Alright! AlchemyQuest. Is there a summary of our gear coming up and what's going on in our current situation or should I grab it from a past thread?

So I guess the question is, what now?

Before we get into the thick of things, I'd like to take a moment to discuss something.
Recently, I've been pining for some legit RPG-ery. To that end, I'm going to try and start an IRC game running twice a month or so on Thursdays or Fridays during normal AlchemyQuest times.
While this does mean less AlchemyQuest, it also means I get to flex my creative muscles in different directions, and DM a for-reals P&P game, something I haven't done in fucking forever.
Ideas for a game include:
-A CoC game set in 19th century central Europe.
-A game set in Ravnica (Mtg set, essentially a medieval Coruscant)
-A game set in The Fall (http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/9146018/)
-A game set in a typical high fantasy world. The PCs play awakened housecats that are the pets of a party of "real" adventurers. They go on tiny adventures while their masters are out saving the world.

Whatever ends up getting picked, i'll be trying to use a fairly barebones, rules-light system and then ignore even more of its rules, focusing pretty heavily on roleplaying over crunch. If any of your are interested, and can reliably attend, and are not That Guy, please send me an email (email's in the OP, if you don't have it already).

>>12848947
I'll throw that up in a moment, unless AA has a swanky archive available.

Bertram Gillivers
Alchemical Formulae Known:
-Sunsphere, defensive weapon
-Dragon's Blood, offensive weapon
-Casket, offensive weapon
-Smokebomb, defensive/utility
-Shadowdust, utiliy
-Arms and Ammunition, Apprentice-level
-Medicine, Novitiate-level
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
-Pepperpot Blunderbuss
-Eagle Eyes, binocular/magnifying lenses
-Phosphorescent Glove/Firestarter
-Armor-plated Robe, Medium

Reputation:
>SELFLESS+
>POTENTIALLY UNTRUSTWORTHY
>PROBABLY A MURDERER

ALLIES/HENCHMEN
Sebastian- An imperial rifleman sworn as your personal bodyguard for the duration of the expedition. He has indicated his continued participation in guarding your back.
Fierna- A lithe, magically-gifted woman from beyond the Second Sun, a tear in space through which her race plans to conquer your world and exterminate your people. She believes a peace can be reached.
Dask'tchk- A small goblinoid, of what Fierna's people call the Trechlan. Reveres you and other humanoids as sort of god-figures, and has yet to prove himself useful, or even really trustworthy.
-Three sailors rescued from the island, originally crew of the expedition you accompanied there.
-Elegy/Requiem- A childhood friend of your that appears to have maneuvered herself into a position of relative influence in the noble community. She is also a Hushblade, fulfilling a lifelong dream of hers.
Lady Stelton- The noblewoman that kept you out of prison. A tenuous and almost unwilling ally, but an ally nonetheless..

Other Figures of Note:
Lord Blackheed- An elven plant within the noble hierarchy. Has an appreciation for the finer aspects of human life but also a staunch loyalty to his own culture.
Hushblade- One of the sailors you rescued from the island was a Hushblade assigned to kill you, for reasons yet unknown.
Lorelei- A blind teenage girl employed in Lord Blackheed's apartments in Hierotoria.
Paxton- The aged butler, also employed in Blackheed's apartments.

>>12849085
>Arms and Ammunition, JOURNEYMAN level.

Fuckery.

>>12849085
I believe the arms and ammunition skills have to be updated to reflect we upgraded them. That and we have incendiary ammo.

What's the plan, gentlemen? Things of note that have been going on:
-Someone has been trying to kill and/or frame you. It might be good to look into that.
-Elegy has been missing for several days with no contact. It might be good to look into that.
-There is always SCIENCE to be done, if you think you have the spare time.
-The Freedom's Sons have been sporadically contacting you for quite some time now. It might be- well, you know.

>>12849249
Look into Elegy's disappearance. I rather have our hushblade back just for the options it gives us. She would of been rather useful at the academy with that locked door. Men of science we are but god help us if we find a locked door...

Did we find anything of note in Fulgrim's office at the academy or in his journal?

