IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E

IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« on: Jul 03, 2017, 06:55 PM »

Out-of-character: I'll have OOC remarks, including action/combat stuff in BLUE.

Tonight is the night following completion of the heist, the retrieval of the False Chanterelle. You all arrive separately, as is protocol after these heists, each of you unreservedly trusting that your teammates will be there as well, and on-time. This is a safe space, after all--Aaron's home, the Voidheim Public Library, and it has often served as a safehouse for your cabal after such illegal activities. This is formerly the site of the monastic Cloister of St. Cyr, and previous to that the VoidMaxxx Coliseum, and prior to that the popular Chaos Theater, and well before that the mansion of House Shrike, a noble family long since disinherited, dispersed, and exiled from the city-state.

Lady Alexandria Reed, the Chief Librarian, greets each of you at the circulation desk. She is an aging yet youthful-looking spinster and former gladiator. She extends her arthritic hand, knuckles heavily scarred from battles several decades gone, and pulls close a stack of books as you near the desk. You pass her to access the secret door hidden within the shelves of legal texts.

From the law manual section of the library, you follow a narrow stair to a wooden ladder, and the wooden ladder up to a forgotten space, once the rafters of the Chaos Theater, now just a small attic with a small window. The window provides just enough light for tonight's ritual.

[OOC: When all are assembled, the painting will be hung in the moonlight and its portal activated.]

BENJAMIN (character's name in bold, can be like this or just the first time you use it in post)

After dodging a few White Jacquet patrols, Benjamin quickly gets inside and spends some time flirting with Lady Reed, recounting all the sordid rumors he's heard on the streets. Her interest wanes until he gives a play-by-play of the various notable bum fights he's witnessed in the past week. Suddenly, the old woman's long dormant bloodlust craves all the gory details!

It seems Old Davey Trenchfoot scrapped with Harvey Fishbone over squatter's rights to the abandoned Rainbowbread Academy, and Nine-Toes ousted Scabby Jill's wanton cadre from beneath Cull Bridge. The Voidheim Citywatch rounded up the itinerant Do-Nuthin' Gang on fifteen charges of loitering. The Do-Nuthin's wouldn't go without a bloody fight, and there were heavy casualties on both sides.

After a time Benjamin ascends to the rafter room, nervously anticipating the testing of the painting's supposed magic properties.

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #1 on: Jul 03, 2017, 07:35 PM »
Truman stands by the window, scanning the streets for activity. His posture is tense, but his face is calm and focused. Without looking back, he recognizes the heavy footsteps he has heard so many times before as Benjamin.

"Finally joining us, Braddock? About time."

He glances over his shoulder for a second, taking stock of the allies gathered together behind him, before dutifully turning his attention back to the streets.

"I don't like it. How do we know this place is still safe?"

His hand taps at the handle of his rapier for a moment. He takes a breath, and turns back toward the others.

"Grace could have spilled."

Truman breathes the name through grit teeth. He pauses for a moment, letting the words hang in the air.

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #2 on: Jul 03, 2017, 07:45 PM »
Yoshiko held up the painting, looking at it from every angle, tilting its surface against the light, trying to see scratches or traces of old paintings or sketches underneath in an attempt to ascertain its true value.

After all, that painting looked horrible. Absolute crudeness. Portraying lewdness without any inkling of artistry. Like pornographic graffiti drawn by a hobo.

"So, Benjamin M'lad? Whass'th' snitch wit' tis? Ah' poach'd it no problem, s'like pickin' an apple off th'ground. S'really worth that much, love?"

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #3 on: Jul 03, 2017, 08:05 PM »
Lai Shan leaned over Yoshiko's shoulder to get a gander at the painting as well. No matter how she tilted or gleaned, the painting did not look any better.

"It's worth as much as its story, at least. There's always someone willing to pay as long as the rumors are still fresh. Best we cash it in while the rich folk are still amused by the fairy tale." she remarked. "Still, hard to believe such an ugly painting is supposed to open a gateway to some hidden labyrinth."

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #4 on: Jul 03, 2017, 08:13 PM »
Clouded by his thoughts, spacing out and unable to notice any sort of activity from the rest of the team.
Luis had been absent minded since the betrayal and death of Paladin Sir Grace.
His abilities as support in previous jobs were not affected by this, for he seemed to be only able to focus on times of peril.

