|
Post by sleepingdragon on Dec 28, 2008 17:14:21 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: the chase was on. With its much greater speed, it was clear the Hydra would have caught them up even had they not wanted it to, and Captain Tancred ordered the crew to put everything they could into attempting to escape, so as to not raise the suspicions of the pirates by seeming eager for a fight. Only when the ships were close to each other did he relent and allow them to prepare for battle. The crewmen pulled on leather jerkins and took up crossbows, cutlasses, and small wooden shields, while Captain Tancred went into the hold and emerged wearing lovely leather armour fastened with metal rivets, a light shield of polished steel, and a beautiful cutlass with gems inlaid into its hilt. He tied a red bandana round his head and went to take cover under the tarp, preparing for the collision between the ships. "BATTLE STATIONS!" he shouted. Idris: Rafael made sure of his daggers, fitted a bolt to his crossbow and waited out of the line of sight of any lookout on the pirate ship. Sakura: Sakura glanced at Tancred and nodded as she made ready her crossbow. Vachir: Vachir drew his bow and prepared his arrows, looking eager burgeoning urban landscape (enter): 19:29 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (4995) burgeoning urban landscape... Tristan: Tristan moved near the side of the ship that the Hydra was approaching on, kneeling below the railing to stay out of sight. Enrico: Enrico did the same, crossbow at the ready. Sleeping Dragon: the Hydra sliced through the sea like an arrow, quickly gaining ground on the Blue Lady. As it came near its fearful prow parted the mist, a leering five-headed monster with maws full of exquisitely carved teeth. The Hydra was slimmer than the Lady, but long, and its deck was crammed with pirates. Half were arming themselves with crossbows while the others continued to row. At the tarp at the rear of the ship they could see the Hydra's captain, a big, burly, bare chested man with a curved sword slung across his shoulder, roaring out orders and smashing his fist on his chest. As the two ships came close, he turned to the Blue Lady and shouted in a huge voice, drawing his blade. "Blue Lady! Prepare to be boarded! Surrender or die!" Sleeping Dragon: "Should we let them come to us, or fire?" Tancred asked the party quietly Idris: "We'll have trouble with the fog over the distance. We can split them up if some of them come to us before we attack." Rafael replied in a low voice. Sakura: Sakura glanced at her side and then at the pirates' side and work out the odds and told the Captain "PIRATES in these waters? I thought there are no pirates in the area." She sounded very worried. "Can we go faster, please, Captain." Enrico: "Stay on the defensive and let them come." - Enrico hissed. Sleeping Dragon: "So bring them in and then strike?" Tancred shrugged and shouted in reply. "We surrender! Please, spare us!" Vachir: Vachir awkardly looked around, obviously put off by the heavy fog spoiling his aim Idris: Rafael nodded and laid the crossbow down quietly, taking out his dagger as he listened hard. Sleeping Dragon: the Hydra quickly glided in alongside the Blue Lady, with the rowers dropping their oars and picking up grappling hooks which they hurled across to draw the two ships together. As it came, they saw two other figures in addition to the pirates and their captain. Near the captain was a foppish young man of about 30, in silks which had wilted badly in the salt air, who carried a longbow. At the prow of the ship was the mysterious armoured man, encased from head to toe in plate, who bore no obvious weapon and looked towards the Blue Lady placidly. whispering to Idris, Vachir, the armoured man's few movements were extremely and indeed unnaturally stiff. whispering to Enrico, the armoured man's few movements were extremely and indeed unnaturally stiff. Enrico eyed him for a moment, then realised with a start that he had seen that suit of armour before, leaning against a wall in Exotic Dreams as he spoke to Halgyn Polle. Sleeping Dragon: "Blue Lady! All of you drop your weapons now!" the Hydra's captain shouted Idris: Rafael frowned as he watched the armoured man from his hiding place under the rail. "There is something quite unnatural about that thing," he muttered to those near him. Enrico: (whispering): whispered to Idris: I think these are the men that might have killed and robbed Halgyn Polle! Vachir: Vachir too looked concerned about the stiff movements of the armoured figure Sleeping Dragon: Tancred smiled and shouted back. "FIRE!" Idris: (whispering): "Who?" Rafael whispered back before Tancred shouted and his attention was dragged back to the pirates. Sleeping Dragon: the Blue Lady's crew unloaded with their crossbows, but their barrage was poorly aimed. Several shots struck the railing, while others missed due to the fog and sailed off into the sea beyond Sleeping Dragon: the man in silks glanced across the ships and noticed Vachir also standing there preparing his bow. Taking aim at the Bolgar, he drew his arrow back to his ear and fired. The arrow tore powerfully towards Vachir, but he ducked and it whizzed just overhead Idris: (whispering): Rafael looked worried. "Halgyn Polle, of course, at Exotic Dreams." Rafael whispered back to Enrico. "This is bad!" Vachir: "That was close...too close.."muttered Vachir as his would-be rival barely missed him. Firing back, Vachir proved to have somewhat more success, as his arrow lightly wounded the man. However his second shot was foiled, and the arrow flew into the water. Sleeping Dragon: "You fucking idiots, you've fallen right into our trap!" Tancred shouted. "Prepare to die, scum!" Tancred pointed his sword at the Hydra's captain and held his cutlass at the ready Sleeping Dragon: the Hydra's captain took a few steps back, then ran forward and leapt across to the Blue Lady, landing near to Ardrun and roaring wildly Idris: Rafael leaped and tumbled accross the swaying deck and stabbed the pirate's leader viciously in the back. Sleeping Dragon: the strange armoured figure pounded across the deck of the Hydra, then stuck his arms out and hauled himself across one of the grapples. He vaulted himself over onto the Blue Lady, the sound of iron screeching on iron accompanying his every movement Idris: "Watch for the armoured man." Rafael called to his companions. "It may be magic from the Towers!" Sleeping Dragon: about half of the pirates scrambled across using the grapples, while the others unloaded their crossbows, but with poor aim. Vachir and Enrico were both lightly hit, but the other bolts went wide Sleeping Dragon: edit: Vachir and one of the crewmen Sakura: Sakura attempt to make herself intimidating as much as possible and begin to sing good morale raising song from her home. Tristan: Tristan, finding enemies on both sides of him, stabbed out at one of the pirates, his blade sinking deep into the man's gut. After ripping the sword free, the man fell to the deck, quickly staining the wood red as Tristan stepped protectivly in front of Sakura. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun let rage pour into him and slashed viciously at the pirate captain, scoring a heavy slash with his great scimitar Enrico: Enrico fired at one of the advancing pirates, but missed. Sleeping Dragon: suddenly, there was a flash of smoke, and a big spider nearly the size of a man appeared right behind several of the pirates who had pulled themselves across to the Blue Lady Sleeping Dragon: the crewman drew their cutlasses and attacked. One slashed a vicious cut on the Hydra's captain's cheek, while several others landed blows on the pirates that had just boarded. Two attacked the strange armoured man, both landing blows that failed to penetrate his heavy armour Sleeping Dragon: the archer in silks stepped closer to Vachir and drew back and fired, striking him heavily, and then allowed himself to fall, disappearing completely behind the ship's railing Vachir: Vachir swore as the other archer wounded him and then disappeared. Deciding to pick another target, he aimed at the pirate captain that was uncomfortably close to him. His first shot flew wide, probably because of the pain from the arrow which had struck him previosly, but the second struck the raging man squarely. Vachir: And then Vachir took a step back and threw himself to the ground, wounded wary of the pirates' crossbows. Sleeping Dragon: Captain Tancred stepped up to Troke and calmly flicked at the pirate captain's blade. It was knocked from his grasp and went overboard and into the water with a splash. "Now I get to say this - surrender or die!" Vachir: edit: add 'and'between wounded and wary Sleeping Dragon: ignoring Tancred's demand, Troke drew a punching dagger and hammered out at Ardrun, but the big man stepped aside and avoided the blow Sleeping Dragon: the armoured man punched out at one of the crewmen, his limbs flailing unnaturally, and it flew wide Idris: Rafael concentrated on the captain, stabbing him deeply under the arm where the wound would affect his thrust and parry. Sleeping Dragon: the pirates continued to swarm across. Tristan and Rafael took light blows from their cutlasses, while those remaining over on the Hydra continued to fire. Enrico and Vachir were both struck, and one bolt sailed far overhead of Ardrun and landed in the water Sakura: Sakura attempt to find the attacker of Tristan and fired the bolt at him as she moved away from him in a roll but he managed to slashed at her but the armour protected her from the worse. Meanwhile the bolt slammed into the pirate. Tristan: Tristan slashed at the pirate next to him, who was able to parry the blow. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun raised his scimitar high and brought it crashing down, hacking deep into the pirate captain's body and sending him bleeding to the deck. He spun and slashed at a pirate, but his blade caught up in the fallen captain's body and slashed wide, spraying his blood into the face of his crew Enrico: Enrico fired off another bolt, missing once again. As he did, the strange vermin lashed out and buried its fangs in some pirate's ankle. Sleeping Dragon: the crewmen struck, heartened by the fall of the pirate leader. One pirate was felled by a vicious slash, and several others took blows. The two crewmen fighting the armoured man, obviously unnerved, both slashed wide, however Sleeping Dragon: the silken archer stood and scanned the deck. Unable to find Vachir in the press, he switched targets and shot at Ardrun, the arrow slicing into the mist and going wide to thud into the far railing Vachir: With great agility, the bloodied but not yet defeated Vachir leapt to his feet and fired two arrows at the silk-clad bowman. The shafts buried themselves deeply in the flesh of the already wounded man, who barely survived the hits. Vachir: add: Again, Vachir threw himself to the ground after the attack, slowly trying to get away from the melee. Sleeping Dragon: Tancred lashed out with his cutlass, slicing deep into a pirate's chest and sending him to the deck Sleeping Dragon: the armoured figure punched out at one of the crewmen, but it struck his shield Idris: Seeing the pirate captain go down in a welter of blood, Rafael stepped behind a pirate and stabbed him while the man was concentrating on Tristan. Sleeping Dragon: the pirates continued their attacks. One crewmen was felled and another seriously injured, while those across on the Hydra drew their blades and hauled themselves across on the grapples Sakura: Sakura held her crossbow as she draw her dagger out and stabbed the pirate before her but it missed, instead hitting the shield. Tristan: Despite being attacked from three directions, Tristan was able to deflect all three attacks, the first with his sword, the second, his shield, and the third he just blocked with his armored arm, before launching an attack on one of the pirates, drawing a line of red from him. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun leaned over the rail, slashing out at Gwent, who had thought himself beyond reach, with his long arms. The silken pirate had time to look surprised and give a shout before the blade bit into him and sent him bleeding to the Hydra's deck. With a cry of triumph, Ardrun turned and slashed viciously into a pirate near to him, scimitar biting deep into his body Enrico: Enrico missed yet again and cursed like a madman. Sleeping Dragon: the crew slashed and hacked, taking down another pirate. One, badly injured and surrounded, held his blade and shield warily, concentrating on defending himself Vachir: With remarkable dexterity, Vachir leapt to his feet again, panting and gritting his teeth from the pain of the wounds he had suffered. Surveying the area, he decided to shot at the pirate which had been previously wounded by Ardrun, but he missed and both arrows were lost in the fog Idris: Rafael moved quickly and lithely despite the swaying ship, springing across to where the pirates were gathered thickest, driving his dagger deep into the back of one of them. The man dropped with a moan. Sleeping Dragon: the pirates continued their assault, but their attacks were largely ineffective, dealing only light wounds Sakura: Sakura dropped her first dagger, reloaded the crossbow with new bolt and fired it at the pirate at bow of the cog, which sadly missed. She moved toward Tristan afterward Tristan: Fending off more attacks, Tristan slashed at one of the pirates. Sleeping Dragon: stepping into a flanking position with Tristan, Ardrun brought his scimitar crashing down, felling a pirate. Spinning, he sliced into a second one, blade biting deep into his body. The pirate shrieked with agony as he was hurled overboard, falling to spill out his blood and guts into the sea Vachir: Vachir seemed to be having a rough time - probably from not being used to fighting on a ship. The arrows he fired widely missed their target, and were lost in the fog and the sea Sleeping Dragon: Tancred stepped up, casually flicking away a pirate's scimitar. "Surrender! You're beaten, Hydra!" Sleeping Dragon: the armoured figure continued to pound out mindlessly, slamming one of the crew lightly Sleeping Dragon: the pirates responded to Tancred's demand with sudden, furious defiance. Their cutlasses flashed out, hacking down three crewmen and wounding Rafael as well Sakura: Sakura yelled at pirates suyrrounding Rafeal, "You PIRATES, stay away from him or you will DIE!" Tristan: Tristan slashed at the pirate near him, wounding him again. Sakura: Some pirates was shook by her solid declaration. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun stormed forward to reach Rafael's side. One of the pirates slashed out at him, biting into his side with his cutlass. Whirling, Ardrun gave a bestial roar and flashed out with his own blade. The heavy stroke took the pirate straight through the neck, tearing his head from his neck and sending it bouncing over onto the Hydra's deck. Turning, Ardrun slashed another pirate, his blade slicing deep into him. Sleeping Dragon: Enrico loaded his crossbow and fired, striking a pirate Sleeping Dragon: the crew shouted battle cries and plunged into the fray, two pirates falling beneath their blades Vachir: Vachir killed a severely wounded pirate, burying an arrow in his forehead. Advancing, he tried to shot at another of the survivors, but the shot was lost in the fog. Sleeping Dragon: "Your captain is dead! Most of your crew are dead! Surrender now or join them, you moronic eunuchs!" Tancred shouted, disarming another pirate as he entered the fray Idris: Rafael spun and sprung his way around the pirates to attack one from behind, and despite their lashing blades, he was able to slide his dagger into one of them. Sleeping Dragon: the few remaining pirates, seeing themselves badly outnumbered, threw down their blades. "That thing...it won't surrender!" one of them shouted, pointing at the armour Idris: "How is it controlled?" Rafael called out to them. Sleeping Dragon: "Captain Troke was the only one who could control it!" Sakura: Sakura narrowed her eyes at the pirates, "Hmm... does Captain Troke have anything on him?" Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun moved up and wordlessly hacked the armoured figure to bits, ignoring its feeble attacks Sakura: She did however looked rather sulkly to see such unique artefact destoryed... Tristan: Seeing the fight was over, Tristan wiped the blood off of his sword and sheathed it, waiting for the others to deal with the remaining pirates. Idris: Rafael moved among the wounded, examining them to see who could be saved. Vachir: Vachir, who was in bad shape, looked relieved to see the pirates surrender. Sleeping Dragon: the pirates gazed silently at Captain Tancred, awaiting their fate.
As Rafael moved, he was able to restore several of the crewmen - only one ultimately perished, though most were badly hurt and would need days of bed rest before they were up to much again. The battle had been less kind on the pirates. Both their captain, Vilian Troke, and the silken archer, Omar Gwent, had been slain in the fighting, and only eight of the Hydra'stwenty crewmen survived. Sakura: Sakura did however checked if Tristan, Ardrun, Vachir and Tristan was fine before returning onto the still living pirates. Enrico: Meanwhile, Enrico searched the bodies of Hydra's captain and the archer, as well as their ship. Tristan: Tristan had suffered a broken link in the mail on one of his elbowes and was fixing that as he waited for the others. Sakura: Then, she leaped over onto other ship to help Enrico searching the ships in hope to find any informations on the pirate base.
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Jan 4, 2009 17:21:02 GMT
Sakura: Sakura approached the broken remains of the armour shattered by Ardrun's might and took much closer look at them, trying to figure what it is. Sleeping Dragon: the party searched the Hydra, finding a few spare weapons, a great deal of food, and assorted sailing equipment - ropes, hooks, sailcloth, wood, nails, and hammers for repairs, a spare anchor, and other minor objects. They decided to split their loot with the crewmen, much to their surprise and gratitude, since Delorri had paid them to allow the party to keep all the treasure. Sleeping Dragon: Sakura examined the armour carefully. It appeared, in most ways, to be a normal suit of armour, save for several runes of Ancient Speech which she discovered carved into the interior of its helmet, or rather skull. Though badly dented by Ardrun's blade, she could roughly work out that the runes commanded the spirit bound to the armour to awake and fight for its master Enrico: "I saw this one back at Exotic Dreams, right after our first trip to the Towers. It was one of the suits by the wall." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael finished staunching the surviving pirates' wounds. Once the men were bandaged and then bound and guarded, he looked for one of them that might be up to answering questions. Sakura: Sakura glanced at Enrico with understanding, "Then it came from the Towers I guess. I know someone who might like them." She asked one of the crewman to put the broken armour into a container. Once that was settled, she approached Rafael, no doubt to ask questions. Sleeping Dragon: Tancred and his men stood watch over the prisoners, who had all been tied up and stripped of their gear. Sleeping Dragon: several of the pirates were still uninjured, having surrendered because the tide of the fight had turned against them. Tancred watched them and sucked his teeth. He walked over to Sakura and spoke to her quietly. whispering to Sakura, "I'd like to keep these men alive if we can. They're good fighters and Malador needs every sword it can get for when the war comes. They might be inclined to fight for people who show them mercy when they've earned the noose." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael crouched down by the most young and inexperienced of the pirates. "Do you come from Malador?" he asked the boy. Sleeping Dragon: the young pirate was perhaps sixteen and beardless, but he had scars showing that this had not been his first battle. He shook his head. "I'm from Heliostunum," he replied. Sakura: "Then, you are long way from Heliostunum. I wonder how you got into this crew?" Sakura asked. Sleeping Dragon: the young pirate shrugged. "The winds blew me far from port." Rafael ben Efrim: "Adaria?" Rafael said. "How long have you been on the Hydra?" Sleeping Dragon: The pirate thought and looked around at his companions. "Three years?" he asked aloud. There was a murmur of general agreement. Rafael ben Efrim: "You were all recruited together?" Rafael asked, looking at the other pirates. Sleeping Dragon: "No, no," the young pirate shook his head. "Hydra's been plying the waters for about six years, but not in these parts long." Rafael ben Efrim: "Where were you working before?" enquired Rafael. Sleeping Dragon: "South coast for a few years, then the Teeth," the pirate replied. Rafael ben Efrim: "And was Vilian Troke the captain all along?" Sleeping Dragon: "No. He and our old captain had a...disagreement...last July." Rafael ben Efrim: "Ah. What was the disagreement about?" Sleeping Dragon: "Split of the booty, namely, that he wasn't giving us much." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded in understanding. "So Troke was a better captain? Was he more fair with the booty once he took over?" Sleeping Dragon: "Yes!" the pirate shouted enthusiastically, then remembered that Troke was dead and looked crestfallen. "Was always fair and never used the lash unless we deserved it. Bit of a temper but that's a hazard of the job." Ardrun (enter): 20:42 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (7047) Ardrun... Rafael ben Efrim: "He might still be alive if you'd stayed around the Teeth." Rafael said, not unsympathetically. "It was always going to be a risky business attacking adventurers who'd faced the Towers and survived, surely?" Sleeping Dragon: "We were small fish round the Teeth, just another group of freebooters," the pirate replied. "It was always dangerous, but Polle's man was supposed to let us know which ships had the green boys on them. 'Cept he let us down with you." Rafael ben Efrim: "Which of you killed Polle?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: the pirate looked incredulous. "What? You think we killed Polle?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael glanced at Enrico then back to the pirate. "You didn't?" Sleeping Dragon: "Of course not, he's not dead. Or at least he wasn't when we left base. Or have you hit there already?" the pirate looked confused. Rafael ben Efrim: "Your information isn't as good as you think it is." Rafael smiled enigmatically. "One thing we would like to know, when did Omar Gwent join your operation?" Sleeping Dragon: The pirate looked confused, then shrugged. "Troke thought we should go back to Adaria. We were wintering near Cadis when Gwent found us, round late January. He and Troke were adventurers together once, I think. That very day Troke told us we were raising anchor and sailing into the Bleakwater, and Gwent came with us." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael leaned forward and spoke quietly. "Did you ever hear either Troke or Gwent make any mention of the Torathi?" Tristan: Finished fixing his broken link, Tristan watched Rafael at the pirates passivly, keeping a fair distance. Sleeping Dragon: "No, except for idle talk. Supposed to be invading Malador or something. Polle mentioned them, said it didn't matter whether they came or not." Sakura: (whispering): Sakura whispered to Rafael, "There goes your theory on Torathi backing for this crew." Sakura: Sakura merely whispered to Rafael. Rafael ben Efrim: "Really." Rafael said drily. He looked at Sakura after she whispered in his ear, as if considering something, then turned back to the pirates. "While you were at sea or at your base, did any strangers visit? To meet with the captain or Gwent?" Sleeping Dragon: "Not as far as I know. Last person to come in was Polle after he left Malador, two weeks ago maybe? Three? Something like that." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded, then moved to speak softly to Sakura. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "We need to get where their base is. They already think we know so I don't want to give away that we don't. But maybe the time has come to put a bit more pressure on them." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Maybe we should remind them that they face hanging back in Malador. We can say we'll put in a kind word for them of they tell us everything. And maybe ask if they have another base?" Tristan: Left with little to do, Tristan walked over to where Ardrun was standing. "How are your wounds? They don't look too bad." Sakura: Sakura whispered back to Rafael. Sakura: (whispering): "To be frank, since they are already revealing informations useful. Especially, the possible proof that Polle himself is part of this as well his 'man' could be another one tied up with this. So yes, we should be asking for mercy for them when we get back. Most of the crew is dead anyway and our Captain already put in his view on this as well. Do we head directly to the base after this or head back to the city?" Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Their base when we can get the position. We'll all ask for mercy as the ringleaders are dead or soon will be." Ardrun: "No. Nothing more than a few stings, they're already healing. No wasp could get through that armor of yours, though, I expect." Tristan: "Not really." Tristan replied non-chalantly. Enrico: Enrico listened to what the pirates had to say, then strolled up with a polite smile on his face. "I assume you know why you were left alive. We want to know everything and anything - no more of this weaseling and pulling of tongues. Speak or tongues will be pulled in earnest, among other things." Sleeping Dragon: The young pirate looked confused. "What do you want to know? I've answered every question you've asked." Sakura: Sakura nodded at Rafael and approached the pirates that are currently tied up and asked them, "As you are all well aware, you are all going to be hanged since it is clear you attempt to seize this nice ship of this fine captain. However, we still need to know where your base is based at and it would be very good for you if you tell us the location of the base." Tristan: (whispering): "Still, I am worried about Sakura. It is dangerous for her to be in a melee like this." Tristan: Tristan frowned as Enrico spoke, and said something quietly to Ardrun Ardrun: (whispering): "You are correct. I have often tried to keep her from fights in the past," replied Ardrun. "But she is bullheaded, and she is my mistress, so I cannot keep her from danger if she wishes to seek it out." Sleeping Dragon: the pirate eyed Enrico carefully. "It's in the Bleakwater, by a big lake. You sail down the coast for about a day from here and there's a little hidden cove in the marsh. Base is pretty easy to see. Lake's a bit dangerous though, because of the hydra. That crazy niece of Polle's keeps it away from us, because it wouldn't be good if Hydra was sunk by a hydra." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "We'll certainly do that. Thank you for being so honest. We will do what we can to ensure you are fairly treated." Sakura: Sakura nodded at Rafael's words, "That is right." She smiled at these pirates. Rafael ben Efrim: "Maybe the city should create a navy and draft these men into it." Rafael muttered to the others. "Instead of hanging them." Sleeping Dragon: "Mercifully treated," Tancred corrected. "So what are we going to do? We've not enough men to crew these ships." Sleeping Dragon: edit: both of these ships Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't know anything about sailing. Can we not tow the Hydra?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "That's probably the best thing, though that'll slow us down. Are we going to hit the base straight away? Think that's the best option. If we go back to Malador it'll take at least three days to get back to the base and by then they might have got wind of us." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "We have prisoners to worry about. If we take them to the base they may get free or warn the others." Tristan: (whispering): "I suppose that is true, and nothing can be done about that. More immediatly, I am worried as to where that spider came from. It looked to be on our side." Sakura: Sakura considered this and told them, "Or they could fight for us? We do not know how many people are in that base... But then, you are quite correct that they will try use this to escape." Ardrun: (whispering): "Yes... in my battle rage I barely noticed it, but it was strange. We should speak to the others about it." Sleeping Dragon: Tancred frowned, and then went and picked up a hammer, which he kept out of sight from the pirates. "You're a doctor, aren't you?" he said to Rafael. "Break their feet and keep them tied up belowdecks." He looked at Sakura. "Convince them to fight for us? Against their own mates? Not a good idea." Sakura: Nodding at Tancred, "It was just an idea ." She frowned for a moment as she glanced back at these pirates. Tristan: (whispering): Tristan nodded and looked at Rafael. "I know little of the Jethi, they are rumoured to traffic with devils." He paused for a moment. "Though Rafael does not seem to be that kind of person." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "If it's a choice between escape and hanging, obviously they will try to escape. Suppose we offer them freedom in return? Or even a share in the loot from the base?" Rafael suggested. "They are just pawns in this game, not the major players. I believe it is Polle who we need to catch." Ardrun: (whispering): "No. And his god seems fine enough. Better than some I knew of back home. He seems trustworthy." Sleeping Dragon: "It's very dangerous. If they turn on us then it's likely to become a rout." Rafael ben Efrim: "Then we may as well kill them all outright. There's no point in dragging them with us, and crippling them into the bargain." Tristan: (whispering): Tristan nodded. "Your mistress, she is likly trustworthy as well. What of Vachir and Enrico?" Enrico (enter): 21:47 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (7064) Enrico... Sakura: "Freedom?" Sakura responded, "No, I will not agreed to letting them go after the battle. They are pirates and as such, due to be hanged but there are mercy." Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(7034) Enrico' from room... Enrico (exit): 21:47 Ardrun: (whispering): "Enrico I do not trust. He hides behind too many guises. Vachir I do not know. He seems a simple man, but that might be a guise as well. Perhaps we should not trust either with essential information. But perhaps discussion of this spider is not essential." Rafael ben Efrim: "Mercy? Breaking their feet so they can't work? I'm sure they'll thank you for your mercy when they're starving." Rafael retorted. "See how they respond to our offer. They've seen what we can do." Sleeping Dragon: "I wasn't asking you to cripple them, just make sure they couldn't escape. I want these men alive and back in Malador so they can help fight Darragan when the war comes. I don't care that they're pirates. I've been a pirate, so have half my crew. But if they've any honour at all they'll refuse to fight their mates, and if they're willing to, well, there's no point keeping them alive. Too untrustworthy." Enrico: "The captain has a point - either way we shouldn't use their help." