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<blockquote data-quote="Lylandra" data-source="post: 9348717" data-attributes="member: 6816692"><p><em><strong>Return of the Doctor</strong></em></p><p></p><p>Next, we take a look at the Executores' headquarters, a strange building that looks like an oversized Cube. As we come a bit closer, we see that one of the strange eye creatures is also hovering over this building, seemingly watching us and its surroundings the whole time. At this point, we are both creeped out and wary enough to not go any closer, fearing that we might catch the Gidim's attention prematurely.</p><p></p><p>Since it's already late and we plan to investigate the “ethereal plants” a bit more in a private environment, we agree to look for a tavern to stay in for the night. As we'd also try to observe the Obscurati that were mentioned by the Executores, we choose the Red Peacock and get some rooms. </p><p></p><p>What we didn't expect however is the fact that, the local Obs group turn out to be... rather boring people who apparently don't know what they're doing. We listen to their chatter for a while over dinner and get the glimpse that their main goal appears to create a good atmosphere in Ursalina. So we write them off as lesser concern. Especially compared to the secret invasion of the Gidim. </p><p></p><p>After a while the taproom is officially closed, and we play the role of inconspicuous guests and leave as well. Gabriel retreats to our room to examine the mysterious plant, but finds nothing special except for the planar trace of Apet and the fact that it appears to consist of pure thought energy. Auryn, on the other hand, eavesdrops on the goings-on in the locked tavern and discovers that Dieter Cadagyr, who had previously only attracted attention as a bon vivant, is holding a secret meeting here with people from what seems like some kind of resistance. And that this meeting here won't be the first not the last of its kind. She memorizes the code "Ursalina - Freedom" and finally retreats to tell Gabriel about her discovery.</p><p></p><p>We agree that we need to get to the bottom of this resistance group, as they might be the only true capable allies we can find in this besieged city. So we approach Dieter with the very same code. He is surprised at first, as we are complete strangers. Bus as soon as he hears our story about Glaucia and the Executores, he seems relieved that him and the two of us are actually on the same side. He explains that he cannot bear Ursalina's decaying condition and his father's strange behavior anymore, and he suspects that something is utterly wrong. But his investigations have led him nowhere tangible, he laments. Realizing that he seems to have some influence with the Ursalinans, but little idea of what is actually going on, we give him the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and show him the actual Gidim with a see invisibility spell. We also protect him from mental influence, and then also tell him about the Obs and their secret war against the Executores.</p><p></p><p>“So... now that we've shown you the truth, we need to ask you one more question: Are you the mysterious 'Avenger' who comes to people in need?”, Auryn asks Dieter, encouraging him to come forth should he be a hero in disguise. </p><p></p><p>However, Dieter shakes his head vehemently. “I...I... a hero? No, no! This is beyond my power. I am sorry...”, he mutters, before adding “...but I can tell you that Filia might know more. She was the one that was saved by the Avenger. Oh, and she spoke of some sort of vibrating sword that cut through flesh like it was nothing.”</p><p></p><p>We thank Dieter for his honesty and the information. He also mentions that he is still in contact with Salome and might exchange messages for us. We promise Dieter to take care of the rest and spend the night in the Red Peacock.</p><p></p><p>The next morning we start looking for Filia and find her in one of the poorer districts. However, when we see that someone seems to have sewn another leg onto her own one, we instantly become suspicious and ask her to take us to her mysterious rescuer. </p><p></p><p>And just as we expected, we find Lynn in a makeshift clinic in one of the poorer districts, where she is treating patients. We put up our alter egos, and lure her into giving us a bit more information by offering to give the clinic a generous donation before revealing our true identities. Lynn tells us that these people surely need help, especially as they are basically being terrorized by the so-called police of Ursalina while the officials and the government are doing nothing. </p><p></p><p>“Noble as always, dear Ms. Kindleton. But please tell me one thing: Am I correct in the assumption that a certain 'doctor' is working here as well?”, Gabriel asks, while being pretty confident that he already knows the answer. </p><p></p><p>Lynn seems pleased to see us, and to have such a distinguished visitor like the King of Risur, but she appears oddly nervous as well. We inquire a bit further and after some back and forth it turns out that she and her boyfriend kind of work for the Obs, as they fund her charity project. She tells us that they've been very supportive and interested in her and the doctor's stydies.