Shavaris perks up a bit, "You think the ghostbusters being arrested is almost as good as dead? Do you think that would work for Strahd? Wish there was a way to find out without going back. I worry what Ward did and how he'll receive us if we return." Her countenance falls again as she thinks of Ward... why did he run off like that?
As she tries to stop thinking about it, she is startled by the incoming cop but finds the whole cussing and then apologizing thing oddly funny. Why apologize for words that aren't associated with spells or anything? What an odd custom.
She pulls the hood of her cloak up over her head and follows Travbot out while trying to stop the two clones from fighting.
"Nakatomi Plaza?" The guard says, puzzled by the robot looking guy. "Sure man. Head east across the Brooklyn Bridge and follow Broadway all the way out to the Empire State Building, then hang a right onto Madison Avenue and head toward Central Park. It's out there next to Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center. When you head out the door just hang a left and go."
He pushes his cap back and rubs his head.
"Boy the Big Apple just keeps gettin' weirda and weirda."
"thanks! My guy! Yeh yeh" the more pleasant Travclone says attempting an enthusiastic impression of some kind of city dweller. Travbot raises a disguised eyebrow noticing the guards recognition of the illusion. Guards seem to have gotten more wise nowadays and at the same time are as stupid as ever, he notes mentally.
The streets of New York at night made the Dawn Guard look absolutely tame in comparison. They made their way down the street and across the Brooklyn bridge, just as instructed, following the route through the late night rabble of the city that never sleeps, deeper into New York, step by step closer to their objective...and their showdown with a monster. It was close to midnight after their rested, walked, saw the sites of this mind-boggling metropolis as they went...and then, before them, the sign for Nakatomi Plaza came into view.
The building was tall, nearly five hundred feet straight up into the sky. It was nothing like the height of the buildings around it, but it still towered over the trees of the huge park behind it, and looked like a whole Hyborian township could live inside this single construction.
Nothing stirred around the skyscraper. No homeless, no workers, no night guards like even the church had.
A cursory exploration around the building reveals two obvious entrances.
The first is the front doors, leading into a lobby adorned with all the Nakatomi Plaza signage that anyone can stand. This is the only place where life is obvious; someone, or what looks like a person, anyway, paces inside the lobby.
The second way in is the wide open vehicle access of the garage...
"so this is where Ivo shandor led us... And we don't know what's waiting for us up there, who's up for a bit of recon?" Travbot asks as he looks directly upwards attempting to see the top of the massive plaza, and noting the fact that this would likely make a flesh and bone person dizzy. The two Travclones keep mostly quiet in the way to Nakatomi, the more apparently aggressive clone seems to have picked up a circular sewer cover on his travels and has happily added that to his collection of junk. The more meek clone sticks to travbot's side and looks worried.
Johnathan looks at the massive scope of the building they need to explore. Something isn’t right. Where is everyone? So far we can’t even walk down a street without seeing someone but now there’s nothing.Johnathan gives another look at the entrances around them. It seems all too easy those entrances. Johnathan looks up at the windows above. I will send Echo out to see if there is another way on the sides or top of the building. I’m in favour or finding a way through one of the other floors of the building. I have a feeling we are expected to go through the front door for a trap. If we entered from somewhere else maybe we will have the element of surprise.
Johnathan sends Echo to fly around the building, looking for any other access points to the building. He will also check the roof of the building to see if that has any defences as well.
Shavaris nods as Travin and Jonathan talk about the large building in front of her. But she doesn't want to wait to find out what Echo sees. "I'm going to sneak around that garage, see if anything in there will work for us. If you find something good, send Echo in for me and I'll come right back."
Making sure her hood is on securely, and putting on the goggles that Ward gave her, she starts heading for the open garage door.
Dageron observes, "If these buildings are at all like those in surface Hyborian cities, they may connect to the sewers in the lowest levels. The abomination came from the sewers, and others may still seek us. Be careful Shavaris."
Johnathan opens his eyes as Echo returns to him. No clear entrances expect the windows. Couldn’t see inside due to some fabric blocking them, maybe curtains. However, he pauses as he tries to find the best words to describe it. There appears to be an altar of sorts on the roof. Multiple pillars with braziers and 4 gargoyle statues like from the book. There was a door up there as well but it seemed locked.
