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Powdered Sweet Pod

Crushed Mermaid Scale

Elven Bone Marrow

Flaked Adamantine

Ground Unicorn Horn

[exodius1]

That, and we could just simply rely on the concrete wall I put up.

But are they made of soap?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Don Pedro sniffed the content of the barrel, and immediately metaphorical warning lights appeared in his, or rather the vessels, brain. If it were his body he would be retching up his dinner right now... If he needed to eat, that is. Instead he gave a little smile.

His room had few new additions. A toy hammer, set of mini-tongs similar to what gem setters use to encrust items within their craft, a toy forge (somewhat modified so it can take real fuel), a rigger brush made of crundle fur, a mug and a blank silver coin.

Don Pedro picked up the brush, dipped it in the liquid and started writing different glyphs, runes and symbols on the not-quite-toy forge. In reality he needed only one of those, but he was not sure how extensive were the trackers put on Faustus. Were they tracking only his location? Or was it reporting Don Pedro's every move to the mysterious D3. After he was done he cleaned the brush carefully, it will be useful yet.

As he ignited the forge the symbols started to eat into the sides of the toy, and soon the acid evaporated, leaving a distinct smell of bitterness, fear, and vomit. The smell of magic. Once the furnace was sufficiently hot Don Pedro picked up the coin with the tongs, and placed it inside. The collection of arcane etchings started to glow a weird light that seemed to drain colour from the room, leaving only shades of grey and black. It all stopped after he removed the coin, barely warm but humming gently with arcane forces, from the heat. That will do, that will do nicely, he thought...

To the Klan Master,

Thank you, dear friend, for your help, and your kind words. In return I shall do something for you. Included in the envelope is a silver coin, an ancient relic of my clan, that is said to ward of ill-will of others. Keep it on yourself at all times, the forgotten ones, and those who wish ill upon us all are always looking to attack those in positions of power.

With Kind Regards,
Don Pedro

Next letter was written immediately after he sent his "son" to deliver the letter, sealed in wax to ensure that worthless kid will not steal the coin.

Dearest D3,

As we await the official confirmation as to who is our next overseer I have devised a little game we can play, to stay sharp for when need arises.

Something has happened in the fortress. I was involved. Can you tell what happened and what the consequences are? If you win I will disclose one more detail about me, and consequently about Regenreich.

Oh, and I almost forgot, included are 9 forms for those brave "volunteers" you promised me, tell them to sign those. For the love of Providence, do not write, scribble or alter them, consequences for you would be irreparable, and I, while ashamed to admit, have grown rather fond of our little correspondence exchange.

With Kind Regards,
Don Pedro of Regenreich, SRM

Speaking off Overseers, did anyone notify Pyro?

Edit:

OOC: The plot thickens in very... mysterious ways...

Aye, but just how thicker can it get?

[Dark One]

Journal of Dark Two

Another long evening spent in the office. I was checking reports again - kobold snatchers, goblin siege, vermin infestation or kea thefts were reported. Snatchers - this might be a job for the order, only if it breakes through fortress' defenses. Goblin siege - if there's no military to protect citizens, order must act. Vermin infestation - wrong address. Kea thefts - only if these kea were dangerous to anyone.

There's also one strange case. A ranger living in hillocks to the south-west of human settlement DateTattooed reported strange phenomena occuring at evening:

"Report i2x1067

Vampires and spectre, south-west of DateTattooed

Ranger Solon Uristildom claims that he spotted lizardmen in the forests south-west from DateTattooed, and south-west from his hillock. Four or five of lizardmen were going out of their lair and wandering the forest. The sun was low on the sky, as soon as lizardmen spotted him, they gave a chase. Animal traps placed by Solon gave him some time to escape from the onslaught. Later that night he saw strange lights upon his hillock. Ranger said that he saw some kind of a spectre, resembling human female. She slowly faded away, and when she was almost impossible to see, a long horrifying scream came from the direction of the forest. Someone shouted: Nifih!"

I don't know what to think about it. Vampires... spectres... Nifih... There's something strange in that name. I'll make sure that Chief Inquisitor would get a copy of this report.

