Corlith stands back in the shadows whilst the others take point on the interrogation, but does try and add to the general sinister feel by making his eyes glow like hot coals.
He watches Amrik like a hawk for any hint that he is lying or hiding anything when he speaks.
Reed looks up Archie then at Virro as they do their best to be very intimidating and threatening to Amrik.
The halfling slips in between them and looks into Amrik's face. Reed smiles broadly at the man.
"You can only imagine how much they'd like to experiment with you," Reed says. "This one has even shown me how he can make a dead person's fingers move. Very educational."
He rocks on his feet a little before continuing.
"But how about you just have a little chat with us instead. Your family are mixed up with the Dead Three. You're mixed up with whatever happened to Elturel. You're mixed up with, what's the name? Kreeg? What I'd like to know is what your family has planned next. I'd very much like whatever is going on to stop before it somehow spreads all the way to Thornvalley. Now, you can tell us that, or we can drag you through the streets to your mum and see whether she loves you and if she'll trade you for answers."
Reed looks at the air next to Amrik's head.
"Can you scream around inside his head a little to soften him up?" Reed asks the air. After a pause he frowns. "What do you mean you're too tired? What have you done today?"
Roo wastes little time once they reach the dark basement. He spends a few seconds as he watches the interrogation unfold, then finds an old washtub nearby and drags it over before flipping it upside down and hopping up on top of it to look square in Amrik's face.
"Let's start this over. Buck." He says, his head jerking from side to side, making his comb and wattle twitch in the light of Archie's fire. "I want to be clear about something first, though. There is nothing that would bring me greater joy than to kill you where you sit. Nothing. But I've been asked to make sure you can still answer questions when I'm done with you. You know what that means, don't you?"
Roo leans forward, his long neck sticking out longer and longer as his feathers ruffle.
"It means I can hurt you very bad, and no one is going to bat an eye, you featherless dog." He whispers to Amrik. He hops down, and in short order removes Amrik's boots before calling Glory of Morning over. "By Gallus, look at those ridiculous five toed feet. How do you beasts even walk? No matter. Glory! Go on girl..."
He pecks the ground next to Amrik's feet to indicate where he wants her to focus, and the possum walks over and starts to drool before her grotesque tongue lolls from her mouth and starts to lick Amrik's feet. Then Roo hops back up onto the washtub.
"She loves salty things." He says, an apparent reference to Amrik's sweaty, salty feet. "When I tell her to, she's going to start eating. But, before we get to that point, I want to revisit my prior inquiry. Buc-buc-bagah. When I pointed out this armor, and you had that laugh...oh what a laugh, I sure hope it was worth it...you said that Fog' Horn...for that was his name, and how you better address him...walked in on your conversing with a devil and tried to smite it, and it killed him. I want to know what devil, by its name, do you understand? And I want to know what you were conversing with it about. And if you lie to me...or anyone on my team...I am going to cluck you up on a mythic scale. The Priests of Gallus will sing the song of the day Amrik the Foolish lied to Roo' Stor and his friends for as long as the Giver of Light blesses the sky.
While we're on the subject of questions, here's something I can't quite make sense of. And friends..."
Roo looks around at his team and raises his hands in mock defeat.
"...any of you may have to correct me, for a lot has happened in the last little bit and I will admit I am feeling a bit confused after my singular tract of mind, you understand. But...Amrik...did you not tell us you knew nothing of the Cult of the Dead 3 or the Dungeon of the Dead 3 or...well, however you denied it...and then admitted to seeing Fog' Horn fall in that very dungeon you supposedly knew nothing about? Remember, any bullshit, and you'll spend the rest of your life hobbling around on stumps."
Amrik, already very pale, blanches as Virro starts playing with his fingers and at the sight of his bloody, wretched smile. He tries to look away and his eyes land on the halfling as he starts in on him.
