(INV) Snake Oil

​

It is midday when the trio of adventurers arrive at the residence of Arnall Gresham. He is an elderly man whom appears sharp of wit, but has not aged well at all. First and foremost, you notice that he is missing most of his right leg and walks on a crutch; At one point or another, it was amputated at the knee. His hair is all but gone, and his face bears the scars of some terrible plague that seems to have all but drained him of his physical vitality in years past. The man welcomes you in as you arrive, and busies himself by slowly preparing a light snack of herbal tea and some sort of airy fruit pastry. Any questions related to the nature of the quest are dismissed with a brief "Later, when everyone is here"

Instead, he passes the time with the early comers by telling tales of hos career, from joyous moments of miraculous recoveries, to gruesome and sickening surgeries where cysts, boils, and other deformities were lanced or removed with gruesome detail that probably ruins your appetite. After a bit, you notice a pair of matching orange and white cats prowling around the small home, curious as to who may dare enter their realm.

 

Someday i will remember to ping everyone before I hit submit.
@Sera Phim @Leon Captor @Troy Marshal

FYI Post order does not matter, just keep it one post per round.

 

Leon winced at the state of the elderly man. The sight of the twin crutches and the amputated leg gave Leon a pang of sympathy for the man and the feeling of nausea. As he listened to the old man's story, he couldn't help but be repulsed at himself for feeling a bit of glee and abnormal interest on the gruesome and macabre details. He could imagine the various deformities and disgusting items that the man described so clearly in his brain and he hated himself for it. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts to resume listening to the old man.

He coughed, trying to draw attention after it had gone on for awhile. He wasn't sure if it was because he had wanted to finish the quest or if he had gotten to the limit of self-hatred noticing himself enthusiastically leaning in to hear more of the tale. Regardless, he addressed the team and, unsurprisingly, his frequently unused voice came out raspy and dry. "Where is Middenhall?" he simply asked, shutting his mouth close like a venus flytrap the moment he had finished stating his question. It felt awkward to speak after long, extended times of silence.

Leon sat back and waited, seemingly uninterested, as he shamefully closed his eyes.

 

Three years, Sera figured, at the most, was all this man had left to live. And even that was a very generous estimate. She made it a point to tone out all of his mindless chit chat about his life. She figured it would be pretty hard to get close enough to him to be added to his will at this point, and didn't see any other reason beside the quest to bother with him then.

"Not a clue," she answered her teammate's question as the cats entered the room. She hadn't bothered learning his name yet, and honestly couldn't remember if she had given him her own. She wasn't in a particularly good mood today, but those cats seemed like the perfect thing to help with that. She excused herself from her seat with the appropriate manners, because even if she was having a bad day that was no excuse to be rude, and made her way toward the two cats. She kneeled down and stuck her left hand out as far as she could, extending her fingers but keeping them pointed down for the cats to sniff before she tried to pet them. "Here, kitty, kitty, kitties... here kitties..." she cooed kindly at them.

Once the cats had either decided to grace her with their attention and affection, or decided to ignore her completely, she would ask the man of the house once again, preferably while stroking the heads of both cats and laying down so they could crawl over her, about the quest. "So might you be able to tell us a bit more about what we will be doing? I believe everyone is here, right? Are we missing anyone?"

 

Holding a semi consumed pastry in her hand while Troys expression held some unpleasantness, the pastry was actually pretty good though the man's choice of tea time conversations could be something less distressingly disgusting, maybe the weather? anything other than uncle fester's scabey gang green knee ''..any butter?'' caught up in his own glory days Troys question would go unanswered and the group would have to endure through this rambling pensioner.

Sometime Troy's mind wandered, looking about the room studying this and that as her hands laced and released from each other and her legs rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, people said this was a trait for people with bad nerves, she just finished digesting a full pastry all to herself, god knew how many sins that consisted of, any physical exercise to burn a few calories was a win when it came to the weighing scale. Can one get fat in a virtual world, that could be a concerning question for the fair priced cake shops troy has come across. ''whats a Middenhall?'' in unashamed confusion she asked, never hearing that word in her life. Taking up a private message to her party members she typed a message 'think this guy got screwed over by his health insurance.' Noticing the other woman interact with the cats , Troy started typing a teasing message private message the three of them could only see 'i wouldn't get to friendly with those kitties over there, don't know what kind of kinkydink ol hop along over here gets up to. I bet he gets all kinds of freaky with that peg leg in here. Poor kittens all kinds of traumatized. Its more than a bowl of skim cream they are getting..' Sitting on the couch her body was convulsing as she sniggered to her self.

Eventually recovering, Troy took all those around the room ''So apart from old balls here, what can i call you two'' Troy inquired while looking from Sera and leon. ''calling out 'hey' and 'you' will get annoying, real fast'' Troy finished biting her bottom lip and and continuing rocking her legs back and forth on her feet.

