Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 9, 2023 13:14:20 GMT -5
Ports were always heavily guarded places, and the busier and more profitable ones showed how vested their interests could be. This place was no exception, security both private and civil patrolled in complex patterns with varied schedules, the winding streets were a maze to the uninitiated. Socket studied it all, straddled on the high branch of a winter tree. Their garb was a simple traveling outfit that mirrored the color and pattern of the tree, covering nearly all of their body to keep it from refracting light and giving away their position.
The representative had given a clear timeline, and being prompt was something that Socket was adamant to do. They dropped from the branch, landing without hardly a sound and streaking off into town through the piled snow. Along the way, they shifted the Morph Suit they were wearing to be something more mundane, a plain traveling cloak and something similar to a Monk's robe beneath. Walking to the tavern through the winding streets gave the construct time to prepare their information in a concise manner, though with only a few days' observations to work with, it was incomplete. The job was to include another, hopefully they too had sufficient time to gather intel about this particular job.
Music played fancifully from the main hall of the tavern, the ornate woodwork looked weathered but well kept. Socket made their way to a table on the far side of the main hall, near a distinct painting hanging on the wall. According to the job, this was to be the place they should meet with another before sundown. The barkeep approached at first, until they noticed Socket was a construct, and went to tend to others. With an eye on the tavern's hall, and sitting beneath the painting, Socket waited patiently, meditating on the information and trying to formulate a basic plan.
________ Bringing: Morph Suit, Exploding Pebbles, Constrictor Wraps
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
33
Renown
Moonglade
an good boi
786 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 9, 2023 16:08:35 GMT -5
Once more Gerhart found himself up at the top of the world, this time with the hope of staying within the Pale City. He had thought to see if Ak'ka was around, they hadn't spoken much since the Winter's Crown but he did miss her a bit. It was like getting to hang with Shaa without feeling the need to be impressive.
Halcyon lands on a walled part of the city near the ports, the young knight sliding off his side to give him a little scritch and talk with the guards a moment. It was the benign chatter of someone checking in on a place, looking for something fun to hunt or adventure to do. Seeing as the guards had nothing, other avenues would have to be checked.
"Sorry Halcyon, nothing yet, but don't worry, I'll find us something to do." He grinned and patted the bird who gave a little squawk before flying off to go hunt and wait for its next orders.
Gerhart headed down from the wall, brimming with a smile as always while making his way to the tavern. As a much more play it by ear type of guy, he didn't have much of a plan for anything. Something always ended up coming to him anyways. Gerhart shouldered his way through the door and made his way to the counter with enthusiasm.
"Mornin' Naill, you got anything?"
"Ale"
Gerhart gives a little laugh, "Well obviously, I mean jobs, come on there has to be soooooomething to do out here. Angry polar bears? White dragon eating all the whales? Give me something."
|
|
Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 14, 2023 11:29:34 GMT -5
Something was clearly amiss, as the construct had arrived to the meeting location on time. This job still needed doing, and Socket understood the levels of danger presented by going it alone. They dropped a few coin on the table for the innkeeper and began to pick their way through the bustling crowd of bodies. Pungent, fermented fumes from the clattering beverages of travelers and merchants alike filled the space. The once gentle, melodic songs had become frantic anthems, whipping patrons into a fervor that would see more coin leap from their respective hands and into the welcoming coffers of the inn.
As they reached the innkeeper's desk, Socket noted an unusual gentleman. He seemed to be well traveled, and familiar with the innkeeper. A quick glance around the common areas gave Socket the impression that this person might be their last chance at help before things got underway. Time was not on their side, so the construct took a chance, a risky one on such a venture as this.
"Good day Ser, pardon my intrusion. I happened to catch the tail end of your conversation on my way out, would you be interested in a time sensitive escapade, one that could potentially see us sink beneath the waves, and is certain to net a plethora of unsettled types left in the wake?" Socket asked as politely as their synthesized voice could muster, taking a quick glance about for unwanted attention.
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
33
Renown
Moonglade
an good boi
786 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 14, 2023 17:08:03 GMT -5
The innkeeper just gives a rough jerk of the head towards Socket which Gerhart follows. The pause of silence is less judgemental and more the stunned awe of a kid seeing the coolest thing he's ever seen. Whoever this person was, they seemed a lot cooler than the Blixt bots he'd seen before. Gerhart gives his head a little shake realizing the silence has gone on too long.
