bomb out of his gunpowder?

Quentin Fox
player, 277 posts
Human medic / alchemist
P:5+1 T:5+1 W:0 B:2 PP:20
Tue 14 May 2024
at 11:29
  • msg #399

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

"An interesting hypothesis. These were indeed subject to many injections... or was those punctures used to drain them instead... I think those were injections, voluntary and painful, but we have no time to do proper analysis, so that's all I can tell."

As Hunter expresses a desire to destroy the tank, Quentin considers what would happen if a gun bullet hit the lower part of the tank. Namely:
1. Would it be enough to create a hole?
2. If there was a hole and the content started to pour out, where would it go and on what timescale (like, a drain or wide cracks in the floor or, on the contrary, a solid stone floor; would the content, flowing out of a small hole, reach the bodies; how long the whole process could be expected to take etc.)
Vaelan Nightshade
GM, 637 posts
Master of Stories
B: 4
Thu 16 May 2024
at 16:10
  • msg #400

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

OOC: You can make a bomb with repair. Don't fail. You can throw a bomb with athletics. Don't fail. :)

IC: The tank itself looks of decent size and weight. By looking at the tank itself you can see the that the metal that wraps around the tank holds the liquid in. An area of glass keeps the liquid from spilling out to on the floor but even at this point you aren't sure what the liquid would do. If busted it would cover the floor and the bodies pretty quickly. Searching around the room itself, you find no direct holes on the floor other than cracks that would help drain it from the room meaning as soon as it hits the floor it's going to spread out very, very quickly depending on the viscosity.
Lirian
player, 487 posts
Half elven bard
P 6/7 T 5/6 W:0 B:4 PP:15
Thu 16 May 2024
at 17:11
  • msg #401

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Lirian covered her nose to try to avoid the smell and looked at the room. Again, she seemed concerned. “Beware with this liquid” she warned the others. “I guess we should take samples for you and Lord Stonecroft to analyze” she said to Quentin “but it occurs to me that it could be somehow the ”life essence” of those poor people, and, tell me fool if you so wish, but I’m afraid if spilled over the corpses they might return to some mockery of life” she shared her thoughts and fears with the others.

I once was told a living being needs body, soul and mind. If you only have two of them, there are problems. If only soul and mind, it’s a ghost, if only body and mind, it’s soulless, and so a monster, and if only body and soul, a kind of a zombie, someone without willnote 1 she said. “I don’t want to know what can happen if those bodies are revived by this liquid, but I’m pretty sure it would not be good…

This said, Lyrian left the room, remaining close enough as to support her comrades if needed.


OOC: note 1: in fact this is taken from a film I saw many years ago. I remember little about it, but the plot was about a magnate that is frozen in cryogenics, and when revived the soul was no longer on him, being only body and soul. He was a true callous psycopath without any empathy nor any other virtue related to the soul…

EDIT: just to be clear:
  1. the word "Zombie" is used here on the sense of th Voodoo, like the 1943 film I walked with a zombie, not in the sense of the monsters depicted in The walking dead
  2. Not intending to start a metaphysical debate here, just this film (I cannot remember even the name) shocked me, and I ever thought this could make a good adventure plot...


This message was last edited by the player at 11:51, Fri 17 May.
Hunter Gallagher
player, 400 posts
P:7(2) :7(2) W:0 B:3 PP:0
Fri 17 May 2024
at 03:54
  • msg #402

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

"Give me a piece of paper" he said to Lirian and Quentin.

Rummaging through Jenkins' bag, he pulled out a rusty can. He half filled it with gunpowder and then squashed the top half mostly flat.

Looking around, he took the proffered piece of paper and placed it on the ground. He poured a trail of powder across the paper and then rolled it up, carefully folding in the ends.

Shoving this rough fuse into the can, he then continued squashing the can around it, bending the top over and crimping it.

Taking this Crude Explosive over to the tank, he jammed it between a leg and the tank itself, attempting to fix it so the force of the explosion would cause a blast rather than fire the can forward like a rocket.

"Well, here goes! Stand clear!"
he said with a grin, lit the end of the match and then ran for the door.

14:25, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 15 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,4.  Repair. –

This message was last edited by the player at 04:13, Fri 17 May.
Piper
player, 232 posts
P:4 T:7(2) W:0 B:7 PP:15
Fri 17 May 2024
at 04:06
  • msg #403

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Piper didn't even wait for Hunter to give the signal.

As soon as it became clear what he was up to, she spurred Mosii to head out the door and down the hall.
Quentin Fox
player, 278 posts
Human medic / alchemist
P:5+1 T:5+1 W:0 B:2 PP:20
Fri 17 May 2024
at 05:08
  • msg #404

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Quentin is not sure that blowing up the tank is a sound idea, but the arguments against it were already aired, so he just gets himself and the dogs out and to the nearest intersection, where he gets ready to retreat further south.
Lirian
player, 488 posts
Half elven bard
P 6/7 T 5/6 W:0 B:4 PP:15
Fri 17 May 2024
at 17:13
  • msg #405

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

whatever you are going to do, do it quickly” Lirian pressed. “I’m afraid those chants we heard can be the ceremony, and we should interrupt ir or we will be facing greater problems

Then she turned to Quentin “Have you taken samples of this liquid to analyze? Something tells me it can be important…
Aeress Veles
player, 295 posts
Delusional Knight Errant
P:7(1) T:8(2) W: 0 B: 5
Fri 17 May 2024
at 19:50
  • msg #406

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

What was in motion could not be stopped.  Aeress pushed and pressed others back, or tried to, because it turned out to be unnecessary because everyone had more sense than a mustard seed.

