The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 2, 2023 15:32:47 GMT -5
It wasn’t all that long ago that Count Thadda asked Astrid and another intrepid adventurer to look into a situation in an outlier village in the mountains of Dragon’s Cradle. Apparently, there were some people getting quite sick suddenly from the well water, and no one could figure out why. After some investigating, Astrid found a few vague clues that led her to think a particular Aviankin friend of hers might have been in some way responsible for the situation. Luckily, Astrid and Keyke cleared things up, or at least they thought they did.Since then, reports of something else strange going on in the village surfaced, so Astrid decided to call in the Fish possibly responsible under the guise of doing some work for the Golden Consortium. It isn’t like her to lie about these things, but regardless of if Fish is responsible, she wants to catch up with them while also doing some work together. It’s a win-win regardless. Besides, it doesn’t take her long to come clean. As the approach the village, Astrid looks at Fish, doing her best to sign the words along with speaking them since this is another opportunity to practice. She says, “Have ya ever been here before?” It’s a bit of a leading question, and that’s on purpose, but she doesn’t try to hide that. “A little bit ago, I had ta come cure some folks of poison here. Figured if folks are actin’ weird, it might be lingerin' effects from that.”
Quest details: Quest Name: Mind over matter Participants: Two or more Location: Anywhere Post Requirements: 8 post per person, 250 words per post Reward: +1 Mystical Archive Ticket, +1 Chthonian Parasite Description: Reports of strange behavior from a small local hamlet or village have started to circulate, rumors of weird habits or social encounters happening to those who visit this small little village. The locals seem to be under some kind of spell or affect, acting like mindless golems. They work from sun up to sun down, just digging massive holes in random places and we really don't understand why. Heroes are being asked to visit these remote villages to investigate the source of this strange behavior.
Special Requirements: Your investigations uncover a powerful Chthonian that is taking up residence in the hamlet and has brain washed the local population. What the monster is after is still unknown, but you do know that this creature must be defeated in order to free the victims from its control. After investigating and uncovering the truth, you must kill the Chthonian.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Oct 2, 2023 19:07:19 GMT -5
"Fish was responsible for that." The bird has no qualms about admitting to it. Astrid is most certainly not a cop, so Fish is less guarded.
They did think this area was a little bit familiar. As good as their memory is, a lot has happened to Fish since they came here and while they may never admit it they are not infallible. Fish does not stop to wait for admonishment from the half-dwarf, their eyes already searching around the village. People acting strange is nothing new these days, but strange enough to ask adventurers to investigate?
"The chemical Fish used was an acute poison, short term effects that should have passed through the water system in a few days...it was diluted enough that Fish only estimated between 50 to 75 deaths...significant for a village of this size, but mostly the elderly."
Through sign language it all comes across very cold and matter of factly, but it is clear the bird does not experience remorse. They do not regret their actions either. They were given a job and they completed said job. Why would they think any more beyond that?
Still, to hear there were lingering effects was interesting. Was there perhaps something in the water Fish did not calculate for? They didn't have time to get a water sample like they would have preferred. Or perhaps something about living in the Cradle made these people more robust. Did the higher altitude change their blood chemistry to make it more resistant to poison? Fish had to know.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 2, 2023 19:32:44 GMT -5
Genuinely, Astrid hoped that Fish wasn’t actually responsible, but to hear (see) them say that they fully intended the deaths of several dozen people gives her pause. She racks her brain to make sure that she read the signs right. When she determines that is the case, her expression falls, not looking sour so much as despondent.
“Not that many people died,” she says finally. “A few did before I showed up. I…” Thinking about it, she’s sad and disappointed that Fish doesn’t seem bothered by it. Maybe she’s misinterpreting their emotions. “Why did ya do that..? Killin’ people who didn’t do nothin’ wrong… Or at least tryin’ ta do it… Ya know I live here, right? In Dragon’s Cradle? This is my home, I care about the people here.”
After a moment, she looks at them again, the disappointment evident on her face, but at least she can focus on moving forward and trying to fix things. There’s no use lingering on things she can’t change, and she did everything she could to fix the situation before. “Can ya tell me about the poison? Maybe we can figure out how ta fix this.” Admittedly, it’s a bit odd that the effects would come back around weeks after it should have diluted and made its way out of the groundwater system. What exactly are they missing? “We’ll talk ta folks an’ confirm what weird stuff they’re experiencin’.”