Shavaris looks at Dageron with a mixture of disbelief and appreciation. "Um.. good thought. Thanks." and she heads off.
With Eloise at her side, Shavaris is able to infiltrate the garage, past the initial 'watchman' and after seeing what she did, she hoofed it back to the group.
As she rejoins the group, she shudders a bit. "Well. This place seems to be crawling with undead. They might be vampires? But none like I've seen. The one I saw up close was hairless and has black eyes and looks like it's head is ready to split open with some weird crease right down the middle. There is something very wrong about them. There were two in the garage and after noticing me, they posted up guard at the elevator into the main entrance. I'd bet the one at the front door is another."
"That's not all, after seeing me... and their surveillance system is insane, these eyeballs on their own little legs, I didn't stand a chance, they introduced a HUGE blob like slime into the garage from something high on the wall. It slammed into Eloise like nothing and that's when I hightailed it out of there. And hearing what Jonathan has to say.. well, let's just walk in the front door. I feel this is gonna be ugly, lets get it done."
Adam looks down at his lightsaber on his belt and says “I can do ugly.” A pause for a second. “Oh, no I can’t. Nevermind. Let’s just go get ‘em!” He detaches his lightsaber from his belt, saying “Pardon me while I whip this out.” He pauses again, slouching slightly and looking at Dageron, saying “Unless you have suggestions about our strategy, Mr. Punji Sticks?”
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A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"You remembered?" Dageron's tone betrays a bit of amusement and pride. "I have, but likely you would not approve. As I see it, we cannot risk dying here if even the slightest hope remains of saving Hyboria. These Humans should bleed for their own world's salvation. I suggest we give our enemies what they want, and call the Human authorities to collect us... then we put up enough of a fight to draw a great many of their warriors all in one place." He then indicates the Rod of Rulership he had entrusted to Adam earlier. "We cannot die here, and the enemies are numerous. What actions we take will save this world. It is wrong that these peoples, with so many capable warriors, bear none of that responsibility and it would take far too much time to convince them to do so of their own accord. I say we give Vigo, Strahd, Ivor, and whoever else is ******* with this world a taste of Human revenge. But... I would understand if the softer sentiments of the majority of the Dawn Guard disagree. I am used to it. If the latter, then I suggest we only enthrall one of the controllers of the flying craft we have seen overhead from time to time. I believe they are called Hell-copters. We could simply go straight to the roof if able to secure one of those. I saw several throughout or journey, most coming and going from the tops of tall buildings."
F***. So they are not even being sneaky with their attack. I thought it was too easy. They also seem to have control of the goo, perfect. Well I think we ultimately need to get to that altar, we can skip a lot of their defences if we attack from there. Johnathan pauses as he begins to float weightlessly a moment before returning to the ground. I can make myself weightless unlimited times. I also have my cloak that allows me to fly in the night. I could try taking light people up one at a time. I also have the ability to grant flight up to 3 people but that would cost me halve of my magic reserves. With the winged boots we can get 5 people on the roof easily, maybe more if others hold on.
Johnathan listens to Dageron’s plan and comments. You are not wrong about having people from this realm help. However I don’t know if they can. I haven’t seen anyone be able to cast magic in this realm, Travin correct me if I am wrong but they seem to rely more on weapons and science. Would this population even believe us about the undead? Also we are invaders of this world and have a criminal record. They could simply kill us instead of capture, especially if they are working for vampires. Do you think the ghostbusters are alive? I doubt it.
Johnathan looks over to Ralik. This will probably be the last chance for you to recover some of your magic. It would probably be needed if we are facing an army of the undead. It seems quiet for now, do you want to try now or at some point in the building?
Travbot listens to the plans, now staring hard at the floor instead of the distant top of the sky scraper, "I um, yes weapons and science" he answers to Johnathan. "Magic is the stuff of story in this world and so are we. They would likely not believe the truth even if it happened in front of them. The guard at the church saw right through my disguise but chose not to believe his own eyes, clinging to denial instead. On that note, our criminal record isn't really a problem, we needn't have done anything at all and we would still be at risk of being captured and tortured by the authorities of this world just because of what we are... Different."
