Muschio 2012/09/10(Mon)21:09 No. 453484 ID: 42e984
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To call the architecture of the seaside city of Tela Cruz "brutal" would be doing it a great act of understatement.

It's walled on all sides, and even the exit to its main piers is fitted with an enormous door the likes of which I have never seen.
I can't help but notice the city's banner has been vandalized.

The city is in some kind of military-run lockdown, but Coriander's scouts have reported three possible means of ingress:
1. The front gate is locked tight, but the numerous smaller doors in and out are obvious but difficult possibilities, if I can convince the guards or operators to allow me through somehow.
2. The doors to the seaport open more regularly when there is active trade. Though the lockdown has likely ceased that, Coriander's scouts have suggested there are possible means of entrance that undermine the main port authority, used mostly by refugees and smugglers.
3. Like all large cities, Tela Cruz pipes its waste away from the city center - here choosing instead to dump it straight into the sea. While it will not be pleasant or dignified, the sewers are likely all but unguarded, even in a time of heavy security.

I may as well decide now.

>>453484
We're part of one of the races of man. Try your luck on schmoozing some of those door guards first. If that doesn't work, I'd actually advocate taking the sewer route, because if we're caught entering the city via a smuggler's route we'll likely be branded a criminal if the infiltration should go south (and it will).

What do you even have in your inventory right now?

>>453492
Going through the sewers means that once you're inside you will smell of the sewers, and anyone with a nose will be able to tell that you're not supposed to be there. Also people will be able to smell you without seeing you, limiting our stealth options.

Honestly I wasn't expecting the city to be in such lockdown. We didn't get a declaration of war or anything, so I didn't think they would be preparing to fend off an army. Coriander only has like a half dozen fighters; this would be preparation to fend off a hundred enemy troops at least. Someone else MUST be fighting them.

Head over to a side door to speak to a guard, telling them you were just here on a shopping trip and noticed that they were all locked up! Ask what's going on, and if it's possible for you to be let in to buy stuff.

I'd rather take the smuggler's route. Muschio is not good at talking to people outside of highly formal affairs. He simply doesn't have enough points in Charisma or Bluff to talk his way through a lockdown. And sewers are gross, man.

>>453499
Seconding this.
Also, I'd like to know if (and how much) the townspeople know about us. Should we be concerned about being spotted and identified by a guard, or even a commoner? I'd rather we keep our presence hidden from the Czar as long as possible.

Well dignity is one of our most important tools, so that rules out the sewers. The front gates would be nice if we had a good cover story, but we don't. Seems to me that the docks are the way.

When we get inside, or perhaps even before, we want to figure out who vandalized the banner. They could be potential allies.

>>453499 >>453508
Thirded. Also, I know it's a longshot, but if possible we should see about recruiting some vagabonds as a temporary force of allies.
Whether a resistant movement or plain brigands, either can have their uses in a coup.

>>453588
Agreeing with this. Try to head in through the docks, spend our initial time gathering intelligence, focusing on discovering any resistance movements and possibly allying with them.

Might be planning a bit far ahead, since we're not even in the city yet, but just throwing it out there.

i vote for testing the waters. see how far you can get without getting arrested in the gates, if that doesn't work see about finding some smugglers. sewers don't become you, that's the last resort

Muschio 2012/09/20(Thu)01:27 No. 456237 ID: 629257
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The docks are... uneasily quiet.
I don't see a single dockhand or sailor out and about on the pier. It's possible they're all working aboard their vessels, but there aren't many of those.

Hm. I suppose I could approach the dock gate, or the station house near the dock gate. Alternately I could try one of the ships or smaller boats here.

>>456237
WHERE IS YOUR STEALTH GEAR MAN

GET OUT OF THERE BEFORE SOMEONE RECOGNIZES YOUR SECRET IDENTITY

But in all seriousness, I am surprised you didn't opt for a change of clothing. Class is one thing, but being recognizable from miles away as someone of your stature will probably do you no favours.

On the other hand, the smugglers might take a better interest in someone who seemingly reeks of coin, so it might work out in the end.

I suggest starting with the ships first - perhaps we will run into someone who could inform us on the basics of how the lockdown works and we can work from there.

Did you have the good sense to bring some money along? If we find smugglers we could pay them to smuggle *us* in.

>>456256
You know, that's just crazy enough that is might work. Using diplomacy or a good coverstory will likely separate us from our weapons/equipment, and the sewers will separate us from the ability to sneak entirely. But being smuggled in won't lose us anything. Worth a shot if we can make it happen.

Remember guys, as of the post-High Roller patch, Muschio only brings along what we reasonably expect him to have. So if we fuck this up now, there's no fixing it later.

Well I expect that Muschio brought along some money at least, and some rope, since we keep telling him that adventurers always need that. I bet that before he left the bug kingdom, they let him have another rapier, too, that he just forgot to tell us about. Which he would doubtless have brought along with him crossed fingers

>>456263
Even if he didn't bring some rope, he should be able to find some fairly easily. We're in the docks. Rope is a thing they use to keep ships from floating away.
As for weaponry, not bringing along at least a dagger in this day and age is just asking for trouble. I'm sure Muschio isn't that dense. But we should avoid shanking people for awhile yet.

Anyway, check around the ships for signs of life. It's easier to strike up conversation with a dockworker than a guard. At worst we'll be told to piss off.

Try to find someone who can tell you what's going on, provided anyone is there at all

>>456263
I think "what we reasonably expect him to have" extends to any portable item Muschio owns that we can think of a good reason for him carrying. The "patch" was so Weaver can focus on plot and character development instead of inventory management.


Let's consider our options, Muschio. The docks are going to be useless as long as the lockdown is on. If Tela Cruz's rulers aren't complete dolts, they probably know about your alliance with Coriander, and guards will be on the lookout for you. There's no cover either, so sneaking up on the guards is a no-go.

The sewers are going to be your best bet. Once you're in, pretend to be a beggar. Not only will no-one notice you're covered in shit, most people won't notice you at all.

burn every boat in the harbor. that should get their attention, and bring the rats out of hiding.

in fact, burn the harbor.

Weaver 2012/09/21(Fri)08:55 No. 456464 ID: 629257
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Very well. I'll continue to search the docks.
After wandering for a bit through the small fleet of abandoned boats docked here, I finally find one with movement: a modest cargo vessel named the Djebel Amilah.

It's a small craft but it seems to float particularly high in the water. I manage to catch the attention of a non-human crewman on the deck.

"Hello there!"
>"You Port Authority?"
"No."
>"Customs?"
"No."
>"Is qvorantine?"
"No."
>"What you want?"
"I'd like to speak to someone on your ship who knows their way around this dock, and this city."
He pauses, one large eye blinking slowly at me.
>"Hokay. I get Captain."

Another pause, then:
>"Hwait. Who is calling?"

Ooooh, tough one. This guy is smarter than I expected him to be.
All right, how about we go with a made up name like Mayde Upperton, Traveling Gentleman and Rescuer of Maidens?

"A foreign lord with many friends, and almost as many enemies. I need to know you aren't the latter before I'll say more."

Nobody really relevant to the city yet. Just an old ex-prince of a nearby kingdom if anything.

>>456464
"Malto."

"Money."

So... what was the current King of Piavacole's official surname/family name?

Because i totally say you should namedrop it.

How about we dont say we are important at all to anyone who we dont have to.

The revolution was a long time ago, yeah? If this monster-dude's captain is also a monster-dude, he's likely foreign and mightn't recognize the name Malto. I don't think we need to worry too much.

>>456501

second.

"I am the Great Cornholio! I need TP for my bunghole!"

Say you are a tourist on a pilgrimage to see every city, playing dumb to stay neutral in this city's conflict, and need help getting in to finish your tour of the continent's greatest examples of architecture.

Or if the captain's female, seduce her.
After playing a round of cards.

Say "a traveller". The guy doesn't seem like he wants to mess around with anyone but he doesn't seem too dumb to fall for a complicated lie either.

Money.

Muschio 2012/09/24(Mon)19:40 No. 457725 ID: 629257
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"Tell him MONEY is calling."
>"Captain hvill be very glad to hear. I get him for you."

