The UN-common Cold [devious RP]

[Parallo]

Ryyanon, Donari, and Parallo: That was my goal, and you made it a success. Thank you for taking an interest , and even more for having fun with it. All of my roleplays are open to everyone who is willing to give their best effort to playing a role. Note that I said "best effort" not "the best RPers only". Even if you think you are not a great RPer, or even if you arn't at all, you are still welcome if you are willing to give it your all, and play for the enjoyment of the players around yourself, as well as your own.

Hopefully the next one will come at a better time for me then.
I'm already waiting with bated breath for it!
*Parallo starts to turn blue.*

[Siteri Kidachi]

Here's an interesting question...

Is there a Cloak of Light? One that would have the same disguising attributes as the Cloak of Shadows, but would turn whoever wore one half good, and invigorate whoever wore the other half?

Maybe I could "find" one... hehehe.

[Under the moon]

Where was I? Real life things interrupted the retelling. Ah yes…

Tria was missing, Aeshion had not been seen for a week, and Janeous was on the prowl with a newfound power to look like his two prisoners.

Let’s skip ahead to Monday, the 9th of October. In-game and on the forum, the word was spread that this was no simple cold. Forum-wise, I started this thread, and ingame:

(18:46:59) Grunn says: Anyone who is sick from the Common Cold [RP, details on the forum], I ask that you try not to come into contact with any other people, or limit if you can. The Cold is showing very odd symptoms, and Healers have advised that you keep away from any sick people you may see. Do not worry, as I am sure the healers will figure this out soon. I must go spread the word.

Tuesday, the 10th. Things went a little off kilter from what was intended. Untar, my poet, empath, and very first character, had seen the exchange of the Cloak between Jagk and Janeous days before. Being very absent minded, he had just recalled the meeting today, and was at Kada’s to tell Jefecra about it. He was in the Tavern, and started spouting a random poem. “The wind calls, so I must follow to where it gleans. Ask the mushrooms, they know, they know. Ask the mushrooms to where the wind blows, to where Jagk knows.

Then things went south in a hurry. On the way out of the tavern….

(18:42:49) Untar says: Fur and claws? (talking about a menki)
(18:43:07) Untar tips his head at the street.
(18:43:14) Coneitic says: skin and nails?
(18:43:28) Untar says: Yes, yes. He does seem funny. **aside** It is unsure who Untar was talking to here, but I assume it was the cobblestones.
(18:44:08) Untar says: His shiny steel is dizzy from all the running.
(18:44:39) Untar looks up at the sky with a smile.
(18:45:45) Untar says: For reasons why do your blades ask to be they out to the breeze?
(18:46:44) Untar closes his eyes.
(18:47:08) Coneitic picks his pockets while untars eyes are closed and steals 2 circles without him noticing  **aside** For which he would have been arrested by the two NPC guards behind him, but choose to think he had not been seen. That is, of course, if Untar had even had those two circles in the first place. Untar‘s inventory happened to be empty. *rolls eyes*
(18:49:12) Coneitic looks at untar "good day sir"

Maulus comes.

(18:50:00) Coneitic says: hello sir
(18:50:02) Untar says: Sir, you should talk to those two guards behind you before you walk away with my circles
(18:50:02) Maulus nods to Coneitic
(18:50:39) Untar says: They have been watching both of you takers of what does not belong.
(18:51:09) Maulus raises an eyebrow
(18:51:13) Coneitic says: both of u? be careful who you talk about sir, this man will slay you as you stand
(18:51:20) Maulus says: You refer to me?
(18:51:34) Maulus shrugs
(18:51:52) Untar says: Are you not Maulus ? Known to the guards as a taker of things?
(18:52:06) Maulus shakes his head
(18:52:16) Coneitic laughs "take of things, how mean sounding"
(18:52:21) Maulus says: This man, or at least his mask, is the one you speak of.
(18:52:34) Untar says: And you, poor sould known as Coneitic. You have taken while they watch.

Client crash. As I logged back in...

(18:54:19) Coneitic laughs
(18:54:29) Maulus shrugs "If he attacked me, it would be so, but he is too smart for sensless violence I assume."