 

Once the chatter from the three adventurers had calmed to a reasonable level, The elderly cripple spoke up "As you're probably already aware, I've brought you here in order to expose a fraud. On more than one occasion, my clients have brought in counterfeit potions and elixirs, all claiming to have purchased them from a man whom only identified himself as Middenhall."

The old man broke out in a fit of coughing, took a sip of tea with a shaking hand, and continued

"I don't know where it is that he lives and works, but he spends his days in the smaller market squares of the city, peddling his counterfeit goods to the unwary sods whom are willing to try anything to alleviate their own suffering, or that of their loved ones... It would be best to begin your search there, and possibly follow him back to his residence. From there, I don't know what you'll have to do, but he must have some sort of workshop where he produces his wares."

After another coughing spell which the man fights desperately to stifle, he continues one last time;

"Once you've found his workshop, find anything incriminating... a journal, notes, or anything else that can be used as proof against him. None of you look to be the sneaking type, so I'd suggest waiting till he's gone for the day to break in, however as long as he is brought to justice, you may do as you'd like. Once you have a good amount of damning evidence, report the workshop or lab, or what-have-you to the city guard. If for some reason, you would prefer to remain anonymous, simply bring whatever it is you find to me, and I will take the evidence to the city guard myself. Understood?"

Haven explained the situation at hand, Gresham sinks back into his chair and observes the trio, a questioning expression on his face inviting them to ask any questions they may or may not have.

((If nobody has any questions, you can use your next post to begin the search for Middenhall, or remain here and continue questioning Gresham, and catch up to the group later.))

 

Sera raised an eyebrow at the other girl's rudeness. Okay, so, you're a bitch, Sera thought, and continued petting the two cats.

She frowned at the man's repeated coughing fits. "I have some healing magic. I can try my best to help you with that cough, and whatever is causing it, if you'd like," she offered to the man, though she didn't know if it would do much good. The NPCs of this world seemed to not respond as well to healing magic as players, and there did seem to be things that couldn't be healed.

"That all sounds completely possible, sir," she said once he had finished giving them his instructions. Sera excused herself from the cats, gently lifting the one who had curled up on her chest off of her and placing it to the side, and then stood up. "I promise you, I won't rest until this fraud has been brought to justice. It's a point of honor for a craftswoman like myself that everything on the market, be it the weapons I produce, armor, food, or alchemical concoctions, be pure and real."

"Leon, you and I have worked together before, so we know a bit of what we each can do. The b-... the new girl, here, though, we haven't had the... pleasure of working with, so I figure we can give her a run down of what we can do. I'm an astramancer, I can essentially access every school of magic through my contacts in the astral realms. Why don't the two of you both share what you can do, so we can plan our course of action as a team?" She asked. She would wait to see if the other two had any questions themselves before moving out, though she thought she had everything understood herself. "Oh, right. My name's Sera," she added to the girl.

 

Troy thought it was weird, it was weird! Coming into a strangers house laying down to have cat walk over them. Her eyebrow raised at this behavior though it quickly passed. meh, its just a game she thought to herself and then to a fonder memory which produced a quirky smile. She too use to play with a kitten like that when she was a kid, the small paw padding over her body, that was a very long time ago.

When the old man finally began the details of the quest, this turned Troys attention to him. She heard him out while in the back of her mind she recalled tv detective shows, it had a similar premise, catch the bad guy, find the and get them put away. It was with some amusement to here the girl player offer a restorative spell to the npc, they weren't really people though Troy didn't want to spoil that person's emersion in the game. She soon found out that this girl was really all in, after the girl's following 'Justice' speech Troy looked side long @Leon, amused by this girls in game commitment. ''ugh, yeaaa.. what she said'' Troy agreed, her tone insincere.

Troy voiced in to try and gleam anything of importance of the actual quest she asked in all seriousness. ''Has your clients left you with any kind of physical description of this Middenhall? either race, height, belly size * Troy gestured her hands out in front of her, rounding out her belly* hair color and that sort. finishing her question Troy dropped her hand back down to her sides. Looking back to her two companions ''anything else you think we need to ask before we start?'' Thinking of another thing, she turned back to the old man and gestured to her wrist, the universal gesture for time ''what times could you expect Middenhall to appear and expectancy to remain in the lower markets. Has Middenhall ever failed to appear when your client was looking for this individual.'' She would hate to have to arrived at the area when Middenhall had just left or hadnt arrived yet, if she didn't have to be stuck waiting the better.

