Bay 12 Games Forum

Group 1: Ehto, Rory

"Well, I'm not privy to all the details, but the Regional Manager went off on an expedition into the Deep Bog. Something about how they were going to finally eliminate the Rise..." Imiko shakes his head,  "It's been about two days since his team was supposed to return." The Jarackle fiddles with his monocle nervously. "Things had been getting bad enough with the Rise and Boggers until then, but now..." He looks like he's about to sigh, but stops himself. "We're in a lot of trouble. But that's what you're here to help with, right?"

"The Boggers themselves... Some of the people who live in Grout Bog - the Deep Bog more specifically - consider this land sacred. They've opposed our efforts to mine it ever since we arrived, but now? Whatever happened in the Deep Bog... they know. They know we've only an Acting Regional Manager and a limited number of forces, and they're pressing the advantage as hard as they can. More attacks, more wildlife pushed towards our positions... And it looks like they've been... doing things to the animals, too... though we haven't exactly had the time to conduct a detailed analysis of their alterations."

"As for the Caffy situation?" Imiko thinks for a moment. "Well, you can imagine that the workers aren't happy to be caught in this situation at all. Many of them were already sympathizing with the Rise - that's a group interested in overthrowing the Barons - and these recent incidents have only entrenched their distaste for Spark Baron leadership. It's one reason we haven't sent our own people to handle it - besides being relatively low-priority compared to armories and storehouses, I fear that if we need to use force to stop the conflict, the workers will only hate the Barons more. If a third party, like yourselves were to get there... Even if things turned bad, we'd have plausible deniability."

"So, which job are you interested in? Or was there something else you wanted to ask?"

[] The storehouse attack
[] The Bogger camp
[] The tensions at the Caffy
[] Ask Imiko something else

---

Group 2: Sal, Hibiki

Sal shakes her head. "I think we should stop them. If half the things we've heard are true... it isn't worth the risk."

Leaving her seat and approaching the two, Sal says to Wikka, "Your father's right, you know. With everything going on right now, it's way too dangerous to go out there."

The Shroke laughs off Sal's concerns. "If safety were such a big concern for me, I wouldn't have this job! Besides, I've got this all planned out. Hey, you wanna earn a few shills?"

"Wikka, please, there's-"

"In and out. Five minute adventure, and you can even have some of the artifacts! What do you two say?"

"Listen to your-"

"No, not you!" Wikka waves away Sal's words, pointing to Hibiki instead. "You. Wanna come with?"

---

Group 3: Utzi, Friedhold and Nessa, Tsubasa

Malo takes a few deep breaths to calm himself. "I... You're right. It's just... in between Baron crackdowns and Bogger activity... Things are looking bad for us."

"We were out on patrol, looking for those creatures, when one of the passers-by -" He points to Shel, now more crestfallen than anything else, "- noticed us and started asking to work with us. I tried to refuse, but, well... she was... insistent."

"I didn't get where I was by backing down!" Shel puffs out her chest, seemingly not aware that Malo's just trying to be polite.

"When I managed to get across that we didn't need help... that Grawkit showed up," Malo says, gesturing towards the corpse Nessa had been poking at. "Wait a second..."

Shel's eyes narrow as she awkwardly unsheathes her dagger, trembling hands betraying her nerves. "I-I think it really is still moving!"

That's when Utzi's spear gets the beast in the neck. The spear pulls back, covered in both blood and...

Malo's eyes widen at the sight. "Spark? I heard that the Boggers were getting more aggressive, but I never thought they'd... do this to the wildlife."

Shel's smug grin returns once more, though there's a hint of concern. "So that creature really was a threat. If not to us, to some other group of hapless travelers."

Malo almost snaps at Shel, but thinks better of it. "Yes, you're right." He quickly passes the assembled people - minus Nessa - some kind of makeshift grenade. "If you encounter any more of these... things, this might help. We'll take care of the corpse. Maybe if we move fast enough, we can catch the Boggers responsible. In the mean time, though, you should get out of here, before the stench attracts more of them..."

Malo gives the party:
3 x Fuel Canister - Deals 2d4+DEX damage and applies 5 Burn to three random enemies. Destroyed upon use.
“There’s always time for a Barbeque.”
      Level 1 (Base) -     Deals 2d4+DEX damage and applies 5 Burn to three random enemies. Destroyed upon use. At the end of every turn, enemies with Burn lose health equal to the stacks of Burn they have, while also dealing half as much damage to all enemies within 5 INIT of each other. Burn decays by half at the end of each turn, unless the target also has Scorched.