Then, suddenly and without apparent reason, Coneitic attacked and killed the unarmed poet. The information Untar carried was lost... for a time. Luckly, I was quick to plan around the mistakes made by a hopeless noob, and bring the clue back to light in another way. Being an empath, I imbuded the ‘stolen coins’ with Untar’s memories of Janeous and the Cloak, and made sure everyone knew of it. Coneitic became a hunted man in a very short time.

Grunn, as a member of the City Guard, make his rounds to alert the people of this crime, and to talk to the people. He ran into Gharin, who was infected with the Cold.

(20:45:06) Grunn says: You look sick, sir. Have you tried mushrooms? I hear they help a little.
(20:45:30) Gharin says: Yes sir i tried and it seems there isnt a cure yet
(20:45:56) Gharin says: Ive been resting in front of the fire in the tavern trying to sweat it out but no luck
(20:46:20) Grunn says: Hmmm. Where did you find the mushrooms. I have been looking for some.
(20:46:51) Grunn says: They don't seem to grow anymore.
(20:47:29) Gharin says: I was given them by a kind lady who helped me to the tavern
(20:48:02) Grunn says: Not a klyros? A twisted one, with only one eye?
(20:48:28) Gharin says: I havent seen a oned eyed Klyros but that would be a hell of a sight
(20:49:05) Grunn says: Well, I was told a crippled Klyros was selling mushrooms about a week ago.
(20:49:49) Gharin says: Don't get to close sir this cold is nasty. I think you're immune anyway
(20:53:06) Gharin sneezes
(20:53:33) Gharin coughs
(20:53:49) Grunn says: It is good we do not get sick from this illness, but I feel for the other races.
(20:55:30) Muiredach Scratches his head and looks at Gharin with a puzzled face.
(20:58:26) Grunn says: How long have you been sick, sir?
(20:59:03) Gharin says: Just one day
(21:00:35) Grunn says: And this sick already?
(21:02:00) Gharin says: It started with a cough and escalated into hot flushes,shivers,runny nose and even the odd hallucination but that may be all the beer ive been drinking to sooth the pain
(21:02:50) Grunn nods
(21:03:46) Grunn says: Do you know where you caught it? It might be a good idea to track down the source.
(21:05:04) Gharin says: I believe a lady named Xillix was coughing around Harnquist yesterday i may of caught it from her sir
(21:05:15) Grunn says: Xillix? The priestess?
(21:05:27) Gharin says: Yes
(21:06:23) Grunn says: Hmmm. I will have to report that to Jefecra. We have been watching her, though I don't think she would start such a sickness.
(21:07:13) Gharin says: Its the only person ive been around who seemed to have symptoms
(21:07:14) Grunn says: It makes me wonder, though.
(21:07:29) Grunn nods.
(21:07:58) Grunn says: Well, get some sleep, and try some more mushrooms, if you can find them. I must go make my report to Sir Jefecra.

This little conversation was to lead people to Jagk, who was the twisted Klyros who sold the cloak to Janeous.

On this day, I also created Ceruny, a newcomer to the land. He was a Kyros who was searching for mushrooms to help cure a sick friend. He mentioned several times that he had heard the only place to find mushrooms was the Bronze gates. He also had a terrible part to play in the RP. This will be explained later, and on another day. Many more clues to come.

[Under the moon]

To continue,

As more people became sick, some of them took refuge in the temple. This drew the attention of many others who came to help. One of those was Grunn of the City guard, who came by quite often to see how everyone was doing, and pass on information he had heard through his duties. That was how I gave out most of the rest of the clues. One was even of Aeshion 'speaking', which all who know her know that she can not do.

Untar's empathic powers gave dreams to several people, which gave clues to Jagks location. This, along with the mushroom links and many mentions of the Bronze Doors lead a small group of adventurers all the way to the small room in the caves, where they found Jagk. Mudis, Alcarin, and Peacer came inside, while Einnol and possibly other players continued the search of the rest of the area. They were probably the lucky ones, as Jagk had a terrible slur that was very hard to understand. *evil grin*

(21:05:26) Jagk grumbles and opens his one good eye slowly.
(21:05:57) Jagk says: I am no'th open for bi'th'ne'th.

The Scoobies of this group found out that the cloak makes one dizzy from using it, and that it might be used to make one person look like another. This lead them to thinking Tria may have been Janeous, thus explaining her actions with Alcarin. They also found out about a book...in the DR.

