Kindcraft kidnappers take 1 - RPLOG
From Rusted Promises
Participants
Date
12/8/476
Log
The Captain of the Guard Office, a hectic place that definitly looks like it needs cleaning. Papers were strewn across the room while books are just shoved haphazardly on the shelves that line one wall of the room. Behind a desk an old Bulldog with one ear sliced clean in half paces a little impatiently as he waits to see who answers his call for Freeswords.
Arimia slips into the office, without waiting to be announced, and leans against a wall. She's got her cloak pulled about her, hood up, keeping her fur mostly hidden. Her metal hand flashes briefly as she reaches into a pocket and pulls out a smoke, bringing it to her muzzle and lighting it. She doesn't say anything yet, waiting for others to show up.
Sveta says little as she steps into the office, having received the call to arms a little while ago. Best to have some time to limber up before the others arrive and the show gets on the road - she leans against the wall on the opposite end of the room, waiting for further details to be given.
Another job down at the Freesword's guild, hopefully with enough pay to provide more wonderful meals to enjoy. Not long after the others, he strides into the office and looks around, noticing some familiar faces. "'ello sir," Dio waves, approaching the desk and breaking the silence. "I 'eard ya got a job fer us to do."
Angel walks in shortly after Dio, and does much the same as Sveta, leaning against the wall near by the birdy. She checks her daggers a moment, her armor, and feels ready to go.
Ictus hrms as he walks into the office and looks around, he blinks at the small pink 'coon and sighs before he shakes his head. He looks to the captain and nods friendily, "You called for Freeswords?" before he looks to the others and smiles
As soon as Arimia walks in the Bulldog does a double take, stopping in his tracks as he stares at her. "Well....this is a surprise, never had a wanted criminal walk into my office." He leans over his desk, eye twitching as he stares at her. "But....I think you just might be of use on this..." Dio and Ictus both catch his attention and he turns as he stands back up. "Ah yes, I called you all here today because we are in sort of a jam....The Kindcraft have decided to become a little bolder. And have Kidnapped the Daughter of a Minor noble it seems."
Arimia takes a drag from her smoke and replies to the bulldog, "An' I could walk out again jus' as easily. Wasn't exactly a whole lot of resistance on the way in. Amazin' how when faced with the possibility of havin' to do real work, like arrest a wanted criminal, instead of polishin' their spears, your guards all suddenly become preoccupied." She frowns and flicks an ear before saying, "I ain't got much use for nobles, but ain't nobody needs be left in the clutches of Kindcraft. You know where they have her? What sort of numbers an' fortifications we'll face?"
Sveta pointedly decides to ignore the byplay and focus on the task at hand. "Good day, Dio - and everyone else, of course. Yes, whatever information on the task at hand would be greatly appreciated. Fewer unknowns, greater chances of success. I've heard of the Kindcraft through the grapevine, but never really had cause to seek them out in the flesh, after all."
Angel continues to just lean against the wall, waiting for all the hulabalu to stop. If there was a contract to be had, she'd wait for everyone else to be done with their business before asking about it or, better yet, just hearing of it. She taps her claws again the wall, still staying close to Sveta.
Dio looks at the raccoon, suddenly chuckling after he finally remembers the previous call to information about her. "Good to see ya again lass." Hearing Sveta address him personally, he turns around and flashes her his trademark smile. "Good to see ya too!" Greetings over, it was time for a bit of work. the lion listens to the captain speak, idly tugging at his coat and checking his equipment. "'fraid I'm not too familiar, but can't be good news. Where 're they located?"
Ictus shakes his head more at Arimia and looks away before he nods to the captain, "I see, I'm with the others. Any particulars we should know about?" he checks his gear and nods to himself
Selena lingers by the door for a few moments before making her way in - a little late, it'd seem. The wolfess directs waves to those familiar to her, though Arimia also has a hug coming her way. "Sorry for intruding. I heard something about Kindcraft just now?" She queries, looking back to the bulldog curiously, before adding something to Sveta a little more quietly; "Since you're here, I may as well ask if the papers I gave you shed any light on the matter."
"My apologizes, next time We will just fill you full of holes." The Bulldog comments back through clenched teeth, before he picks up a few rogue papers on his desk. "We have tracked them to a cave, that's all we know. Everyone we have sent down there hasn't come back." His eye twitches as he trys to calm himself down, and he nods to Selena. "Yes, as I just stated a few moments ago we have a Kidnapping. Kindcraft grabbed a minor noble, I want all of you to find her and free her."