Muschio 2012/09/24(Mon)19:46 No. 457728 ID: 629257
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A few moments later, the Captain appears over the bow of the ship.

>"Yes, yes, my friend. What can I do for-"

>"-you?!"

>>457728

"Hello Nino. Good to see you again. Got a minute?"

>>457728
Oh, it's Nino! Say hello to Nino. You remember this guy, right? He was spying on us for the Collector. First, by actually barging into the dungeon at night, then via dating Tislomer. Ask him if he's still working as a spy. You could use a man like him, alive.

Basically, try to intimidate him a bit, since he's easily scared, and ask him what the situation here is, and for transport inside the city.

"oh fancy meeting you, still, i was serious about the money thing, if you can do something for me"

>>457731
What he said, but with more 'pizzazz' and emphasis on the word money. And if at any point he become scared of the imediet fallout/danger of him being associated with what we're going to ask him to do, then keep throwing around the word 'money'. And if he gets smart and realizes it not the imenent danger that's the greater threat to him, but the the long term fallout, offer him sanctuary with your men (and his crew if he asks)

Nino! With his excellent espionage expertise, we could most definitely device a way to get into the Czar's city.

It's time to lay our indeterminate amount of wealth and our sharp wit to good use again!

Possibility 1: He is a terrible spy and of no use to us beyond getting into the city. Use both carrot and stick. Terrify him, but keep him well payed enough to not run away and try and get us killed to save his own hide.
Possibility 2: He is actually a very good spy still employed by the high roller, and as such we cannot trust him beyond getting into this city. Keep him terrified, and well payed enough so that he won't run away to the high roller until this is done. Then scare/pay him even harder so that he won't inform said high roller of your involvement here for as long as possible.

>>457813

This. While his spying attempts on our settlement were... less than pleasing, we are at least sure that he is capable of infiltration.

Muschio 2012/09/25(Tue)23:56 No. 458099 ID: 629257
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>"YOU!? What are YOU doing here?! I can't get away from you!"
"Ah, Nino, isn't it? You were in the employ of the High Roller once, were you not? I need-"
>"I don't work for him anymore. Not anymore! I quit, you hear me?"
"Be that as it may, I can offer you a great reward if you would avail me of your services as infiltrator and rogue."
>"I don't want nothin' to do with you, you hear? I moved halfway across the continent to get away, and still you follow me! I can't get away! I thought I was safe!"
"You are safe, Nino. There's no harm here. All I ask is your help entering the city."
>"NO HARM?! You follow me to the sea! You weave undoing in my life! Death follows your every movement! My life is threatened! Evil is sown in your footsteps! Cities burn in your wake! And you mean to tell me there's no harm? You're POISON! YOU'RE POISON!"

>>458099
Fine. Tell him if he helps you this once you will make every effort to avoid him in the future. That is what he wants, right?

>>458100
Sounds reasonable enough.
"Help me this once, and you'll never have to see me again."
Or something to that effect.

>>458099
Okay, how about this:
If he doesn't help you get into the city, you'll mill around outside his boat until you figure out another way in, for however long that takes, which might take a very... very long time.
And if he decides to try to run away, you'll follow him until you come up with another idea.
You have nothing else really going on right now, (well, you do, but he doesn't know that), and you have no problem just taking a few weeks off to make his life a constant waking nightmare.

So why don't we just skip all that, and he helps us out, and then he can run off somewhere else?

>>458099
well... he have a certain point... you don't have any unknown long-time curse on you, right?

>>458108
Well, I prefer to think of us more as an interesting character note than a curse...

maybe suggest that if you're as bad as he thinks you are, it might be better for him if you were on his side.

instead of against him. vengeful and vindictive.

Ask Nino to calm down and try to convince him that as soon as you're in the city, you'll be out of his... um... what does he keep under the hat, anyway?

If he persists in his hysteria, throw some coins at him.

Poison? We aren't poison. We're FIRE. Fire that forged new bonds between a nation divided. Fire that rekindled that spirit of a dieing kingdom. Fire that acts as a beacon for nearly every race on this continent. And, yes, fire that has burned those who worked against it in the past. It is your choice, Nino. You can direct this flame away from you, and bask in its warmth and the riches it leaves in its wake. Or you can stand in its way and burn.

and then if he tries to sail away, get onto the ship somehow. I trust your acrobatic abilities, and a dock is likely covered in stuff that we could use to climb up if we must. And then, once you are standing on his boat, you can remind him that running wasn't one of the options you gave him. intimidation is your greatest weapon against Nino, it seems.

Think of it this way Nino, would you rather be free to sail away after you do as I ask, or burn as my rage turns toward you?

Hoo boy... Maybe you can convince him if he helps us out "poison" will go away... if not....

How does one succeed a ship captain?

Didn't Ninon once have a fling with Tislomer? Maybe we could offer to arrange something...

It should probably be a bluff, though. I can't imagine either Tislomer or her man being happy about us making a real offer like that.

Also, chuckle at "Captain Nino". Muschio should be well-read enough to appreciate that pun. Maybe even compliment Nino on it. :)

>>458140
This should work, three caveats though. First, don't let him interupt you. Second, if he walks away, don't yell, that will just make you look silly, instead get onboard as quickly and dramaticly as you can without risking making an ass out of yourself. Then do what you said and say 'Running isn't one of the options I gave you.', and continue speaking. Third, if he tries to turn his crew on you, turn them on him. Tell them he just rejected the the largest payday they will likey ever see. If they don't believe you , show them 'a small sample of what's to come'.

how about we use that fear agains him, say something like *You are either with me or agains me Nino, and you already know what happen to thoes who go agains me* maybe we can make him join us, i mean how about owning a ship? then again he is too muchs of a coward mmm...

Let Nino know we didn't come here for anything having to do with him, we have much bigger fish to fry. We came here looking for a way into the city and if he's having trouble escaping from our supposed pursuit it is more likely fate that we keep running into him rather than us chasing him for whatever it is he thinks we want.

>>458389

"I'm not here for you... yet, i suggest you try and keep it that way by staying on my good side, or the wrath i strike upon you will be greater than that of Iniziare Citta."

Muschio 2012/09/27(Thu)20:27 No. 458449 ID: 629257
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We have a long debate on the subject.
"I suggest you calm down, Nino. I haven't come here for you."
>"And yet it seems an unfortunate coincidence that your path once again crosses mine!"
"Help me, and I'll be out of your way again before you know it. I can still pay you. But I need you to smuggle me into the city."
>"I'm an honest river trader now. I'm no pirate! The consequences could be severe, and the gods can only know what trouble I'll find assisting one as marked as you!"
"If you think me so dangerous, Nino, then surely you would agree it's preferable we be on the same side. I doubt you would wish to make an enemy of me."
>"Hold, now, I never spoke of wanting to make enemies! I only wish to go my own way!"
"Assist me and our paths will break once more - on friendly terms - and you'll have the easiest payday of your short career. What's the harm in that?"

Finally, he seems to be coming around.
>"...I hold no responsibility for the consequences! If the authorities were to think me implicit, it could be my head."

>>458449

"You'll be as clean as a whistle, I assure you."

If anyone asks he can say you coerced him.

"If you were to be caught, you could tell your captors that I would have killed you otherwise, and you'll likely keep your head. It is probably wiser not to be caught however, so to that end let's get moving."

All he has to do is give us a way to enter the city. He doesn't even have to come in with us.

But, just to appease him, say you'll take full responsibility for anything that happens when he snuggles us into the city. That might make him worry less.

Argh! Dammit! I meant "smuggles", lol!

>>458453
This.

he could just say you're a stowaway, and he had no idea you were even there. total plausible deniability.

"but if you so much as think of selling me out..."

Use your hand to snap your fingers, light a mini fire like you did in the first dungeon, and say, "If we run into any authorities, then I will be sure to burn asunder such trifling obstacles and evidence. With your cooperation, of course."

Muschio 2012/10/02(Tue)01:17 No. 459515 ID: 629257
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At last, the captain relents.
>"Very well. I'll smuggle you inside, but my price will be steep. And in the event you're caught -- I'll deny knowing it of course -- you'll need a better disguise, to start."

