iron The Beating Heart

[Fiffin]

THE BEATING HEART

Information  Urgent! Climbers Wanted for hazardous mission, payment in silver. Long cold hours in Complete darkness and near constant danger. Gather tomorrow upstairs hall. Keep details secret, threat to Alexius. Honor and renown in case of success. Rolia the Guild Assistant

An unusual sight greets you the following morning - a squad of the city watch lingering outside the Guild. They stand in official uniform with crossed arms and furrowed brows, eyeing passerby with disapproval, seeming to share a particular distaste for adventurers.

You enter the common room and ascend the curved stairs. The upstairs is brightly lit, warm rays of the morning sun pouring in from tall windows overlooking the city of Alexius. A single long table lined with highbacked chairs dominates the center, with a few more comfortable chairs set up around an empty fireplace. Maps of various regions hang from the walls, and the table is strewn with papers, parchments, and quills. This is a place where plans are made, strategies are discussed, and missions are assigned.

The locked doors on the far end lead to the guildmaster's private chambers. Rolia has yet to show herself.

Edited April 25, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Gambitt]

Markus

Concept  Cartographer  Trouble  People pick fights with me  Aspect  Quiver of Tricks  Aspect  In search of FFF (Fame, Fortune, oh and Father)

FATE  💛💛💛 REFRESH 3undefined SKILLS (+4) Craft (+3) Shoot, Notice (+2) Lore, Athletics, Deceive (+1) Investigate, Resources, Contacts, Rapport BODY  ❤️❤️❤️ MIND  💙💙💙 Guild Reputation: Iron

Stunts Walking Bestiary "I know what that is, I practically wrote the book on it!" +2 to all lore rolls related to monsters and beasts. Flash ShotWhen using flash arrows to create an advantage, Markus gains an additional invoke of the 'Blinded' aspect upon success against the affected targets. Angle of AdvantageBeing able to judge distances precisely, Markus gains a +2 to shoot when he is on the 'High Ground'.

Items  BowAn ornate bow that looks well upkept. Large SatchelHolds a selection of books, scrolls and other things people deem unnecessary to bring on adventures. rope and grappleStandard climbing gear that can be used in combination with the bow to rappel certain obstacles

Contacts  Apollo LibraryHigher levels of reputation with the Apollo Library allow one to call upon various benefits.

  Markus paced around the room, peering over the maps here and there as he waited for others to show up. He didn't understand what all the hushing and secrecy was about, but if it paid well he was happy to play along.

When the door finally opened, Markus was glad to see a familiar face enter the room. "Olenna! It has been a while hasn't it? Been keeping busy? I myself only just got back from another job."

Markus looked over at the others that came in and wasted no time grandly introducing himself. "Markus, the great archer and cartographer you've no doubt heard about. Here to add another exploit to the list!"

Although Vahn and Myria both seemed to be warriors, they were polar opposite in appearance. Looking at Myria's box of swords he asked, "Anyone else coming?" in a puzzled way. She only had two arms after all.

Edited April 26, 2023 by Gambitt (see edit history)

[Ryku]

Olenna Griffon

HIGH CONCEPT: The Young and Passionate Duelist of the Eastern Circle

TROUBLE: The cure to petrification is in the tower, somewhere.. 

ASPECT: The Legendary Charged Rapier 

SKILLS

• +4 Deceive
• +3 Fight, Will 
• +2 Shoot, Athletics, Empathy 
• +1 Rapport, Provoke, Resources, Crafts

STRESS  P: OOO M: OOO OO

[2: ] [4:  ] [6:  ] 

STUNTS: Remaining Refresh 2/3

Acrobatic Movement: Due to Olenna gains a +2 to Overcome Actions regarding Movement using the Athletics Skill. 

Evasion: Olenna has an amazing ability to remain unharmed when caught within the blast radius of an explosion. +2 to defend with Athletics against area attacks.

Song of Storms: When Olenna is weilding the Charged Rapier Once per engagement she is able to swing her sword towards the sky and create a "Thunder Storm" Aspect on the zone with one free invoke. This storm lasts until the end of the engagement or until it is narratively overcome. 