Travbot sighs, something that seems strange for a robot, an active performative action but in spite of that it seems like the human mind in the tin cranium is subconsciously holding on to some habits. "We shouldn't spend too much of our reserves getting up there, it seems clear of people here, and it is definitely a trap. We could however bring the roof to us? Down in the garages there, there should be pillars which steady this building. If we destroy those enough we won't have to seek the highest authorities of this world, they will come to us... Unless of course the place is already rigged and that is the trap. HEY SHAV! LOOK AROUND FOR EXPLOSIVES DOWN THERE" He calls after her as she goes to recon the garage under the building.
Both Travclones look excited and itching for a fight, something to change the boredom of a night spent in a church and copious walking. Chaos is the only thing that will settle their muddled minds and they crave it.
Shavaris scratches her head. "Getting up to the roof would be ideal, but I would tend to agree with Travin and not use so many resources to get up there. If we could get ahold of a Hell-coptor, that would be amazing."
"There were no explosives that I saw in the garage and I had a pretty good look around. But you're right about the pillars though, everywhere and strong ones, holding up the building. I don't know, there is only one at the front door..." she smiles slyly, obviously wanting to skewer the creepy vampire things.
"fine, unless someone thinks my blow the building up idea is worth a shot then the front door it is. The one thing that you likely shouldn't put in a trap is us... unpredictable as all hell." Travbot starts walking to the front doors and the clones excitedly follow after.
Dageron gives Travbot an appraising look. "I agree that it would be preferable to destroy these nuisances from a safe distance. I have Shatterspike. It cleaves any mundane object automatically. If there are structural supports, it and Adam's lightsaber could be used to weaken them. Then we could use explosive magics to finish them off. That said, it may take some time and Shavaris noted an abundance of undead. The enemy would know exactly where we were and what we were doing relatively quickly. If there are any more of those flesh abominations, then we may find ourselves trapped once again." He looks at the building, the size and immensity of it. "They could be hiding ten armies in there and we wouldn't see it from out here. If this truly is a trap, we may quickly find ourselves overwhelmed. I don't believe calling in the Humans is such a terrible idea... Their weapons may be mundane, but numbers count in any fight if leveraged properly."
”What if we let those sheriffs and constables know that there is a robbery going on in the Nakitomi plaza, we get inside and crawl through the ductwork, take the stairs as needed and get to the top floor. We threaten to explode the building, kill Vigo, then escape off the roof in those hell-copters, what do you think? We can fight whenever we need to, but try to avoid the mass of undead in the garage and first few levels likely. Perhaps we could even blend in or appear as zombies, act like there are things growing in our brains, walk funny and drool, moan at times, you know, act like one of those undead goons.” Adam looks around at the others, spitballing options.
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A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Travbot stops in his tracks and sighs, turning back much to the disappointment of his clones "we don't need to do this right now, calling the humans is a good idea but I have a better one for getting us up there without encountering the rest of the lower floor enemies." Travbot looks to the other buildings in the area, one close by over looking the plaza building that they need to get into. "Take your pick..." He points around to the other buildings, "how many undead do you think will be in those? We take those elevators to the top and once these Travins can see the top of Nakatomi, they can teleport up to 8 people each to a point within sight range. What do you guys think? At that point we'd just need to drop a few spells or explosives over the side and the authorities would be on the way in no time. It uses no magic up apart from a charge each from these guys helms" he taps his clones once each on the head
Setting up explosives isn’t the worst idea. If the building is full of undead then we don’t need to worry about civilians. I doubt the explosion will kill a powerful vampire but it will at least destroy the minions and force them out. Johnathan pauses as he looks at another nearby building that Travin suggests using. It sounds good, though we would still need to break in that building. Should be much easier than the undead building. We can decide what to do with the explosives as we go, I feel we work better improvising than planning. Let’s try a nearby building to break into. Johnathan sends Echo to scout the tallest nearby building near the Plaza, looking specifically for any other civilians or undead minions.
