The Activity Club #outsiders_go_home 9/15/2017

DiscoDude: **---BEGIN SESSION---**
DiscoDude: **Session logging commenced**
Reality Glitch: ((Hello?))
GM: (Cutscene briefing. Participate at your leisure.)
GM: The projector flickers to life, revealing several photos taken by various parties. Aerial shots of ballista towers, jamming arrays, and stonework fortifications taken by Bartem and Lazarus, at the moment.
GM: <You did well for your first mission, team,> said Sabri. (Apparently one of the team told her to use a different name.) <As you can see, our enemy spared no expense on security. With good reason, too.>
GM: It switches off from shots of guards to focus on *other* photos; ones taken by Allie and the hare. They depicted what you lot could only assume are topsiders being led bound, covered, and likely gagged towards a large set of steel blast doors with an impossible-looking lock. Their species mostly hail from Glissod, but there are a few Owelians and an Eastarian mixed in.
Reality Glitch: ((But no one di told anyone to use different names.))
GM: (It's something I assumed she would do off-screen. >_>)
GM: (Either way, I figured that was enough screwing with your character. XD)
Reality Glitch: ((She goes throw great lengths to make sure as few people know her name as possible and what you said would be a HUGE hint.))
GM: (Ah. I'll edit it in post, then.)
GM: <It looks like the rumor about Demons kidnapping topsiders is more than just that. We can only assume what's going to happen to them if they get taken into Hell like this. Truly despicable...>
Reality Glitch: Sabrina: "Pfft!  What's the worst that could happen that wouldn't if they were force into hellside any other way?"
Bartam: "Th...that *thing* without a head...what in tarnation *was* that?"
Reality Glitch: Sabrina: "Ooo!  What thing?  I want to see!"
Valente: "We got a *meeting* with that as well, would like to know too."
Reality Glitch: Sabrina: "Eh?"
Valente: "Well, more like that met *us*. Seems like it was using spirit magic to detect nearby 'spirits', very hard to evade."
GM: <... Miss... Hare. There have been rumors about topsiders having the *truth* forced upon them, turning them into Demons and wiping their memories. I'm afraid it would be a likely solution if recruitment had been unsuccessful recently.>
Bartam: "Demons don't look like *that!*"
Valente: "You wish."
Reality Glitch: "So demons don't remember their lives as topsiders?" Sabrina says with a pensive look on her face, "I could use that."
Valente: "I don't think this is the implication."
Bartam: "What I wanna know is, what *was* that thing? What did they *do* to them, and *are there more?!?*"
GM: <And we're getting to that part, all of y-> The slide switches over to... a selfie? This big-boned pigeon seems to have taken a photo of himself with his arms around Sabrina and Nico. They don't seem exactly comfortable. <Nico, I told you to leave that photo out.> <But he insisted!> <*sigh*>
Reality Glitch: Sabrina continues, "Of course, now *I* want to know what ever this is; not like it could actually do anything to me when my boss is backing-up my memories."
Valente: "You do realize you just admited an important detail about yourself?"
GM: <People, *focus*. This... is Jean Luc Psmith-> <Gentleman Adventurer Extraordinaire!> <... Yes. Nico is a fan, as you can see.>
Reality Glitch: "Yeah?" Sabrina replies, "Not like you know who that is."
Valente: "Well, I'll let you miss the point just this time."
Valente: "Anyways, Jean L. Psmith."
Bartam: "That guy? I worked with a guy who wouldn't shut up about him. I thought he was talking about a melonfarmin' *program.*"
Valente: "Nope, this guy lives, and I met him in the flesh."
Valente: "For better or worse, mostly for better, to be honest."
GM: <He's supposedly-> <Supposedly?> <... an adventurer and archeologist of some renown. He's here for his own reasons, and insists on sticking around. Supposedly, he aims on finding the "Eye of Gry.">
Bartam: "Huh." Bartam rubs his chin, not sure whether to believe the "mostly for better" part.
