Iron Stars - elisa-ewigleben

@Deleted User (probably can swap out Andra for This one now)

Level 2 Elisa 
Arcane Expert / Elektrokinetic
❤️  9/9
🛡️  15
⚔️  1
⏳ 0/3

ST | DE | CO | IN | WI | CH
0    +2   +2   +2   +2   +2

Adm  -1  | Lead -1 | Shoot  0
Con  -1  | Noti  0 | Sneak -1
Exe  -1  | Perf -1 | Stab  -1
Fix  -1  | Pilo -1 | Surv   0
Heal -1  | Prog -1 | Talk   0
Know  0  | Pun  -1 | Trade -1

Elektrokinesis 0 | Effort 3


🗡️ 
Laser Rifle +0   | 1d10 +2
Knife +0         | 1d6  +2  

Foci:
Waymaker I | Ghost Tech II

(edited)

12:18 PM

Art https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CUukylwcUTkY8YUj6u5egHXZfsbrAEyJ https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1G8y1W5qrzJJLD3PyKFZybEf9JbmSYLDu (edited)

12:18 PM

(saved for notes)

12:18 PM

(saved for notes)

Deleted User pinned a message to this channel. 9/16/2022 12:18 PM

“Burried, in the sands, hidden, in the caves, lost, in the ruins, lies the past. The past that has the answers for all future problems. Understanding the past, opens unimaginable pathways to a glorious future.” The fire blazes in the fireplace. Flickering light and warmth flood the room, where six people, from the appearance between twenty and fifty years old, have gathered on a dark green sofa. The young woman in the middle opens an old box. "Oh, I was so young back then. Thanks to my family, I made it to the Institute of Archaeology at Humboldt University in Berlin. That was my graduating class." She grabs the next picture. "Oh, haha, Howard, thanks to a grant from my father, Howard Carter was able to stay in Egypt longer, which then led to his greatest discovery. Here. In the picture of the opening of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb, back there in the corner, that's me." She leans back. "After that, our house founder took notice of me and I received the embrace of eternal life. Forever an archaeologist, if only by night." She pulls out more pictures. "Me with the nearly two-million-year-old skull of a Homo habilis in Tanzania. Me uncovering the terracotta army. Me looking for traces of aliens on Saturn's moon Iapetus. Oh, here I am in an abandoned outpost of a previously unknown species on Proxima Centauri b." She closes the box again. "The last few decades have been rather monotonous, archaeologically, here on Tece. Even though I was able to enjoy unprecedented freedom here. Here we are without a doubt the dominant species. But now that the stars are open to us again, I will leave this safe haven to once again seek out unknown sites and decipher the past. Here's to making our future even more fulfilling." The group toasts with blood-filled glasses.

12:22 PM

Two weeks later, Elisa lands on Heras One. In her luggage a couple of suitcases filled with exclusive clothing and the comforts of her life on Tece. Plus a backpack and travel bag filled with equipment for the field. Here in space she was well shielded from dangerous UV radiation. So well that she didn't need a second skin; below, it would be different. But before she headed for the planet's surface, she had to meet the representative of the LLF. Because, so she was at least informed, the LLF served also as a supplier for a plasma-based nutrition. And a few filled bags were surely the simpler solution for the start, because without servants, and without knowing the place, snacking from the living was too big a risk. For the time being at least. Wearing an orange dress that bites itself with her turquoise hair, for which part of her that gets the most attention, she somewhat lost walks through Heras One, looking for an LLF counter.

There is an LFF counter near the center of the facility, where the core of the administrative functions are carried out. Due to their close relationship with the Protectorate, LLF has a large presence here with offices almost as nice as the ones that belong to the actual government themselves. There is a fiery Paragon preacher giving a sermon close by, and they look to have the attention of a few passers by who stop to give some of the message a listen. The smell of recycled air, quick boiled noodles, cooking spices, and machine oil stain the air, mixing with off world perfumes and scents. A bouquet of languages fill the air almost as if to compete with the smells in this busy hub of travel.

It is loud. It is filled with pulsating hearts, various human and alien languages that keep her ears interested and listening. As she nears the LLF offices she also smells myriads of things. Sweat, food, wonderful perfume which almost appears as a cloud of color to her, as she loves the most expensive or special scents. She gives the preacher a belittling look. It is not that she thinks there are no gods. Far from it. But without any prove they were just part of culture to her. Good to know, but that was it. And while most alien species get her hooked immediately, this does not hold true for the Taros. So this Taros preacher just looks like food with knive ears. As she finally reaches the front office of the LLF, her nose almost points at the ceiling when she starts to talk to the receptionist. "Greetings. I am a new visitor from Tece, and I heard the LLF has welcoming packages for us. Isn't that right?"

"Ah yes, you had better come into the back to pick it up. How long are you expecting to be away from Tece? " the Lamplighter clerk asks. You can tell they're just checking off boxes on a checklist they're supposed to ask, and are likely ignorant of the contents of the care package.

"Oh Darling, I don't know. Days, weeks, months, years, decades? It greatly depends on what I am to find on the ground. How groundbreaking it will be, one could say." She follows with fake giggling over her own not funny sentence. While covering her mouth with a hand. "But who are you to understand, right? Well, to the back you said? Is there company included in this package? Or is it just a package that I have to carry as well?"

(I'm not entirely sure OOC what's being asked here)

(if a walking blood pack is included. A servant so to speak. Which I assume is not the case. Only blood packs.)

(only blood packs)

Seeing the questions in the clerk's eyes, Elisa just nods, with a displeased look on her face, and walks by to get to the back room. Still unused to be carrying that much herself.

On the desk there is a refrigerated cooler looking device with a pair of snaps on its left side that are simple to disengage by hand. Inside, you know a weeks worth of food will be waiting for you, enough time for you to either integrate yourself into a routine somewhere, or enough to finish your business and get back to Tece where you'll have regular access to what you need again.

Either way, it was a start. She tries to put the cooler into her backpack for the field. Then stashes her clothes, that aren't needed for now, in a rentable locker and then gets into her armored vacc suit. Making sure it is whole, so no pesky sunlight will touch her precious skin. Once that is done she tries to find a shuttle service that could bring her down to the planet. But not just anywhere but exactly where she points at.

11:25 AM

(that point being the ruin at the coast west of Artema)

Shuttle service can bring you to either of the two major cities around it safely, from there, youd have to charter overland transportation from the looks of things

Realizing that, and seeing that her house only gave her a very limited amount of credits that she almost completely used on her way to Heras, by booking a luxus liner, she changed her plans. She takes a shuttle to Persepha and plans to visit the ruins that are just a few hundred kilometers north of it. In Persepha she would still need to find some support, but that was a problem to be solved when she was there.

Persepha is a river city, straddling a large lake and two powerful rivers heading out to the ocean that borders the entire pangea like continent the planet is famous for. Dense woodlands surround its southern and western reaches, while the swamplands over the river to the north are a place of alleged haunting and intense spiritual activity. The city itself is characterized by canals and streets in equal measure, with locks, walls, and brightly painted buildings being its principal features. Little thought has been given to the actual planning of its streets. As one of the very first settlements on planet, several hundred years of sprawl have created an almost organic like city where the streets have not been planned but if you follow one for long enough you will end up exactly where you were meaning to go. The locals have almost an innate knowledge of the sprawl here, and something that makes for inefficiency and crime is also the city's greatest defense in the event of an invasion, and no Khan has ever tried to reorganize the city into anything resembling modern city planning.

During her approach, Elisa was grinning behind the protective glass of her helmet the whole time. The sun was reflecting on it, kept out to not harm her. And below her, lay the result of generations of development. If it wasn't a city of mankind, she would be completely hyped to walk along its streets and alleys. But even with it being a city made by prey, she couldn't deny its wild beauty, its age and history. After landing and leaving the shuttle with her equipment, Elisa was looking for some kind of information terminal, or simply a person that looks knowledgeable and could give her directions.

A terminal is found easily in the corresponding spaceport where you land. It is more rustic, sometihng that seems like an afterthought to the city rather than something the people here were intentionally trying to develop. The glass sided building reflects the morning sun, and the information consoles are lined up along its side. Only two people are using them right now, leaving several open for you.

Elisa approaches it, and stops, thinking for a second. What of her problems could this terminal solve? Nothing? Everything? Something in between? It was made for the living, so it might offer quick solutions, as speed was nothing her kind needed. She likewise was a strange sight for passers by. Normal human build, yet running around in an armored vacc suit, like some researcher on a dangerous world. But their lowly opinions were of no interest to her as she formulates two questions. She wants the location of a mediocre antiques store in the city, and information about the area in the north. Which is the first topic she searches. She wasn't expecting to get geo locations and informations about possible finds in the area, as that would mean the best was plundered already. No, but she wanted background information about the area. Anything that might make identifying good locations either. Or that made it easier to put possible finds into historical context. As she would be reading really eye catchy stuff right now, she would save the rest of the material on her compad. (edited)

(Admin/int)

deleted_user_ca92ecf351f7

used /r

Daira of Artema| P| Elisa| Aruke Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [5, 1] Result: 7

(is this you trying to RP finding the ruins? Or just get some info about the area? )

(general area. Less surprises, better preparation, and background knowledge so in case she finds something, there is a better chance to actually understand what she found)

The ruins were once a garrison when The Overlord ruled over the planet. His wight brigades would maraud the countryside when tribute was not given, and it allowed them dominion over the toll roads to tax the merchants going from place to place. The overlord is long gone now, though there are rumors some of his strongest servants still haunt the ruins and the mistlands north of the city, and most people remain strictly on the roads where it has been proven to be safe.

"The Overlord? Interesting. And with their, rational, fear of the monsters that wait in the dark, that place might actually be untouched. It will be a successful start. Pieces of history will carry my name. Yet whatever dark beings wait in the shadows, might be a real threat, so it could be that I need company. The living will always look more tasty to another being of darkness, natural selection almost, survival of the beasts." With that information stored on her compad, Elisa looks for a mediocre antiques dealer. Good reputation but not the big game, if there is any competition in the city at all. Why mediocre one might ask. It is simply because she can't just casually talk about having been there when big finds were made. Walking in on someone and telling them that one is a 350 year old vampire and they are nothing more than a race of servants, was not the best door opener. So all she has is knowledge, and a good but smaller dealer, might be easier to be impressed. And that was what she needed, to impress someone, so this expedition was made possible. So she searches for antiques shops and sorts them by reputation. (edited)

There is a middle of the road shop close to the starport specializing in shipping small items that the tourists coming and going cannot take themselves. Most of their business is coins and other small handheld effects that need special transport conditions.