Arimia lets out a soft laugh and shakes her head. "They'll try. If they even see me. I'm bettin' I can count the number of your guards who saw me before today on one hand." She waves her metal hand in dismissal and takes another drag from her smoke. "There'll be time for this bluff an' bluster later, pup. Fun as it is to needle you I should stop lettin' myself get distracted. What sort of cave is it? Abandoned mine, natural cavern? Any other entrances besides the one your lost guards have gone in? Or will we have to make one?"
Sveta gives Angel a furtive glance, then whispers something to Selena. "Yes, do tell us. Or at least give us the location of this cave so we can make a guess for ourselves."
Dio waves at the new arrival, quite happy to have someone versed in the magical arts join the team. "A cave ya say? How interestin'! Hope it's not one of those minin' caves though." Still invested in his equipment check, Dio grasps the handle at his side, pulling it up just an inch before pushing it back down, releasing a satisfying clank of metal. "Indeed," he says, nodding to Sveta and Arimia. "Location an' details 'n' will be off."
Angel watches Sveta as she looks over to her, not at all liking it, "Is there something the matter?" she asks, "Something we should discuss sometime?" She continues, but then back to the mission at hand, "Where have you sent them, and what is the best approach?" she asks quite directly, "Do we have a map of the region, or other information that could be useful to find this noble?" she asks, for now, ignoring the glances at her.
Ictus nods in greeting to Selena and hmms at the bulldog, "I see..." he pointedly ignores Arimia and her words as he listens to the others, "Yes, what does this noble look like? Are they of the canine species? How old?" his three tails sway as he thinks a bit
Selena gently nudges Arimia and murmurs something to the raccoon before speaking up again; "So, do we have a location for this cave? That and a description of who we're looking for - as Ictus just asked - are all we should need." Dio's comment elicits a chuckle form the wolf for whichever reason, then looks over towards Sveta and replies in kind - though seeming to have no reason to be as furtive. "We can talk about it later, but I thought I may as well ask while I'm here. Though no, Angel. This is regarding some spells I've been puzzling over."
By this time the Bulldog is just ignoring Arimia, but he does frown at Angel a little as she comments. "Eastbank Forest, from what we can gather it's a mine that was abandoned a rather long time ago. Can't find a map of it, as for the victim. Yes Canine, A terrier about...12, 13 years old. Her father is a Well of merchant that is on good terms with the Strongheart, we think that's the reason why she was kidnapped."
Arimia seemed to be enjoying her wordplay with the guard captain, even despite Selena's whispering to her, but at the mention of the missing noble's age her face loses all hint of amusement. "We'll need someone to guide us there. And we'll need a cart for the trip back, just in case she cannot walk. And it may be faster than walkin', which could be useful if they decide to chase us. If any are left to do so. Now, if there's nothin' else we need that guide an' to get out there. The sooner we're there, the better."
Sveta says, "Yes, it's just a spell or two Selena and I were discussing a few days ago. Back to the business at hand, though. I'm agreeing with Arimia here - but I'd also like to add, I think this muddling about has gone on long enough. If you've nothing useful left to tell us, then provide us with what's been requested and let's be off. I'm sure a cart and guide won't be worth any more than what you've lost already, especially since they're not going in with us." She's appearing a little impatient now."
"Oh no!" Dio puts a hand to his face and rubs. "It 'ad to be a spooky mine, didn't it," he complains, giving his cheek a soft slap to pull himself together. "But I can't let a little kid get stuck down there, even if an army tries to stop me!" Confidence glows off the lion's large frame, a revived fire and passion. "I'm ready to go when you 're. I've 'eared all I need to, besides the word 'GO'."
Angel sighs a moment, "Well, if that is all we are going to get, Sveta, I think you are the best choice to lead us in this contract." she says, growing slightly annoyed at this point herself. She adjusts her pitch black chain mail a bit more and clicks her tongue a few times, "Don't mind me though if I decide against the cart." she says.
Ictus frowns at the description of the age and sighs, "Can't mimic then..." though he looks at Ari and nods a bit before looking to the guard, "We've stated what we need, if you can provide us with it good. If not? We'll have to do without." he looks to Angel and hmms a bit but says nothing further
Selena goes a little wide-eyed for a moment as the age is let slip, gesturing to Arimia and Sveta. "We need to get there now." She states a little forcefully. "Noble or not, that child isn't even of age yet." She mutters, then taps Arimia on the shoulder. "Actually, there's an idea. Why not look into making a golem that's just a powered cart?" The wolfess muses, already moving to the door.
"A cart is already waiting outside the building, as for a guide. One of the scouts that found the mine should do I believe." The Bulldog just nods, wanting these beings out of his office as quick as possible as he trys to straight the papers on his desk. "Just make sure she gets back here alive and in one piece." He was good for his word, a cart big enough to carry all of them outside. The lizard at the reins looking rather bored as he waits.