Reality Glitch: "Oh great." the sarcasm think in Sabrina's voice, "Another gregarious social type."
GM: <We would forcefully evict him from the area, but one, Nico seems convinced that wouldn't stop him, and two...> The slide flickers to a map of what you assume to be the ruins, then to a version with these nonsensical scribbles overlaid onto it in a way almost resembling tunnels. <... we think he might actually be of use. As such, we are temporarily honoring the deputization of Jean Luc Psmith, specifically for the purpose of aided navigation through these underground tunnels beneath the ruins. No doubt this will be a boon.
Bartam: "We're gonna use that dumb-looking cluck as a *guide?*" He looks around. "Am I the only one who hears a *terrible idea?*"
GM: "Iiiiiindeed!" Into the tent, walks the big bird himself.
Valente: "It worked fine when I had him as a guide."
Bartam: _unleashes the mother of all groans._
Valente: "I mean, a little more faith? You kinda acted like that to everyone here, and would you look at that? We all succeeded in our tasks."
Reality Glitch: "Yo, bird brain!" Sabrina calls out to J.L.P., "You may have ingratiated yourself to the others but some of us here still wish to see evidence of your usefulness."
Bartam: "We all *got lucky,* is what you mean. The kid and I nearly got *shot* and his wind powers almost didn't do *squat* to keep it from happening."
Valente: "Sorry, Jean, believe me, this is a though crowd. I had the pleasure to attest this by myself."
GM: "Well if you're not confident in my abilities, then allow me to assuage your grievances with one of my plenteous tales!" <*Absolutely not.*>
Valente: "Jean, you know, your tales are all nice and good. But. No."
Reality Glitch: "I agree with cat.  You need to display something, not spin yarn."
Reality Glitch: ((Your Sabrina's a cat, right?))
Bartam: _gives a strained grin._
Bartam: "You want to show us what you can do? How about this. *Get lost*...then *find your way back here.*"
GM: <If you must know, his notes are complete gibbers. Though apparently not even he can understand them.> "I do take offense to that remark..." <Though he does have a reputation for always finding his way. Somehow.>
Reality Glitch: "HA!  Nice one."
Bartam: _sighs. "I suppose relying on him can't make things any *worse.*"_
Reality Glitch: "Now I'm curious: can you find something  or somewhere that you have no image of or direction to, but only a description of?"
Valente: "You know he'll answer 'yes', no matter what."
Lazarus: Laz walks into the room, "So we're finding our way in, right?" He says, holding his arm.
GM: "Indeed! Of course, the clearer the destination in my mind, the quicker and safer the path."
Reality Glitch: "Oh, come on; if he's going to lie at least he could be unpredictible about it"  <@!Valente>
GM: "Now let us allow the lady to continue. I've been listening up to this point, though I too am curious about these headless sentries I've been seeing around. I'd rank them as the eighth most bizarre enemy I have ever faced!"
Valente: "I *don't* want to know the number one."
GM: "Correct..." He shudders.
Reality Glitch: "I think he meant there were eight of the headless."
Reality Glitch: "Oh."
Bartam: "Aha! Sentries *plural!*" He points accusingly at Sabri. "Dammit, I think I'm starting to like the bird already. *He* answered my question!"
Valente: "I wonder if we actually asked him important questions about his stay in the ruins..."
Valente: "Rather than his previous exploilts."
Valente: _Valente taps his hat with his magic wand_
GM: <*ahem* Yes...> The projector switched to the photo of a headless sentry facing off against some weird golems in a very "seconds before disaster" shot, with what appears to be a cannonball frozen mid-flight.
Reality Glitch: Sabrina pulls a pencil and sticky-note pad out of her cloak and begins scribbling something down.
Valente: "Ah, good... *Memories*..."
Bartam: (Are they all the same species?)
GM: (The golems belong to Mada.)