</p><p></p><p>We tell her in turn what we know about the Obs and the Gidim and also explain that she is not dependent on the Obs for such funding, as we can easily support them and have connections to other sponsors who might be interested – for example a certain Heward Sechim. Lynn feels a little guilty and asks us to wait for the doctor so we can share our findings with him as well.</p><p></p><p>Some time later, Dr. von Recklinghausen also arrives at the clinic and is visibly surprised to see the world's "most wanted terrorists" in his house. We can hardly laugh at this joke and make it clear to him that we are well aware that he and Lynn are working for the Obs. The Doctor explains that he only wants to help and that the Obs pay him well for his research. And thanks to that research, he has finally discovered a method of dealing with those “ghost beasts”: When he came to the defense of Filia, he discovered that the cops were wearing a thing he calls an “Oculus Prism” in their necks, which presumably hides them from the eyes of the Gidim. Even though he had to dismember the policemen in the process. A deed which he is not really proud of, he says, with reasonable amounts of disgust and shame.</p><p></p><p>We find this discovery disturbing and fascinating at the same time and explain to the duo that we are here to fight the Gidim and free Ursalina. At the same time, we advise them to disassociate themselves from the Obs, at least if it is true altruism that drives them to their research. </p><p></p><p>“Believe us or not, but we know their leader Nicodemus quite well. His sole focus is his vision of a better world. So it is unlikely that he'd share whatever knowledge on how to fight the Gidim you've found and might yet gain with the world. This knowledge is powerful. And if omitting it from 'his enemies' or, worse, using Gidim powers against those who oppose him, would help his cause, then he won't even bat an eye and do it.”, Auryn explains with a hint of sadness, as she once had also believed Nicodemus' words.</p><p></p><p>We also show them the invisible beasts via see invisibility and this scares Wolfgang to his core as even he has never seen anything this twisted and horrible. Then we tell him our view of how the ritual to change the world failed.</p><p></p><p>“Also, if you hold any kind of feeling towards your 'son', then know this: When he learned of his existence, Nicodemus had Andrei abducted, and used his body as host against his will. Because you made him so strong that someone like Nicodemus would desire him. Fortunately, Andrei's will and body were strong enough that we were able to free him.”, Gabriel mentions, while locking eyes with the Doctor. </p><p></p><p>“And unlike the King of Risur, Nicodemus abandoned post and fled when the Godmind tried to destroy Cherage.”, Auryn adds.“Please, I know that both of you are good and kind. People like you don't deserve to be used like that.”</p><p></p><p>“I... I didn't know. But alas, I fear that we are already in way too deep my friends”, Dr. von Recklinghausen says with a heavy sigh before he removes one of his gloves to present an Obscurati ring. </p><p></p><p>He claims that he can certainly help us to take action against the Gidim though: By him and Lynn implanting the Gidim's Oculus Prisms onto us. Gabriel is a bit reluctant at first, but sees that this is the lesser of two evils. He then tells Auryn mentally that he'd have to actively repress his acquired alchemical regeneration, as it might go bonkers with a foreign object. So he'd be more vulnerable. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(65, 168, 95)">(Nothing that you'd tell an active Obs agent of course)</span></p><p></p><p>Both the doctor and Lynn vow to not betray us to the Obs, and they will take time to think wisely about our words. This is the point where both Auryn and Gabriel realize that even the most clever of minds could be caught up in the Obscurati mind charm, so we check on them for the effect and get a positive result. </p><p></p><p>So we convince the Doctor and Lynn to have us dispel the Obs's magic. As soon as the effect ends, we see quite a change in their reasoning, as they also distance themselves much more from the group and declare their willingness to cooperate with us to the best of their abilities. We are relieved by this development and promise to take care of the Gidim and Ursalina in return.