Lighting Dance: When Olenna is wielding the Charged Rapier she gains a +2 to all melee based defense actions using Fight. 

Magnetic Attraction:  The Charged Rapier is extremely dangerous against Metal Objects and when used against something metal gain a +2 Weapon Value upon successful attacks. 

 Entering into the room, Olenna would stand amazed at the maps along the wall. As she entered she would declare herself. " Markus? How are you? Its been a few weeks since Ive seen you around." Olenna would smile as she walked closer to him with her hand extended for a handshake.

Edited April 26, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Kaymithe]

Vahn

  Ranked: Bronze ( 0 / 7 )

---

Concept: Pugilistic Pilgrim of Aku, the Spirit of Mischief

Trouble: Reckless & Loyal Beyond Compare

Aspect: Righteous Youth Seeking Glory

Aspect: No Mercy; But No Cruelty

---

(+4) Athletics

(+3) Empathy, Fight

(+2) Notice, Investigate, Stealth

(+1) Rapport, Provoke, Physique, Will

---

Discipline: BlinkYou have mastered the art of teleportation. You can teleport to a location that you know well or can see (Athletics). Destinations that are farther away and/or not as well known to the caster call for higher difficulties. You can also teleport other beings and objects to your location or a location near you (Provoke/Empathy) and open portals (Empathy).

Discipline: SightYou have mastered control over what you see and perceive. You can uncover hidden secrets (Investigate) and discern illusions from reality (Empathy). You can also look or listen in on places, people, or objects that you know well, no matter the distance (Empathy). These spells should increase in difficulty due to a lack of familiarity with the target and greater distances.

Stunt: Never BrokenYou gain a -8 physical consequence which recovers in the same way a -2 consequence does. (Fate System Toolkit, p.95)

 Stunt: Phantom StanceYou are adept at bobbing and weaving and phasing through attacks in such a manner that puts you in a more advantageous position to counterattack.

When you succeed in a defensive Athletics roll using this technique, you gain +1 on your next attack against the opponent or tried to hit you. If you succeed with style, gain +2.

Original Stunt:

The Drunkard’s Stagger. You sway and stagger on your feet, evading enemy blows seemingly by chance. When you succeed in a defensive Athletics roll using this technique, you gain +1 on your next attack against the opponent who tried to hit you. If you succeed with style, gain +2. (Fate System Toolkit, p.150)

 Stunt: StuntStunt

---

Body: ( 4 / 4 )

Mind: ( 4 / 4 )

Fate: ( 2 / 2 )

---

[2] Mild

[4] Moderate

[6] Severe

[8] Physical

Vahn had stopped by the entrance to give the guardsmen a once-over, curious as to their hostile mien; it wasn't as though he had done anything wrong, or was it that he wasn't from here..? Whatever the case may be, he didn't let it bother him and entered the guild hall.

"Was general discontent a necessary trait to be hired-on as a guard in Alexius..?" declared the pugilist with an air of neutral nonchalance as he attained the top of the stairs "Don't suppose it has something to do with this mission?" if either Markus or Olenna turn to him, they're greeted with an odd gesture, something between a wave and a karate-chop.

"Vahn," he adds; at a glance, he appears to be a martial artist, yet it's hard to ignore the fact that he also looks like a vagrant. His clothes are weathered, hair is a mess, and though he didn't smell, he did look as though he could use a bath.

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Cloudheart]

Myria of Blades

High Concept: Warrior of Qi and Swords Trouble: Spoiling For a Fight Aspect: Sheath of Many Swords Aspect: Well-Connected Mercenary Situational: --- [2] --- [4] --- [6] ---

Bronze Rank Climber: 0/7 (+4) Fight (+3) Provoke, Shoot (+2) Physique, Notice, Will (+1) Athletics, Crafts, Contacts, Resources Body: 4/4 Mind: 4/4 Fate: 1/1

Parry Everything: Your hand-eye coordination is superb, and perhaps you could even deflect a bullet with your weapon. You may use Fight to defend against Shoot attacks.