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael's face cleared. "That I can understand. Give me the hammer." ** Rafael ben Efrim found the F11 macro key ** Sleeping Dragon: "Not at the base, no," Tancred agreed with Enrico. Sleeping Dragon: Tancred handed Rafael the hammer. Tristan: (whispering): "If one of our members is using sorcery, that is cause for concern. I also do not care for Enrico, and though Vachir has proven himself in battle, we know too little of him. I think we should only speak of this with Rafael and Sakura." Tristan looked up at Ardun for confrimation. Rafael ben Efrim: "Is there any alcohol on board their ship?" Rafael asked Enrico. "If there is would you give each man enough to dull the pain. Less noise that way." Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun nodded. "Tell me when you notice an appropriate time." Sleeping Dragon: "Do bears shit in the woods?" Tancred went to fetch some alcohol Sleeping Dragon: Tancred returned a short time later. "Sakura, you might want to explain to our captives what we're going to do, and that the alternative is killing them outright. You're better with words than me or I'd do it myself." Sakura: Sakura nodded, "Very well. Better than killing them of course." Sakura: She glanced at the group and walked over to last eight survivor of the crew and attempted to explain what is going on; " The Good new that we decided that instead of killing you, we are going to ensure that you are going to stay alive. However, as always in any deals, there is one things you will all have to admit to our care of the doctor. The care he kindly offering you is that your feet will be impaired for few weeks and will carefully taken care of with splint and some bandages. However, we can understand that it will be painful so the Captain kindly offered you all rums to lessen the pains. However, if there is any among you that cannot agree to this then I am afraid there is no choice but to deal with that anyone very permanently." Sakura's eyes was flintly as she ended it Sleeping Dragon: though they eyed each other warily, the pirates all agreed to the request Rafael ben Efrim: Once the men were anaesthetised sufficiently by drink, Rafael got the captain to hold each man's feet as he carefully broke the bones. Sleeping Dragon: for the next several minutes the air was rent by the occasional short, sharp cry of pain as Rafael ministered to each of the eight pirates. A few, already injured from the battle, blacked out, but most ground their teeth and bore the pain, and soon they were stowed belowdecks. Rafael ben Efrim: Having splinted and bandaged the pirates' feet Rafael washed and returned to the deck. "How long do you think it will take to get to the pirate's base? I know towing the Hydra will slow us down but I've been thinking - if we are to sail right in there it might be useful camouflage," he said to Tancred. Sleeping Dragon: "We've swapped ships once, why not do it again? Sail on the Hydra and tow the Blue Lady. That way, if any of their lookouts see us, they'll just think Hydra's been especially successful." Rafael ben Efrim: "That's a good plan." Rafael nodded. Enrico: "We could dress up as those fellows as well, only going to give us a momentary advantage before they realize who's who." Enrico: *who's who though." Sleeping Dragon: "Hmm...could do. You'd be Troke," Tancred pointed to Ardrun, "you Gwent," he indicated Vachir, "and you could be that weird armoured thing," he said to Tristan. Tristan: Tristan looked down at his armor. "It... is possible." Sleeping Dragon: "Of course if we sail in like that the pirates will probably all gather to watch Hydra come in, which might not be ideal. Might be better to sneak in at night and try to pick them off piecemeal. Depends on how flashy you want to be." Sleeping Dragon: "Most of my crew aren't in the proper shape for another fight, it has to be said." Enrico: "Could say we got important news once we dock and get everyone to fetch whoever's in charge for a personal conversation. After their leadership is dead, it should be a piece of cake. Rafael ben Efrim: "We probably don't want to face all of them at once." Rafael said. "Maybe arrive at night and pick some off before an open fight begins. Or we could use some other ploy - poisoned rum?" Sakura: "Still, we could weighted anchor a short distance from the base, we could just sneak up." Sakura suggested Tristan: "If we do get in a large fight and things turn bad, it would be important to have an escape route." Tristan said, agreeing with Sakura. Sleeping Dragon: "Sneak in overland, disguised, and if you're caught say there's been a horrible disaster and the Hydra's been captured. You won't even be lying." Sleeping Dragon: "And the pirates will be bloody confused if they see Troke, Gwent, and the armour attacking them." Rafael ben Efrim: "You mean lure the pirates to the ship?" Rafael said, somewhat confused himself. Sakura: "And making it harder to see the disguises as well." She responded with a smile. Sleeping Dragon: "No! Don't lure them to us. As I said, most of my crew aren't in good shape to fight again." Sakura: "What he meant that we docked somewhere down the river and sneaked overland." Explaining what Captain's suggests. Tristan: "If we can get in on foot and get a suprise attack in, then we don't need the ship." Enrico: "Leave the crossdressers on the ship and have the rest ambush the base. It's the best way, no?" Tristan: "If you offer to lead the charge." Tristan muttered quietly. Sakura: "You doing to need the crew to sail up and that would not work at all." She told Enrico, "Sneaking overland and ambush them is the best way to do this." Sakura: "And it is best use of our number and skills." Tristan: "She is correct. If Ardrun, Vachir and myself stay on the ship, any sort of attack on the pirate base would be unlikly to succeed. We just don't have the numbers, even if the crew were able to fight." Sleeping Dragon: "Why don't we get one of the pirates to draw us a map? We broke their feet, not their hands." Tancred suggested Sakura: Sakura told the captain, "Let do this then I guess." Ardrun: Disconnecting from server... Ardrun (exit): 23:00 Sleeping Dragon: Tancred went belowdecks and returned with the young pirate, now hobbling somewhat. Tancred gave the young man a quill, ink, and parchment and he slowly drew a map of the encampment. Sleeping Dragon: "There's a wall round the camp, ten feet high...just to keep out the local wildlife mainly, but there are three towers which usually have a guard posted," the pirate explained. Sleeping Dragon: edit: palisade, rather than wall Rafael ben Efrim: "How observant are the guards?" Rafael asked. "And how many men are there altogether?" Sleeping Dragon: "Observant? I dunno, normal I suppose. There are...I think fifteen more of us there, and also Polle, and his niece. There's also the hydra, Polle's two dogs, and six crazed black birds that Polle's niece goes and feeds bits of spare meat to every day that live on the roofs. The birds are trained not to attack...I think...though they shriek at you when you go past sometimes." Rafael ben Efrim: "Two dogs and birds that shriek as you pass - they will be harder to get past than the guards!" Rafael exclaimed. Sleeping Dragon: "The dogs often sleep in Aletha's quarters, here," said the pirate, pointing to the rightmost of the rooms. "There are two creeks that run out of the lake and under the walls, some bits are full of flies from the damn swamp. Very unpleasant. They're...here..." he marked the areas in black. Rafael ben Efrim: "I'm surprised they haven't all died of fever," Rafael said, looking at the map. "There might be a way through under the walls if we cared to face the flies though." Sakura: She wrinked her nose at that and said, "But there is a chance that these ways under the wall could be just trapped or prevented for people to go under." Sleeping Dragon: "There's only little cracks under the walls, not large enough for any person to squeeze through." Rafael ben Efrim: "What are the walls made of?" Sleeping Dragon: "Wood. Everything in the camp's made of wood, as iron would rust in the salty air. Had a good dagger rust in the first few weeks we were there, and it was a real sweet knife, saved my life before now." Rafael ben Efrim: "What about weapons then - how do you keep them usable?" Sakura: "How well seen the gates and walls are?" Sakura: "in darkness£ Sleeping Dragon: "With great difficulty. Lots of sharpening but we've had a sword or three rust and become useless. Lots of the mates keep their swords stowed away and carry clubs about instead." Sleeping Dragon: "The guards keep lanterns up there, and there are bronze bells hanging from the roofs to ring to warn the camp in case of emergency." The pirate paused and sighed. "You'll...probably have to kill them up there quick." Rafael ben Efrim: "Three towers. Three people could get up to them and deal with the guards at the same time?" Rafael suggested. Tristan: Disconnecting from server... Tristan (exit): 23:26 Sleeping Dragon: "Same time?" Tancred rubbed his chin. "If even one failed then the alarm would be raised. Why not send one or two in to quietly, carefully, deal with each in turn?" Rafael ben Efrim: "If one fails the alarm would be raised anyway. You need those who are most quiet and quick in killing." Sakura: "Just one questions, how high are these towers and are there roofed?" Sakura: "they"* Sleeping Dragon: "They're wooden platforms about seven or eight feet off the ground, with sloped plank roofs another eight feet overhead." Enrico: "I could probably climb that, but can't guarantee a quick kill." Rafael ben Efrim: "The walls are ten feet high and the platforms seven or eight feet above the ground? So there's two or three feet of cover for the guard?" Sleeping Dragon: Vachir quietly offered to take one of the guards Sleeping Dragon: "Yes." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "I will take another." Rafael ben Efrim: He spoke to Enrico. "If you can be silent in approaching your enemy, you may well be able to strike twice before the guard even knows you are there."
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Jan 18, 2009 14:30:41 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Rafael ben Efrim: He spoke to Enrico. "If you can be silent in approaching your enemy, you may well be able to strike twice before the guard even knows you are there." Aagon (enter): 19:16 Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(2555) Aagon' from room... Aagon (exit): 19:16 Rafael ben Efrim: "The dogs may prove a problem if they smell strangers." Rafael added to the other. "But if we are all wearing the pirates' clothes we may even fool them." Sleeping Dragon: "Can put them on when we get near," said Captain Tancred. "We should be resting soon though, and then we'll set sail in the morning." Ardrun (enter): 19:27 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2565) Ardrun... fgdfgsdfrg (enter): 19:28 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2566) fgdfgsdfrg... Rafael ben Efrim: Before they turned in, Rafael asked the pirates for any more information about their base. Sleeping Dragon: they weighed anchor and slept, recuperating from the fierce battle. In the morning Captain Tancred woke his crew early so they could attach the Hydra to the Blue Lady to be towed. "This'll slow us, I doubt we'll arrive at the camp today unless a favourable wind blows us, but there's little help for it. Can't leave her here - and anyway, Delorri's paying us extra to bring Hydra in." Sleeping Dragon: Asking about the base, Rafael learned that they had no more ships or boats. "I think Polle wanted to build another at some point, but we haven't done so." Asking about the people within and whether they had any unusual abilities or weapons one replied: "That crazy woman Aletha has a trident, bit strange, and she's got a real uncanny ability with animals. Never seen her fight though." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael relayed the information to the others. "We need to take this woman Aletha down quickly." he suggested. Rafael ben Efrim: He asked the pirates how the mad woman might be recognised. Sleeping Dragon: "Hah, you'll know her when you see her. Has jewellery made of bones - whales, I think - and she's bald with weird scars on her scalp which I think she carved deliberately. Also, she's usually carrying a big conch horn - that's how she calls the hydra." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Who would you say are the best fighters among the men at the base?" Sakura: Sakura blinked at the word, 'hydra' "That is very troublesome, Aletha need to be dealt with quickly. From what I read about hydras, they are creatures with many heads and the number five is most common. The way to deal with them is to slash off the heads and quickly seal with fire to the stump, otherwise, two heads grows back instead on that stump." Sleeping Dragon: "This one has five heads," the pirate confirmed. Sakura: Sakura swore for a moment Rafael ben Efrim: "The hydra only comes to the woman's call?" asked Rafael. Sleeping Dragon: "No one else has ever blown the horn so I wouldn't be able to say. If I were you, I'd smash the horn quick as you can." Rafael ben Efrim: "We will." Rafael agreed. Vachir: "That is one impressive beast."muttered Vachir as he heard about the hydra Sleeping Dragon: "And about the best fighters, well, I would guess the hydra. I've not seen either of the Polles fight, but they both seem to know how to handle themselves. They both used to be adventurers, I think Troke and Gwent journeyed with Aletha when they were younger." Sakura: Sakura responded with a nod, "Yes, and at least we know about such enemy." Enrico: "Lets take the guards out and get a source of fire, and go from that. Not much we can plan at the moment." Rafael ben Efrim: "We are planning already." Rafael said. "With enemies like these all information is of use." Sleeping Dragon: once their questions were finished, they set sail, hugging the eastern coast. These lands were barren and beyond the sway of any human realm. Malador had laid claim to them, but the Maladorans had long abandoned any attempt to actually settle the lands, withdrawing beyond the southern river into the Malador Wood. The fog of the previous day had cleared, and they were able to look out and see the occasional animal moving over the wet grasslands. As they rounded the eastern horn of the New Coast they sailed south and the grass turned to true swamp. Brackish, salty streams criss-crossed the land, choking the trees and shrubs and leaving them stunted and brown, withered branches like the hands of the sick reaching towards heaven. Rafael ben Efrim: While they travelled, Rafael continued asking questions, including what the buildings were used for and who might be found where." Sakura: Sakura approached the Captain to talk about coming fights and other affairs. Sleeping Dragon: "There's usually one man each up on each of the towers, and the rest either sleep in their bunks or else play cards or dice, or do any repairs needed round the camp. Halgyn has a forge over on the left side of the camp, and his quarters are next door. The dogs are usually either in his quarters or else with Aletha in her room, which is on the right hand side of the camp. Aletha is usually either there, or making the others uncomfortable in the common room, or just pacing the site. Don't think she likes to have walls around her really." Aagon (enter): 20:22 Ardrun (enter): 20:23 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2585) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(2560) Aagon' from room... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(2565) Ardrun' from room... Aagon (exit): 20:24 Ardrun (exit): 20:24 Sleeping Dragon: Captain Tancred appeared loath to enter into the fight. "There's only two of my men that aren't hurt, I should stay here with them to guard the others and the prisoners. Even with broken feet, they might cause trouble, and if any pirates come out they might seize the ships and then we'll be stranded in the Bleakwater." Rafael ben Efrim: "The pirates have no other ships, not even a rowing boat. Would they be able to attack the ships? We know you are a great fighter, you might make all the difference." Sakura: Agreeing with Rafael, "That is right. You are very good fighter and I am postive that we will win in this case. Having you along us in this fight will be of great help." Sleeping Dragon: they rested for a second night and woke on Tuesday, the 29th of April, to find that it was raining, light, fine drops that seemed to slice through their clothing as if it weren't there and leave them soaked to the skin. They continued along. Sleeping Dragon: the eastern coast of the Bleakwater was treacherous, and Captain Tancred pulled Blue Lady away from the coast slightly and brought up several of the hobbled pirates to assist them in finding a cove near enough to the base that the party could sneak up while being far enough that the ships would remain out of sight. Late in the afternoon they came to the spot, and with some difficulty they were able to weigh anchor. "It's about two and a half miles from here," the young pirate from Heliostunum said, pointing to the southwest. "You can see the edge of the lake there, just follow it round." Enrico: Meanwhile, Enrico helped Ardrun into the clothes taken off the pirate after a couple of alterations, as well as a patch for the brass eye. Sakura: Sakura after spending some time disguising herself as one of these pirates, looking like a young man with some useful items from the kit. Meanwhile she turn onto Tristan, attempting to disguise him just like that armour they saw on the ship which currently locked up in the chest by her. Ardrun: Ardrun looked uncomfortable. "I hope I won't have to talk..." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael put on some of the pirate's clothes, wrinkling his nose at the smell. Then he helped Vachir with his disguise. Vachir: After putting on his new clothes, Vachir thanked Rafael. "I just hope we'll be able to fool them for a little while at least." he added though, sounding slightly worried Tristan: (whispering): As Sakura was working on disguising him, Tristan took the time to talk quietly to her. "Once the fighting begins, it would be safest to stay somewhere... out of reach, if possible." Rafael ben Efrim: "If we can do our job and gain the element of surprise, we shouldn't need to fool them for very long." Rafael said. Sakura: (whispering): "I am planning to." Sakura nodded back, "I got my trusty crossbow with me." Tristan: (whispering): "Good." Tristan said simply. "Do you know anything about that spider that appeared?" He asked after a pause. Sakura: (whispering): Shaking her head softly, "No, that spider surprised me as anyone. However, when I get back to the city, I will ask someone I know who are knowledgeable in arcana arts." Sleeping Dragon: Tancred watched the disguising and frowned up at the rain. "Hope that doesn't wash any of your disguises off," he said Tristan: (whispering): Tristan nodded, trusting her. "It seemed to be on our side." Sakura: (whispering): Looking concerned for a moment as she replied, "Indeed and that is what so worrying for me. There is someone we do not know doing this and I do not like it." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael reassured him. "Most of it is the clothes, and the paint is waterproof." Sleeping Dragon: "Good. By the way...as many of the pirates as you can get to surrender and keep alive, the better. Bring them back here and we'll see if we can get them to Malador and be pardoned. We need fighting men for the times ahead." Tristan: (whispering): "I know little of the Jethi. There are rumours that they traffic with demons. Still, Rafael does not seem that kind of person. Enrico is secretive and... has loose morals. I would not put it past him to sell his soul." Tristan shook his head. "Vachir also has a lot of unknowns, but I do not think him the type either." Rafael ben Efrim: "We'll try." Rafael answered. "But it may not be easy." Sleeping Dragon: "Of course. Don't take any unnecessary risks," Tancred said, waving a hand Sakura: (whispering): "Hmm, I have to admit you are right. Of all people in our group, Enrico is the one I trust the least, while I suspect he is capable of it, there is no sign he is capable of such acts. It may not be one of us but someone from the city. It is possible to watch from far away after all for people who use magic." Tristan: (whispering): "I had not thought of that." Tristan thought for a moment. "Perhaps we should wait then, though I will keep a watchful eye on Enrico." Sakura: (whispering): "Good idea." Sakura glanced at Enrico for a moment. "As for now, we got a task to do this night and we should all be fine by the end of this fights." Sakura's confidence was shining through. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded and gathered his things together. Tristan: (whispering): Tristan nodded. "Indeed." He said simply, his face grim. Vachir: Vachir checked his bow and quiver, being careful not to get the former too wet in the pouring rain Sakura: Sakura merely checked her daggers among her new clothes and the crossbow slung behind on her back. Tristan: Tristan handed his sword and shield to Ardrun and donned his helmet, shielding his face. Sleeping Dragon: the party hugged the lake, though occasionally they had to move in slightly to cross streams or avoid large patches of mud. Insects buzzed around them constantly, and at one point Rafael and Ardrun looked over and saw a huge, scaly reptilian creature swimming through a stream. Rafael was able to identify it as a caiman, a vicious, dangerous predatory animal with a vicious bite, powerful tail, and tough hide. Vachir: Vachir eyed the animal warily, looking almost like he was going to try and shot it, but he stayed his hand Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael gestured to leave it. "We don't want to attract attention, and it would put up a tough fight." he explained when the creature had gone out of sight. Sleeping Dragon: the caiman eyed the party warily for a few moments and then sank beneath the water, swimming away from them. Sleeping Dragon: once past the caiman, they continued on, trudging through the mud. After about an hour, they returned to the edge of the lake and were able to look south and see the camp. From this distance it was difficult to make out details, but it appeared to be as the pirates had told them - two sets of buildings, the larger on the eastern side of the camp, surrounded on three sides by a ten foot tall wooden palisade guarded by three platforms. There was only a single gate, which seemed to be opened by lifting a bar on the back. In this light they couldn't see any people out. Rafael ben Efrim: "If someone could spy on them before it gets completely dark, it might help." Rafael whispered to the others. Sakura: Sakura glanced at other, "Shall I do it? I am smaller after all." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Take care." Tristan: (whispering): Behind the helmet, Tristan gritted his teeth, but said nothing. Rafael ben Efrim: "Just take a quick look, see if there is anyone about, which way the guards are watching, whether the dogs are out and so on." Sakura: She nodded back as she moved closer, but very carefully and attempting not to make a sound. She only attempt to find the guards on the tower and any vital details. whispering to Sakura, Sakura kept a careful distance as she circled round the camp. She could see the three men up on the towers, who faced west, south, and southeast, respectively, though they scanned all directions outside of the camp. She could see no sign of the dogs outside, nor indeed anyone else. whispering to Sakura, as she turned to head back she also noticed several of the birds which had been mentioned, which were nesting on the roof of the easternmost building Sakura: (whispering): Sakura crept very slowly back to the group, while trying to hide and sliently. Sleeping Dragon: Sakura was able to make her way back to the group Rafael ben Efrim: "Did you manage to see anything?" Rafael asked. Vachir: "And I hope they didn't spot you, did they?" asked Vachir somewhat nervously Sakura: Sakura nodded in her disguise as she replied, "Some, yes. There is a guard each in the tower, one is looking west in western tower, one is looking south in the southern tower and another is looking southeast in southeastern tower. I did not see anyone or dogs outside within the fort . But I did see many birds nesting on the building in the east. And no, as far I am aware of, no one spot me but that is far I am aware of." Rafael ben Efrim: "No sign of men or dogs, or the crazy woman?" Sakura: "Apart from the guards on these towers. No. But of course, they could be hiding..." Sakura: "Do not forget about these birds after all." She went on Rafael ben Efrim: "They are inside out of the rain, if they have any sense." Rafael said with a slight smile. "Maybe they are all at dinner. Did you see any smoke from the kitchen?" Sakura: "No, I have not notice any smoke" Sakura replied Rafael ben Efrim: "Well, the birds will sound an alarm no doubt." Rafael said with a sigh. "If Vachir stays in one of the towers he may be able to get the mad woman when she comes out to see what is going on. Now all we can do is wait until it gets properly dark." Vachir: "That's a good plan." said Vachir "I can try hiding there and shooting the woman as soon as she gets out." Sakura: "Yes. it is very important to ensurre that woman is dealt with. We cannot afford to have hydra to come and attack us." Rafael ben Efrim: As the night grew darker Rafael spoke to Vachir and Enrico. "We need to decide who takes which tower." Enrico: Enrico chose the westernmost tower and proceeded to creep towards it. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael took the middle tower and drifted silently towards it. Vachir: Vachir slowly advanced towards the southeastern tower, as silent as a cat stalking his prey. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael climbed silently into the tower and stabbed his man from behind, wounding but unfortunately not killing him outright. Vachir: Suitably well-hidden and close to the tower, Vachir paused for a moment to take careful aim and then fired powerfully at the pirate inside there. The guard survived but was heavily wounded Enrico: Enrico vaulted over the rim of the tower and plunged his dagger in the lookout's side. The blow was aided by the fast-acting poison which raced through the man's veins almost instantaneously. Vachir: Muttering, Vachir swore to himself that the man would not survive another arrow. Pulling at the bowstring with all of his strength, he let loose an even more powerful arrow. It went straight through the pirate forehead, burying itself deep in the skull and instantly killing the unfortunate watchman. Vachir: add: Smiling at having done a better job, he started climbing up the tower. Sleeping Dragon: the two pirates who remained alive, stunned by the sudden attack. Enrico's enemy, feeling poison coursing through his veins, dropped his crossbow and drew club and shield, but unfortunately Rafael's enemy was made of sterner stuff, reaching up and ringing the bronze bell that hung from the roof of the platform. Sleeping Dragon: Raf slashed out at him with his dagger as he did, but it caught on the pirate's leather armour Tristan: Hearing the bell ring out, Tristan hustled up next to Ardrun. Ardrun (enter): 23:15 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2657) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(2585) Ardrun' from room... Ardrun (exit): 23:15 Ardrun (exit): 23:18 Ardrun (enter): 23:18 Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael spun around, confusing the guard, but although he hit the man squarely in the back again, it was only a light blow. Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2658) Ardrun... Sakura: Sakura rushed quickly across the wetland and a stream to reach straddling group who are united to reach the fort quickly as possible Sleeping Dragon: the rooks on the roofs of the houses shrieked wildly and two lifted up off the roof and landed nearer the ringing bell, but none made any move to attack Enrico: Enrico flashed his dagger, finding his way past the shield and club. The pirate yelped and stumbled back holding onto his stomach, barely on his feet. Vachir: After deftly climbing inside the tower, Vachir quickly got up and glanced west, noticing Rafael was having trouble having the guard there. He fired at the guard - a first shot went wide, but a second hit squarely, and the pirate was now barely conscious. Sleeping Dragon: one pirate lashed out, striking Enrico hard and moving for the ladder, while the badly wounded pirate by Rafael fell to his knees and begged for mercy Tristan: Tristan plowed straight into the water, taking in a gasp of air before dropping under. Rafael ben Efrim: "I'll not kill you," Rafael said, then suddenly smacked the guard in the head. "But this is to be certain." As the man slumped to the ground, Rafael swung his crossbow from his shoulder. Aagon (exit): 23:55 Sakura: Sakura tried to sing but the rain damped her song so she gave up and moved toward the wall but carefully avoiding the lake to avoid the dreaded hydra. Enrico: As the remaining pirate tried to slink away, Enrico brought him down with a quick swipe. Quietly, he went down the ladder into the cortyard. Vachir: Vachir lay in wait, waiting for the pirates to come out of the barracks. Ardrun: Ardrun floundered for a little in the water as he tried to reach the camp, but eventually made it to shore and hurried toward the buildings. Sleeping Dragon: the door to the main buildings in the east of the camp opened and out burst six pirates, half armed with clubs and the other with swords. They glanced about and saw Ardrun in the water. "Captain Troke?" one shouted in confusion Ardrun: "Come here, quickly!" he called, hoping they would pass off his different voice as coming from the water he had to splutter out of his mouth. Vachir: Vachir took a step back and then did a short but dexterous jump on the roof of the barracks in front of him. Sleeping Dragon: stepping out of the door straight behind the pirates was a tall, gaunt woman with a shaven head, scars on her bare scalp, jangling whalebone jewellery on her arms and legs. She carried a trident in one hand and a large conch shell in the other, which she was raising but lowered when she heard the shouts and saw the person she thought was Captain Troke. "Help him! You two, go see what's happening in the towers!" Aletha snapped. Ardrun: Thinking quickly, Ardrun spoke to the men who were coming toward him. He pointed behind him. "Go check, I heard some movement, I think it may have been a caiman. I need to speak to her..." He headed toward Aletha. Tristan: Tristan, dressed as the armored figure walked up next to Ardrun as Troke, water pouring from his armor. Rafael ben Efrim: Unable to see any of the pirates but hearing Aletha give the order, Rafael stood in the tower as if he was the guard ready to fire his crossbow. Rafael ben Efrim: Disconnecting from server... Rafael ben Efrim (exit): 00:37 Sleeping Dragon: the rooks nearest to Vachir gave a shriek of alarm and moved away from him Sakura: Sakura in her disguise as a pirate climbed over the wall quickly and leaped into the edge of the lake. It is as if she was reacting quiuckly. Enrico: Enrico, as if remembering something, ran back to the tower and emerged with a pirate's crossbow in hand.