Reality Glitch: Sabrina peels off the top note and plants it on J.L.P.'s chest.
Bartam: (thanks for the reminder)
Bartam: (was talking about the sentries though)
GM: <These are the subjects of the rampant rumors. Headless specimens of all sorts patrolling the ruins. On closer inspection...> The picture zooms in on the scarf-draped neck. <... This seems to be an advanced sort of magic a Hanged Man could use if only they knew how. There aren't many that are capable of controlling bodies remotely, much less several at the same time.>
Bartam: _furrows his brow._
Valente: "Is your claim that..."
Bartam: "So what you're saying is...it's like a Hanged Man figured out how to control more than one body at once?"
Valente: "Is all the sentries... The same person?"
Reality Glitch: ">implying there's only one hanged man."  Somehow, that line *sounds* green in color.
GM: <Indeed. This made us somewhat convinced we were dealing with a certain commander-> <The "Her" from before.> <Yes, *her*.> The picture switches to a picture of a window in the main keep. You can see the silhouette of a tall, graceful creature, but with a large scarf and head with wings coming out of said head. She's holding up what appear to be binoculars. <With these photos, we're certain of it.> <W-we're dealing with one Y. Golonac, g-g-guys.>
Bartam: "One of the bosses, I'm guessing? Not too odd they'd have middle management out here calling the shots, but what's with the stammer? She's got nine bodies but there's still only one brain among 'em!"
GM: <Far more than nine.> <Th-They say she could fight a military engagement s-singlehandedly...>
Reality Glitch: Sabrina is finding Sabrina's/Nico's unsettlement amusing.
Valente: "With this knowlodge, we could press this advantage. All the eggs in one basket, and a single neck to sever."
Reality Glitch: "HANGED.  MAN.  They don't have necks."
Valente: "I'd expect you to understand manners of speech."
Lazarus: Stands there, "I could take on those guys."
Reality Glitch: "I do, but that look on your face is priceless."😀
Valente: "I don't doubt it, Lazarus, what I'd rather see is you taking on one person in particular, if possible."
Lazarus: He pauses then looks at his burnt arm, "Yeah, one person at a time sounds better."
GM: <It's not the only reason she's a problem, either. Nico, would you do the honors?> <D-depends. Do you have the data crystal?> <Affirmative. I'm actually quite proud of this video.> <Heh... I keep forgetting you used to do *animation* before all of this-> <Just play it to them.> <R-right...> Nico takes the tiny crystal... and *eats it*.
Valente: _Valente's eyes widen_
Valente: "Wha-"
GM: <I'd recommend you all sit down for this,> says Sabri.
Reality Glitch: Sabrina snickers.
GM: She and Psmith both take seats.
Valente: "I am already sitting."
Bartam: _is glad he was already sitting._
Bartam: And that he wasn't in the middle of drinking anything when the guy *ate the crystal.*
Reality Glitch: Sabrina plants her self in a chair.  (("Hee hee; plant."  SABRINA!))
GM: At this point, Nico begins to... do *something*. Holding their hands up in the air? All of you feel your vision and hearing begin to blur out, but it's not like you're passing out. Still a bit disorienting.
GM: It's a prickly sensation; likely some form of spirit magic.
Valente: "Uuuuh, I didn't sign up for this! Bad touch! What is going on?!"
Bartam: "Turn it off! Turn this darned thing off *right now,* y'hear me?"
Reality Glitch: Any who m succeeds on a Notice roll against Fair (+2) difficulty glitch slightly, like a 3d model.
GM: You can't even hear yourselves. Soon, though, the blurs begin to reform on an old carriage rolling up to a mansion. It's all animated.
Bartam: "Aw *heck,* they're making us watch *cartoons...*"
Reality Glitch: Success with style also reveals a tether extending off in a random direction.
Reality Glitch: ((If no one makes a roll, I'm assuming they don't notice.))