Army on the Edge of My Blade: You take no penalty—and grant no bonus—for being outnumbered, no matter how preposterous the numbers.

Riposte: If you succeed with style on a Fight defense, you can choose to inflict a 2-shift hit rather than take a boost.

Animator: When you animate something, your animation now starts with one skill at Average (+1) and a 1-point stress box. You can also exchange any free invokes received for both a skill at Average (+1) and a 1- point stress box for your animated being. If an animated being has multiple skills at Average (+1), they can be combined to increase their power, as can stress boxes. So, if you exchange two free invokes, you can receive one Skill at Fair (+2) or two skills at Average (+1), along with one 2-point stress box or two 1- point stress boxes.

In Tandem: When someone targets your animated creature with a physical attack, and you and your animated creature are in the same zone, you may defend against that attack in place of your animated creature.

Myria sauntered towards the Guild, and if she noticed the guardsmen and their frowny faces, she paid them no mind. She was lightly dressed, her voluptuous figure clear in her shirt and pants, and one might have thought of her as a civilian if not for the rectangular container slung on her back, a bunch of swordhilts peeking from one of its ends. With confidence in her posture and subtle readiness in her stance, she whistled as she entered the Guild's building and went up the stairs, towards the room where they were supposed to meet.

"Heya!" she casually greeted those that were already there. "Am I late? I hope I'm not!" she cheerily continued. "How's it going? I'm Myria!"

 

[Ryku]

Olenna Griffon

HIGH CONCEPT: The Young and Passionate Duelist of the Eastern Circle

TROUBLE: The cure to petrification is in the tower, somewhere.. 

ASPECT: The Legendary Charged Rapier 

SKILLS

• +4 Deceive
• +3 Fight, Will 
• +2 Shoot, Athletics, Empathy 
• +1 Rapport, Provoke, Resources, Crafts

STRESS  P: OOO M: OOO OO

[2: ] [4:  ] [6:  ] 

STUNTS: Remaining Refresh 2/3

Acrobatic Movement: Due to Olenna gains a +2 to Overcome Actions regarding Movement using the Athletics Skill. 

Evasion: Olenna has an amazing ability to remain unharmed when caught within the blast radius of an explosion. +2 to defend with Athletics against area attacks.

Song of Storms: When Olenna is weilding the Charged Rapier Once per engagement she is able to swing her sword towards the sky and create a "Thunder Storm" Aspect on the zone with one free invoke. This storm lasts until the end of the engagement or until it is narratively overcome. 

Lighting Dance: When Olenna is wielding the Charged Rapier she gains a +2 to all melee based defense actions using Fight. 

Magnetic Attraction:  The Charged Rapier is extremely dangerous against Metal Objects and when used against something metal gain a +2 Weapon Value upon successful attacks. 

 Noticing the other two walk in gave Olenna a sign of relief, it wasn't often that she was placed with such competent party members. Olenna would walk over to the both of them and extend her hand out for a handshake as well. " Nice to meet you both, Im Olenna." She really wanted to make a good impression since all three of them seemed to know what they were doing.  

 

[Kaymithe]

Vahn

  Ranked: Bronze ( 0 / 7 )

---

Concept: Pugilistic Pilgrim of Aku, the Spirit of Mischief

Trouble: Reckless & Loyal Beyond Compare

Aspect: Righteous Youth Seeking Glory

Aspect: No Mercy; But No Cruelty

---

(+4) Athletics

(+3) Empathy, Fight

(+2) Notice, Investigate, Stealth

(+1) Rapport, Provoke, Physique, Will

---

Discipline: BlinkYou have mastered the art of teleportation. You can teleport to a location that you know well or can see (Athletics). Destinations that are farther away and/or not as well known to the caster call for higher difficulties. You can also teleport other beings and objects to your location or a location near you (Provoke/Empathy) and open portals (Empathy).

Discipline: SightYou have mastered control over what you see and perceive. You can uncover hidden secrets (Investigate) and discern illusions from reality (Empathy). You can also look or listen in on places, people, or objects that you know well, no matter the distance (Empathy). These spells should increase in difficulty due to a lack of familiarity with the target and greater distances.