Thanks to intel Benjamin was able to acquire, the now cleric became aware of how far his Paladin mentor's corruption went. Before his demise, he had been able to spread rumors about each and all of the members. Luis hadn't exactly noticed how much this had affected his teammates, or maybe he didn't care.
He knew, however, he couldn't return back to monastery he had been working at before he joined as the 10th member.
A scandal had rose back at the town, plaguing him as an enemy to all. This was the only reason Luis was still sticking around, otherwise he would have abandoned this Gang of Thieves...
He sighed.
Couldn't really complain that much, the group had welcomed him with "open arms".
While his relationship with them wasn't the best, at least Luis knew he could trust them, and so could they in him.

Even after death, Sir Grace seemed to hold everyone with his malevolent chains. Almost a shame he wasn't able to even see his plan bear any fruit.
His mind took him back to the event when Sovereign stabbed the traitor.
He had once made an oath to protect any and all from suffering, no matter who they were, or where did they come from.
Luis broke his promise that day. He was paralyzed by both anger and fear, and when he was able to react, it was too late. The soul had already left the body. He didn't know any spells that could bring the fallen one back to life. And even if he did, he was taught not to tamper with the dead.

Taking out his emblem, with the symbol of a Book, he stared at it silently.
"For a mightier purpose..." He whispered.
« Last Edit: Jul 04, 2017, 11:28 PM by elge »

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #5 on: Jul 04, 2017, 11:00 AM »
Sharis sits off to the side.

"You land walkers place too much value in things and stories. Though if this story turns out to be true, then perhaps we'll face challenges worthy of our ancestors."

He smiles saying it. A real challenge was something to look forward to. To conquer the maze, now that would be worth remembering for generations.
Minions, assemble!

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #6 on: Jul 04, 2017, 04:15 PM »


TRUMAN

"We don't know, exactly," Braddock solemnly agrees. "But I'd wager if that traitor 'Sir' Grace gave this place away it'd already be swarming with White Jacquets." He gives a hardened but optimistic smile. "The Queen's men are out in force, it's true, but they're nowhere near this place, count your blessings..."

YOSHIKO and LAI SHAN

"I had no worries the False Chanterelle would find its way into your capable paws, Yoshiko my dear."

Braddock crosses his arms. "Now, I reckon you're right, a story is worth its weight in gold. But I've seen men killed over art before, and far better made pieces than this. Surely, for something so utterly kitschy to be so in-demand by those-in-the-know, it has to have some magic to it, don't you think?"

LUIS and SHARIS

Braddock pauses. "Luis, Sharis!" He waves you over to assist with a sturdy wooden crate. "Help an old man with this box, eh? There's something I acquired that I was saving for a special night...the finest honeywine from far-off war-torn Arcadia! Anyone fancy a drink before the main event?"

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #7 on: Jul 04, 2017, 09:15 PM »
"Or! They could be lulling us into a false sense of security. Letting us go first so we take care of all the traps and puzzles for them."

Truman sighs, reaches into the backpack on the floor beside him, and pulls out a crowbar.

"Make this quick, I want everyone on top of their game once the job starts."

He places the crowbar on the wooden box and goes back to watching for patrols.

He mumbles to himself, "At least, I think it'll have traps and puzzles."

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #8 on: Jul 04, 2017, 09:24 PM »


YOSHIKO and LAI SHAN

"I had no worries the False Chanterelle would find its way into your capable paws, Yoshiko my dear."

Braddock crosses his arms. "Now, I reckon you're right, a story is worth its weight in gold. But I've seen men killed over art before, and far better made pieces than this. Surely, for something so utterly kitschy to be so in-demand by those-in-the-know, it has to have some magic to it, don't you think?"

LUIS and SHARIS

Braddock pauses. "Luis, Sharis!" He waves you over to assist with a sturdy wooden crate. "Help an old man with this box, eh? There's something I acquired that I was saving for a special night...the finest honeywine from far-off war-torn Arcadia! Anyone fancy a drink before the main event?"

"Drinking before the job, Braddock? You seem almost certain this is gonna pay off."

Lai Shan smirked, if only to show her slight concern. Those-in-the-know... if this painting was the real deal, then everyone who knows will definitely come after it. And that might mean a run-in with the Syndicate, a reunion that Lai Shan wasn't particularly looking forward to.