Muschio 2012/10/02(Tue)01:21 No. 459516 ID: 629257
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"What's wrong with my current disguise?"

well for one, he recognized you. admittedly he knows you well, but still, it must be impossible to think your disguise and the real you are the same person.

Your breasts are lopsided, for one thing.

>>459516
Not... what I expected, but good effort nonetheless! Don't let him discourage you, he's just jealous of your marvellous headpiece!

But, as much as I am loathe to suggest, he is not wrong - switching disguises now will give you two workable personalities to hide behind.

>>459516
Hahaha when did you put that on

>>459516
It arouses him, and we can't have that. Do you know how hard it is to act casual around guards when you've got something to hide? Try doing that *while obviously erect*.

I'm slightly proud you cross-dressed without any need of our persuasion.

>>459516
It...ah...needs a little work. Get a genuine female of your species to help you. Quickly, before someone sees you in it and we end up being embarrassed.

>>459550

As am I, you'd think you'd need our consultations before you dress up in that sort of manner.

However first, we will need actual makeup, a mirror, a pair of MATCHING breasts, and a few other things that would cover the face a bit more.

>>459516
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

>>459516

absolutely nothing.

(could maybe use an eyepatch.)

Muschio I am surprised at you. A gentleman of your caliber surely has a better idea what a woman's chest looks like than that. If you are going to stuff your bra, you need to select a smaller cup size if you have any hope of it looking natural, and while some size difference from one side to the other is natural and inevitable, that difference is not often noticeable from twenty paces.

And it is too bad you only own one jacket.

>>459516
are we being used as a left breast?
I find this offensive... we should be used as a hat of some sorts, maybe with a skull as the main piece... wait.

Oh boy, this is gonna be a long day isn't it?
I suggest we try painting your nose in a way that makes you look like an anthropomorphic bird. And don't crossdress. Not that there's anything wrong with crossdressing, but you just can't pull it off. A headgear made of feathers would also help and tie your jacket around your waist. That should take care of your most distinctive identifiers.

>>459692
hahahaha!

>>459516
Well, this , ummm... this... I-- uh... keep up the good work?

Muschio 2012/10/04(Thu)12:31 No. 460271 ID: 629257
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>"OPEN UP! Do you hear me? This is Captain Nino of the Djebel Amilah! I demand permission to enter the city with my cargo."

Muschio 2012/10/04(Thu)12:34 No. 460273 ID: 629257
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A guard appears at the door.
>"Turn around. City's in lockdown. No goods come in."
>"I was chartered by the Czar to deliver these goods. And now upon my return, you expect me to just sit on the docks and leave my cargo to rot in the hold?"
>"Not my problem."
>"The Czar himself is expecting these goods. Are you going to be the one to tell him you left his order rotting in the water?"
The guard hesitates.

>>460273
Muschio, for god's sake, DON'T DO ANYTHING TO FUCK THIS UP.

Oh god. Nino isn't that tall. Is he standing on Muschio's shoulders?

Feign to be offended and walk away saying how the Czar will have his head. That ought to clear any doubt he may have.

>>460273
Let Nino handle it, after all he's the one with skillpoints spent on Speech.

Muschio 2012/10/10(Wed)08:17 No. 461647 ID: 629257
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>"No no, it's all very well. I'll just leave. Goodbye. And you can be the one to tell the Czar you turned away his own private order and rejected his messenger at the gate. I'm sure he'll like that."
>"Hwuh- Wait."

The guard relents.
>"You come in. But only you."

>>461647

"Thank you. I will be sure to mention your helpfulness when talking to the czar."

So, walk in. Slip around a corner or something, let Muschio out, then go to the Czar to get permission to have your employees move the goods in, assuming that that wasn't a complete bluff. Muschio: heaven or hell, let's rock.

Try to get a look around without blowing your cover, or get where you and Nino can talk and he can tell you the surroundings.

Muschio 2012/10/12(Fri)04:05 No. 462125 ID: 629257
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>"HOLD IT!"
"What?"
>"Where do you go with this? What is in barrel?"
"It's uh... this barrel is full of..."

Crossdressers. It's full of crossdressers.

For dressing crosses with.

>>462125
...easily perishable, exotic fromage! It should only be opened just before consumption or the very air will spoil it!

Let's be so overt it's covert. Tell him it's full of poisonous plants/leaves and that it's really best neither of them open it up, unless they want to risk getting dosed with poison.

SCIENCE! Its too complicated for your mere mind to handle. Only the Czar himself may gaze upon the contents of this barrel and divulge its secrets...

Of course, if you absolutely have to look at it, I'm sure you won't mind turning around so I can undo the lock. Secret Captain lock stuff. I'm sure you, as a guard, will understand...

One whore, made to order. Ugliest in the land, by jove. What plans he's made for it, I know not.

Alternatively: AIDS. Just a barrel of it. Super AIDS. The kind that kills just by looking at it.

treacle

Gysahl pickles. It's full of gysahl pickles.

"its full of rabid mega-badgers, their only docile when in complete darkness."
then have Muschio flail around inside starling if the guard gets to close.

A mystical artifact that kills those who view it unprepared, a la Indiana Jones.

Alternatively, week-old head-cheese. Ask if he'd like to try some.

>>462128
sure

"This, well it's a delicacy of overseas. First they get a load of fish, mash it all up real good, the whole thing, add in a bit of water and salt to make a gooey fishy paste, then we let that sit out for a couple of months to get the fermentation really going. Of course after a while the smell gets too much so we stick it in barrels like these to really let it develop. They say the real trick to eating this is to vomit after you have your first bite, not before."

If he asks you why anyone would want that just reply "rich people eat all kinds of weird stuff"

Say sardonically "I'm smuggling a fallen prince into the city. What the hell do you think it is?!"

If muschio is inside the barrel, I doubt our many advices will get to nino. Unless he has a part of the orb too. But hey, if Muschio is in there, uncovered, and easily exposed should the barrel be opened, then he should just stab anything that isn't Nino if the barrel gets opened in the presence of a guard. He's a talented fighter, he carries daggers on his person small enough to still use while in a cramped space such as this, and the guard hasn't drawn his sword yet.

"Hookers! Hookers and prostitutes!"

>>462125
Expensive wine. If he wants to open it, say it'll ruin the wine.

>>462250
SECOND THIS ALL THE WAY LIKE A DOUBLE RAINBOOM.

All of the above. And more.

Barrel of Monkeys. Or pickles.

A barrel of Messages for the Czar!

"This is the Czar´s private order, he told me SPECIFICALLY to not tell anyone. Open the barrel and check if you want, Im sure the Czar he will have no trouble with that (sarcastic)"

You could also say that you don´t have time for this, that the cargo´s content are about to expire. If it DOES expire when he reaches the Czar, he will be sure to mention you.

Well, I hope I'm contributing right by posting this...

Might the barrel be full of something that Muschio could've easily hid under, like beans or something?

Muschio 2012/10/18(Thu)20:28 No. 464409 ID: 629257
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"It's a rare and expensive shipment of wine. If you open it, it'll be ruined. And it's for the Czar's personal stock. I have to bring it to him directly. Please excuse me."
>"Oh. More wine. I'll take it. Goes to wine cellar for storage. Locked up for many years. Like the rest."
"Uh. But I-"
>"I take it. You should be gone when I return."

Uh.

Just go with it, Nino. The guard sounds like he knows/realizes more than he's letting on, and intervening is going to get you in more trouble than its worth.

>>464409

We should be able to bust out of the wine cellar no sweat. Just ride it out.

>>464413
if by "wine cellar" you mean prison then sure, piece of cake. Prolly should've found out if the czar was a drinker before doing this

Muschio, open up that barrel and punch the guard's damn face off.

oh look, a rack of keys left unguarded, YOINK

Kill the guard before he gets away, steal the keys, then get Nino back on his boat while we do what we came here to do.

We can't just knock him out because he saw Nino and he'll get in trouble afterwards.

Demand a receipt.

what are you complaining about, nino? he's going to lock up that MONSTER for years and years

Now that the barrel is being taken take of the mask away reveal yourself as Muschio! In a clever swap of identities, Nino is being taken inside though a barrel while you enter the city as the guard is looks the other way! Brilliant work! Nobody will suspect a thing!

vintage Malto. Sounds like a good brew.