The next place to go might be the well, but for now, they can find the village leader.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Oct 3, 2023 10:59:41 GMT -5
"Fish was given a job that matched Fish's skills. So, Fish did that job." They tilt their head hearing the concern in Astrid's voice. It had that similar tone and weight Cyran did after their assassination job. The motivation behind the disappointment was obviously different, but the foreign nature of the concern was all the same to the bird. As far as Fish saw it, they did a job. They rarely considered the impact on people not named Fish.
"It is just spike moss concentrate and baby dragon's breath....Fish estimated it should only have been in a concentration of about 4 micrograms per deciliter, but Fish is not aware of the composition of the water here or if it has any magical properties that may have thrown off Fish's data."
The bird is also similarly concerned about the length of time. It had been several weeks since that job and it sounds like Astrid arrived only a few days after they left. They glance around to the few people milling about....They seem fine. Though reading people's emotions is not Fish's strong suit. At best, the bird doesn't sense anything wrong immediately. No one was showing any symptoms that would be expected from their poison. So, what was so weird about this place? There was something off, but Fish couldn't identify what it was which only fueled their frustrations.
"Fish will let Astrid do the talking, Fish imagines not many people here will be able to talk to Fish."
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 7, 2023 16:15:57 GMT -5
Astrid is fully aware of Fish’s capabilities, at least in some capacity. They’re a member of the Consortium, they’re skilled with blades and infiltration. It makes perfect sense now that Astrid thinks about it. Even still, she’s fairly certain that Fish isn’t much different in age than she is, so what the heck is all this about being given a job?
“Wh…Wha?” Astrid stammers. “Who the heck would give ya a job that involves hurtin’ folks on purpose?? An’ in Dragon’s Cradle? In my home??” As hard as she tries to keep her voice even, it doesn’t work out all that well. She is an emotional pre-teen after all. Placing her hand to her forehead, Astrid tries to work it out. “I just… Why would ya accept a job like that? Yer skills could be real good fer helpin’ folks, not hurtin’ ‘em!” Astrid pauses and looks at the village. “That’s what we’ll do today, okay? Maybe ya could tell me who asked ya ta do that.”
Looking ahead to the village, Astrid observes the same thing as Fish. People seem to be milling about. It’s quiet, but things aren’t exactly inactive. Still, travelers reported the villagers were behaving oddly, so Astrid tromps up and approaches one. “Oi, g’mornin’!” she says cheerily. “How’s it goin’? I was just wonderin’ if ya could tell me about anythin’ strange ya noticed ‘round here lately!” As if she said nothing, the villager continues about their business, slowly trudging along through the street and never acknowledging her. Whatever is going on, they’re extremely focused on it.
“Erm, alright… Have a good day,” she calls after them. “Weird. ‘Scuse me, mister!” Running up to another villager, Astrid finds the situation to be much the same. No acknowledgment, not even a glance. It’s like she’s invisible. Even when she taps someone on the shoulder, the brush her off and continue about their day. So, she looks over at Fish with confusion all over her face. “D’ya know anythin’ about that?”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Oct 7, 2023 17:15:17 GMT -5
Fish tilts their head at Astrid’s question, “Fish does not ask those sorts of questions. The motives of the people who hire Fish does not matter to Fish, it does not impact how Fish does the job so it seems inefficient to ask.”
The half-dwarf’s demeanor and sense of shock at how the bird operates is oddly familiar to them. It’s like Del or Cyran, a disbelief that Fish could do things like this not because of their age but just because for whatever reason they didn’t think Fish the type. They would have to consider why people seem to underestimate them. That will need to be corrected if Fish wanted to be a feared and respected business criminal like Zarius.
”Fish takes jobs that Fish can apply Fish’s skills to. Fish helps Fish….no one else helped Fish, so Fish has to focus on taking care of Fish first.” Bold words from the bird who has recently found several people willing to go out of their way to help, Astrid included. “It is also why Fish does not ask questions, Fish works with underground networks, the more Fish knows, the more risk Fish and the others take on. It is safer and more efficient this way.”
They curiously stand back when Astrid finally finds someone to talk to. Something seriously strange was happening to be sure. Even with Fish’s bare bones manners, they knew this was out of the ordinary. This certainly wasn’t a result of their own work.
”This could be a parasite of some sort…something overtaking the central nervous system would be able to control a body like that but it might lack the ability to perform higher functions like speech. Fish would have to dissect them to know for sure.”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 7, 2023 20:50:12 GMT -5
Watching Fish sign their reasoning behind taking an unsavory job, Astrid’s brow furrows. She admittedly doesn’t know much about Fish, but based on what they just said, she gets a feeling for what they may have been through, so Astrid stops and looks at Fish, not with pity, but with understanding. “Ah, I… I s’pose that makes sense,” she says, her sign language much more fumbled and less confident than before.