Troy heard and could surmise the broken word sera had about to call her, amused Troy broke out large a knowing smile with amused pleasure than anything but anger ''you have what the kids call.. Moxie!'' Her enthusiastic smile and radiating weird energy could unsettle people in common situation. In a increasing speedy follow up ''something about me, i love team building.'' pointing now to each player ''you, me and him i feel good about this, yhea! were going to make something of this. The A-Team is going to be the B-Team after our way with this.'' Troy tried to go into a group hug.

Still in that manic energy ''Im Troy and i like Pina colada and getting caught in the rain'' After enjoying laying down the crazy a bit thick Troy toned down the looney ''my mysteries are hunter, Naturamancy and beast tamer. the last one is suppose to mean im good with animals'' Troy turned, took a knee and beckoned a cat ''here kitty kitty kitty. Nope, well ok'' after a short attempt and getting no results from her effort she turned back to the group ''well as you can see that was a fail, but im still pretty much on the noob train here'' troy shrugged ''be gentle'' she smiled politely.

 

Leon nodded at Sera's words, recognizing the modicum of truth in them. He pulled open his menu, reading the information on himself quickly, before flicking it close and instead opening the communications window. He waited for their remaining partner, Troy (as he learned), to state their name before quickly typing their names in the search bar and scanning for their likeness before finding the images that met satisfactory criteria.

Leon Captor

Malefimancy, Body Combat, and Magical Tools. It's nice to meet you two.

He clicked send and continued on his way to search for evidence against Middenhall. Hopefully they would finish the quest soon. After since he started up the game he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

@evilandlazy

 

The aged and decrepit man shook his head politely and dismissed Sera's offer explaining "The real damage was done long ago, and the disease that scarred me so awfully is why I choose to become a healer in the first place. A terrible thing, for a young man to be laid low in his prime, but I've lead a fulfilling and rewarding life in exchange, so as far as I see it it's a small price to pay."

He straightened and addressed the rest of the group once their conversation had settled, pausing to look curiously at Leon, who seemed to just stand there and tap a finger into his palm the entire time;

"The details provided by his victims suggest that he is a human male, and quite capable of being convincing and charismatic when the situation calls for it. Beyond this, I am at a loss as for anything I could tell you that would be of use. Like I said, if you check the markets nearby, you should have little problem finding him however."

Quite happy to be of further assistance if the situation called for it, The old man waited patiently for the party to finish their conversation, perhaps ask a few more questions, and be on their way. It was almost time to feed his cats, and the ladies did like their privacy, after all.

@Sera Phim @Leon Captor @Troy Marshal

 

Sera clapped her hands together. "Well then, I think it's about time we be off, then. The longer we stand around waiting, the longer this whole ordeal is likely to take. I, for one, like to make the money from my jobs in as little time as possible."

With that, Sera would try to usher the other two out of the man's house and in the general direction of the markets. "Right, so neither of you have alchemy as a mastery, right? That could make this a bit tricky, as we won't be able to converse with him on his own ground. Maybe I can approach him simply as a fellow crafter?" she offered.

Her mind raced as she sought to figure out the best way to get everything done. "Alright, I think I might be the highest power level of us all, that's fine, I've been playing since day one of the game anyway. Or maybe it wasn't exactly day one, but it was early. Troy, Leon and I have worked before, so we know a bit of what the other can do. That being said, I am familiar with naturalmancy, so you're going to be really helpful as well. Since I have access to all the magical schools, and therefore have first hand experience in what each of us can do, if neither of you two particularly want to be team leader, I think it'd be best if I take that role. After all, a democracy is a bad idea when decisions need to be made immediately. Standing around voting what to do, or everyone doing their own thing, is how nothing gets done successfully."

She looked at Leon for a bit. "Try your best to keep your power under control, if you can. Let us know if you go crazy with a desire to destroy something. I still have nightmares over what happened to that poor treasure chest," she said with a slight grin, to let him know that she wasn't completely serious. But she was at least a little serious.

She let out a heavy sigh as they got near the market place. "Alright, so how to attract a peddler who sells fake concoctions that do things that totally aren't possible?" An idea slowly creeped into her head, and she began to frown. "Okay, I'm going to wait to hear your ideas before I offer my own, because while it might be a good one, I really don't like it..."

 

After Troy extensive list of questions at the old man regarding this mysterious Middenhall, it was disappointing to get just about zero help or clue to further help with their quest ''well, that was a big lot of nothing, thanks for that'' Voicing her annoyance. ''yep. lets head'' Troy took very little encouragement to follow Sera and Leon out of the old man's ghetto. Secondly Troy aggreed on the Sera's acute observation ''sorry. nadda alchemy here'' while shaking her head. On the subject of team leading, Troy mused over the idea of voicing her own self for team leader. She spurted out with increasing energy ''For me as your leader i would imPROVE HEALTHY CARE! FREE DENTAL AND CASUAL FRIDAYS FOR ALL'' turning to Sera and in a lower private tone ''clothing, optional'' a grin crept wider across her face, while she excitedly waited a reaction to her teasing.