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Shavaris perks up a bit, "You think the ghostbusters being arrested is almost as good as dead? Do you think that would work for Strahd? Wish there was a way to find out without going back. I worry what Ward did and how he'll receive us if we return." Her countenance falls again as she thinks of Ward... why did he run off like that?
As she tries to stop thinking about it, she is startled by the incoming cop but finds the whole cussing and then apologizing thing oddly funny. Why apologize for words that aren't associated with spells or anything? What an odd custom.
She pulls the hood of her cloak up over her head and follows Travbot out while trying to stop the two clones from fighting.
"Nakatomi Plaza?" The guard says, puzzled by the robot looking guy. "Sure man. Head east across the Brooklyn Bridge and follow Broadway all the way out to the Empire State Building, then hang a right onto Madison Avenue and head toward Central Park. It's out there next to Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center. When you head out the door just hang a left and go."
He pushes his cap back and rubs his head.
"Boy the Big Apple just keeps gettin' weirda and weirda."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
"thanks! My guy! Yeh yeh" the more pleasant Travclone says attempting an enthusiastic impression of some kind of city dweller. Travbot raises a disguised eyebrow noticing the guards recognition of the illusion. Guards seem to have gotten more wise nowadays and at the same time are as stupid as ever, he notes mentally.
AURYN
Escape from New York
Part II
If you like to gamble...
...I tell you I'm your man...
...you win some, lose some...
...it's all the same to me...
The streets of New York at night made the Dawn Guard look absolutely tame in comparison. They made their way down the street and across the Brooklyn bridge, just as instructed, following the route through the late night rabble of the city that never sleeps, deeper into New York, step by step closer to their objective...and their showdown with a monster. It was close to midnight after their rested, walked, saw the sites of this mind-boggling metropolis as they went...and then, before them, the sign for Nakatomi Plaza came into view.
The building was tall, nearly five hundred feet straight up into the sky. It was nothing like the height of the buildings around it, but it still towered over the trees of the huge park behind it, and looked like a whole Hyborian township could live inside this single construction.
Nothing stirred around the skyscraper. No homeless, no workers, no night guards like even the church had.
A cursory exploration around the building reveals two obvious entrances.
The first is the front doors, leading into a lobby adorned with all the Nakatomi Plaza signage that anyone can stand. This is the only place where life is obvious; someone, or what looks like a person, anyway, paces inside the lobby.
The second way in is the wide open vehicle access of the garage...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
"so this is where Ivo shandor led us... And we don't know what's waiting for us up there, who's up for a bit of recon?" Travbot asks as he looks directly upwards attempting to see the top of the massive plaza, and noting the fact that this would likely make a flesh and bone person dizzy. The two Travclones keep mostly quiet in the way to Nakatomi, the more apparently aggressive clone seems to have picked up a circular sewer cover on his travels and has happily added that to his collection of junk. The more meek clone sticks to travbot's side and looks worried.
Johnathan looks at the massive scope of the building they need to explore. Something isn’t right. Where is everyone? So far we can’t even walk down a street without seeing someone but now there’s nothing. Johnathan gives another look at the entrances around them. It seems all too easy those entrances. Johnathan looks up at the windows above. I will send Echo out to see if there is another way on the sides or top of the building. I’m in favour or finding a way through one of the other floors of the building. I have a feeling we are expected to go through the front door for a trap. If we entered from somewhere else maybe we will have the element of surprise.
Johnathan sends Echo to fly around the building, looking for any other access points to the building. He will also check the roof of the building to see if that has any defences as well.
Shavaris nods as Travin and Jonathan talk about the large building in front of her. But she doesn't want to wait to find out what Echo sees. "I'm going to sneak around that garage, see if anything in there will work for us. If you find something good, send Echo in for me and I'll come right back."
Making sure her hood is on securely, and putting on the goggles that Ward gave her, she starts heading for the open garage door.
Stealth: 29
Perception: 15 (passive 22)
Dageron observes, "If these buildings are at all like those in surface Hyborian cities, they may connect to the sewers in the lowest levels. The abomination came from the sewers, and others may still seek us. Be careful Shavaris."