Muschio 2012/10/24(Wed)23:38 No. 466036 ID: 629257
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I hope Nino doesn't miss that barrel of wine too much.

Is that a magic mask?
Otherwise, I just don't even know... where did hell did Nino get it and why did a world manage to make such a quality mask that looks just like him? And we should really get a whole bunch of them if we can. Of different types of course.

So continue on. Study the streets and try to blend in with the crowd if there is one. If not, well, we'll figure something out as we go.

>>466036
'scool. I'm amazed at how well that mask works, boss. I actually thought Nino was in the barrel, and you were gonna switch places or something later so that people would have witnessed Nino fully completing the job and leaving the city, but this is less risky.

Find a place to ditch the disguise and we can start walking around like we belong here.

think they will miss those keys on the rack? the guard left nino here, not you, so if you get the keys he will suspect nino.

>>466036

Wh-

How did you do that?!

Do you have more than one mask?

Muschio 2012/10/26(Fri)01:24 No. 466362 ID: 629257
File 135123987260.gif - (9.54KB , 800x600 , 1475.gif )

I snag a key and proceed on, passing through the now-empty check station and towards the streets.

There are two points to consider here:
One, the brutal architecture and open streets are occupied by few guards, and the layout of the city should make it easy to find my way around.

Muschio 2012/10/26(Fri)01:25 No. 466363 ID: 629257
File 135123993396.gif - (10.78KB , 800x600 , 1476.gif )

Two: Everyone in this city appears to be a Sprite.

What the shit? I thought you said Sprites were a distant and foreign force? Why is the city FULL of them?

>>466363
This is an unanticipated issue.

double check to make sure you aren't insane, if you check out then that means crazy shit is happening.

Go over everything you know about sprites, and consider the option to approach one of the townsfolk and ask for directions.

Otherwise, look for a pub.

>>466390
Ditto. We know jack-squat about sprites, and we need to correct that ASAP.

Grabbing one of the townsfolk for interrogation is a good idea too, and not just to get directions. Try to figure out what the deal is with all these sprites.

Note I said "interrogate" and not "ask". If the entire population are sprites, then people might recognize you as an outsider on sight. Best to conduct our affairs privately until we're sure it's safe to mingle with the public.

Muschio 2012/10/26(Fri)18:13 No. 466547 ID: 629257
File 135130043689.gif - (9.56KB , 800x600 , 1477.gif )

I am as confused as anyone.
Let me think, what DO I know about Sprites?

Well, they're magical creatures, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and their most distinguishing characteristics are their glimmering skin, their ragged mouths and enormous eyes, and their mystical affinity. They're said to be linked with the same kind of arcane forces that channel Monster Portals. They're not inherently violent but they're not particularly bright either.

I also know that there's nowhere even remotely nearby that should be inhabited by them in any significant numbers. Tela Cruz is not a Sprite city.
Except... clearly, it is.

Course of action?

act like you belong here, perfect confidence, if you KNOW you belong here you may just convince them that you do.

>>466547
When exactly was the last time Tela Cruz was publicly available to walk around in and a lot of people interacted with the city? If never, then it probably was a big secret, but isn't this dictator recent? He must have kicked all the regular inhabitants out and put sprites in, or even more terrible, every citizen was turned into a sprite, even if it seems impossible to your mind.

Because I don't think the dictator could easily genocide all his people or imprison them quickly enough without this shit getting out, or even that all the guards would comply unless he systematically replaced them with very loyal guards or sprites. So, is there any connection monster portals (and the sprites you say they're connected to) are connected to the nature of a mortal life?

Do you have a weapon? Kill or subdue a sprite and make a disguise out of its clothing. Then turn your Nino mask inside out to make the pupils weird like a sprite and plasticy to match their face.

Okay, if there's no humans here, where'd they go? Maybe everyone got polymorphed into them? A Monster Portal experiment gone wrong? Or did the citizens get used as fuel to summon them? Oh god, what if Sprites are the native inhabitants in the world beyond Monster Portals?!

I have no idea how the damn things even work.

At any rate, if we're going to move around in the city then you should try to keep a... low profile... fuck, you stick out like a sore thumb. Try to get one of the Sprites on his own somewhere private and interrogate them, to find out what's going on.

>>466547

Find some way to disguise yourself as a sprite so you can mingle with the populace.

We need more intel, before anything else.
Option 1:
Roam the streets acting like you belong and gather information by sheer guile.
Option 2: dart between the darker corners of the city and try to find a black market of some kind. Buy information, using anything you have that could be traded for it. Not us, though.
Option 3: Close the door, wait for the guard to return, disarm him, unmask him, interrogate him as viciously as is practical, and if he doesn't break fast enough press us against his face. We'll get him to talk.

Muschio! You already know that the glowing ore in your base makes sprites like this puke their guts out so maybe it would benefit to get Finesse to fashion a pendent out of the stuff. That way when they attack again they can't come near you.

It's probably too late to go back for one now but we can relay the message to Finesse for you.

>>466547
well boss, I'd say that clearly means theirs a monster (pun not intended) of a portal around.

But other than trying to not stick out like a sore thumb, I'd say ignore them. You said yourself, dim, and not inherently violent. The probably won't even notice you, and even if they did, they're not a threat.
Continue with mission as planned. Seek the Czar and neutralize.

>>466590
Oh, he can trade us for it. He'd just have to steal/loot us back.

I would just like to ask...

You had your leg injured but only minorly healed, you've been stabbed through the chest, and you just had your hand necro'd off. And yet not once during all of these have we seen you imbibe one of the healing potions you've been carrying, and have a semi-unlimited supply of back at the base.
So, unless this was done a while ago off screen, drink one of those babies, lose the limp, regrow some spleen, and well, okay, the hand's too late to do anything about, but you could have maybe slowed it down long enough to have it uncursed. It can at least still regrow skin over the stump to prevent infection and stop the pain.

>>466547
Well, if they're not particularly bright, clearly all we need to do is create a (bad) disguise.
Find some glitter, throw it on, put some rocks in our teeth. Open eyes really wide and crouch a lot.

First, go back inside and see if you any supplies that can help disguise you as a Sprite.

If that's not an option, then I'd recommend waiting until nighttime to move.

If THAT is not an option, and you must move now, go along the walls slowly, through alleyways, and so on with the highest priority that you REMAIN OUT OF SIGHT until you reach your destination. Speaking of which, what IS your destination?
An armory for weapons, a clothes store for disguises, a contact Commander Koriander has for you to meet on the inside, a library to read up on current events inside the city so you are not ambushed like you were at seeing Sprites?

Seriously, what is your destination?

Muschio 2012/10/30(Tue)03:55 No. 467408 ID: 629257
File 135159451675.gif - (7.75KB , 800x600 , 1478.gif )

I leap from the doorway and set upon the nearest Sprite.

For questioning.

Muschio 2012/10/30(Tue)04:06 No. 467409 ID: 629257
File 135159516053.gif - (9.88KB , 800x600 , 1479.gif )

I slam the door, so no one will hear the interrogation. I have no means of restraining the Sprite, but I feel I'm more than a match for them.

>"Oh, hey there, chief. What d'ya need?"
Some Sprites can speak Common.
>"Hey, you're not a Sprite! So you must be from outta town, huh? We don't get many strangers these days. Nice to see you!"

Question, with extreme brutality.

...friendly?

Just tell her the last time you were here this city was full of humans. What's going on? Try your best not to appear racist.

quation WHY the town is full of sprites now. and explain that no one visits cause the czar tells people not to.

Another vote for friendly "interrogation"...

Interrogation with EXTREME friendlyness.

Offer him/her/it a "penny for his/her/its thoughts".
and by that i mean ask it for information and offer a reward, something small like a sandwich or a cup a tea, Basically, be kind, until it becomes less then co-operative.

Bury him in a coffin.


...What? It worked last time.

>>467422
We are now authorizing the use of the shoulder massage technique.

Have a calm and polite conversation with the nice Sprite.