As the party's getting a safe distance away from Malo and his corpse disposal methods, they notice Shel's continuing to follow them...

[] Talk to Shel
[] Head to The Last Stand
[] Head to Grout Bog Regional Headquarters
[] Continue to wander the area

---

Group 4: Carlito

Carlito had known that something was wrong for... a long time, really. It could have been the vague sense of cosmic dread, the visions he'd had, or the fact that instead of pavement, he was now stepping on sheet metal and scrap wood.

Standing before Carlito is an suspicious-looking hooded figure who gives him a friendly wave. "Ah, there you are. I'll be brief - there's a lot of trouble going on in this region. Do what you can to help out, but be careful. Can't afford to have you dropping dead this time." She gives Carlito concise directions to The Last Stand and Grout Bog Regional Headquarters, then hands him an envelope of... something. "This should help." And with that, the figure turns around a corner and disappears.

Carlito has joined the team! He's currently in a Worker's Shantytown.

The party gains 5 Mettle! This strange currency has no readily apparent use, but it may come in handy at certain moments...

[] Head to The Last Stand
[] Head to Grout Bog Regional Headquarters
[] Wander the area

---

Group 1: Ehto, Rory

Hrikit just nods wordlessly as the two leave for the Headquarters. The building itself can be seen pretty easily from the gate, and the route is signposted, so it's an uneventful walk.

The area in front of the headquarters itself is abuzz with activity, though. Laborers move about supplies, Barons give orders and fix up equipment, and robots stand over the crowd, watching for anyone who might cause trouble.

A Spark Baron - one dressed similarly to Hrikit - approaches the two, introducing himself as the factory manager, Imiko. "Hrikit let me know you'd be heading here. If you'd like to put yourselves in harm's way instead of us, that's fine by me. Problem is, we're still tracking down the nest, and we're fighting a lot of fires right now. We've got intel of an upcoming attack on one of our storehouses, a Bogger camp, and there's tensions brewing at the Caffy. Don't know where the rest of your group wandered off to, but let them know what you've picked. Unless you think you can handle the situation yourselves."

Choose (any number of...) :
[] The storehouse attack: "We've been analyzing the intel our network's given us, and we believe an attack is imminent, though we don't know who exactly we'll be fighting. I'd like to have someone to support the forces there, since we've been spread pretty thin these past few days."
   - "We don't know when the attack will happen, so if you're taking this job, get there ASAP."
[] The Bogger camp: "The Boggers usually keep to themselves in the Deep Bog to the East, but... as of late, they've been growing more and more aggressive. We've found one of their camps - head there and clear the camp out."
   = "The Boggers don't appear to be moving at the time being, so if you need to prepare to confront them, you should have the time to do so."
   + "The main goal is to get rid of the Boggers, but if you could get any intel from them about what they're planning, what their movements are, or what happened to the Deep Bog expedition, there's a bonus in it for you."
[] The tensions at the Caffy: "I don't know how it started, but there's a bunch of disgruntled workers at the Caffy. Our most recent report said they're beginning to argue over the rations we've got - we should have enough for all the workers, but if things escalate, that'll be trouble for all of us."
   - "Again, things are beginning to get tense already, so if you want to help, get there quick as you can."
   = "I don't know if the workers will be able to see reason, so... do what you have to..."
   - "Just make sure you do not kill anyone. Understood?"
[] Ask Imiko about:
   [] A different set of missions: Perhaps your skills lie elsewhere?
   [] The situation in Grout Bog: How did things get this bad in the first place? He did mention an expedition...
   [] Who the Boggers are: This is the first you've heard of this group. Who are they, and what's their place in Grout Bog?
   [] Something else: As someone trying to coordinate the Barons, Imiko probably has a good understanding of the situation. You hope.

---

Group 2: Sal, Hibiki

The walk to the Last Stand is an uneventful one, though the bar itself has a raucous scene. Most of the tables are full, and it takes a while just for Sal to find a place for the two to sit. As the gruff bartender, Hebbel, serves the two a round (on Sal's tab, of course), they pick up a nearby conversation between two people about some cache of treasures within the Bog.

"And you want me to help you?"

"Of course! This isn't just something I can go in and take by myself. I've got a map and everything! We might not get another chance!"

"I... no. It's... too dangerous out there, Wikka. With the Boggers as riled up as they are, the Flead Queen, and the casualties rising every day..."

"Dad... I've planned for this. We'll be fine."