(21:22:48) Jagk says: The book wa'th u'th'le'th a'th well.
(21:23:04) Peacer says: book? what book?
(21:23:17) Mudis looks very interested
(21:23:26) Siteri says: That sounds important... tell us about it.
(21:23:43) Mudis says: yes please
(21:23:48) Jagk says: The book with the cloak. Li'th'en th'o wha'th I am th'aying.
(21:24:11) Mudis tries hard not to smirk
(21:24:31) Mudis says: what was the book about
(21:24:33) Siteri says: Do you have it with you?
(21:24:37) Jagk says: I'th wa'th with the th'wo cloak'th. The page'th were blank.
(21:24:52) Peacer looks at Siteri "Janeous has it"
(21:24:59) Jagk says: I'th only th'aid one thing on the cover.
(21:25:08) Peacer says: what was that?
(21:25:37) Jagk says: "Thi'th book can only be read by the dead, and only under'th'ood by the living"

This was a branching quest, so there was more than one path to take a lot of the time. Much later, two groups of players happened to find and take two of those paths at once near the end. It was also where the secret book was found in the DR on another path. This book could only be read by the dead, but only understood by the living. Eid and Gwinn used this info to figure out that one of them had to die (Gwinn), and had the dead poet read the book while the other (Eid) remained alive and 'listened' through an empathic link with Untar. The 'stolen' coin provided that link. As to what Coneitic was gibbering about some way to make the Cold worse with the other stolen coin, I don't have a clue what he is talking about, as that was his own invention.

On the other path, here is when Krook's statue and book where found out in the hills north of the city. The players in this group where Einnol, Peacer, Siteri, Alcarin, Xillix, and Siofra (sorry if I missed anyone.) They found out about a portal on the top of the tower that Janeous had been using to go to the DR. They immediately headed to the tower. On the way though the darkness below the Temple, Einnol's sharp eyes spotted Tria's apple basket far down the cliff. The group investigated, and found Janeous standing out in the open! Einnol drew his axes and rushed to attack, but was halted by the scream of Tria, who was tied up and hidden further down the path. It was not Janeous, they found out, but Aeshion Einnol was about to attack. As they reached out to touch 'Janeous, the neutral half of the Cloak was felt, and pulled away. Aeshion then apeared in Janeous's place.

This trapped Janeous under the other half of the Cloak, wherever he was hiding, as he needed to cast the spell of release on Aeshion to take his part off. Two things found out earlier in the quest were these: The Glyph made the user insane after extended use, and the Cloak soaked the wearer with intense evil... And Janeous was now using the first steadily for three weeks now, and was trapped in the second...

[Under the moon]

Onwards and forwards! Er…and backwards, as I missed a part. Before, I had given mention to one Ceruny Pebies. Don’t blame me for the silly last name, as I used the random generator. The first name was so bad I had to edit it, though. The following took place before much of the others I wrote about.

Ceruny was a simple son of a simple fisherman. He would not have stood out in a crowd of three. And that is exactly why Janeous chose him for his next victim, and new face. I also played Ceruny to be a newbie just starting the game, and not the best at roleplaying. No one suspected a thing.

Ceruny entered the Temple for the first time on Oct 18, Wednesday. There, he met with Alcarin and Einnol, who had taken to staying at the Temple while sick. This lead them to get a lot of clues others missed out on. In fact, Grunn was there at that very moment, handing out info like old Halloween candy.  Mudis, an actual newcomer, came into that meeting as well, and lead the others to some important discoveries. These are some of the clues that  surfaced at that time. Janeous was found out to be using the Cloak of Shadows to look like others. He had started the plague in hopes of laying the blame on Xillix, and having  the town tear her apart. That came -very- close to working, but for some people raising suspicion. They figured out Aeshion had been missing for a week before the Cold started, and the also found out Tria is allergic to milk, but had been seen drinking some at the tavern. Grunn told part of an old story that gave vague, and wrong clues about the Cloak, and its powers. They learned of Jagk some more as well. Ceruny just listened, and tried to help where he could, then parted.