Reality Glitch: "Heh.  Boss would love this."  Sabrina's voice is slightly static-y.
Valente: (Nah, I'm good)
Reality Glitch: ((That goes for the N.P.C.'s as well; <@!GM> ))
GM: A Hanged Man and his daughter get out to a line of guards flanking the pathway. <The story goes,> you hear Sabri say, <that once upon a time, Yvonne Golonac's family was betrayed by those they trusted.> One of guards breaks formation, going up to the father and pulling a gun on him. A shot rings out.
Reality Glitch: ((Since humans don't exist in Flora, is it know to us what this information that turns one into a demon is?))
GM: The scene begins to shift. <Orphaned at a young age, she was taken into her ailing aunt's household. They also say that this aunt finally wasted away on Yvonne's twentieth birthday.> The scene comes in on a very proper, but also very tired looking Yvonne sitting at the center of a social gathering.
Reality Glitch: ((Also: how realistic is the animation?))
GM: (Like Sly Cooper.)
GM: A shattering sound is heard. She bolts up straight, waves the group away, and sets out into the hall. <They say that her house was her castle, literally and figuratively. Any and all intruders...> She comes across a party crasher trying to stash some wine. <... were killed by her hand.> The shadow of a knife coming up, then down plays on the wall above them. <She would never let her guard down. Never let a threat persist.>
Bartam: _flinches._
Reality Glitch: "Finally; a *challenge*."
GM: The scene shifts to a room filled with bones. Yvonne opens the door into the darkened place, ushering in a male guest with an unsteady hand. He leans in close to smell her before heading in, and she grits her teeth. <Things got worse when "threats" began to include *invited* guests as well as intruders.> She closes the door, and a girly scream is heard.
Bartam: _shudders. Just what is he watching happen here?_
Reality Glitch: "Hahaha.  Pwn!"
GM: The door flew open, and the wounded man fled the room. <The whole Provence became her enemy when her crimes became known. Conjecture says she discovered the *Truth* after that point.>
GM: As he attempts to reach the front gate, he's stopped by three headless bodies, the center one belonging to her first victim, the party crasher. <Murder wasn't the only deterrent she used of course; her defensive grid made it nigh-on impossible to get the drop on her.> Cut to a darkened shot of a round, possibly head-shaped object being dumped into the river.
Reality Glitch: "She'd probably know I wasn't one of hers if I pretended to be headless I'm guessing."
GM: Now it cuts to a Demonized Yvonne cradling herself and looking disheveled at the "camera" as it pans out, chains being strung across the shot as it does, with faint, unsteady laughter in the background. <They say she'll do anything to keep herself and her charges safe from threats... both real *and* imaginary. It's generally agreed that judging by the symptoms displayed in her later years, it's highly likely that she's a paranoid schizophrenic, and not one to be trifled with. She now stands as the defensive vanguard captain for the Outsiders, though she mainly operates with her own troops. This is going to be a tough nut to crack.>
Reality Glitch: "O.K., now I *have* to know how to become one of her charges."
GM: Finally, it cuts to black... Then suddenly (up to you if your characters see this or if it's just a thing for us players), green, angular letters appear reading "THE OMEGA SQUAD IN..." complete with a swelling music cue...
Reality Glitch: Muffled sound can be heard from Sabrina's ear piece.  "So what?  That's not *my* concern!"
Valente: "What... Omega Squad?"
Bartam: (that's us, in case you don't remember XD)
Bartam: (the bottom of the barrel brigade XD)
Valente: (yes, but like...)
Reality Glitch: "Yeah, that's the lame name they gave us."
Reality Glitch: "Heh.  That rhymed."
GM: "BEYOND THE EMERALD CURTAIN" appears, on top of a picture of silhouettes of the six agents sneaking around in front of a stone wall, with the shadow of Y. Golonac looking down on them and cackling, holding the shadows of marionette crosses leading to a myriad of headless bodies; the whole thing is accented with chains.