"S-sorry about that." He gives a sheepish smile and offers out a hand to shake. "Gerhart, I've never seen someone like you before so I was just surprised and I had to stop myself from asking a bunch of rude questions."
The ranger straightens up in his seat a bit to have a more proper conversation and not look like a total slob. "Out on the seas huh? Well, a few of those words I didn't honestly understand, but if you need help taking out some people that need to be taught a lesson I can help you with that." He grinned brightly at Socket trying to impress as much confidence as he can.
He did seem to at least have the equipment to back up his confidence, though obviously having the skill to do it was a bit harder to gauge at a glance.
|
|
Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 15, 2023 3:50:20 GMT -5
"Consider yourself hired Gerhart, welcome aboard. My name is Kosoku, or Socket to friends and colleagues." They stated, trying to keep the sound of their response from carrying far. The crowd had been steadily swelling all afternoon, and soon the inn would be flooded with the bodies of patrons, much like other busy inns all along the Frozen Docks. The chilly climate, kinds of industry in the area, and overall lifestyle of the area seemed to coincide with the inns, taverns, and other establishments like it as pillars of the community. Society loved to socialize, and this place exemplified much of that.
"When you're ready to travel, meet me downtown near the square. Try your best to be there before the sun sets, we'll be setting out about then." Stated the construct, taking in the features of the man's face and posture. Even if Socket stood out at times, knowing they were talking to the right person in the aftermath was just as important. With that information stored, Socket strode quietly towards the square. The simple traveling cloak they were wearing, and a bit of concentration, meant they could almost vanish into a crowd.
Finding a good vantage, they waited patiently, even startling the children passing by who liked to poke at the metallic plates. Socket did their best to keep things civil and fun, understanding the inherent danger in upsetting the townsfolk about the curious frivolity of kids. One child, an older juvenile, thought to test themselves on the construct. First they tossed small stones and pebbles picked up from the pathways, which Socket promptly caught and stacked in a pile for the younger kids nearby to play with. Next, the juvenile and a pair of their friends tried harassing others, parents and kids alike. Socket put a stop to this with three quiet casts of Gust Thrust, lifting the group off their feet and tossing them with a grand splash into the fountain. Shaking their head, Socket found a quieter spot, bidding the young ones a good day.
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
33
Renown
Moonglade
an good boi
786 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 15, 2023 20:29:17 GMT -5
"Socket, got it." He grinned as brightly as he could before finishing off his ale and leaving a few solars on the counter top. "No need to wait, came here for work, so I figured I should be ready to go the moment it comes my way ya know?"
A boyish laugh leaves his smiling face as he gets ready to follow after. Though as fate would have it, he couldn't run off to follow the construct right away as a few people called for his attention. Loose ends to wrap up with a previous job from the sounds of it. A strange pack of dwarves start to take up the ranger's attention as Socket splits from him for the moment.
Eventually, he was able to get away from the group and head towards the market square. Gerhart exhaled a quiet sigh before his slightly exasperated expression turned into a confused one seeing kids tossed into the fountain. Ever the helpful soul, he does help pull them out of the fountain trying to figure out what happened or if they are hurt. A blanket is wrapped around the youngest one's shoulders as Gerhart hands them each a few solars.
"Go get a meal and next to a fire before the clothes freeze to you, don't want that to be your last outfit." He gives a little chuckle as the kids run off into the next series of pranks.
Gerhart does finally now make it to where Socket has taken a seat, "There, now I'm set. Strange things about town it seems, sorry for that delay."
|
|
Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 16, 2023 13:17:52 GMT -5
The pair made way through town, winding streets and bustling markets sprawled from the port. Once they reached the industrial district, Socket ducked into an alleyway between several dilapidated and unused buildings. Opening a door that looked to be falling off it's fittings, they beckoned Gerhart to follow.
"I'll go over what information I have here, away from prying eyes and ears." They stated, walking over to an old work table. It stood out from the rest of the dusty, worn shelves and tables as it had been wiped down. From the pocket of their cloak, they drew out a scroll of paper and a few utensils and arranged them on the table. The scroll was a rough map, noting the layout of the port, it's docks and several colored lines that ran between each.
"The colored lines are the patrol routes I've been able to observe over the last few days." Moving aside to make room for Gerhart to look over the map, Socket placed six small stones along one of the docks. To this, he added a simple straight edge at the end of the harbor.