Freedom's Sons might be good to pursue eventually in the long term, but at the moment we have no idea where to even start to look for them. Seeing as we are trying to get in good with imperial court, dealing with them right now might not be a good idea.

>>12849358
>Fulgrim's notes
>Search for Elegy

Which of these are you going to focus on? (of yet, you haven't delved into Fulgrim's material)
Or, at least, which of these are you going to do first?

>>12849382
I maintain Elegy. The notes won't disappear while Elegy might if we leave her on her own for too long. Now Stoner-DM is going to have someone steal the notes to troll me.

We should also set aside some time to visit our new home we got form Fulgrim. We could work on an invisible ink along the way and stop by Blackheed's to let him in on it in person. The house would make an excellent base of operations and place to put our heavy duty alchemy stuff. Plus there might be something important there, whether it's important research, documents of a political nature, who knows what. We should also check it soon in case the people after us decide to snoop around there first.

Elegy is probably fine and can take care of herself, probably on a job somewhere. Going after her might just waste time that could be better spent setting ourselves up for future efforts.

>Consensus status: Not Reached.
>DM status: Awaiting Consensus.
>Civil discussion: Engage

>>12849487
When she said she'd come back to see us within the next day and we've gotten no word at all from her? Yeah, I think it's worth looking into.

>>12849579

I did forget that she said it would be within the next day. Perhaps we should check on her after all. So, would we start by talking to the guy that held the party (his name escapes me at the moment)?

>>12849608
Poulstet.
I agree, find him, he seemed to like us enough.

>>12849608
That's the only lead I can think of at the moment. We're gonna need to think of a reason on why we're looking for her too when the noble likely asks why we want to find her... Hmm. Maybe just act like a noble that's interested in an attractive woman?

>find elegy
You gaze conflicted at the pile of notes on your desk, but you can't tear your thoughts away from worry about your Hushblade. Your Hushblade. You smile at the thought.
From passing glances, Fulgrim's notes and journals are an unorganized mess and it will take a significant amount of time to pore through them, probably a few days or one extremely busy all-nighter.
You stride into the parlor of the apartments, fastening a cloak over some of Blackheed's more "casual" clothing. Sebastian looks up from a sandwich as Paxton dutifully dusts the crumbs he's spilling off the table.
"Going out, going to meet with Poulstet to try and get to the bottom of this Elegy situation."
"Need some backup?" Sebastian offers, speech muffled by meats and cheeses.

>Need some backup?

>>12849727
"If I'm going around pretending to be a noble, I suppose it would rather be fitting to have a bodyguard. Gladly."

>>12849727
I think it would be a good idea to have someone else along, yes.

Hey guys? How are we planning on going about our search for Elegy? No one really knew we knew or were associating with her after all.

>>12849797
Act like we're smitten with her I guess? A country noble goes to a big city party for the first time and falls for some pretty girl he meets there? Now he wants a chance to meet her outside of the party.

>Going to leave the first part of that dialogue off, because I'm sure you've forgotten that Paxton and Lorelei are not actually aware that you aren't a noble, and I assume you don't want to just blurt that shit out. Sorry if I'm mistaken.

"I suppose it would rather be fitting to have a bodyguard. Gladly."
Sebastian smiles before shoving the rest of the sandwich into his cheeks, chewing noisily as he gets up to fetch his coat.
A carriage ride through Hierotoria later, and you are at the front door of the Poulstet estate, being admitted by a kindly looking elder woman. The Poulstet manor seems obscenely spacious and grandiose when it's not full of partying nobles, and you wonder if the Poulstet family built it expressly for that purpose, only realizing as an afterthought that they would also be living there.
"Yes, yes, Camille, you said something about guests?" blusters Poulstet, wandering into the early noon-lit entryway in a robe and nightcap. His pudgy face twists into numerous deep wrinkles as he smiles, holding his hands out and shaking them vigorously.
"Goodsir DeVir, Alphonse DeVir, the life of the party himself! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

>>12849811
"First of all, my good sir, I apologize tremendously about inviting myself over like this, country manners and all that, you know, but you see, the thing is, it turns out I'm to be in town for longer than I expected, and as you yourself expressed an interest in having my company, I felt that now would be a fitting time."