After a while Dark found a letter from Don Pedro buried under rest of the reports. He gave me a silver coin which works like some protection charms... I don't need magical protection, I have to find a way to use it as a protective ward for the whole fortress. But how? Who might be able to help me with that? Perhaps the mysterious Drazoth the 3rd. From his letter I deduced that he might have some knowledge about magic and stuff. Time to send letters:

Spoiler: To Don Pedro (click to show/hide)

To Don Pedro

Thank you for the gift, but I don't need protective wards myself. However, I'll make sure that it serves the good of this fortress well.

Klan-Master Dark Two
The Order of The Ale

Spoiler: To D3 (click to show/hide)

To Drazoth the 3rd

I have received a gift from Don Pedro with some kind of protective ward. I don't need such protection myself, so I want to ask you a little favor: can you check what kind of ward it is, and how it can be used to protect the whole fortress from evil? I'd be very grateful.

Klan-Master Dark Two
The Order of The Ale

With that I have sent a letter to Don Pedro, and the letter with silver coin to D3.

[exodius1]

Snip

Clever Dick....

[Dark One]

Snip

Clever Dick....

Sigged.

[exodius1]

Snip

Clever Dick....

Sigged.

[cheeky]Celebrate while you can, mortal. While my plans towards you failed you may have just given me a better prey than hoped...[/cheeky]

But really, well played. I will not get into what the coin is supposed to do here as to avoid OOC knowledge Drazoth could act upon, but still well played.

Edit: What I meant was not to sound patronising but rather congratulate a great piece of RP. We, as players know it is bad news 'cause the description of creation. His character does not. And yet he found perfect in-character reason to not accept the gift.

[Drazoth]

OOC:  I think Pyro may be waiting for a more complete turn list, or confirmation that mine is accurate.  As I said, I only started looking at a certain point, and there might be requests that I had missed.  If someone could find look from page 85 going backward to Taupe's request, we should be able to see if I missed anyone.

Kronk entered 3's room, where he sat at his desk, laughing.

"What's so funny sir?"

"Nothing much, it's just that after all this time it looks like I've found a new playmate.  The inquisition never really posed enough challenge for me to bother with, and with the MechaTechno already firmly on my side, I've not a an opponent worth my time.  At least, not since Dark One died, or whatever it is gods do when they cease to exist.  Any way, now that Don Pedro is here I finally have someone to challenge me."

"That's great news sir.  Anyway, I was on my way here when I saw one of the guys at the order coming to deliver you a message, so I managed to convince him to hand it to me.  As far as I can tell, he hasn't tried to peek at it."

"Very good, hand it here would you?"

Kronk gives 3 the letter.  After reading it and examining the coin inside it, he smiles.

"It seems that Dark Two has gotten caught up in the game himself.  That reminds me, I have letter for him.  Would you mind delivering for me when you get the chance?"

"Not a problem sir."

As 3 continues to examine the coin, Kronk delivers his report on recent events.

"Hmmm, rectified spirits eh?  Not many sane people will deal with the stuff.  Must be Pedro.  Probably used it to create this coin.  I know I sensed magic a while ago, this must have been it.  I've got nothing else I need you for today, why don't you go get yourself dinner and meet with me in the usual time in the morning."

"Very well sir."

Kronk leaves, carrying the letter with him to the dining hall.  After he leaves, someone else enters.

"Ah, 7.  It's been so long.  How's mother?"

"She's well.  What's this thing you needed me to pass on to her?  Why's it so special you didn't bother to use a construct?"

"Simple.  There's an agent of the organization known as Regenreich in DoomForests.  This organization seems to operate by having agents possess mortals, and then acting through them.  I know they aren't based in this dimension, and besides what I've already said, I don't know much else.  This sheet contains a copy of a list of materials this agent says he needs.  This one is a copy of a contract he sent me.  He apparently needs 9 dwarves to sign it, as he requires they're assistance.  I've looked them over and for the life of me can't figure out what they could be used for.  I want the others to take a look at them, maybe they'll know something I don't.  I also received a warning that the contract should not be altered in any way, as the results would be extremely dire.  Try to send word if the others can figure anything out.  Also tell mother I said 'hi'."