Talk casually, like you have been here before. Say something along the lines of "Oh, I have been here before. Returned after a long trip. Everything seems so different now, would you be kind enough to catch me up a bit?" You know, stuff like that.

"Nice to see you too! I'm a bit of a traveler, and I ran into a bit of trouble on my way back here. bumped my head on a gypsy curse. Can't remember anything that happened here in the last year and a half. Would you mind catching me up, or pointing me towards someone who can?"

Something like that. Be nice, and for gods sakes, TRY to be simple. Any way of convincing them that you both belong, AND need someone to explain this place to you would work, and the amnesia plea is the only one that seems reasonable to me. If the Czar even still exists, you may be able to just hold a frontal assault. You've seen your friendminions tear through sprites like tissue paper, I'm betting you could do it too. Better to sneak, of course, but that takes a lot more time and knowledge, and we may not be able to get that.

oh wow I only JUST now caught up. But at least it only took me about 3-4 days. Good stuff!

First off, ask why so friendly, not that you mean otherwise. This is strange behavior for someone who was just pushed into a random room and locked in.

>>467583
If they're friendly, telling them it's not normal to be friendly is the exact opposite thing we want to do.

Friendly interrogation seems like the best course of action. Remember we're still trying to stay incognito, so keep the topic on the sprites and the city.

Muschio 2012/11/02(Fri)08:11 No. 468107 ID: 629257
File 135186910828.gif - (7.59KB , 800x600 , 1480.gif )

"What's happened here? I have... been away for some time, but I don't remember... so many Sprites living here."
>"Oh pshhh, that's easy. The Czar turned everyone into Sprites! And then he summoned a bunch more Sprites out of a portal. That's why it's all like this."

>>468107
Ask why he would do such a thing. Shouldn't they be pissed off at him for this?

>>468107
Ask why he'd do that.

>>468132
OH FUCK
I just figured it out.
It's to make intruders, i.e. YOU, stand out in a crowd.
We are totally screwed.

OOOOOORRRRRR the czar has gone completely nutso, doing this to his people is a completely insane idea, until we came along there WERE no intruders so this was just making everyone be something else for no good reason.

tell this person that the czar has declared no one may enter the city so you had to sneak in, that is why no one visits.

Or he might be using it to have some kind of control over them.
Ask how long ago the czar did this.

As well as asking why he did this ask how he did this, I don't fancy being turned into a sprite so I want to know how. I mean are we in danger just being in the city? or is it like a magical beam? etc.

Oh, and we should also contemplate that those sprites that got slaughtered at Commander Coriander's tower might have just been innocent villagers who were compelled against us against our will.

... are the guards also sprites?

You had that mask that conveniently looked exactly like Nino's face. Would you happen to have a sprite mask as well?

>>467980

I meant ask them why theyre being so friendly cause well why would you act so oblivious to the fact that-

Ah nevermind. Ask why the Czar's done such a thing.

(if we want to use a screen name do we put that in subject or name? Cause everyones using "Suggestion". Sorry Im new to this tgchan thing.)

>>468265
Just put it in the name spot. but really you don't need to since we all have IDs to differentiate ourselves anyway

Muschio 2012/11/03(Sat)10:55 No. 468332 ID: 629257
File 135196533040.gif - (7.31KB , 800x600 , 1481.gif )

"For what possible reason could the Czar want to transmogrify his constituents into Sprites?"
>"I dunno."
"You don't know?"
>"Nope."
"He never explained himself to you all?"
>"Nope. I dunno. Maybe. I don't remember."
"Well aren't you upset?"
>"Nope."
"Perhaps you should be! You used to be a human, didn't you? Or were you one of the summoned Sprites?"
>"I dunno. I forget. Look, I don't remember a lot of stuff, okay?"

Fantastic. Just perfect.

this may explain a lot. everyone is a sprite so the populace is now too dumb to oppose him even if they wanted to.

Well if it is a city full of transformed people who don't seem to bright anymore should not have any problems getting around.

>>468332
Thank her for her time, and let's scope out the city. Maybe we can find a resident who isn't so forgetful?

>>468343

If it is a city full of transformed people who don't seem too bright anymore, should not have any problems conquering it, ha ha ha ha! Ha ha haah they probably shoot lightning or something don't they.

At least it should be easy for someone of your sly wit to bluff your way around, Muschio. On the other hand, a smart ruler would anticipate that weakness. Ask if there's any sort of identity or authorization thing people need to do any particular stuff around here.

>>468276

Ok thanks.

>>468332

Very well. Suppose we can't do much more from here. Thank her for the info and continue onwards.

We shouldn't assume they're all this bad, but she doesn't seem particularly useful to us. At any rate, it seems we can make our way to the home of the Czar now, but it might be advisable to stick to the shadows in case any of the sprites are substantially more intelligent than this one.

>>468332
Ask directions to the Czar. We'll just figure this out the old fashioned way.

Knowing who you are, Muschio, you will either seduce her, kill her, or one after the other.

Seriously, ask this Sprite you wish to meet the Czar under the lie to help understand why he did this, and help resolve the problem causing the mass transfiguration.

Muschio 2012/11/07(Wed)09:29 No. 469399 ID: 629257
File 135230935661.gif - (13.26KB , 800x600 , 1482.gif )

Very well. Clearly the populace is on what can only be described as low alert and I've little to fear from the citizenry, perhaps even the guard. But I doubt this individual can tell me much more of significant import.

"I wish to speak to the Czar. Where can I find him?"
>"He lives in the palace at the front of town, not far."

I thank the diminutive Sprite and head on, but I'm not two steps out of the alcove when I feel a tug on my sleeve. Fear runs through me for a moment, but then -

>"Are you gonna ask the Czar for a new hand?"

>>469399
Ask her if that is even possible.

>>469403
Absolutely this.

Well I guess we could assuming he A)can actually do it and B)wouldn't need to turn Muschio into a Sprite to do it, he's quite attached to his regal bearing.

>>469399

"Depends if he's capable."

Muschio 2012/11/07(Wed)21:19 No. 469559 ID: 629257
File 135235196995.gif - (11.21KB , 800x600 , 1483.gif )

Hold on.

"Do you mean to tell me the Czar is capable of such a thing?"
>"Oh yeah, probably! I mean, he's magic! He did all this, didn't he? And us Sprites, we're magic too, so it's just magic magic magic all the time everywhere around here. All sorts of enchantment going on."
"You don't say."
>"Yup. All this magic is pretty-"

Muschio 2012/11/07(Wed)21:19 No. 469560 ID: 629257
File 135235199576.gif - (8.37KB , 800x600 , 1484.gif )

>"CHARMING."

UGH, get away from that thing fast, we don't even have brains and but i can feel we are losing bits of it.

Dammit, she's too adorable. It is a necessity that she be added to our growing group of misfits. It's due time we got our horrible pun spewer.

Resist the urge to punch/stump her in the face...nyaa~

Tell her to stand there and be quiet for a spell whilst we think on this.

Maybe we should reconsider our current course of action, because we're clearly planning on confronting what is definitely a very powerful wizard. We should either a) Look into finding a way to defend ourselves against magic (this would help against the masked stranger that keeps turning up as well) or b) consider dealing with the Czar in a more underhanded way, such as poisoning.

...Yes. Quite charming.

Well, now we have a little confliction here.

The Czar, whom you are planning to assassinate, well, you've obviously just learned he may be capable of giving you a new hand. But is the Sprite lying? If not, what do we do?

Gosh this is all so confusing.

Consider your possible choices and their outcomes.

>>469652

I also second this, actually.

My main concern is how powerful is his magic in a certain regard. That regard being mind reading.

This could be manipulation through the Sprite to get you to lower your guard and not kill him.

Considering this possibility, ask the Sprite you want to meet the Czar for help healing your hand. Afterwards, two options-he becomes your friend and you let him live, or his guard is lowered and you kill him.

Way too early to tell, though, so let's move forward and try to meet the Czar to open up more options.

Muschio 2012/11/10(Sat)01:13 No. 470348 ID: 629257
File 135253880442.gif - (9.58KB , 800x600 , 1485.gif )

A worthy consideration. My plans for handling the Czar have changed, by my intentions to confront him have not. Either way, until I can learn more about him, preferably in person, I can't really move forward. So as before, that is my priority.