>>12849811
Right. Forgot they were around for a second.

"Life of the party? I think you exaggerate Poulstet but my thanks. I hope I'm not intruding on you at a bad time but I simply wished to stop by to chat while I had the chance. I would feel terrible if I didn't have that chance before I had to leave."

I think he was under the impression we were only in town for a short time so that should work.

>>12849811
>Technically, we are a noble, just not the one they think.

"First of all, my good sir, I apologize tremendously about inviting myself over like this, country manners and all that, you know, but you see, the thing is, it turns out I'm to be in town for longer than I expected, and as you yourself expressed an interest in having my company, I simply wished to stop by to chat while I had the chance."
Poulstet brushes off your apology.
"Oh, not at all, not at all my dear boy, it's a joy to see you. Come, we'll take a bit of breakfast upstairs."
A bit of breakfast seems to consist of a dozen different kinds of pastry and a strong, bitter coffee. Poulstet fills a plate with dainty cakes as he speaks.
"You might like to know, goodsir, that the female population was quite flustered by your appearance and sudden disappearance. You've been the topic of some discussion and speculation since then, so don't be surprised if you start getting a few invites that look like poorly disguised requests for courtship," he chuckles, dabbing at the corners of his mouth with a silk napkin.

>>12850015
"Oh? I didn't think I'd made that much of an impression on people. Any names in particular I should be keeping my eyes open for"

"Oh? I didn't think I'd made that much of an impression on people. Any names in particular I should be keeping my eyes open for?"
"The Belvetrist sisters in particular seemed fairly stricken with you," Poulstet says with a wink. "Though I'd be careful not to be overwhelmed by those two. They're a bit...fiery," he adds a few eyebrow waggles for proper emphasis.
"In the market for a woman, are we?" The fat noble goes on with a wink. "Don't tell me that's why Blackheed really sent you to the city."

>>12850175
Gah. Is there no one else following this? Do you want to wait for more people or try again tomorrow StonerDM? Kind of lame for only one person to be determining what's going on.

"What can I say? I'm a young man and while it may not of been the reason Blackheed sent me, it never hurts to admire the scenery in the city. And there were quite a few at the party, such as your guest that you brought. Elegy, I think her name was?"

>>12850239

At least two here. Ask about Elegy of course. Make note about Belvetrist sisters. Do they have any political pull? Might be potential allies if cards are played right.

"What can I say? I'm a young man and while it may not of been the reason Blackheed sent me, it never hurts to admire the scenery in the city. And there were quite a few at the party, such as your guest that you brought. Elegy, I think her name was?"
There is a twinkle in Poulstet's eye.
"Ah, you set your sights on the prize from the get-go. She's quite ravishing isn't she? It seems like she receives two or three suitors every time she makes an appearance around here. She seems to have little or no interest in romance, however," he says with a mock tearful expression. "Truly a tragedy. Or perhaps you think you can tame her? I invited her to a small gathering late last week, and she spurned a fair handful, mostly second and third tries." he chuckles, "men never know when to give up, though I suppose that's what makes us so attractive to some. Romance and all that," he adds with a twirl of his hand, before stopping and tapping his chin.
"You know, you might have some competition though. She spent a good deal of the later part of the evening in private conversation with one of the guests, a...Lord...hrm...Gestel, I think. Don't know what she sees in him, myself." he sniffs before nibbling at a pastry.

>>12850346
"Lord Gestel you say? Was he one of the people who was with us later in the evening? I don't recognize the name."

"Lord Gestel you say? Was he one of the people who was with us later in the evening? I don't recognize the name."
"I don't either, truth be told," Poulstet said, dabbing foppishly at his mouth again. "I think someone else brought him as a guest, probably Desdemoen. But no, he wasn't at the get-together you attended. Bit of a crass gentleman too, no idea how to carry himself. I'm not one to turn away guests of guests, but I hope whoever brought him doesn't do it again, between you and I," he leans in conspiratorially as he talks.

>>12850460
"Was he that crass or did he do something to offend you?" In an equally conspiratorial tone.

Has Bertram heard of him? I don't know how many Lords there are here whether there are just a handful or tons of them.