"Chat with you, oh? Sure, my family is helping fund the Dead Three. Why not? The Flaming Fists aren't worth anything anyways. This cult is just proving that fact. Mixed up with what happened at Elturel? No... I can't say I am. I just run my business out of the Low Lantern, that's all"
Reya's ears perk up when Reed mentions Kreeg and waits to hear what Amrik says about him, when he sidesteps that part of the question, she makes sure the man can see her and repeats, "What about Thavius Kreeg? Do you know where I can find this man?"
Amrik stares at Reya, considering, "Yes, I've heard the name, but I don't know anything about him. Just mum had mentioned him before."
He struggles a bit in his manacles as Roo brings the washbasin over out of reflex, and backs as far into his chair as the rooster's neck extends at him. He tries to then recoil his feet when Roo takes his boot, but can't as his feet are tied together as well. He stares in fascination as the possum unrolls his tongue and then looks around to the group, seeing if anyone will stop this crazy scene.
He listens as Roo talks about Fog'Horn, wincing a bit as Roo talks about how he laughed at him, seeing the position he finds himself in now. Once the birdman is finished, he pauses, considering his words. "Yes, a devil I was consorting with did kill your friend. I did not say it was in the dungeon of the Dead 3, someone must have laid his body to rest there as I have never been in that place, as I told you before."
He swallows hard, then looking Roo in the eyes, "We were discussing funds that my mother was acquiring for her pet projects. His name is Odious, now please. I've told you everything I know and have answered all of your questions. I just want to go home now. Mum will be wondering where I am soon."
Archie gives Roo a somewhat surprised head tilt, when he refers to the group as his friends, twice! and in such quick succession, though she does not stop his interrogation, shrugging the comment off, for now.
"Do we already know who the mother is?" She asks the group, turning from Amrik and easing off a little with the flame near his face. She pulls out her half finished bottle of unknown alcohol, with her non-flaming hand and takes another swig.
"We aren't done yet." Roo says as Glory continues her weird and gross work. "Where was my friend killed, Amrik? Where were you when you were consorting with this devil? How long ago was it? And what gains have you received from this discussion you took part in?"
He thinks for a moment, his head cocking back and forth, nodding at Archie's question.
"You can answer my friend's question any time you please. And on that note, where is your mother? I also want to know about Odious. You can stop your sniveling you cowardly cluck. We're not done until we decide we're done, so you may as well shut up and get comfortable."
Corlith leans a little forward, his eyes still glowing like burning coals, "I believe you have never been to that dungeon, you are slimy and dirty in a very different way to that place, I am sure you find it abhorrent. But then that is what your brother was for, to do the dirty work. Until you decided to send someone to kill him. Tell us more about that".
"And elaborate on these pet projects of your Mother's whilst you are spilling your metaphorical guts. It sounds very much like the Cult of the Dead Three might be one of them. It's sounding very much like a family business right now. And speaking of which, what part does your elder brother play?".
Amrik is visibly shrinking under the pressure of the interrogation and trying to keep his toes from the giant possum. "I was having a conversation with Odious at our home, the Vanthampur residence. We were discussing funds for the cultist project when we were rude..I mean, surprised by your friend. How long ago? I don't know, several months? Maybe longer?"
"My mother? She is typically at home, unless called in for a council meeting." As Corlith leans in, Amrik finds himself leaning away from him now and just closing his eyes. "Mother doesn't know anything about what happened with Mortlock. Honestly, it would have happened sooner if it wasn't for her, but we were sick of having to deal with the abomination!" At this he opens his eyes, a bit of fervor coming back as he tries to defend his actions.
"And yes, Thurstwell knew about it as well. We both wanted him gone, just made things easier." He sighs, looking very defeated, "Yes, the funds were for the cult of the Dead Three. As for what part my oldest brother played? Ha, probably nothing. Just sits in his room day in and day out. Who knows."
"I say we kill his mother and burn the house to the ground." He says flatly before looking back at Amrik. "Are you going to tell me about Odious or am I wasting my time? Did your mother know you were in discussions with Odious? It seems so. I don't like to waste time, Amrik. And you haven't explained to my friend there why you sent someone to kill Mortlock. I advise that you answer. As soon as you aren't useful to me anymore, I'm going to do very bad things to you."