Johnathan opens his eyes as Echo returns to him. No clear entrances expect the windows. Couldn’t see inside due to some fabric blocking them, maybe curtains. However, he pauses as he tries to find the best words to describe it. There appears to be an altar of sorts on the roof. Multiple pillars with braziers and 4 gargoyle statues like from the book. There was a door up there as well but it seemed locked.
Shavaris looks at Dageron with a mixture of disbelief and appreciation. "Um.. good thought. Thanks." and she heads off.
With Eloise at her side, Shavaris is able to infiltrate the garage, past the initial 'watchman' and after seeing what she did, she hoofed it back to the group.
As she rejoins the group, she shudders a bit. "Well. This place seems to be crawling with undead. They might be vampires? But none like I've seen. The one I saw up close was hairless and has black eyes and looks like it's head is ready to split open with some weird crease right down the middle. There is something very wrong about them. There were two in the garage and after noticing me, they posted up guard at the elevator into the main entrance. I'd bet the one at the front door is another."
"That's not all, after seeing me... and their surveillance system is insane, these eyeballs on their own little legs, I didn't stand a chance, they introduced a HUGE blob like slime into the garage from something high on the wall. It slammed into Eloise like nothing and that's when I hightailed it out of there. And hearing what Jonathan has to say.. well, let's just walk in the front door. I feel this is gonna be ugly, lets get it done."
Adam looks down at his lightsaber on his belt and says “I can do ugly.” A pause for a second. “Oh, no I can’t. Nevermind. Let’s just go get ‘em!” He detaches his lightsaber from his belt, saying “Pardon me while I whip this out.” He pauses again, slouching slightly and looking at Dageron, saying “Unless you have suggestions about our strategy, Mr. Punji Sticks?”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"You remembered?" Dageron's tone betrays a bit of amusement and pride. "I have, but likely you would not approve. As I see it, we cannot risk dying here if even the slightest hope remains of saving Hyboria. These Humans should bleed for their own world's salvation. I suggest we give our enemies what they want, and call the Human authorities to collect us... then we put up enough of a fight to draw a great many of their warriors all in one place." He then indicates the Rod of Rulership he had entrusted to Adam earlier. "We cannot die here, and the enemies are numerous. What actions we take will save this world. It is wrong that these peoples, with so many capable warriors, bear none of that responsibility and it would take far too much time to convince them to do so of their own accord. I say we give Vigo, Strahd, Ivor, and whoever else is ******* with this world a taste of Human revenge. But... I would understand if the softer sentiments of the majority of the Dawn Guard disagree. I am used to it. If the latter, then I suggest we only enthrall one of the controllers of the flying craft we have seen overhead from time to time. I believe they are called Hell-copters. We could simply go straight to the roof if able to secure one of those. I saw several throughout or journey, most coming and going from the tops of tall buildings."
F***. So they are not even being sneaky with their attack. I thought it was too easy. They also seem to have control of the goo, perfect. Well I think we ultimately need to get to that altar, we can skip a lot of their defences if we attack from there. Johnathan pauses as he begins to float weightlessly a moment before returning to the ground. I can make myself weightless unlimited times. I also have my cloak that allows me to fly in the night. I could try taking light people up one at a time. I also have the ability to grant flight up to 3 people but that would cost me halve of my magic reserves. With the winged boots we can get 5 people on the roof easily, maybe more if others hold on.
Johnathan listens to Dageron’s plan and comments. You are not wrong about having people from this realm help. However I don’t know if they can. I haven’t seen anyone be able to cast magic in this realm, Travin correct me if I am wrong but they seem to rely more on weapons and science. Would this population even believe us about the undead? Also we are invaders of this world and have a criminal record. They could simply kill us instead of capture, especially if they are working for vampires. Do you think the ghostbusters are alive? I doubt it.
Johnathan looks over to Ralik. This will probably be the last chance for you to recover some of your magic. It would probably be needed if we are facing an army of the undead. It seems quiet for now, do you want to try now or at some point in the building?
Travbot listens to the plans, now staring hard at the floor instead of the distant top of the sky scraper, "I um, yes weapons and science" he answers to Johnathan. "Magic is the stuff of story in this world and so are we. They would likely not believe the truth even if it happened in front of them. The guard at the church saw right through my disguise but chose not to believe his own eyes, clinging to denial instead. On that note, our criminal record isn't really a problem, we needn't have done anything at all and we would still be at risk of being captured and tortured by the authorities of this world just because of what we are... Different."