"Will do.  Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of."

With that 7 leaves, heading towards the caverns.

"Now for this coin.  I know that this is what Pedro mentioned in his letter, but does it do what I think it does?  I think I have just the way to test it....."

With that, he takes out the Dark One's other gift, and touches the coin to it while saying a strange word.  As soon as the coin touches the gift, it vanishes.  He then goes around the room, checking every large object, then, satisfied, he touches the gift to each while saying the same word.  Once his larger things are gone, he touches the gift to the ground in a few places, while saying two words each time.  At each place he touched, there was a small flash of sickly green light, then a construct made largely of crundle bones appeared.  He gave them their instructions, then once they had left with the rest of his things he leaves the room as well.  He touches the gift to a small rune on the wall, which was connected to a trail of runes reaching to the floor, disappearing under the dust.  He says several words, after checking to make sure no on was watching.  The trail of runes glowed red for a moment.  He leaves, smiling to himself.  Behind him, there is no trace that the room he had just left ever existed.

As he walks through the hall towards the caverns, he thinks back to all the fun he had with the Dark One, then begins softly singing, "Beware, beware of the words I twist, I am small but my reach is long.  And the ravens black against the winters mist are whispering the half man's song....."

Letter for Dark Two:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dear Klan Master:
Thank you for sending this coin to me.  I have a few ideas on how to use it, but I will need sometime to test them first, as one must be cautious with such things.  Regarding your other letter, if you truely want to know about your predecessor, meet me in the dinning hall of Old DoomForests sometime.  At night preferably, as some parts of the story can be rather morbid, and I wouldn't want to cause a disturbance by reciting them to half the fort.  The exact date is up to you, as I'm free most of the time, but I understand that you are quite busy and have a lot to take care of.  Just send me a letter when you've figured out when would be best.
Regards, Drazoth the 3rd.

[exodius1]

Oh, yeah, I forgot to define those...

Spoiler: Regenreichen Pakt (click to show/hide)

I, signed below, hereby solemnly declare that I shall protect the current fortress, and any other fort, city, town or complex I may be stationed in, as well as serve it to the best ability in accordance with wishes and designations of those in charge. I shall do so in life, and in death, as to assure happiness and prosperity of those whom I serve.


The Contract is engraved with masterwork ancient arcane runic and glyphic symbols around the edges. The symbols appear to crawl around the border at pace so leisurely it appears to be only a trick of the mind.

As for what the Coin does... well, it does ward you from things... while holding it you notice a certain lack of background noise...*innocent smile*

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Don Pedro was... perplexed. The Coin he sent to the brewmaster was not where it was supposed to be, as the damned fool was too proud to keep it. "To protect the fort", eh? No, it does not work that way.

Don Pedro did not lie about the properties of the coin, he had no need of dishonesty at that very moment, and he did not tend to lie that much anyways. It was much more fun saying the truth and having others play into your hands anyway.

The Coin was meant to protect its owner's mind from supernatural influences that meant harm to them... apart from those originating in Regenreich that is. Not that they meant harm, mind. They are not evil, just... have different values and sense of morality.

While the Coin was gone from his immediate sight, however, he could be working on other things... Like figuring out how to transport Faustus to Regenreich, when later on he comes back to his cosy office in Sentient Resources Department.

[Dark One]

[OOC]

Edit: What I meant was not to sound patronising but rather congratulate a great piece of RP. We, as players know it is bad news 'cause the description of creation. His character does not. And yet he found perfect in-character reason to not accept the gift.

Thanks! At first I wanted to follow the "What bad could happen?" rule I used extensively with Dark One, and wanted to place the silver coin in a socket within Klan-Masters weapon. The idea with sending the coin to Drazoth came to me later.

[/OOC]

Journal of Dark Two

Just when I thought that I have everything done in my office, and went straight towards my bedroom, a messanger stopped me. I received a letter from Drazoth the 3rd.

