Final Fantasy: Crystal Quest

[Hecore]

Pomog

Pomog can't help but stare at the new arrival - half in awe of his combat prowess and half at the manner in which he is dressed. Shaking himself out of his stupor, Pomog lifts his bell and gives it a strike with his paw, hoping to take out any remaining guards.

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Attacking an awake guard, or barring that the sleeping one.

Accuracy: (1d100)[12] + 95 ACC
Damage: (1d8+24)[31] + 10%, Magic, Earth Damage

[littlebottom]

Nowe steps back out the way to try and preserve his mp.

[Northforce]

Kuna's onslaught continues unabashed (despite the bizarre newcomer), whirling his greatsword around for another hit, the blade still smoking.

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Attacking the same guard, or the next one if he died.
To Hit:(d100)[54]
DMG:(1d12+18)[29]

[Fawkes]

Pomog hits Guard 2 for 28 damage, dropping him.

Chara finishes off the heavily wounded Guard 1 with a 22 damage hit.

Eunos hits Guard 9 for 15 damage, awakening him.

Kuna charges the guard and slams him for 23 damage, defeating him and ending the battle.

Victory!
Spoils

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Everyone earns 112 gil and 307 xp. Level up!
Eunos and Chara each find 1 Tonic.
Nowe finds 2 Tonics.
August finds 1 Shortsword.
Kuna finds 1 Potion.

Cagnazzo spins his rapier and sheathes it. He motions to the strange newcomer. "Ladies and gentlemen, lucky number seven."

The man nods energetically. "Number seven!"

[Verdigris]

"Just what we need, then. Add luck to our list of assets! You are most welcome, Sir Seven. But what may we call you? Septimus, perhaps?" August is tempted to ruminate further upon the subject, but catches himself.

"Ah, but the princess still awaits us on the rooftop. We must help her make good her escape, or this mayhem we have wrought will be meaningless."

[Glyphic]

Chara

With a scouring gaze, Chara over looks the new comer, her eyes sharp and focused. Saying nothing, her lips curl into a miniature frown, before it's wiped away.

She turns to Eunos, with placid words, "You did well. Thank you for your revivification, before it had to be real revivification.."

With a firm look, Chara asks Cagnazzo, "Which winding path will take us to the lofty spires of this castle?"

[Northforce]

Kuna's head swivels toward the walking paragon of eccentricity. He begins a very deliberate walk toward him until just inside where a sane person's comfort zone should be. He looks the jester squarely in the eyes, and says with monolithic gravity and stead of voice,

"No. Funny. Businesss."

[Vox Clamantis]

Kormanser

A bit uncomfortable with how weird everyone's been acting, Kormanser edges over to the 'seventh' loyal guy and make a hasty bow.

A pleasure, kupo! Call me Kormanser.

And then to the group in general.

We should get moving.

[Emong]

Eunos walks over to Kuna and puts his hand on his shoulder

"Calm down, he's given us no reason to distrust him."

He looks at Chara with a smile.

"And you're welcome Chara, it was the least I could do."

[Fawkes]

The man smiles at Kuna. "Funny. Business."

[Northforce]

Kuna glares, then turns on his heel.
"I ssuppose not."
He begins to walk in the direction they were headed.
"I don't think the princesss has the luxury of sstanding about. I'm going to go help her."

[Fawkes]

Cagnazzo turns to the party. "We'll need to hurry to save the princess, but we have to be ready to fight. Is everyone okay? I have several more tonics. Speak up now."

[Vox Clamantis]

Kormanser

Tentatively raising his hand after checking that nobody else was going to, Kormanser shuffles forward.

I'm not hurt, kupo, but my magical ally is. That is, if nobody needs it more...

[Emong]

Eunos snorts derisively at Cagnazzo and drinks down his tincture.

"I think I'll be fine."

He starts walking after Kuna.

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Using the Tincture restores 18 MP (due to Full Moon Heart)

[littlebottom]

Nowe speaks up "Hmmm, i may need another tincture, friend..." Nowe says "friend" with as much kindness as possible to sweeten cagnazzo up a little towards Nowe.

[Fawkes]

Cagnazzo watches Eunos with suspicion as he gives Kormanser a Tonic and Nowe a Tincture. He doesn't seem to notice Nowe's behavioral change.

"Anyone else?" he asks, his eyes still on Eunos.

[Verdigris]

August prefaces his request with a loud clearing of his throat.

"If you have enough to spare, Cagnazzo, I would accept one of your tonics. Now tell me--when we do reach the Princess, what should our role be in the fighting? Should we escort her away, or stand our ground?"

[Vox Clamantis]

Kormanser

Knocking back the Tonic, Kormanser purses his lips slightly. For some reason, he's never liked the taste of those things.

Thanks, kupo!

Wiping his mouth fastidiously, he continues.

We'll do whatever's necessary, sir Cagnazzo!

[Fawkes]

Cagnazzo hands a Tonic to August and nods to Kormanser. "Glad to hear it. Let's move." He turns and begins walking at a brisk pace after the others.