"This might just be the right store, if not I'll find something else." Elisa leaves the terminal and walks to the shop, with grace, at least to a degree, as walking in a Vacc Suit is not comparable to walking in fancy clothing, yet the Vacc Suit could be seen as that as well. Once she finds the shop, she enters it and looks around to see to assess the items they sell, to see if she might spot something that appears fake among it. (The idea here is that she tries to find fake coins or handheld effects that she could point out to show how knowledgeable she is, and through that assert dominance for upcoming negotiations.) (edited)

You see a few of the items in the display cases are fake. They are very convincing ones, someone without youre centuries of experience would be easily fooled, but you've held coins like these in your hands before.

She can't hide her smile for a few moments before putting on her pokerface again. She points at one of the fake coins while turning towards the clerk or store manager. And tries to act like she had much money and wants to just add another curiosity to her collection. "Those look great! Could we talk about them? Price and such?"

"Sure, what did you want to know about them?" he asks, coming over and rubbing his greased mustache that ends in a pair of curls.

"Mister they are almost perfect. Pieces of that time are so rare, so sparsely documented, an average collector wouldn't even realize that it is fake, even if he really tried. These two different patterns, they are from the same time, but the cultures never interacted with each other. And this language, is way too modern. Relatively speaking." She pauses, looking at him like a predator. Like a cat playing with a mouse, knowing they had it right where they want to have it. She then adds. But I am not here to ruin your business, far from it. I see potential, and I could make you sky rocket. I know of a ruin full of stuff. Overlord stuff, you know it sells well. But I need money for an expedition, or a crew paid by you. I can make you rich, and make myself a name. Are you interested in more details, in getting your hands on the real stuff, or do you want to continue to fool tourists? "

(talk/cha )

deleted_user_ca92ecf351f7

used /r

Daira of Artema| P| Elisa| Aruke Request: [2d6+1] Roll: [6, 3] Result: 10

"The real stuff? Alright, you saw through this, so you must know what you're doing. What did you have in mind? "

To further show her superiority, over the food animal that stood in front of her, she made a tablet appear in her hand. She uses her other hand to navigate it. While saying the following, she doesn't treat the word Overlord or what is behind it as anything special. "See, this area in the north is home to some old Overlord ruins. The locals say that the area is haunted. That spooky ghosts live there. Well, I don't fear ghosts, and I also don't expect to meet those. But these scary stories have kept curious eyes and hands away from the things that lay there, lost. I will return what good that can be found there. And I think people will pay good prices for such stuff. You can have it all, except for certain items that may be of larger public interest that could increase my fame in the archeological and intellectual community." The tablet vanishes as fast as it appeared. "There is nobody better than me, you just need to hire me some crew and a vehicle and supplies for the expedition, and I will return with enough to make you the best address not just in this city, but on Heras as a whole. For you, this is a situation where you can only win. You will help yourself by helping me. What do you say?"

"Alright, and how much do you think something like this is going to cost me? Or do I pay you when the trip succeeds? You could take my money now and vanish into the woods, and I might never see you again"

"You little walking blood pack, you if I wanted to, I would rip your throat out and use your skull as a drinking bowl. But I need you, sad as it is." She smiles at him. "I am Elisa Ewigleben, I don't run away. And make the group get paid when the job is done. So they will make sure that I don't run away, as that would cost them money." She grabs that one fake coin. "You can send me away tho, deny my generous offer." She hands him the coin. "The loss will be yours, in more ways than you can imagine right now." The look on her face returned to that of predator again. She knows full well that she will get what she wants. Either the crew and equipment, or a feast. Whatever it will be, she will be happy.

"Don't run away eh? Well then, we could come to a deal. YOu put the team together then, under my charter"

Elisa laughs. "Yes. I am not the one to be scared, but the one to scare. This is the best deal you ever made. When we meet again, you will be a rich guy." She is disgusted by the fact that she had to plead for money. To a mortal. A mortal human man. It will take something to wash away the emotional dirt that she put on for this. Next time, someone will want to shower her in money, for she is the great Elisa Ewigleben. Soon to be recognized greatest Archeologist of the 23rd century. After shaking hands and getting the credentials to dip into the shop owner's money, she excuses herself. Out in the open her compad appears in her hand and she posts a request on one of the more popular job boards.

Are you a curious person? Can you follow orders? Do you want to see an archeological site or want to explore nature? Are you humble when it comes to payment? Are you not afraid of danger?

If you answer all questions above with yes, please text me with a reason why I should take you onto the journey of your life. 

P.S. There is no life insurance included. And we require everyone who wants to apply to come with a blood sample, just to make sure you don't carry any contractable deseases.

With that typed out and put into the board. Elisa would wander around, trying to find a run down bar. As those often offer the most desperate people. The right kind to act as security and pack mules.

(We'll pin here for the moment so we can finsh the alchemist that's going to be joining you)

9:05 AM

(Seems a natural place for them to meet up with you)

(perfect!)

To whom it may concern, I saw your ad on the Classifieds board and I'll be joining you on your little expedition thing. I'm a mixologist by trade, actually the highest-tipped bartender in the history of ELI before it shut down, and people say my drinks tend put some extra pep in their step. Not sure what it is, but that's what people tell me. People tend to open up to a bartender, you know? 

Anyways, ever since I lost my job when the distillery went belly up, I've been reading old-fashioned recipe books and trying to perfect the craft of older styled cocktails. You know, the kind our grandpas used to make while they sat out back and smoked a couple stogies. Tom Collins, Gin Fizz, Gimlets, et *chetera*... You know they used to put egg whites in drinks? Ain't that crazy? Anyways, I bet there are some lost drink recipes in them ruins, and I think the world'll go crazy if you take me with you to find them. The world's first ***archaeomixologist*** - ain't that sound fancy?

Also, as far as I know, I got no diseases or nothing. I'm clean - I swear. Pure, 100% type T-positive taros blood, passed down from my grandpa *may he rest in peace* and his grandpa. Please write back to tell me when and where I can meet you so we can get this show on the road.

-Alva Esposito

As she walks through the city, her compad starts to go off. A quick check and she sees a message. After a quick read she shakes her head. "What an idiot knife ear. Archeomixologist? What in the world should that be? But he got some chuzpe(chutzpah) to answer like that, and at least the supposed to be haunted nights at the ruins, could become a bit fancier. And while the alcohol doesn't hit as hard as in my teens, I still like myself a fancy drink from time to time, beside the liquid of life. And there are some recipes of the roaring twenties that I still remember. But I doubt he will find the ingredients to make a real "Berliner Luft". I loved the Kaiserkümmel in it. The liqueur flavoured with caraway seed, cumin, and fennel which had that funny penguin on its bottles." She sighs. "Well, I should take whoever volunteers. And that one, might even be funny. And if not, I will find out if Taros do taste like Humans." She looks around, then sends a reply.

Formidable, Mr. Bartender. While I do hope that your hands and mind can do more than mix drinks, I am intrigued to see your mixing skills at times as well. You've read the rules, as long as you obey them, you are welcome, and get paid. 

Meet me at Hades Square, there is this interesting looking cafè. 'The Cubicle'. We can talk in person there.

The young, swaggering taros sees the message come across his compad and ignores it in favor of a few more hours of studying his old books, followed by carousing and general flagrancy. The next morning, he finds time to respond his affirmations to this Lady Ewigleben, whoever she may be. He makes plans to meet her at the cafe she mentioned, and wears his finest bowtie to the rendezvous.

(That is the cubicle like dai? Did you have something in mind? (

The Cubicle is a fancy new Café situated on the busy Hades Square. It mixes some hip style with the old structure of the building it resides in. Upon entering, Alva gets greeted by a waitress, wearing a black and white dress. The top is white and looks like a rather mundane one, the bottom of the dress tho, is formed like a cube, and colored black. Thanks to the spacious interior, the cube bottoms aren't hindering their ability to serve guests in any way. Their male counterparts wear white trousers, and black, cube formed, shirts, making them almost look like robots imagined in pre space flight eras With a smile, the waitress points towards a name giving cubicle, far in one of the back walls. These alcoves frame the Café along its walls and seemed to have inspired the owners when it came to the name. But by the looks of the rest of its interior it should have been called Cubecle instead, but it is as it is. Tables are large wooden cubes, colored black, the seats are armchairs with a low rest, colored white, that look like cubes as well, from certain perspectives at least. Glasses, mugs, and plates, are also hollowed out cubes. When Alva looks into the direction the waitress is pointing at, he can see a human woman sitting in a chair in the most far back alcove of the place. So far back, that no starlight will ever reach that place. The woman is pale with turquoise colored hair, a plum colored velvet pantsuit, a silver sequin top, and on top of that a bronze necklace with a wonderfully cut Amethyst hanging down from it in a setting that looks like bronze snakes biting into the stone. On a spare chair next to her, lies a Vacc-suit that adds to a somewhat surreal look of things.

Alva swaggers confidently to the woman indicated by the waitress. One hand pushes his silver-white hair back out of his face, while the other fiddles in his pocket - grabbing for nothing but appearing to search. As he reaches her, he makes a show of bowing to one knee. He takes her hand in his, makes warm eye contact with her, and brings the back of her hand to his mouth in an over-the-top greeting. “Lady E,” he says, the warm bright tenor of his voice a sign of his youth. “An absolute pleasure to meet you. I could tell by your messages that you meant business, but I had no idea you’d be so stunning as well.”

Elisa frown, unexpectedly taken by surprise by the greeting of the young Taros. It was likewise unexpected that a mortal would treat her the way she deserves it. As a reaction, a warm smile follows the frowning. The smile being the only thing that was warm about her right now, as Alva most likely could tell after holding and kissing her cold hand. "I see now how you managed to become the highest tipped bartender. Are you always that....straightforward? But thank you for the compliment, should it have been without hopes for a better contract, as there is no negotiating it. Please sit. And order something to drink. It will be paid by our benefactor." Elisa motions towards the empty seat opposite her. (edited)

Alva smiles brightly at Elisa and looks down to see that she has not yet ordered her drink. As the server comes over, he flags her down with a twinkle in his eye. “Black coffee for myself, please. And for the lady…. How does a London Fog sound? You could use some warmth in those hands.” As the server steps away to put in their order, Alva straightens his bow tie and settles into his spot at the table. “Any contract is a good contract when you’re searching for work. I can’t complain about the terms when they set me up with a team like you. What should I call you, is Lady E sufficient? I want to hear all about your interest in these ruins, my lady.”