>>12850498
Have we heard of Desdemoen either? I didn't want to ask that at the time since it kind of strayed from the current convo.

>>12850498
>There are quite a few, though only a good handful are really well-known. To use a Congressional metaphor, for every Ted Stevens and John Boehner, there's whoever South Dakota's senators are.

>>12850512
>Desdemoen was at the party you attended, though she didn't talk much.

I don't suppose we could ask for more specific information about Lord Gestel, such as where to find him, without raising Poustet's curiousity?

"Was he that crass or did he do something to offend you?" You say in low tones.
"Oh, no no, nothing direct. There was just a way about him, the way he spoke and carried himself, it all smacked of a certain," he tries to find the right word for a moment. "Well, I don't want to sound snobbish, but a certain common-ness, honestly." He shrugs. "Elegy seemed to like him, in spite of it. Though i think if you put in a good effort there's no way he'd hold a candle to you, my good man."

>>12850618
"Perhaps but if what you say is true, he already has a head start. I suppose I'll need to start working on that soon. I did not get the chance to talk to her at the party, so I have no idea where to find her. Do you think you could assist me in my competition for the good lady's attentions, Poulstet?"

>>12850660
>LORD Poulstet

>I feel terrible, need to head out early. Broses, email me about the IRC game.

>>12850748
Right. I meant to put Lord but forgot.

>mfw there are two people in here.
No offense to you guys, but this is pretty shitty.

"Perhaps but if what you say is true, he already has a head start. I suppose I'll need to start working on that soon. I did not get the chance to talk to her at the party, so I have no idea where to find her. Do you think you could assist me in my competition for the good lady's attentions, Poulstet?"
Poulstet grins. "Certainly, goodsir DeVir. Perhaps I should invite her over on some pretense of social gathering, but-" he spreads his hands acting shocked, "oh no! It seems only the visiting noble DeVir was able to attend! I shall send for her at once."
The two of you spend the better part of an hour making small talk while one of Poulstet's servants delivers his request. When at last the man returns, he has the look of failure about him, and explains that he was unable to find Elegy at her residence.
"Hmmm, most interesting," Poulstet says, drumming his fat fingers on the arm of his chair. "It couldn't be that she's already taken up with that fellow. When I asked him where he lived, he said he had an apartment somewhere down by the harbor. Surprise surprise, a pretty low area of town," he adds with rolled eyes. "Perhaps you could start there, ask around? I shall inquire of Desdemoen as to his residence, and if you return empty-handed perhaps I can help you."
Sebastian, who has been silent, lets out a soft hissing sigh at the mention of the harbor.

>>12850778
Yeah, I know what you mean. Want to put it off for tomorrow then and hope we get a bigger crowd?

>>12850778
There are 5 quests running right now. Never thought I'd say this, but that's just too many quest threads.

So, I guess we are done with Poulstet then? We should head to the harbour.

>>12850778
If you don't want to put it off and are fine with only two people then...

"You have my deepest thanks Lord Poulstet. If this Lord Gestel has this much of a head start, I may not have much time to leave. I hope you take no offense if I leave now."

When we DO leave, ask Sebastian: "Something alarming about the harbors I should know about?"

I suppose that will have to do. We'll pick up tomorrow with the promise of harbor district intrigue and gumshoe-ing.
Again, niggas need to email me if they want into any IRC games I may be running. Planning on starting the week after Thanksgiving. It'll be awesome.
I'll archive the thread presently so people can read it tomorrow.

>holy shit, Harry Potter premier at midnight

Okay, I know where a bunch of people might be.

>>12850865
Right. Forgot that was coming out this week. Hopefully tomorrow picks up and people still aren't missing due to the movie.

>>12850862
>>12850856
>I'll post stuff for this, but if it really is only the two of you this evening, I might just disappear at some point in the future.

"You have my deepest thanks Lord Poulstet. If this Lord Gestel has this much of a head start, I may not have much time to lose. I hope you take no offense if I leave now."
"Such is love," Poulstet says whimsically. "May the gods speed your feet, Goodsir."
Once you are in the carriage wheeling away towards the shoreline, you give Sebastian an inquisitive glance.