Arimia shakes her head and says, "I don' think Sveta is. She may be a mad genius, but she ain't ever dealt with Kindcraft in the flesh, by her own admittance. They don' think like us, an' if she ain't dealt with them, she can't anticipate what's gonna come up because of that. I ain't nominatin' myself, either. I've spent quite a bit of time in the Kindcraft mines, fightin' 'em an' learnin' how they think. How to beat 'em. But my leadership abilities run toward other situations. Not suited for this kinda thing. I'll scout ahead. I'm used to the dark an' all." She climbs into the cart before continuing to speak. "Selena may be a good choice instead. I know she has some experience with Kindcraft at least. Maybe the kit." She jerks a thumb at Ictus. "Don' know if he has any experience with 'em. But not someone who said themselves that they ain't."
"I'll agree with Arimia on that. I may have heard of them, but it's always better to have practical experience. Selena, if you're willing, I'll defer to you." Sveta shakes her head as she follows Selena out and onto the cart. "Why're you against the cart, Angel? If there's someone in trouble, there's going to be no time to waste, and a cart will probably get all of us there the quickest - not all of us can fly, after all. I'm not sure what you have against carts, but it may be better for everyone if you just put up with it for the trip there."
There was no need to hear anymore! Dio had everything he needed. Transportation and the mission to save a poor child's life. "Let's get goin' lads in lassies. We've got people to save 'n' weirdos to smack!" Without taking anymore time to listen to anyone anymore, the lion bursts out the door and sprints for the cart, jumping upon it with a vibrant and clearly eager expression.
Angel shakes her head, "Nothing against carts, but my eyes are more useful from the air then in a cart," she says and, walking outside, she takes time to shift herself into her Griffon shape and waiting a few moments after to ensure everyone else is ready, "I can fly fast enough, and the view from the sky will make it easy to spot something out of the ordinary." as they nominate Selena to lead she shakes her head, "If you think that best Sveta, but if I may, Ictus might be better, though both seem a good potental choice."
Ictus nods in agreement with Selena and looks to the captain, "Understood." he looks to Ari and shakes his head a bit, "No, I've fought them a little bit... But I don't know much about them." he hops into the cart with Dio, though far more gracefully as he looks to the others, "Well, I'll leave Selena in chagre for now."
Selena rubs the back of her head a little sheepishly as she's nominated. "I'm not sure that'd be the best idea, Ari. Heartfall was my only significant encounter with them, but that's more than most beings. If you count the smaller scuffles there have been from time to time on the outskirts of Shanty town as well, then a little more. But to be fair, Ari - you did more leading than I did back then as well." She replies - though Dio's exuberance pronpts her to call out, "First rule of anything like this is be cautious, Dio!" There's a quiet laugh as Angel makes her comment. "As long as we get in and out safely, I suppose..." She mutters, climbing up on the cart with Arimia.
As soon as Dio jumps into the Cart the Lizard, a gecko, nearly has a heart attack as his helmet decides to tip forward and cover his eyes. "Geeze, there a fire?" He asks, fixing his helmet as he turns to glare at Dio as the others get on. "The name is Vex. And I guess I'm your guide or something." He mutters, turning a curious eye to Angel as she doesn't get in. "...What, don't need a chauffeur?"
Arimia frowns at Dio and says, "Do curb your enthusiasm. It's good you're eager to help the child, but this is effectively a hostage situation we're goin' into. If we go chargin' in, bellowin' about how we'll save the day they'll jus' kill her an' be done with it." She leans over and murmurs something to Selena then, before fishing in her cloak. She pulls out a small vial and a thin brush, then opens the vial and starts to use the brush to spread the clear liquid inside on her metal claws. "Well, Vex. We ain't gonna drag you in the mine. We'll probably have you stop the cart a short distance away, hidden from the entrance, an' have you wait on us."
Sveta eyes Arimia spreading the clear liquid, then averts her gaze and nods, speaking as she gives her shield and other equipment a final look-over. "Well, Selena, seems like you've just been voted in as the leader. Vex, just get all of us there as quickly as possible, and there shouldn't be a problem. If we do come back, then take us home, if we don't...then go home anyway and report that to your boss."
"Not yet!" Dio chuckles a little and delivers a soft elbow into the gecko's ribs. Getting comfortable, or at least the closest to comfortable as he could obtain, he lays back and enjoys the ride, occasionally clinking his equipment here and there. "Don' worry lass," he says to Arimia. "I ain't one to go rushin' in a dark cave, that's fer sure."
Angel waves a talon over to Vex and and shakes her head, "I'll keep you all in eye sight, as we go, and I'm ready when you all are." she says adjusting her armor again a bit, waiting for everyone else.
