The Mana-Verse

[Phi]

(Are we waiting for TENK or something?)

[Blue Valkyrie]

((I am yes before I respond to how you decide to react to the situation))

[Sakura Leic]

(He said you don't have to wait for him.)

[Phi]

(I assumed we were, as you were insisting on waiting for the scout to come back.)

[Sakura Leic]

(He said we can control the Clones, but the thing is I don't know what else is in Skull Cove.  That's why I'm kind of waiting for Blue now.)

[Blue Valkyrie]

((Alright then))

The party remain near the small woods on the outskirts of Skull Cove awaiting word from the scouts. After an hour or they get word back from the clones. Skull Cove seems abandoned, no sign of human life at all. A ghost town, although there is noise from what seems to be coal mine near the cliff base, possible the citizens are currently working there to fuel White Beard's machines.

[Sakura Leic]

"...That sounds scary." Sakura stated.

"Fxeni is there any reason for the town to be like this?" Calien asked.

(For clarification they both are referring to the town being empty.)

[Protoman Blues]

"I do not like this." Riagan said while clutching his hammer, ready for battle. "It's too quiet."

[Sakura Leic]

"Yeah......it's obviously some kind of trap." Sakura nodded. "If it wasn't obvious already."

[Quickman]

"We, we must, we must be cautious," the Professor rolled up his map and tucked it away.  He rummaged through his bag for his Lightning Powder and put the pouch in a cloak pocket.  Pulling out his Flame Paste, he put that in a different pocket.  He intended to stay toward the middle of the group for protection, but he knew better than to go unarmed.

[Blue Valkyrie]

((They heading inside?))

[Mr. Haxwell]

Toshi - "Again, this is far too inviting." pulling out the katar segment of her Ronginasu no Yari, clenching her fist tightly, as she takes a defensive stance. "Whatever happens, we must stay on our guard."

[Sakura Leic]

(Nope still camping, I still want to know what can be attacked beside Guard Towers.  That's why the Scout was sent in the first place.  We have enough Clones to get 5 places at once.

We need to send in the Clones then we head in.)

[Blue Valkyrie]

((Whole town seems abandoned, unless you plan to search all the houses you'll need to head in at some point, also you can't wait around too much given Aya's situation at the moment))

[Sakura Leic]

(Still the plan was a distraction of some sort.......should we just abandon that idea?)

[Quickman]

Shouldering his bag, the Professor stood. "If we, if we are to rescue Aya, we should go.  The, the, the longer we wait around, the longer we wait and worry, the worse it will get.  I've learned, I've l-learned long ago that that you can't plan for every eventuality.  We should go."

With that, he started for the gates, his route already planned out with the scout's information.

((If there's no one around, then no one is around until a random encounter.  Those random encounters will be dealt with.))

[Sakura Leic]

(Okay then. *shrugs*)

"He's right....but be prepared of anything." Calien nodded as he took out his Axe and fingered his Chain Sickle.

"Okay...." Sakura gulped.

(Should we just dispel the Clones?)

[Quickman]

((Keep them just in case.  Perhaps send out a scout or two along different routes or as advanced parties.  They're not useless; it's just the distraction plan right now would only do the opposite and call attention to the party.  The party is better off hiding in plain sight and just moving out.))

((In other campaigns, I'd suggest making perception rolls and checking for traps, but this one doesn't use dice.  Just be prepared for a random encounter.))

[Sakura Leic]

(Okay we'll do that.)

[Blue Valkyrie]

The group head into the city with no resistance at all, soon they are standing in the town square. It's clear the town has not been well kept by White Beard at all, the silence is a little off putting given the size of Skull Cove.

Before the group can decide their next move the clones send warning about movement--movement everywhere. The missing townfolk have been found and the mob is beginning to move in on the party. Suddenly the sound of the gates closing can also be heard behind them back a few streets.

[Sakura Leic]

"So....now what?" Sakura asked as she had no idea what to do.

"This is not good....." Calien stated.

[Quickman]

The Professor readied his Lightning Powder. "Might, might I, m-might I suggest that we move and fight?  Our goal is the tower, yes?"

He looked around at the mob, hoping that none of them would trigger the fits he had been suffering lately.

[Sakura Leic]

"Prof.....these are citizens not enemies." Sakura told him "We can't hurt them."

"But we can blind them if necessary." Calien said as he moved his hand towards one of his pockets "When I give the signal close your eyes."

[Blue Valkyrie]

Sakura notices the towns folk are acting the same way the possessed dwarves were. Worse children were among their numbers and all armed to kill the party.

She then hears a giggle "Welcome! You all made it, do you like my new dollies? I wanted to give you all a wonderful party to thank you for the fun back at the mountain! Doll Master says sitting high above the street on the edge of a roof casually her feat swaying.

[Sakura Leic]

"Should have known you'd be responsible for this, no wonder the place was deserted, your were busy possessing these people!" Sakura hissed.