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Jan 25, 2009 12:06:49 GMT
Ardrun: Ardrun hurried over toward the strange woman, gesticulating at the pirates to go check the water behind him. Sleeping Dragon: the pirates rushed forward, two heading towards the middle tower where Rafael was waiting while the others headed towards Ardrun Vachir: Vachir cursed his breath at the birds, but then, recognizing the crazy-looking woman as Aletha, decided to focus his aim on her, preparing to fire at her when the right moment came Vachir: edit: cursed under his breath Sleeping Dragon: hearing the screaming of the rooks, Aletha glanced up onto the roof and saw Vachir/Gwent. "What are you doing up there Gwent?" she shouted up to him Vachir: Vachir came up with a quick explanation "Didn't you hear the alarm Aletha? I'm trying to get a good look at whatever's approaching the camp." Tristan: Tristan simply followed Ardrun forward, keeping his disguise as the animated armor as best he could. Idris: The first pirate neared the foot of the ladder, so Rafael pointed out to sea. "By the Masters, would you look at that!" he called. As they turned away, he fired a bolt at the nearest, straight into the man's back. The pirate dropped like a stone. Sakura: Sakura attempted to jump across the stream filled with flies after following the fence but she failed to reach the end and came spashing down into the middle, getting bitten by nasty biters, still, at least she is wearing the clothes which is fitting for worst clothings in the land. She then quickly went along the building wall into open by the western tower. Sleeping Dragon: Enrico moved to the side of a building and loaded his crossbow, looking out towards the sea. "Holy shit, would you look at that!" he cried, pointing towards the jut of land at the edge of the lake Ardrun: Ardrun rushed forward to swing at one of the pirates, but he was surprised by the timing of the ambush and his blow was clumsy. Sleeping Dragon: two of the pirates were so startled by this sudden onslaught that they could only stumble back in confusion, and the others who surrounded the one they thought was their captain either flailed far wide, or struck light blows that Ardrun easily shook off Vachir: Seeing that Aletha was still with her guard down, Vachir quickly decided that it was the right moment to fire. Two arrows hit the woman squarely, but the hardy woman did not seem to be too fazed by the attack Sleeping Dragon: stumbling back, Aletha gave a shriek of rage. Closing her hand around the conch horn, she put it to her lips and blew. A long, deep note reverberated through the camp. Taking the horn from her lips, she gave another scream and looked towards the rooks, pointing at v Sleeping Dragon: edit: pointing at Vachir, and then she quickly moved back into the pirate barracks Tristan: Seeing that the trap was sprung, Tristan marched forward towards one of the pirates, landing a heavy blow with his gauntleted fist on the man. Idris: Rafael leaped from the tower and spun past the pirate Tristan had punched, avoiding the man's grasp. Turning he fired once and the already wounded pirate fell to the ground. Sakura: Sakura rushed forward to beside Raf and begun to sing a rather depressing song about the fates of captured pirates and slaves alikes by hands of Gaustrad Bloodtooth. Sakura: "Once upon the time, a young girl, tender and sweet..." Ardrun: Ardrun slashed a pirate heavily, but the man remained standing. Sleeping Dragon: the pirates attacked Ardrun with club and sword. The two curved swords cut deeply into him, slicing his chest and staining it with blood Ardrun (enter): 21:13 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (4894) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(4827) Ardrun' from room... Ardrun (exit): 21:13 Vachir: Vachir decided to ignore the troublesome birds, and managed to sprint away from them and fire an arrows at the one of the pirates engaged with Ardrun Sleeping Dragon: the rooks descended on Vachir, clawing with their talons, but only one landed a light scratch Sleeping Dragon: Enrico ducked under one of the towers, hiding himself in the darkness Sleeping Dragon: Aletha emerged back out from the pirate barracks, still snarling. Glancing up quickly and seeing Vachir, she sprang into the air, catching the roof's ledge and hauling herself agilely up to face him. As she came to her feet she drew her trident and spat a curse Tristan: Tristan threw a punch at the pirate that had moved up near him, but was unable to connect. Sleeping Dragon: the door to the smithy opened and a big man with a warhammer, steel shield, and leather jerkin came out, two big dogs snarling behind him. He gave a cry and prepared himself for battle Idris: Rafael had just tried one shot at the crazy woman on the roof, but his shot went wildly astray. He moved to the tower and eyed the door of the smithy. Just as he was about to pick up the scimitar the man, who he presumed was Halgyn, burst out. Sakura: Sakura glanced at this big man and stopped singing for a moment for short comment, "Ah, a fine meat. Captain Bloodtooth will enjoy eating you." She walked away from him. Sleeping Dragon: the rooks swarmed Vachir, lashing out with their talons to defend their mistress Sleeping Dragon: Enrico, hidden beneath the platform, loaded his crossbow and fired at Halgyn, but the bolt flew past him and thudded into the wall Ardrun: Ardrun swung his scimitar in an arc, felling the injured pirate and wounding another with the single swing. Sleeping Dragon: the remaining pirates attacked, one striking but failing to penetrate Tristan's armour, while another sliced Ardrun with his curved blade Vachir: Though surrounded by many opponents, Vachir saw an opening and desperately tried to retreat. Though Aletha to stabb him with hertrident, inflicting a painful wound, Vachir managed to flee and jump down from the roof to relative safety Vachir: Looking up for a moment, Vachir considered his chances and decided to retreat away from the dangerous woman and her annoying beasts. Ardrun (enter): 22:07 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (4924) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(4908) Ardrun' from room... Ardrun (exit): 22:09 Sleeping Dragon: pointing at Vachir contemptuously, Aletha quickly darted to the southern part of the barracks and leaped down, giving a roar of rage Tristan: Tristan stepped back across the stream, the pirate behind him flailing ineffectually at him. Reaching the other side, he brought a heavy fist down on the head of the dog attacking Rafael. Idris: Dropping his crossbow, Rafael drew out the scimitar he had taken from the pirate in the tower and slash the dog mauling Rico. Sleeping Dragon: Halgyn, thinking Tristan was the animated armour, shouted at him in Ancient Speech whispering to Sakura, Idris, "I am your master! Destroy these turncoats!" Idris: (whispering): "He believes you're the armour, ordering you to destroy us." Rafael said to Tristan Sakura: Sakura smiled on hearing the anicent speech and barely caught her giggles, she quickly made quick move and used a quick neat move to aim better at the big flabby bitch in front of her and fired a bolt, it stuck true. Sakura: *beside the building opposing the stream Sleeping Dragon: the rooks continued to hound Vachir, clawing at him, but they flailed wide Sleeping Dragon: Enrico stood up and tumbled away from the dogs Sleeping Dragon: the dogs turned on Tristan and Rafael, biting and trying to haul them down. One's teeth closed on Tristan, teeth screaming on armour, but he easily outmuscled the dog and was unhurt. Rafael was slightly wounded, but he tore free of the dog's jaws Sleeping Dragon: the three pirates at the stream continued to attack Ardrun, one landing another vicious sword cut. Three others also burst out of the barracks, carrying clubs and wearing nightclothes Vachir: Vachir darted out and desperately fired at the one of the pirates threatening Ardrun. Though fired with a bloody, unsteady hand, both arrows stroke true, sending the mortally pierced pirate to his death Vachir: edit: 'stroke' -> 'struck' Sleeping Dragon: Aletha rushed towards Sakura, hefting her trident, but the bog slowed her and she couldn't reach to bring her trident to bear Sleeping Dragon: she gave a wild curse and glared hatefully at Sakura Tristan: Tristan struck at the dog, but it was able to dodge away. Idris: Rafael sprang and spun lithely between the dogs and struck out with the scimitar. Unable to avoid it the slashing blow, the dog fell to the ground, twitched and then was still. Sleeping Dragon: Halgyn rushed in, trying to shatter Rafael's blade, but the Jeth slapped his warhammer away Ardrun: Disconnecting from server... Ardrun (exit): 23:06 Sakura: Quickly laughing as she sprinted away from her and a quick twist ensured that dog will not bite her as she climbed up the ladder onto the tower. Sleeping Dragon: the rooks surrounded Vachir, one striking him lightly with its talon Sleeping Dragon: Enrico loaded his crossbow, then seemed to slip in the mud. This was only a feint to try to draw Aletha off-guard, but unfortunately she was alert to his tricks and she took only a glancing shot. Enrico quickly stepped back Sleeping Dragon: the dog bit at Tristan, but couldn't penetrate his thick armour Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun swept his scimitar around in a massive arc. In a spray of blood it caught a pirate in the neck and clove his head from his body, and then he followed through, slicing brutally into the other pirate in his reach and sending him to bleed out his life in the stream. Ardrun gave a yell of victory and turned to face Aletha, blade wet with blood Sleeping Dragon: the pirates who had emerged from the barracks surged forward, but their path was blocked by the rooks encircling Vachir Vachir: Vachir decided to brave the birds' talons and beaks and fire at Aletha. Glancing with hate at the woman, he fired an arrow, but in his desperation he missed widely, burying the wall in the wooden wall of the camp. Cursing the woman, himself and the weather, Vachir shouted in Bolgar for Alaric to help him. His next arrow flew true, piercing the already wounded woman in the chest, sending her unconscious to the ground. Sleeping Dragon: Vachir took only light damage from the birds, as they despairingly attempted to protect their mistress Tristan: Tristan stepped towards Halgyn, again ignoring an attack from the dog near him and struck the blacksmith. Sleeping Dragon: Halgyn hammered at Rafael, trying to smash him in the side and hobble him, but it flew wide Idris (enter): 23:37 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (4981) Idris... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(4844) Idris' from room... Idris (exit): 23:37 Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael tried to tumble around Halgyn but the smith caught him a blow with his hammer, and the dog snapped at his heels, fortunately missing him. Dazed by the blow Rafael 's slash missed badly. Sakura: Sakura put new bolt in the slot and fired it at Halgyn but it missed badly Sleeping Dragon: with a cry of despair at Aletha's fall, the rooks took wing and fled into the air Sleeping Dragon: Enrico reloaded and fired at the dog, hitting it heavily in the flank Sleeping Dragon: at the edge of the lake, there was a ripple in the water and a massive shape came up and onto the edge of the jut of land north of the smithy. It was a massive beast, serpentine, five heads jutting from long scaly necks, mouths full of rows of razor-sharp teeth. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun, undeterred, slashed one pirate heavily with his blade Sleeping Dragon: the wounded pirate stepped away while his two comrades advanced, striking Ardrun two glancing blows with their clubs Vachir: Seeing a few other pirates advance, Vachir retreated to the safety of the roof and from there shot a single arrow at Halgyn Vachir: add: which struck wounding him lightly. Tristan: Tristan punched Halgyn again. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael swung the scimitar at Halgyn but the man caught the blow on his shield. Sleeping Dragon: Halgyn raised his hammer powerfully and brought it powerfully around at Rafael's stomach. It looked like it might smash straight through his chest, but Rafael twisted and it struck him in the side again, leaving him in lingering pain. Halgyn stepped away, keeping his shield up warily Sakura: Sakura put new bolt in the slot and fired it at Halgyn but it hit and sadly it just slide off it shield
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Feb 1, 2009 13:32:08 GMT
Enrico: Enrico fired at the remaining dog, missing widely despite the close range Sleeping Dragon: the dog advanced and bit back, but it slid in the mud as it approached Enrico and its jaws closed only on air Sleeping Dragon: from the edge of the lake the hydra advanced towards the fray, water dripping from its massive body Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun brought his scimitar up in a huge arc, slicing out and cutting deep into one of the foes that was advancing on him. The pirate fell with blood pouring out into the river, and Ardrun continued to sweep his blade around, badly wounding his second adversary. Ardrun gave a cry of victory as adrenaline poured into him, dulling the pain of his wounds Sleeping Dragon: one of the pirates, wounded by Ardrun's blade, darted back into the barracks, while the other, still engaged with the massive gladiator, fell to the ground and threw his club away, begging for mercy Vachir: Vachir moved towards the other edge of the roof, perhaps wary of the approaching Hydra, and fired an arrow at Halgyn. The projectile missed however, burying itself in the ground Tristan: Tristan moved behind Haglyn before clocking the blacksmith in the back of the head with a heavy punch. Skyman (enter): 20:00 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (7510) Ardrun... Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael moved up behind Halgyn and spoke. "If you want to live, tell us how Aletha sends the hydra away with the horn." Sleeping Dragon: "She's the only one who can sound the right note - bring her back to consciousness and promise to let us go and I'll convince her to sound the note." Halgyn replied. He gave a sharp whistle and the dog backed away from Enrico slightly, teeth still bared Rafael ben Efrim: "Someone tend to Aletha!" Rafael called out. Sleeping Dragon: Sakura descended from the tower and ran over to Aletha Enrico: Enrico moved over to Aletha and clumsily tied a couple of rags over her wounds, managing to stem the bleeding despite his lack of skill. Sleeping Dragon: the dog followed Enrico and Sakura over and knelt down near Aletha, watching the party warily Sleeping Dragon: the hydra rushed towards Rafael, Halgyn, and Tristan, looming over them, heads raised and poised to strike Ardrun: "Get over to them!" shouted Ardrun at the surrendered pirate, gesturing at Enrico and Sakura. He charged at the hydra, trying to keep as far back from it as he could as he swung his falchion. Sleeping Dragon: the remaining pirate, no longer threatened by Ardrun, fled back into the barracks with a cry of fright Sleeping Dragon: edit: the pirate did as he was asked, rushing over to Enrico and Sakura Vachir: Taking a step back, Vachir fired at the huge reptilian body of the now uncomfortably close Hydra. One arrow flew wide, but another struck, drawing blood. Tristan: Ignoring the apparently surrendered Haglyn, Tristan stepped towards the Hydra, retrieving his sword from Ardrun in the process and slashed a deep gash in the hydra's hide. Sleeping Dragon: Halgyn stepped away from the hydra and kept his shield up protectively Rafael ben Efrim: The hydra just missed Rafael as he tumbled and scuttled away inelegantly, running accross the stream to where Aletha lay. A cloud of flies rose in the air and he flailed at them. Sleeping Dragon: Sakura readied to help Rafael Sakura (enter): 20:36 Sleeping Dragon: as they fought, they could see the hydra's scaly hide knitting back together before their eyes, closing over almost all the wounds that had been dealt to it. As it did, it reared up, its heads shrieking in a united voice as they lashed out for Tristan and Ardrun. One head darted for Tristan's throat, but his heavy armour saved him, and two further blows failed to penetrate at all, while Ardrun took one light blow and avoided a second Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (7525) Sakura... Vachir: Vachir shot another two arrows at the many-headed beast, wounding it again Tristan: Tristan struck at the hydra again, but couldn't penetrate its hide. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael scrambled out of the fly-ridden stream & knelt beside the prone woman. With Sakura's help he bound her wounds and brought her to consciousness. "Send that beast away, and we'll set you free," he said to her as her eyelids fluttered open. Sleeping Dragon: "Aletha, are you awake? Listen to me, there's not much time - blow your horn and call the hydra off! They'll let us go if you do. Trust me, Aletha!" Halgyn shouted to his niece Enrico: Enrico fired at the towering beast in panic, missing the massive creature. Sleeping Dragon: the hydra hissed and lashed out with horrendous strength. Tristan was only slightly hurt by two attacks, but the other three heads tore heavily into Ardrun. Two tore huge chunks from his arm while another lashed down and ripped into his chest, sending the big gladiator toppling and bleeding to the earth Vachir: Vachir's deadly aim sent another two arrows deep into the scaly flesh of the monster. Sleeping Dragon: Aletha's eyes blinked open and she looked around groggily, hearing the sounds of combat. She fumbled for her horn and groaned. "Swear it, swear we'll be released or I won't do it!" she said to no one in particular Rafael ben Efrim: "We will let you go if you call off the hydra." Rafael said ugently. "Hurry before all of us die." Tristan: Using his sword to keep one of the hydra's mouthes at bay, Tristan waited for the others to convince Aletha before acting. Sakura: Sakura stepped into that discussion and said, "You will be let go, even we have our own lives to value. This I swear on my house." Sleeping Dragon: Aletha paused for a moment, and then brought the horn to her lips and blew three rapid notes, followed by a short pause and then one long blast Sleeping Dragon: the hydra had turned all its attention to Tristan, preparing itself to unload upon him, but when the horn blew its heads swung round in their direction. Five sets of eyes fixed on Tristan for a moment, then warily the creature stepped away from him and into the lake, its wounds closing rapidly as it went out into the water Tristan: Seeing the hydra turn, Tristan sheathed his sword and turned to the nearby Ardrun, working to staunch his bleeding. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sighed with relief. "You must give us the horn of course." he said to Aletha. He gestured to Enrico to come over and guard the woman so that he could see to the injured and dying. Sakura: Sakura nodded as she strolled away to see to Ardrun and Tristan. Tristan: Not seeing the need to continue the masquerade, Tristan pulled his helmet off after making sure Ardrun was alright. Sleeping Dragon: Aletha shrugged and stood up, handing Rafael the horn, while Halgyn crossed the river to check on her. Vachir: Vachir slowly descended from the roof, looking wounded and tired. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael began to make the rounds of the bodies. Sleeping Dragon: in addition to the pirates who had surrendered or fled into the barracks, Rafael was able to rescue five from death, but the others had already bled out and were gone. Vachir: Vachir quietly sat near the wall of one of the barracks, trying to catch a breath for a moment. Sleeping Dragon: "What are you going to do with my men?" Halgyn asked. "I would ask for Aram here and the others who are still conscious to be free to come with us, but those who've been knocked out can hardly brave the Bleakwater." Rafael ben Efrim: "We will take them with us, back to Malador." Rafael said. "They will be asked to fight for the city in the coming conflict, to pay off their debt." Sleeping Dragon: Halgyn paused, and then shrugged. "Very well." Rafael ben Efrim: "Why did you do it?" Rafael asked. "Why turn to piracy?" Sakura: Sakura went back to group concerning Halgyn and Rafael. Sleeping Dragon: Halgyn laughed. "What makes our claims to the treasures of the Towers piracy, but those of the Council taxation? Is it because we have one ship and thirty men, and they have many more of both?" Tristan: "It is the law of this land. If you can not abide it, then find somewhere else to live." Tristan said, walking over to Vachir. "How are you holding up?" Sleeping Dragon: "The laws of the Council have no legitimacy. I spit on them." Vachir: "I've been better."replied Vachir, wincing uncomfortably as he lay against the wall, resting "These birds were pretty nasty. But we made it at least." Sakura: "What define legitimacy?" Sakura looking interesting, despite her distraction. Rafael ben Efrim: "Those who go to adventure in the Towers know they have to hand over the objects. It may be unfair but they accept that." Rafael remarked. "But you butchered men to take them." Tristan: Tristan nodded. "It could have been much worse, yes." Vachir: "That freaking thing with five heads was monstrous, yes."replied back Vachir "Ah, but we have work to do. I'm sure there's going to be something interesting inside these barracks."he said slowly rising to his feet and heading for the door Tristan: "Take care, there may be traps." Tristan turned back towards Ardrun and with suprising ease, moved the much larger man to lean up against one of the buildings, then turned to watch the others. Sleeping Dragon: "Those who go to adventure in the Towers know that they might be killed. It may be unfair but they accept that," Halgyn shot back. "I was the proprietor of Exotic Dreams for almost ten years. Every year I've seen the wealth of the Towers flow in. It's an enormous amount, at least sixty, seventy thousand gold pieces a year. And all of it goes to the Councillors, who use it to further their own power, ignoring the people of Malador whose needs are far greater than theirs. That money is probably what is being used to pay you to fight us. Which one hired you, I wonder?" Halgyn scratched his chin. "It was Delorri, wasn't it? She is using you for political ends. She knows that if news of the ships being taken gets out then the Unionists will say that the Council would never need to worry about pirates with the might of Torath behind them. Your hire will cost her, or whichever Councillor hired you, nothing. It will be taken from the city treasury." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Don't you think that your attacks could have drive the Council further into the arms of the Torathi? Is that what you really wanted?" Sleeping Dragon: "I laid my plans long before the threat of invasion, but it doesn't matter. Why should I care whether the bureaucrats who rob us live in Malador or in Torath? They are both fighting over who has the right to oppress the people of the city." Sakura: Sakura considered it as she replied, "But oppression is natural order of the world. Can you think of any places that are not oppressed by their governing bodies?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael left them to discuss this and went to see that the unconscious people were moved to bunks in the barracks. whispering to Tristan, Enrico, Vachir and Enrico entered the barracks, finding themselves in a room empty except for a bearskin rug and three barrels against the eastern wall. A door in the southern wall was flung open, revealing a common room with two, 10 foot square tables upon which lay cards, dice, and mugs of ale. Sleeping Dragon: "Rubbish. Oppression occurs because of human actions, not because it is natural. No one except themselves forces the Councillors to hoard all the wealth of the city. As we have no power over them by law and no ability to influence them, I have been forced to take up arms against them, to take back some of the wealth of the city and distribute it to a wider, broader audience." Enrico: Enrico searched the buildings for anything worthwhile. Ardrun (enter): 21:53 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (7554) Ardrun... whispering to Vachir, Vachir and Enrico entered the barracks, finding themselves in a room empty except for a bearskin rug and three barrels against the eastern wall. A door in the southern wall was flung open, revealing a common room with two, 10 foot square tables upon which lay cards, dice, and mugs of ale. Sakura: "And pray? what does that broader audiences does with their ill forgotten gains? No doubt they profit as well just like the Councillers. You people are just as bad as Councillers. As I can see it, there is no difference between hoarding all the wealth by small group of people and spreading the wealth to small group of people." Rafael ben Efrim: "Someone should let Captain Tarris know what is happening." Rafael said to Tristan and Vachir. "He can bring the ships around to take the remaining pirates on board. And anything else we find." Vachir: (whispering): Vachir looked somewhat displeased at what we saw. "Bah. Trifles. I'm sure the interesting stuff will be in Polle's headquarters."he mentioned as he went looking for them Tristan: Tristan looked to the wounded Vachir a moment. "I will go. It should not be a problem getting back to the ships by myself." Sakura: *Ill gotten Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Take care." Sleeping Dragon: "That broader audience will use the money to fund worthy projects - one, for example, that me and my fellow conspirators had considered was one to help expand the size of the militia, and another to build poor houses to assist those in the Flow and help them avoid crime and starvation. And they will do those things, and not simply hold their money back, because if they fail in their duty then I will cut off their access to further money." Halgyn replied. "But of course, you are right, I am terrible, truly. I have profited so much by giving up my comfortable existence as a shopkeeper in order to live in a swamp." Tristan: Tristan nodded and set off for the ship. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael returned to where Halgyn was holding forth to Sakura. "I suppose you would not care to tell us who your fellow conspirators are?" Sakura: Sakura only looked at their fingernails as she replied, "You are just too modest. The only way to change things in the Council is to replace them." Sakura: "Until then, what you are doing are just short term benefits." Sleeping Dragon: "The details are on the base, I will not betray them with my own lips. And you, my lady, are an idiot. I do not need to seek permission from the Council, or from whoever might end up on the Council, to change things. The people of Malador are a million times stronger than the wretched bastards of Clifftop. If they realised their strength, then they could rise up and crush them in a single day, and I hope to see that day come." Ardrun: Disconnecting from server... Ardrun (exit): 22:07 Rafael ben Efrim: "How do you think the people of Malador see pirates?" Rafael asked. "They are afraid enough without that." Sakura: "Wonderful, then the Kingdom will love that and will crush that one in support of the fearful Council. I heard of fairly few rebellions back home but they rarely go anywhere anyway." Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't think that Ispera can be held up as an example of a decent society Sakura." Rafael said quietly. whispering to Vachir, Enrico, Enrico and Vachir headed into the common room. A small pile of money lay on one of the tables, and one of the flagons was of lovely engraved copper, but of far greater interest was the ironbound treasure chest in the northwestern corner of the room. Vachir: (whispering): Vachir gazed at the chest with greed in his eyes, obviously interested in its contents Sleeping Dragon: "Torath is not invincible, and its weaknesses would be made apparent to all the world if rebellion began in its lands as well. I have no enmity with the people of those lands, and hope they too destroy their oppressors. There is no other way. Until the weak of the world see that they are all one, and that together they are stronger than every king and prince and councillor, then the strong will continue to crush them." Rafael ben Efrim: "I can see that there is some truth in what you say, but your belief that the ordinary people can rule together...how will they avoid strong men, and women, among them from gaining power and becoming the new lords of society?" Sakura: Sakura only look at Halgyn with rather disbelieving eyes and shook her head as she walked away from them, as she strolled toward Ardrun, just before coming out of earshot, she started giggled at the sheer silliness of that statement." Enrico: (whispering): . Enrico: (whispering): Enrico rushed towards the chest and tinkered with it for a while. The lock proved to be a monolith, however, and all of Enrico's efforts were in vain. After kicking it he also found out that the rest of the chest is very much like the lock Vachir: (whispering): "Shit!" swore Vachir "I'm sure the key must be around here somewhere. Or perhaps Halgyn has it on him?" Sleeping Dragon: "That's for all the people to decide, not just me. I don't know, for myself, the answer to your question, but surely it is better to try, even if you might fail, than to sit back and do nothing. I can scarcely see how the consequences of failure would be worse than the consequences of inaction." Ardrun (exit): 22:23 Sleeping Dragon: "Those like your friend there, who's walked off, will scoff and claim that those who think like I do are only out for themselves and will invariably become tyrants and oppressors ourselves. This facile view will absolve them, in their minds, of any responsibility to help their fellow men, but it is also profoundly wrong, as you will see when you discover just how little of the money we've taken remains on this base. It has already gone to Malador. Unfortunately what has gone so far will only serve to recoup the losses of those who made our actions possible." Rafael ben Efrim: "I think you should wait in the barracks with your neice." Rafael said. "This swamp is not good for wounds. When we have cleared the base we will let you go." Vachir: (whispering): Vachir looked like he considered using violence on the chest for a moment, but then thought better of it. "We have to get the key from Halgyn or whoever is holding it."he suggested to Enrico Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael went to Halgyn's house to take a look. Sakura: Sakura decided to go out and searching the very immediately surroundings of the base to see anything special. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael was quickly able to find the loose floorboard Halgyn had referred to Enrico: Enrico emerged from the barracks and strolled thoughtfully towards the buildings on the western side of the camp. Sleeping Dragon: Aletha and Halgyn made their way to the barracks Vachir: (whispering): Seeing there wasn't much that could be done with the chest right now, Vachir decided to check all the other rooms and take anything of value from them. whispering to Vachir, "Hello," Halgyn said cheerfully to Vachir, as if they had not been fighting several minutes before. "You probably want the key. It's here," he said, pulling it out and tossing a bronze key to Vachir. "I'd rather you have the money than the Council." Vachir: (whispering): Catching the key, Vachir looked pleased and slightly surprised at seeing Halgyn hand it over so easily. "I'll be sure to put it good use, eh."he said as he went to use it to unlock the chest and take whatever contents were there Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded to Enrico. "Some papers here, which we will have to look through. There may be something of value still in this hole in the floor," he indicated a floorboard open by the bed. "but I think there is a trap of some kind in there." Enrico: Enrico nodded and proceeded to try and identify and hopefully disable said trap. whispering to Enrico, Enrico could tell immediately that Rafael was hiding something, though he wasn't sure what whispering to Tristan, Tristan got about ten minutes walk from the camp when there was a rush of movement and a caiman darted out of a stream and sprang up at him. It snapped for his arm, but fortunately its leap out of the water had slowed it and it fell wide Sleeping Dragon: unfortunately Enrico's hand slipped, and a trio of darts lashed out, missing Enrico but slamming heavily into Rafael. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael tried to protect himself as the darts flew at him. "I thought you knew how to disarm traps Rico." he said weakly as he picked them out of himself. Enrico: Enrico apologized profusely, saying that he is not himself today. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked hard at Enrico. "Have you been bitten by anything?" whispering to Tristan, Tristan punched at the caiman, but his fist went wide and the creature then closed its jaws heavily around his arm, teeth wrenching in deeply and refusing to let go. whispering to Sakura, Sakura saw nothing of great interest outside the immediate confines of the camp whispering to Vachir, within the chest was a pile of a little over four hundred gold pieces, together with three spare bells for the towers and a healer's kit Sakura: (whispering): Sakura nodded and made her way back to the gate, making a note to look again in the future. Vachir: (whispering): Happy with his discovery, Vachir closed the chest and went back to the barracks to keep watch Aletha and Halgyn Sakura: She made her way to Halgyn's house and entered it Sakura: and on seeing them, "Any luck?" whispering to Vachir, Aletha glared at Vachir sullenly. "You're a long way from home," Halgyn said to Vachir Tristan: (whispering): Tristan attempted to lift the lizard but was unable to get a good grasp as the creature continued to bite him. Taking a moment to gather his strength, he lifted the caiman over his head and brought it down hard into the ground. Rafael ben Efrim: "Nothing of interest here." Rafael answered Sakura. "How about over at the barracks?" whispering to Tristan, the creature stood up, taking a punch from Tristan, and then slammed him with its tail. Tristan's armour absorbed most of the blow and he swung at it again and missed, and then the creature fled into the water, badly hurt Sleeping Dragon: within the compartment was a small pouch containing 100 gold pieces Tristan: (whispering): Tristan let the creature flee, though he watched it for a while to make sure it didn't return, then continued to the ship. Vachir: (whispering): Vachir looked more relaxed now, having left the exertion of behind him. "It's been a long voyage from Bolgar to here, aye."he replied "But it's seems to have been worth it." Sakura: "Not sure." She nodded at them. "I could go and see though. Do you need any help searching in this building?" She asked Rafael ben Efrim: "I think Rico and I can manage. I'd like to know Vachir is alright on his own with the prisoners." Enrico: Enrico suddenly nodded and walked out, heading back to the barracks. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shrugged. "Maybe he has the same idea. Do you want to help then Sakura?" whispering to Vachir, "Did you voyage here intending to become a lackey of the reeking and corrupt oppressors of the world?" Aletha snapped. "Be quiet," Halgyn told her. "I wish you luck in your travels. I'm afraid there's little else of interest in these rooms, just a bit of coin and a few spare weapons." Sakura: She smiled back warily, "Gladly." Sakura: She helped Rafael to search for anything useful to their mission or loots or just simple unusual. Sleeping Dragon: Sakura and Rafael searched Halgyn's room, a simple, sparse chamber containing only a bed, a chest with several changes of clothes, his bed, and a writing desk and chair. Several blankets at the end of his bed smelled distinctly of wet dog fur. Within the desk, they discovered writing implements, and in addition they found two ancient, leather-bound books written in Ancient Speech, and one of the drawers contained a strange, multicoloured wafer, of which a tiny nibble had been taken, and two, small clear crystals. Vachir: (whispering): Vachir gazed warily at the woman, slightly taken aback by her ferocity. Turning to Halgyn however, he replied somewhat more pleasantly "Oh, don't worry. These riches should be more than enough for me - I'm a simple man after all, unlike my companions. "after a moment of thought, he added "And good luck to you too - sorry for the arrows before, just doing a job. Pays well enough, and a man must do some work to live, after all. " Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael examined the objects without touching them. "Have you any idea what these might be for?" Rafael ben Efrim: "This might be what they used to animate the armour." Rafael said, as they leafed through the books. Enrico: (whispering): whispering to Vachir, Enrico walked into the barracks, his eyes darting towards the chest briefly. He waited for his turn to get a word with Halgyn in private. Vachir: (whispering): "He gave me the key, no need to bother him about it."said Vachir showing the key to Enrico after taking it from one of his pockets Vachir: (whispering): "And there's enough gold inside there for all of us!"he added smiling Enrico: (whispering): Enrico nodded, gleeful, inspecting the contents of the chest. He then asked Halgyn for a word in privat Sakura: "You may be right. As for that rainbow thing are enchanted to grant anyone who eat it great strength for a little while. But when that expired, they get very tired until they sleep as well for few days, they need to eat larger amount of food to pay the price. As for these crystals. well, staring into one of them mean you get good chance of things going your way for once but the price of that however is mental confusion for whole day." She explained them to Rafael. "But while I came across them in my reading, I need to say that these are most likely effects." Sakura: Something just occured to her, "Oh, you cannot use these crystals forever, just once." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked surprised at what Sakura told him. "Are these things drugs or a sorcery of some kind?" whispering to Vachir, Aletha continued to glare at Vachir Sakura: "Oh Sorcery, most certainly magical. I would think they came from the Tower. Halgyn is keeper of shop that sell Tower items I believe." She replied. "I would think that rainbow thing is one off. So these are better off as emergency items." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael seemed to have to force himself to touch the things. He wrapped the books carefully and placed them in his pack. Sakura: Sakura nodded at Rafael's seemly dislike of magic and asked, "Still, we really have not found anything important for Halgyn's plans. Maybe he got them committed to memory." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "If he has any sense he will have. Why write down secrets?" Sakura: She smiled back knowingly, "But you can be surprised just how many people with sense write them down anyway. Shall we see what is going on in other barracks?" Rafael ben Efrim: "There is still the forge. But Tristan may make better sense of that than us." whispering to Sakura, Sakura got the sense that Rafael was trying to misdirect her, as if he knew something more than he was letting on Sakura: Sakura narrowed her eyes at Rafael fiercely, "Hmm..." Rafael ben Efrim: "You want us to search the forge Sakura?" Rafael asked, looking confused. Sakura: "Well... we can have a short look into that forge. We are still waiting for Tristan to return after all." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked across at the barracks. "I'm going to see that all is well over there, then I'll join you." He went out of the room and walked across to the barrack block. Sakura: Sakura strolled over to the forge and peeked into the froge. Sakura: forge* whispering to Tristan, eventually, Tristan came back to the ships and was able to tell Captain Tarris what had happened, and he hauled anchor and set sail for the camp. Rafael ben Efrim: Having checked on the unconscious people, Rafael returned to the forge. Sleeping Dragon: within the forge was a set of well-made smith's tools, an anvil and furnace, and a number of pieces of armour, obviously modelled after the animated armour they had defeated previously. The wooden surfaces of the room were covered in cloth which had been damped with swamp water to prevent fires, and there were also four water buckets throughout the room Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded at the armour. "I imagine he was going to animate some more of them." Sakura: Sakura nodded, "That will cause so much problem if they get loose on the streets against watchmen. Still, I wonder if Tristan like to have these tools and such?" Rafael ben Efrim: "He might well. I hope he's managed to get to the ship." Sakura: "It would be a fine reward for his efforts... I mean walking under the water?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled. "That was quite a feat." Sakura: "A feat? It is a brilliant feat that did wonderful for his impression of that armour we saw in that ship."
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Feb 1, 2009 13:59:11 GMT
The party continued to search the encampment, while at length Captain Tarris sailed in with the Hydra and the Blue Lady.
The remainder of the pirate encampment contained little - only food, oil, clothes, various types of alcohol, and a large number of spare weapons. Very little that might have been loot from the Towers remained - as Halgyn had said, it was already gone to Malador. Despite a thorough search, however, the party were unable to locate the papers with the details of the conspiracy that Halgyn had mentioned.
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Feb 4, 2009 14:31:03 GMT
At first, the party could find no further information on the pirate base. Sakura asked Halgyn about the pirates’ spy in Malador, and after some veiled threats Halgyn gave in and they learned that the spy was Senturn Gwent, a clerk at the Excise Office and brother of Omar Gwent, who the party had killed on the Hydra.
With this information, the party boarded their ship again and returned to Malador, arriving back on the 1st of May. Immediately they went to see Delorri. Very pleased with their information, she quickly dispatched guards to arrest Senturn Gwent and then rewarded the party, paying each a thousand and fifty gold pieces. Sakura was able to convince her to spare the lives of the captured pirates, however, and, as Captain Tancred had suggested, keep them at hand to fight for the city in case of war.
In their absence still more mercenaries had come to the city, and fearful people from the outlying farms had begun to leave the countryside. Merchants from Adaria, Akhaia, and Ispera sailed in for perhaps their last trading venture before Malador, one way or another, became part of Torath. Every inn in the city was fully booked, and Enrico, Vachir, and Tristan, who had been staying at the Old Pirate, returned to find their rooms had been taken in their absence.
As they sought new accommodation, the business of the city began to slow. The mood of Malador grew dark as the day of the vote for Union with Torath grew ominously closer.
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Feb 9, 2009 22:19:49 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Spring rolled along, but as the weather grew brighter the mood in Malador grew darker. Celebrations or any expressions of happiness grew rarer and people went about with grim faces. One word was on everyone’s minds and lips, spoken through clenched teeth or whispered fearfully. War.
Though the vote on Union with Torath had yet to occur, the people of Malador seemed to have already resigned themselves to suffering. Perhaps their city would be subjugated and absorbed into another realm, crushing them beneath heavier taxes and stricter laws, but as the day of the vote came nearer the alternative seemed to be what frightened Maladorans more. War. As the day of decision came nearer, now a month away, a fortnight, a week, the realisation came, slowly, that an invading army might soon be on Maladoran soil, seeking to kill them and their loved ones. What had once seemed remote and unreal was now atop them, as if a foggy, half-remembered nightmare had suddenly taken flesh. War.
In helpless rage and fear Maladorans realised that they had no control at all, and that the decision that would determine whether enemies would soon be marching across their lands lay with only seven people, whom they had no hope at all of influencing. Every day brought fresh and wild rumours. Toban Wellaw was said to have two Torathi soldiers residing in his house, who threatened him with daggers every night to ensure he remained on the Unionist side. Chyra Delorri had secretly gained possession of a fast ship to take her into exile in Adaria if things went poorly. Old Lox Vinneret had hired a food taster, and Atrem Neele, owner of the Municipal Construction Company, was already negotiating on the price to build a palace for King Darragan.
Amidst all these rumours, however, one was repeated particularly often, with great insistence and disgust. The Council had divided into two factions of three members each, and the final, deciding vote lay with the only undecided Councillor – Varas Rohdell. Delighting in his power, the dissolute Councillor was said to be repeatedly visiting with Delorri, Wellaw, and General Juthe, pushing up the price of his vote every time.
Mercenaries continued to roll into the city, growing more restless and uncontrollable as Malador roiled with rumour and fear. Several mercenary captains had openly met with the Torathi soldiers, negotiating their price, until a local merchant called Jan Torwald vowed to match Torathi offers and pay an additional ten percent on top.
Trade slowed before grinding to a virtual halt. Within the city businesses shut as fearful owners pondered flight to Adaria, while farmers on the outskirts of the city rushed for the dubious protection of the city centre. The city stretched, taut as a bowstring, until at last, May 26th, the hottest day of the year so far, the day of reckoning, dawned. Ardrun: Ardrun, as he recovered from his grievous injuries, had often asked Rafael about the One. "I saw something, as I lay dying..." he said, though he couldn't clarify beyond that. Recently he had finally gotten up and about, and although he still occasionally clutched his side from some sudden pain, he was nearly recuperated. Edivad: Vachir had managed to retain a room at the Old Pirate, where he spent his evenings drinking and eating part of his hard-earned wealth. During he day, he could sometimes be seen around the Torwald estate, probably involved in some kind of service to the family. Sakura: Sakura spent two weeks trading heavily with merchants from oversea to buy something before the city is closed down. But her stall was rather unbusy as it is clear that there are no more desire for luxury. Instead, she spent some time going around in the city, chatting to general population and studying in the library. Tristan: Tristan became harder to find outside of his work at the smithy and generally seemed to receed from the others. Enrico: Enrico spent most of his time overseeing various "interests", as well as practicing knifefighting on his free time. Ardrun (enter): 19:45 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1238) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(1218) Ardrun' from room... Ardrun (exit): 19:45 Rafael ben Efrim: The others hardly saw Rafael at all. Most of his time was spent among the sick, although he did visit Ardrun regularly, trying to answer his questions while treating his wounds. Rafael also talked to him of his weekly visit to the Flow. Sakura met with him several times, coming and going in the library, and once leaving the house of Benjamin ben Jaqob. Rafael ben Efrim: edit* Yaqob whispering to Sakura, Ardrun, shortly after sunrise Sakura and Ardrun were woken by Martha, who told them, looking quite worried, that there were two guardsmen at the door demanding to see them. whispering to Enrico, Vachir, early in the morning, Vachir and Enrico were both woken by Pesk, who told them two guardsmen were down in the common room demanding to see them whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, shortly after waking, Rafael heard a knock on his door Ardrun (enter): 19:49 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1242) Ardrun... Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael quickly went to the door. Enrico: (whispering): Enrico got dressed, waited for Vachir and went downstairs with him to see what's the commotion about. Ardrun (enter): 19:52 whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, at the door were two uniformed guardsmen. "You must come with us. Councillors Wellaw and Delorri require your presence." Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1246) Ardrun... Vachir: (whispering): Vachir woke up groggy, obviously not pleased at the news. Grumbling a bit, he warily took his belongings - including his weapons and a light, well-crafted shield he had bought some time ago - and went downstairs. Ardrun (exit): 19:53 Ardrun (enter): 19:53 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1246) Ardrun... whispering to Enrico, Vachir, two men in uniforms of the city watch waited for them in the common room. They walked over to the two and spoke to them quietly. "You must come with us, the Councillors Wellaw and Delorri require your presence." Enrico: (whispering): test Enrico: (whispering): "If they insist...We must gather the rest of our party before proceeding, however." whispering to Enrico, Vachir, "They are being gathered, we are to gather at the bridge and then you'll be taken to Clifftop," one of the guards replied. whispering to Sakura, Ardrun, shortly after sunrise Sakura and Ardrun were woken by Martha, who told them, looking quite worried, that there were two guardsmen at the door demanding to see them. Vachir: (whispering): Vachir looked slightly wary at first, decided to go with the guardsmen, obviously seeing the potential for adventure - and profit. Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun belted on his scimitar before going to meet them. Enrico: (whispering): "Very well. Lead on, then." Sakura: (whispering): "Demanding? We will see what they want!" She replied back to Martha and got dressed properly as she went to doorstep. whispering to Sakura, Ardrun, two guardsmen waited for them in the kitchen. "You must come with us," said one of the guardsmen. "The Councillors Delorri and Wellaw have summoned you." Sakura: (whispering): "Is that so? Well, well, these two councillers in agreement is a rarity indeed." She replied with hint of humour. Sakura: (whispering): "Let go shall we? Guardmen?" She told them. whispering to Ardrun, Sakura, The guardsmen didn't appear to find any humour in the situation. "Yes, let's go at once." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael hid his shock as well as he could. "Very well." Sakura: (whispering): She sighed for a moment as guardmen's infamous sense of humour was clear in them and after gathering her important items. She told Martha and Elahna, "I should be back soon." before heading out. Sleeping Dragon: at the south side of the eastern bridge across the Malador River, a carriage emblazoned with Malador's ship and tower symbol waited for them. Rafael arrived first, followed shortly by Sakura and Ardrun, and then Enrico and Vachir last, each group escorted by a pair of guardsmen. There was no sign of Tristan. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael greeted the others. "Any idea what this is about?" he asked them once they were inside the carriage. Ardrun (exit): 20:17 Sakura: "No. I am surprised as you are. But I am even more surprised by the fact two Councillors are in agreement." Sakura: "So, something bad must have happened" She replued, considerately Rafael ben Efrim: "Perhaps they have seen sense and decided to work together." Rafael suggested. Sakura: Sakura considered it as she replied, "Either way, this could be very good mission for us or very bad indeed. We did good service for both of them so, maybe expect us to do something." Sakura: She glanced outside of the carriage and saw a cat. Looking surprised for a moment, she picked up the cat, carrying it in her arms. Rafael ben Efrim: "With the situation as it is, I suspect the fact they are both involved is indeed a sign that something bad has happened." Ardrun (exit): 20:23 Vachir: "Or perhaps it's just going to happen and they need us to stop it."suggested Vachir Sakura: She glanced at Ardrun and asked, "You can carry the cat for now I think." She handed over the cat to Ardrun. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked with surprise. "Is that your cat?" Ardrun (enter): 20:32 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1268) Ardrun... Sakura: She smiled mysteriously, "Yes and no. Only that Midnight is staying at my place." Sleeping Dragon: the driver said nothing, simply setting off as soon as all the party were in the carriage. They set off for Clifftop, the driver setting a fast pace and speeding through the largely empty streets. Passing the Clifftop wall, they made their way into the southern part of the rich district. After a while the carriage stopped for a brief moment, and the driver stopped to speak to someone outside. There was the sound of a gate opening, and then they made their way through before stopping again shortly afterwards. "We're here," said the driver. Rafael ben Efrim: As they dismounted from the carriage, Rafael looked around. "Where is here?" Ardrun: Ardrun got out, cradling the cat with surprising gingerness. Sleeping Dragon: "This is the estate of Councillor Varas Rohdell." Sakura: Sakura looked surprised for a moment as she got out and glanced around the street. Sleeping Dragon: the party were, rather than in any street, inside an extremely large carriage house, as large as some of the homes in the Foot. Outside, they entered a vast, well-tended garden, where several Clifftop guards led them towards the main home, an enormous three storey stone mansion. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Sakura: Sakura sighed with a hint of envy. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nudged her. "You've seen what Rodhell looks like. Would you want to be like him just for the sake of owning something like this?" Sakura: "No, of course not. Inheriting money is the worst way of earning money." Rafael ben Efrim: "And spending money on yourself is the worst way to deal with it." Rafael returned. "Think what this could buy in homes and necessities for the people of Malador." Sakura: "Indeed, and that I approve of. What I do not approve off is making money on the back of these people in taxes and spend it on yourself. At least I earn my money honestly like anyone and spend it on myself and my people. Beside, spending more on the people mean more trading." Sakura: "But I am not the ruler of this city, alas." Rafael ben Efrim: "You couldn't do a worse job that the council." Rafael said, very quietly. Sleeping Dragon: they entered the mansion, which was even more extravagant within than without. It had floors of marble or rare hardwoods, vaulted ceilings adorned with murals and supported by pillars of engraved stone, and works of art on every wall. The guards led them up a tall spiral staircase in the centre of the main foyer, to the second floor. On this floor they were led through a corridor and a drawing room and into a luxurious bedroom.
Within the room were Wellaw and Delorri, seated at a table at which six further chairs from other parts of the house had been placed. Behind them were four guards, looking very grim. To the right was a vast four-poster bed with silken sheets. Upon it Varas Rohdell lay on his back, and he was decidedly dead. Bedclothes covered him to his shoulders, but his throat had been torn out Rafael ben Efrim: edit* that = than Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael paused at the entrance. "Ah, this explains why they're both here." he muttered. He walked into the room and gave a barely perceptible bow to the two living councillors. Vachir: Vachir glanced at the dead body of the councillor warily, obviously not having expected something like this. Sleeping Dragon: the two Councillors, looking extremely strained, gestured for the party to be seated Sakura: Sakura glanced at the dead counciller and then bowed toward these councillers for a moment before seating down in the chair offered. Enrico: Enrico looked at the corpse grimly, shaking his head. Vachir: Vachir slowly sat himself, still throwing a few occasional glances at the corpse. Sleeping Dragon: when they had all seated themselves, Wellaw began to speak. "My friends, as you can no doubt see, Councilor Rohdell has been murdered. Under any circumstances, such a crime would be an outrage to Malador's honour, but now, at this time, it is even more serious. Tonight is scheduled to be the final vote on the matter of Union with Torath, when this city would join in a bright future with her neighbour-"
"Or remain in glorious independence," Delorri interjected. Wellaw continued without acknowledging her. "However, Councilor Rohdell was - as you may have heard - the 'swing vote' in tonight's decision. His death at this juncture can only be construed as a politically motivated assassination. It is imperative that the instigators of this foul crime be found and punished before tonight's vote. This means you have only twelve hours to discover the truth."
Wellaw produced a scroll from his robe. "As we recognise that this is a difficult task, we have prepared this Writ of Deputisation to assist you. It gives you extensive powers of investigation for the remainder of the day, and also specifies that, should you identify the persons responsible for this crime, you will be paid fifteen hundred gold pieces each." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael cleared his throat. "With Councillor Rodhell dead, what will happen to the vote? Will it be postponed until another person is elected as a councillor?" Ardrun: Disconnecting from server... Ardrun (exit): 21:00 Ardrun (exit): 21:01 Sleeping Dragon: "We are not yet certain," said Wellaw. "We must immediately go to the Council Hall and confer with our surviving colleagues. We suspect that General Juthe will demand that the vote go ahead tonight." Rafael ben Efrim: "I think we are all agreed that we should take on this assignment?" Rafael said, looking around at the others. Sleeping Dragon: Writ of Deputisation: The bearers of this scroll are hereby granted the status of Special Investigators, for this date only, within the City of Malador and its dependencies. In pursuit of those responsible for the murder of Councilor Varas Rohdell, they are granted the authority to question, and to interrogate, by any means necessary, any Citizen of the Foot, the Beggar's Flow, the Harbourside, or the dependent territories, without fear of harm or repercussion from the City Authorities; and also to exercise Justice on any Citizen of Malador that may be found responsible for this vile crime, howsoever they deem it appropriate, and irregardless of the culprits identities.
The bearers of this scroll are also granted freedom to enter any part of the City of Malador and its dependent territories in pursuit of their investigation; and, are guaranteed a reward of 1,500 gold pieces each, should they bring the perpetrators of this murder to Justice.
Any Citizen of Malador presented with this scroll is required to render all assistance required and requested by the bearers.
On behalf of the Malador Council,
Toban Wellaw
Chyra Delorri Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael examined the writ. "How are we expected to investigate when a district is missing entirely from our right to ask questions?" he said, looking at the two councillors. Sakura: Sakura nodded to approve that she would like to take up the mission, "Indeed, Rafael is correct. It could be anyone who did this, maybe hired." Sleeping Dragon: Wellaw spread his hands. "I'm afraid there is nothing we can do. Upon the creation of the City Watch our predecessors, fearing that they might grow too powerful, determined that a check must be placed on them. They recognised that an emergency might require such a Writ to be produced, but wrote into law that the citizens of Clifftop would be exempt from such a Writ, deeming them least likely to cause the manner of disturbance which would require such an extraordinary measure from being taken. Constitutionally, we cannot grant you that power." Sleeping Dragon: edit: such a power Sleeping Dragon: edit: to be taken Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head. "This isn't a case of drunkenness or a street brawl. Citizens of Clifftop are just as likely, if not more, to be involved. What are we supposed to do about that?" Sakura: Sakura replied, "Pity, but at could we at least expect co-operation from the residents of Clifftop in replies of our polite questions? Surely the residents of Clifftop are also eager to see this murder solved, after all. The murder happened here within very district." Sleeping Dragon: "I am certain that you will find the citizens of this district most cooperative. More than anyone, we are aware of the consequences of this horrible crime and of tonight's crucial decision," said Wellaw. Enrico: "Writ or no Writ, 12 hours is an awfully short time in which to find assasins that supposedly know what they are doing." Rafael ben Efrim: "The one advantage is that it is an extraordinary crime." Vachir: Vachir looked somewhat worried, obviously unused to this kind of task "Will we have to execute the assassins on the spot, or bring them to you?"he asked Sleeping Dragon: "We are aware of the exceptional difficulty of this task, and are prepared to offer you any assistance you require," said Delorri. "I would only ask that you ask them quickly. We must head for the Council Hall as soon as possible." Sleeping Dragon: edit: that you ask any questions Sleeping Dragon: "It is preferable that you capture the assassin - or assassins - so that they may be publically punished for this outrage, but we will not ask you to take risks that would endanger lives," answered Delorri. Rafael ben Efrim: "Very well. If the citizens of Clifftop refuse to answer our polite questions, we can regard that as suspicious in itself." Rafael said firmly. "I would like to examine the body, perhaps the others could start asking questions of the servants and so on." Sakura: "When was last time you contracted him or spoken to him then?" Sakura asked them. Sleeping Dragon: "I received a letter from him yesterday, saying he had just met with General Juthe and they had had a productive discussion," replied Delorri. "I cannot remember when I last spoke to him in person. Four or five days ago, I believe."
