epidemiology | EVENT ★ RING OF FIRE

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EVENT ★ RING OF FIRE

SALOON FIRE

Miz Poppy and most of the saloon workers have been missing since the ambush out at Boneyard Junction. None of the remaining saloon workers (around five total) have any idea where they've gone, only that one morning, they were all missing. They've been running the saloon as best they can in their proprietor's absence, but pouring drink and dealing with rooming is about the best they can offer with such a skeleton crew.

Those who think there's more to this than Miz Poppy and the workers heading for the hills will find themselves right -- though not in an altogether pleasant way. Some time after the ambush, early in the morning, a fire starts in the saloon. By the time anyone notices, it's already spread too far to salvage anything: the task has quickly shifted from put out the fire to don't let anyone burn alive. There are a handful of saloon workers who live here, some visiting Qorral, and of course your teammates. Whom you choose to prioritize is up to you, but be mindful that you're still guests here, and the locals don't look kindly on yellow-bellied cowards.

After everyone is safely out (or not), it's time to help put the fire out so it doesn't spread to other buildings. Perdition's Rest is mostly constructed of wood, meaning that the whole thing is a tinderbox ready to go. The sheriff and her deputies are here to assist, and many of the locals come out to help as well, though some stay in the streets and gawk. Afterwards, what parts of the the burned-out shell of the saloon still stand can be explored for clues as to what started the fire -- and, perhaps, what happened to Miz Poppy. Sheriff Holladay remains in the wreckage to conduct her own investigation; she'll be thankful for anyone who stays to help out, and will gladly swap information.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The saloon is now a blackened, roofless husk of a first floor and a burnt staircase that leads to nowhere. You'll need to find new accommodations. Those who helped out may find the Qorral willing to spare a bed for an intrepid adventurer or two -- but then again, they may be just as likely to suspect these offworlders as a cause for the fire. Ultimately, it may be easier to just camp outdoors.

The local Qorral are happy to lend blankets and materials for tents, though if you want something a little sturdier, the tailor or the trading post will sell you something better . . . for a slight upcharge, of course. Better flex those haggling skills.

As the hours pass and the sun begins to slip down below the horizon, it begins to snow. The locals will tell anyone that this is normal; it's midway through Q-65's winter season, and snow is common at this time of year. The weather will continue to be on the colder side of temperate, but the snow makes things a little chillier. If you haven't learned to get cozy with your teammates by now, this is as good a chance as any.

Soon enough, someone starts a cooking fire, and though some of the locals filter back to their homes, some remain behind to stay with Audentes to share food, swap stories, and sing songs. It's an excellent time to rest and recharge after the last hectic few weeks on this planet. But for those who aren't the resting sort, it can also be the perfect time to plan and strategize.

OOC NOTES

Remember that the plotting post is available all month. There will be two more logs for this mission, both of which will be action-oriented, so use this time to relax and mingle!

Please direct all questions pertaining to the mission to the dossier page to keep questions and responses in one place for easy player reference. General game questions should be directed to the FAQ.

There have been new side missions added to the Bounty Board! You can also request bounty missions or submit player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

H-Hold on! [Oh no, this situation got from bad to worse in two seconds flat. Julius is quick to move at the sight of danger. He uses his strength to break down one of the other doors. That way other people can move out easily and it won't block their way. At east Meallan's still alive somehow.]

How are you doing? Do you think you can make it?

I'll be alright. [It's stubborn insistence that drives him now more than anything, and Meallan's voice is raspy and low from the smoke and the throbbing pain in his head.]

I just... I just need to know where the way out is... Then I'll be fine.

Let me guide you then. I secured an escape route earlier. It's not too far from here.

[Julius offers Meallan a cloth. He can use it to cover his mouth and prevent smoke from getting into his lungs. ]

Take this. You need it more than me.

Thank you. [Meallan takes the cloth gratefully, pressing it to his mouth in the hopes it'll help prevent the coughing from getting worse, and turns to follow Julius. Despite the pain that fills his head, he keeps an eye on the other man as well, hoping he's not too disadvantaged by giving up his own makeshift mask.]

Which way is it?

Over here. That side's blocked, we'll go down this way instead. [Julius makes a hand gesture indicating where Meallan should go. The flames rise and stop them in their tracks. He simply turns and takes a longer route. It's not long until he starts coughing himself.]

We have to get out soon.

[He starts towards the indicated direction when flames suddenly rise before them and Meallan falls back, shielding his face and turning to Julius for direction. He feels so turned around and sluggish from his hangover, it takes him a moment to think of what he might be able to do to help if need be. And to notice the other man coughing as well.]