Stunt: Never BrokenYou gain a -8 physical consequence which recovers in the same way a -2 consequence does. (Fate System Toolkit, p.95)

 Stunt: Phantom StanceYou are adept at bobbing and weaving and phasing through attacks in such a manner that puts you in a more advantageous position to counterattack.

When you succeed in a defensive Athletics roll using this technique, you gain +1 on your next attack against the opponent or tried to hit you. If you succeed with style, gain +2.

Original Stunt:

The Drunkard’s Stagger. You sway and stagger on your feet, evading enemy blows seemingly by chance. When you succeed in a defensive Athletics roll using this technique, you gain +1 on your next attack against the opponent who tried to hit you. If you succeed with style, gain +2. (Fate System Toolkit, p.150)

 Stunt: StuntStunt

---

Body: ( 4 / 4 )

Mind: ( 4 / 4 )

Fate: ( 2 / 2 )

---

[2] Mild

[4] Moderate

[6] Severe

[8] Physical

"Markus?;.. can't say that I have," Vahn shrugged as he stepped aside to let Myria through. While the name wasn't of his knowing, the art of the cartographer was a noble one. It made him wonder as to the progress that the guilds have made in regards to the tower. In a curious sense, those mysterious floors were a new frontier for folk such as Markus to strike fame.

Vahn exchanged a greeting with the three, giving Myria a knowing nod, from fighter to fighter, then to Olenna, who's handshake gave him a strange sensation; there was more there than what one might see. Olenna had a subtle countenance about her. Not one that veiled itself in shadows, but one that wore a mask, an aura suppressed.

 

[Ryku]

Olenna Griffon

HIGH CONCEPT: The Young and Passionate Duelist of the Eastern Circle

TROUBLE: The cure to petrification is in the tower, somewhere.. 

ASPECT: The Legendary Charged Rapier 

SKILLS

• +4 Deceive
• +3 Fight, Will 
• +2 Shoot, Athletics, Empathy 
• +1 Rapport, Provoke, Resources, Crafts

STRESS  P: OOO M: OOO OO

[2: ] [4:  ] [6:  ] 

STUNTS: Remaining Refresh 2/3

Acrobatic Movement: Due to Olenna gains a +2 to Overcome Actions regarding Movement using the Athletics Skill. 

Evasion: Olenna has an amazing ability to remain unharmed when caught within the blast radius of an explosion. +2 to defend with Athletics against area attacks.

Song of Storms: When Olenna is weilding the Charged Rapier Once per engagement she is able to swing her sword towards the sky and create a "Thunder Storm" Aspect on the zone with one free invoke. This storm lasts until the end of the engagement or until it is narratively overcome. 

Lighting Dance: When Olenna is wielding the Charged Rapier she gains a +2 to all melee based defense actions using Fight. 

Magnetic Attraction:  The Charged Rapier is extremely dangerous against Metal Objects and when used against something metal gain a +2 Weapon Value upon successful attacks. 

 As she walked away, Olenna would notice out of the corner of her eye that Vahn had still been observing her. She thought to herself " Hes rather un-tamed but I can tell that he is not senseless... He's trying to figure me out clearly. I shall only show to him what I want to." Olenna would then find a seat at the large table that stood in the middle of the room.  " I wonder if this is all of us?" She would say aloud. 

 

 

[Fiffin]

You hear raised voices within the locked chambers - then their doors are suddenly thrown open, the captain of the watch striding through. Following behind him is a harried Rolia, clutching a bundle of scrolls. The man pauses, inspecting each of you, and his lip curls in contempt. He stabs a finger at the guild assistant.

"Your master cannot shirk his duties forever. We are the ones protecting this city, not you!" he declares, before storming away.

 

Rolia lets loose a breath, dumping the scrolls on the long table. After a moment she looks up and offers a greeting.

"Sorry about that - thanks for coming."

[Kaymithe]

Vahn quirked a brow at the captain's willful exclamation and again as this one stormed-off; there was more there to discover and he might have elucidated the details had the man not left so swiftly.