Ictus looks to Selena and nods in agreement at that, "Indeed, be cautious." he looks to the gecko and shakes his head, "Yes, you are our guide." he looks to Ari and nods in agreement as he thinks a bit, "Yes, you should be safe a short distance away." he eyes that liquid as it is spread on Ari's metal claws and narrows his eyes a bit before he looks to Angel with a nod, "Alright then."
Selena pats Arimia on the back and gives the vial a quick glance, thoguh not much more. "She's right, you know - The last time I was involved in a hostage situation, there was one overzealous being that may have lost the situation for us. As for a time on this, we don't know how deep the mines go, so we can't give a good estimate of how long it'll take. A few hours should be enough unless something unexpected happens." Angel's comment is met with a slightly nonplussed expression; "Once we get into the forest proper, you do realise that the canopy is going to cover everything under it from you if you're flying high, right? I'm not going to stop you, but you're going to stick out quite a bit up there and anyone on the ground will have the advantage of cover." That said, though, it's evident enough she's ready to go.
Vex gets a little dizzy as he trys to look at everyone when the speak, and he just blinks. "Um...okay I guess, I'll just stay and keep the cart safe?" He smiles slightly as he leans over and rest a hand on the spear that was laying across the rest of the bench. "And she's right you know, I swear I saw a few of those kindcraft crazies running around, you sure you want to put yourself in plain view for their arrows?"
Arimia shakes her head and murmurs something to Selena before looking around at the others. She rolls her odd eyes and says, "Yes. It's a poison. And yes. It's necessary. Kindcrafters, be they from the mine or elsewhere, don' tend to play clean. An' if they're kidnappin' children I don' intend to either. The poison is a paralytic, accordin' to the one I got it from. It won't kill, but in seconds it'll put 'em on the ground, aware but unable to shout any warnin's. I hope. I ain't had a chance to test it on the altered biology of a being touched by Kindcraft." She looks at Vex then and says, "If the murderer wants to risk their life flyin', let 'em. I ain't gonna shed tears when they're shot down. Jus' get us there. Now."
Sveta keeps silent and her thoughts to herself as the cart begins to move in earnest. Whatever objections she may have had to the situation, it seems like the others have them covered pretty well. "Tell me, though," she says to Arimia and Selena both. "Anything in particular one should look out for? I've heard of tentacles and other various alterations, but I was wondering if they might be hiding dangers that aren't so immediately obvious."
"A poison?" Dio questions. "An interestin' choice, but I'm sure it'll help out. Though, I'm an old fashion' iron 'n' steel lion myself." To demonstrate, Dio reaches down to his side, pulling at a handle and unsheathing a rather heavy looking curved blade, much like a saber. "Just a good ol' chunk o' steel and my brothers 'n' battle is all I need. Oh! An' maybe a snack 'r two..." The lion looks around, starting to grow a little impatient. "We almost there, lad?"
Ictus ponders that and nods, "True..." he nods to Vex and chuckles a bit, "You'll keep the cart safe, yes." he nods to Ari and sighs, "True..." he looks to Sveta and shakes his head, "Anything really, I've heard they have... Broodmothers for a lack of a better term, that can give birth to monsters on the spot."
Angel shakes her head, "And who ever said anything about flying once we get to the forest, I'm more then capable of assessing a situation, thank you." She says as she gets ready to take flight once more, "So, if there isn't anything else." she says. No mentions of poisons though, quite familiar with their use herself. She does take note of all the talk about what they might find though.
Selena nods, adding - "An increased dose should compensate for the extra body mass. Other than that, there's nothing else I can suggest. They don't seem to have any more resistance to poisons than a regular being, from what I've seen." Sveta's comment is met with a furrowed brow and a shake of her head. "There's... really not much I can think of. Treat every Kindcrafter as though they're a threat, though - if one's particularly dangerous, Ictus or I should be able to tell, courtesy of our pacts. That particular group of Kindcraft, though, was supposedly a special case. There was also a group that looked like Cerberus, though supposedly they healed rather than harmed. If they do show up, that's where out priorities should be directed. Their actual leaders don't seem to look any different in my experience, though." Angel is waved off a little dismissively; "If you don't want to listen, don't complain if you're shot. Suggestions are considered suggestions for a reason, and it was implied that you'd fly the way there. Landing on a moving object doesn't always end well either when the object in question is a cart."
Angus Vex just shrugs as he turns back around. "Alright lady, that's your choice." Picking up the reins he starts to get the cart moving. "And ya, I noticed a few of those weirdo's walking around....Well, none of the ones that looked like Cerberus. But from what I've seen they aren't rather friendly." He shrugs a little, a hand going to his helmet as it starts to slip again. "But I haven't been inside the Mine, so I honestly have no idea what you guys are up against....sorry that I'm not much help really." He smiles a little back at the group as they start to near the forest.