"All the more reason to get this over with, yeah? Clean out this 'maze', then sell off the painting to the highest bidder before anyone knows that anything even happened."

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #9 on: Jul 04, 2017, 09:44 PM »
"S'better be'good a payout, love. Could'bmakin' big auctionin' tis scrap off now."

A magical painting to a maze huh. If that were true, has it been used before? And why a painting of this caliber and subject matter? Such things would affect how much benefit there is to selling it off sooner than later. Like that one time she was in possession of a rather suspicious sword.

Yoshiko placed the painting back down and lounged into a more comfortable position.

"Y'got some milk n'stead? Drinkin'snot f'before th'job."

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #10 on: Jul 04, 2017, 11:49 PM »
Took him half a second to notice someone was calling him. Luis only raised his brows before processing what they had just asked him. Didn't say anything while getting up, just approached Mr. Braddock.

Stopped on his track when he saw Sharis get nearby as well. "Are... You sure you want my help?" Luis remarked, while looking at the Triton. "Mr. Hit-every-enemy-in-the-face might be more than enough..."
Cleric didn't dislike Sharis, just wasn't fond of his way of resolving problems, even if it was for a good cause, such as honoring his Triton ancestors.
But... At least he was one of the few members who didn't need much aid from Luis or at all. Meaning he could play a better role at supporting the less durable members.
Speaking of strong party members, Luis knew he wouldn't be much help to Benjamin carrying the mentioned item.
Decided it would be best to stand there awkwardly while Sharis decided to take the initiative.

"Clerics don't drink- Er, Priests don't drink. Can't drink..." He looked away, trying to be deceptive. He wasn't even a priest in the first place....  The truth was, he was a lightweight when consuming alcohol, there had been enough embarassing moments in his life, and didn't want to add another to the list with a simple sip of Honeywine that was being offered. Time would tell if any of the other members had been able to detect his bluff. "Thanks though"

[GPS, I hope I am not OOCing Sharis much, I am basing his personality on the mentions he has received in the chat. Can still change my post, lemme know]
« Last Edit: Jul 05, 2017, 12:29 AM by elge »

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #11 on: Jul 05, 2017, 12:23 PM »
Sharis laughs, grabbing the crowbar off the top of the crate.

"Ha! My enemies wish all I did was punch them!"

He spins the crowbar once in his hand, then jams it into the crate, ready to open it.

"You all need to loosen up! Drink and celebrate when you can, or you'll regret it when you can't. Besides, if the stories are true, we must wait for night fall anyway, so why not enjoy ourselves until then?"
Minions, assemble!

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #12 on: Jul 05, 2017, 06:30 PM »
"Well I mean, we could do this the professional way... or we could do this the fun way."

Lai Shan took a glass from the shelves, took a seat and crossed her legs, awaiting the prized beverage.

"How about a toast? To hoaxes and lies and the bored statesmen who buy them!"

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #13 on: Jul 05, 2017, 07:46 PM »
Yoshiko shrugged and took a glass too.

"Fineeeee~ But th'Honeywine better be sweet as th'name implies."

She stuck her tongue out and muttered something repulsive about a beverage called the Sunshine Cloud.

*
Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #14 on: Jul 06, 2017, 02:59 AM »
There was an amused chuckle from the hooded man to the side. He had been minding his own business and not paying too much attention to his team members until a certain Tabaxi caught his attention with her talk of sweet alcoholic drinks. 

Seth rests his chin on his knuckles as he looks at Yoshiko with silent judgement.

"Aren't you a cute one?"

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #15 on: Jul 06, 2017, 03:28 AM »
Yoshiko stuck her tongue out at the hooded man called Seth.

"M'tongue'snot takin well t'tastes not salty nor sweet, boy. Most booze taste like piss water."

She flicked her hair and placed a finger on her cheek, glancing back at Seth with a hint of venom.

"Sides, s'not like i'vta enforce masculine image like some chaps, eh prettyboy~?"

*
Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #16 on: Jul 06, 2017, 04:00 AM »
Clearly amused by Yoshiko's jab, Seth gave out an even louder laugh. It was hard to tell whether it was forced or actually genuine.

"HA! You're just as fierce as you're cute."

Underneath his dark hood, he shoots a toothy grin and a wink towards Yoshiko, keeping up with his flirty charade.