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(65, 168, 95)">(really didn't expect Lynn and the Doc to make a return here. Especially Recklinghausen is so prone to being found in the most unusual of places, and especially in places of danger. "The excentric travels of Dr. Wolfgang von Recklinghausen" would probably make a pretty good side-novel with him, and later Lynn, as the protagonists. Always a pleasant surprise to meet these two. And yeah, it made sense that they'd become enthralled with the Obs. They are good people after all, and the Obs plan does sound promising on paper. Really glad that we could convince them to rethink their decision. Especially after what happened to poor Andrei...) </span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lylandra, post: 9348717, member: 6816692"] [I][B]Return of the Doctor[/B][/I] Next, we take a look at the Executores' headquarters, a strange building that looks like an oversized Cube. As we come a bit closer, we see that one of the strange eye creatures is also hovering over this building, seemingly watching us and its surroundings the whole time. At this point, we are both creeped out and wary enough to not go any closer, fearing that we might catch the Gidim's attention prematurely. Since it's already late and we plan to investigate the “ethereal plants” a bit more in a private environment, we agree to look for a tavern to stay in for the night. As we'd also try to observe the Obscurati that were mentioned by the Executores, we choose the Red Peacock and get some rooms. What we didn't expect however is the fact that, the local Obs group turn out to be... rather boring people who apparently don't know what they're doing. We listen to their chatter for a while over dinner and get the glimpse that their main goal appears to create a good atmosphere in Ursalina. So we write them off as lesser concern. Especially compared to the secret invasion of the Gidim. After a while the taproom is officially closed, and we play the role of inconspicuous guests and leave as well. Gabriel retreats to our room to examine the mysterious plant, but finds nothing special except for the planar trace of Apet and the fact that it appears to consist of pure thought energy. Auryn, on the other hand, eavesdrops on the goings-on in the locked tavern and discovers that Dieter Cadagyr, who had previously only attracted attention as a bon vivant, is holding a secret meeting here with people from what seems like some kind of resistance. And that this meeting here won't be the first not the last of its kind. She memorizes the code "Ursalina - Freedom" and finally retreats to tell Gabriel about her discovery. We agree that we need to get to the bottom of this resistance group, as they might be the only true capable allies we can find in this besieged city. So we approach Dieter with the very same code. He is surprised at first, as we are complete strangers. Bus as soon as he hears our story about Glaucia and the Executores, he seems relieved that him and the two of us are actually on the same side. He explains that he cannot bear Ursalina's decaying condition and his father's strange behavior anymore, and he suspects that something is utterly wrong. But his investigations have led him nowhere tangible, he laments. Realizing that he seems to have some influence with the Ursalinans, but little idea of what is actually going on, we give him the opportunity to peek behind the curtain and show him the actual Gidim with a see invisibility spell. We also protect him from mental influence, and then also tell him about the Obs and their secret war against the Executores. “So... now that we've shown you the truth, we need to ask you one more question: Are you the mysterious 'Avenger' who comes to people in need?”, Auryn asks Dieter, encouraging him to come forth should he be a hero in disguise. However, Dieter shakes his head vehemently. “I...I... a hero? No, no! This is beyond my power. I am sorry...”, he mutters, before adding “...but I can tell you that Filia might know more. She was the one that was saved by the Avenger. Oh, and she spoke of some sort of vibrating sword that cut through flesh like it was nothing.” We thank Dieter for his honesty and the information. He also mentions that he is still in contact with Salome and might exchange messages for us. We promise Dieter to take care of the rest and spend the night in the Red Peacock. The next morning we start looking for Filia and find her in one of the poorer districts. However, when we see that someone seems to have sewn another leg onto her own one, we instantly become suspicious and ask her to take us to her mysterious rescuer. And just as we expected, we find Lynn in a makeshift clinic in one of the poorer districts, where she is treating patients. We put up our alter egos, and lure her into giving us a bit more information by offering to give the clinic a generous donation before revealing our true identities. Lynn tells us that these people surely need help, especially as they are basically being terrorized by the so-called police of Ursalina while the officials and the government are doing nothing. “Noble as always, dear Ms. Kindleton. But please tell me one thing: Am I correct in the assumption that a certain 'doctor' is working here as well?”, Gabriel asks, while being pretty confident that he already knows the answer. Lynn seems pleased to see us, and to have such a distinguished visitor like the King of Risur, but she appears oddly nervous as well. We inquire a bit further and after some back and forth it turns out that she and her boyfriend kind of work for the Obs, as they