"I spoke to him three days ago about the upcoming vote. He seemed unhappy and the discussion was short." Sleeping Dragon: edit: added Wellaw Rafael ben Efrim: "Did he give any sign about which way he was going to vote?" Rafael asked as he got up and went over to the bed. Sleeping Dragon: "In his letter to me he detailed a number of ways in which, he alleged, Malador would benefit from Union," Delorri admitted, sounding unhappy. Enrico: Enrico proceeded to inspect the room itself, to perhaps find clues how the assasins got inside. Rafael ben Efrim: "So he may have been killed by someone who wanted to prevent that." Rafael said. He pulled the cover down to reveal the councillors obese body. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked around to see if there was any kind of screen in the room. whispering to Enrico, Enrico examined the room at great length, carefully checking every area. He could see no signs of forced entry, nor of any sort of struggle. The windows of the room were barred, with iron bars 4 inches apart, and all were intact. However, he was very surprised to find that the carpet was gouged with claw marks, such as those a large animal might make. Sleeping Dragon: "Have you any further questions for us, or should we depart? Time is of the essence," said Wellaw. Rafael ben Efrim: "Where will we be able to find you if we need to?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "We are going to the Council Hall. If we leave there the guards will be able to tell you where we've gone," said Delorri. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael turned back to his examination of the body. He probed the wound and rolled the corpse over to look underneath. Enrico: "Whoever killed the man didn't come from the outside. As ridiculous as it sounds, he must have had some sort of dog with him, too. There are claw marks on the carpet - maybe the fellow was trying to bury extra food after snacking on some Councillor throat." Sakura: "Fair enough. We will do our very best to achieve this task, no matter where it leads us." She nodded at them sternly as she stood up and walked over to Rafael, to see the cropse. Sleeping Dragon: "Very well. We shall take our leave for now. Best of luck, my friends," said Delorri. Sleeping Dragon: the Councillors left quickly, the guards following along. Rafael ben Efrim: "Friends? I hope not." Rafael muttered to himself. He tried to concentrate on his inspection. Enrico: "I'm going to get ourselves a hound and see if we can get a trail." Sakura: "A trail?" She looked confused, "Whatever for?" Rafael ben Efrim: "What did you mean just now Rico? That they didn't come from the outside?" Rafael asked as he looked into the dead man's eyes. Sleeping Dragon: Rafael and Sakura examined the corpse carefully. His throat had been cleanly torn out, the wound plainly the work of a large predatory animal rather than any weapon. Strangely, despite the grisly wound there was surprisingly little blood.
Rohdell's corpulent corpse was naked beneath the sheets, and his flabby stomach and groin had ugly purple blotches on them. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael recognised the purple blotches as being symptomatic of poisoning by Tursimm oil, the blotches being the sign of the early stages of the poisoning. Usually, as the late stages of poisoning progressed several hours later, these blotches faded, but in this instance they had not due to Rohdell's sudden death of unrelated causes. Rafael suspected that the poison would explain the lack of blood around the wound, as Tursimm poisoning caused the heart to fail. Sakura: Shaking her heads, Sakura said, "I will find servants to question. They may know more." Sakura: *head Enrico: "You'd need a battering ram to get through those windows, and they are pristine and untouched. Guy had to navigate through the entire building to get here." - with that Enrico strolled away in a hurry. Rafael ben Efrim: "This is very strange." Rafael said quietly to the others. "Rohdell was poisoned before he had his throat torn out. The poison hadn't killed him but probably would have. That's the cause of the blotches. Then some large predator tore his throat out sometime later and finished the job. No less than two and no more than five hours after the poisoning." Vachir: Vachir stood up from his chair and glanced around the room uneasily. "He might have been killed by a disgruntled servant who was paid by someone, perhaps."he suggested, though he didn't sound like he believed it Sakura: "We can narrow the time more closer if we ask the servants." Sakura nodded. Rafael ben Efrim: "It seems he was killed by two seperate persons...or whatever the second was. I wonder when his meeting with the General took place?" Sakura: "We will need to establish what tore out the throat and how poisoned him. Then we will need to find who hire them or who did them." Sakura considered. "At least we can establish time more correctly after questioning the servants." Sleeping Dragon: asking around, Sakura discovered that Rohdell had five servants who lived on site: his driver and gardener, Alud Tybranch; his maidservant, Ossaria Elden; his cook, Mertha Yuste; his butler, Rouden Dewer; and his bodyguard, Mandon Moore. Rafael ben Efrim: "Find out who came to see him and at what time. Whether they had food or drink with him." Rafael said. "Suppose Juthe knew or suspected he was actually going to vote against the union, and brought a little present with him laced with Tursimm oil." Sakura: "Tursimm oil" Sakura glanced at Rafael, "That can be found in theatres as well. Does Rohdell visit Lost Angel every so often?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We saw him there, I think he does." Rafael ben Efrim: "What do they use it for in theatres?" Sakura: "Can be used for painting, get rid of grease or for preparing certain woods for construction." She replied, "May I suggest we interview the butler first? Rouden Dewer?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael agreed. Sakura: Sakura asked Ardrun to get the bulter. Sleeping Dragon: Rouden Dewer was a portly man in his mid-fifties with a florid temperament. He gave Sakura a deep bow as he entered and attempted not to look at Rohdell's body. Sakura: "Say, how long you been a bulter for your master?" Sakura: Sakura asked, "And can you give details for what he been doing for yeserday and last night?" Sleeping Dragon: "It's been my great privilege to serve Lord Rohdell for fifteen years, since his father died, and I entered the family's service twenty-one years ago," answered Rouden. "As for his activities...he rose late and ate a large meal. About mid-afternoon he was visited by General Juthe, and the two had a conversation. I do not know what was said, but it seemed to be quite heated at times. General Juthe seemed unhappy as he left. Afterwards, Lord Rohdell asked me to dictate an important message to Councillor Delorri, outlining ways in which Malador would profit from Union with Torath. Following this, he departed and I believe he went to see the show at the Lost Angel. When he returned he ate dinner, but seemed subdued and retired early to bed, complaining of being unwell." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael took paper and a pen and made some notes as the butler spoke. Sakura: "Does he look unwell when he arrived back home or after dinner or did not look well?" Sakura pressed the question. Sleeping Dragon: "He appeared to me to be unwell from the time he arrived back home." Vachir: "I'm not used to this kind of killing."stated Vachir to the others, matter-of-factly "I think I'll go outside and check if there's anything interesting."he said as he left Rafael ben Efrim: "Did he eat or drink anything in the time that General Juthe was here?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Not as far as I'm aware. You don't think that the General..." Vachir: (whispering): Out of the house, Vachir decided to check the carriage house for clues Rafael ben Efrim: "We can't make assumptions, so we have to ask questions about everything." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "Of course. I understand fully." Rafael ben Efrim: "Where is your room from here? Did you retire much later than your late master?" Sleeping Dragon: "My room is downstairs, alongside Mertha's. I retired three hours before midnight, and before doing so ensured that all windows and doors were locked. Lord Rohdell had been in bed for perhaps an hour by that point. When I entered this room he was asleep, but definitely alive." Rafael ben Efrim: "Once you went to your bed did you stay there?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Yes. I arose just before sunrise and came to wake Lord Rohdell about a half-hour later, and found him like this." Sakura: "And what about the windows and doors? Was everything fine in this bedroom?" Sakura asked. Sakura: "concerning the doors and windows" she mentioned hastily Rafael ben Efrim: "And you didn't hear anything during the night?" Rafael added. whispering to Vachir, Vachir checked the carriage house carefully. There was nothing of interest within the house itself, but when Vachir checked Rohdell's carriage he found signs of dried blood, though he guessed they were several weeks old. Sleeping Dragon: "Although the windows and outer doors were all locked, it is not customary in this house to lock the inside doors, so the murderer may have come that way," said Rouden. "And no, I heard nothing in the night." Sakura: Sakura nodded, "I have no more question for you. Thank you for your answers." Vachir: (whispering): Thoughtful, Vachir decided to head back to inside the mansion to pass this piece of info to the others whispering to Enrico, Enrico was able to head into the Foot district and get a basset hound from a kennel, not even needing to pay thanks to the Writ. Enrico: (whispering): Enrico headed back to get the hound on a trail, if one exists. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Just a couple more questions and then you may go. Does your master have any food left around, such as sweetmeats, fruit, nuts....and if so where is it? Did he say or do anything unusual or out of character today? And was he seeing someone at the Broken Angel? A woman perhaps." Rafael ben Efrim: edit* Lost Angel Sleeping Dragon: "The food is kept in the larder, which is downstairs by the kitchen. He had nothing left lying around in this room last night, if that's what you mean - he is...was...usually a man of large appetites, but he seemed uninterested after returning from the Lost Angel. That is the only thing out of character that I noticed. And as far as I know Lord Rohdell was not seeing anyone at the Lost Angel, though it is always possible. Many women succumbed to his charms." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stared at the butler, wondering if he was being serious. Sleeping Dragon: the butler appeared to have chosen the last words diplomatically Sakura: She nodded at Rafael and told the bulter, "Thank you, you may leave this bedroom." She then got Ardrun to summon the cook. Sleeping Dragon: as Ardrun was returning with the cook, Vachir reentered the room. whispering to Enrico, Enrico came back into Clifftop, the Writ easily convincing the gate guards to allow him through, and quickly made his way back to the Rohdell Estate. Vachir: Entering like he was somewhat in haste, Vachir approached Sakura and Rafael to talk them. "You might want to talk to the driver" he suggested "Found some blood in a carriage. Old blood, but still...." he said sounding suspicious of the whole thing Rafael ben Efrim: "Bring him up here." Rafael said, "we can deal with him after the cook. It might not be Rohdell's blood of course." Sleeping Dragon: Mertha Yuste, Rohdell's cook, was a woman in her late 60s, her iron-grey hair pulled back in a bun. She had a fastidious manner, and when called upon to speak in the room with Rohdell's body she begged leave to be questioned elsewhere. Rafael ben Efrim: "We can go into the study perhaps." Rafael suggested. Enrico: Meanwhile, Enrico walked into the room with a droopy basset hound in hand. Setting him down on the carpet he pointed at the scratches. "Sniff as if your life depended on it, boy!" Vachir: Vachir threw a weird look at Enrico and the dog, almost amused. Quickly regaining his composure, he went look for the driver to bring him to the foyer - willing or not. Sakura: She glanced at the dog and then at the cat, "Indeed, let us go into the study." She followed Rafael into the study. Sleeping Dragon: Mertha cringed when the dog was brought in. "Such beasts are unsanitary," she muttered, but followed Rafael into the study. The dog looked up, saw the cat Ardrun was carrying, and barked at it, but then began to sniff the carpet. Midnight: The cat hurried after Sakura Rafael ben Efrim: "Dead men are unsanitary." Rafael said shortly. " Hopefully the dog will assist us to track down the murderer. Is that not what you want?" Midnight: *after jumping down from Ardrun's arms. Sleeping Dragon: "Yes, yes, of course, there simply seem to be dogs tramping through the house repeatedly of late. General Juthe brought a truly vile little animal with him yesterday, fortunately the General carried it rather than allowing it round the house." Rafael ben Efrim: "That hairless thing?" Rafael frowned. "Does he usually bring it into the house?" whispering to Vachir, the driver, Alud Tynbranch, a man in his early 40s, glared sourly at Vachir when he came to fetch him, but showed no resistance and allowed the Bolgar to lead him up into the foyer. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know, it's the only time General Juthe has come to the estate." Sakura: "Hmm... anyway, how the day yeserday and evening went?" whispering to Enrico, the dog sniffed at the carpet a few times, giving a half-swallowed bark. After about a minute he sniffed along the carpet, continuing towards the wall. He gave a strange growl and seemed confused, and then went back to where he had started to begin again. Sleeping Dragon: "It seemed a normal day until General Juthe visited. He seemed agitated. His footman remained in the kitchen with me while he and Lord Rohdell spoke, and afterwards the General left in quite a temper. After this Lord Rohdell went to the theatre. He usually eats there but I prepared him a small meal for when he returned in case - he loved his food, Lord Rohdell - but he barely touched it before complaining of illness and going to bed." Rafael ben Efrim: "So he didn't eat at the theatre at all?" Rafael asked whispering to Enrico, Enrico could find nothing unusual at the wall. The dog took up the scent again and continued on to the wall, again giving a confused noise. Sleeping Dragon: "He did, yes." Rafael ben Efrim: "And he seemed his normal self before he went out?" Sleeping Dragon: "Slightly annoyed. He didn't like to be bothered about Council business at home. But he often was irritated at this or that." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did the rest of the household eat the same food as Lord Rohdell yesterday?" Sleeping Dragon: "Well, not exactly the same, of course I cook larger and more subtle meals for him than I would for myself or the other servants, but I prepared all of it save that he ate at the theatre." Sakura: "And did you notice anything strange around or notice anything during the night?" Sakura asked Rafael ben Efrim: "Did he eat when the General was here?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "No." Enrico: The dog Enrico fetched paced between the wall and the carpet, growling and mewling in a confused fashion. Enrico was likewise confused, checking out the wall and lifting the carpet in an attempt to find anything. Sleeping Dragon: edit: "No, to both questions." Vachir: Vachir came back to the foyer, bringing the displeased-looking driver with him Sakura: "Well, thank you for the answers. I do not need to ask any more questions." She glanced at Rafael to see if he got any more questions? Rafael ben Efrim: "Before you go, just a couple of things." Rafael said. "Do you know if your master had any special person he was seeing at the theatre? And have you noticed anything strange at all over the last few days? Anyone hanging around?" Sleeping Dragon: "No, I haven't noticed anything of the sort. As far as I'm aware Lord Rohdell wasn't seeing anyone at the theatre, but I long ago ceased to keep track of his dalliances so it's possible that he was." whispering to Enrico, Enrico could see nothing under the carpet. Rafael ben Efrim: "Alright you can go. Please keep us informed if you remember anything that might be useful." Sleeping Dragon: "I will." Enrico: Getting nothing from the room in which the murder took place, Enrico pulled the dog into other rooms, as well as around the house. Vachir: "There he is."Vachir said pointing to the man he had brought "Be sure to ask him about what I told you." Sleeping Dragon: Alud Tybranch, the driver, was in his mid 40s and had a sour cast to his face. "What's that supposed to mean?" he muttered, looking at Vachir in confusion Rafael ben Efrim: "Answer our questions truthfully and you won't need to worry." Rafael said, indicating the man should take a seat. Sleeping Dragon: Alud sat down Rafael ben Efrim: "How long have you worked for Lord Rohdell?" he began pleasantly. Sleeping Dragon: "Six years." Alud grunted Vachir: Vachir ignored the man's protests, and talked to Sakura "Anything else? Could go looking around the garden, but I doubt there's anything there." Rafael ben Efrim: "Have you noticed anything strange or different recently?" whispering to Enrico, Enrico brought the dog around the house. Sniffing, the dog eventually made his way down the spiral stairs, sniffed a few times, and then towards the main door. Sleeping Dragon: "Apart from Lord Rohdell being dead?" Sakura: Sakura told Vachir, "Have a look in the garden as well. We cannot afford to miss anything." Vachir: "Aye."said Vachir, quickly going for the door to check the extensive gardens of the estate Sakura: "Now, Alud" Sakura asked sternly, "Please inform us on your actions yesterday and evening as well." Enrico: (whispering): Enrico followed the dog, encouraging it. Sleeping Dragon: "I worked in the gardens all day, then I drove the Councillor to the theatre, dropped him off, and went home and had dinner with my wife. Then I picked him back up at the usual time and drove him home. He seemed rather subdued. As for anything unusual..." Alud shrugged. "There's been some damn ugly dog keeps turning up the last week or so, have to keep running it off. No idea how the bugger gets over the fence." whispering to Enrico, Vachir, Vachir went out into the gardens, where Enrico soon joined him, the dog sniffing along. Sakura: Sakura blinked at the mention of the dog, "Is that so... what does it look like?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael leaned forward with interest. "When has it been coming in? Any particular time? Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, all sorts of times. It's little and hairless, horrible thing. Should have been strangled at birth." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sat back surprised. "The General''s dog from the sound of it. But the General hasn't been visiting till yesterday. This is strange." he said quietly to Sakura. whispering to Vachir, in the garden, Vachir wandered searching for clues. There were two distinct sets of footprints in the yard - those of a booted human, and others belonging to what he suspected was a tiny dog. Vachir wandered along and found himself directly beneath the window to Rohdell's main chamber two storeys above. There he found something very strange. It was a partial print of a human foot - a bare human foot. Searching, he also noticed scuff marks on the wall, as if someone had climbed up it. Sakura: "Very strange. And yet it is most likely suspect on tearing that throat out..." She whispered back. whispering to Enrico, the dog wandered the garden, sniffing, but it could not follow the scent - it appeared to smell it in multiple places. Sleeping Dragon: "There's no way a dog that tiny could rip anything's throat out." Alud said bluntly. Rafael ben Efrim: "It's tiny, far too small to inflict that kind of wound." Rafael turned back to the driver. "We'll work that one out. Where did the blood stains come from?" Sleeping Dragon: "What blood stains?" Alud seemed confused. Vachir: (whispering): After bending down toe xamine the footprints, Vachir got up, looking concerned with his discovery "Who the hell goes around a garden barefooted?"he said, mostly to himself Rafael ben Efrim: "There are blood stains on the floor of Lord Rohdell's carriage." Rafael said sharply. Sleeping Dragon: "Oh. Those. Well..." Alud winced. Rafael ben Efrim: "Well?" Sleeping Dragon: "Private matter of Lord Rohdell's, I don't see how it can relate to this. Happened weeks ago." Sakura: Sakuyra moved in and asked, "It would be most ideal and benefitable for you to answer all our questions. I am sure you are willing to answer any questions. Otherwise, certain doubts will be cast on you and your soundness." Sakura: "Beside, your master is dead and cold." Enrico: (whispering): Enrico joined Vachir after his search proved fruitless. "It's as if this "thing" we are looking for just flew away!" Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, fine. You're right of course, I beg pardon. You see...Lord Rohdell had all sorts of appetites, and he had quite a few women. About six weeks ago one of the ones he'd been seeing displeased him somehow, so he beat her and ordered me to dump her in street by the southern edge of the Foot. The blood is hers, couldn't quite wash it out and Lord Rohdell wasn't too worried. Said he liked to have a reminder that he could put those below him beneath his feet." Vachir: (whispering): Vachir looked up, towards the window "You may have been wrong when you said the killer came from inside. It looks like this something climbed up and went through the window, somehow."said Vachir "Well..except for the bars there, they're pretty close."he added, shrugging Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael kept his face straight while inwardly seething with fury. "Have you any idea of the woman's name?" CosmicHorror (exit): 00:06 Sleeping Dragon: "No, he didn't tell me and I wasn't about to press him." Rafael ben Efrim: "Well then, where did she come from? Where did he pick her up?" Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know. Her clothes were decent - apart from the blood all over them - and she didn't look underfed, so she likely wasn't from the Flow." Rafael ben Efrim: "That evening, where did you pick the woman up from? Here or somewhere else?" Sleeping Dragon: "I think...I drove the Councillor into the city to buy something in the Harbourside, I don't remember what it was or where, but she met up with him there and came back. It was the second or third time this had happened." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "You saw her several times? Can you give a description of her?" Sakura: Sakura only looked very faintly annoyed with the path of questions but is willing to let Rafael to have free rein for now. Sleeping Dragon: "Young, black hair, short...I don't remember much else." Rafael ben Efrim: "Do you recall what her voice was like? Did she have an accent?" Sleeping Dragon: "She didn't speak much, but I think she was local." Enrico: (whispering): "This means it was small enough to pass through those grates... Like the ugly dog that was mentioned earlier. That's crazy though - a small dog getting into a house and assasinating a man?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Tonight you drove your master to the theatre. Did he meet anyone there?" Rafael ben Efrim: edit * last night Sleeping Dragon: "He didn't bring anyone back with him, and as far as I know never has, though he always had his eye on that woman with the snakes. I didn't go in with him though." Rafael ben Efrim: "I thought he took a bodyguard with him?" Vachir: (whispering): "How so? Dogs cannot climb. And there's the footprint of a man over there...."said Vachir pointing to the tracks he had found "The man came up there and somehow put the dog through the bars? Or something..." said Vachir trailing off, obviously somewhat confused by the whole situation Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, yes, he did have a guard with him, assigned by the Council to make sure he stayed safe, but he's not actually an employee of Lord Rohdell." Rafael ben Efrim: "Where does he come from? We need to ask him questions too." Vachir: (whispering): Vachir showed Enrico what he had found before - footprints of someone not wearing any shoes, just under the window nearby. Vachir: (whispering): Vachir showed Enrico what he had found before - footprints of someone not wearing any shoes, just under the window nearby. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know. Whatever Clifftop guard is available at the time really. They try to send them with Councillors when they go out to make sure they aren't hurt, and especially with what's going on with Torath. Pity they didn't post one in his room. Lately of course Lord Rohdell did get an in-house guard as well." Sakura: "Thank you, you have answered our questions most helpfully." She nodded at the driver.