GM: ("FEATURING THE TALENT OF: JEAN LUC PSMITH")
Reality Glitch: Sabrina burst out laughing, "HA! HA!  HA!  HA!  WE LOOK REDICULOUS!"
GM: And with that, everything dissipates, and your normal sight and hearing are returned to you.
Valente: "Nice... Cinematics."
GM: Nico sighs as if he were holding his breath this whole time, nearly collapsing.
Reality Glitch: ((Did *anyone* hear what Sabrina has b een saying?))
Valente: (No)
Reality Glitch: (( <@!GM> ?))
Valente: (The senses were overriden)
Bartam: "...***YOU WANT US TO GO UP AGAINST THAT?!?***"
GM: (You were all psychically linked, so I guess you could have heard each other. XD)
Valente: (Sure)
Reality Glitch: "I repeat: I *ab-so-loot-ly NEED* to know how to earn her trust."
Valente: "A hard nut to crack is an understatement. This looks nigh-impossible. Luckily we got the tunnels, but let's hope she doesn't find out about them too soon."
Reality Glitch: ">implying she doesn't already know"  Sabrina says in her green voice again.
Valente: "Also, hare, if you are so sure that she'll be chummy with you, go ahead, it is not like we didn't see a *guest* of hers getting brutalized."
Reality Glitch: "But you said it yourself: there are people she trusts."
Valente: "Don't know how they did that, don't care, really."
Reality Glitch: "Hmm...." another pensive look "maybe if I offer to let her demonize me?  Then I'd have killed two birds with one stone."
Valente: "Try to not lose your head while at it."
Reality Glitch: Sabrina lights up at Valentte's word-play.
GM: <Well, if all goes well, this portal will be liberated, and Yvonne will be captured and put behind bars for a *very* long time.> <Y-yeah. This operation she's overseeing against topsiders would net her the death penalty in some territories...>
Bartam: "Sweet mercy, what's *wrong* with you," Bartam says, shaking his head at Sabrina in confusion. "You know if you approach her she'll lop your darn head off."
Valente: "Is there a way to stop the sentries without killing her?" Valente says, raising a brow.
Bartam: "They're just bodies," Bartam says. "Nothing in 'em to kill. Might hurt *her* if we break a couple, though..."
Reality Glitch: "Honestly, if I wanted to demonize masses of people against their collective will, I'd just go out in the middle of town square and shout it into the skies."
Valente: "There's also the beheading."
Reality Glitch: "Why not just remove the scarf?  Works on regular hanged men."
Valente: "Oh, don't you pretend you didn't understand what I meant."
GM: <Um, it's not something that can be explained in a minute,> says Nico, <it's a complicated concept that must be explained carefully over the course of several hours. Many people aren't even capable of understanding it...>
Reality Glitch: "But it's a legitimate strategy to to disable them."
Bartam: "I coulda told you *that,*" Bartam mutters.
Reality Glitch: "The hanged men, I mean."
Valente: "Haha, I am all ears, if you want to explain to me how compicated it is." Valente says, with a grin.
GM: <What *is* known about this trick,> says Sabri, <is that it can't just be done on the fly over a large area. Magic runes have to be in place to act as conduits.>
GM: <Regardless, I have several potential missions in mind for you now. Shall we begin?>
Reality Glitch: "*runes"
GM: (Final lines?)
Valente: "I understand clearly the problems ahead of us, as well as the tools at our disposal. I am ready."
Bartam: _flinches a little whenever the word "head" is mentioned._
Bartam: "I...I guess I'm up for it," he gulps.
Reality Glitch: "Well, then; better keep your *head* up."
GM: (Is that all, folks?)
Bartam: _shudders. "Don't do that!"_
Bartam: (for me, yeah XD)
Reality Glitch: "Head."  😁
Valente: (Yep)
GM: (Then let us...)
GM: !end