As the others all press in around Amrik, Reed looks around at the tight confines of this small basement. The full group, plus Reya and Amrik seem to suck the air right out of the room.
He waves at something around his head only he can see and squirms through legs until he gets himself on to the stairs. From there, where there's room to head up if he needs to, he turns back around and watches the group looming over Amrik.
"Why don't we just take him where there's more room to ask these questions?" Reed suggests, a little shiver rippling along his spine, making him fidget; his usual broad smile looking very thin. "No point getting Wilfred's friend's basement all bloody. There's a perfectly good Vanthampur manor for that. And it sounds like we're going to have to chat with Mother Vanthampur anyway."
Corlith sighs, "Roo, Reed, I think you might be right. Perhaps the mother is the one to answer our questions. Although I could use a breather before we head out". As he speaks he rubs the shoulder where Amrik stabbed him.
"All this dealing with devils is a concern. I am obviously not unfamiliar with that subject, my bloodline being visible for all to see", the tiefling says. "They are evil, and any who openly consort with them and make deals with their kind, are surely of evil intent themselves. We should not underestimate them or take them lightly, when we visit this mother, we must be ready".
Archie sighs and takes a seat, "seconded, I second that motion" she roots around in her bag and pulls out another book, 'Gods of the multiverse' and surprisingly finds another set of manacles too, handing them to Roo she asks "d'ya wanna chain his legs too, might be more secure than the rope, he's still not given us his mother's name, don't let him dodge too many questions. Anyway, I'm gonna bugger off upstairs and see if there's any more cookies up for grabs" and then she gets up and does just that.
Amrik listens to the group question and discuss, increasingly getting worried for his own safety. "Kill my mother? No! I mean... she's the most powerful person in Baldur's Gate, you can't kill her. And it's not like I wasn't telling you her name, you didn't ask me! It's Thalamra Vanthampur, how could you not know? There's nothing more to tell you about Odious, just had a deal with him and then I left! Of course I'm useful!" He seems a bit panicked now thinking about the very bad things the rooster is threatening.
As Archie mentions more manacles, "I'm already restrained and surrounded, you don't need those. And I'm fully cooperating!"
Reya looks around and down to Reed, "Yeah, no need to do anymore here, and he is right, he could be very useful in getting into the Vanthampur mansion after all. I mean, I have been struggling just to get to the Upper City and was hoping you all would be able to help. He would be an easy ticket in." She gestures towards Amrik.
Then looking at Wilfred, "Did you have some questions for Amrik before we head on out?"
"I think these shiny badges will come in handy getting us into the Upper City," Reed says pulling his Flaming Fist badge out of his pocket and twirling it between his fingers.
"Hold on Archie, I'll come with you", Corlith says as he takes one last look at Amrik surrounded by interrogators and follows along. "Here, I think you should be the one to keep this, if we are heading to the Upper City you are going to stand out too much without it", he says and hands back the masque charm.
"Now, let's find these cookies and have a sit down for a bit. Then I need to clean the blood off my armour".
Once he has found a place to rest, he will clean all his things and then relax, trying not to think about what might be happening in the basement without him there.
If the others make their way upstairs as well, he will ask if anyone wants a clockwork amulet.
Archie happily accepts the masque charm and then asks Corlith if he'll also be willing to magically clean off her boots, "I'm still finding splinters everywhere from our boating expedition, I'm getting an understanding of these upgrades 'the other me' made. It's odd though, I'm grateful, but it's weird. I was chatting with Virro earlier, apparently 'the other me' gifted him a homunculus servant, it's like a little machine that I can make if I prepare the right stuff, and it was definitely my magic, but it wasn't at the same time... Anyway we need to find a better name for it than 'the other me'." She sits on whichever of Bertie's furniture looks the comfiest and throws another cookie into the open visor.