“I like ta help folks ‘cause I don’t want anyone goin’ through what I did,” she explains. “There’s lots a’ hurt the world likes ta dish out. People can be real mean an’ selfish an’ ungrateful. But that don’t mean I gotta be like ‘em just ‘cause things were hard fer me for a little while. Guess I learned a little bit a’ kindness goes a long way. Mister Zarius helped me get off the streets. Bought me some clothes an’ food an’ me first hammer!” Patting the smaller battle hammer dangling from her belt, Astrid smiles.
“He took me on me first adventure, too! He didn’t hafta do alla that. He didn’t know me or have any reason ta help me, but he did. Folks like that are real important, and I wanna be someone who can help others.” Her hands fall for a moment as she pauses then looks at her feathery friend. “Fish, ya know if ya ever need help, I’ll be there fer ya. Don’t matter if it’s a meal or a bed or a friend, I’m there fer ya. We’ll steal blood from giants an’ beat up folks that deserve it. I’ll even help fix yer weapons if ya ever need that! Ya don’t hafta be alone. Neither of us do.”
After speaking with many people who don’t respond, Astrid returns to Fish so they can discuss. “A parasite, huh?” Astrid ponders, scratching her chin thoughtfully. “Wha? Noooo, no dissectin’ anyone. Though… maybe we could make a medicine or somethin’ if we could figure out what it is. Could a parasite in the water do this? I don’t know a lot about bugs an’ thin’s except that they splat when ya smash ‘em.”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Oct 8, 2023 12:32:09 GMT -5
Fish was still very much in the mindset that they have done everything themselves, not recognizing there was a lot of help along the way. Sure, there were a few years they had to scrabble together truly alone, but even getting taken in by a thieves guild was a help in some fashion. That first bit of stability helped the bird find the footing to take all of the steps that have gotten them this far.
Since branching out from them, Fish has found help in Astrid, Del, Cyran, Zarius, Kamille, Kvasir, Morrigan, and all the others who had been willing to give the bird a chance. Still, being a child, it was hard to see that in the moment.
When Astrid mentions weapons, that does bring Fish back into focus. "Fish's weapons require more than simple maintenance. For example." The bird flourishes their gun from its holster under the cloak. It is unloaded for the moment, but after much admonishment from Del, Fish is careful not to point the barrel at Astrid.
"Fish's latest creation is more engineering that just blacksmithing."
When they eventually get back on topic about the parasite, Fish finds a little bench to sit on and pull out their notebook. It is very hard to walk, read, and sign all at once even for Fish. They pick through the pages until they get to the notes on parasites.
"It's possible...it doesn't act like anyone Fish has heard of, but it is possible, Fish would have to know what kind of parasite it is exactly before an antiparasitic medicine can be made....we can either test someone's blood or the water...Fish can make a test for the blood, but without Fish's full workshop, testing the water will be less conclusive..but doesn't require getting blood."
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 8, 2023 12:45:40 GMT -5
Being the curious kid she is who likes to study things, Astrid is nearly instantly distracted by the weapon Fish produces from beneath their cloak. She knows better than to grab it and touch it without asking, but hoo boy, does she want to study it. Astrid has heard of these before, firearms, but she’s never gotten to see one up close. “Well, lucky fer ya, I’m a bit of a tinkerer with a job as an engineer on top a’ bein’ a blacksmith,” she says with a grin. “I made a mechanical mouse, a big golem, an’ a special mechanical drill!” As much as she wants to show these things off, now is not the time or place.
Astrid follows Fish over to the bench and watches while they ponder over their notes. “Hm… ya know, if folks realized the water in the well was makin’ ‘em sick, they might’ve looked fer another source a’ drinkin’ water. Maybe that’s what got ‘em all… like this. Maybe it ain’t the well, maybe it’s somethin’ else. Bet if we follow someone, we can find out where they’re goin’ ta get water ta drink.”
Conveniently, she notices a couple of people dragging empty buckets toward the edge of town. “They might be the right folks ta follow,” she says, pointing them out. “We could get samples from a few places an’ test ‘em all, or we might find what’s responsible fer this if we follow ‘em!”