Spoiler: Letter (click to show/hide)

Dear Klan Master:
Thank you for sending this coin to me.  I have a few ideas on how to use it, but I will need sometime to test them first, as one must be cautious with such things.  Regarding your other letter, if you truely want to know about your predecessor, meet me in the dinning hall of Old DoomForests sometime.  At night preferably, as some parts of the story can be rather morbid, and I wouldn't want to cause a disturbance by reciting them to half the fort.  The exact date is up to you, as I'm free most of the time, but I understand that you are quite busy and have a lot to take care of.  Just send me a letter when you've figured out when would be best.
Regards, Drazoth the 3rd.

Taking caution with Don Pedro's silver coin? Maybe there was a curse placed on it, but what uses D3 could find for such an item? Also, I may finally learn something more about my predecessor than just rumors. I must respond immediately!

Spoiler: Response (click to show/hide)

"To Drazoth the 3rd

Thank You for taking care of this coin, I wouldn't find many uses for it anyway. I have long training hours and then loads of paperwork, but I'll make sure that all the order members in whole Town of Stroking have a free day - Festival of Ale, free high quality booze for anyone. This would surely let us meet in the Old Doomforests without anyone to disturb us. We can meet tomorrow, just after the festival begins.

Klan-Master Dark Two
The Order of The Ale"

I gave the letter to the same messanger, and head on to my bedroom. The small room had a rock coffer, small chest, a chair, table, bed, weapon rack, armor stand and shelves with books on brewing and alchemy. The room is faintly lit by an ending-out candle which would be replaced soon. I take down my gear and place it on armor stand and weapon rack, then I take a key and open the chest and coffer, and take out selfmade alchemic equipment I call "Small Still". Next I take some ingredients from coffer to prepare a special concoction that makes anyone sleep like a bear. After a short while of calculating right proportions and some alchemical operations, the brew is ready. It does miracles after long day of work, giving a huge energy boost when waking up. I hide the equipment and then close chest, coffer, and doors to my room. I sip just a little of the beverage, leaving enough for the whole week, and fall asleep.

[exodius1]

[OOC]

Thanks! At first I wanted to follow the "What bad could happen?" rule I used extensively with Dark One, and wanted to place the silver coin in a socket within Klan-Masters weapon. The idea with sending the coin to Drazoth came to me later.

[/OOC]

That would have been rather... interesting to say the least. I find it prudent to mention for fairnesses sake that while the coin DOES ward it is not its only function. However I would not call it a curse.

Spoiler:  To Klan Master (click to show/hide)

Dear Dark Two,

It hurts my heart to hear you gave away the relic of my family, however it is your inalienable right to do so. In matter of settling my aching soul, could you at least disclose who is the one you gave it to? Would it be our Inquisitor, who must be learned in those matters? Or one of our military leaders? Perhaps the manager?

I would also implore that you be careful, there is treachery afoot, my bones tell me that... My family has an old saying, Vereor Nox Continet Enim Multa Arcana. There are many more terrifying things than Nifih around.

With Kind Regards,
Don Pedro

[Drazoth]

OOC: Thanks for defining the contracts, it shall make RP involving them much easier.

3 was down in the caverns with his constructs.  He drew a trail of runes on the wall, touched the gift to it and spoke at length in an unknown language.  When he was done, there was a blinding flash of that sickly green light, then a section of wall disappeared, creating a room the same size as his old one.  With the room created, the constructs got to work putting his things in their place, while 3 returned his desk, chair, bed and coffer to their place.  Once that was done, he touched the gift to each construct in turn, saying 2 words each time.  With a flash of that sickly light they disappeared. 