"It isn't a question of planning. It's... It's the Deep Bog. Anything could be out there - things none of us could prepare for. And if something happened to you..."

The conversation continues, with the father and daughter continuing to debate the risks of pursuing the cache.

[] Ask the two about the cache: You might be able to help them out.
[] Try to eavesdrop and figure out where the cache is yourself: If you beat them to the cache first (assuming they'll even go after it), you'll have its contents all to yourself.
[] Talk to Sal: She's mostly been looking around the bar with a slight frown on her face, though she has overheard the talk about heading into the Deep Bog. She seems worried, especially after hearing that the two are father and daughter.
[] Ignore them and listen for something else: Heading into the Deep Bog sounds dangerous, and whatever 'treasures' the Bog holds might not be worth the risk. Better not to get involved.

---

Group 3: Utzi, Friedhold and Nessa, Tsubasa

Both Shel and Malo raise an eyebrow when Utzi comments on the creature's size, but the Shroke speaks up as soon as he finishes. "Exactly, and she's not a hunter of any kind! She's just some incompetent who drew the beast towards us in the first place!"

"I-I had nothing to do with it showing up!" Shel has trouble meeting Malo or Utzi' gazes as she says this.

"Oh yeah? Everything was perfectly fine until you started advertising your 'services' at the top of your lungs!"

"And I just demonstrated those services at great personal risk! I'm owed compensation! J-just give me what I'm owed, and I'll go, okay?"

Sensing weakness, Malo shakes his head. "You get to leave here unharmed. That's the only compensation you're getting."

After a few moments where he puts his hand on his face, he turns to Tsubasa. "You've never heard of the Rise, huh? Well, just know that we're freedom fighters. Fighting for the rights of workers everywhere. Grout Bog especially."

"And grifters don't count as workers?"

The Rise man sneers derisively. "Those workers are sweating and dying every day. All you're doing is swindling people after putting them in danger."

As Nessa approaches the beast's corpse and makes roaring noises, everyone jumps, and Malo points a finger at Friedhold, quaking with surprise and anger. "Hey, what's she doing here? This isn't a place for children!" As Nessa nears the beast's head, she might notice that it appears to be... twitching on the inside?

[] Try to resolve the situation: It's clear that the two might come to blows unless something is done.
   [] Take a side: Something needs to be done to end this conflict before it gets worse.
   - Whoever you side against probably won't be happy.
   - Everyone seems tense. If you can't at least explain your decision a little bit, things might get violent... and messy.
[] Attempt to fight off one of the two: It looks like things will get violent. Might as well get it over with.
   - If you try to fight of Malo, his colleagues will defend him.
   - Whoever you try to fight off will likely be furious.
   - Both parties are prepared to draw weapons. While you're not at risk, the others are... and people's deaths will have consequences.
[] Attempt to calm the two down: It's probably better to stop the two from going at each other's throats before you make your decision.
[] Leave the two to work out their differences: You didn't ask to get dragged into this mess. You're not going to help either of them. That's that.

IP

"I would also like to have a meeting to organize the team. I am still unfamiliar with how you fight, and I imagine this lack of familiarity is mutual." IP looked over at the map herself, uncertain of where to go, but willing to trust in the others' judgement.

Group 1: Ehto, Rory, Hibiki

The priest's eyestalk raises slightly in confusion. "Mallowi is a Shroke male. Look for someone wearing armor of a similar color to my robes, and a mask. If he's not wearing those... Well, devotees of Hesh are rather rare in these parts. He should stand out easily enough." As Utzi and the others leave, Llullably says, "Blessings of Hesh upon your search," before heading in another direction to find the missing Luminari.

There's a few moments where Hrikit's own glare intensifies. Then she relaxes her posture and gives the group a mocking laugh. "Oh, I'd love to see you try that in front of the Lieutenant! Now are you going to make yourselves useful, or do I have to kick the lot of you out?"

Treena relaxes when the Baron does, though she's much less mirthful, walking up and jabbing her finger at Rory's chest. "Are you trying to get us all arrested?" She takes a moment to calm herself before continuing. "Look, I don't like what's being done in Grout Bog any more than you, but I'm just here to do a job or two for the Barons, and, more importantly, meet up with some associates of mine. There's trouble in the Deep Bog, and I need to find the source. Trying to start trouble of our own isn't helping that. At all."

"I know we're headed to the same place, but..." She frowns at Rory. "I think my chances are better off on my own." With nothing more to say, she heads through the gates, deeper into Grout Bog.