"The stones are a convoy of ships, scheduled to sail out either late this evening under the full moon, or at first light. Our goal is to make sure those ships' next destination is the bottom of the harbor and nowhere else. The wood plank is our Zero Line, if they get out into open waters, we've failed this mission entirely, as there is an escort of mercenary ships waiting for them. These ships belong to a group of wealthy merchants who are using the profits of shady businesses to destroy families, small businesses, and spread crime and corruption through the rural areas of the various nobility they're paying."
Pausing a moment, Socket let the information take root before making one last statement. "We are likely to draw the town guards, the mercenaries... possibly even the military, and no doubt will be hunted by the merchants whom will suffer a great loss. If you would like to back out, now is the time... I only ask discretion if you choose to back out, but fault no one for taking the opportunity. I'll answer any questions you have, and be glad for any further input to this plan... it's bare bones, but time is against us on this adventure."
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
33
Renown
Moonglade
an good boi
786 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 16, 2023 16:08:52 GMT -5
"Ah, secret, got it." A little chuckle leaves him as he follows after them. He stands with his hands on his hips looking over the map. This was certainly a lot of planning, very detailed, all right Gerhart focus. Time to take it seriously, don't screw up their very well considered plan just because you got bored. FOCUS.
"Merchants and the like are pretty low on the list of things I'm worried about, plus I have a decent enough exit strategy that can bail us both out. But I guess the biggest question is, do you have a plan to sink the ships? I can hold off guards and take out a few guys if you have a plan for that. I'm pretty good at buying time."
He grins, his hands moving to the pommels of his swords to draw the attention to them. "I know a little magic, but not enough to sink a ship." Gerhart didn't seem to have any moral qualms about what they were setting out to do, taking down the rich didn't seem like all that bad a way to spend an afternoon.
|
|
Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 16, 2023 17:00:31 GMT -5
"Sinking the ships is as simple as making a nice hole below the water line, it's going to be a tricky thing to do this multiple times without alerting anyone before things are set up but I should be able to pull it off with a spicy bit of my own magic. The best plan I've come up with for doing so thus far involves infiltrating the ship furthest from the docks, setting up the first part of a spell in the hold, away from prying eyes. Next, I'll sneak onto the closest ship in the harbor, last one in line. Activating the second part of the spell should, according to testing, punch a nice hole in the sides, through all the ships at once." Socket explained this as they walked over to a row of thick beams that were spaced out across the warehouse floor.
Several rows of similar beams were stacked against the far wall, though they bore scorched and blackened ends that looked mangled, and each piece seemed to be a smaller portion of the beams that were across the floor. A bright spark traced it's way over the automaton's features, until a soft glow emanated from the construct and tiny arcs leaped the gaps in their plating. A simple gesture of the hand, and a row of brilliant pillars^ appeared, jutting from the surface of the log closest to Socket.
"Don't stray too close to the pillars, they will shock you." Socket warned, taking a moment to stride across the warehouse. "This is ^Lightning Lure, while not the most powerful of lightning spells, it's utility is often overlooked in favor of flashier and faster damage. The pillars give off a shocking aura in a small area around them, but it's their secondary effect we're going to put to use here. When activated a second time, the pillars collapse, creating an arc that travels between it and the caster. While not incredibly dangerous to any crew caught in line, the effect it has on the ships should be rather spectacular, as such." As they finished the explanation, another gesture created a bright flash and five beams of lightning shot from the pillars. They pierced through the thick beams, each scorching a fist-sized hole that burst in a spray of charred splinters on their path back to Socket. The beams fell in a mess of debris, and the construct's glow receded once more.
"Mainly, I need someone to be a set of eyes I do not have, watching over the dock's movements and securing the route in, through and out the other side of this. If someone goes below deck on either ship I'm on, I need to know right away so I can either hide or leave... one way or another... these ships will not leave port, let alone this harbor."
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
33
Renown
Moonglade
an good boi
786 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 16, 2023 21:53:13 GMT -5
Gerhart is about to make mention about how could this possibly have been tested when they start to point out the beams of the warehouse. Admittedly, he still wasn't totally sure this was enough power to punch through the hull of a ship. That wood was thick and made of pretty tough stuff, but if they are confident then Gerhart will be as well. It seems solid enough an idea if everything goes perfectly, but rarely do things go perfectly while adventuring.
"Surprisingly scouting is actually pretty easy work for me." The ranger would lean around to see out of the windows of the warehouse, before pointing out one. It was hard to see right away, but in the distance a large bird as perched on one of the walls of the town. "He's with me and can provide an eye from the sky, I can keep the crowd up top busy enough to keep them off you."