"Anything is sufficient. From Lady Elisa Ewigleben, to Lady Ewigleben, or Lady Elisa, to your mangled for of Lady E. Showing respect, as you do, is highly appreciated." Her hand moves to the middle of the table and a tablet appears, with a map of the area on it. "What interest I might have in such ruins? Well. First of all they are part of the culture of this world, and as thus contain some history of this world and its inhabitants. Relics of the past, and their meaning, are my beloved everyday riddles. Now what makes these ruins, so they exist, especially interesting? It is their mystification by the locals. They say the area is haunted. In fact that I highly doubt. There are no ghosts, and even if there are, what could shadows of a past time do to us? Nothing, exactly. I for my part think that I am way more scary than these things, and I am but a lovely Archeologist. So we have quasi confirmed existence of ruins and the locals are afraid to go near them, which means that there is a high probability to find the contents intact, despite what time and nature have done to them." "What is in it for you? You get to work with me. That should be enough for the average person. As an extra, such ruins not seldom contain traces of forms of drinks that had been consumed back then, some of these might have been lost in time, and could see a revival if brought back by someone who knows how to utilize them." Elisa moves her hands back to herself, which makes the tablet disappear, right in time for a waiter to return with the ordered drinks. Elisa points at hers. "So, what do you look forward to in such an expedition? And what is this?"

“My lady, you’ve never had a London Fog? It’s earl grey tea with steamed milk and a hint of vanilla. Sweet but packs a punch - it seemed fitting for you.” He smiles as he lifts his dark coffee up to his lips. “For me, I’ve been outta work for a few months now. With things the way they are, the war and all, there aren’t a lot of jobs that excite me like it did when I worked at ELI. So I’ve been reading old cookbooks and recipes and trying to revive some cocktails of the past. But the thing is - everyone is doing that. Anyone can make a gin fizz, that stuff’s easy and all over the Net. But I’d like to find something truly spectacular - something only our ancestors could have made - and maybe one day I’ll start a bar of my own that serves drinks you can’t get anywhere else.” He takes another sip, and you notice more than half of the mug is already gone. “As for ghosts or whatever, even if they do exist, what would they want with us? As long as we don’t bother them, why should they bother us?”

"Youngling, I have seen the fog hanging low in the streets of London, before the second world war. Something you will never get to experience." Elisa thinks to herself. "Quick drinker, aren't you? As for London. I have seen pictures of fog in London." She takes a sip of her drink, and then one more, and another. "Hmm, I can't deny, the vanilla flavor really does harmonize with the black tea and milk. I will have that again one day. As for the ghosts, we will take what once belonged to them, so they would have a reason to be angry at us, yet I still don't think they exist." As she leans back and holds the cube mug with both of her hands she adds. "And for your passion, I might know a recipe or two, are not well known. And one or two distilleries which produce liquors and similar of forgotten times. That could add to your repertoire." An almost sinister look appears on her face when she adds. "But there might be a price to it that exceeds what you deserve for good work in the expedition. But that is something to be talked about at a later stage." She empties her mug and looks at Alva. "How good are you, concerning security and self-defense? If we rent an ATV to cover most of the way, we could surely add one or two muscle people, if defending against wildlife and heavy lifting is not what you are accustomed to. And even while I have not too many problems carrying moderate weight, I will not act as a pack mule for my own expedition."

Raising an eyebrow, he takes another sip then gingerly sets down his mug. “A price you say? Hmm.” He takes in the Lady Elisa again, considering her youthful face. “Most women who make that type of proposition to me are much older than you. I’d be willing to consider that if we continue to… get along as well as we do now.” She IS gorgeous, he thinks to himself, drinking in the jewel tone of her hair and beautiful glint in her eye. Maybe a bit thin for my taste, but we could have some fun together. But a woman like her could have her pick of men. Why seek this kind of…. Arrangement? “As for your second question - my strengths lie in brewing draughts to complement and enhance your natural gifts. With all of my ingredients, I think your suggestion is wise to hire some muscle.”

Elisa catches his look, she has seen it before with other men, and women, and while not being entirely sure, she can make an educated guess on what he was assuming. Something that was to her liking, as it would make her actual intentions easier to be brought to fruition. But for now she still has her supplies and will stay afloat in the liquid of life. Without risking to reveal her true identity to anyone. "I take that compliment, but mind you, I simply kept well for my age. And I wonder what part of me you want to enhance, as I do think there is no enhancing past perfect state. Anyway, so when do you say are you available from? Today? Tomorrow?" While waiting for an answer, a compad magically appears in her hand, which she uses to book an ATV and starts to look for security firms who have rentable personnel. All costs going to the shop owner, of course.

“Well, have you ever breathed fire? Or turned a locked door into putty in your hands? Or been brought back from the brink of death?” A sly smile crosses his mouth as he gazes towards his companion. “I’m sure that’s just the beginning of how I can enhance you. There’s much for me to learn, of course.”

"I am not particularly fond of breathing fire. The trick with the door is indeed interesting but brought back from the brink of death?" She giggles fakely with a hand in front of her mouth. "No, I doubt you will be able to pull that off." She looks back down onto her Compad. "We have an ATV now. Waiting for us to be taken. I sent a request to a security company, I hope they can offer us one or two of their personnel, starting from today as well. Preferably a driver, because I don't want anything to do with driving myself, that is too tedious. If that works out, all we need to do is add some basic equipment, so nobody has to die of hunger or thirst, as I don't know how long this trip will take. I hope you are ready for the experience of your life."

Taking the final sip of his coffee, he smiles and places the cup back into its saucer. “I have a feeling most experiences with you will be of the of my life variety.” He laughs, and prepares to leave with her whenever she is ready.

"Yes. Because you never met someone like me before." Those two sentences are said with all of her self-conception of being a superior being. As she sees that Alva finishes his drink, she adds. "While we wait for a reply from the security firm, we could buy some supplies, that you can carry to the rented car." She pays for the drinks herself, so the Shop Owner doesn't see this as a transaction on his bank account, and then gets into her Armored Vacc Suit. "I need to carry one of these. Sadly I do have a rare allergy to certain doses of UV radiation. And nobody wants to see my skin falling off while I scream in pain." (Neko chip in if you feel like I am going over budget. Besides the muscle and ATV, I was thinking enough rations so nobody dies of hunger, a handful of glow bugs and a tent or two. Planning wise the trip is estimated to be no longer than 4-6 days, as she doesn't want to risk running out of Blood in the countryside with three mortals.)

(We're already way over but we also need it to be able to even do the mission, lets just not go beyond what we established above)

(Good, then after we are finished in here, we could start our trip to the north)

“What an interesting allergy. I’ll have to see if I can mix something to help with that.” He says, offering his arm as they walk out of the cafe. (edited)

It looks like the expedition has had its volunteers answer its call, and a vehicle has been set aside for you to use paid for by the owner of the ship Elisa h ad tried to negotiate with. The expedition is prepared to leave at first light.

Elisa accepts the offered arm, feeling right at home with Alva's courtesy. "Just got a message. Everything will be set up for tomorrow. So you better get home and pack your things. I don't want to wait on you tomorrow. I for my part will sleep in a luxurious hotel tonight, as I deserve."

“Lovely to hear. And yes, rest well Lady Elisa. I will join you first thing in the morning when it’s time to go.” The youthful taros bends in a parting bow to the woman in front of him, flourishing his left arm to one side. “It has been a pleasure to meet you.”

She nods as they part ways. But different then what she told Alva, she does not go to a nice hotel, but to the rented ATV. She signs the papers and claims the car. Her place of rest for this night was the trunk of the ATV. And after a rather uncomfortable night she waits for the rest to gather, acting as if she was just a bit early.

By morning, the two security detail arrive, both of them looking strapped. They each were former members of the Protectorate militia, most of their kit still being used now in this security role. Their former ranks and badges have been removed as a sign of respect for their brothers and sisters still serving.

"Well, they could have sent some better in shape ones, but I won't complain. So far they just don't know what rising star in the field of Archeology I am. But soon. Well, actually I surpass most of the current ones already, but that is another story." She greets the security detail and lets them get comfortable in the ATV why she continues to wait for Alva, in her Petrol colored armored VacSuit. (edited)

Alva swaggers to the meeting place a few minutes prior to the agreed time, shirt freshly pressed, hair coiffed back suavely, and a single red rose in his hand. He bows deeply to his new companion and offers her the bloom. He carries a large tote bag slung over one shoulder, and a sturdy leather basket with a lid from which the sound of clinking bottles can be heard. “My lady, let’s begin our adventure!”

"This boy..." She thinks to herself as she takes the rose. He might have acted differently if he knew that she was rather a black than a red rose. She accepts the gift with a smile that can be seen behind the protective glass of her suit. "You are early, I do like that. The rest is already there, so put your things into the trunk. Grab yourself some entertainment. This will be a long trip, or not, depending on how well established the roads are. Oh, and, thank you." She raises the rose. With Alva there, Elisa would enter the car and give orders to drive northwards towards the intended area.

Alva does as he’s instructed, tossing his belongings into the back of the vehicle and taking his seat with a book in hand. It appears to be a recipe book, with a frosty copper mug gracing the cover.

(d10 for our first hex, we've actually never been to this city in the game before)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [1d10] Roll: [1] Result: 1

Leaving the city through its northern gate you come to the land where the Layzal had made the forest bloom again. Neither of you of course had ever seen these forest spirits, and here their existing is a legend, a myth, something told to naughty children to keep them from wandering into the once dark and swamp like woods. Now, the wood is healthy. Flowering trees are in bloom all year long with vibrant flowers or succulent fruits, and the bravest of the locals, or the most hungry, occasionally venture out to pick them. Those eating them claim they are each delicious and always perfectly ripe. A pleasant buzzing sensation in the mouth apparently exists long after one of the strange fruits is consumed.

Elisa was never one who enjoyed nature too much. Mostly because the last centuries kept her away from the light. Vibrant colors are something she does like so, and even if Alva was nothing more than a tool in her eyes. Someone she might get to manipulate in ways that suit her, and her needs. Someone to exploit, in many ways. She still knew that to achieve this, one sometimes needed to give, even to mortals. So she points at the trees with their colorful fruits and turns to Alva. "Maybe those taste as vibrant as they look? Would that be something for your collection of tastes? While I do not want us to lose time for anything that hasn't to do with my expedition. A short stop for you to collect some fruit would hardly count as that. Just tell me if it piques your interest."

Alva takes a look out his window to determine if he’s ever seen these fruits before and if they’d be worth experimenting with.