He then wandered out into the caverns, going to no particular place.  Once there he held the gift over his open palm, and spoke a single word.  The coin he had received from Dark Two appeared in his hand.  He placed it on the floor, then quickly carved some runes in a nearby wall.  He touched the first one and said a word.  The runes lit up with a dull red.  He then took out a small pair of tongs, and picked up the coin.  He then touched the coin to the runes and waited for a moment.  He then dropped the coin in his hand and held it tight for a few moments.  He then touched the gift to it and said the same word he had said the first time, and it vanished again.  He then touched the runes and spoke a word.  They stopped glowing and went dormant.  Looking satisfied he returned to his new room and began writing a letter.
Once finished, he sealed it as normal, then placed some runes on the seal.  He then went back to the entrance to the fort, said a word to activate the runes and placed it on the ground.  He then returned to his room and waited.  After a while, Kronk entered with a letter from Dark Two. After reading it, he writes a quick response, then goes to sleep as Kronk leaves to deliver it.

After a while Faustus arrived at the letter, picked it up and returned to Don Pedro.

Letter to Don Pedro:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dear Don Pedro:

It's nice to hear that you are enjoying our correspondence.  As for your action, I believe that I've figured it out.  Using the rectified spirits you had our klan master make, you where able to enchant a forge (a rather small one I would think) to be used as a conduit for enchanting things without having to engrave runes on it.  You then used this forge to enchant a coin and gave it to the klan master.  That much I know for sure, what follows is an educated guess.  The function of the enchantment is to prevent the holder from sensing any sort of magical energy.  The consequences of this is that with the most magically sensitive member of the order unable to sense magic, you would be able to use magic without fear of being detected by him.  In addition, if he can't detect magic, he is less likely to believe others reports of magical activity, further reducing any risk to you.  I also noticed you had copied the the tracking spell I used on Faustus onto the coin as well, allowing you to keep track of our klan master just in case  Well played indeed.

Regards, D3

Letter to Dark Two:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dear Klan Master:
I think that your idea should work perfectly.  I will be waiting for you in the Old Dining hall then.  Also, a word of caution, Don Pedro is not what he seems, and should be dealt with carefully.  I am working to uncover his reason for being here.  Until I know more, be extremly careful.  He cannot know we are in correspondence, lest he grow suspicious of me.
Regards, Drazoth the 3rd.

[exodius1]

Are we overdoing the RP? Taupe, any opinion on this? If not I can keep going.

Spoiler:  Aftermath of a busy day (click to show/hide)

Don Pedro laughed out loud when he read D3's letter. He got most the details right. Most, but not all. It is a folly of all mortal thaumaturgists, to forget such a banal, and yet pivotal rule of magic, miracles, hexes and other supernatural phenomena. Lighting a candle creates a shadow. Mortals need to learn to look beyond the obvious, see the unseen. There is a reason Don Pedro lost the track of the Coin, beyond rather shoddy tracker he put on it. TO do it correctly would take time and effort, and would not be suitable for the first round of a game. After all, one has to start easy, entice the player with gratification...

Dearest D3,

I must admit, this was pretty much it, and as promised here is a small detail. May it serve you well.

Regenreich is controlled by 10 Department Managers, who are in their own right like Overseers. In return they are watched by the Board of Drectors, who, while without any actual power over the operations, set out goals, rules and guidelines.

As for the second round, I believe it is my turn now.

With Kind Regards,
Don Pedro of Regenreich, SRM

PS. How durable are your constructs? How well do the enchantments hold? Because I would hate to brew something extraordinary up just to see Faustus stop working.

What I meant by the candle bit is, do not be startled if some of your weaker constructs start malfunctioning in the presence of the coin... Nope, not ominous at all...

[Drazoth]

3 sat at his desk, looking at Don Pedro's letter.  The part about Regenreich's structure didn't surprize him much, beyond the names used for the positions.  There was one part that did catch his eye though.  "this was pretty much it," .  That implied that there was more than what he had stated.  3 guessed that the warding was more than he had thought, his test didn't show much due to how the runes where structured, and their source of power.  At any rate, it was his turn in the game.  He thought for a while, and then began writing.  Once he was done, he placed the letter where he had placed the last one, and went back to his room to sleep, as this last letter had woken him up when Faustus dropped it off.