Treena is now indifferent to Rory - Behaved rather belligerently. She may still help other members of the party, however.

Sal tensed up as the standoff with the Baron happened, and relaxed as Hrikit backed off. "You know what? Maybe we could all do with a drink. Might also be good to hear what's up before we make our choice..." She sighs when Hibiki suggests that Sal pay. "Should've seen that coming. Okay, but just for the one round, all right? Would rather not drink away my coin before we actually get a job done, right?"
 
[] Beat up Hrikit: She still has it coming.
   = You won't use weapons for this, so you won't have to worry about serious injury or death.
   - Beating up a Spark Baron is probably not going to do your reputation with them any good. Or Hrikit herself, for that matter.
[] Head into Grout Bog proper: With the guard demanding you enter now, you don't really have much choice.
   [] Head to the Last Stand: Drinks and gossip sound like they could both be useful.
   [] Head to the Regional Headquarters: Hrikit said this was the place to go to help deal with the problem Grout Bog was facing.
   [] Just wander the area: The other group's already doing something similar. May as well do the same, right?

---

Group 2: Utzi, Friedhold and Nessa, Tsubasa

The group of four haven't been on the road too long until they hear the sounds of a heated argument. A young lady wearing some kind of apron and a... purple-skinned, horned man in some kind of uniform are shouting at one another. Behind the horned man, a number of people dressed in the same uniform stand back, not wanting to get involved. The corpse of a large beast stands before the two, covered in scratches and wounds from blades.

"You want what?"

"Shills! I provided a service, didn't I?"

"Grout Bog is in crisis, you endanger the entire group, and now you're demanding money? You're hardly better than a Baron yourself!"

One of the uniformed people in the crowd spots the group, raising an eyebrow at their odd attire. "Grifters? Could you help..." He points at Shel, then makes a shooing motion.

Shel spots this and makes her own appeal. "Hey, you're grifters like me, right? Come on, back me up here!" The more perceptive party members might notice that the young lady's weapon - a dagger - flops about on her belt like it isn't secured properly...

[] Ask the young lady:
   [] Who she is: She's dressed differently from the other people you've seen in this place so far, so it's probably a fair question.
   [] What she's doing in Grout Bog: If Grout Bog is such a dangerous place, what brings her here?
   [] What happened: You see a dead beast and a bunch of angry people. Any number of things could have happened that resulted in that situation.
[] Ask the uniformed man:
   [] Who he is: You haven't seen anyone wearing the same uniform as he is until just now.
   [] What he is: Probably a rude question, but you also haven't seen anyone with purple skin and horns on their head, at least until now.
   [] What he's doing in Grout Bog: Why does he stay here, with such dangerous beasts as the one they just killed?
   [] What happened: He seems to believe the young lady is at fault for the beast's presence. Why is that?
[] Convince the uniformed man to lay off the young woman: You doubt she is affiliated with the Barons in any way, shape or form.
   + If you do manage to get him to leave her alone, the woman will likely be grateful.
   - You haven't even asked either of them what happened yet.
   - He probably won't be very receptive to being told he's in the wrong.
[] Convince the uniformed man to pay the young woman for her work: If he has the shills, he can make the problem go away easily.
   + If you manage to get him to pay her, the woman will likely be grateful.
   - You haven't even asked either of them what happened yet.
   - He probably won't be very receptive to being told he should give this woman any amount of money.
[] Threaten the uniformed man into laying off the young woman: Harassing a young woman because she helped them isn't very smart. You could offer to demonstrate why...
   + If you do manage to get him to leave her alone, the woman will likely be grateful.
   - He'll probably take exception to any threats of violence.
   - The uniformed man's hands drift towards his weapon - a crude-looking axe. Ready to lash out. Alone, he's not much of a threat, but if the other people with him join in...
[] Threaten the uniformed man into paying the young woman: He can save himself a lot of pain and suffering if he just hands over the cash.
   + If you manage to get him to pay her, the woman will likely be grateful.
   - He'll probably be furious that you're helping her take his money.
   - The uniformed man's hands drift towards his weapon - a crude-looking axe. Ready to lash out. Alone, he's not much of a threat, but if the other people with him join in...
[] Convince the young woman to back down: Her 'customers' are clearly dissatisfied with her 'service'.
   + If you manage to get her to back down, the uniformed man will likely be grateful.
   - She probably won't be very receptive to being told she's in the wrong.
[] Threaten the young woman into backing down: She should be grateful they haven't started laying into her already.
   + If you manage to get her to back down, the uniformed man will likely be grateful.
   + Between the party and the uniformed man, you outnumber the young woman by a great amount.
   - She'll probably be furious that you're threatening her away from her business.
[] Beat up the young woman: Best to just be rid of her.
   + If you manage to fend her off, the uniformed man will likely be grateful.
   + Her stance isn't that of a trained warrior - or any kind of warrior at all.
   + Between the party and the uniformed man, you outnumber the young woman by a great amount.
   - Fights can get messy and chaotic. While your lives aren't at risk, the others aren't so lucky...
[] Attack the uniformed man and his colleagues: Perhaps its best if you simply... made them go away?
   + If you manage to fend them off, the young woman will likely be grateful.
   - The uniformed man and several of his colleagues sport battle scars. They seem to be experienced fighters.
   - Fights can get messy and chaotic. While your lives aren't at risk, the others aren't so lucky...
[] Something else: A different question to ask, or a different way to resolve the situation?