The forests were the realm of spirits, leftover creatures from the Overlord, and the dead, and previously this land was all dead trees clawing at the empty sky. These fruits are relatively new, and there is nothing you'd remember reading or hearing in any of the official or unofficial communities that are into the bartender scene .

“Couldnt hurt! I’ve never seen these before. I’ll be quick, my lady!” he says with a smile, eyes focused on the brightly colored flora. He undoes his buckle and hops out of the vehicle to approach the plant.

"Couldn't hurt to move a bit." She touches the shoulder of the driver and tells them to wait. She then gets out of the car, in her petrol colored VacSuit. She stretches herself and watches Alva do what he does. "You know what they say about forbidden fruits in paradise, right? That they are worth being tasted even if you get expelled from paradise forever."

He reacts a bit to her touch then glances for a moment, still very focused on examining the fruit in front of him, a wry smile on his face. “Is that so? I may have taken a different moral from those kinds of stories.” He chuckles. “But maybe you’re right.”

She smiles and says with absolute certainty. "I always am." She then moves around the car a bit, knowing that Alva will tell her once he knows more about this fruit.

This looks to be a veritable orchard with all types of fruits available. Many of them have roots in Terran fruits, or at least look similar to those varieties. Perhaps there is some master fruit out there somewhere that all variants begin to diverge from.

8:56 AM

To that end, it looks as though the birds, bugs, and animals with enough height to reach have left these fruits alone.

“These fruits are untouched by the wildlife. That’s normally a sign of poison. They know something we don’t.” He says to his companion. He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a multi tool, using the small knife attachment to begin slicing a couple stems. “Probably not safe for a beverage, but possibly good to use against an enemy. I’ll need to cross-reference with my books, I’m afraid.”

"Hmm?" She reacts while turning to Alva. Cleary showing that she didn't fully pay attention. She walks towards Alva. "You want to know if they are toxic in any form?" A bioscanner appears in her hand and as she reaches Alva, she starts scanning one of the fruits for toxins. "While I do like the fact that you want to cross reference with your books. Who knows when you get a new chance to collect or taste some. Take the chances that life presents to you." She says while waiting for a result of the scanner.

The toxin present within the fruits keeps animals away. There is nothing noted on its possible side effects in humanoids, or others.

8:18 PM

Your data may be what eventually makes this information known, depending on how brave you are feeling.

Elisa looks at the results, then shows the scanner to Alva. "I can send you a copy of this. Well. I am not an expert in biology, but it looks like those things are really toxic. But maybe not too toxic? Maybe the right amount of toxic that makes the tongue tingle? You want to try?"

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [1d10] Roll: [1] Result: 1 Reason: to see if I'm feeling brave

He laughs and shakes his head. "Taros, humans, slyth, what are we all if not just large animals?" he places a couple of the fruits in his cocktail kit. "I wouldn't risk it until we know more." Closing up his kit, he begins heading backward towards the vehicle.

Elisa just shrugs, there was no reason to add something mean, when she herself didn't want to risk her immortality for a little food kick. So she follows Alva and enters the car as well. Signaling the driver that they can continue on their travel.

(did we want to take any to mess with later, or are we leaving the trees unbothered?)

(Alva took 3 or 4 of them in his cocktail kit)

(awesome, lets get a d10 for the second of our three hexes between here and the destination)

deleted_user_ca92ecf351f7

used /r

Daira of Artema| P| Elisa| Aruke Request: [1d10] Roll: [1] Result: 1

Entering the next region it is mid day and you are still in the grove of Layzal changed forest. A small pall of smoke is seen a kilometer or so in front of you, visible through the trees but the object burning is not given how winding the road is.

Elisa stares at the smoke in the distance. Visually concerned by whatever might be burning there. She moves back and forth on her seat. "What might that be? Is the forest on fire? Should we take a different path?"

"Could be bandits in the street, could be something more sinister. Our other option is to go through the woods, but I think that would mean giving up our vehicle."

"More sinister? Hmm. No, we can't give up the vehicle. The area we want to visit is too far away. And we need the Vehicle if we find something big to be brought back. No no. But, but bandits you say? What lowly dirty things these would be?" She unbuckles and turns around to access her stuff. Seconds later she sits back down again, fastens her seatbelt and checks the Laser Rifle she has in her hands now. "This thing was given to me in case some dirt would be in the way. I have to mention tho that I did not need to shoot in my life before. But it can't be too hard, can it? And maybe it is nothing. The smoke I mean." She does not look happy at all.

(Taking the road? If so, lets get a notice/wis from one of you)

deleted_user_ca92ecf351f7

used /r

Daira of Artema| P| Elisa| Aruke Request: [2d6 +1] Roll: [6, 1] Result: 8

(Yep let’s take the road!)

You notice sometihng of a glint in the woods, either a scope or rifle with a sight on it watching the road as you approach,.

Calmly, Alva taps Elisa on the shoulder and nods toward the mysterious glint. “Lady E,” he whispers. “Did you see that?”

"Of course, what else do yo think?" Elisa drops the laser rifle in her lap and binoculars appear in her hands. Worry lines form on her forehead, hidden behind the glass of her VaccSuit. As she looks with the binoculars in the direction of the glints, she says: "Something is definitely there. Maybe somebody. And if it's someone, it's certainly some unsavory bandit, this far out in the wild. Just like you said. Why do you all have to be such depraved creatures?" She clears her throat. "Those outlaws, I mean."

“To be fair, they’re probably human if I had to guess, so don’t blame me!”

She mumbles something that somewhat sounds like "knife ears" but you can't exactly be sure, while trying to focus on what may be hiding in the distance.

(the choice basically becomes do we stop to deal with them, or push on through knowing we might be running into trouble)

(with the binoculars, Elisa tries to assess the situation some more. Because it is like risking to drive into a road blocking, and ending on a silver platter if things go bad, or jumping on them, but if they are like ten people, then trying to drive past them is obviously the best solution)

(all we saw was the glint, and the burning vehicle, can't see anything else with that notice result)

Elisa shakes her head. "Driver, get us past them, quick and save. There is no reason to get in danger here!" (Teamdecision to drive past)

(Pilot/dex)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [2d6] Roll: [5, 3] Result: 8

Pushing through the road you hear a few shots taken at the vehicle, but none of them make an impact, and you scoot on past the ambush site, not sharing the fate of the previous unlucky travelers.

Elisa falls back into her seat and sighs of relief. "Bandits. Just imagine what would have happend if they got us, took us hostage. And that on a seemingly civilized world like this. Unbelievable, isn't it?"

“My lady, I can’t imagine someone laying an uninvited hand on you and living to tell the tale.”

She agrees Alva with a smile. "You bet!" Then realizes that she was treating this potential servant too good already. So the smile leaves the face and a tablet with the map appears in her hand again. Magically, like all the items before. "Still a bit to go." She marks the place as dangerous and sends a report to the local police. Which will most likely not care. "I hope those bandits don't see the ruins as ways to make money as well. It would be a shame for the relics of the past, that might wait to be found there."

( one more D10, then we're there)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [1d10] Roll: [7] Result: 7

You escape the ambush and put enough kilometers between you and the bandits to where they would be foolish and going well out of their way to come after you. The land here, just beforer the ruins is dead trees that even the magic of the Layzal could not heal. It becomes swamp like and fetid, and a stone bridge before you represents the only river crossing over a roaring river of green water, that flows out to the sea from the Garden of Bones in the middle of the planet.

"Very inviting, this area." She points to the dead trees. "Honestly, there's no need for people to tell haunted stories, no one dares to come here even without them." Elisa claps her hands in anticipation. "These are excellent conditions for untouched ruins. And fortunately, with this suit, which is only supposed to protect my skin from the sun, because of the sun allergy, anyway, with this thing I can also do without air from the outside. Quite handy, with the possible stench on site." Then Elisa points to the bridge in front of them. "That will carry us, won't it? I don't want to end in this river, it looks so, ugly, it would ruin the VaccSuit."

“The bridge seems a fine idea! And though this is somewhat spooky, I see no ghosts in sight.” He smiles and offers his hand to help her out of the vehicle. “My lady. Shall we?”

"There are indeed no Ghosts, because there are none, foolish boy." She takes the hand Alva offers and gets out of the car. "You two!" She points at their companions. "Carry the equipment!" She then takes her backpack and anything that she wants to have close to her. "Now Alva, time to enter the history books!" With Alva she walks towards the bridge, looking towards the distance if they can already spot the ruins.

(i really was thinking about some kind of bridge troll, but alas, not the setting

)

7:37 AM

Pushing on past the bridge you get a sense it was important at one point in time in the past, far more than it is now. Ahead, you see the ruins of what was once a large fortress belonging to the Overlord.

7:38 AM

Elisa points to the ruin in front of them. "This is more than I expected. By the way, in your contracts it said that I can use all the footage with you on it as I want, and you don't hold any rights to it." As she says this, Elisa takes the floater lamp out of her Backpack and activates it. "Welcome. I am Lady Elisa Ewigleben and behind me you see a ruinous fortress bulwark of the Overlord. I, and my crew, will be archaeologically examining this in the coming days and will release any relevant finds to the public. Possibly we will soon know more about the past of this world. Bringing more light into this shadowy epoch of Heras. And you can join us on this archaeological journey." She sets the Floater Lamp to follow mode and walks forward. Ready to explore this ruin. She would climb a nearby hill or a large rock to get a first look at the ruin from a distance with binoculars.

“A documentary? I missed that part of the contract. How exciting!” He holds out his hand to assist Lady Elisa as she climbs.

(I think your binoculars would more or less reflect the art there, just without lights in the windows)

"That looks really beautiful. I would live in there. The right amount of servants and modern technology included. But it has a great size. I wonder what we will find in there. And yes, a documentary. How else can one attract investors for future Expeditions?" With Alva's help she climbs down again. " Thank you. Shall we move on? "

He gracefully takes her hand and gently pulls her to a slight angle, where a beautiful soft chiaroscuro effect ripples across her face. “First, make sure you get a shot of yourself in this lighting. An investor would be a fool to turn you down.” He makes sure the camera captures the unique effect before helping her down all the way. “Yes, let’s continue.”

(perform/wis Alva )

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [6, 4] Result: 9

The lighting is perfect, as are the camera angles. Elisa has never looked this good even when the floater lamp is left to use its computing power to figure things out on its own.

(Does she…. Sparkle? Jkjkjk) “There, lovely. There’s the cover shot for the video.” He turns the screen to show her the shot it grabbed.