Corlith listens to Archie speak, motioning for her to raise each boot so he can clean it.
"So that is what happened on the boat. You didn't expect the upgrades to work in quite the way they did?", he asks, feeling a little more comfortable that the destruction wasn't planned.
"Have you ever thought of going somewhere to learn about this more formally? I went to an institution to learn, and they had many different colleges there dedicated to all sorts. Perhaps if we make enough coin, you can recompense the owner of the Low Lantern and have enough to go yourself?", he suggests.
"As for a name, how did you come up with Ironmaiden? Perhaps that is the armour, the other you, and you are simply Archie? And you know, that other you seemed a bit broken, like it didn't know how to act".
Reed runs up the stairs, happy to be out of the basement.
"That's the only way out, right?" Reed asks Bertie, pointing at the stairwell leading down to the basement. "He can't get far then while we rest our feet for a few moments."
Reed does his best to catch up on the conversation Corlith and Archie are having.
"Reggie?" Reed suggests as an alternative name for the Other Archie. "Or Keith? Those capture the unpleasant nature of the other one."
Archie stretches one foot out as she slouches in the chair, perching it gently on Corlith's knee "you were in an institution? I was learning all I could from Master Thell, she's taught me most of what I know about applying magic to machinery, this situation though I don't think they teach alter ego at an academy. And yeah the upgrades took me a bit by surprise, they don't come with a manual so I'll need to test some things out."
Once he is done casting on the first foot, she sets it back down and gives Corlith her other foot.
"As for the name it's something people started calling me after I'd been out doing vigilante stuff for a few weeks, though I'd had some blackouts during that time too, I thought it was just exhaustion from wearing the suit so long... I suppose it's possible the people caller the other me 'The IronMaiden' or maybe it called itself that and then word got around until finally I heard it. But I'm not sure, I never came up with the name myself either way. How is the other broken? The IronMaiden that is?.."
Corlith stands back in the shadows whilst the others take point on the interrogation, but does try and add to the general sinister feel by making his eyes glow like hot coals.
He watches Amrik like a hawk for any hint that he is lying or hiding anything when he speaks.
Insight: 5+5=10 (passive 15)
Reed looks up Archie then at Virro as they do their best to be very intimidating and threatening to Amrik.
The halfling slips in between them and looks into Amrik's face. Reed smiles broadly at the man.
"You can only imagine how much they'd like to experiment with you," Reed says. "This one has even shown me how he can make a dead person's fingers move. Very educational."
He rocks on his feet a little before continuing.
"But how about you just have a little chat with us instead. Your family are mixed up with the Dead Three. You're mixed up with whatever happened to Elturel. You're mixed up with, what's the name? Kreeg? What I'd like to know is what your family has planned next. I'd very much like whatever is going on to stop before it somehow spreads all the way to Thornvalley. Now, you can tell us that, or we can drag you through the streets to your mum and see whether she loves you and if she'll trade you for answers."
Reed looks at the air next to Amrik's head.
"Can you scream around inside his head a little to soften him up?" Reed asks the air. After a pause he frowns. "What do you mean you're too tired? What have you done today?"
Roo wastes little time once they reach the dark basement. He spends a few seconds as he watches the interrogation unfold, then finds an old washtub nearby and drags it over before flipping it upside down and hopping up on top of it to look square in Amrik's face.
"Let's start this over. Buck." He says, his head jerking from side to side, making his comb and wattle twitch in the light of Archie's fire. "I want to be clear about something first, though. There is nothing that would bring me greater joy than to kill you where you sit. Nothing. But I've been asked to make sure you can still answer questions when I'm done with you. You know what that means, don't you?"
Roo leans forward, his long neck sticking out longer and longer as his feathers ruffle.
"It means I can hurt you very bad, and no one is going to bat an eye, you featherless dog." He whispers to Amrik. He hops down, and in short order removes Amrik's boots before calling Glory of Morning over. "By Gallus, look at those ridiculous five toed feet. How do you beasts even walk? No matter. Glory! Go on girl..."