>"If you want the Czar, the Palace is right there at the end of the main road. He probably doesn't get a lot of visitors though."

I would keep grilling her about the czar, but I think we've gotten all the info we can get out of her.
So... pretending to be one of the czar rare guests probably isn't an option, although with his population a bunch of CHARMING sprites and this control of the city, his guards on the inside might be lax, making it easier to sneak into the palace. Though, if I recall, the city's banner has been vandalized, so there might be some kind of resistance or rebellion that we could seek out for more information.

I vote that if we find the giant magic portal of sprite summoning we engage in standard portal-pushing-over activities.

If we ever confront the czar in person, how do we intend to deal with his magic.. stuff? Preferably somehow get him to heal our hand before we announce our intention to murder him. Maybe we could convince him we intend to see his partnership? Unless he knows our alliance with Coriander. I don't remember.

And finally:
>My plans for handling the Czar have changed, by my intentions to confront him have not.

WEAVER MADE A MISTAKE LOOK AT THE QUALITY HOW TERRIBLE I KNEW IT WOULD COME TO THIS SOMEONE CALL THE WEAVER POLICE

Well I guess we should head on down to face the Czar.

Since we're heading down a main road though, if we had to discard our weaponry to sneak in I would highly suggest picking up some kind of weapon that we could conceal (even if we don't have money with the shop keepers being sprites we could probably sneak one out).

Also might be worth picking up a concealable mirror as well, just in case magic can be reflected.

Skulk around the palace; look for a weak point allowing you inside like a laundry chute or a metal grate used for sewage and the like.

Here's an alternate possibility:
Is there a magic shop nearby?
Maybe a wizard or witch withstood the Czar's spell, and maybe he or she can help you?

Just throwing this out there unless time is at a premium, then forget it.

Let us try to reaffirm our priorities.
0: Get out of the city alive. You don't want to do this yet, but this should always be a stated goal. Never be in a situation where you cannot escape alive.
1: Fix your hand if possible. To hell with this city and everyone in it, get your hand healed above all else.
2: Control of the city. The more direct the control, the better. Keep the Czar alive if possible, though. Ideally, you would find a way to steal his soul or magically bind him to your will. Failing that, a fealty oath. We want him beneath us if possible. If you cannot control him, kill him and take control. If such a method is untenable, or would preclude regaining your hand, he can be an ally.
3: Removal of threats. If he will not ally with you at the very least, he must die so as not to oppose you. Hunt down assassins if any are present, and richly reward nino to keep him out of trouble. Give him a large house or storefront, or just replace that barrel of wine tenfold. If you can, of course.
4: Gain sprites for your army. Natural magic, cheery personality, easy to control, AND bad puns.
5: gaining spoils of war, whatever they may be.

Suggestion 2012/11/10(Sat)22:22 No. 470591 ID: cc9d39

Question, Boss.

Why do we need to assasinate the czar? if he has entire appendage restoring powers, I would think he would make a much more powerful ally than a corpse.


If his death /is/ necissary, then I've got a great plan for you.

*Go in asking to meet the czar to request a restoration of your hand.
*convince to restore hand
*use newly regained right hand to slice the bloody sucker's neck open.
*PROFIT

two birds with one stone, and gives you a legit reason to be going to his palace and let you past the guards.
No one expects a man requesting their hand be restored also be an assassin.

It's the perfect crime and then some.

Sure, a little coldblooded, but that should be no problem for an evil mastermind like yourself.

So boss, whaddaya say?

>>470579
>Gain sprites for your army. Natural magic, cheery personality, easy to control, AND bad puns.
you forgot to add forgetful and dumb as bricks.

not even using orb assistance could (h/w)e make one of those a focused and useful hench.

Ask her if he turned the whole city into sprites, did he spritify the whole city at once or did he round up a ton of people, spritify them, and then round up more until everyone was sprites. The former means he's too powerful for us to directly confront right now: huge range, doesn't need to be present to do things to you, homeground advantage, may have reinforcements. The latter opens the possibility that he missed some people, who could be more helpful to us if we were to get in contact with them.

There may also be scrying enchantments around, which makes me a little apprehensive about just marching down the main road.

(also, re: our hand, if it comes out that we are unable to get a new one from this guy, it's still possible that Ona can come up with something, I don't think we've asked her about it yet.)

To summon all those sprites from the monster portal, does he have a ton of mannequins? Or do you think he uses the old mana system? Does he make his own mannequins? Or maybe he just magics them into existence. If its either of the first two, then we may be able to turn that in an advantage.

Muschio 2012/11/13(Tue)16:16 No. 471481 ID: 629257
File 135285217894.gif - (5.80KB , 800x600 , 1486.gif )

I must admit, the tower that lies ahead is rather ominous. If the Czar is as powerful a man as the situation would suggest, I must tread lightly. I should consider my actions once inside, and if I must turn to violence, not tip my hand before the time is right.

"Tell me, is there a magic shop in town?"
>"No, I don't think so."
"Are there any magic users around that aren't Sprites?"
>"Not that I know of. Don't know of anyone in town besides you who's not a Sprite. See when the city shut down we kinda stopped letting people in, so we don't really get a lot of visitors!"

My preparations were rushed, due to my expedient departure from Salamander Tower, necessitated by the potential threat there. But now with so many limited options in town, it seems I've little to no further recourse for preparation. Indeed, perhaps you are right: Perhaps I should find a way to gain entry to the Palace, and confront the Czar myself.

>>471481

Look for holes in the defenses of the palace. See if there's a way to sneak in.

>>471481
Try to find a back door so you can slip in unannounced.

Let's just go straight to the main entrance, if there is any guard (and with the whole city on lockdown there might not be any) they're likely to be sprites so we could probably just talk our way past them. If there's no guard just go straight in to try and find the Czar.

If you're feeling really under-prepared maybe do some lunges on your way there, you wouldn't want to pull a muscle if you suddenly have to dodge an incoming magic missile.

that's menacing. i don't ever want to go there. but! onward - the only way to the goal ahead is forward. i say bring her (and while we're at it, we should get or give a name) along. she knows the territory, even if she's not great at elucidating it. she's not the brightest bulb, but she seems friendly and there's something about her attitude that is, well, charming.

Just stride to the front door of the tower. If everyone has been turned into a sprite (except the guards, it appears,) and the city is in lock-down, anyone that is inside the walls MUST have a reason to be there - So just keep a princely air, cocky but civil, and suggest by words and poise that you belong inside.

Alternatively, ask the sprite if she's seen anyone besides the guards that are not sprites; you could just jump one of said guards (they seem about the same height, and appear to be wearing masks.)

saying it again.
1. Use missing hand as excuse to want to see the Czar. It's très legit. They can see you hand gone, they're not gonna question your motive.
2. Get hand restored. Ambidexterous is no excuse for having only one hand. Besides, if the masked creep comes back, you know, that orange gnoll the long lost orange fang? that led to tisolmer's facecharring, you're gonna need it.
3. kill him while you're inside. If you can do it in a private area, you might even be able to claim an assassin jumped in and killed him, and you just barely escaped yourself. Or you could after you get your hand back, thank him, "leave," crawl around the tower's outside and pocket-crossbow him from outside a window.

if it fails, hopefully the sprites aren't particularly alliegant to him, and we don't have a town-sized magic-using zergling rush on our hands, but no matter what way we kill him that's a potential problem.

Ask friendsprite what her opinion of the Czar is, other than that he is a mighty magic man. I don't think we've gotten a straight answer on that yet. Maybe ask if he is nice, too.

Also, do you think you can manage without us for a few minutes to a few hours? we should probably check in on the others, and ask Ona what she knows about spritification, if anything. maybe that bug scholar guy too. We have (somewhat unreliable) instant long-range communication, we have no reason to willingly walk into the lair of a very powerful mage without consulting what resources we have.

One last question/suggestion Muschio: Did you ever put a shard of us/the orb in yourself?

Muschio 2012/11/14(Wed)16:58 No. 471760 ID: 629257
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With the Sprite still tagging along for the time being, I survey the front entrance. There are only two guards posted at the great doors here, but they appear armed and bedecked in metal armor.