"Thank you! Yes, this does indeed look good. I will open wallets with this alone. But I am quite good-looking anyway, isn't that so, my Alva?" Now it is her who goes ahead, wanting to be the one to take the first step into the ruin. Like an explorer of ancient earthly treasures. "Follow me Alva. This will be a great moment for us."

As she walks ahead of him, Alva’s eyes linger for a moment on the brilliant turquoise of Elisa’s hair. My Alva. He smiles at the thought and continues after her.

(I'll get us an interior map, standby)

10:57 AM

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 10/7/2022 10:57 AM

(2 would be the area just beyond the main doors, but said wooden doors are very large and imposing, and are also closed)

Elisa walks up to the door and turns around to face the camera, her voice is dramatic, she gives her best to make this way larger than it is. With Lady Elisa Ewigleben, grandeur is not the ceiling it is the floor. "This behind me, is the biggest archeological find that has been made in the recent decades on Heras. The way it looks, it is almost intact. We will most likely find relics of a forgotten past, in a condition, in such a good condition, like never before seen. This place will answer questions that histories have yet to be ask. But these doors." She turns and points at them, fakefully tries to open them, but actually doesn't touch them. "These doors are closed. Most archeologist would have a big problem here. They would have to destroy the locking mechanism. Maybe even trigger old traps. But not me. Not Lady Elisa Ewigleben." She turns to the door once more and a golden compass appears in her hand. And turquoise and amethyst colored energies reach out to the door, and open it for the group to enter and take a look inside. "Nothing stands in my way." (using Waymaker to open the door, locked or unlocked, it will open now and won't trigger an alarm, if there was one. Elisa takes one strain for that.)

(there would have been a mechanism that rang a large bell in one of the towers, so I would consider that an alarm of some kind)

Alva looks up as he hears the bell sound loudly. "Well, you certainly didn't break the lock!"

(I guess we didn't hear the bell, because it counts as an alarm?)

(Yeah the bell didn’t ring )

Entering room 2 you see this is a reception area where whatever the overlord would have had as guests would wait to be let in. Two wights , now long dead, are slumped here still clutching rusted billhooks. There is a mural on the wall carved into the stone showing a dark king astride the world to the adulation and worship of its undead subjects. In its hands, carved to be shown as emitting light, it holds aloft a massive two handed sword inscribed with the artists rendition as runes of power.

"Look at this art, look at.." She walks over to the Mural. "Finely done. If it wasn't for such an evil being. This sword, I wonder if it was ever found. What do you think Alva?"

“Is it a real sword? Can it be found?Do you know the story behind this mural?” He asks, running his fingers over the fine carving

Elisa nods. "It would fit a ruler like him that he owned such a sword. If it had any real powers, that I don't know. But if we were to find it, or any other item that feels to have some importance, then we, I, will become known, at least on Heras. This place seems to offer so much." She steps forward and wants to open the door to number 8

(Evasion save)

deleted_user_ca92ecf351f7

used /r

Daira of Artema| P| Elisa| Aruke Request: [1d20] Roll: [12] Result: 12 Reason: v13

(fail)

(Do you need one from me as well?)

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [1d20] Roll: [18] Result: 18

(Pass)

(just Elisa since they were the one actually touching the door

7:25 AM

There is a sharpened log that punches through the now opened doorframe that strikes elisa in the chest, knocking her several steps backwards to fall onto her back. (edited)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d6] Roll: [3] Result: 3

(3 damage)

(5/8 HP) Elisa has the greatest difficulty not to extend her fangs and jump forward. It reminds her too much of wooden stakes and god-fearing men. But she pulls herself together and holds the injured spot, which will heal again, and Alva would help, one way or another. She licks her lips and gets up again before turning to the camera. "Cut out the last minute." Then she carefully walks to the now open door, hoping no more surprise awaits her.

“Lady- are you alright?” Alva rushes to her aide and takes her hand into his.

She takes the hand and says. "I am fine. It needs more than that to knock me out. But as you may see, this place has its dangers. Dangers that are still present and quite deadly." She starts to laugh. "You know what that means Alva? That means this place is indeed untouched. Wonderful. Come, boy, let us find out what is inside this room that it was worth being trapped."

The room is small and is the home of possibly the most spiders and the thickest spiderwebs you have seen anywhere. The ruins of an armory are here with crude metallic looking sets of armor and long spears tucked neatly into wall alcoves. Time and moisture, along with the degenerating conditions within the room have made the heads brittle, rusty and pitted, though elegantly shaped.

"Oh how beautiful everything is. This craftsmanship that is exhibited here. Maybe I'll just keep the mansion and make it into Hera' greatest museum, but I'm afraid some people will see the evil in it except the beauty and historical worth. Well, what I do now I usually never do. But for archaeology, I'll do anything." An industrial vacuum cleaner appears in her hand and she begins to suck away the cobwebs and "uncover" the room with it.

(We;d see more spears and some greater detail on the armor, but we've seen the main points in here already)

(It is mostly for the RP and her fascination of it. Gives Alva a chance to react. We take it slow this week)

Alva looks around the room in amazement. “How long must this all have been here, gathering dust, by itself, untouched.”

(Could Elisa make an educated guess, or a know/int roll? Or is it too hard to pinpoint an aproximate age?)

(it is from the age of the Overlord, we know that much )

9:49 AM

(I didn't ever give specific years of his reign, just that it was more ancient Heran history)

"Centuries, by the looks of it. Fitting during the Overlord's reign of terror." She points to the processing seams of the armors. "Looks ancient, but it's only old, the armors are made with modern equipment. Nevertheless, these are beautiful pieces. I'd try one on, but we should continue our exploration first." A little scared, but without showing it, Elisa approaches the door to room 7, across from room 8. (Should the door be closed, her magical golden compass would appear again and she would open the door with Waymaker.)

“Careful, Lady E. Step out of the way as you open it.” Alva steps towards the door and tries to examine the outward appearance for any sign of a trap on this side.

This door does not seem to be trapped. Inside is something that looks lke a guard house where they would have waited out of sight but close by until needed, also with a few weapons on the walls but not as many.

"Thank you, uh, look at that!" She cleans the room as well and then grabs a spear, but carefully to not damage it. "How do I look? Like an empress in a VaccSuit?" Elisa almost gets playful and almost acts as if the opinion of the mortals matters. But she can't deny the fact that she is happy in here. With the house and her entourage.

“Wow where is that camera now?” Alva says, laughing. As they are examining the room, he reaches up to fiddle with his panspectral optics and calibrates them to check for any radio frequencies being emitted in the vicinity.

This place does not seem to have any radio frequencies in it except for what you brought in with you.

After returning the spear to where she took it from, Elisa leaves room 7 and enters the more open area again. "Over there." She points at room 4. "This room central focus point. You come straight towards this room from the entrance. Must be something important. Reminds me of some ancient earthen structures. Not that I have been able to see them with my own eyes, I am not centuries old, haha, haha." She ends with some fake laugh with her hands in front of her mouth as she walks closer to room 4, trying t see if the door is open or not.

Jiggling the door, it does not feel locked but it does feel stuck like something has fallen down or collapsed behind it.

"Hmm, feels like the last few centuries without restoration have led to problems after all." A long leather whip appears in her hand, just as so many objects have appeared before, as if by ghostly hands who deliver them to her. Often with a faint amethyst-colored glow, this time as well. She knots one end to the doorknob, then looks to Alva. "Darling, if you turn the knob, I will pull, then please turn away. In case something falls out. I don't want you to get damaged unnecessarily, that would be a real loss."

Alva raises his eyebrows and smiles coyly when she brings out a whip, but then quickly moves to follow her instructions. Once he is in position he nods. “Ready when you are, my Lady!”

"Turn it!" She says, less commanding than she normally would when talking to a mortal. And once Alva turns the knob to open the door, she would pull, to pull it open. But slowly at first, to make sure Alva can get out of harms way.

The table and chairs that used to occupy this room have been turned into something like a barricade, keeping someone from storming the room. There are marks of battle on the door, where it has been cut and slashed.

“Someone locked themselves in here, Lady E! Are they still around?”

"If they are, then they aren't mortal. And would pose a problem, a living museum is only good with paid actors, not real walking undead soldiers." Elisa steps forward to the barricade and knocks twice. "Hello? Somebody there?"

There is no sound from the other side of the settling barricade. No one breathes. No one moves. No one speaks. Stone is silent, and water sleeps.

(Any sign of anyone thru panspectral optics?)

(no heat or anything, the table is obstructing the entire doorframe, but nothing that sees through it sees anything indicating life)

"I guess those barricades don't remove themselves alone. So would you please lend me a hand?"

“Of course my lady,” he says, flourishing a bow and makes his way over to assist her in moving the heavy furniture.

The furniture is moved aside and you get into the room. There are skeletons here now wearing finery, and it looks as though these diplomats had once come representing the cities of Heras. They barricaded themselves into this room, and were seemingly left here to perish. The bodies have no signs of violence on them, and wear decayed, moth eaten finery.

"Wow. Look at that!" She controls the Floater Lamp so she can get a nice shot of the scenery. "Best not to touch anything. The skeletons and their clothes already look very damaged, nothing we can do right now to preserve them, so we should avoid further damage. For preservation, we would have to come back later with other equipment. This delegation, I can only guess, probably came here to prevent the greatest slaughter this planet has ever seen. And they did not succeed. But what happened to them? Something caused them to barricade themselves in. But there doesn't seem to have been any attack on that barricade." She kneels down to examine a corpse more closely. "At the same time, these corpses also show no signs of fighting between them, they seem to have held the room and ended up dying an agonizing death of starvation. Unless they chose suicide." *A bioscanner appears in her hand and she points it at the mouth of a corpse, looking for possible toxin residue that would suggest the subjects took another way out of the situation. * "Fascinating."

They did not choose to end their own lives but succumbed to thirst and starvation one by one .

7:53 AM

(We could maybe recover these if we are careful, as some examples of former Heran dress, but overall not much of actual credit value)

(I was afraid that they are not suited to take them, without destroying them.) "They really did starve. How cruel that must have been back then. Or they succumbed to thirst. Must feel even worse for a Bartender, right Alva?"

“If they’re the same type of life forms as us, thirst would have taken them before hunger did.” He says, averting his eyes. “A shame, I wonder if they thought they were going to be rescued.”

"I doubt it. Yet they kept their courage til the end. Fascinating. Oh and the people of Heras are mostly human. So yes, um, yes." "Maybe." Elisa looks around, trying to find an old compad, or something written that was left behind, to maybe find the reason why they were here, or the reason why they did not leave this room anymore.