Travbot sighs, something that seems strange for a robot, an active performative action but in spite of that it seems like the human mind in the tin cranium is subconsciously holding on to some habits. "We shouldn't spend too much of our reserves getting up there, it seems clear of people here, and it is definitely a trap. We could however bring the roof to us? Down in the garages there, there should be pillars which steady this building. If we destroy those enough we won't have to seek the highest authorities of this world, they will come to us... Unless of course the place is already rigged and that is the trap. HEY SHAV! LOOK AROUND FOR EXPLOSIVES DOWN THERE" He calls after her as she goes to recon the garage under the building.
Both Travclones look excited and itching for a fight, something to change the boredom of a night spent in a church and copious walking. Chaos is the only thing that will settle their muddled minds and they crave it.
Shavaris scratches her head. "Getting up to the roof would be ideal, but I would tend to agree with Travin and not use so many resources to get up there. If we could get ahold of a Hell-coptor, that would be amazing."
"There were no explosives that I saw in the garage and I had a pretty good look around. But you're right about the pillars though, everywhere and strong ones, holding up the building. I don't know, there is only one at the front door..." she smiles slyly, obviously wanting to skewer the creepy vampire things.
"fine, unless someone thinks my blow the building up idea is worth a shot then the front door it is. The one thing that you likely shouldn't put in a trap is us... unpredictable as all hell." Travbot starts walking to the front doors and the clones excitedly follow after.
Dageron gives Travbot an appraising look. "I agree that it would be preferable to destroy these nuisances from a safe distance. I have Shatterspike. It cleaves any mundane object automatically. If there are structural supports, it and Adam's lightsaber could be used to weaken them. Then we could use explosive magics to finish them off. That said, it may take some time and Shavaris noted an abundance of undead. The enemy would know exactly where we were and what we were doing relatively quickly. If there are any more of those flesh abominations, then we may find ourselves trapped once again." He looks at the building, the size and immensity of it. "They could be hiding ten armies in there and we wouldn't see it from out here. If this truly is a trap, we may quickly find ourselves overwhelmed. I don't believe calling in the Humans is such a terrible idea... Their weapons may be mundane, but numbers count in any fight if leveraged properly."
”What if we let those sheriffs and constables know that there is a robbery going on in the Nakitomi plaza, we get inside and crawl through the ductwork, take the stairs as needed and get to the top floor. We threaten to explode the building, kill Vigo, then escape off the roof in those hell-copters, what do you think? We can fight whenever we need to, but try to avoid the mass of undead in the garage and first few levels likely. Perhaps we could even blend in or appear as zombies, act like there are things growing in our brains, walk funny and drool, moan at times, you know, act like one of those undead goons.” Adam looks around at the others, spitballing options.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Travbot stops in his tracks and sighs, turning back much to the disappointment of his clones "we don't need to do this right now, calling the humans is a good idea but I have a better one for getting us up there without encountering the rest of the lower floor enemies." Travbot looks to the other buildings in the area, one close by over looking the plaza building that they need to get into. "Take your pick..." He points around to the other buildings, "how many undead do you think will be in those? We take those elevators to the top and once these Travins can see the top of Nakatomi, they can teleport up to 8 people each to a point within sight range. What do you guys think? At that point we'd just need to drop a few spells or explosives over the side and the authorities would be on the way in no time. It uses no magic up apart from a charge each from these guys helms" he taps his clones once each on the head
Setting up explosives isn’t the worst idea. If the building is full of undead then we don’t need to worry about civilians. I doubt the explosion will kill a powerful vampire but it will at least destroy the minions and force them out. Johnathan pauses as he looks at another nearby building that Travin suggests using. It sounds good, though we would still need to break in that building. Should be much easier than the undead building. We can decide what to do with the explosives as we go, I feel we work better improvising than planning. Let’s try a nearby building to break into. Johnathan sends Echo to scout the tallest nearby building near the Plaza, looking specifically for any other civilians or undead minions.