Here. [He offers the cloth back, not wanting the other man to get hurt because of him, and raises his hand.]

I think I can do something to dampen a patch of the flames, but it won't last for long. Maybe just enough for us to get by though.

Keep it for yourself. I've got an extra. [He's always prepared. Thanks for reminding him to get it out though.]

What do you plan on doing to the flames? Please don't do anything too reckless.

[It's enough if they just make it alive. That's all he can really ask for.]

More reckless than we are now?

[Reckless seems secondary to surviving, though Meallan does grudgingly admit that his head pounding as it is means he isn't exactly in the best of mindsets to make good decisions. All he wants is to get out of the fire and do something about his head and jumping out a window does seem like a half-decent idea in that direction.

But that isn't what he has in mind, fortunately. Instead he gestures to the flames and conjures (with more effort than he likes to admit) a burst of frost that drives them back a little before they roar back again.]

I can do that on a larger scale if we need it, but it won't last long with all this heat.

We'll stick to your idea then. It disrupts the flames enough to give us an opening. [Good call.]

Make sure you don't miss it. I'll be keeping an eye out. [Thankfully Julius is slowly growing accustom to the use of magic. It's not common in his world however. People tend to use it enough here.]

All right. [Meallan peers around at the area, eyes watering from the smoke and tries to get his bearings in a room that no longer looks like what it did before.]

I think there's a doorway-- [They don't have time to wait either way, not with the flames only getting larger, and so he hopes for the best as he pushes as much power as he can manage into the spell. An arc of ice lines the path before them to the doorway and just as quickly he creates a second on the other side, giving them some protection and brief path towards what he hopes is closer to freedom, though the smoke makes it hard to tell.]

Hurry! [The ice magic won't last long here, not with all the heat in the air, and he's moving as quickly as he can manage already.]

I'm on it. [Julius rushes in without a second to spare. Meallan's keeping up so that's good. Their escape route isn't going to last for a long time. Better make use of it while it's still there.]

Hey, how are you doing?

[He asks once they've made it past the doorway. Julius is really concerned with Meallan's well being. That ice spell he used earlier worked, but hopefully they're not injured too badly.]

I've been better.

[Ice magic is difficult enough for him to begin with, harder still from the heat in the air and the pounding in his head. It's not a physical problem though, so Meallan pushes himself on. He can worry about his aches and pains afterwards.]

Do you know where to go-- [He breaks off to cough, the smoke thick even with the cloth over his nose and mouth.] --to go from here?

From here you should make a left turn. It'll open up into the hallway and then we'll be able to leave. That should be doable if the path hasn't already collapsed. I don't want to think of the worst possible out come.

Let's go. [Before the fire beats them to it. Julius carefully walks around the flames. His skin doesn't completely burn even after touching it. Sometimes having superhuman strength is helpful. The flames erupt into larger ones behind them.

He turns around to make sure Meallan's keeping up. ]

That makes two of us.

[Though in this blaze, it's easy to think of the worst outcome, that the building has collapsed enough that they're trapped and all that's left will be heat and pain. Even with his ice magic it isn't enough and Meallan can feel himself flagging, the pain in his head enough from the smoke inhalation as well that he struggles to get his breath and to see around the spots before his eyes.

He almost misses the turn and lurches into the wall, reeling back as the heat of the fire sends pain through the golden arm Laedo had given him. Surely the door to freedom isn't far now, he reminds himself. Surely he can hold on a little longer.]

[Thankfully the door's in sight and it hasn't collapsed from the flames. Julius runs in and breaks it down for easy access. ]

That should do it. We're safe now.

Do you need a minute to catch your breath?

[He staggers outside as well, dropping to his knees some distance from the flames and trying to breath clear air deeply around the coughs that come more regularly now, his lungs fighting to clear the smoke from themselves.

It's a bit too much for him to speak now and Meallan manages a feeble nod before focusing on trying to slow and get his breathing back under control.]

[Julius waits for Meallan to catch his breath. He understands that it might be tough to speak under those circumstances. While Meallan is busy regaining himself Julius quickly grabs some water for him.]

Do you need this?

[He places it nearby Meallan in an attempt to be of some assistance.]

[He nods weakly and reaches for the container, sipping a little around coughing and waiting until it passes. It does little to help the pounding pain in his head, but at least he can breath without gasping now.]

Thank you. And for finding me. I don't know what would have happened otherwise.

No need to thank me. I had a feeling someone else might be inside there.

Good thing we're all safe and sound. You'll be alright now. [Not much danger now that they're out of the flame. Thank goodness for that.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ RING OF FIRE

saloon fire

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