There doesn’t seem to be anything of that nature among the bodies. It’s possible they were asked to turn them over before being permitted to enter as is common in many diplomatic meetings. (edited)

"This building is worth so much, culturally and historically. What a find. So Alva, do we look at the room to the right or left first? I think we shouldn't move or touch the corpses, too much risk to destroy something forever."

“Right, and it could be disrespectful to the dead.I say we go to the right, it does seem like the right thing to do!”

There is a slight smirk on her face as she nods and motions Alva to move towards room number 6. "Well then, go ahead let us see what secrets are there to be solved by me."

(notice/wis outside the door of 6)

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Daira of Artema| P| Elisa| Aruke Request: [2d6-1+2] Roll: [2, 1] Result: 4

iumi of Gudrun

used /roll

Iumi | Fearghal Mac Tír | Alva Request: [2d6-1] Roll: [5, 3] Result: 7 Reason: not sure if you need it from both of us or kot

(both is good) this room looks free from the horrors of combat or the need to barricade ourselves in. Alva notices some glyphs on the door seem to match what was carved into the Overlord's sword on the depiction of him and his host upon entering the fortress.

“Lady E, these carvings match the sword. Can you make anything of that?” The young taros asks, eyes glittering towards his companion.

"Good eyes, Alva!" She walks closer to the glyphs on the door. "I have seen them as well, but I wanted to see if you already got some eye for the important details, and you see to have." "Phew, I would have missed that detail without him." She walks over to the art piece to compare the glyphs there to those on the door. And to see if the Overlord did anything to them on the picture that could also be done to those on the door. Or if they may just are some artful oddities.

From what you can tell at the moment, these are artful oddities, this being only the second example.

"Hmm. I have to say that I am not reaching a final conclusion when it comes to these glyphs. They are maybe of importance. But sometimes those mysteries unravel themselves when one has acquired more wisdom. More, information. Let us enter the room to see what else it hides." That said, Elisa goes first and enters the room to see what else it houses.

Entering this conference room it looks to be something the Overlord or senior people within his organization would have used to plan moves. You can see some tattered remains of cloth maps hanging on the wall and spread over the table showing the surface of Heras in those days, as the Overlord's intelligence recalls it being.

"Look! That is interesting. If those are from the same time as those poor diplomats where here then..." She checks the map on the table to see if it matches with the reports she read earlier, those leading to the final battle in the place that was now known as the Garden of Bones.

“This is fascinating…. It’s hard to believe something like this has existed for so long just waiting here.” Alva says, puffing his cheeks and blowing away some dust. “Hard to imagine something even being that old in the first place.”

The map looks to be consistent, showing a series of forces from different parts of the planet meeting to create one large war-host, before marching into the region of the Garden, where the battle for the future of Heras once was held. (edited)

"That is indeed wonderful. Just look at it. This is like, wow. History to be touched. Smelled. Felt. This is incredible." She orders the camera over and makes it Film the scenery. "Just those finds make coming here worth it, don't you think Alva? Although one has to say that it is a bit macabre, as, well, the Overlord is not the Hero in this story."

“Absolutely not, but it’s still valuable to make a find like this. I bet we’re the first people to be here in … well … I’m not sure. But you’re getting amazing footage!”

"Yes. That will make me known in the archeological circles on at least Heras. I can't wait to see more of it." Before asking to move on, Elisa looks at the map once more. Trying to guess if the Overlord could have moved differently, in a way that would might have led to a win. She was not a war strategist, but she was there to sniff out drama, and what would have been a better find than an high ranked officer who secretly worked for the other side and made minor adjustments, so minor that it still ended in the most bloody moment in Heras' history, but one that saw the non evil side win.

The Garden was the most logical place to gather a large host. The natural geography of the planet would have made splitting into smaller hosts a guaranteed win for the living armies of Heras, allowing them to engage and destroy smaller sections at a time, on their home territory. Tactics and the events of the battle itself are the things of legend now, and with the bombardment of Adonis and his glory hounds, most archeological evidence to verify those legends is gone now.

"They used the best tactic they had at hand, as far as I can tell. And still lost. Which is good for this world, I suppose. Amazing. I guess I should let you lead the way Alva, you tend to top every room with the next one."

“Ah, but my lady, it’s ladies first!” He says, lightly bowing and flourishing his arm to the side

"To kind young boy." She says as she reaches out and runs a hand through his hair. Taking whatever she wants without asking. Lead to such action by the happiness that this situation creates. "Let us continue this way." She would walk out of the room and towards 10 and the room c.

Three large cannons that look to have once used energy based munitions have been ranked up in this room as if on parade. Their power systems don't look to have been maintained for as long as this place has been abandoned, and would have required a crew of at least three to use. They remind you of the human's Victorian age weapons in form, though with a modern payload. The chambers nearby remind you of barracks rooms for what you suppose would be the servants of the Overlord that actually needed rest.

Elisa waves Alva over to the canons. "Look at these!" Her hand gently glides over the majestic weapons of death. "Just imagine, two of these, at the entry hall. That would make for a fabulous first sight, right? This place as a museum will print money!"

"A museum!" he exclaims. "That's an idea. A branding goldmine. First we release the documentary, then offer the full documentary experience at the museum... and maybe add in an onsite cafe and bar with themed beverages? Overlord's Old Fashioned, anyone? Or is that in poor taste?"

"Poor taste? Well, depends on the bartender, right?" A slight smile hushes over her face, amusing herself once more over a joke she made. "But yes, it is poor tase, yet, to keep something like this accessible to the public, and to maintain it, costs money. So one either makes it a complete experience, that surely lures in the dumb as well, those who don't care for the actual historical and cultural meaning of this place. But they as well pay, so those who care, get access for a fair price. Without that, you need a benefactor, or multiple, to keep such a place open and accessible. But then, one is at their mercy. So I'd rather have a café outside where they serve Overlord's Old Fashioned then to keep this away from the public eye. Sounds sensible to you, Alva?"

He watches Elisa’s lips form the words as she speaks, and laughs at even her bad jokes. “Everything you say sounds sensible, Lady E. You really are a wonder!”

"Oh Alva, don't exaggerate, you silly boy." She says with a wide smile. She touches his shoulder and licks her lips as she looks into the young man's eyes. "Makes one thirsty straight away. You'd fit right in on Tece." Breaking away from Alva again, she walks over to one of the barracks rooms and looks to see if they looked busy when the building went into its hibernation, or if they were properly left when the Overlord went towards his last battle.

This was busy when the host marched out. Support staff would have remained behind, as would have any new "recruits" brought in from wherever the Overlord recruited his nightmarish force from.

Elisa enters the room, curious, eager to find remnants of the former inhabitants. Images. Diaries. Other mementos. Things that give her a sense of what the common soldier, or the common servant of the Overlord might have been like.

The common soldiers were usually wights based on the legends and they don't seem to have had much need to be writing.

"Nothing. Can you imagine being so tidy to not forget anything here? Did you know that the legends say that the Overlord's soldiers were wights? Crazy, huh Alva?"

“Wights? Gods, what a horror. I know the whole, undead army thing should have spooked me long before now, but for some reason it’s really settling in. All those people…”

"Died, or have not been alive. It is indeed tragic. But that even more means that the past needs to be an open book. That people can visit places like these to understand, to find peace. This place has housed evil. Evil is dripping out of every inch of it. Yet, people need to see it." Elisa slowly walks towards 12 as she speaks, to see what else is in that wing of the building.

12 is an empty hallway with murals and mosaics too faded for anyone else to see anymore. There are ornate bedrooms to the south,.

"Alva, what do you think, those bedrooms to the south. What did they have seen? What mystery might they reveal? Inspecting bedrooms is, a strange thing to do, isn't it?" Elisa says as she motions Alva to move towards the bedrooms.

Alva raises his eyebrows and smiles a devious little smile as he interprets what Elisa may or may not be saying. “I think people leave evidence of who they truly are behind the closed doors of their bedroom.”

Elisa thinks about her own bedroom back on Tece. "Yes, yes they truly do. Well then Alva. The next door is yours again."

Alva thinks for a moment, then gestures to the bedroom door closest to the right. "This?"

Elisa nods. "Yes, yes, go ahead. But be careful, maybe the Bedroom had some 'Do not disturb' protections." She shrugs. "Who knows?"

There is a bar that can be slid into place from this side of the door, that would keep someone from getting in short of them having cutting tools.

Alva moves to shift the bar out of place so that the door can be opened. “Let me go first my lady, in case of any traps.”

(Bar is on the inside. The room is clear of traps) The room looks to be a fairly gothic looking bedroom. The four poster bed still has fairly intact looking curtains on its sides and back, allowing whoever is inside to entirely conceal themselves.

1:46 PM

A dirty mirror, a drink cart with long evaporated away spirits, and a large wardrobe complete the room, all made of a dark wood that has begun to flake with age, but the bones of all the pieces are still solid.

"This dark wood is just beautiful. With just some little work it could look as good as new. I have seen some skillful restorers work miracles on old woods. But I wonder what is inside this wardrobe, maybe something fitting for you? So you look like little Mr. Overlord." She walks over to the Wardrobe and carefully opens it, as to not damage the wood any further.

There are no clothes inside of it, but you can see space where the living guests of the Overlord would have been able to store some things if needed. Whoever was in this room last took it upon themselves to take their belongings with them.

Alva makes his way to the drink cart to examine any of the bottles or fixings that may be new to him.

The bottles are exotic looking. Each of them is an interesting color, a unique shape, or features writing on it written in the cursed looking dialect of the overlord and his followers. They would make a unique addition to anyone's kit, and you can tell the shapes and oxidation methods used in the bottles would allow even a cheap liquor to breath and elevate its potential.

“The text on these bottles is so mysterious! My customers will be overjoyed to have a drink served to them from an artifact like this!” He says as he takes the three most unique-looking ones.

Elisa frowns as Alva just takes these antiques and puts them into his bag. "I can't believe you just did that. You really are an inexperienced young boy. So now you took these and put them into your back, whithout knowing anything about them. Listen Alva, yes you can have some of these finds as your trophies and extra payment, but please make pictures, or let my camera do some good shots. So the wisdom is preserved. And please, don't put them into your bag like that. We have transport boxes in the car. So they don't shake too much and don't break." She walks over to Alva and looks him in the eyes as she plays with his hair. Then she leans in a bit and whispers in his ear.. "Do as I say, and you can take more of those if you want. We can put fake ones in here later, how does that sound?"