I have tried to contact the others, but since my arrival in Tela Cruz, I appear to be cut off. I didn't understand it at the time, but now I believe this magical atmosphere may be causing some kind of interference.

Well, the good news is that every indication seems to infer to sprites being dumb as a stump. And the guards are sprites. Sooo...
Attempt standard sentry distraction tactics. Are there any loud noises we can make nearby that would cause them to investigate? Maybe we can start a fire?

Are we sure they're both sprites? They're wearing masks like the guard at the city entrance and he didn't seem particularly dense so it could be possible all the guards themselves are non-sprites, wouldn't want the people responsible for keeping you safe to be dim-witted.

>>471769
Cat noises?

I think the boss could set something on fire, but it would have to be something that looks discrete. Perhaps he could snap a finger and light an unused stand on fire. I am not sure I want to draw attention to him just yet.

>>471760
Stride confidently through the doors with your sprite friend in tow. Tell the guards "Don't worry. She's with me."
Works every time.

>>471848
This, but don't say anything until it looks like they start to question you. Then cut them off.

>>471848
god yes, this, make sure they don't have time to ACTUALLY ask about you, just enough time to start, like "who a-" "don't worry, she's with me" because if you give them the time to say the full thing then the element of confusion is gone.
also make sure to be gone before they notice...

Wait, we're cut off? There are bits of us out there that we can't feel or use? Oh gods, suddenly I know how your hand feels!

We have a lot of options to bluff our way through. Like using their own words and presumably orders against them. "No-one gets in." "Yes, my name is Nowan, now let me in."

If they ask about weapons you can show them your missing hand and say "Don't worry, I'm unarmed"

But we need a backup plan. Assume they are at least as smart as a kobald, and as such can follow orders well. Like, if they try to take us captive or kill us, say to friendsprite "Could you do me a favor and close your eyes for a minute?" then kill the guards. a well-placed wrist-crossbow shot can take one down, preferably the one with his visor down, if the one guy doesn't drop his. Then get your knife and kill him, too. then start shouting "Oh gods, how could this happen!" ask friendsprite to find help and also tell us her name while we go tell the czar that someone is killing his men!

>>471882
Use the fact that the one guard isn't wearing his helmet over his face like he is obviously supposed to. Something like "Aren't you supposed to have that mask covering your face?" all suggestive of us telling his boss about it. A subtle blackmail-type thing.

>>471958
so combining the walk right in and a sort of, "what are you doing with that visor up! this place is filthy! do you have any idea how much trouble your in? get this place fixed up, NOW! don't worry about her, shes with me" and if they hesitate then emphasize the "NOW!"

>>471901
>Nowan
Oh god, do this x100.

>>471981
Odyssey anyone?

Hmm. And the funniest thing is, this idea seems like it could work.

though, I'm also partial to the stump as excuse plan.
It's just so deceptively truthful and simple. Undebatable motive for entry. Plus, you get your favorite hand back.

>>471901

Try this; stupidity seems to be how lady luck smiles and orgasms on you. Seriously.

Muschio 2012/11/16(Fri)01:09 No. 472114 ID: 629257
File 135305699011.gif - (7.56KB , 800x600 , 1488.gif )

"You there!"
>"Hwhat?"
"Straighten up. Fix your helmet."
>"Wh"
"Stand up straight, I said! And take better care of your station!"
>"Suh.. Sir!"
"I'm going in to report to the Czar. If I come back and your station and attire aren't fixed, you'll be formally reprimanded. Do I make myself clear?"
>"Yes sir!"
"Good."

Muschio 2012/11/16(Fri)01:11 No. 472115 ID: 629257
File 135305711577.gif - (8.35KB , 800x600 , 1489.gif )

>"And I'm going in, too! Because I wanna see the Czar."
>"Okay."

perfection.

>>472118
I must agree.

You know, we should probably introduce ourselves to our new companion if she's going to follow us around, it'd also be nice to learn her name, if she's forgotten it maybe we can make one up.

>>472156
i suggest we call her nibbles if she cant remember, cuz that smile is adorable...

>>472256
Even if she/he (not sure if thats been cleared up yet) can rebemer there name, its now nibbles. No argument!

>>472257
Heck yeah. Nibbles sounds awesome!

yes nibbles, make it so

Muschio 2012/11/16(Fri)21:25 No. 472319 ID: 629257
File 135312995048.gif - (12.18KB , 800x600 , 1490.gif )

The way ahead. The brutal yet strangely regal architecture leads straight ahead into the throne room. The guards seem to have allowed me to pass without question, leading my confrontation unopposed.

Yet even now that the path is open, I can't help but feel there is something strangely ominous about all this.

Muschio 2012/11/16(Fri)21:27 No. 472320 ID: 629257
File 135313003858.gif - (8.54KB , 800x600 , 1491.gif )

>"I was wondering when you might arrive. And you must be Lord Muschio Malto. It is high time we met in person. I am Czar Anolei Bomba."

Muschio 2012/11/16(Fri)21:27 No. 472321 ID: 629257
File 135313006912.gif - (7.57KB , 800x600 , 1492.gif )

>"And I have been waiting for you, Lord Malto."

Seems friendly enough. Begin negotiations.

Do we know each other?
Surely, your influence or legend hasn't spread that much yet. You have that Prince ally, I suppose he might be the most high profile announcer of your presence, but you've always seem to have been low key about things, beyond the burned town. I forgot if you've been fully blamed for that yet.

And these sprites do not make good spymasters or information gatherers in the least.

Muschio 2012/11/16(Fri)22:18 No. 472337 ID: 629257
File 135313310581.gif - (6.39KB , 800x600 , 1493.gif )

No, I don't know the man.
But I recognize that symbol.

Okay, he knows exactly who we are. That's maybe not a good thing since it means he knows we're the exiled prince and he'd have a strong ally against us. But, words first.
"Hello, Czar Bomba". Best to mimic his use of titles in this case. "I imagine you know why I've come." See what he says.

yes why does HE think we have come?

where is the symbol from?

>>472337
It's the symbol on the necklace that Tislomer got burned protecting. He sent that masked man against us! You swore you would get vengeance for it, Muschio. You swore on your old kingdom.

Do you still have that holdout crossbow up your sleeve? If there's no guard, you can just shoot him now.

>>472360
Info first, vengeance second.
Particularly since he might well have some manner of magical protection.

Suggestion 2012/11/17(Sat)00:08 No. 472385 ID: db2304
File 135313971801.png - (38.82KB , 800x600 , Enemy.png )

>>472355

A Memory.

>>472385
...I could have sworn that was a weaver post for a second.

So yeah, vote for goading him into monologuing before cross-bowing.

Oh, and let's not forget we have that sprite following us in here.

Maybe we can use that to our advantage by asking him why he turned everyone into sprites? If we can get him to say something incriminating, we might get some support from the townsfolk.

wait, just. . . wait. Yeah, we know that symbol. And we know someone was trying to steal it from us. That does not mean that him having the symbol makes him our enemy. Nor does it make him our friend.

But neither that symbol nor him knowing our name has changed our goals. It only adds "find out what he knows" to the list.

Just to be certain, he was definitely talking to us when he said "I was wondering when you might arrive.", no chance he was talking to the sprite, it just seems weird to follow that up with "And you must be Lord Muschio Malto."

Otherwise disregard my paranoia and go for the obvious, what's the deal with the symbol?

>>472470
how the heck'd that sprite set us up so well!
sheer bloody lucky little...

Hmm, voice #472433 has a point. All we know is that he potentially attacked commander coriander, and that some nutjob wanted a necklace that looks to be either his emblem, or is a mini version of some sort of gigantic magic device that's currently behind Czar there.

But yeah, this guy is clearly the talkative type, and feels as if there's no real threat from you. So get him rambling for sure.
Gets us information, and gives us opportunities for action if push comes to shove.

Muschio 2012/11/20(Tue)02:57 No. 473188 ID: 629257
File 135340906040.gif - (7.71KB , 800x600 , 1494.gif )

"You knew I was coming."
>"I did."
"Then you must know why I'm here."
>"You are here because I willed it."