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Oct 8, 2023 13:14:13 GMT -5
"Magic Golems are easy, the Formulae Arcanum is useful for animating objects, but this is pure science." Fish is intrigued by the drill and the mouse, though it would have to wait until after the mission otherwise the both of them would get lost in the engineering sauce. It took every bit of Fish's self-restraint not to ask after these items though.
"If the parasite overtakes the neurological capacities of its host, it might not be able to warn others about it." More and more theories start to float through Fish's head. With their understanding of magic, this could just be a mass spell over the town, but it seemed unlikely to come at such scale. Maybe the parasite was magical in nature?
Theories are good, but finding the people dragging buckets is the best way to prove these theories. Fish agrees and starts to follow, but quickly stops and turns to look at Astrid. Her armor and equipment makes her far too noisy which is a risk for Fish.
"Does Astrid know how to sneak properly? Fish does not want to alert the targets as that could throw off the data or provide an unwanted, namely violent, response." They tilt their head at the half-dwarf waiting for an answer.
They weren't worried about losing the people, tracking people was easy and it is not like these people were hiding themselves. The clanging of the buckets along the ground was a pretty dead give away to where these folks were.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 9, 2023 16:40:31 GMT -5
When Fish seems to agree with the idea of following people out of town, Astrid hurries after them, but she nearly bowls them over when they stop and turn suddenly. She looks at herself then at Fish then at herself again. “Erm, I ain’t all that sneaky,” she admits. And it isn’t just because of the armor, she just generally doesn’t walk very quietly because Cantio is so easily startled, so she tries to make her presence known when she walks.
“I got a bit of a solve fer that though!” she says triumphantly. Fishing a silver wolf head pendant from beneath her cuirass, she focuses on it, and the eyes start to glow. Then her armor disappears in a little poof of sparks. The pendant’s eyes stop glowing, and she lets it drop back to hang around her neck. “I worked some magic an’ got this ta store me armor. It’ll put it back on in an instant when I need it.” At least now she won’t be clanking constantly with each step.
That doesn’t solve the lack of know-how to actually walk quietly. “Still, I’ll follow yer steps an’ try ta be careful so we don’t draw attention. Show me how ta be sneaky, Fish!”
With that, she follows Fish and the bucket lugging people down the road and to a fresh trail in the foliage of the sparse woods. The kids are able to keep plenty of distance since the bucketeers are quite loud and the trail, while fresh, is well worn. Despite walking past a creekbed, the mindless villagers carry on until they approach the mouth of a cave with an offshoot of the creek flowing from within. It’s pitch dark inside, which isn’t a problem for Astrid, but she’s not so sure about Fish.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Oct 9, 2023 22:25:46 GMT -5
Fish is a little insulted by the insinuation that being sneaky is all about just removing clanky thing. It is an artform, a skill that takes years to hone, their life's passion so far has been learning the art of the silent step.
"Fish does not have time to break down all of the knowledge on stealth that Fish has gained." They pause a moment trying to think of the best way to work this in a way Astrid can understand. "Bracing, imagine each step like bracing from a fall, soften the landing, disperse the impact."
It is hard to show exactly how Fish does it since it is essentially muscle memory for the bird at this point.[1] They are entirely silent, but the improvement from the half-dwarf will have to do. They are on a mission after all.
They curiously look at the water a moment, taking out a vial to collect a sample in case they need it later. Fish's head snaps up to watch the group head into the darkness. Interesting. Fish thinks for a moment.
"Fish does not believe this is any parasite Fish knows....natural parasites normally aren't this in control of a host. Perhaps the host's brain has been replaced entirely."
The bird does not want to imagine how that would work. For as casually as they talk about war crimes and dissections, there are limits.
"Fish would suggest getting the armor back...Walking slow will help mitigate it, but Fish believes the infected won't care about our presence. Whatever is infecting them is probably deeper into the cave....Maybe this is a new form of necromancy..."
1. Silent Step
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 11, 2023 17:44:00 GMT -5
Is Fish insulted? What is that look? Did she say something wrong? Astrid puzzles over it so intensely that she almost misses their explanation of how to step more softly, but the avianfolk does a good job of explaining it. Nodding along, Astrid makes an attempt to follow Fish as quietly as possible. Without her armor, this is much easier. It isn’t that the armor weighs her down necessarily, but she can’t help that it clanks and rattles so much. Maybe with enough practice, she could.
She watches intently while Fish collects a sample then they both watch the infected head into the cave. That is interesting. Though, Astrid doesn’t want to think about the implications of a brain having been replaced. If she needs the armor back… She quickly lets the armor manifest around her form again then takes out a familiar dark potion that she used when they snuck into the warehouse.