Blushing, he opens up his drink kit and removes the bottles he took to hand them back to Lady E. “Sorry, ma’am. I won’t do it again. Thank you!”

"We just need to make sure we don't forget to pack you a big package. Heck, if you want them all, we can do with it. I doubt any other relics would be of much interest to you." She takes one of the bottles and inspects it more closely. "When you have that at, wherever you live, do you think you would be able to reproduce the contents? From tasting or other methods?"

"I can certainly examine the residues and see what I can make from it. Alcohol and spirits are by nature pretty volatile, and don't leave behind much, but I can make some educated guesses."

"That is good. Because while I have no problem gifting you all the drinks, it would be great if you could reproduce them. For the museum Cafe. Or maybe even for planet wide selling. The Devil's Drink. Or, Overlord's Opium. Or something more fancy in nature, I guess you would find a name for it, right? "

“Lady Elisa’s Elixir.”

Elisa leans her head a little to the side as she gives Alva a smile. "Alva, I appreciate that very much. However, I wonder why you choose that name. Out of absolute desire to win my affection. A fact I welcome. Or perhaps because you see something evil in me." Her eyes narrow, pierce his eyes, almost as if she wants to see into his mind. "These are drinks of the Overlord, those of an evil creature. I don't know if I'd like to be named after a drink that has its origins in the concoctions of a monster." Her eyes open again and a smile is seen before she kisses Alva on the forehead. "Oh Alva, we both know it's the former. Don't name the drink after me unless it's stunning, like me." She looks deep into his eyes and with a deft finger movement she closes his slightly open mouth and moves closer, just to go slightly beside his face to whisper into his ear. "Do you think something is hidden under the bed?" She then moves back from him. "I have to say though, that I never found anything meaningful under a bed."

"My lady! If you assume a libation that I create would be anything less than stunning, you wound me!" he says, flipping his fringe out of his face and blushing slightly. He turns to look towards the space under the bed. "It can't hurt to look. There's first time for everything."

"It was not my intention to hurt you, yet I have never tasted a proof of your skills. And yes my dear, there are always first times for everything, but once you get older, these first times get more sparsely." She gets down and looks under it as well.

There is nothing under the bed but a collection of the dust of ages. The bed and the supporting box spring itself have survived the test of time from the looks of things, and the piece is well made.

Elisa sits down onto the bed and tests its springs. "This will be the best musuem of the 'Age of the Overlord', ever. And so much to learn from it. Let us check the other bedroom as well. And we need to make sure to not forget the drink cart." She reaches Alva a hand so he can help her up from the bed again as she tells their two security people: "Get us the transport boxes. Enough to fit all the fancy bottles into it." "Go. Go." She adds, motioning them away with the move of her free hand.

They nod once, heading out to the vehicle to secure the requested items. It will take them at least half an hour to dig them out.

Elisa gets up with the help of Alva and looks around once more. "Wonderful. This will make for an authentic experience. And luckily our coarse security elephants are out of the house for a bit. I was always afraid they would break something without even realizing." She steps out of the bedroom. "Let us look into the other! Oh this is so exciting!"

Alva chuckles at Elisa's excitement and follows her into the next room. "So many things to find!"

"Moments like these can fuel you for days, years, even decades. Not often will one be the first to touch a place like that. Not often are they in a shape like this. And even to you, a bartender, those drinks we found, might impact your life more than you think." After the last rooms had no traps on them, Elisa would try to open the door to the other Bedroom with a little less caution.

The other bedroom looks to be organized in the same manner. There is no real difference in the ornamentation within, though the bottles in this room have been smashed by a block that had come loose and fallen from the ceiling to smash the beverage cart.

"This is why we will put your beverages into these neat transport boxes." Elisa moves forward, trying to get a look at the ceiling, to see if this was just one loose block, or if it looks like structural damage of the building., at least as far as one uneducated look can guess.

(Know/int)

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Daira of Artema| P| Elisa| Aruke Request: [2d6+0+2] Roll: [5, 1] Result: 8

This is a sign of wider structural damage, right now it is minor, but the eastern side of the property is built on is on unstable soil. As of now you're unsure if the Overlord's engineers ever did anything to try to shore up the property, or if it is simply the natural world running its course now that the magic of the Overlord has been dispelled.

"Hmm, that is bad. There seems to be slight structural damage, maybe we can't open this wing to the public until it is fixed. But fixing it costs money. Maybe we need some charity ball for that. And I would know just the perfect Bartender for such an event, one that would get every drop of money out of the rich and famous of Heras and beyond." She turns to Alva and smiles.

"Always so kind to me, my lady! I do tend to have the habit of getting folks to drop their guard around me. And their credits."

"Wonderful, and I have to agree, you are disarming, unless someone plays in the same league as you do. But we should move away from here I do think. I don't want a block of stone to fall onto our heads. But it is a problem that needs solving so this can truly turn into a Museum exceptionnelle. Shall we move to the other wing then? To see what lies hidden still in this building? And there are still these symbols from the weapon of the Overlord."

(I'm caught up!)

Alva nods and gives a passing glance to the stone above them in silent calculation of whether or not they will be crushed. Deciding she's right, he follows along.

The two of them together move past rooms they had already seen, and towards room five.

Room 5 looks to be some kind of inside garden. The plants here have died and have been dead for a long time but the smell of nightshade and other toxic plants to organic life remains. There are two fountains in this room that once would have been impressive, but the masonic statues have broken away and now brown water bubbles up through what remains of the clogged pipes.

Curious, Alva goes up to the fountain and lets some of the putrid water run over his fingers. He sniffs them

There is sediment in the water. The water could be purified to make it drinkable. if the desire is just to grow plants, restoring the flow will be enough to nourish them.

“My lady, there’s still running water connected to the building. That will reduce our overhead costs once the museum is up and running.”

"That is great! Unless. Unless, Alva. Unless this water is the reason for the structural damages here. But I doubt either one of us will be able to say this for sure. Do you think this garden could be, reestablished? Without any magic I mean." Elisa asks as she herself kneels down and runs her gloved in hand through the water.

“Maybe not this water in particular. I think it’s been contaminated with rust and grime. But wherever it’s coming from, we can make use. I wonder if it’s spring water?”

(I think with Alva's background in being very knowledgeable about culinary refreshments, the scent of minerals in the water would let them know its spring water, just right now kind of gross spring water))

"Making use of it is a good thing! Anything that helps, helps. That was almost philosophical of me. Huh, what bright mind I have." Elisa gets closer to the broken off statues and tries to see if she can determine whom they depict.

There is nothing left of them now that might be identifiable. Only eroded torsos and broken limbs remain, aside from a few lines suggesting armor- the identities of these people are lost to history.

"See Alva, that is how it usually goes. You go somewhere, and the beauty of the past lies in front of you, destroyed. Never to be returned to its former beauty. But lucky us, there are still some more rooms to see. I will be so famous after this. Shall we move to the next room?" Elisa asks, with a subtle commanding undertone.

“Of course! There is just so much I can learn from you!” Alva replies.

(Which one do we want to go to)

(I'd say top to bottom, so 9a)

9a is another one of the dormitory room s and it looks as though Arteman insignia have been left here on rotting banners. This room was meant to hold a delegation rather than housing permanent residents of the Overlord's stronghold here. It looks as though this was the room set aside for the Arteman diplomat you had found among the others that had starved in the other room.

"Interesting, the room of a delegation that was not of the Overlord's minions. This could mean that if they left something precious behind, it could be just the piece that I need to pay back our benefactor. It would have been better if it was from a Persephonian delegation, but anything non-Overlord, will be easily sellable for him. And from this place and time, it will repay him for his expenses and give him a nice premium, just as I promised, but, for that we need to find something that is of worth to someone. So Alva, use your sparkling eyes for that, please." Elisa herself starts to carefully dig through the remains to see if something was to be found here that has more than just historical value.

"But of course, Lady E! I'll keep my eyes peeled. By the way, you took a few scrapes from that door trap earlier, yes? How are you feeling?" Alva says, concern in his sparkling eyes

"I am fine! No need to check!" Is her quick and unusual harsh reaction to this. "Just help me look for something valuable."

There is nothing valuable in this room aside from some of the trappings such as wall decorations. The sections giving over to thoughts of the living were not maintained once the associated living beings were starved in the entry room.

"While this still will be a good room, filled with holos that describe what happened here, there is nothing of value, and I need something for the benefactor that made this possible. But there is still some rooms left." She turns to Alva. "I wonder how they must have felt, walking into this place, knowing of the evil that was waiting for them."

"No, no I insist my lady, I have some tonics here that may be able to heal you... are you sure you're feeling alright? You're looking quite pale."

"No Alva! I told you already! Now do as I tell you!" She almost yells and ads a mumbled: "Stupid mortal." To try and defuse the situation she walks over to the next room.

The next room looks to be another bedroom. This one was for the Mytikan contingent that would have come here. There is a rotting journal on the desk but from the pages that are open and still legible, it looks like they were trying to secure some kind of temporary non-aggression pact from the Overlord.

Alva shrugs off the refusal and heads over to the book. Gesturing towards it, he asks “what do you make of this, my lady?”

"Huh!" Elisa thinks for a while. "If I remember correctly, the Mytikans were somewhat connected to the Overlord, that is why the city was completely leveled during the war. I guess that paper might be a showing for these tendencies. Maybe this marked the beginning of that bond? Or it shows that the bond wasn't as close as others thought, and the Mytikans were hated on falsely? Definitely interesting." Elisa tries to carefully turn a page to see if there is more. But before doing so, takes a picture to conserve the information.

The city had been leveled by this point and the survivors were being scattered into the countryside. There were two offers on the table here , one where the Mytikans would swear fealty to the Overlord if they were allowed to rebuiild their city. the other offer was one whree the city would be abandoned, and the Mytikans would be forced to served ina more scattered capacity, securing other Overlord settlements as his subjects

"This is the story of the Mytikans. A sad one that is. They have chosen the wrong side, and ended up going mostly extinct for it, if not completely. And their homes wrecked. But history is not all sad, where they fell, others rose to strength, and the heart of the Protectorate, still is Mytikas, even though nobody would openly say that, they rather point at that new space station above our heads, so all the powerful houses are kept in check. That is what the powerful beings do, make others feel like they are in charge, when in reality, they aren't." A smile hushes over her face. Before she tries to see if there was a final answer for the destiny of the Mytikans, if a decision had been made that might leads to further archeological sites on Heras. As to her knowledge, the Mytikans have gone extinct.

