western mission

[promittere]

A PHANTASMAL DIVERTIMENTO

It's an early morning for the manor when Tatara and G'raha gather the western wizards, an envelop in Tatara's hand. Even at a glance it's clear the letter is from someone quite official, the Western country's emblem emblazoned on it. G'raha looks pensive, but Tatara seems.. unsurprised.

He holds up the envelope, gesturing with it. "We've got a request from the Western military. Seems there's an issue going on at some noble's estate that could be quite dangerous."

(But why isn't the military handling it themselves?)

Tatara takes the letter out from its envelope, reading it out for the wizards. The contents are as follows:

To the "Western" wizards of the Sage,

I've come to know a few of you wizards who claim to hail from worlds far from this one, and while I am loath to trust anyone with a task concerning national safety, I believe it could be a mutually beneficial thing for us. There are reports of missing people, all of whom were last seen at the the Schropfer Estate just outside the City of Foam, as well as reports of inhuman screams and beasts lurking around the area.

The Schropfers have recently hired on someone who claims to be able to raise the dead, and people are quite adamant that he is able to. That sounds like magic to me, which means it may be just the job for a wizard to handle. If you can take care of this, there will be compensation.

Regards, Gen. Gilles Barnett.

"There's something strange about this request," G'raha says, arms crossed over his chest. "I feel like there's something the General isn't telling us, but I can't say for sure as I've not met the man."

Tatara nods, handing the letter over for the wizards to take. "Do your best to come back in one piece."

The two will walk with them to the elevator, Tatara placing a mana stone into the panel and sending them off to the West. There are directions to the estate included with the letter Tatara handed over, so they should know where they're going.

OOC NOTES

Welcome, Western wizards, to your mission!

Missions are mod-guided events that are partial CYOA, partial play-by-post instances. In general, you are free to interact with a scene as you please, and the mod will tell you how the scene reacts as a consequence of your actions. Some scenes will allow for more flexible threading, such as exploration or conversation, while some scenes will require strict turn order to preserve rounds, such as combat or other time-sensitive conflict. The mod will inform you if strict turn order is required at the start of a scene. Regardless, always be sure to bold any important actions you take.

This mission has been specifically tailored to Western disposition, attitudes, and magic. If you find yourself struggling to tackle a situation, refresh yourself on the description of the West on the locations page, and make sure to confer with your teammates too!

As a bonus, here's your theme music!

You will have until 11:59 AM EDT on Saturday, June 15 to reach a conclusion for this mission. Good luck!

» NAVIGATION

Comments

EN ROUTE

[promittere]

[The directions are clear and concise, and the Western countryside passes by with little incident. From the sky, on your brooms, nothing really seems to be amiss. Everything looks calm and quiet and there's no tracks for any sort of beast as far as you can see, but as you approach the Schropfer Estate the world seems to get... darker.

Heavy, grey clouds loom over the horizon, and there's the low rumble of thunder. The manor looms imposingly, the windows dark. The air is oppressive, and there's the prickling sensation of being watched.

Now is probably a good time to work out a plan for what, precisely, you're going to do once you're in the manor. You have to find and neutralize whatever is truly going on here, but you probably don't want to rush in without a plan, right? (Right?)]

[foresightis2020]

[ It's kind of difficult to run in and plan matters efficiently without knowing more details, from Jing Yuan's point of view. But, he thinks that there could be ways to approach this which will ultimately assist in carrying out their dubious, successful mission. ]

To be blunt, I suspect that this is a trap of some sort.

Whatever kind of thinly positive relationship any single one of you may have with the General...I believe it wise to consider it null and void.

[ But he thinks that at least two of their wizards will not at least find the prospect surprising. Though all the same he is covering his bases; just because Khun and Cid may have spoke with the General it doesn't mean he was the only one. ]

As for what we should do to prepare ourselves for what is inside the manor, I believe we should ensure we have protective shields up of some sort, as it wouldn't surprise me if something or someone attempted to ambush us. In addition, be prepared to provide a light source.

We should further take stock of any other items we believe will help one another.

Lastly, we can take the option of scoping out the Estate's general grounds before entering the manor proper.

Thoughts so far, everyone?

[discomposer]

[ Leo is flying somewhat off course to the side. He keeps getting distracted and then meandering back a while later so he's sort of...zig zagging while humming to himself. He could possibly use a leash. ]

Uh~? Well, claiming to raise the dead sounds like the set up to a scam! Or a showdown with a mad scientist! Either way, the sort of thing with a huge crescendo!