Two days later, the Scoobies had talked to Jagk, and had his clues, so where hot on Janeous’s trail now. But the girls were still missing, and people were getting worried.  Janeous could not use their forms anymore, as too many people knew it was him…  Ceruny came back to the Temple again, but he was not the same, if anyone would have been paying attention. His voice was more confident and demanding as he asked what a gathering of people was all about, and where Xillix was. This is because Janeous was now he, and the real Ceruny was captured with the girls. Duvare, Peacer, Irick, Vornne, Runedan, Alcarin and many others were there in some sort of argument. Still not sure what it was about, but it semed to involve my Cold, so I thought to wait and stir up some things. *evil grin*

(22:42:20) Peacer says: we need to have a strong bond of trust and know each other well, it's this trust and these friends which makes the light strong
(22:43:06) Ceruny says: But what if it is one of us helping the evil man?
(22:51:17) Peacer starts explaining about The vision and Jagk in details as well as his theories
(22:52:56) Ceruny listens carefully.
(23:13:40) Grunn says: I have seen the report, and heard Peacer's words. It seems that Jagk, the Klyros has been found. He did indeed sell Janeous Creene something called the Cloak of Shadows, which stories say lets two people meet in secret, even when far apart. Jagk said it did not work that way, though, and never could get it to work. it was also told to be not one object, but two cloaks.
(23:14:54) Grunn says: Jagk spoke of finding the cloaks in the Deathrealm along with a book he could not understand. He took the cloaks, but could not bring the book out.

Then the Scoobies went to work on their own, slowly piecing the clues together.

(23:24:29) Grunn says: Do we know where he started it yet?
(23:24:43) Grunn says: Tell me.
(23:24:45) Peacer looks at grunn "Hmm Janeous... i think"
(23:24:55) Alcarin says: Jagk also said that the compulsion glyph would lose it's power if it was used on more than one thing at a time...
(23:25:00) Peacer says: well maybe he went into the meeting as tria, then infected xillix
(23:25:13) Grunn nods to Peacer
(23:25:54) Alcarin says: I thought Xillix said Daehaz[sp?] was the first to act sick at the meeting though...
(23:25:58) Grunn says: That sounds likely. We think janeous has been using two women as spies.
(23:26:46) Grunn says: maybe all at the meeting were infected at once.
(23:27:43) Grunn says: a person's immunity seems to affect how long before they get sick.
(23:28:15) Grunn says: Perhaps Xillix was infected first, but did not know it. Tria came very close to her, correct?
(23:28:47) Peacer says: I think she did yes
(23:34:09) Alcarin says: Oh, didn't the sickness ease up after Aeshion tried to get Rooyannan to touch that black stone?
(23:35:11) Einnol says: I believe so. Around that time anyway, Alcarin.
(23:36:30) Grunn says: What did Jagk say about the power of the compulsion Glyph?
(23:37:23) Grunn says: One thing.... Mybe Janeous did not know this.
(23:38:19) Grunn says: He is a madman already.
(23:38:20) Einnol says: Could it also control the cold itself? Sharven told me that colds are actually tiny living things called viruses.
(23:38:24) Alcarin says: Oh, yeah, he did...
(23:38:35) Irick coughs hard agin
(23:38:58) Alcarin says: Jagk said Janeous was controling it...
(23:39:17) Einnol says: With the glyph, Alcarin?
(23:39:24) Irick says: Viruses? thats only a theiory Einnol.. we dont have any hard proof, it seems foolish to asume..."
(23:39:29) Netrhys watches, listening from a distance
(23:39:34) Alcarin says: Aye
(23:40:19) Einnol says: Does anyone have a better theory?
(23:40:40) Alcarin says: Jagk said `A'th'k your healer'th that,' when I asked if the cold was alive.
(23:41:00) Grunn says: It...makes sense
(23:41:43) Irick says: the virial theory wold explain this...
(23:41:44) Ceruny says: So xillix is not the one who started the cold?
(23:42:20) Einnol says: I find it much more likely that Janeous did.
(23:42:25) Alcarin says: Janeous might have started the cold with her...
(23:43:18) Einnol says: Aye, sir?
(23:43:19) Aresilek says: [can u minimise planeshift? my client crashes whenever i try.]
(23:43:36) Einnol says: Who?
(23:44:07) Einnol nods "Aye."
(23:44:14) Grunn says: That would explain something else as well..
(23:44:31) Einnol raises an eyebrow at Grunn.
(23:44:53) Grunn says: The sickness is controlled by magic. Kran are not afected.
(23:44:58) Alcarin says: Aye, 'twould.
(23:45:22) Unar says: I have heard it is impervious to magic.
(23:45:35) Grunn says: We are immune to most magics.
(23:45:45) Peacer nods to grunn "As i explained before" and smiles
(23:46:05) Einnol says: Glyths are magical.
(23:49:26) Irick says: its just a cold.. if Janeous is found, and the threat nutralised then we shold return to normal, and we prevent it from happening agin.
(23:49:27) Grunn says: if he is controlling the sickness with that glyph, then the only way it can be stopped is to take it from him.