He pecks the ground next to Amrik's feet to indicate where he wants her to focus, and the possum walks over and starts to drool before her grotesque tongue lolls from her mouth and starts to lick Amrik's feet. Then Roo hops back up onto the washtub.
"She loves salty things." He says, an apparent reference to Amrik's sweaty, salty feet. "When I tell her to, she's going to start eating. But, before we get to that point, I want to revisit my prior inquiry. Buc-buc-bagah. When I pointed out this armor, and you had that laugh...oh what a laugh, I sure hope it was worth it...you said that Fog' Horn...for that was his name, and how you better address him...walked in on your conversing with a devil and tried to smite it, and it killed him. I want to know what devil, by its name, do you understand? And I want to know what you were conversing with it about. And if you lie to me...or anyone on my team...I am going to cluck you up on a mythic scale. The Priests of Gallus will sing the song of the day Amrik the Foolish lied to Roo' Stor and his friends for as long as the Giver of Light blesses the sky.
While we're on the subject of questions, here's something I can't quite make sense of. And friends..."
Roo looks around at his team and raises his hands in mock defeat.
"...any of you may have to correct me, for a lot has happened in the last little bit and I will admit I am feeling a bit confused after my singular tract of mind, you understand. But...Amrik...did you not tell us you knew nothing of the Cult of the Dead 3 or the Dungeon of the Dead 3 or...well, however you denied it...and then admitted to seeing Fog' Horn fall in that very dungeon you supposedly knew nothing about? Remember, any bullshit, and you'll spend the rest of your life hobbling around on stumps."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Amrik, already very pale, blanches as Virro starts playing with his fingers and at the sight of his bloody, wretched smile. He tries to look away and his eyes land on the halfling as he starts in on him.
"Chat with you, oh? Sure, my family is helping fund the Dead Three. Why not? The Flaming Fists aren't worth anything anyways. This cult is just proving that fact. Mixed up with what happened at Elturel? No... I can't say I am. I just run my business out of the Low Lantern, that's all"
Reya's ears perk up when Reed mentions Kreeg and waits to hear what Amrik says about him, when he sidesteps that part of the question, she makes sure the man can see her and repeats, "What about Thavius Kreeg? Do you know where I can find this man?"
Amrik stares at Reya, considering, "Yes, I've heard the name, but I don't know anything about him. Just mum had mentioned him before."
He struggles a bit in his manacles as Roo brings the washbasin over out of reflex, and backs as far into his chair as the rooster's neck extends at him. He tries to then recoil his feet when Roo takes his boot, but can't as his feet are tied together as well. He stares in fascination as the possum unrolls his tongue and then looks around to the group, seeing if anyone will stop this crazy scene.
He listens as Roo talks about Fog'Horn, wincing a bit as Roo talks about how he laughed at him, seeing the position he finds himself in now. Once the birdman is finished, he pauses, considering his words. "Yes, a devil I was consorting with did kill your friend. I did not say it was in the dungeon of the Dead 3, someone must have laid his body to rest there as I have never been in that place, as I told you before."
He swallows hard, then looking Roo in the eyes, "We were discussing funds that my mother was acquiring for her pet projects. His name is Odious, now please. I've told you everything I know and have answered all of your questions. I just want to go home now. Mum will be wondering where I am soon."
Archie gives Roo a somewhat surprised head tilt, when he refers to the group as his friends, twice! and in such quick succession, though she does not stop his interrogation, shrugging the comment off, for now.
"Do we already know who the mother is?" She asks the group, turning from Amrik and easing off a little with the flame near his face. She pulls out her half finished bottle of unknown alcohol, with her non-flaming hand and takes another swig.
"We aren't done yet." Roo says as Glory continues her weird and gross work. "Where was my friend killed, Amrik? Where were you when you were consorting with this devil? How long ago was it? And what gains have you received from this discussion you took part in?"
He thinks for a moment, his head cocking back and forth, nodding at Archie's question.