"It's no trouble, Rolia; though you can't expect us to let that one slide," Vahn looked to their host as he thumbed the exit "Does it have something to do with our mission?" though it sounded as though he demanded answers, any answer at all would suffice. All secrets find their way to the surface, sooner or later.

"..and what is the request, exactly?; I'm rather new here, but-" he gestured as if to point to the guild itself "-from what little I've seen, this sort of secrecy isn't common.." Vahn crossed his arms and glanced to the others, as if to see their own reaction to the situation and the statements made.

 

"It's complicated..." She took a nearby ewer and filled a cup with water, taking a drink, considering how best to explain.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Cloudheart]

Myria regarded the rest of her fellow adventurers summoned; while she gave a lackadaisical air, she did pay attention to what they said about themselves.

The bespectacled man was an archer and a cartographer, so perhaps their mission was bringing them to a place that required mapping; other than that, she didn't think he would be fun for sparring, unless he was that good of an archer. He seemed puzzled by something on her person, but as he didn't seem to inquire about it, she supposed she could just ignore it.

The woman who knew the Map Guy carried a very unique rapier; she wondered if there was more to it than stinging and striking. She seemed content to just give her name, although she'd probably forget that soon. She was kind of bad with names with people who didn't particularly interest her. Well, maybe she would be spectacular in battle, and she'd remember.

The last man did much the same with his introduction. He carried no weapons... she wondered if he used magic or his fists.

"Mrm! Map Guy, Rapier Girl, Fist Guy!" she concluded. "Ah, but I guess I haven't said what I could do, huh?" she said, mostly to herself. "I do swords. All the swords!"

Before she could say any more, however, she noticed one of the stuffy guardsmen was there in the room as well, complaining about something, and then rushing off. Then there was the Assistant.

She looked wistfully at the closing doors. "I don't suppose we could rough him up?" The answer was usually no but she had to ask.

 

The assistant shook her head. "Ah.. no, less trouble the better while the guildmaster is away." Rolia found Myria's half-lidded gaze somewhat unsettling, as if the shorter girl was always considering the most efficient way to cut someone down to her own size.

 

 

"Awwww." she groaned in exaggerated frustration.

"So what's got their panties in a bunch, anyway?" she asked. "We handle the Tower, this has something to do with the Tower. Do they want to keep the entrance? Or handle it themselves?"

 

 

"They've always wanted the Tower for themselves, and they'll try using this to convince the Council. We must act before that happens!"

Edited April 29, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Ryku]

Rolia walks over to the window, looking out over the city and the shining tower rising from its center. "...the dungeon is said to be a trial from the gods. It's alive, feeding and learning and growing. Our Guild oversees everything concerning it. We send the teams, fend off monsters, collect its resources, fund the research - all of this to reach the summit. So we won't end up like Phrygia."

She turns to the assembled adventurers. "I don't know how the Watch caught wind of it, but one of our teams discovered a new entrance, and monsters flooding into the underground beneath the city." Her gaze lingers on Olenna. "Each floor has a core. We can't chance the blight spreading any further - forget the mines, damn our losses, and destroy the second floor before it swallows up all of Alexius."

 

Olenna's eyes widened at the thought of completely destroying the core. "A lot of people depend on those resources... could there be another way?"

She wouldn't have the answer herself.. but after only a few weeks of being within town it was clear that hundreds depended on the second floor to support themselves - destroying it would put them out of business and force adventurers to traverse past their skill level. 

 

 

 

"That's just not worth the risk." Rolia moved to the table, unfurling the report. "The dungeon has already begun spreading through the warrens under Alexius. Worse, this blight seems to be changing people caught inside of it - though we still don't know the end result."

Edited April 29, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Kaymithe]

Vahn wasn't certain as to what he should make of the situation. It availed itself that some terrible danger lingered on the horizon and that their task demanded a swift resolution. Olenna provided a fair argument, though one might counterpoint that a dead merchant is not a successful one; at least, not in the way that they might have intended.

Myria was of a similar mind, cutting to the chase. Albeit, she seemed a bit too eager to ruffle-up some feathers over a few words to which they knew so little. Markus was silent, so far. As for himself..