(23:52:01) Einnol says: Does the compulsion glyth not have a limited area of effect?
(23:52:16) Einnol says: Did someone say that?
(23:52:16) Mudis says: jagk said it was very small
(23:52:20) Alcarin says: That's what I thought...
(23:52:23) Einnol says: Aye!
(23:52:35) Einnol says: Where have the sick people been most of this time?
(23:52:42) Alcarin says: In the temple...
(23:52:44) Mudis says: IN THE TEMPLE
(23:52:47) Einnol nods.
(23:52:47) Aresilek says: In the temple
(23:52:58) Einnol says: Exactly!
(23:52:58) Grunn looks at the temple.
(23:52:59) Alcarin says: We need to spread out then?
(23:53:20) Grunn says: You think he is....in the temple?
(23:53:21) Einnol says: Rooyannan has seen the glyth....in the temple!
(23:53:36) Einnol says: Aeshion took her to it.
(23:53:44) Mudis says: she had it
(23:53:50) Grunn says: I think she ment the refection gl....
(23:53:54) Mudis says: aeshion had it
(23:53:58) Grunn's jaw drops.
(23:54:04) Einnol says: The black stone!
(23:54:15) Mudis says: that is what rooo said black stone
(23:54:16) Einnol says: The compulsion glyph!
(23:54:19) Irick blinks
(23:54:23) Peacer says: umm yes
(23:54:39) Mudis eyes peacer
(23:54:50) Grunn says: The area of the compulion glyph is very small.....Unless affected by a much greater glyph.
(23:55:03) Mudis says: the refection glyph?
(23:55:15) Grunn says: Yes.....It could be.
(23:55:25) Peacer says: and it was however in that room the sickness started
(23:55:26) Aresilek says: As have I.
(23:55:54) Grunn says: He started the sickness in that room, right?
(23:56:18) Grunn says: And your illness did not get better by going far away, right?
(23:56:55) Einnol nods.
(23:58:21) Einnol says: So, he could be anywhere?
(23:59:01) Einnol says: But, Rooyannan saw the compulsion glyth....he would not stray far from it.
(23:59:22) Mudis says: if the area creene can control is small woud he not have to be close to the reflection glyph?
(23:59:51) Alcarin says: True...
(23:59:51) Grunn says: Just to start the spell.
(00:00:16) Mudis looks down to the ground "oh"
(00:00:25) Aresilek says: Which means he must be in or near the temple.
(00:00:31) Einnol sighs dissapointedly.
(00:01:02) Grunn says: What do you think we should do?
(00:01:07) Einnol says: Bah! Just when we think we are getting closer to him....
(00:01:10) Vornne's head is spinning
(00:01:13) Grunn says: The two women are still missing.
(00:01:22) Alcarin says: What if we were to remove the reflection glyph?
(00:01:26) Einnol says: Aeshion and Tria?
(00:01:30) Grunn says: Who knows who else
(00:01:31) Mudis says: or destroy it
(00:02:04) Grunn says: He could be any of you....
(00:02:16) Mudis eyes peacer
(00:02:18) Einnol says: I know not a way to destroy a glyth...do any of you?
(00:02:32) Peacer looks back at mudis with a smile
(00:02:39) Mudis shakes his head no
(00:02:48) Ceruny says: Could he be Xillix?

Anyways, this eventually lead them to The girls and saving them, and also the book…but first, Ceruny had one last act to play…

Aeshion and Tria where now rescued, but told of some terrible news. Ceruny had been killed after he took off the brown half of the Cloak and tried to untie the girls. His body would reappear later… nailed to the Temple Door.