Hooch

The Liberi stared for a moment, then nodded again. She trusted the feline's judgement, even if she wasn't aware of what she was going to do exactly.

Lyra

The contractor frowned, looking up at the sky. She was still pretty unfamiliar with terrestrial weather, and didn't know how well a house would protect them from a storm strong enough to cause heart attacks. "So, besides the storm and the sudden appearance of this uncle, have you noticed anything odd about the property?" As she was asking, Lyra was scanning the room for anything out of the ordinary - besides the occupants, that is.

Rolling a d6...

6!

It's a grueling fight, but the swarm eventually gets turned to paste beneath the team's weapons. Besides the occasional nick from when a larva gets too close, no-one is hurt.

The team used up some of their energy in that fight. They will start the boss fight with 5% less max HP.

---

As soon as the last larva has been crushed, the masked woman turns on the guard. "Still think everything is under control? Look, I'm actually here about problems like that."

The guard raises an eyebrow. "Wait, really?"

"Did you even hear what I was saying five minutes ago?"

The two are interrupted again when the robed Kra'deshi speaks up. "Are we permitted to enter, as well?"

The guard throws up her hands in response. "I... Fine. But only because you're so damn stubborn."

"If one of your own was in danger, you would wait as long as it took to be let in, would you not?"

Finally, the guard turns to the party. "You, grifters. Guess you showed up at just the right time. We've got a... situation regarding the wildlife in Grout Bog." The guard hands the party a set of passes. "You're here looking for work, right? Well, just head to the Regional Headquarters, and then tell them Hrikit let you in," she says, pointing a thumb at herself. "Then show the folks there those and let them know you're here to help."

The two other visitors make their introductions - the masked woman being a chemist for the Bilebrokers named Treena, the robed Kra'deshi being a Heshian Priest named Llullably.

Hrikit, Treena, and Llullably like the party - Helped protect them when swarmed at the gate.

While the party has been allowed to enter, there doesn't seem to be any hurry to get in just yet - people are mostly catching their breath and making sure nothing else is about to try to rush the gates. You can talk with the others before entering.

Choose your action:
[] More details from... (Pick any combination of options, including all four. Note that these people probably can't handle being bombarded with questions.)
   [] Sal: She's mostly caught her breath too, having sliced and crushed her fair share of larvae.
   [] Hrikit: The guard is checking one of the bots accompanying her for damage, but she can talk and work at the same time.
   [] Treena: After downing a vial of... something, she seems the same as before the swarm showed up, though more relieved that now she can get in.
   [] Llullably: After taking a moment to re-center herself, she's just about to head to the gate, though she’s waiting a bit to see if you have anything to say to her.
[] Ask about... (Pick any combination of options, including all of them. Note that these people probably won't appreciate being bombarded with questions.
   [] Grout Bog Wildlife: Sal gave you a bunch of names, but didn't actually explain what any of those names meant. At least being able to name what's trying to maim you would be nice.
   [] The 'Wildlife Problem': Hrikit is the one who mentioned it, so she probably knows more details about what that problem is. Better to know what you're about to dive into before you take the plunge, right?
   [] About Grout Bog: It might be good to get a different perspective on Grout Bog, or the factions within it.
   [] Treena's Problem: Treena mentioned that she was here about problems similar to this one. What does she know about the situation?
   [] Llullably's Problem: The priest mentioned one of her own being in danger somehow. It might help to know more.
   [] Something else: You might not get an answer, but it wouldn't hurt to ask, right?