[ /useless ]

I don't mind scouting things out though~! If we don't trust him, why don't we just have some of us meet and the rest sneak?

[ /mildly useful ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Leo...it's fine. To be quite honest, any input is better than nothing, and Jing Yuan doesn't consider it useless.

So he will consider the other comment carefully. A small contingent of their group splitting up and then the rest heading into the manor? ]

You can be one of those who scouts, then.

[ Leo isn't a big fighter and it might be difficult to leash him in the event of an ambush. ]

Considering there are five of us it would be good to have two quickly take assessment of the grounds.

[discomposer]

[ As long as they send someone with him to babysit he probably will be okay! ]

Hmmm~! Well, who else wants to be on team sneaky! I need to know so I can write us a theme!

[ Is That Important - ]

But also, if it's necromancy, maybe we should figure out some kinda protection against possessions and ghosts or like, dead things~?

[foresightis2020]

[ Leo why are you like this? Jing Yuan just looks briefly amused.

But he thinks this little task would be simpler enough. He'll be severely disappointed if Leo wanders off or something...

As for whomever else wants to go, Jing Yuan will wait and see if there are volunteers before speaking further on the subject.

As for protection magic, though... ]

That could be wise, especially if beyond that there so happens to be a fragment of the moon, which I also suspect to be present. I haven't been slacking in my magic practice so I believe I could manage something. Though, it would certainly be bolstered if two of us could manage it.

[discomposer]

Well, in a video game you’d want a holy talisman! Maybe we can enchant something like that?

[ He still prefers magic you can write. Or draw. ]

[lighthaus]

That includes mentally. Can I assume that none of us will have problems desecrating the dead?

[ he'll be watching body language as well as everyone's actual answer. ]

[discomposer]

As long as it’s not a friendly dead thing! I mean, I figure a friendly ghost probably isn’t likely though.

[ ? Help. His body language is very open though. ]

[foresightis2020]

Well, I certainly won't; particularly if they're already coming after us.

[ Jing Yuan has dealt with fighting essentially 'those who are dead coming back to fight' in a sense so eh...his body language looks the same as it ever does (there is no combat just yet so he just seems to be holding himself the usual way) with no indication towards being bothered. ]

[shadowkin]

Seems to me like they’re already plenty desecrated... I’d just hope the dead aren’t trying to desecrate us.

[Cid just looks mildly annoyed by the prospect. At least only a necromancer and probably not a horde of vampires are involved, though depending on the necromancer, maybe the latter would be more exciting.......]

[divineth]

Nay. We shall do as we must to remain safe.

[And also, what Cid said tbh.]

[lighthaus]

[ anyone who's observant can see that khun tsks at the thunder, but he seems to be in good spirits besides. his fit today is somewhat formal, white buttoned shirt with a tie, slacks and a light jacket. they're going to an estate after all, and his hair down but kept away from his face with a braid. he's also on his broom which no one here has ever seen him on, so truly he's making concessions all around today.

he chuckles at jing yuan's very dramatic statement. ]

Frankly I'm wounded he's not going to at least provide us with drinks before stabbing us in the back. If I had to take a guess without any data, he wants to test out a new technology or experiment with the very likely probably he'll be able to get our mana stones out of it.

It's a benefit for him either way, which was all our relationship was to this point, Jing Yuan. He wanted to feel us out and I wanted to feel him out. There's nothing simpler in noble politics.

[ just to put that to rest. ]

I'm assuming you don't want to run five scouts, so the rest of us would be approaching from the front to buy the scouts time? Or did you have something else in mind?

[foresightis2020]

Ah, well, consider myself wholly unsurprised that ultimately it still goes back around to being used and a stab in the back.

[ Noble nonsense never suited him well; even if his family is cut from the same cloth. But this is why he never approached the man himself.

Anyway, for fits he's boring he is just wearing his usual attire. ]

You would be correct in assuming that I plan for three of us to approach from the front to buy time. Those who are well suited to scouting should make themselves known; though I have already had Leo take up a space. I firmly believe those who are more inclined towards combat should go with the advance.

[lighthaus]

It's just a matter of time not when.

[ so really, the sky is blue nobles are like this etc. ]

I can do both, but I'll be taking one of the advance positions. I doubt the General will be present, but I'm used to dealing with nobility here should anyone actually greet us. I've received combat training since I could walk besides.