"You can answer my friend's question any time you please. And on that note, where is your mother? I also want to know about Odious. You can stop your sniveling you cowardly cluck. We're not done until we decide we're done, so you may as well shut up and get comfortable."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Wilfred sits in the back listening. Here adds in "I have a few questions, but I can wait until the end. Just some names I have questions about."
Corlith leans a little forward, his eyes still glowing like burning coals, "I believe you have never been to that dungeon, you are slimy and dirty in a very different way to that place, I am sure you find it abhorrent. But then that is what your brother was for, to do the dirty work. Until you decided to send someone to kill him. Tell us more about that".
"And elaborate on these pet projects of your Mother's whilst you are spilling your metaphorical guts. It sounds very much like the Cult of the Dead Three might be one of them. It's sounding very much like a family business right now. And speaking of which, what part does your elder brother play?".
Amrik is visibly shrinking under the pressure of the interrogation and trying to keep his toes from the giant possum. "I was having a conversation with Odious at our home, the Vanthampur residence. We were discussing funds for the cultist project when we were rude..I mean, surprised by your friend. How long ago? I don't know, several months? Maybe longer?"
"My mother? She is typically at home, unless called in for a council meeting." As Corlith leans in, Amrik finds himself leaning away from him now and just closing his eyes. "Mother doesn't know anything about what happened with Mortlock. Honestly, it would have happened sooner if it wasn't for her, but we were sick of having to deal with the abomination!" At this he opens his eyes, a bit of fervor coming back as he tries to defend his actions.
"And yes, Thurstwell knew about it as well. We both wanted him gone, just made things easier." He sighs, looking very defeated, "Yes, the funds were for the cult of the Dead Three. As for what part my oldest brother played? Ha, probably nothing. Just sits in his room day in and day out. Who knows."
Roo looks around at the rest of the party.
"I say we kill his mother and burn the house to the ground." He says flatly before looking back at Amrik. "Are you going to tell me about Odious or am I wasting my time? Did your mother know you were in discussions with Odious? It seems so. I don't like to waste time, Amrik. And you haven't explained to my friend there why you sent someone to kill Mortlock. I advise that you answer. As soon as you aren't useful to me anymore, I'm going to do very bad things to you."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
As the others all press in around Amrik, Reed looks around at the tight confines of this small basement. The full group, plus Reya and Amrik seem to suck the air right out of the room.
He waves at something around his head only he can see and squirms through legs until he gets himself on to the stairs. From there, where there's room to head up if he needs to, he turns back around and watches the group looming over Amrik.
"Why don't we just take him where there's more room to ask these questions?" Reed suggests, a little shiver rippling along his spine, making him fidget; his usual broad smile looking very thin. "No point getting Wilfred's friend's basement all bloody. There's a perfectly good Vanthampur manor for that. And it sounds like we're going to have to chat with Mother Vanthampur anyway."
Corlith sighs, "Roo, Reed, I think you might be right. Perhaps the mother is the one to answer our questions. Although I could use a breather before we head out". As he speaks he rubs the shoulder where Amrik stabbed him.
"All this dealing with devils is a concern. I am obviously not unfamiliar with that subject, my bloodline being visible for all to see", the tiefling says. "They are evil, and any who openly consort with them and make deals with their kind, are surely of evil intent themselves. We should not underestimate them or take them lightly, when we visit this mother, we must be ready".
Archie sighs and takes a seat, "seconded, I second that motion" she roots around in her bag and pulls out another book, 'Gods of the multiverse' and surprisingly finds another set of manacles too, handing them to Roo she asks "d'ya wanna chain his legs too, might be more secure than the rope, he's still not given us his mother's name, don't let him dodge too many questions. Anyway, I'm gonna bugger off upstairs and see if there's any more cookies up for grabs" and then she gets up and does just that.