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Feb 17, 2009 22:56:30 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: "Any other questions?" Alud asked after a short pause Vachir: (whispering): "We should show this to the others"suggested Vachir, still sound not too sure of what to think about these new discoveries Rafael ben Efrim: "Not for the present." Rafael answered. Sleeping Dragon: Alud gave a brusque nod and stood and left the room. Rafael ben Efrim: They sent Ardrun to fetch the maid. Enrico: (whispering): "Indeed. Better do it fast too - we haven't got much time." With that, Enrico picked the dog up and walked back to the house Vachir: (whispering): Vachir quickly followed behind Sleeping Dragon: before Ardrun returned, however, Enrico and Vachir came into the room Enrico: "This place makes no sense at all - even the dog got confused. We apparently should be looking for a man that has snuck into the garden barefoot, squeezed through the grates on the windows and tore the Councillors throat out. All while escaping any kind of detection." Rafael ben Efrim: "It seems the garden was full of strange visitations then," Rafael said drily. "A small ugly hairless dog - either General Juthe's or something exactly like it - has been seen here several times recently. How did that get over the wall on its own?" Vachir: "I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen the tracks myself. It almost looks like it was some sort of ghost or spirit, or a magician."said Vachir worriedly Vachir: edit: change magician to sorcerer Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at Vachir sharply. "Sorcery? Maybe the magician can disguise himself as a tiny dog?" Vachir: "What I know is that these bars on the window are far too narrow for any man to squeeze through."said the Bolgar "There certainly was some..."Vachir paused for a few moments "Trickery, or whatever you want to call it." he shrugged Enrico: "Trickery, wizardry,MAH-GIC - it sounds impossible. There's probably a trapdoor somewhere and all this is was orchestrated to lead the search party astray." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "There are some...people I suppose you could call them.....who can change shape to become as animals. Either they born to it, or achieve it by sorcery. This is looking as though one of them is involved in this case." Sleeping Dragon: the party's ponderings were broken by a knock at the door Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael opened the door. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun entered the room with the maidservant in tow. Ossaria Elden was in her late teens, a pretty girl whose beauty was slightly marred by fading bruises on her face and arms. She seemed unable to look anyone in the eye, and gave a whimper when she saw Rohdell's body on the bed. She averted her eyes quickly. Rafael ben Efrim: "Sit down over here." Rafael said, not unkindly, indicating a chair facing away from the bed and its grisly occupant. Sleeping Dragon: Ossaria nodded and sat down, saying nothing. Rafael ben Efrim: "Firstly, would you tell us how you came by those bruises?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: Ossaria looked at Rafael worriedly. She gave a furtive glance over her shoulder at Rohdell's body, as if unsure that he really was dead, before looking back to Rafael. "Lord Rohdell, he...became angry sometimes when I displeased him, or..." Ossaria looked down and gave a shuddering sob. Rafael ben Efrim: "Or?" Rafael queried, gently. Sleeping Dragon: tears rolled down Ossaria's face and she wiped them away. "Or when he grew excited. He liked me to visit his bedchamber, especially after he'd been to the theatre, and...he was very strong..." Ossaria's voice broke and she began to cry again. Rafael ben Efrim: "What about last night? After the theatre...did he call for you?" Rafael asked, keeping his anger under control. Sleeping Dragon: Ossaria shook her head numbly Rafael ben Efrim: "I know this is hard for you, but we need to find out what happened. Did he talk while you were in his bedchamber? Of what happened at the theatre, or other things?" Rafael ben Efrim: eidt * during the times when you were in his bedchamber Sleeping Dragon: "No, no, he never said anything much, nothing about the theatre, or at least I don't remember if he did. He might have without me noticing, I tried not to...I mean, I tried to go away inside when he was..." Ossaria shook her head and shuddered. Rafael ben Efrim: "I'm sorry we have to speak of these things." Rafael said softly. "Did you notice anything strange last night? Anyone hanging about, any strange sounds?" Sleeping Dragon: "No, just that Lord Rohdell wasn't well," said Ossaria, seeming to be pleased to move away from the previous subject. "I didn't notice anyone around or any strange sounds. Mandon was very agitated, I think he spoke to Lord Rohdell before he went to bed and he wasn't very happy afterwards." Rafael ben Efrim: "We'll ask Mandon about that. You haven't seen anyone with a dog handing about?" Rafael ben Efrim: edit* hanging about Sleeping Dragon: Ossaria seemed startled by the question. "A dog? No, I haven't, I don't think Lord Rohdell liked animals. He had a guest yesterday and he may have had a dog, I'm not sure. I don't know who it was." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked hard at the girl. "I imagine the other servants talk about Lord Rodhell and his activities?" Sleeping Dragon: Ossaria shook her head. "No, no, Lord Rohdell doesn't like us asking impertinent questions." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled slightly. "So they never speak even when they know their master cannot hear them? That is very unusual." Sleeping Dragon: "Sometimes, but not very often, and not usually to me. Mandon is nice to me, but the others are...cold. I don't know why." Rafael ben Efrim: "What will happen now?" Rafael asked. "Who will inherit this house?" Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know. Lord Rohdell has never mentioned any family." Rafael ben Efrim: "Thank you for answering my questions." Rafael said. "Does anyone else want to ask anything?" Sleeping Dragon: Sakura shook her head Rafael ben Efrim: They asked Ardrun to bring the guard in next. Sleeping Dragon: a few minutes later Ardrun returned with a big man with a shaven head, a blocky face, and red-rimmed eyes they suspected were not caused by crying. Mandon Moore had a bottle of wine in his hand despite the early hour, and to tell from his stride it seemed likely he had been drinking as long as he'd been awake. Uninvited, he sat down heavily on the chair Ossaria had vacated and took a drink. "What?" he asked sullenly when he had finished his swig. Rafael ben Efrim: "Celebrating?" Rafael asked as he sat down. Sleeping Dragon: "Celebrating what, you hook-nosed twat? That no one in Malador will ever hire me again?" Rafael ben Efrim: "That is the least of your worries." Rafael said severely. "You are a suspect in this murder, so how about co-operating? We may be your only hope of clearing your name." Sleeping Dragon: Mandon seethed and said nothing. Rafael ben Efrim: "What did Lord Rodhell say that made you so upset last night?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: Mandon gave a short, bitter laugh. "I told that fucking idiot that he should be concerned about his safety and that I either ought to have stayed in his room, or he should sleep somewhere else. He told me not to give him advice unless he asked for it." Rafael ben Efrim: "Was there a reason this came up last night? Or had you tried to convince him before?" Sleeping Dragon: "Are you ignorant? The vote is today, or was supposed to be, and Rohdell's been trying to get as much money for his vote as possible. I've been telling him for weeks that one of the two is going to get pissed off and have him killed. Or maybe it was someone else he fucked over, though I didn't say that to him. Rohdell pissed off everyone he ever met." Rafael ben Efrim: "So we are finding out. You regard this room as less than secure?" Sleeping Dragon: "It's more secure than it was since I convinced him to put the bars on the windows, but people still know this is where he sleeps and you can always find some way to slip in. As he found out." Rafael ben Efrim: "Why was he so determined to stay in it then?" Rafael ben Efrim: While this was going on, Sakura spoke quietly to Enrico and Vachir, suggesting they might find the guard who had accompanied Lord Rohdell to the theatre the previous night, and informing them of what had been found out - that Lord Rodhell had felt ill after coming back, and about the poison used in the theatre. Sleeping Dragon: "Because he was a pig-headed idiot? He was absolutely convinced that no one would dare to touch him because, as far as he could tell, he had all the power in the situation." Enrico: Enrico listened to what Rafael had to say and proceeded to look for said guard with Vachir. Rafael ben Efrim: "Only as long as he kept them guessing though. Once he seemed to take one side, the other would have no reason not to kill him." Rafael said. "Did you ever get any suggestion of which way that was?" Vachir: "Good idea."replied Vachir to Sakura's suggestion. "I'm sure you'll be able to get something out of him"he said to Enrico as they went looking for the aforementioned guard Sleeping Dragon: "No. He didn't care. He thought it was all a massive game which was there to make him even fucking richer." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "He certainly doesn't seem to have taken his civic responsibilities very seriously. I wonder why you kept working for him?" Sleeping Dragon: "Because he paid well," Mandon shrugged. "The Watch didn't want me. Said I drank too much. Fuckers." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked as though he was about to say something, but changed his mind, merely asking "Have you noticed anything recently? Anyone hanging about the house. Anything odd in the garden?" whispering to Enrico, Vachir, Vachir and Enrico left the Rohdell estate and made their way up the road to the nearby Watch post. They were greeted by the Sergeant, a big man whose nose had been broken more than once. "What's your business?" he asked, sounding tense. Sleeping Dragon: "In the garden? No. Well. Alud says there's been some sort of dog running around. I've seen the prints, but the fucker's never been out there while I am, or at least I've never seen it. Don't spent much time in the garden though." Sleeping Dragon: *spend Rafael ben Efrim: "How about last night? Did you see or hear anything at all out of the usual?" Vachir: (whispering): "We'd be looking for the guard who escorted Lord Rohdell to theatre last night."said Enrico "That's you?" Sleeping Dragon: "No, and that tells you about how good a guard I am, eh?" Mandon took a drink. "When I first got hired I used to patrol a bit at night, wander in the drawing room and the corridor, but Rohdell said I made too much noise and told me to stop. I'm not sure why he even fucking bothered to hire a guard when he didn't want me to do any guarding. Useless twat." Mandon glanced over his shoulder at the corpse. "Why couldn't you have died six months ago before you hired me, you cocksucker? Piece of shit!" whispering to Enrico, Vachir, The Sergeant shook his head gravely. "That was one of my guards. What authority do you have to question my men? Who are you?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael ignored the guard's outburst. "Strangely not one of the staff heard anything last night, considering their master had his throat torn out by some kind of animal." Sakura (enter): 21:12 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (789) Sakura... ** No match found Sleeping Dragon: "I kept an ear out but didn't hear a fuck thing. But like I said, he didn't like me to be any nearer than the corridor, and there's two doors between me and him right there. I stayed out in the corridor all night right at the door but didn't hear or see anything. Whoever or whatever killed him must have been fucking quiet." Vachir: (whispering): "We are doing some work for the Council and have the authority to question whoever necessary ."said Enrico confidently "Bring the man here and let us ask him a few questions." Rafael ben Efrim: "So we gather." Rafael said. He looked to Sakura in case she had any questions to ask. Vachir: (whispering): Enrico showed a scroll he was carrying - the Writ from the Council - as proof of what he had just said Sakura: Sakura gestured that she have no more questions for the guard, her eyes considering what the guard mentioned to Rafael's questions. Rafael ben Efrim: "One thing - how did Lord Rohdell seem last night when you saw him? This was after his visit to the theatre was it?" Sleeping Dragon: "Pretty unwell. He didn't call Ossaria in like he usually does when he's been to the theatre." whispering to Enrico, Vachir, the Sergeant read it gravely and nodded. "Very well, I'll go get the man," he said. A few moments later he returned with a broad-shouldered man with coal-black hair. "This is Lann," said the Sergeant. "He accompanied Councillor Rohdell last night. I presume you wish to speak to him privately?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "How did you feel about that? The way he treated her? You never considered doing anything about it?" Enrico: (whispering): Of course. Privacy is essential Sleeping Dragon: Mandon gave an exasperated sigh and waved his arms expansively. "What was I supposed to do? The man was a shit, but he was my employer and I didn't dare to lay a finger on him." whispering to Enrico, Vachir, the Sergeant nodded and left the room. Vachir: (whispering): "Don't worry, you tell us all we ask and we'll let you go soon."said Vachir to the guard "Perhaps we should bring him inside the estate, though?"he added turning to Enrico Vachir: (whispering): edit: replace 'ask'with 'want to know' Enrico: (whispering): Enrico slowly paced about, picking his words carefully. "You are well aware why we are here, so let's not waste any time. Any important information, regardless if its connected to you or not, will be rewarded. Lack of cooperation will be punished until we have exhausted all means of punishment, so your best choice is to tell us everything you know the first time." Enrico smiled politely. Sakura: Sakura nodded causally at the answer given by Mandon. Rafael ben Efrim: "Indeed. One last question, you have no idea who might take over this estate, Lord Rohdell's heir?" Sakura (enter): 21:37 Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know, I've only worked here six months. The fucker didn't have a wife or any children, or at least not any children born on the right side of the sheets. Half the brats in Malador are likely his though. I think he had a cousin who went to Adaria somewhere and hasn't spoken to him in years, but as far as I know he didn't have any in the city now. They probably all left so they didn't have to be around him." Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (797) Sakura... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(789) Sakura' from room... Sakura (exit): 21:37 Rafael ben Efrim: "What will you do now?" Rafael asked. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "Of course, it hardly needs to be said," Lann replied. "What do you want to know?" whispering to Enrico, "Of course, it hardly needs to be said," Lann replied. "What do you want to know?" Sleeping Dragon: "I'm intending to drink until I can't remember my name." Rafael ben Efrim: "And after that?" Sleeping Dragon: "After that I'll pass out in an alleyway, wake up, puke, and drink some more. After that I haven't a fucking clue. The Torathi are likely to invade so maybe I'll join the militia. Not much good at anything except fighting." Enrico: (whispering): "Just start by telling us in detail what happened yesterday as you were escorting the Councillor. Leave nothing out." Rafael ben Efrim: "They need every fighting man they can get if the Torathi invade." Rafael said in approval. "Now you can go." whispering to Enrico, Vachir, "Alright. The Councillor came to get me sometime in the middle of the afternoon, maybe slightly towards evening. We rode to the theatre and he seemed to be in a poor mood and didn't speak very much. I presumed his mind was on the Union vote so I didn't disturb him." He paused. "To be quite honest, it was pleasant to have the Councillor being quiet for a while. No disrespect intended, but the man was...very unpleasant. Anyhow, we went to the Lost Angel and watched the show. Nothing extraordinary. There is a new act there I've not seen before, some magician. Made a rabbit appear out of a hat and so forth. The Councillor ate while we were there, as he usually does, and when we left he complained that he wasn't feeling very well. Then we were driven back here and I returned to my post." Sakura: Sakura glanced at Rafael, "So a very quiet killing... This is very curious murder case. Who is next to question I wonder." Sakura: # Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at the notes he had written. "That's all the staff." Enrico: (whispering): "Did you notice anything unusual about the afternoon. Perhaps the service or the food itself?" whispering to Enrico, Vachir, "No, nothing at all. It appeared to be the usual fare. The staff seemed somewhat harassed, it was a very busy night. I think everyone wanted to get a last show in to try to distract their minds away from what was to happen today." Enrico: (whispering): Enrico turned to Vachir and shrugged quizzically, as if asking "What now?" Sakura: "And Vachir and Enrico went off to ask about the guard that went with the Councillor, we could wait until they come back with good answers. Any idea on what to do next after this then?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Depending on what the guard tells them, we probably should investigate at the Lost Angel. There's also this other woman of course, the one Rohdell beat. The man was a brute." Sakura: Sakura nodded, "Agreed, we have been to Lost Angel last time so it is seems good place to ask questions first, I would rather leave the General afterward." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled grimly. "I wonder how the general fits into all this? Perhaps he is the shapechanger?" Enrico: (whispering): Enrico dismissed the guard, shaking his head. "Nobody has a clue" Rafael ben Efrim: "I think the theatre is the place to go first though, as he returned subdued and then started to feel ill." Enrico: (whispering): "This was obviously not a servant. Let's go back and figure out what we have so far." Sleeping Dragon: a short time later Enrico and Vachir returned to the Rohdell Estate Enrico: "Lets see if the dog can find a trail again...somewhere where the Councillor has been before. It seems that nobody here has a clue." Sakura: She shook her head at Rafael, "No, it is not likely at all. While it is possible for mages to learn shapechange, shapeshifters are generally born with the ability, but even then, only very small of these population can control their abilities. But I do believe there is a shapeshifter somewhere." Rafael ben Efrim: "What did the guard say about last night then?" Rafael asked surprised. "Did you find the one who accompanied Rodhell?" Sakura: "A Lycanthrope is most likely" She considered distractly but suddenly woke up as she listened to Enrico and Vachir's answere Rafael ben Efrim: To Sakura he said quietly. "I wasn't been totally serious." Enrico: "He went to see some magic tricks and ate food. None of it adds up, just like the things we found here." Vachir: "There's weird things out there"shrugged Vachir "Like the creature summoned by the Red Path...Or the spider on the boat..."he muttered Rafael ben Efrim: "Magic tricks?" Rafael was alert. "Who was performing?" Enrico: "Some new fellow that pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Nothing fancy." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did he meet the magician in person or only see him perform? And where did the food come from?" Enrico: "The councillor followed his routine, with nothing out of the ordinary." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sighed. "That seems to be all we get from everyone. Except the driver saw the dog in the garden several times. He seems to have been the only one though." Enrico: "Let's see if the scent that's so prevalent around the murder scene can be found anywhere else - perhaps places that can lead us to a specific person Enrico: " Sakura: Sakura nodded and replied, "That make sense, Enrico. Head for the Lost Angel then?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael agreed. Vachir: "Perhaps later we might consider investigating about General Juthe."said Vachir, in a somewhat hushed tone "Hopefully without him finding out. But for now, let's go to the Lost Angel" Sakura: "Indeed, the General is clearly someone we should examine closely but we will have to tread carefully around since he is not of this city after all." Rafael ben Efrim: "We have to consider the general a chief suspect, as his dog appears to have been hanging about here. There's also any number of women who have a reason to hate Rohdell. It's hard to find inhabitants of the city who don't have a reason to kill him!" Rafael said. Sakura: "Not mention non inhabitants would find their hands itching to pull their weapons out and kill him as well." Sakura: Sakura replied Sakura: and made her way out, after ensuring the cat is safe with Ardrun. Sleeping Dragon: the party left the Rohdell Estate and made their way out of Clifftop and towards the Lost Angel theatre. By now, a few people had begun to make their way to their jobs. The mood of the city was very subdued. From snatches of conversation they overheard the party thought that the news of Rohdell's murder had not yet reached the wider populace, but still there was great tension over what would happen that night when the vote was to be held.
At length, they came to the Lost Angel, on the southern edge of the Foot, a run-down, seedy, haphazardly circular wood and brick building. One sign proclaimed it as 'The Best Show in Town!' and another spoke of 'The Mighty Magic of Farouk, Master of Hidden Lore!' Rosaria: Standing outside the theater was a young woman, an Isperan by the look of her, brown hair held back with a ribbon. She was dressed in a simple brown dress and carried a woven basket filled with various flowers. Rosaria: (whispering): Sakura recognized the woman as the flower girl she had met before. Black Cat said her name was Rosaria. Sakura: Sakura smiled slightly at the woman, "Hello, I would like three flowers" she dug into her pouch for the coppers Rosaria: The woman turned to Sakura. "O-of course, they're... Oh, arn't you..." She said, recognizing Sakura. Rosaria: She bowed to Sakura. "Sorry, I didn't expect to see you again." She held out the basket for Sakura to choose the flowers. Sakura: "Likewise" She simply replied as she picked nice colourful flowers and handed over the coins, "I would leave this area if I was you." She winked at her. Sakura: "By the way, how are you doing today?" She asked her Rosaria: "Umm, well enough I suppose." The woman looked a little suprised by the question. Rafael ben Efrim: Seeing that Sakura was busy, Rafael moved to the door of the theatre. Vachir: Vachir looked up at the sign, somewhat curious, and then followed behind Rafael, leaving Sakura to talking with the brown-clad girl Sleeping Dragon: within, the Lost Angel was empty save for Alban Relt, the owner, a thin man with greasy black hair, who sat at the ticket office, writing something in a book. He looked up when the party approached. "Can I help you?" he asked, eyes widening slightly when he saw Vachir's bow. Midnight: The cat had jumped down from Ardrun's arms and had followed the others into the theater. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael showed him the writ of deputisation they had been given. "We need to ask you some questions." Sakura: (whispering): Sakura glanced at Rosaria, "That is nice, did you hear any bad news today A big murder today?" Vachir: "Don't worry"said Vachir noticing that his weapons and attire were causing the man to become somewhat worried "As my friend said, we just need to ask you a few questions." Sleeping Dragon: Relt read the note, his eyes widening in horror. "Councillor Rohdell is dead?" he cried. "This is appalling news! Say what you like about the Councillor's lifestyle, but he was always a patron of the fine arts." Relt sighed and read the remainder of the Writ. "I must admit that I come over rather faint at the thought of a murder, but I'll be glad to offer any assistance you require." Rafael ben Efrim: "One thing you can do is not to shout this news." Rafael said sharply. "It may cause panic. If we can find the culprit quickly there is hope. Now, did you see Lord Rohdell last night?" Sleeping Dragon: Relt looked alarmed. "I'm sorry," he said, lowering his voice. "Of course I did, he came to the show as he frequently does. He honours...honoured...our establishment more than any other Councillor. There didn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary with him. He went about his usual routine - he sat in his normal box, and as normal made extensive use of the facilities. There appeared to be nothing at all untoward with him at all, save perhaps that he was a bit more quiet than usual. I presumed his mind was occupied thinking about the Union vote. What will happen to that, do you know?" Rosaria: (whispering): Rosaria started talking just as Sakura did, but ceded to the other woman. "Actually, I did." She looked around to make sure no one else was listening. "Black Cat told me she had gotten in touch with you. And also that Councillor... Rohdell was it? Had been killed and that you were working to find out who did it." Rafael ben Efrim: "We're not at liberty to say." Rafael said. "He ate as usual?" Sleeping Dragon: "Yes, he did." Rafael ben Efrim: "Where does the food come from? Who prepares it?" Rafael asked. Sakura: (whispering): Sakura nodded at her, "That is right. No matter how we dealt with it, this city is going to boil tonight or tomorrow. I got a feeling I will see Black Cat soon enough." She smiled at that ending. Sleeping Dragon: "It's prepared by the kitchen staff. Lately they've been quite busy - in these cruel and uncertain times I fear I've had to reduce the size of the staff - and I believe some of the performers have been helping them." He paused. "The acrobats," he added. "Definitely the acrobats, although I was occupied with running the show and might have missed it if anyone else was assisting them." Rafael ben Efrim: "Would you provide us a list of all performers and staff who could have been in the kitchen last night?" Rosaria: (whispering): "I..." Rosaria looked a bit uncertain. "I'd like to help, if I can." Sakura: (whispering): Sakura looked seriously at her face and her figure and asked "Well, how can you help?" Sleeping Dragon: "Of course," Relt picked up his quill and carefully wrote out a list. On it were the names of five staff members - three cooks and two attendants - as well as the list of performers. The current performers were Serpentia, Queen of Snakes, the eight Veil Dancers, the five Malador Players, the magician, Farouk of the Hidden Lore, and a troupe of fourteen called the Acrobats Spectacular. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked taken aback at the number of names on the list. "Is Farouk in the theatre at the moment?" he asked. Sleeping Dragon: "No, and he won't be here to rehearse today. He's staying at the Bell & Whistle I believe, about ten minutes away, he's not been in Malador long." Enrico: Meanwhile, Enrico put the dog down and started a walkaround of the premises. Sleeping Dragon: Relt cringed slightly at the sight of the dog heading into the theatre, but said nothing Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "I'm sure you don't mind if we look around." Sleeping Dragon: "Of course not, feel free. If you need any help whatsoever, you have only to call." Rafael ben Efrim: "Keep your eyes open for Tursimm Oil," Rafael said quietly to the others as they headed into the theatre. Rosaria: (whispering): "I can..." Rosaria thought for a time. "I suppose there's not much I can do to help." She looked crestfallen. "But I'd like to do something useful. Black Cat is always doing something, I wish I were more like her." Vachir: "We'll be sure to do that."Vachir said, eyes darting around as they walked, obviously unused to being in a building like this Sleeping Dragon: they made their way into the main theatre itself. Eleven rows of stalls on either side led up to the stage, a big, raised semi-circular platform in front of which was a five foot deep pit in which the orchestra could play. A pair of staircases led up to the stage and beyond, though a thick blue curtaing hung over the stage at present, concealing anything beyond. Above them was a large balcony on which there were six large, private boxes Rafael ben Efrim: "We should investigate the box where Rohdell sat last night. Is it always the same one?" Sleeping Dragon: Rafael called for Relt and he came and answered their question. "Yes, it's always that one, up there," he pointed to the one in which they had seen the Councillor when they had come to the Lost Angel several months ago. "Sometimes he'd book the box months in advance to make sure he could always sit there." Sakura: (whispering): Considering Rosaria's offer of help and shook her head for a moment, "Sorry, but I can understand that desire of your." As if she remembered something from her past, "You can keep your ears and eyes open for now. There is always another chances in the furture." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked around for Enrico. "Try getting your dog to sniff around up there. He might just pick up something." Sakura: (whispering): "I wonder, how did Black Cat know about the murder..." Sakura asked, whispering to Enrico, the dog sniffed about in the theatre, but didn't appear to catch the scent. Enrico: Enrico led the hound up to the Councillor's box. Sleeping Dragon: the dog sniffed in the box, but didn't catch the scent. The dog sat down and began to scratch his ear with his hind leg. Server Administrator-> Rosaria: (whispering): "Huh? Oh, I don't know." Rosaria shrugs. "She seems to know a lot though." She sighed. "Though I suppose you're right. I'll try to keep an eye out for anything." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael took a look around the box. Sleeping Dragon: a thorough search of the box turned up nothing of interest Rafael ben Efrim: "Shall we look at the kitchen now?" Rafael suggested to Enrico. Enrico: "We might as well, although something tells me not much will be found there." Sakura: (whispering): "Just be careful tonight and tomorrow okay?" She asked softly. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shrugged. "We have to check where we can, where it's possible there may be a clue. I know that a lot of it will turn up nothing, but there is always the chance..." Rosaria: (whispering): "Mmmm..." Rosaria nodded. "I will. You too, though I think you don't need to worry that much." Sakura: (whispering): Smiling only for short while, "Yes, I do not have to worry about much but I have to worry about my servants and group after all. Have safe day." She strolled into the threate along with Ardrun. Sakura: Sakura entered the threate Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way backstage, passing through the prop-filled stage and into the kitchen, which was a large area made cramped by the presence of several long counters. Shelves above the counters were filled with various cheap food and drink of dubious quality, though the far right-hand corner contained higher quality goods. Sleeping Dragon: "Are you with the ones already searching?" Relt asked Sakura and Ardrun as they entered. Rosaria: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 00:04 Sakura: She nodded at Relt, "Indeed, no doubt they already explained certain problematic situation happened so far." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael started investigating the contents of the kitchen. Sleeping Dragon: "Yes. I think they were heading towards the kitchens, shall I show you where they are?" Sakura: She nodded at Relt, "That would be helpful." she replued Vachir: Vachir looked around for clues, but he it was obvious his heart wasn't in it and he wasn't too focused Sleeping Dragon: working together, Rafael and Enrico rapidly searched the kitchen. The staff had cleaned the counters, but, obviously exhausted by the night's labour, had not done the most thorough job. There were some small bits of food on the counter and floor, and, most interestingly, a small, discoloured patch on the counter beneath where the high quality food was kept. Sleeping Dragon: Relt and Sakura arrived at the kitchen just as the search was completed Rafael ben Efrim: "Look!" Rafael pointed to the patch. "Something has stripped the surface here. Tursimm Oil would do just that."