The confidence never leaves gerhart as he holds his smile. "I'll keep them up top, listen for a sharp trill of bird cries, that'll mean someone's coming. Sound fair? If need be, just let me know and I can send Halcyon to pick you up somewhere. If we go with this idea, I'm probably gonna have to stick around a bit and help people out of the water and check on injured, ya know?"
|
|
Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 16, 2023 22:12:09 GMT -5
Socket nodded, acknowledging the usefulness of a companion once again. They were curious about Rangers, having studied just a bit of their lore and skills while training stealthy abilities. The ideas presented were intriguing, and it was a skill set Socket considered adding in the future. For now, the task at hand needed doing, and knowing there were several sets of eyes watching over the area would drastically increase the odds of success.
"Let's get started as soon as dusk settles in and the shift change begins, there should be a brief window where the decks are clear. I'll approach from the opposite dock, set the pillars, and we'll go from there. Be safe, and feel free to help the workers out, it isn't their fault the folks in charge are greedy, careless and corrupt."
They brushed the dust off of a pair of chairs, each rusted and weathered, but sturdy. Sliding one to Gerhart as they straddled the other, Socket let their body rest and recharge. The automaton appeared to go into a stasis, though the 'eyes' flickered on occasion, they were still as a statue otherwise. A soft humming sound could be heard in the quiet, spacious building, a part of Socket's cooling system kicking in as they put together the operation within the confines of their Engram, coding each step and checking that there were backups for the backups, branching possible outcomes to each step.
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
33
Renown
Moonglade
an good boi
786 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 18, 2023 11:10:50 GMT -5
Gerhart actually didn't take a seat yet, on the verge of any action he always found it hard to sit still. Moving helped him keep his body and mind moving rather than cooling down and overthinking things, not that he every did much thinking. Well, at least they didn't use to overthink, but a few recent adventures had given him enough reasons to maybe try and use a bit more brainpower than usual.
He glances over at Socket as they seem to power down. It was a curious cycle to watch, the flickering, the soft noises, it was strange and filled Gerhart with questions. Another good reason to keep moving, they seemed focused and if he just sat around the urge to ask a thousand questions would overtake him.
Eventually he does crack open the warehouse door just to get a look at the docks. Movement was certainly slowing down. As dusk started to settle in, there were only a few dock workers left carrying the last little bits of cargo and supplies onto the ships before calling it a day. Crew heading off to get one last meal in before setting sail, say good bye to lovers and such.
His eyes glance up to the sky to check the time before looking back to Socket, "Looks like its about time, we should get moving."
|
|
Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 18, 2023 12:14:08 GMT -5
Nodding their acknowledgement, the hum of tiny machines stirred in the fading light as Socket's rest ended. They stepped out into the evening gloom, the grey cloak they were wearing changed into a dark, form fitting suit that covered the construct's body aside from their 'eyes' and 'ears'. A quick flex, warming the actuators and servos for the strain they'd need to endure, finished by pounding their fists together. The metallic ringing this created was a melodic, clean note that would make most bell founders and instrument crafters jealous.
"Keep your wits about you, head on a swivel, and we'll be through this pretty quickly, and thank you for the help." They said, disappearing into the inky black shadows of the buildings. Socket sped up, legs pumping out long strides that would have sounded like the clatter of a galloping horse over the paved stones had the automaton not been trained in the art of Silent Step. The launch point for their part of the operation approached rapidly, and Socket hopped up the side of one of the many covered piers, slipping onto the roof, opposite the farthest ship they were intent on sinking.
A quick peek over the rim told the construct that Gerhart's companion was already above, and the decks were finishing being cleared and secured for the coming mission. A few guards stood off near the boarding platform, but everyone else had left for the evening. Not wanting to draw a lot of attention, and maintain as much stealth as possible, Socket moved off the roof. Dropping down onto the pier below, they backed into the far corner before sprinting at full speed. Leaping into the air as they reached the end, Socket soared in an arc that looked far too short from afar to make the gap. When they reached the peak, a quiet gesture activated Step of the Wind, allowing them to keep sprinting across the air itself as if it was solid ground.
