Harrowed - First Encounter - RPLOG
From Flexible Survival
Participants
Date
28/5/2022
Log
(Symaro) "It's a glorious day." Symaro gleams upon exiting his abode, the kobold having opted to wear some looser threads rather than the usually tight uniform he was once so fond of. The smile on his lips was inescapably infectious, a glimmer of pride and joy as he paces out his abode and meets up with several mutants just outside. Two large military-grade trucks retrofitted with some new tech to operate using electricity rather than primitive fossil fuels stand right there at the entrance, loaded to the brim with gods-know-what kind of equipment. At the forefront were two guards, a pair of large intimidating doberman mutants, one male and one female, garbed in the telltale uniform of RSX' military division. Two more were at the back, though they were both of the feline persuasion instead. The kobold approaches a fifth member of the gathered, an otter dressed in the RSX Operatives uniform of note, an organizer by the looks of things, given the distinct absence of armor or weaponry. The two exchange a few words, perhaps detailing the intricacies of their upcoming drive up the steep and perilous mountain. With a loud *CLANK* the front gate to Arborwatch Manor seals shut, and the armed personnel each move into their corresponding vehicles at the driver's and passenger's seat. They blare the horn, asking "What's the holdup!" To which their supervisor, the aforementioned otter answers loudly "Pipe down! You wanna attract all the ferals in the area?! We're waiting for the backup we were promised! They'll be along!" His gaze returns to Symaro's own, and the two continue to converse.
(Ankh) As before a large gnoll in modernized plate armor, though sans his helmet today, makes his way towards the location he was sent. Again, he carries a 3-day pack, maintained with nanites, duct tape, and luck to carry the mobile arsenal he usually equips himself with. While not expecting the dangers of the Dungeon today, it still paid to be prepared for feral resistance. The more lethal of his implements were left at home. Spotting trucks in the distance as he approaches the abode of their Director, the hyena sets into a casual jog in order to close the distance faster, waving once close enough to announce his presence.
(Fenris) Fenris walks up the road. The big, burly tanuki seems a bit out of sorts, without the usual bounce in his step. He looks different today too. Might be the presence of trousers. That is unusual. He is wearing a button up shirt with suspenders and dark, pinstripe trousers, with a greatcoat draped over his shoulders and a dark fedora perched jauntily on his head. He is rolling a large, silver coin across his knuckles idly as he stops by the wagon. "Here to help," he says with a smile, which seems genuine enough, though he still seems troubled.
(Arimia) A serpentine woman makes her way down the city streets, pausing when the gathering in front of the manor comes into view. After looking over those gathered she moves her head in a small nod and approaches closer. Once she's near enough she lifts a hand in greeting, before her tail coils around under her, offering her a place to sit. One hand reaches down to a belt slung around her waist, plucking a cigarette case from the side opposite a rather large revolver. As she fishes a cigarette out she says, "For those who I have not yet met, I am Arimia. Will we have a further briefing once all have arrived, or will we move out immediately?"
(Yejian) Sometimes form based urges and influences make themselves present in Yejian. Whatever her shape, typically the lapine side of her wins out but today it must be the feline because she's been perched on the perimiter walls for a little while now, watching the sky. When 'Symaro' steps out though, the lion rocks forward and slides off the wall, landing lightly enough despite her armour. Shifting her spear to her other hand, she leans over to wrap an arm around the kobold. "About time then, huh?" She says as others begin to make their arrival.
(Lorethan) Lorethan made almost no sound as he walked along, his wings flapping lazily to cool him off now and then. He soon find himself near the others.. The Kemonomimi Coyote looked a little lost but that was usual. He made his way to the rest of the group with a wave. "I uh.. I hope this is where I'm supposed to be.."