It looks as though the Overlord chose for them, and decided to annihilate the city. Refugees surely filtered into other cultures and escaped, but it was the end of the Mytkans as a cultural force and unified people on the planet.

"Sad, isn't it Alva? No one with power should carelessly destroy the lesser beings. And this history does show it as well. The more evil you appear to be, the more one unites those that stand below them."

He nods solemnly, looking at his companion with a curious glint in his eye.

(even to modern day there isn't really Mytikan culture anymore, this is the closest to a historical record we've found so far)

"Nontheless, this holds much historic value. Might even be worth quite a bit for a collector. So maybe that has to be the thing that I take back with me. But there is still a bit left to see." Elisa closes the book very carefully before leaving the room and entering the 11 area

11 has been turned from hallway into some kind of makeshift fighting ring. Several human champions were killed here for sport , rusting away inside their armor and their bodies seen as not fit to raise into undead servants of the Overlord

"I have witnessed such fights myself before. Not here, not this." She moves her hands and points at the scene. "But people fighting to the death, for sport, for honor, but in reality only to the amusement of the powerful." She turns to Alva and lets a finger of hers move along his chin. "You would be too pretty for that, and the way you look, you would die to your first opponent, what a waste if you ask me." She turns to the ring again and gets closer to a fallen fighter to look for insignia that might allow her to know where he was from. "You know what the worst part about this is? Young men trying to prove themselves, full of testosterone, thinking they are someone. That they matter. But what they don't see is that the servants, well even the slaves are more important to whoever they fight for, then them. Because those are expected to live and serve, and not to just die and rot for amusement. But men always do such stupid things."

Alva blushes. "And what do women do, My Lady?" he asks, hoping to pull the focus off of himself.

"Let young men fight to the death for their own pleasure, or let them do other things that suits their needs." Elisa says with a sinister look on her face. "That is what you wanted to hear, right? Well, as for me, I just think this is a waste. I would never let my servants get damaged like that. Never. What good would that bring? Anyway. Which of the armors do you think looks the most, um, valuable. I guess some armor would be a good piece to hand to our benefactor, even if it somewhat ruins this place." She orders the camera bot to take pictures of the scene before she touches anything.

The fallen champion here is Mytikan , and it looked like they died poorly. Below them, are champions from each of the other city states, likewise killed in similarly unfair circumstances.

(do they wear somewhat distinctive armors?)

(not in terms of pattern. Some slight cosmetic differences but this was meant to be a fight, so they used armor they know worked for the time period)

(alright) Elisa turns to Alva. "What do you think about this? What do you read out of it?"

He looks towards the camera unit and covers the microphone with his hand for a moment. "Rich people with more money than compassion, I'd say." He releases the camera unit and coughs. "Sorry about that, camera-bot!"

Elisa bursts out laughing. Unusual for her mostly controlled behavior. She takes out a Credstick with ten credits on it, and hands it to Alva with a grin on her face. "Some tip for you, Mr. Bartender. So, you've had some experience with such people, huh? I guess one can read that into this. Died for nothing, but the fun of the powerful."

Alva is a bit startled by her sudden burst of emotion, but smiles at her uncharacteristic… what is it? Warmth? “Such is life, my lady.”

Elisa realizes that she was a bit too open there and just nods. "Such is existence, indeed Alva, indeed." Elisa points at Room E. "Let us see what more evil there is to find here. But nontheless, this will be the best museum within the Protectorate, by far. By far."

(I think we've seen pretty much everything. I didn't have anything exotic in the last couple rooms, just dining areas and whatnot,)

Elisa positions the camera-bot and places herself, so the corpses of those fallen in the useless fight, are right next to her. She then puts on her serious face and speaks into the camera. "As I stand here, after seeing every single room of this mansion, I can't help but feel a sense of disgust and horror at the atrocities that were committed within these walls by the former owner, the Overlord. A warmonger, whose actions caused so much suffering and pain. But as an archaeologist, and someone who has dedicated my eter-tire life to understanding the past, I can't help but see the potential in this place. I want to turn this mansion into a walk-in museum, a place of remembrance. A place where visitors can come and learn about the past, the lessons it holds, and ensure that the atrocities committed here are never forgotten. I believe that by preserving this mansion and its history, we can ensure that future generations understand the dangers of warmongering and the importance of peace. Also, for those who are not from Heras, this place is for everyone. Because it is important to learn from bad moments of history to avoid repeating them. This mansion, this site, holds valuable information. It's not just bricks and stones, but a testimony of a dark period of history, and it's our duty to protect it, preserve it, and use it as a learning tool for the future." With a click the recording ends and she turns to Alva. "What do you think, will this net us, or me, some investors? And we can surely have your bar be set up just outside of it. From Bartender to Bar owner, all by just meeting me. That is something, isn't it young Alva?"

“And yet,” he says, taking in the weight of Elisa’s speech and the history of what they uncovered, “you still haven’t let me make you a drink.”

Elisa nods with a sly smile. "Yes, yes that is correct. But we weren't in the right situation for a drink yet either. But, I will not refuse a drink, given our success here. We can celebrate. No, we should celebrate. Nevertheless. I need something to give to our financier. A dull antique dealer. The video and the pictures, that'll make the real finanziers throw money at me, for the big picture thing. But I don't want the antique dealer to feel like I'm going back on my word. That's not proper, after all." She turns to the dead fighters. "Maybe an old weapon. People pay exorbitant prices for such things."

“Any particular province that he’s partial to? Maybe a weapon or sigil from his homeland?”

"Persephone is the city he lives in. Where we met. I heard that they weren't so heavily against the Overlord as others. But I don't know if this is just rumors. And the piece I take, should be of no bigger importance for this place. If you had lots of money. What piece we saw would be one you gave lots of credits for, to impress your rich friends? "

“Maybe one of the rich tapestries from back the way we came. Those are always impressive, especially with the fine workmanship. Or perhaps” he pats the side of his satchel where a faint clinking sound can be heard, “exclusive access to whatever can be made from the ancient spirits we found.”

"Those are yours. I will not take them away from you. But the tapestries are a good idea. Would you join me on my way back to them? I want to choose a good looking one, but one that seems to have a bit less historical meaning in it."

“Of course my lady, lead the way!”

Elisa leads their way towards the tapestries and looks for one that fits her description.

(i'm gonna make something for this, so I'll try to have an image posted soon. I think a picture is going to do more justice than my words could with something this central to the mission)

(forgot all about this, I thought we collectively just ran out of spoons, one sec)

1:24 PM

(These would be four examples from around the building

"They are, interesting. Somewhat remind me of some that I had at home. Style wise. What do you think Alva, which one should I take?"

“The bottom left one reminds me of you for some reason, my lady. Not as beautiful, though.”

Elisa frowns. "That, is not what I had expected to hear. But I guess you want to tell me that it looks, good. I take it. It will hopefully satisfy our benefactor." Elisa would then walk over to the tapestry and try to carefully remove it from the wall.

Alva will aid her, his deft fingers used to delicate work from his experience working among glass bottles and vials.

Between the both of you, you are able to deftly get the tapestries down without damaging them. They need to be cleaned and restored and smell musty, but you do not add to the damage that age has done to the fabric

Elisa looks at the tapestries. "Well, that will do just fine. I might have to do some beautification work wih it, but that is a problem for another time." She hands it over to one of the bodyguards, for it to be brought to the car. "I guess we have seen it all now? What a wonderful place! I just hope that I find someone who is willing to put the money into this place to actually make it a museum, without that, your cafè outside wouldn't find much customers." She smiles slightly. "I hope you found it worthwhile to tag along?"

“Of course I did, what a lovely journey with even lovelier company. Did we get enough footage for your documentary?”

"I do think so, yes, we have got some great shots, and you were of help in that. Suprisingly, I have to admit. I wasn't sure what to think of you in the beginning. You proved to be a helpful asset. On Tece I would have known my ways of thanking you for that, here, things are different. So for now, a thank you, must be sufficient."

The bartender chuckles and extends a hand to the illustrious lady. “It’s been quite a pleasure. Where shall we head now?”

"I do think we need to return to the city. Give our benefactor the Tapestry, well, and then I need to see if the documentary can open up the pockets of the rich so this place can actually become the museum that it deservers to be. I have no idea how likely that is. But if that is successful, who knows, maybe more expeditions get funded."

“Yes. If your other expeditions go similarly I would be honored to tag along!”

(3xp, and 5000 credits for us here. THanks for being good sports while I forgot art was a thing for two months)

❤️

(Neko I will never complain! I through roughly enjoyed this journey with the two of you. We are all just humans with our ups and downs, and we can't call each other friends if we complain that another one's life is stressful at times. Just to make sure. Are we going to continue and stick together trying to find some funding to make this place a walk in museum, or do we rather look for funding to explore another place, or something totally different, or nothing at all?)

(I am good for whatever the two of you thinks is enjoyable)

(I love being Elisa’s ~~bitch~~ errand boy, I would love to keep exploring other places!)

(Moff is looking into some stuff with the Overlord now as well, idk if you'd like to plan some kind of near term meetup for a joint mission?)

(That sounds good to me!)

(That sounds fun. So we return to Persephone and then contact Moff?)

(Moff is currently in Persephone's record hall. Easy meet up.)

(Well, that is I guess a Neko and Iumi question then, if we resolve the tour back in a final post and jump into Moff's channel)

(We can, I think I did XP earlier on here, we had some goons and a truck and we're moving through explored territory so getting back should be routine)

LvL Up to 2

Old HP 8
HP Roll 7
New HP 9

New AB 1

New Focus: Ghost Tech 2

4SP (one for psychic) 

Talk, Notice, Shoot to 0

(Psychic SP banked)

( looks correct to me)

(6xp 100k credits from Mission with Moff and Alva) (3xp from fully discovering a ruin (from finishing Mission 1)) (3xp from finding something that belonged to the Overlord or an ally (also from Mission 1))

LvL Up to 3

Old HP 9
HP Roll 15
New HP 15


4SP (one for psychic) +1 PSP banked

Know 0 -> 1
Pilot -1 -> 0

EK 0 -> 1
New Technique: Energy Sensitivity

 LvL Up to 4

Old HP 15
HP Roll 19
New HP 19

New AB 2

4SP (one for psychic) 

Notice 0 -> 1
Fix -1 -> 0

New Technique: Phase Coherence

All SP spent

(Awesome! did you want to stick with Moff, or did we want to get into something new? )

(I will think about it, but most likely seperate from Moff for now, they do seriously important business, and I don't want to drag them into other stuff or slow them down.)

(okie doke, lemme know what's next and I'll get something going)