"What is a core?; is it.. the heart of a floor?;.." if we're to remain in the line of thought that this structure lived and breathed in a way that he found it difficult to conceive.. "We're to.. destroy it, then..?" what was a core?; what did it even look like?; all that he could conjure felt too gruesome to let linger in idle contemplation; he didn't care for the gore.

 

"Well, what it looks like depends on the floor, but you'll know it when you see it. Those crypts on the first floor? They're considered safe, but only because we slew the core. Before they were swarming with undead, but now it no longer grows, and nothing spawns there."

Edited April 29, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Gambitt]

"Ma... Map guy?!? Haven't heard of..." Markus huffs and scowls. He wasn't pleased with the newcomers' reactions at all, so much so that he needed to take a time out to collect himself at the other end of the room. That's when Rolia started to speak of the task.

"Now hold on, this is the first I'm hearing of such things as a second entrance, cores and what not, it's not making a whole lot of sense. Where does this entrance lead to? Does it connect with the tower we are familiar with, why'd no one come across it before?" Markus says with some confusion but more so excitement as he hastily scours over the map of the tower laid out on the table.

 

Rolia taps the reports. "According to these, and the monsters our team encountered, it must lead to the second floor gemstone mines. They were never fully explored - our Guild was smaller at the time, and the Council decided the spawns were too... lucrative to destroy the core. But it found a way to continue expanding, sometime within the last six months."

"And then there's the other problem..." She clears her throat, taking another drink. "The mines are patrolled by a gold rank cyclops."

Edited April 29, 2023 by Fiffin (see edit history)

[Cloudheart]

Myria of Blades

High Concept: Warrior of Qi and Swords Trouble:Spoiling For a Fight Aspect:Sheath of Many Swords Aspect:Well-Connected Mercenary Situational: --- [2] --- [4] --- [6] ---

Bronze Rank Climber: 0/7 (+4) Fight (+3) Provoke, Shoot (+2) Physique, Notice, Will (+1) Athletics, Crafts, Contacts, Resources Body: 4/4 Mind: 4/4 Fate: 1/1

Parry Everything: Your hand-eye coordination is superb, and perhaps you could even deflect a bullet with your weapon. You may use Fight to defend against Shoot attacks.

Army on the Edge of My Blade: You take no penalty—and grant no bonus—for being outnumbered, no matter how preposterous the numbers.

Riposte: If you succeed with style on a Fight defense, you can choose to inflict a 2-shift hit rather than take a boost.

Animator: When you animate something, your animation now starts with one skill at Average (+1) and a 1-point stress box. You can also exchange any free invokes received for both a skill at Average (+1) and a 1- point stress box for your animated being. If an animated being has multiple skills at Average (+1), they can be combined to increase their power, as can stress boxes. So, if you exchange two free invokes, you can receive one Skill at Fair (+2) or two skills at Average (+1), along with one 2-point stress box or two 1- point stress boxes.

In Tandem: When someone targets your animated creature with a physical attack, and you and your animated creature are in the same zone, you may defend against that attack in place of your animated creature.

"Ah... politics." muttered Myria in distaste. When she was but a mere merchant's daughter, many slumbers ago, she had disliked the sneaking about and untowardness that came with such matters. Now... well, being a mercenary and then an adventurer didn't completely absolve her from such things, but at least there were other people who could handle it, and when all else fails, blades could be a sort of diplomacy as well.

"So... I guess we're going into this second entrance, then we look for the core and kill it, while we try not to get seen by a very strong one-eyed monster." she summarized, looking at Rolia to see if she would correct her, if she got anything wrong. "Sounds straightforward enough." she commented cheerily. "I might have a bit of a problem with not getting seen though..." While her more base instincts relished the chance to clash with the cyclops, Myria did still have enough sense to know when things were probably more than she could chew... or cut. It was an important lesson to surviving as a mercenary; she had gotten into some close scrapes over the years. It seemed it was just as much of an important lesson for an adventurer. Well, if all else fails, she could try distracting it while they run.

"Shall we get going then? Before the guards cramp our style or something."