"Something alarming about the harbors I should know about? You seemed quite upset back there."
Sebastian rolls his eyes, exhaling again.
"The harbor. Bit of a cesspool, socially speaking. Don't know what sort of nobility would want to live harborside; even the housing bordering the real district is a bit on the cheap side."

>>12850964
"If he really is a noble, I imagine he's staying there for a reason. Likely to avoid notice of other nobles. Regardless, I don't like this situation one bit. We'll need to be careful. Any ideas on how we should approach this situation?"

>>12850987
I can keep going but it seems like no one else is coming so it'll be two people at most. Disappear if you rather have a bigger crowd StonerDM. Let's hope tomorrows turnout is bigger since this is getting interesting.

Ah, AlchemyQuest. We meet at last.
...sort of.

>>12850964
Zombie quest started back up, that's 6 quest threads then. Damn it's hard bouncing between all these.

Hope it's not just a coincidence that she disappeared not long after talking to this guy.

>>12851070
I think this guy is the reason she disappeared. We're going to have to bring the pain methinks but perhaps I am wrong.

"If he really is a noble, I imagine he's staying there for a reason. Likely to avoid notice of other nobles. Regardless, I don't like this situation one bit. We'll need to be careful. Any ideas on how we should approach this situation?"
"If he's really a noble," Sebastian says, raising his eyebrows skeptically and looking at you. "I'm just saying, it's a possibility for someone to be acting like a noble at a noble's party, and...well..." he gestures at you, shrugging. "You get what I'm saying."
"As for how to proceed," he says, scratching his chin and looking out the small carriage window, "I, uh...might know a few people in the harbor district. People who know people, if you get me. We can ask around."

>>12851088
"Any help we can get would be useful. Probably better than us just trying to break in or being civil with him. Although, are these people who know you're supposed to be gone or people you rather not encounter again?"

>>12851088
"Use as much discretion as is possible in this matter, Sebastian. This individual may have likewise connections, or of a less savory sort."
"The harbor provides a certain solitude from courtly social affairs while still within the hub of information. We may be able to use that to our advantage though. Check up on what this man is keeping tabs on."

"Any help we can get would be useful. Probably better than us just trying to break in or being civil with him. Although, are these people who know you're supposed to be gone or people you rather not encounter again?"
Sebastian squints, nodding and shrugging, still looking out the window.
"Eh, bit of both, really, depending on who we're talking about."
You fix him with a glare.
"Use as much discretion as is possible in this matter, Sebastian."
He nods vigorously to reassure you.
"Of course, Gillivers, of course. I'm not to go about dropping your name all over town."
You tap your fingertips together thoughftully.
"The harbor provides a certain solitude from courtly social affairs while still within the hub of information. We may be able to use that to our advantage though."
Sebastian continues nodding. "That's very true, that. Don't think a lot of noble houses don't have ears in the taverns though. Listening to servant's talk is a great way to learn other people's secrets."

>>12851253
"Your name being spread around could also be problematic as well. You're supposed to be on that island with me. Regardless, we should focus on finding out about this Gestel, where exactly he's staying in the harbor and what he's been up to. Do you think you can get that information?"

>>12851189
>Also, fuck yeah, BausBrofist

>My illness has afforded me some AlchemyQuest.
"In the mean time, I'll be wary in seclusion, making myself less of a target... for inquiry or of a more lethal nature."
I'm all for going over Fulgrim's notes, while contemplating how to draw out those who wish us ill. If nothing else... SCIENCE!

"Your name being spread around could also be problematic as well. You're supposed to be on that island with me. Regardless, we should focus on finding out about this Gestel, where exactly he's staying in the harbor and what he's been up to. Do you think you can get that information?"
"If he's done something bad enough to warrant being talked about, then yeah. A likely story, if he's involved in missing people and Hushblades."

>>12851416
"Do you think I should go with you to the harbor or would you be better off investigating on your own?"

>>12851427
"Do you think I should go with you to the harbor or would you be better off investigating on your own?"
Sebastian blinks.
"She's been missing for a few days now, sire. I think we'd do well to be hasty, so you should come with me. As long as we don't use our real names we should be able to investigate fairly freely. If we're lucky we might even learn something by tonight."