It was not wise, but it was too late to protest.
Olyx Mintarios
player, 168 posts
Mon 20 May 2024
at 14:52
  • msg #407

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

As if in a kind of stupor, Olyx followed the others around, sword in one hand, lantern in the other, his gaze empty. Even when looking at the dead, shriveled bodies, all he did was mutter some sailor's curse.

But when the unmistakeable sound of powder catching fire was heard, he snapped out of it immediately. "By the Kraken's longest tentacle!", he growled as he made his way clear, though not barging through other people trying to get out. He was alarmed, but not panicking. Barely.
Quentin Fox
player, 280 posts
Human medic / alchemist
P:5+1 T:5+1 W:0 B:2 PP:20
Mon 20 May 2024
at 16:06
  • msg #408

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

"No samples, but..." Quentin was not quite sure about the "but". He was more about getting out real fast. Nevertheless, he comes up with a couple. "If we will not observe any effect right away, the analysis might come in too late or otherwise be moot." He seems somewhat embarrassed. "We'll see if Hunter will leave us some."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:07, Mon 20 May.
Vaelan Nightshade
GM, 638 posts
Master of Stories
B: 4
Mon 20 May 2024
at 21:03
  • msg #409

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Hunter is able to make the bomb carefully using the limited resources that he has available to him. As he packs the bomb together he knows it's ready to go. The last part is to light and throw the object at the tank itself before it will go off.

OOC: Roll athletics (throwing). Good luck! ;)
Hunter Gallagher
player, 403 posts
P:7(2) :7(2) W:0 B:3 PP:0
Tue 21 May 2024
at 20:18
  • msg #410

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Hunter stared. That fuse appeared to be burning faster than he had expected.

Turning, he ran for the door where Jenkins was waiting, little head poking round the corner waiting for the blast with avid delight.

08:15, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 3,5 using d6,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(4+1)5.  Benny for reroll. – 3,5

08:14, Today: Hunter Gallagher rolled 3,3 using d6,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Hunter athletics. – 3,3

Vaelan Nightshade
GM, 641 posts
Master of Stories
B: 4
Wed 22 May 2024
at 12:51
  • msg #411

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

tink....tink...tink....BOOMMMMMM. The Catacombs rock from the sound of the explosion. Dust crumbles under the weight of the massive energy that rings out echoing the halls of the catacombs. There is a ringing of the ears for people still close to the area. Once the dust settles from the explosion a few minutes pass and your vision clears.

The once huge container now has a giant hole out of the side of it. The greenish liquid has drained and while some of it still lingers on the floor itself. Most ended up slipping into the hole that was created from the explosion. Still enough was there to cover the walls and most of the bodies before sinking into the dirt. The greenish coat seems to cover everything in the room.

The bodies still lay in their state no signs of life in their eyes.
Lirian
player, 489 posts
Half elven bard
P 6/7 T 5/6 W:0 B:4 PP:15
Wed 22 May 2024
at 15:13
  • msg #412

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

"Try to get some samples in one of your flasks if you can" Lirian said to Quentin. "I keep thinking you ro Lord Roland should analyze it..."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:57, Yesterday.
Quentin Fox
player, 281 posts
Human medic / alchemist
P:5+1 T:5+1 W:0 B:2 PP:20
Wed 22 May 2024
at 16:55
  • msg #413

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Quentin prepares an empty vial, holds his breath, and tries to collect a sample without touching anything much. Then he intends to quickly be out.
Piper
player, 233 posts
P:4 T:7(2) W:0 B:7 PP:15
Wed 22 May 2024
at 22:58
  • msg #414

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Piper's ears twitched at the sound of the distant explosion.

She stayed where she was far down the hall and around the corner and waited for either some sort of hue and cry, or for the others to come down the hall on their way.
Hunter Gallagher
player, 404 posts
P:7(2) :7(2) W:0 B:2 PP:0
Thu 23 May 2024
at 00:53
  • msg #415

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

Jenkins was dancing and hollering at the doorway. "Went BOOM! Went BANG! Big bang and gone! Wee hee hee hee an''sploded and gone!" She cried with glee, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Hunter stopped running when he realized he wasn't being chased by a wave of liquid. He turned back amd surveyed the damage. "All clear!" He called out.

"We could probably climb down the hole to go after it, if it's safe to get covered in that stuff. Otherwise, we should push on."
Aeress Veles
player, 298 posts
Delusional Knight Errant
P:7(1) T:8(2) W: 0 B: 5
Thu 23 May 2024
at 01:17
  • msg #416

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

"I humbly suggest we delay any climb into any hole as long as we possibly can."  Aeress suggested, not sounding humble about the idea at all.  Not even a little bit.
Olyx Mintarios
player, 169 posts
Thu 23 May 2024
at 11:06
  • msg #417

Chapter 1: Scene 8: Catacombs of the Dead

"Aye, I be thinkin' touching this muck is not exactly a genius move", Olyx chimed in, his ears still a bit ringing. "Let's sail ahead", he said, eager to resume their crawl.
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