“Ain’t better than learnin’, but it’ll help,” she says with a bit of a smile before downing the potion. Luckily, she’s gotten much better at signing, so communication will still be easy. “I don’t like the idea of ‘em bein’ undead, but I’ve got some magic that can help us find out. Let’s go after ‘em.” Nodding toward the cave, Astrid takes off for the entrance in hopes they won’t lose the villagers inside. Every footfall in the water isn’t careful, but it doesn’t make any sound at all thanks to the magic masking her movements.
By the time they catch up to them, the villagers have entered a large and nearly pitch black cavern save for a pool that gives off a soft purple glow. Astrid’s eyes flicker in the darkness as she hides behind a rock and watches them approach a pool that is the source of water from this creek. There’s a squelching and chittering, a voice speaking in some otherworldly language as a creature nearly seven feet tall and as lithe as Cantio rises from the water. Clad in deep purple robes and… a squid for a head(??) it seems to direct the villages to fill their buckets with water from the pool.
Pendant of armor storage - reactivated Potion of shadows - makes all sounds silent for astrid [post 1/2] Night Vision
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Zeinav
674 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Oct 12, 2023 8:29:42 GMT -5
The mountains seem an odd place for a squid creature. Fish tucks themselves into the shadows and flips through their notebook. Nowhere in the mass of notes do they have any research or knowledge on something like this. The language is also foreign to the bird, they can't even pick out any recognizable pieces.
Well, this was interesting to say the least. Fish peers out from around the rock to look at the pool. Perhaps that is the source of whatever is happening in town. Or at least some component part of the puzzle.
The creature floats across the creek water to head back into an alcove. It returns after a moment with a slightly wet pouch, dumping the contents between the two buckets. Were those...eggs?
Fish squints to try and see what spills out of the bag, but it is hard to make out the exact details. Whatever it is, they have half of the answer as to what's going on. They have who is behind it, but still need to find out exactly what is happening.
They wave to get Astrid's attention, "We can stop them now or we can wait and do more investigating."
The bird is ready for either option, they are certainly curious about this creature. On the other hand they are aware that this problem may need to be stopped sooner rather than later. They couldn't tell what was in the bucket nor what its purpose was. If they waited, more people could be in harm's way.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
26/53
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,872 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 12, 2023 17:46:36 GMT -5
Astrid doesn’t risk sticking her head out any more than she already does, just peering around and letting Fish, who blends in much more successfully in the dark cavern, gather information. The weird pouch and whatever is inside schlorps and sloshes as it’s dumped into the buckets. When Fish waves, she looks at them while they make a suggestion. Astrid looks between them, the squid creature, and the villagers and her brow furrows. She signs to them in reply, “I can’t understand a lick a’ what they’re sayin’, and it’s clear whatever they’re doin’ has the villagers actin’ all weird. We don’t hafta go in bows blazin’, but we ought ta be ready fer a fight.” Silently, Astrid summons her war hammer and stands upright, looking over the rock at the creature of the deep for a long moment before deciding that she’ll just walk out. To her horror, the squid-faced monstrosity grabs one of the villagers whose buckets were not filled and wraps its tentacles around their face. No screams erupt from the villager, and muffled squelches echo through the cave. Astrid quickly motions to Fish that things have gone awry then she charges forward. If the potion of shadows didn’t silence her, she’d be letting out a mighty war cry and making demands. Too bad that’s not possible in this situation. Seeing her rushing out, the Chthonian releases its grasp on the villager and hisses, blood leaking from its beak beneath the tentacles. Purple magic gathers around its head and focuses into a warbling blast of magical energy that explodes out from it and hits Astrid with an incredibly painful brain blast. Astrid makes some attempt to cry out, and nearly collapses to her knees while clutching her head in pain.
Creature details: Chthonian Ash Lands, Dragon's Cradle Power Level | Alignment | High | Evil |
Description | Mind flayers, also known as illithids are sadistic aberrations feared by sentient creatures on many worlds due to their powerful psionic abilities. From their twisted lairs deep in the Underdark, these alien entities sought to expand their dominion over all other lifeforms, controlling their minds to use them as obedient thralls.
|
Abilities
| Crafting Material | Mind Control - Grasping Tentacles - Eats Brains - Spellcaster - Magic Resistance - Telepathic - Psionic Blast
| - Chthonian Parasite |
|
|