Muschio 2012/11/20(Tue)03:03 No. 473190 ID: 629257
File 135340943671.gif - (7.78KB , 800x600 , 1495.gif )

>"And now that you've come, I believe it's time for business.

>You have something that I want. Make this easy for me, and I promise your death will be quick and painless."

Well, we may as well hear his request. We're out in the open with no backup in front a powerful mage, and that's a bad situation to be in. We should simply look to keep our skin for now. We may as well tell him we have no intention of dying, since he doubtless knows that already. But it might also be interesting to hear why he wants us dead, if he'll volunteer that information.

>>473195
This. Anything we can say or ask to keep him talking is a good thing. So on top of that, I suggest asking about the sprites, why he chose Tela Cruz to take on first.

Also, compliment him on his hat. That is a bitchin' hat.

"you will need to do better then that, i left orders that if i don't come back it gets destroyed, how? i don't know, just that they will destroy it somehow, maybe throw it into a volcano or something."

Wiggle around a string or piece of fabric while saying "WHO'S PRETTY KITTY? YOU'S A KITTY KITTY SNOOKY WOOKUMS BOO BOO"

>>473201
Nice idea, but remember, there seems to be something that is keeping us contained here. He's prepared it so that we have no means of passing info, and I doubt he would fall for it if we told him we had plans to destroy it.

Ask him how many people he's known to accept that offer.
I mean, really? Has anyone ever agreed to that?
How cliche.

You are the world's most terrible businessman. Why would you even say something that cliche, fucking DOUCHES say that shit. Hell, when we were all into the villainy shit we didn't say that, damn.

I think at this point we can give up on the idea of getting him to heal our hand. Let him keep talking, edge closer, be prepared to dodge an attack and if you see an opening take it.

>>473214
We never said that specifically but even we weren't always above such ridiculous statements as you may recall
http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/76977.html#86596

Ask him why he thinks we would carry such a hideous thing with us.

We don't happen to currently have any weapon or tool of defense, right?
Because he seems kind of eager to kill you and it would be nice to not die here...
So I guess, we must depend on our verbal persuasiveness our little friend "wanting to see the czar" and otherwise our luck in evading and punching...

At least find out what he wants and why, before we shoot him in his smug face.

>>473258
>>473248
>>473195

Did everyone forget about the necklace? We know what he wants. Let's just try to get out of here alive.

>>473268
Well, it is very likely that he wants the necklace, but I'd like to confirm that.

>>473268
Well, the problem is getting out.
I assume he had some preparations for getting what he wants rather than just say "hey, please stay a while until I robbed and killed you!"...
We came here for investigating the czar, right? well, he's obviously an enemy...

what does he want? YOUR POWER

Ask him to name one time that offer has worked. Further, if that was his bargaining method, he would have killed you already if you had what he wants on your person. If he could use magic to force us, he would have done that to begin with. He is pretending to have an advantage he obviously does not have. And if, by some twist of fate, he DOES have the ability to do whatever he threatens, our actions cannot possibly put us in a worse situation than we are currently in. laugh at him, then shoot your wrist crossbow at his face.

Then don't even pretend to be surprised when it gets deflected by some magical barrier. Just try it anyway, because the off chance that he isn't prepared for it is worth the probability that it will do nothing.

keep listening, he's about to tell you about something of impotance to him.

maybe he'll tell what the necklace is, or maybe it's something different entirely but also valuable/powerful.

Information is always worth gathering when it doing so doesn't cause massive problems, and sometimes even.

that said, stay on your toes. if he expects to win, he's likely got a dang good reason to think so. And I'm willing to bet the element of surprise is related.

Also, what do we know of the fighting styles of mages or whatever such as him?
Long range? short range? magically imbued melee? concentrated fire? scattershot?
Elemental strengths and weaknesses?

>>473302
He needs us alive because he doesn't know where it is.

That is why a potentially outgunning opponent would not have killed us already. He needs the location of whatever.

Act like you have never heard of him before in your life and that you have no clue what he's talking about. You just came by to get your hand healed after all! You heard that the Czar was really good at healing magic.

Ask. Him. Why.

No, really, do not be too proud to ask why he wants it. If he is so powerful, why cannot he take it from Muschio himself? Right Now? Unless he is merely a parlor trick magician, and nothing more.

Use these words to piss him off.
If he is agitated, then ideally he will not think or act carefully or guardedly. Then, you have an opportunity to do, think, or act someway that could help turn the advantage to yours.

Otherwise, you are fucked.

if he could really do what he's threatening, he'd just have killed you already, and wouldn't even have bothered to talk. i say he's bluffing, which means:

you've got the upper hand (so to speak.) doubly so, if you can call his bluff. if he's trying to intimidate you, maybe you can turn his aggression to your favor by giving it two times back.

"oh, yeah? maybe i'll give YOU one more chance!"

Muschio 2012/11/21(Wed)06:23 No. 473431 ID: 629257
File 135350780851.gif - (8.76KB , 800x600 , 1496.gif )

"What is it you want, exactly?"
>"You're not an idiot, Lord Malto. You know I want that trinket. And you know that if I want it this badly, it must be important. If only you had been an idiot, I might have spared your life."
"And what makes you think I brought this amulet with me?"
>"Whether you have the amulet on you or not is inconsequential. One word from me and your mountainhome will be sacked and its inhabitants killed."
"You certainly pretend to be powerful. But I've not come unprepared. So if you mean to kill me, I will have to give you a proper fight. And as you haven't killed me already, you're either afraid to, because you aren't as powerful as you say, or you can't, because you need me for something."

He watches me with narrow eyes and an unchanging expression.
>"A clever bit of deduction, Lord Malto."

Boss, why does he want the trinket?

While we're at it, who's the assassin he hired, and why did he also go after the bugfolk king? We need some answers.

>>473433
this

Uhhh, boss... Just a thought, but what are the chances he's after US? Whether or know he knows what we are is irrelevant. If he suspects you an ace up your sleeve(us), he's gonna want it, or at least want to separate you from it. Just a thought you should consider.

quick check.
All we have on us is the crossbow, correct?

that's it?
on shot in our deudly firearm, and after that we're defenseless?

We've seen he has guards. He has military might which he can use against you right now. So, the first possibility isn't true.

He wants something from you. He could've marched up to your doorstep with an army of sprites instead of sending that assassin in the first place. Yet he chose the sneaky route. Also, we've seen that the assassin is an incredibly powerful man, yet he didn't directly harm ANY of our men during the theft attempt.

He doesn't want to harm you OR your men. He attacked your allies with a small force of expendable troops, but didn't manage to do any serious damage. He didn't want to kill any of your allies either.

Now, here we have a man who acts like an enemy but refuses to do harm to us. My conclusion is that he is the enemy of our enemy, but cannot bring himself to cooperate willingly with us. Perhaps he fears the power of our common foe? That cooperation with us would reveal his hand and attract an army he cannot face?

>>473431
"Cooperation might well be possible, but I'm afraid I need a better understanding of your situation before that can occur".

>>473433
http://tgchan.org/wiki/DiveQuest
Read the archives.
We know everything Muschio does.
Or if you're proposing we attempt to grill the Czar... that line of questioning seems unwise to me, it's not something he'll see any reason to tell us and frankly it's not information that's essential to us now.

>>473500
We also have our rage explosion, but we can't exactly count on that.

>>473679
We ALSO have our minor fire magic talents that aren't the rage explosion, but I definitely would not count on those being useful against such a powerful wizard as the Czar.

calling it now, he's not powerful at all and is just blundering through everything like we are and just happens to be a very skilled bluffer.

Evil wizard of oz. that is my prediction.

>>473801


"Pay no attention to the sprites I'm standing on the shoulders of under my robe!"
XD

Weaver 2012/11/23(Fri)01:57 No. 473890 ID: 629257
File 135366463664.gif - (9.33KB , 800x600 , 1497.gif )

"Tell me more of your situation, and perhaps you'll have my cooperation."
>"I don't seek your cooperation. When your home is ashes, my men will pick through it at their leisure."
"What kind of power, exactly, do you think this little trinket will get you?"
>"Lord Malto, my plan is of no consequence to you."
"Why bring me here and leave me alive this long, and then keep your big reveal a secret?"