"And I know I'm pretty. Nice to know you have taste!"

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #17 on: Jul 06, 2017, 08:01 AM »
Braddock cheers confidently at Lai Shan's toast, and sighs at the flirty interplay of Seth and Yoshiko.

"Aw'right lads and ladies," he announces as he lowers his cup. "The moon is nigh upon us! Has anyone seen Mr. Grok today?
« Last Edit: Jul 06, 2017, 08:04 AM by Mister Kent »

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #18 on: Jul 06, 2017, 03:54 PM »
Truman steps away from his post.

"I'll go find him. Seth, quit gawking and keep watch."

He thinks to himself as he descends the ladder: How do you even lose a bugbear?

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #19 on: Jul 06, 2017, 04:32 PM »
Realizing this was the perfect excuse to avoid hanging out with the other members and the honeywine. Luis trotted, headed downstairs, and followed Truman silently.


The shifter was good friends with Aaron, something about fuzzy ceatures sticking together, the bugbear had once mentioned.
Knowing him, he's probably looking at the new upcoming tomes of literature.

Or at least that's what the Cleric hoped. Truman had mentioned already that the group could very well be monitored by their complainants.
This hunting was well deserved though, stealing was stealing after all. But no matter how much Luis had called them out on the crimes they were committing, part of the team, if not everyone, seemed used to his constant rambles, and knew it was best to ignore him. However, the result was always making Luis angrier, and angrier, turning the next outburst into an even louder and longer one. He clearly needed to manage his temper.
 
« Last Edit: Jul 06, 2017, 04:34 PM by elge »

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #20 on: Jul 06, 2017, 09:23 PM »
Yoshiko stuck her tongue out at the hooded man called Seth.

"M'tongue'snot takin well t'tastes not salty nor sweet, boy. Most booze taste like piss water."

She flicked her hair and placed a finger on her cheek, glancing back at Seth with a hint of venom.

"Sides, s'not like i'vta enforce masculine image like some chaps, eh prettyboy~?"

Lai Shan playfully wraps an arm around Yoshiko.

"Oh no, this isn't that cheap tavern slog. Imagine like... ripe berries and grapes with a dash of honey, and a pinch of mint I think?"

Slipping loose, she crouches down next to the crate, ready to grab a bottle.

"But if that's still not to your taste I could always bring you some milk and honey."
« Last Edit: Jul 06, 2017, 09:29 PM by A Bad Idea »

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #21 on: Jul 06, 2017, 09:37 PM »
Yoshiko held her cup up.

"Eeeeeeeh ah'll take a whiff. If'tastes like piss', I'll take y'on th'offer~"

Yoshiko readied her glass for the wine as she observed the painting once more as light gleamed at an angle towards it.

It still looks crappy in a dim lighting.

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #22 on: Jul 06, 2017, 09:47 PM »
As Truman made his way into the recesses of the library, he noticed a set of nervous footsteps behind him. Again, without turning around, he addresses the figure behind him.

"Rios, look, this is your last chance to bail. If you seriously don't want to be a part of this, go. I'll think of something to tell the others."

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #23 on: Jul 06, 2017, 09:50 PM »
Sharis rolls his shoulders, and grabs the crowbar firm. With a hard flex, he pulls back, cracking open the crate.

"Now that everyone is on the same page, let's enjoy ourselves with a proper drink to the job!"
Minions, assemble!

Re: IC - VOID PLAYS: Maze of the Blue Medusa / D&D 5E
« Reply #24 on: Jul 06, 2017, 10:31 PM »
"Huh-What?" Too busy thinking about Aaron to understand right away. Luis loudly stomped his foot as he stopped. Glaring at Truman, even though he knew he wasn't looking back at him.
"And here I thought you lacked any sense of humor..." He let out a raspy sigh, hoping to call the other's attention.

Snarled, painting an angry face "Were you not the one complaining a while ago about our enemies being closer than we thought? Sensing this all was too good to be true?" He finally decided to walk next to his companion "Divide and Conquer, wasn't it?" His tone dropped at the end, almost sounding like a pitiful whine. Perhaps part of Sparkledog heritage. "Even if I wanted to run with my tail between the legs, it should be clear I can't. Noen of us quite know what that ass sniffer of a traitor spread before his passing..."

Probably best hurry finding the whereabouts of their bugbear ally.

 

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