Letter to Don Pedro:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dear Don Pedro:
The information you gave me shall serve me well indeed.  I think it's time to test your skills at playing detective.  If you are successful, completing this task will be it's own reward.  Can you find out who the first member of my organization here in DoomForest's was?  If so, you should be able to figure out other things I'm sure you are dying to know.
Regards, D3

OOC: Personally, I think we should reduce the amount of RP for now, if only so that we don't burn through all our ideas before the next person starts their turn.  For bonus points, who can be the first to identify the song 3 was singing 2 posts (of mine) ago?  Also, any ideas for other good songs similar to that one?

[exodius1]

3 sat at his desk, looking at Don Pedro's letter.  The part about Regenreich's structure didn't surprize him much, beyond the names used for the positions.  There was one part that did catch his eye though.  "this was pretty much it," .  That implied that there was more than what he had stated.  3 guessed that the warding was more than he had thought, his test didn't show much due to how the runes where structured, and their source of power.  At any rate, it was his turn in the game.  He thought for a while, and then began writing.  Once he was done, he placed the letter where he had placed the last one, and went back to his room to sleep, as this last letter had woken him up when Faustus dropped it off.

Letter to Don Pedro:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Dear Don Pedro:
The information you gave me shall serve me well indeed.  I think it's time to test your skills at playing detective.  If you are successful, completing this task will be it's own reward.  Can you find out who the first member of my organization here in DoomForest's was?  If so, you should be able to figure out other things I'm sure you are dying to know.
Regards, D3

OOC: Personally, I think we should reduce the amount of RP for now, if only so that we don't burn through all our ideas before the next person starts their turn.  For bonus points, who can be the first to identify the song 3 was singing 2 posts (of mine) ago?  Also, any ideas for other good songs similar to that one?

Miracle of Sound's Half-man Song, about Tyrion, easy. And no idea as to what song to recommend... As to RP, yeah, I will slow down with it a bit. I will wait till Dark One posts his before making my move...

[Taupe]

Are we overdoing the RP? Taupe, any opinion on this? If not I can keep going.

I feel RP and journals are at their best when they work closely with what's happening in the fortress. The more you go on about side-stories without anchoring them to what's going on turn-wise, the greater the gap between roleplay and gameplay becomes. The main issue that arises, is that people have to choose whether they'll be taking part in journals closely related to turn events, or go all nuts themselves and join on the side-story party, but they can hardly do both. The storylines of Callista the bone carver and Dark One the rampaging corpse-mutant abomination are a prime example. They both relate to Doomforests, but they can hardly interact together in a credible way that leads to something greater; one is siding with the gameplay events, the other mostly exists in the metaplot events.

This is of course just my point of view, and everyone has their own take on the matter. I just personally feel that spreading the metaplot too large and too thin while the thread isn't updating is counterproductive. Essentially, you are taking great character point of view ideas and jamming them back to back, while they would be made so much better by diluting them over time and anchoring them to gameplay events. Patience is the essence of plotting.

[exodius1]

Are we overdoing the RP? Taupe, any opinion on this? If not I can keep going.

I feel RP and journals are at their best when they work closely with what's happening in the fortress. The more you go on about side-stories without anchoring them to what's going on turn-wise, the greater the gap between roleplay and gameplay becomes. The main issue that arises, is that people have to choose whether they'll be taking part in journals closely related to turn events, or go all nuts themselves and join on the side-story party, but they can hardly do both. The storylines of Callista the bone carver and Dark One the rampaging corpse-mutant abomination are a prime example. They both relate to Doomforests, but they can hardly interact together in a credible way that leads to something greater; one is siding with the gameplay events, the other mostly exists in the metaplot events.

This is of course just my point of view, and everyone has their own take on the matter. I just personally feel that spreading the metaplot too large and too thin while the thread isn't updating is counterproductive. Essentially, you are taking great character point of view ideas and jamming them back to back, while they would be made so much better by diluting them over time and anchoring them to gameplay events. Patience is the essence of plotting.

Well, hopefully we did not go of the deep end yet. One more RP bit after Dark One does his and I will take a break till somebody takes over... By the way, I feel I am a bit rusty with this kind of thing, anything I should be particularly careful with? Is anything that REALLY does not work?