(Symaro) One, two, three... three of the souls that he'd condemned to the depths of the dungeon, the three that took the worst of it no less. Here they are, once again. Why? Symaro's scales turn a shade paler when he reads the looks on those faces. He'd hoped that the three had made a full recovery by now, but merely looking at Fenris alone suggested otherwise. When he sees Yejian however, one could practically feel his remorse from a distance. His eyes slowly turn to meet hers, the arm slung around his shoulders sensing a cold, lingering dread. He swallows quietly and gently slips free of her grasp, then opens his mouth... "You three. Of all the people. Ankh surprises me not all that much, but you two? I'd have wagered you'd opt to steer clear of my operations upon your return. I daresay it is good to see you, but only if the feeling is mutual. Has it been even a week since last you have involved yourselves in the O.A.'s efforts?" All the while the otter nearby was paying attention. Very close attention as a matter of fact. He opens his maw to say something, then gets interrupted when Symaro casts him one of those 'not now' glares. Arimia and Lorethan both ring familiar to him, a dip of his head following in acknowledgement of their presence. The kobold moves to stand upon one of the truck hoods, then gestures for everyone to gather up. "It pains me to see so many familiar faces here so soon. Even so I will not dictate how you choose to live your lives, and where to opt to expend them. To those of you hungry for a monetary prize to the tune of what was awarded on our last outsourcing mission, I regret to inform you that this venture will be nowhere near as lucrative. Thankfully it will also be nowhere near as dangerous. This." The kobold knocks on the hood of his platform. "This is a convoy. It is intended to reach Stargazer peak, where the Otherworldly Affairs Initiative will be expanding their influence. Our secondary base of operations will be situated in a valley high up near the mountain peak, in territory I personally own." "Nothing will be built however, if these materials and equipment don't arrive safely. T'is not a long journey, an hour at most. What is problematic however are two factors. The steep climb being the first. I leave this to the Earth Nanomagi RSX were so graciously generous to provide us with. The second however is an organization we've been dealing with as of late. They refer to themselves as the Harrowed. Make no mistake, they are simply cultists. Brainwashed, crazed and disturbed souls swayed by disillusioned fools whom think that our realm needs merge with those around it. These zealots seek to expedite the instabilities and anomalies the O.A. has been combating since its founding. Needless to say, they'll be unhappy if we were to expand our borders. Expect an ambush, and if it is indeed them, then anticipate Necromantic Acolytes within their ranks. Your job? Keep the convoy safe. Questions?"
(Ankh) Ankh is more relieved that anything to see some familiar faces. Relieved that today was at least planned to be a relatively simple expedition, not one into the depths of the deep, dark abyss... Yeah, he might have had to take a pass for a repeat of that so soon. His lessons with Diya weren't that far yet. A respectful nod is given to Yejian and Fenris both, smile gracing his fanged maw. "Heya, you two. Glad to see you again." With Symaro's briefing given in full, Ankh considers his questions. The idea of a cult wasn't all too wild to him. If anything, treating the anomalies like another god entering Fairhaven wasn't too far off from the truth, if you boiled it down to basics. Though... crazed, they were still people. Right? "Just one question, if I may. Are you intending to authorize deadly force, or do you prefer knockouts?"
(Fenris) Fenris smiles a tired smile at Symaro. "You know what happened wasn't your fault," he says, "And I try to stay busy." He frowns when he notices that he is playing with that coin, gives it a flip into the air, and then makes it vanish into a pocket or a sleeve. It is hard to follow. "Your organization and initiative are important. Don't worry about us, we know the risks and we can take care of ourselves."
(Arimia) Arimia plucks a match from the side of the cigarette case without any cigarettes. The case is then snapped closed and returned to her belt, before the match is struck against the plating on her arm. Using that to light her cigarette she shakes the match out then tosses it aside. "As a follow up to the question on lethal or nonlethal force, would you prefer any taken for questioning?" The medusa asks. "If they have been a nuisance for a while then seeking out their strongholds and removing them would be in line with your goals, I would think. But doing so requires knowing where to find them."
(Yejian) Yejian raises a brow at that and leans on her polearm. "Really? When have you ever known me to be someone that stays away from a call for assistance? Let alone stay away from you?" She clicks her tongue and rolls her eyes. "Anyway, I'm fine. It helps when you have a loving family to return to, right? Besides..." The lion gestures over the convoy. "It's heading up the mountain. Which is basically my back yard so... Even if I wasn't part of this I'd still be following you to make sure you stay out of trouble up there," she adds, a small grin spreading over her face. "No questions, though."
(Lorethan) Lorethan patted his jacket making sure the armor plating was still there, before checking the rest of his equipment. "I just.. I wanted to help people. So here I am?" He scrached the side of his head and looked at the others before speaking again. "I may not be as.. prepared as the rest but hopefully I can help in some way/"