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Feb 24, 2009 21:07:27 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: just as Relt and Sakura entered the kitchen, Rafael discovered signs of Tursimm oil spilled on the counter. "Tursimm oil?" Relt said, aghast. "I would never allow anything like that in the kitchen. Why..." Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (3179) Ardrun... Rosaria: (whispering): Rosaria waited near the theater in case something happened, looking up and down the street. Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael looked closely at Relt. "Someone has been using it here. There's not much use for Tursimm Oil in a kitchen is there? Except for the obvious one." Sleeping Dragon: Relt's face was white. "This is monstrous! Is this what killed Councillor Rohdell? I swear to you, I had no idea such a thing was happening. I would never be party to such infamy!" Sakura: "Who and where are the cooks and their servers? They are under suspicion then." Sakura considered the question. Rafael ben Enfrim: "But then it could have been any one of a whole stream of people other than cooks who were allowed into the kitchen." Rafael added. "We need that list Relt." Rafael ben Enfrim: edit* Rafael added, showing Sakura the list. Sleeping Dragon: "Their names are on the list. I would imagine they are at home, but I'm afraid I don't know where any of them live. There are three of them, and some of the acrobats have been helping as well." Rafael ben Enfrim: "The cooks may recall who was in and out of the kichen that night." Rafael pondered. "Who usually made the Councillor his food? And what did he have that night?" Sakura: "How long the cooks and acrobats been here working for you?" Sakura asked as well Sleeping Dragon: "I couldn't tell you what he had, I was busy running the show. His food was always the very best we could manage, however," said Relt. "The cooks...Greta and Antar have both worked here for about four years, while Cenole is fairly new. I hired him about a month ago. The Acrobats Spectacular have been here for just a bit longer. Vicente Maletti injured himself in a rehearsal and can't perform, so he recommended the Acrobats to me. He is a friend of their leader, Poul Nardren." Sleeping Dragon: "I'm not sure where they're staying either. They are supposed to be here to rehearse in about an hour, however." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael considered his next question. "Have you ever heard anyone here express more than general dislike or disapproval of Councillor Rohdell? Make a comment that might indicate they knew that something was going to happen to him? Anything of that sort?" Sleeping Dragon: "Not in my hearing, no. He was not a very popular man, however. I have heard some of the staff complain about serving him, but nothing more than the usual grumblings of the overworked." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael nodded. "You haven't seen any dogs hanging around the theatre have you?" he asked as they finished looking around the kitchen. Ardrun (enter): 20:10 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (3187) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: "Dogs?" Relt sounded confused. "Only yours," he said, gesturing at Enrico's dog. "Normally we don't allow animals in the Angel, but of course I have waived that restriction due to the extraordinary circumstances of your visit." Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(3179) Ardrun' from room... Ardrun (exit): 20:13 Sakura: Sakura considered, "I suppose we will have to question these people who not been here very long. Can you explain Cenole and Poul Nardren? Are they any good?" Enrico: "Glad that the circumstances were extraordinary enough to permit such an act." - Enrico shot back as he led the dog around the place. Sleeping Dragon: Relt winced at Enrico's comment and tried not to look at him. "Explain them? What about them do you want explained?" Sakura: "Ah, I meant that are they reiable or trustworthy enough? Do you have any doubt about these workers at all?" Sleeping Dragon: "They've given me no cause to doubt them, anymore than anyone else. Poul Nardren was as I said recommended by the Malettis, who are his friends and have worked for me for years. And Cenole, well, he is a model worker - quiet, dependable, and willing to work fairly cheaply." Rafael ben Enfrim: "Rohdell was known as a man with an appetite for young women, were there any in particular he either brought with him or met here? Did he show an interest in any of the performers?" Sleeping Dragon: [1d6] => [1] = (1) Vachir: After some time spent thinking silently, Vachir asked a question "Have you ever seen any Torathi here? Perhaps men from General Juthe's entourage?" Sleeping Dragon: "I don't remeber him ever bringing any women. I believe I saw him direct a few looks towards Serpentia, but if he ever tried to take it further than that she never told me," Relt replied. "Why yes, I have! There are two of them that have showed up for virtually every performance since they arrived in the city. They arrived early last night and were wearing their Kingdom Guard uniforms. I've noticed them about a few times, I saw one standing near the door to the Bath House when I went last, and occasionally out in the streets. I suspect that General Juthe has ordered them to be seen everywhere that large numbers of people gather, so that we can never fully forget them..." Relt's voice trailed off. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Indeed." Rafael said softly. "They would not be able to come back here though, I imagine." Sleeping Dragon: "I'm sorry?" Rafael ben Enfrim: "They would not be able to slip into the kitchen I mean, during the performance." Rafael explained. Vachir: Vachir looked pleased when he heard Relt mention the Torathi "Did they approach the staff in private or do anything especially weird?" Sleeping Dragon: "Oh no, definitely not. Customers are not permitted in the staff areas, and at any rate they would be very conspicuous." Sleeping Dragon: "I never saw the Kingdom Guards approach anyone, or even speak to anyone save for each other and to myself when they purchased their tickets - and then they used only the minimum words necessary. They are very grim men. Every time they came they would sit as near the middle as they could. Occasionally during the show they would speak together and laugh loudly, or they would stand up and go take another seat if it was free, taking their time about it...they were generally quite intimidating, truth be told, but I didn't say anything to them. I didn't wish to cause offence over something trivial when they are such important guests." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael shook his head. "I suspect you are right. These Torathi are used to bring home to the city what is hanging over them." He turned to the others. "Where should we look next? We could see if the dog picks anything up in the performers area." Sakura: "Good idea. We can do it while we wait for these staffs to arrive here first." whispering to Enrico, giving the dog as sniff of the Tursimm oil, Enrico led it around the building. The dog's nose led it out of the kitchen and across the stage to the far side of the theatre, where a small door led backstage to the performers' area. Here, the dinginess of the Angel became apparent. Pieces of scenery were stacked haphazardly wherever there was space, and the unadorned walls sweated with moisture. There was a series of five dressing rooms, each labelled with the name of the performer or performers. The dog sniffed his way along, stopping briefly at the doors and sniffing them, then continuing on. At the third, marked 'the Acrobats Spectacular', he stopped for a few moments longer than normal, but then continued on to the end of the corridor, to the door marked as 'Farouk of the Hidden Lore.' Here the dog sniffed the door several times and then barked. Sleeping Dragon: "Do you want me to show you the way?" asked Relt. Rafael ben Enfrim: "We might need you to answer questions." Rafael said. "It would be best if you accompany us, if you can." Sakura: Sakura merely only nodded at rafael's senterence Sleeping Dragon: "Very well," said Relt. "Follow me." Relt led the party out of the kitchen and across the stage to a small door which led to the performers' area. Here, the poor state of the Angel was evident. Pieces of scenery were piled up wherever there was space, and the unadorned walls sweated with moisture. A series of five doors, all marked with the name of a performer or group, ran alongside the right-hand side of the corridor. At the far end of the corridor was Enrico and the dog, who gave a bark at the door. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Who's room is that?" Rafael asked, hurring forward. Sleeping Dragon: "I believe that's Farouk's room," said Relt. Ardrun: Disconnecting from server... Ardrun (exit): 20:59 Sakura: Sakura looked at the dog, surprised by the fact it found something Vachir: "Looks like the dog found a clue. Perhaps someone in the staff was plotting with the Torathi..."mused Vachir looking at the door warily Enrico: Enrico reached for the handle and opened the door. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Be careful, there may be a trap." Rafael warned Enrico. Sleeping Dragon: fortunately, the door wasn't trapped, leading into a small, dingy room. It featured a box with props for stage magic, a wardrobe, and a small make-up desk with various oddments of stage make-up and a battered mirror. At the edge of the desk was a cage containing a small white rabbit that stood up, blinking in confusion, as the party entered. The dog barked at it as he entered, and the rabbit scurried away to the far end of the cage, ears up in fright. Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael moved into the room and started to look around. Sakura: Sakura joined Rafael in searching the room. Vachir: Vachir joined in the search, his keen eyes looking for any useful clues whispering to CosmicHorror, outside, Rosaria saw few people - the Angel was on the edge of the Foot and not on the way to anywhere in particular, and few people had reason to go past it. Nevertheless, she did occasionally see a person or two - or, in this case, hear them.
"...murdered! Can you believe it? It'll be war for sure now!" one man was saying loudly. The voice was coming from around the right-hand side of the Angel. Sleeping Dragon: quickly they began to examine the room. Vachir opened the wardrobe, wherein he found a trio of outfits meant to appear mystical, with moons and stars stitched onto them. The dog entered next to him and began to sniff about at an old blanket. Picking up the blankets, there came a clinking of glass. When he had pulled the blankets away, Vachir discovered four empty flasks marked 'Tursimm oil', as well as a couple of stale sweetmeats. The dog barked and began to sniff at the meat. Sleeping Dragon: *sweetmeats Enrico: Enrico snitched them away before the dog managed to chew on one. "Who is this Farouk? We must find him." Rafael ben Enfrim: "Well, this is a find." Rafael said, indicating the bottles to Relt. "Was there any good reason why he has these?" Rosaria: (whispering): Rosaria looked towards the sound and moved to the side of the building, looking to see who was talking. Sleeping Dragon: Relt's face had gone white again. "No, no, I can't think of one. We use Tursimm oil occasionally of course, to dissolve paints, but Farouk has never helped do such a thing. He must be the poisoner! He is staying at the Bell & Whistle inn, a short ways away, though he may have already fled." Vachir: Vachir held the flasks for all the other to see "Quite a find."he smiled widely, happy with having been the one to make such a discovery Sakura: "Hmm... bit riskly to keep all of them in the room." She frowned for moment. "Still, we must not rush. Of course, he may be good at poisoning but not good enough at covering up!" Rafael ben Enfrim: "Or these may have been hidden here to throw suspicion on him." Rafael sighed. Sakura: "That is right." Sakura nodded. "That why we should be wary." Rafael ben Enfrim: "We need to go round to the Bell and Whistle at once. Should all of us go though?" Rafael asked the others. whispering to CosmicHorror, around the corner were two men who were obviously not native to Malador. They were both quite tall, wore leather armour, and carried swords strapped at their waist. "Could hardly have asked for a better turn, the Kingdom Guards'll be swarming across the border by nightfall! Let's get back to camp, seems like we should take the opportunity to renegotiate our price!" The two men were heading south, towards the grassy patch between the Foot and the Flow, where, Rosaria knew, some mercenaries, unable to find accomodation, had set up camps. Sakura: "I wonder..." She glanced at Relt, "Can you make sure you do not say anything to others here about this?" Sakura: "It may be there are other workers who are also... part of this in this place." Sleeping Dragon: Relt held up his hands. "There is no one here but myself, but I will of course keep everything secret as it is part of such an important investigation. I swear it to you." Rafael ben Enfrim: "Can you lock this door?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: Relt nodded and produced a key from his pocket. Rosaria: (whispering): After thinking for a moment over what to do, Rosaria stepped towards the mercenaries. "Ah, excuse me." She called to them. whispering to CosmicHorror, the mercenaries looked up, startled. "Hello there," one of them shouted back. Enrico: Meanwhile, Enrico walked back down the hallway to check out the chambers of Spectacular Acrobats. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Can you describe this Farouk?" Rafael asked. "Of course he could be a master of disguise as well as hidden lore." Rosaria: (whispering): "You said someone had been murdered?" She asked, catching up to them, looking a bit worried. Vachir: "I hope this 'hidden lore' of his doesn't include any genuinely dangerous tricks or sorceries." said a somewhat apprehensive Vachir to the others whispering to CosmicHorror, the two mercenaries glanced at each other and then shrugged. "Yep. Councillor Rohdell. Word's starting to get out. I might go in somewhere if I were you, could be some really frightened people out on the streets soon." The other mercenary nodded. "Hey, why don't you come back to camp with us? We'll keep you safe." Sakura: She glanced at the rabbit and back at Vachir, "I doubt it, I really doubt it." Rafael ben Enfrim: "If he is the poisoner, it would be interesting to know his motive." Rafael mused. "Perhaps he is related to the abused woman." Sleeping Dragon: "Farouk? He's a short young man, perhaps nineteen or twenty. Out of the Flow somewhere I believe. He's quite dark in colouring, short black hair, olive skin." Relt blinked. "Abused woman?" Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael made a dismissive gesture. "Does he have an accent of any kind?" whispering to Enrico, Enrico checked the Acrobats room. Within was a large wardrobe containing a number of tight, garishly coloured outfits. Around the room were also two balancing poles, some batons, ropes, small, thin wires, make-up, a half-empty bottle of wine, and three clear vials containing a strange liquid. Rosaria: (whispering): Rosaria backed up a bit. "Are you sure he's dead? I meen, could it just be a rumour?" Sleeping Dragon: "He affects an Almarid accent, but I have an ear for accents and believe he's local, and from the Flow." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael nodded. "Well, are we all going to the Bell and Whistle? Or is there more to do here?" whispering to CosmicHorror, The second mercenary shook his head. "Had it from one of the Town Watch. They're pretty chatty if you slip them a coin or three." Sakura: She shrugged, "We can ask others after questioning Farouk." Rafael ben Enfrim: "Is he any good?" Rafael asked Relt as they turned to go. "As a performer?" Sleeping Dragon: Relt looked offended. "Of course he is, or I wouldn't have him. I take on only the best at the Angel!" Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael shot him a suspicious look. Enrico: Enrico strolled back in the rooms, a couple of strange vials in hand. He unstoppered one and went over to the rabbit, pushing the open vial in front of the creature's nose. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Don't torture the poor thing Rico!" Rafael said sharply. "It's not the animal's fault what it's master has done, or not done." Enrico: "The Acrobatic troupe had this in their chambers. I'm trying to see if they were in on the plan." Rosaria: (whispering): "I, I see." Rosaria looked around to see if anyone else was nearby. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun glowered at Relt. "Tell the truth," he growled. Relt looked frightened, then heard what Enrico said. "From the acrobats' rooms? That's their firebreathing fluid! Put it away quickly!" he cried with alarm as the rabbit sniffed the vial. Rafael ben Enfrim: "You could have checked it out first," Rafael said exasperatedly. Skyman (enter): 21:55 Enrico: "No way to know for sure, though." Enrico found a spoon and tried to get a bit of liquid into the rabbit Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (3217) Skyman... Rafael ben Enfrim: "Stop that! Leave the beast alone." Rafael went over to Enrico. "Of course you can tell for sure. Let me see that vial, and I'll tell you if it's Tursimm Oil." Sleeping Dragon: the rabbit seemed hesitant to drink any of the fluid whispering to CosmicHorror, Rosaria could see no one else around. Enrico: Enrico shrugged and restoppered the bottle. whispering to Rafael ben Enfrim, Rafael could tell that the liquid was not Tursimm oil, being much clearer in colour Rafael ben Enfrim: "It doesn't even look like Tursimm Oil." Rafael said. "Put it back where you found it." Rosaria: (whispering): "I have to go." Rosaria said quickly turning from the men. whispering to CosmicHorror, "What, are you sure you don't want to come with us?" one shouted after her. The mercenaries laughed, but didn't pursue her. Sleeping Dragon: the party left the Lost Angel, noting on their way out that the flower-seller Sakura had spoken to earlier was gone. Rafael ben Enfrim: "I suggest we try to speak to this man in private," Rafael said as they walked. "We don't want to panic people." Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way to the Bell & Whistle, which was the largest inn in Malador, a big, two storey wooden building. As they came to it, the door opened and two very big men with the look of mercenaries about them stepped out. One of them eyed Ardrun and Vachir up and down quite openly, smiling at them. Vachir: Vachir looked somewhat wary at first, but then, unimpressed, smiled back Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael walked up to the door of the inn and opened it, ignoring the men. Sakura: Sakura glanced at these two mercs, clearly valuing them back for the Isperan slave market. Sleeping Dragon: the two men stepped aside, allowing the party to step through. Rafael, who went first, passed the big men and in the process nearly ran over the flower-seller, who was also exiting the inn, but had been hidden behind the great bulk of the two mercenaries. Vachir: Vachir went in with the others, behind Raf Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael stared at the flower-seller, very suspicious of her sudden appearance in this place. Rosaria: "Oh, excuse me. Oh, you're from the theater." The woman said, noticing Rafael. Sakura: After following them, she also noticed the flowerseller and smiled. Rafael ben Enfrim: "We were at the theatre." Rafael said, cautiously. "What are you doing here?" Rosaria: The woman meekly held up her flower basket. Sakura: "She is just selling flowers. Nothing wrong with that is there?" Sakura told Rafael. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Selling flowers at the inn?" Rafael asked. Rosaria: "There's more people here." The woman said hesitantly. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Is there a young man, with black hair and olive skin? Might be trying to sound Almarid?" whispering to Rafael ben Enfrim, Rafael could sense the flower-seller was not being wholly honest Rosaria: "Ah, yes there was. I don't know about his voice though." Rafael ben Enfrim: "I think we'll all go in and look for him then." Rafael said. "You'd better come in with us." whispering to Skyman, Ardrun didn't think the flower-seller had been entirely honest about why she was at the inn Rosaria: "Ah, ok." The woman nodded simply, looking worried. Rafael ben Enfrim: (whispering): "This girl is lying to us. She may be a spy." Rafael muttered to Sakura. Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael said something very quietly to Sakura as they entered the inn. Sleeping Dragon: the party entered the tap room, which was very crowded with people of every nation and walk of life. They looked around, and at the bar they noticed a man matching Farouk's description, slowly nursing a drink. Skyman: Ardrun followed the others in, and whispered to Sakura and Raf. Skyman: (whispering): "I do not think she is fully trustworthy." Sakura: Sakura only sighed slightly before whispering back to them quietly. Vachir: Vachir pointed to the Farouk, and gesturing whispered to the others "Shall we get him now?" Sakura: (whispering): "Yes, I know. But she is not part of murdererous plot. I will ask her privately about why." Sakura: Sakura left the group and whispered with flowerseller. Sakura: (whispering): "They know something is up, what are you truely doing here?" She whispered sternly. Rosaria: (whispering): "I'm just trying to help." Rosaria said. "I heard some men talking about the murder, and that there would be panic in the streets soon." Rosaria: The woman said something back, looking a little hurt, but insistant. Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael went up to the bar and asked to speak to the owner quietly. Sleeping Dragon: behind the bar was a woman in her late fifties or early sixties, with snow-white hair and a deeply lined face. "I'm the owner," she said. "What's this about?" Sakura: (whispering): "That could lead you into trouble. As far I can see, you are telling the truth. Right now, my group think you are a spy for bad one." She wishpered back Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael showed her the Writ of Deputisation. "I trust you not to speak of this to anyone else." he said. "There is someone at the bar we wish to question in relation to the murder, but obviously not in this crowd. Is there somewhere we could take him? And would you be willing to ask him to step in there - any reason will do, provided he is not alarmed." Sleeping Dragon: the innkeeper looked deeply alarmed, but nodded slowly. "Who is it?" Rosaria: (whispering): "I... I was trying to find out about the murder and came here, but..." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael replied, without looking at the suspect. "The young man along there, black hair, olive skin, nursing his drink." Sleeping Dragon: the innkeeper looked at Farouk briefly, then away again. "Umm...alright. I'll try." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael signalled to the others to follow Farouk when he moved. Sleeping Dragon: the innkeeper went over to Farouk and spoke to him quietly for a few moments, and then the two went away behind the bar and through the kitchen. A few moments later the innkeeper returned. Sakura: (whispering): "But?" Sakura whispered back. Sleeping Dragon: "I've told him my grandson wants to learn a bit of magic from him. He's in my front corridor. Follow me." Rosaria: (whispering): "I didn't have the confidence to confront him." Rosaria looked over to the innkeeper coming out. " I shouldn't keep you." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael nodded to the others and followed. Enrico: Enrico readied his dagger, just in case. Skyman: Ardrun followed along silently. Sakura: (whispering): "Thank you. We will meet again no doubt." Sakura smiled slightly at Rosaria as she turned around to follow the group Sakura: Sakura smiled slightly at Rosaria as she turned around to follow the group Sleeping Dragon: the innkeeper, who belatedly introduced herself as Joshana Friel, led the party out through the kitchen and out a back door, into a very small yard which led to the Friels' private home just across from the main inn. She opened the large wooden door revealing a short, narrow corridor in which Farouk of the Hidden Lore leaned against a wall. The magician was very young, his hair unkempt and his clothes slightly rumpled. He gaped at the sight of the party through the doorway. "What..." Sleeping Dragon: edit to add: he said in a plainly Maladoran accent Rafael ben Enfrim: "Calm yourself." Rafael said. "We want to ask you some questions." Sleeping Dragon: Farouk only gaped at Rafael. "Are...are you with the Watch?" he blurted, sounding scared Rafael ben Enfrim: "Not exactly. But we are investigating a murder." Rafael ben Enfrim: yes Rafael ben Enfrim: edit* ignore that Sakura: "A murder of such seriousness." Sakura: she entered. Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael came into the corridor and indicated the room beyond. Sleeping Dragon: Farouk wordlessly made his way into the room Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael brought out a vial and held it before Farouk's eyes. "Would you explain this?" Sleeping Dragon: Farouk stared at Rafael uncomprehendingly. "It's...it's a vial..." The young man sounded quite frightened Rafael ben Enfrim: "Of course it is." Rafael said patiently. "But it's what is in the vial that matters. Would you like me to open it and show you?" Rafael ben Enfrim: edit* But it's what was in the vial that matters. Sleeping Dragon: "I...I don't know, I can't read..." Sakura: Sakura merely stared at the boy most glaring Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael frowned but he came over to Farouk. "There were four of these vials found hidden in your room. Each of them is marked Tursimm Oil. Each of them is empty. Can you explain why they were there? " Sleeping Dragon: Farouk stared at Rafael in disbelief. "Is...I think that's for dissolving paint, isn't it? I didn't put them there, I don't have anything to do with the scenery!" Enrico: "Look, my friend, we're trying to be helpful here instead of carting you off to some dungeon and cutting strips from your back. Perhaps if you divulged to us if you have any enemies capable of murder or anything suspicious, for that matter, we would be able to remain friends. Otherwise we have no choice." - Enrico winked and showed Farouk a dagger with a kindly smile. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't have any enemies! I don't know what you're talking about, please believe me!" Farouk's eyes were very wide Sakura: "Are there anyone at your work does not like you or got any doubts?" Sakura asked nicely Rafael ben Enfrim: "Tursimm Oil is used for dissolving paint, and for cleaning, but it is also a poison. It happened to be used on someone who visited the theatre yesterday evening." Rafael said. "Someone important to the city. As my colleague says, you must try to think of anything you know that might aid in catching his killers." Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know anything about any murders, I'm just a stage magician! I don't even know who you mean!" Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael spread his hands in a calming gesture. "Just think back to last night at the Lost Angel. You performed there for the first time?" Sleeping Dragon: "No, no, not the first time, I've been there for about a month. I've done seven shows." Rafael ben Enfrim: "When you were there last night, did you notice anyone you didn't recognise back stage? Or near the kitchen?" Sleeping Dragon: "No! The kitchen? I don't know about the kitchen, I don't have anything to do with it." Rafael ben Enfrim: "It's alright, we believe you." Rafael said, trying to calm the man down. "Did you see anyone at all out of place then? Please try to think back, it's important." Sleeping Dragon: "I didn't see anything at all. Everything seemed to be completely normal." Rafael ben Enfrim: "Did you notice any of the audience?" Rafael asked. Enrico: "Look back to details you would never care about, if you can. Anything, even if you consider it fleeting or unimportant." Sleeping Dragon: "Umm...it was busy...there were those Torathi soldiers in the crowd but they're usually there...I don't remember anything interesting about the performance at all. Afterwards I went out drinking with Poul and some of his acrobats, and some of the Players." Sakura: "Did you hear anything strange in that discussions in traven with them?" Sakura asked Sleeping Dragon: "No, nothing strange. Well, one of the acrobats, Ewin I think his name is, was saying we should celebrate hard because there could be a war soon, but we're all worried about that. I don't remember very much after about the first hour." Rafael ben Enfrim: "Have you seen a young woman about, short, black-haired, decently dressed? Or any dogs?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: Farouk looked confused. "About where? There's lots of women who look like that...she does..." he pointed at Sakura. Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael shrugged. "It might have been that she was asking questions or hanging about. No dogs though?" Sleeping Dragon: "Where? At the theatre? No, they don't let animals in the theatre, except for my rabbit and that's only because it's part of the act." Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael stowed the vial away. "It seems you have been honest with us. If you do hear or see anything suspicious please let us know." Rosaria: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 00:06 Sleeping Dragon: Farouk nodded, seemingly incredibly relieved Rafael ben Enfrim: Rafael left. "Whoever planted the vials in Farouk's room must be someone from the theatre." he said quietly to the others. Sakura: Sakura following Rafael out, "So, time to interview the manager and that team now." she replied back softly Rafael ben Enfrim: He stopped on the way out and thanked the owner for her help, and explained that Farouk was no longer a suspect. Sleeping Dragon: Joshana breathed a sigh of relief. "Anything else you need?" Rafael ben Enfrim: "Have you heard or seen anything strange around here in the last few days?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "What kind of strange?" Rafael ben Enfrim: "People who don't seem to fit here, or ugly hairless little dogs?" Sleeping Dragon: "No...well, there's lots of strange people about, mercenaries mostly, because of the war." Joshana glanced at Vachir for a moment, then looked back to Rafael. "But not anyone particularly strange." Vachir: Vachir raised his eyebrows when the woman mentioned glanced him, but didn't say anything about it. Rafael ben Enfrim: "Do you have anyone else from the theatre staying here?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "No." Rafael ben Enfrim: "If you do see or hear anything please let us know. We'll be over at the Lost Angel for a while." Rafael said.
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Mar 4, 2009 22:43:37 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: after finishing their fruitless search at the Bell & Whistle, the party prepared to head back to the Lost Angel. Sakura: aShe considered what that young man was telling them and told them, "At least we eliminated one suspect. I guess we got these acrobats to question next." Enrico: "I thought all they had was flaming oil? Or was it something else?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Who knows." Rafael said. "Someone set up Farouk, maybe there is a clue at the theatre. Unless we're looking in entirely the wrong place. I have the feeling we are being played here." Sakura: "But, Enrico." She replied, "You have not even meet these people and yet you stake their innocence on your find?" Sleeping Dragon: looking around, the party noticed that the flower seller had left the inn while they had been interviewing Farouk Vachir: "There's always the Torathi to check..."suggested Vachir half-heartedly Sakura: "You may be right." Sakura wondered, "We yet have to see Torathi after all. But first, Lost Angel." Rafael ben Efrim: "There certainly seem to be as many clues pointing at the Torathi as at the theatre." Rafael said thoughtfully. "Perhaps both of them are being set up." Rafael ben Efrim: When they returned to the Lost Angel, Rafael asked Relt if any of the other performers had arrived. Sleeping Dragon: Relt had returned to the ticket office. "No, the acrobats haven't arrived yet, but they should be here very soon." Ardrun (enter): 20:04 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1895) Ardrun... Rafael ben Efrim: While they waited Rafael wandered around the theatre. Sakura: Sakura asked Enrico, "Where did you find that oil?" Enrico: "Hu-what? Oh, that. The acrobats quarters." Sakura: "How thoughfully have you search the quarter?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael headed for the performers dressing-rooms to continue examining them. Vachir: Vachir decided to follow him "Honestly, I almost hope that it's the acrobats that did. Because if it's the Torathi instead...it's going to be trouble to bring them to justice" Vachir: add: he said as they walked Sakura: "Not nessacry. We still need to consider the dog as well." Sakura: "So yes, it is likely we will have rather enlightening discussion" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stared at Sakura. "You don't think it'll be hard to bring the Torathi to justice? When they are just looking for the slightest excuse to declare war?" Enrico: Enrico helped Rafael search the room Sakura: "The war is coming anyway. There is very little chance that this city will remain free from a realm with powerful military. This Council more or less signed their own death warrant when they refused to consider having an army merely because it is too much of the threat to their power. We can at least tell the Council and people who is to be blame for this." Sakura: Sakura helped Enrico in searching Rafael ben Efrim: "Indeed. But there is a difference between accepting the Torathi's military superiority by voting in favour of Union, and having them bring an army here to prove it." Sleeping Dragon: the party searched through the acrobats' quarters again. The acrobats' room was cramped, containing a wardrobe within which were a number of tight-fitting, garish outfit. Elsewhere in the room were balancing poles, batons, ropes, thin wires, make-up, and a half-empty bottle of wine. Searching through the rooms, they found a small amount of money and also two daggers in amongst the acrobats' clothes, but nothing else of significance. Vachir: Vachir joined in the search, eyes glancing around for any suspicious object or clue Ardrun (enter): 20:25 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1907) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(1895) Ardrun' from room... Ardrun (exit): 20:25 Enrico: Enrico let the dog down to try and get it catch a scent. Sleeping Dragon: the dog sniffed around the room, but didn't notice anything. Shortly afterwards, they heard footsteps coming up the corridor Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael went out into the corridor to see who was there. Ardrun (enter): 20:33 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1910) Ardrun... Sleeping Dragon: Booting '(1907) Ardrun' from room... Ardrun (exit): 20:35 Rafael ben Efrim: They had asked Ardrun to stand outside the performers' area and let them know when the acrobats appeared. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun came up the corridor. "They're here," he said. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael gestured to the others to come outside. "There are fourteen of them, how are we going to question them?" Sleeping Dragon: "There's five of them wanting to come back here. The director, Poul Nardren, is asking us to speak to him and let the other four get changed." Rafael ben Efrim: "Right, we can speak to the director, but I suggest someone stays with the others, or at least within earshot." Rafael said. Vachir: "I'll keep an eye on them."volountereed Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded and they prepared for the approach of the acrobats. Rafael ben Efrim: "Ardrun, would you keep an eye on the other acrobats outside?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun nodded and went out. Shortly afterwards, five men came up the corridor. Their leader was a tall, wiry man dressed in a hideous bright yellow full bodysuit, on the front of which was a green star. Four men in normal clothes followed up behind him.