Amrik listens to the group question and discuss, increasingly getting worried for his own safety. "Kill my mother? No! I mean... she's the most powerful person in Baldur's Gate, you can't kill her. And it's not like I wasn't telling you her name, you didn't ask me! It's Thalamra Vanthampur, how could you not know? There's nothing more to tell you about Odious, just had a deal with him and then I left! Of course I'm useful!" He seems a bit panicked now thinking about the very bad things the rooster is threatening.
As Archie mentions more manacles, "I'm already restrained and surrounded, you don't need those. And I'm fully cooperating!"
Reya looks around and down to Reed, "Yeah, no need to do anymore here, and he is right, he could be very useful in getting into the Vanthampur mansion after all. I mean, I have been struggling just to get to the Upper City and was hoping you all would be able to help. He would be an easy ticket in." She gestures towards Amrik.
Then looking at Wilfred, "Did you have some questions for Amrik before we head on out?"
Reed nods at Reya.
"I think these shiny badges will come in handy getting us into the Upper City," Reed says pulling his Flaming Fist badge out of his pocket and twirling it between his fingers.
"Hold on Archie, I'll come with you", Corlith says as he takes one last look at Amrik surrounded by interrogators and follows along. "Here, I think you should be the one to keep this, if we are heading to the Upper City you are going to stand out too much without it", he says and hands back the masque charm.
"Now, let's find these cookies and have a sit down for a bit. Then I need to clean the blood off my armour".
Once he has found a place to rest, he will clean all his things and then relax, trying not to think about what might be happening in the basement without him there.
If the others make their way upstairs as well, he will ask if anyone wants a clockwork amulet.
Archie happily accepts the masque charm and then asks Corlith if he'll also be willing to magically clean off her boots, "I'm still finding splinters everywhere from our boating expedition, I'm getting an understanding of these upgrades 'the other me' made. It's odd though, I'm grateful, but it's weird. I was chatting with Virro earlier, apparently 'the other me' gifted him a homunculus servant, it's like a little machine that I can make if I prepare the right stuff, and it was definitely my magic, but it wasn't at the same time... Anyway we need to find a better name for it than 'the other me'." She sits on whichever of Bertie's furniture looks the comfiest and throws another cookie into the open visor.
Corlith listens to Archie speak, motioning for her to raise each boot so he can clean it.
"So that is what happened on the boat. You didn't expect the upgrades to work in quite the way they did?", he asks, feeling a little more comfortable that the destruction wasn't planned.
"Have you ever thought of going somewhere to learn about this more formally? I went to an institution to learn, and they had many different colleges there dedicated to all sorts. Perhaps if we make enough coin, you can recompense the owner of the Low Lantern and have enough to go yourself?", he suggests.
"As for a name, how did you come up with Ironmaiden? Perhaps that is the armour, the other you, and you are simply Archie? And you know, that other you seemed a bit broken, like it didn't know how to act".
Reed runs up the stairs, happy to be out of the basement.
"That's the only way out, right?" Reed asks Bertie, pointing at the stairwell leading down to the basement. "He can't get far then while we rest our feet for a few moments."
Reed does his best to catch up on the conversation Corlith and Archie are having.
"Reggie?" Reed suggests as an alternative name for the Other Archie. "Or Keith? Those capture the unpleasant nature of the other one."
Archie stretches one foot out as she slouches in the chair, perching it gently on Corlith's knee "you were in an institution? I was learning all I could from Master Thell, she's taught me most of what I know about applying magic to machinery, this situation though I don't think they teach alter ego at an academy. And yeah the upgrades took me a bit by surprise, they don't come with a manual so I'll need to test some things out."
Once he is done casting on the first foot, she sets it back down and gives Corlith her other foot.
"As for the name it's something people started calling me after I'd been out doing vigilante stuff for a few weeks, though I'd had some blackouts during that time too, I thought it was just exhaustion from wearing the suit so long... I suppose it's possible the people caller the other me 'The IronMaiden' or maybe it called itself that and then word got around until finally I heard it. But I'm not sure, I never came up with the name myself either way. How is the other broken? The IronMaiden that is?.."