fund her charity project. She tells us that they've been very supportive and interested in her and the doctor's stydies. We tell her in turn what we know about the Obs and the Gidim and also explain that she is not dependent on the Obs for such funding, as we can easily support them and have connections to other sponsors who might be interested – for example a certain Heward Sechim. Lynn feels a little guilty and asks us to wait for the doctor so we can share our findings with him as well. Some time later, Dr. von Recklinghausen also arrives at the clinic and is visibly surprised to see the world's "most wanted terrorists" in his house. We can hardly laugh at this joke and make it clear to him that we are well aware that he and Lynn are working for the Obs. The Doctor explains that he only wants to help and that the Obs pay him well for his research. And thanks to that research, he has finally discovered a method of dealing with those “ghost beasts”: When he came to the defense of Filia, he discovered that the cops were wearing a thing he calls an “Oculus Prism” in their necks, which presumably hides them from the eyes of the Gidim. Even though he had to dismember the policemen in the process. A deed which he is not really proud of, he says, with reasonable amounts of disgust and shame. We find this discovery disturbing and fascinating at the same time and explain to the duo that we are here to fight the Gidim and free Ursalina. At the same time, we advise them to disassociate themselves from the Obs, at least if it is true altruism that drives them to their research. “Believe us or not, but we know their leader Nicodemus quite well. His sole focus is his vision of a better world. So it is unlikely that he'd share whatever knowledge on how to fight the Gidim you've found and might yet gain with the world. This knowledge is powerful. And if omitting it from 'his enemies' or, worse, using Gidim powers against those who oppose him, would help his cause, then he won't even bat an eye and do it.”, Auryn explains with a hint of sadness, as she once had also believed Nicodemus' words. We also show them the invisible beasts via see invisibility and this scares Wolfgang to his core as even he has never seen anything this twisted and horrible. Then we tell him our view of how the ritual to change the world failed. “Also, if you hold any kind of feeling towards your 'son', then know this: When he learned of his existence, Nicodemus had Andrei abducted, and used his body as host against his will. Because you made him so strong that someone like Nicodemus would desire him. Fortunately, Andrei's will and body were strong enough that we were able to free him.”, Gabriel mentions, while locking eyes with the Doctor. “And unlike the King of Risur, Nicodemus abandoned post and fled when the Godmind tried to destroy Cherage.”, Auryn adds.“Please, I know that both of you are good and kind. People like you don't deserve to be used like that.” “I... I didn't know. But alas, I fear that we are already in way too deep my friends”, Dr. von Recklinghausen says with a heavy sigh before he removes one of his gloves to present an Obscurati ring. He claims that he can certainly help us to take action against the Gidim though: By him and Lynn implanting the Gidim's Oculus Prisms onto us. Gabriel is a bit reluctant at first, but sees that this is the lesser of two evils. He then tells Auryn mentally that he'd have to actively repress his acquired alchemical regeneration, as it might go bonkers with a foreign object. So he'd be more vulnerable. [COLOR=rgb(65, 168, 95)](Nothing that you'd tell an active Obs agent of course)[/COLOR] Both the doctor and Lynn vow to not betray us to the Obs, and they will take time to think wisely about our words. This is the point where both Auryn and Gabriel realize that even the most clever of minds could be caught up in the Obscurati mind charm, so we check on them for the effect and get a positive result. So we convince the Doctor and Lynn to have us dispel the Obs's magic. As soon as the effect ends, we see quite a change in their reasoning, as they also distance themselves much more from the group and declare their willingness to cooperate with us to the best of their abilities. We are relieved by this development and promise to take care of the Gidim and Ursalina in return. [COLOR=rgb(65, 168, 95)](really didn't expect Lynn and the Doc to make a return here. Especially Recklinghausen is so prone to being found in the most unusual of places, and especially in places of danger. "The excentric travels of Dr. Wolfgang von Recklinghausen" would probably make a pretty good side-novel with him, and later Lynn, as the protagonists. Always a pleasant surprise to meet these two. And yeah, it made sense that they'd become enthralled with the Obs. They are good people after all, and the Obs plan does sound promising on paper. Really glad that we could convince them to rethink their decision. Especially after what happened to poor Andrei...) [/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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