>>12851444
"Fair enough. I just wasn't sure if I'd hinder you or not."

I can't think of anything else to say at this point so I guess we can move on unless someone else has something they want to say.

>>12851444
Hijinks Imminent.
Science can wait...

>>12851444
This could work to our benefit. No doubt whoever is targeting us may try something here. Keep our wits about us... FOR ADVENTURE!

bumping with new blood, you know who.

"Fair enough. I just wasn't sure if I'd hinder you or not."
Sebastian chuckles.
"You flatter me, sire."
You get out of the carriage, noting that the buildings around are wood and not stone, and the whole area is shaded by the rising Imperial cliffs behind it. There are people on the streets here, as opposed to the upper town's pristine carriageways. Sebastian directs you towards the distant wavering shoreline, and you make your way to a row of taverns.
"Any of these should be good sire," Sebastian says.
You curl your lip slightly. Quite the classy collection.

>Taverns on this row:
>The Slippery Polyp
>The Frothmonster's Tankard
>You. Meat. Inn. - A Tavern
>The Kelpie's Den

"A change of clothing may be in order... less court, more port." We need to blend in a little more. I doubt we'll fool the informed and wary, but a passing glance shouldn't reveal too much.

>>You. Meat. Inn. - A Tavern
I like it. Here please.

>>12851618
Good catch. Do this.

>>12851615
I'm thinking Kelpie's Den, but Sebastian's instincts may prove more fruitful.

>>12851618
Agreed.

I say the The Kelpie's Den.

>Kelpie's Den

"This looks promising," you say, gesturing to the wide, low-roofed blue building. "But first, I think I need to dress down a little."
"How? You've got no money."
"Please."
It is simple work to find a man willing to trade a set of noble's clothes for a rough cotton shirt and baggy canvas breeches. Properly outfitted, you stroll back to the row of taverns and into the Kelpie's Den.
There is a dim haze of perfumey smoke throughout the room. This seems to be a fairly "high class" inn, compared to the standard bayside cantine. A few legitimately attracted women flit about from customer to customer, and it's obvious that there are services being offered here extending to both halves of the Ale and Whores economy.
"Ah, the Kelpie's Den," Sebastian says, rubbing his hands together, "many the site of a month's pay obliterated."

>What do?

>>12851760
"Speaking from experience Sebastian?" with a small smile.
I suppose we should sit down and listen to rumors while Sebastian works his magic? If he can do that here at least. And with that, I collapse for the night. Night all. See you tomorrow assuming this is still being run.

>Valiantly fights off the urge to say "ale and whores".
How's our gambling arm? Nothing like a winner to gather information.

Roll a Gather Information check?

"Speaking from experience Sebastian?" you ask jovially.
"I could have opened a tavern with the coin I've whittled away in here," Sebastian says. "On cards," he adds. "Well, mostly on cards."
"Sebastian Barkowe?" a female voice asks in the haze.
You look at Sebastian, who acts oblivious.
"Sebastian Barkowe!"
"'As long as we don't use our real names, we should be able to investigate freely?!" you hiss a whisper at the rifleman.
A glass bottle sails out of a smoky corner of the bar, striking Sebastian square on the chin and knocking him backwards into the front door.
A woman in somewhat trampish costume strides out of the dimness to the front of the bar, staring at the two of you. Her hands are balled into fists and her eyes flash beneath fiery red hair. She stabs a finger at Sebastian, who rubs his head, wincing.
"I should SKIN you, Sebastian, I should skin you alive!"

>I'll wrap up for the evening, hopefully there will be more individuals in the thread tomorrow. I think we're going interesting places despite the slow participation.
>Remember to email me if you're interested in that IRC game. It's looking like it's going to be the CoC campaign; I'll try to send out a request for some more detailed information from interested parties in a few days.

>>12851891
>IRC Call of Cthulhu
Interested
>IRC Call of Cthulhu with StonerDM
Very much interested
>My Work Schedule
Oh, fuck you, Real Life. Fuck you.

>>12851929
That's how I feel.

>>12851936
Me as well.