Making the gap was the easy part, and each stride brought them closer to the first objective as well as the waiting lights, guards and protective measures. The landing was as silent as their strides had been, and Socket dismissed the magical effect immediately. Taking cover behind a stack of cargo, they surveyed the deck and surroundings. Clear to move, they approached the main door to the hold only to find it barred shut and secured with a hefty padlock. Moving away, back into the shadows, they scanned for other entrances.
On a whim, Socket poked their head over the railing, looking down towards the ocean at the bulged sides of the massive vessel. Someone had left a port open, probably to let the cool evening winds circulate through the underside of the ship. That meant at least one person was keeping watch below decks. This job was about to get very tricky indeed...
|
|
The Expedition
IS OFFLINE
33
Renown
Moonglade
an good boi
786 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 18, 2023 12:59:55 GMT -5
"Yeah, I got it, not my first time around Charon." The smile and laugh accompanying that made sure to communicate he was only playfully protesting. Socket was the one who needed this job done, so Gerhart was taking their lead.
The ranger headed down the street at a casual pace. It would be pretty easy to notice if he was up to something if he came sprinting in all flustured and out of breath. He made his way down to the docks with a little whistle as if he had never seen anything like this before.
"Whoa.....heck of a ship you guys got out here. It can sail through all this ice?" He gestured out towards the floes drifting around outside of the port.
"Obviously, be real dumb if we made a port where ships can't sail."
"Fair enough, fair enough." Gerhart feigned an embarassed laugh. "See much fighting out there? Never exactly been on a ship when it's been attacked, that's gotta be a sight!"
As well-armored as Gerhart was, his youthful look and nature made it easy for many grizzled guards to take him for a novice and be a bit more prone to sharing stories to impress a young adventurer. The hardest part about the mission right now was not blurting out his own stories. He could trade a few like fighting owlbears and such, but definitely keep it low-profile so nothing seems to off. For as long as needed Gerhart did his best to keep the guards engaged in conversation, attention turned away from the ship. He wasn't sure how much time Socket needed, but they would get as much as Gerhart could offer.
|
|
Mage's Guild
218 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 18, 2023 14:32:08 GMT -5
Socket slipped over the rail of the large cargo ship, scaling it's weathered planks with the same ease as walking a level path. Moving to the side of the open port, they took a quick look inside. A pair of sailors sat at a small table, the smell of booze and left over food filled the room. Each was in a stupor, playing a game and arguing over the results. The construct slipped through the opening, dropping to the wooden floor below without a sound.
Moving carefully to avoid attracting attention, Socket crept through the otherwise unoccupied larder of the ship. The central mast, fixed in place along the keel of such a large vessel was the automaton's first objective. Poised in the deep shadows cast by the lanterns hanging along the various beams of the hold, they studied the construction carefully. Every building, machine, and craft had a failing point, an inevitable but necessary compromise between time to make a thing, it's function, and the materials it was made from.
Based on these precious moments of observation, there was a spot, at the base of the central mast where several structural supports all interlocked. This provided the large vessel with a rib cage like support from the battering waves and immense pressures such a vessel would experience when heavily laden with cargo. Socket peaked from their hiding spot, looking around to see if either one of the crew had been taken by a wanderlust and stumbled down to the lower parts of the ship. The sounds of their voices above, bantering about wenches and ports of call gave the construct the time needed to set the first part of the trap. They moved some of the boxes very carefully, not wanting to give cause to those above as well as blocking the line of sight for the spell being set into the heavy beams.
Five sparking pillars appeared along the seam of one of the wider boards against the harbor side wall of the ship, in line with the mast and it's supports. Socket tossed a nearby cover over the boxes on either side of this spot, diminishing it's glow unless a sharp eye or a discerning curiosity removed the thickly reinforced fabric. Satisfied, they stalked back through the hold of the ship. The voices above had gone silent, so Socket quickly found a dark corner near the stairwell leading down and waited. After several tense seconds, they could hear no footfalls at all above.
Carefully, they poked their head out of the top of the stairs, expecting the pair to be waiting with weapons. Instead, the sailors had passed out, drooling down the front of their already sea stained outfits. Socket nodded their appreciation to the pair, and hoped they'd be able to abandon the vessel safely when the time came. Slipping free of the open port, they activated Step of the Wind once more and dropped from the side of the ship out of sight. Hovering just above the waves, the dark shadow of Halcyon soaring high in the pale light was the first indication things were going well thus far. Skating above the waves, the automaton began to make their way to the last ship. Success was in reach, and many lives were depending on this operation going off without a hitch, and Socket would ensure the happiness of others.
|
|