"It's hard to predict what actions will be required of us. We may need to fight, or we may need to flee." He looks to Kormanser. "Be prepared to summon your serpent. You may need it to get the princess to safety. If it comes to that, get out of the city, and land. Travel on foot to Damcyan." He turns to August. "That serpent won't be able carry everyone. If flight is the only option, grab the other Moogle and jump."

The clown makes a small leap, as if demonstrating how it should be done. "Jump!"

"...Right."

As the party re-enters the stairway hall, they find a man with long black hair standing at the top of stairs, watching them. He wears a unique set of light blue armor, and has an beautiful blue greatsword strapped to his back. He rests his hands on the hilt of a far simpler greatsword.
"I am afraid this stairway is closed."

Cagnazzo halts. "Gareth... and here I was holding on to a shred of hope that you hadn't fallen in with Proteus."

"I am only following orders, milord." He hefts the simpler sword and brings it into a defensive stance, the blade pointing toward the party. "You will not pass me without a fight."

[Verdigris]

“Orders,” snorts August derisively. “Then you would abet a regicide? You hide behind your orders as if they were a shield. I know how that feels, Sir Gareth. It blinds good men to the truth of their actions, and enslaves their hearts. I say to you, if you value your life and your dignity, stand aside and let us save your liege from certain death. I am certain that then there would be mercy for you.”


August fixes his gaze upon the rune knight, awaiting a response.

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August would like to make a Negotiation roll. His new skill level is 46.

(d100)[86]

[Hecore]

Pomog

If August's attempt fails -

Pomog steps forward from the back of the group. Clearing his throat, he attempts to catch the attention of Gareth.

Attempting to look as cute and adorable as only a young moogle can, he speaks.

Mister Gareth, all we're trying to do is help the princess. I don't think you really want to hurt us... can't you just let us by and forget you even saw us? Please?

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Negotiation roll as well.

(1d100)[40] vs. 40 skill

[Emong]

Eunos steps up as well and speaks in his most inoffensive tone of voice.

"I do believe that it would be in your best interests to do as Pomog suggests and forget about us being here. Just think for a second, if we are successful in this endeavor then we put in a good word for you and you go on your merry way, if we fail then you feign ignorance of our being here and get off the hook."

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Rolling Negotiation as well (1d100)[24] against 51

[Northforce]

Kuna's hackles raise to a snarl.
"And you don't want to know what'll happen if you don't get out of our way!"

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Intimidate check vs. 52
(1d100)[98]

[Fawkes]

Gareth stares gravely at the party. "There is nothing you can do to stop what is already in motion. No harm will come to the princess. The same cannot be said for anyone else who may resist. I suggest you take your own advice and stand down. Too many have died today already. If you leave now, I will forget you were here. I do not wish to do you harm." He turns to Kuna with a severe glare. "And there is nothing you can do that will harm me."

[Hecore]

Pomog

Pomog waves his hand in the air to get Gareth's attention.

Um, I know your job is really important to you, but it's really important to US that we rescue the princess. I'm sure you're a great soldier, but there are 8 of us and only one of you. We don't want to hurt you...

Pomog thinks for a moment.

I know! Why don't you come with us? That way we don't have to fight and you can check on the princess and nobody has to kill anyone.

And if you're just going to say "There's nothing we can do that will harm you." again would you mind if I gave you a quick Scan to be sure? I mean if we really can't hurt you then we won't fight you either way.

[Fawkes]

Gareth remains stoic. "I told you, I cannot allow you to pass. If you remain here, I will have no choice but to fight you."

[Verdigris]

“I see that you are quite determined, which is admirable in and of itself. Though we differ in opinion, I myself would be loath to fight and cause further bloodshed. If you will not grant us passage, then we shall simply find another way to ascend.”

Pausing for a moment, August turns to Cagnazzo.

“Is there another way to the roof?” He whisipers.

[Vox Clamantis]

Kormanser

Wait a minute...you seem awfully casual about the murder being done in this castle. Since when did being a good soldier mean killing defenseless women? Just a minute ago we watched YOUR guards butcher Clemens and a young woman who was with him. Is this what you wanted for yourself when you decided to serve the kingdom? To bathe in innocent blood?

To the others, but loudly.

We might as well kill him. His heart's already dead.

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I'm not sure which skill roll actually covers this. I'll just roll an unlabeled d100 and let Mecha decide.

(1d100)[16]

[Fawkes]

Cagnazzo speaks out of the side of his mouth, keeping his eyes on the knight. "Afraid not. We're going to have to get past him."

Gareth grows visibly angrier at Kormanser's words. "You do not understand that which you are talking about. Do not blame me for that which I cannot control."

[Emong]

"Why can't you control them? They were your men, correct? It stands to reason you could have prevented any deaths."

Eunos seems determined to understand the logic behind Gareth's words.

"In fact, why are you assisting these traitors, for lack of a better word? What do they have that makes their side more beneficial to you?"

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Rolling Inquiry
(1d100)[16] against 52