Hearing out Sera's good solid points she wasn't serious about the team leader role anyway herself, too much responsibility and little reward. ''i am a firm believer of trust, who and where are we without it?! A team that trusts. Is a team that triumphs! And i think i can trust you Sera'' Troy finished clapping her hand onto Sera's shoulder ''lead on oh fearless leader!'' Troy began walking in a random direction until Sera started up talking again, Troy back tracked and got enough of the conversation to generally sum it up as --> the guy over there, the only guy on their team sounded like a psycho or something, she gave a concerned questionable look to sera, eager to know.

While the moment was now to spit out ideas ''this might be a bit silly or outlandish of me for saying this but...whats really, REALLY stopping us from going back into that shanty and just taking that old man's money? am i the only one thinking this?! also if i am, im just kidding'' troy finished with a raised smile.

 

Leon nodded with an embarrassing blush blossoming on his cheeks and a sheepish scratch of the back of his head. He looked away. "Sorry about that," he muttered under his breath, still ashamed of his memories of lack of control in a particular quest located in the basement warehouse of some homeless guy and his pet rats. After a moment, he shook his head. He still doesn't know what caused his frequent outbursts as of late (and the constant twitching of his fingers) but he was determined to at least keep himself not as intrusive or obstructive as he could potentially be.

He soon found himself pondering over Sera's words. What would be the best way to approach a wandering con-artist? He pondered on that line for a few moments before a bulb flashed above his head and he pulled up his communications window once again. He hesitated a few seconds before taking a deep breath and collecting enough courage to type out his message and hit 'send'.

Leon Captor

Maybe we could flaunt our coins out? Just go around, pretend to be looking for some potions and ask the vendors around? Eventually a con-artist like him would take notice if there's someone willing to buy his products, right? And we have the perfect cover if we go around searching for a miracle potion that no other vendor would sell. Just my two cents though. I'm not as experienced in this game as @Sera Phim.

He breathed. Hopefully he had done something right this time.

@Troy Marshal @evilandlazy @Sera Phim

 

Despite differences in opinion, the group had managed to reach the singular consensus of heading toward the nearest market. As one could expect, the market was almost deserted this time of night, though a few stragglers and latecomers still milled about. Under the flickering light of loosely scattered braziers you could make out a few vendors still operating into the early hours of the night, either selling likely illicit products that catered to those interested in enjoying the night life to the fullest, or catering to the same clientele with more legitimate goods such as snack foods and small flasks of potent liquor.

Out of everyone in the market, only a single pair of vendors stood out as likely candidates for investigation. One was a thin, dark skinned man who had an assortment of herbs and ointments laid out on a threadbare blanket, harassing anyone foolish enough to come close with promises of potency, virility, and the ability to attract any partner, regardless of any difference in physique and social status.

the second was a robed figure with his head burred deep in a thick hood who simply sat back away from the crowd and quietly propositioned the occasional passerby, but from where the group stood, his conversations were too quick and muted for anyone to gain any particular insight as to what his intentions may be. It wasn't until the group witnessed a hasty transaction between the hooded fellow and a young Felis male that the group could confirm for sure that he was even trying to sell anything.



((Please include a 1d4 roll ( "[ dice ] d4 [ /dice ]" without spaces) + 1 for each rank of rogue mastery at the end of your next post))

@Troy Marshal @Sera Phim @Leon Captor

 

Sera looked between their two options. She really didn't trust either of her companions to deal with the NPCs fine on their own, and not give away anything too important. She sighed heavily. She had decided to just completely ignore Troy's vulgar comment about clothing before hand. Things like that had to be built into, not just thrown out. Built into, it was flirtatious and romantic. Thrown out, it was vulgar and disgusting.

"Right then, splitting up right now is a bad idea, because either one of these two could be dangerous. Personally, I think it's likely to be mr. Quiet guy over there. That said, let's go to obviously fake, so that we don't look suspicious going to the correct person first," Sera said. She let out a heavy sigh. "Follow my lead, and just... act natural, like we're actually looking to buy something?"

Sera put her hand on Leon's back, and then another on the shoulder of his that was closer to her. She would then guide Leon toward the vendor who was being particularly active in his selling. "Please... please sir," she called to the man. "My... my boyfriend here. He's very sick. He caught a dreadful disease, and it has rid him of the ability to speak. We have search all around, and been unable to find any form of cure. Please, I see that you are a man selling great wares. Have you anything to cure my beloved? It... it was his beloved voice, his beautiful voice, that first drew me to him, and since it has left him, nothing has been the same. Likewise, he can barely eat, and thus is weak, at times even too weak to move on his own. Coming here took all his energy, which is why he now leans on me for support."

Thrown die:

3