I can send part of my lighthouse with the scouting pair for communication too. I'll save you the long explanation, but consider my lighthouse a general support device, it was literally made for missions like this.

[foresightis2020]

Yes, it certainly is.

[ Even if he is all business and mission mode right now, he certainly hasn't forgotten that.

Jing Yuan gives the words some thought regardless. ]

I will volunteer myself as one of those of the advance guard. I have had extensive experience in politics as necessary, though as a leading military man my true specialty is front-line battle. Scouting or personally attending to intel is what I generally leave up to others.

That said, I think sending your lighthouse along the scouting pair for communication is a good idea. In the event something unpredictable occurs and there's a gap in a meet up we can at least do some back and forth at a distance. Or at least I presume so with your description.

[lighthaus]

We should be able to, minus any potential interference. [ khun nods. ]

So it'll be me, you, and whoever is most suited for combat between Cid and Urianger.

[shadowkin]

Hmm, that guy’s definitely looking to get as many wizards on the line as he can.

[Hook, line, sinker, thinks General Gilles Barnett, probably? That’s what Cid would think, with a faction of so-called allied wizards knocking cutely at the door to the dungeon.

But really, seems like the general is starting a boss fight without much preamble. He needs to learn a few more villain chops.

Either that or a whole-ass monologue is waiting for them. He really hopes the guy doesn’t show up in gothic robes.]

Guess we’ll see what he has for us this time.

[If you’re being backstabbed by a mad scientist-adjacent guy, that means his tech drops as loot right—]

[lighthaus]

He'll definitely need to pay us for our time at any rate.

[ hopefully! ]

[divineth]

It could indeed be a trap. If not that, then mayhap an attempt to use us as scapegoats to gather intel on the Schropfers. Whatever the case may be, I agree that we must approach with caution, especially if attempts at Necromancy are indeed at play.

[Half-baked Necromancy is just as bad if not worse than the actual thing, after all.]

As for beneficial items... [Urianger pulls out a small case, revealing a set of tiny jewels inside.] I was gifted these jewels which, when thrown, encase an enemy in ice.

In terms of ability, I am able to heal and provide barriers. Combat spells are also at my disposal. Lastly, I shall be able to light pathways for our use.

[foresightis2020]

We should be prepared for the worst case scenario as well.

That we be facing down the Schropfers as well as this mage. Or that these Schropfers are dead as well.

[ Let's keep our possibilities dreadfully open.

But he nods at the man’s showing of useful item. ]

It can halt an enemy advance if numbers prove to be a big problem.

Hmm, that said it appears to me that you would be highly valuable in combat, alongside myself and Khun. Though I will await Cid's input as well.

[shadowkin]

Not a bad day to dig for treachery...

[Mutter, mutter.

Cid, for his part, has mostly been watching the sky — he’s in regular uniform getup which makes the potential foray into Western dirty laundry very funny in some respects. But hey, you gotta wipe your ass where you eat, apparently. Something like that.

The storm will be a great cover for either combat or confrontations, or even ambushes. The weather is with them today.

He looks up at the mention of roles. Oh, right.]

I don’t mind doin’ the scouting thing. Seems like Urianger’s got a good amount of your support covered, anyway, and I’m better at going around the back.

[He’s definitely not slacking off by leaving the front lines to all these energetic whippersnappers(?). The shadows must remain shady.]

[discomposer]

Then we're best friends today! Let's come up with a secret handshake!

[ This isn't required. Leo might just do it alone ]

[shadowkin]

Personally I think partners in crime sounds better. Though I guess it’s not really crime...

[Are they technically sent by the state?? Or?? Whatever, he just wants to avoid the problematic flag of best friends going alone on a mission of shadowy proportions.

Partners in slime? No, that works better back home.]

Partners in, uh, sneak. Sure.

[He holds up his hand in an upside down V sign, apparently as concession to the secret handshake.]

[foresightis2020]

[ ... where do I even start with that meta.

Perhaps the best answer is that there isn't but thankfully Cid's response is very easy to address. ]

Excellent. We have our groups as follows:

Advance Guard: Myself, Khun, and Urianger.

Scouting: Leo and Cid.

I believe next to formally tackle is any useful items we happen to have. The only couple I have of note are boots that make the wearer walk on air and a rock that glows at the presence of magic.

Though hearing what others say is best. Leo and I also made some holy talismans that we will pass out to everyone.

After a formal and proper item discussion we should make our moves respectively.