"Hello there, I'm Poul Nardren," the man in the suit introduced himself. "Shall we go talk out on the stage? It's a bit cramped back here and my boys need to get into their suits." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded and they moved onto the stage. "I'll come straight to the point. We are investigating a murder, one with very serious implications, and there is some evidence that a person from the Lost Angel is involved." Sakura: Sakura followed Rafael, "Indeed." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Sakura, as the party went out onto the stage, Nardren gave Rafael a filthy look that quickly went from his face Sleeping Dragon: "A murder?" said Poul. "That's terrible news. And connected to the Angel?" Sleeping Dragon: edit: said Nardren Rafael ben Efrim: "Yes. There is evidence that the murderer used poison in this very theatre." Rafael answered, watching Nardren closely for his reaction. Sakura: Sakura only nodded solmenly at that statement while eyeing Nardren Enrico: "Your full cooperation in all matters will make things much easier, believe me." Ardrun (exit): 21:11 Sleeping Dragon: Nardren glanced over his shoulder towards the stage, where the other nine Acrobats Spectacular were beginning their practise. Two were lighting up torches, while the others were stretching or doing light exercises. "Get working, boys! We've got another show in two days!" he cried before turning back to the party. "Poison? Here? What did you find?" whispering to Enrico, Enrico thought he'd seen a brief, annoyed look cross Nardren's face when Rafael spoke of the poison, and when he had called out to acrobats it was as if he was attempting to buy time to think of what to say Rafael ben Efrim: "Someone had added an extra ingredient to the victim's food. Tursimm Oil." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "What, the stuff you use to remove paint?" Rafael ben Efrim: "In this case used to remove a man's life." Sakura: "Yes, the proper way of using it. Using it to poisoning people is not certainly proper. You have to understand we have to question all people first." Enrico: "This hound thought that whoever handled those bottles has been in your room. I would like to hear what you have to say about that." Sleeping Dragon: "You think we're involved in a murder? What sort of people do you think we are? If there's anyone here poisoning anyone, you'll want to look to that magician, Farouk - that's obviously not his real name. A real shifty sort, if you ask me," said Nardren. He turned to the acrobats. "What are you still stretching for? Those somersaults aren't going to do themselves!" whispering to Sakura, Rafael ben Efrim, Nardren looked quite alarmed at the party's questioning whispering to Vachir, Vachir waited at the door, hearing no sound from the changing room except for clothes being removed and replaced. Rafael ben Efrim: "We've already looked at Farouk." Rafael said, leaning forward confidentially. "Have you seen anything suspicious?" Enrico: "I expected a lengthy excuse and interesting tidbits of information that would further our case, not indignation. We can continue this conversation in a dungeon if you so desire, or you can give us something now." Vachir: (whispering): "Don't try anything weird."said Vachir loud enough for the acrobats inside to hear as he impatiently waited for them to finish changing. Sakura: Sakura nodded at Enrico's speech and took on Enrico's meaning. "Yes, the time is ever growing shorter and someone will be present to the Council and pay the prices/" Sakura: "Personally, it does not matter who is it." Sleeping Dragon: Nardren looked frightened. "T...the Council? Look, there's no need for threats, I've been answering your questions. I've not seen anything suspicious, or that I registered as suspicious anyway. Are you sure you questioned Farouk carefully enough though? Misdirection is what magicians do." whispering to Vachir, shortly after he spoke, the acrobats opened the door, having finished changing. "Can we go out onto the stage then?" whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael got a definite sense that Nardren was deeply worried and attempting to deflect their attention away from him Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael pointed up at Rohdell's customary box. "You know the man who always sits up there don't you. The fat man." Sleeping Dragon: "Yes, I know him. What about him?" Vachir: (whispering): "I'd prefer if you wait here while my friends talk to your leader."replied Vachir "Shouldn't take too much time." whispering to Vachir, "Fine." The acrobat shrugged. Rafael ben Efrim: "What do you know of him?" Sleeping Dragon: "He's Councillor Rohdell, fat slug of a man. Everyone hates him near as I can tell. Near eats Relt out of house and home." Rafael ben Efrim: "You seem to know him quite well, and his eating habits. Were you in the theatre kitchen last night?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "No." Sakura: "What about your people? Can you point out each of them to us so we may question them closely." Sakura asked whispering to Vachir, "So what's this about anyway? And who are you? You don't look like Watch to me." Rafael ben Efrim: "Maybe one of them was in the kitchen last night instead." Rafael said with a sharp look at Narden. Sleeping Dragon: Nardren shook his head angrily. "My men are busy practising, I'm the only one who can spare the time. Yes, a few of them were in the kitchen last night. They've been helping out because Relt is a cheapskate and fired two of his old cooks and replaced them with one who isn't very good." Rafael ben Efrim: "Which of them were helping exactly?" Rafael asked. Vachir: (whispering): Vachir was silent for a moment or two before answering "All you need to know is that we're working for the Council, investigating a, well, matter of some importance. Just cooperate and everything will be fine" Sleeping Dragon: "Diff and Chett, over there with the torches, and Olon, who's back getting changed, have been helping out since they know a bit about cooking," replied Nardren. whispering to Vachir, "Alright, alright, I just asked a question," replied the acrobat, sounding exasperated. Sakura: "How do you feel about them? Trustworthy are they?" Sleeping Dragon: "Of course they are, what kind of question is that?" Rafael ben Efrim: "You are suggesting that some of your people had the opportunity to poison the food in the kitchen." Rafael replied. "So do you trust them?" Sleeping Dragon: "I already said yes. There were three other cooks in that kitchen, as well as a, you know, magician - the ones who specialise in sleight of hand and trickery, that sort - around. If anyone poisoned Rohdell, it was one of them." Rafael ben Efrim: "Farouk was in the kitchen was he?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "No, but the food's got to be brought up to Rohdell, he might have managed to slip something in on the way." Enrico: "We will need to talk to Diff and Chett then, as soon as possible." Rafael ben Efrim: "You're assuming it was Rohdell who was poisoned." Rafael said. "I didn't say that." Sakura: Sakura smirked for a moment as she found the scapegoat. Sleeping Dragon: Nardren sighed loudly and rolled his eyes. "Fine. If you want to waste all of my men's time, go ahead, if we get booed off the stage on Wednesday it'll be your fault. Chett!" Nardren took a step towards the acrobats. "Come here!" Sleeping Dragon: after Nardren called, he suddenly and abruptly whirled about towards the party, unmistakeably violent intent written on his face as his hand flew with tremendous speed towards the nape of his neck Sleeping Dragon: Nardren quickly drew a small, glistening dart, but the party were alert and he didn't have time to throw it. Swearing, he took a hasty step back. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun stepped forward, drawing his mighty scimitar Sakura: Sakura smiled at Nardren, "You? Against us? There is an excellent reason why the Council hired us..." Sakura: she merely gestured at her friends. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at the acrobats. "Stop and think. Unless you want to be treated as the murderers of a councillor." As he spoke he moved up to Nardren, drawing his dagger as he did so. Sleeping Dragon: five of the acrobats on the stage whipped out daggers, surging forward to protect their leader, while two others began to climb up with great agility into the scaffolding up above the stage Sleeping Dragon: Nardren rolled away from the fray, flinging a dart at Enrico and striking. The wound stung, sending venom into Enrico's veins and slowing his movements. Sleeping Dragon: Nardren rolled away from the fray, flinging a dart at Enrico and striking. The wound stung, sending venom into Enrico's veins and slowing his movements. Sleeping Dragon: giving a great roar, Ardrun swung his huge blade around, striking viciously. It struck heavily into one of the acrobats, shearing up through his middle, and then drove on through into a second, sending him bleeding to the stage. Vachir: "You stay put or die!"said Vachir as hearing the sounds of battle, he drew his bow out and rushed so check what was happening Sakura: Sakura started singing but coughed for a moment into silence. However, a few words in that song managed to shiver her enemies for a moment Sleeping Dragon: Chett and Diff stepped forward, waving their torches before them. As they went, they pulled out vials of firebreathing fluid and poured them into their mouths, then breathed out. The fluid struck their torches and lanced out towards Ardrun, scorching his flesh and causing him to roar with anger and pain. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael dodged and spun around the acrobat in front of him, stabbing out with surgical precision. Blood spurting, the man dropped to the ground. Enrico: Enrico shook his head to clear his vision and leapt after Nardren, dagger in hand. He stayed on the defensive, trying to look too dangerous to attack but Nardren saw through the flashy moves. Sleeping Dragon: two of the acrobats flung daggers at Ardrun, striking him lightly, while two others continued to climb up into the scaffolding. Backstage, three of the four in the changing room disregarded Vachir's angry demand, drawing daggers and advancing on the Bolgar. Sleeping Dragon: letting out a bloodthirsty roar, Ardrun tore forward, raising his scimitar that still leaked with blood from the acrobats' colleagues. With a thunderous stroke he brought it down on the two who had thrown daggers at him, slicing through them like water, sending one crashing stone dead onto the stage and the other to bleed out his life Sleeping Dragon: edit before Ardrun's post - Nardren tumbled away from Enrico and began to climb nimbly up into the scaffolding Vachir: "Fools, all of you!"cursed Vachir at the approaching acrobats, as stepping back he fired an arrow at the nearest one, which awkardly missed stricking the wall. Swearing, he swiftly pulled another arrow from his quiver and aimed again - this time it struck the acrobat straight in the chest, throwing him to the ground. Rafael ben Efrim: "Vachir!" Rafael shouted. "The murderer's getting away!" Sakura: Sakura laughed for a moment as she approved of Ardrun's excellent fighting. "Ardrun, can you kindly please finish the rest on the stage please?" Sleeping Dragon: Dirk and Chett again breathed fire at Ardrun but, shaken by the speed in which their compatriots had fallen, sent flames flicking wide of him. With fright they rushed towards the edge of the stage and the stairs down Black Cat: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 00:02 Enrico: Seeing Nardren getting away, Enrico pulled out a crossbow and fired, missing widely. Sleeping Dragon: one of the acrobats up above nimbly scarpered along the scaffolding and came to where a heavy ballast bag, used as a counterweight to scenery, rested, tied to the stage by a rope. Quickly moving it, he cut the rope and sent it down onto Rafael. The Jeth quickly leapt aside and the bag struck the stage, sending up a cloud of sand and dust. Backstage, two tumbled in to attack Vachir. One missed, but the second got in through the Bolgar's defences and landed a light slash. Sleeping Dragon: Nardren attempted to climb up, but his finger caught on a nail and pierced his skin, and he slipped and fell with a yelp. Righting himself and landing on his feet, the director of the Acrobats Spectacular sprang away, slipping through the blue curtain of the stage Sleeping Dragon: "Stop him Vachir, he's getting away!" Ardrun roared. The big slave leapt towards the curtain, hacking at it with his scimitar so that it came crashing down. The heavy curtain struck him and one of the fleeing firebreathers, driving them to the ground, but as it had fallen it revealed the benches through which Nardren was quickly fleeing Rafael ben Efrim: "Nardren's getting away! Quick, someone shoot him!" Vachir: Deciding to ignore the acrobats, Vachir took a step towards the door, from where he could see the escaping Nardren. Even though the falling curtain hindered his aim the Bolgar managed to fire two powerful arrows at the fleeing man, severely wounding him. Sakura: Sakura took out the crossbow, aimed it at Nardren but sadly it made a miss Sleeping Dragon: Diff and Chett continued to flee, Chett having to pick himself up from under the curtain Rafael ben Efrim: Seeing their chief suspect vanishing, Rafael threw himself from the stage accross the orchestra pit, but was barely able to keep his balance on the other side. Enrico: Enrico fired, barely grazing Nardren. Sleeping Dragon: the two acrobats backstage circled round Vachir, trying to distract him, but both stabbed wide, while the other two, in the scaffolding, leapt down and fled off the stage Sleeping Dragon: nimbly springing through the benches, Nardren sprang into the main aisle and up towards the exit. Reaching the lobby, he took a quick step towards the ticket office, so he couldn't be seen from the stage Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun rushed to help Vachir, trying to free him to go after Nardren, but his scimitar slashed wide Vachir: Now unable to see Nardren, Vachir had concentratd on his attackers. T he rapidly drew arrows and shoot them in the bodies of the acrobats, Sakura: Sakura ran after Raf although she did not bother to load her crossbow Vachir: edit: Now unable to see Nardren, Vachir focused on his attackers. Flanked and with his back to the wall, he was stabbed by one of the acrobats while he grabbed two of his arrows, drawing blood, but then, immediataly after that, he shoot the offending acrobat down and rapidly turning, fired another arrow in the chest of the other, bringing both foes to the ground unconscious and bleeding. Sleeping Dragon: Chett and Diff sprinted up the aisle towards the exit Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael pulled out his scimitar and ran up the aisle after them. "Relt! Nardren is the murderer! Stop him!" Enrico: Enrico got out a length of rope and hogtied Olon. Sleeping Dragon: the two acrobats left clambered over the benches Vachir: Vachir looked at his wounds, noting that they weren't that serious, and then went to check on Olon with Enrico Sleeping Dragon: there was a loud yell of terror from the ticket office. From around the corner, Rafael saw Nardren reach forward and grab something...someone. Nardren backed towards the door, dagger pressed to Relt's throat. "Stay right where you fucking are, or the greasy bastard dies!" he shouted
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Mar 8, 2009 17:34:41 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun made his way off the stage Vachir: Worried about what was happening outside, Vachir went for the stage door, leaving Enrico with Olon. Rafael ben Efrim: "Don't do anything hasty. We can talk about this!" Rafael called to Nardren. Vachir: edit: remove 'leaving Enrico...' Sakura: Sakura let her crossbow down to show that she is not going to shoot him for a moment, although there is no bolt loaded in it. She then said, "I agreed with Rafael, I did wonder though, as you already admit your guilt, why did you do it? He is not that offensive!" Sleeping Dragon: Diff and Chett continued to make their way across the benches Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stopped running and lowered his scimitar, although he kept hold of it. "Yes, tell us why you poisoned the councillor. Who paid you? Sleeping Dragon: the two remaining acrobats continued to bound across the benches Enrico: After securing Olon's bonds, Enrico tried to stem the bleeding of one of the acrobats, but failed miserably. Blood still continued to fountain in between his fingers and a flimsy excuse for a bandage. Sleeping Dragon: Nardren laughed. "He had to die. If I hadn't done it Delorri would have hired someone else instead," he said. "Good luck with the rest of your investigation!" he added sarcastically, and then backed through the doors. Black Cat: As Nardren stepped out of the door, a black figure sped past behind him, quickly pulling the dagger out of his hand, repositioning it at his neck. From inside the theater all that could be seen was a black hand holding the dagger. Sleeping Dragon: Nardren gave a cry of surprise as his dagger was ripped from his hand. He winced and put his hands up while Relt darted back into the theatre Sleeping Dragon: hearing the ruckus at the door, Ardrun rushed forward roaring and waving his blade at the acrobats attempting to escape through the benches. Seeing him approach, and their leader disarmed and surrendering, the four acrobats who were attempting to escape all gave in Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael walked forward to see what was happening. Sakura: Sakura smiled slightly as she followed Rafael. Black Cat: As Rafael approached, the arm disapeared, leaving Nardren unarmed. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stared, but he walked up to Nardren and grabbed hold of him. "Now we're going to have a little talk. Back inside the theatre." Sleeping Dragon: Rafael looked outside, but could see no sign of the mysterious person who had stripped Nardren of his weapon. The leader of the Acrobats Spectacular allowed himself to be dragged back into the theatre, saying something quckly and quietly to Rafael. Vachir: Hearing that Nardren had been neutralized, Vachir went to approach his companions, wanting to know what had just happened. Black Cat: (whispering): A black figure ran past Vachir as he was leaving the theater. From what he could see, the person was covered head to toe in a black bodysuit with leather straps holding braces of daggers across the woman's chest. The woman spared one glance through her masked eyes as she sped past Vachir. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael muttered something. Vachir: "I was taking the side door to try and shot the bastard in the back, but apparently someone else got there first."said Vachir to the others Vachir: edit: taking = leaving through Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael brought Nardren back into the theatre. "It seems that Delorri is sending us out to do her dirty work for her. Sakura: Sakura swore for a moment on hearing what Rafael and Nardren was discussing in the language. "Is that so? No wonder why she want to deal with murderers as soon as possible." Enrico: Enrico continued his efforts to stop the bleeding and was ultimately successful. The rest of the wounded still layed in pools of blood, however Rafael ben Efrim: "I suggest you tell my companions the truth about this - how Delorri contacted you, and what else she said." Rafael told Nardren. "I must attend to the wounded and dying." Sakura: She nodded at Rafael and as she strolled over to Ardrun to congrat him on his excellent fighting, she paid attention to Nardren's speech. "I am agog at what you will say on this" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael went round to examine the bodies, taking the surrendered acrobats with him to see to their comrades. Sleeping Dragon: Nardren shrugged. "I'm from here, I did work for her years ago before I went to Adaria. When my boys and I came back six weeks ago she approached me and suggested I get a job at the theatre, and that she might need my services soon. She told me she might need Rohdell killed and I should start preparing. She wavered on it for a while, I think. Probably didn't make up her mind until yesterday. Not sure what did it for her. She sent me a footman with a message asking me to do it about an hour before we left for the performance." Ardrun: Ardrun nodded silently as he cleaned his blade. "I had help, from our companions and another." Ardrun: edit: he said after a few moments. Vachir: "Another?"asked Vachir hearing the fighter's remark "Saw one remarkable looking woman carrying several daggers while going outside, would that happen to be her?" Rafael ben Efrim: As he worked on the wounded. Rafael asked the other acrobats why they had fought, and if they knew what it was about or were just protecting their leader. Ardrun: Ardrun smiled. "No. I felt a presence, a guidance. It was the One." Sakura: Sakura smirked for moment, "True but you did managed to take down three or four enemies in short time." She glanced at Ardrun's with troublesome glance on the mention of the 'One' as she strolled over to Nardren to listen to him Enrico: "The one? How about less superstitious garbage and more information?" Enrico sneered. Sleeping Dragon: Chett shrugged. "Of course we knew. I put the poison in Rohdell's food myself." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sighed. "What do you think is going to happen now? Delorri herself has tasked us with bringing in the murderer." Ardrun: Ardrun smiled at Enrico as if they'd shared a joke. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know," said Chett. Vachir: Vachir too went to listen to Nardren's explanation for the murder. Vachir: "Sounded like he told the truth when he said it was Delorri...."mentioned Vachir in passing "But he's an actor, so who knows?"he added a moment later, shrugging Sakura: She considered it, "So an eyewitness to implict Delorri, a Counciller of this city. Hmm... how troubesome." She glanced up Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael lowered his voice. "If we bring you all in for the murder, Delorri will probably just deny everything. Do you know anything about her reasons for killing Rohdell?" Sleeping Dragon: "What more do you want to know?" said Nardren. "I got Chett and Olon and Diff to poison the food and then plant the vials in Farouk's dressing room. I figured that would deflect anyone who came after us. Rohdell had to die anyway. He would have let this city's fate hang in the balance just to enrich himself even more." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "I didn't know it was Delorri who asked until Poul just said so, just that we were being paid by someone high up," said Chett. Rafael ben Efrim: Having dealt with the injured, Rafael returned to where the others were interrogating Nardren. "How did Delorri contact you? Are you sure it was actually her?" he asked the man. Sleeping Dragon: "She had some men come to get me, wouldn't say who was asking for me. They brought me to a house somewhere on the southern edge of the Foot, near-ish to the Harbourside, and there she was inside it. I spoke to her personally so yes, I know it was her." Rafael ben Efrim: "I can't see why she would be so foolish as to implicate herself." Rafael said, frowning. Sleeping Dragon: "You'd have to ask her. I told her I had a fall-guy set up and presumably she thought that would be enough." Sakura: "Maybe she is overconfident in her skills and abilities and in her choice of weapon." Rafael ben Efrim: "The Tursimm Oil pointed straight at the theatre though, and then it was just a matter of time before all became clear." Rafael persisted. "The woman must be a fool, seeing as she could have covered her involvement much more thoroughly I'd have thought." Sleeping Dragon: "I...aaah...I told her the Tursimm oil didn't leave any traces," said Nardren. He shrugged. "It was a lie, but she believed it. I was worried that if I told the truth she wouldn't ask me to do it and thus wouldn't pay me, or that she'd kill me to keep me quiet." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head. "She was a fool, because she trusted you." He moved over to speak quietly to the others. "We have to take all of those involved. And we still need to find who was responsible for tearing Rohdell's throat out." Vachir: "Still...We'll see what Dellorri will say when we bring you to her."said Vachir "This is a mess, really. We still have to solve the other part of the murder..."he frowned Sakura: "Where shall we put them" Sakura asked? "Putting them in jail and swear the guards to secery? "it just occured to me that they might end up... dead" Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't understand why she thought killing Rohdell would help." Rafael said. "I don't think we could leave them unattended." Sakura: "There have been a case before this day. What they did is to hold a quick Election where the winner was basically named Councillor for a day to cast the deciding vote. It may be possible that this murder to make path for new Councillor and that counciller is likely to be the one that back the Union if we expose Dellorri's murderous intention." Sakura: Sakura mentioned Rafael ben Efrim: "Then the question is, in whose interests is it to expose her murderous intention?" Rafael asked. Sakura: "The people who want the union with the Kingdom. Of course." She nodded at that point. Vachir: "You're suggesting we don't make her involvement public?"asked Vachir, sounding like he genuinely considered the idea Rafael ben Efrim: "I'm suggesting we consider before taking action that may throw the city into turmoil. One councillor has been murdered already, now another is to be accused of murdering him. What will happen when this is made public?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We could always take this information to the old shark of course." Rafael added. Sakura: "Troubles." She smiled, "Is that a good thing? We can only wait and see." She glanced up at Rafael, "Or to the Proud Witch herself to gain concession and money? The Old Shark will use it for his own gain and his master as well" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Their only interest is themselves. He will use the information to gain control from Delorri. There needs to be balance and with one of them gone there is none." Sakura: "Do not forget about the ties to Toath as well. That dog for example." Rafael ben Efrim: "If that isn't another false clue." Rafael sighed. Sakura: "A neck tore out?" Sakura: "Unless the Councillor is fond of overkilling her enemies?" Rafael ben Efrim: "The only connection to the Torathi is the ugly hairless dog." Rafael said Rafael ben Efrim: "Which is far too small to have torn anyone's throat out, except by sorcery" whispering to Ardrun, there was a noise and Ardrun glanced towards the front of the building and saw the door open. In strode a tall, slender, handsome young man with a firm jaw and short black hair. He was well-dressed and bore a sword in an elaborate scabbard at his waist. Ardrun recognised him as Carus Torwald, a friend of Sakura's, who he had met a few times before at the library where Sakura studied, though he had never spoken to him personally. There were two armed, big men at his side. Carus took a look at the carnage in the theatre and he and his men drew their swords cautiously. whispering to Enrico, there was a sound from the front of the building and Enrico looked to see the door opening. In strode a tall, slender, handsome young man with a firm jaw and short black hair. He was well-dressed and bore a sword in an elaborate scabbard at his waist. Beside him were two big, armed men. Seeing the signs of violence in the theatre, the three men drew their swords cautiously. Sakura: "Still, I think we need to look into Torathi. However, you are correct as for now since we do need a balance of these two councillers but these two and the Council are hated by their people, sooner or later, something will snap." Ardrun: "Carus Torwald... is here," called Ardrun to the others. He turned to face the men, with a hand on the hilt of his sword, though he did not draw yet. Sakura: Sakura looked surprise at the mention of the name and glanced at Ardrun to see what he is talking about. Sleeping Dragon: as Ardrun called, three men strode into the main theatre, bearing swords. Their leader was a tall, lean young man with an upright bearing, short, jet-black hair, and icy blue eyes, who carried an exquisite sword and jewelled scabbard. He was flanked by two armed men, though their blades were not as well-made as his. Glancing around the theatre, Carus Torwald took a look at Ardrun and the captive acrobats, and then sheathed his blade, ordering his men to do the same. "Your investigation is bearing fruit, I see," Carus said sardonically. Ardrun: "I do not find it to smell as good as fruit," replied Ardrun. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael walked over to where Ardrun was facing the men. He nodded to Carus Torwald. "Have you come on behalf of the council, or for some other reason?" he asked them. Sakura: Sakura sighed for a moment as she saw Carus and followed Rafael and asked nicely, "Carus, what an unexpected surprise. What are you doing here?" Sleeping Dragon: "I've come on behalf of Malador," Carus said airily. "But not the Council. I need to speak to you privately. My men here will watch over your prisoners and we can go backstage." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael raised his eyebrows at this. "You want to speak to Sakura alone?" he asked. Vachir: Going to see who the others were talking to, Vachir was surprised to find Carus there. He greet him respectefully, but he didn't say a word. Sleeping Dragon: "No, to all of you." Rafael ben Efrim: "Very well, we will entrust the prisoners to your men. They are to not to be harmed." Rafael said, with a meaningful look at the men. Sleeping Dragon: "Naturally." Carus strode up onto the stage. Ardrun: Ardrun followed him to the stage, glancing back at the other men to make sure they were watching the prisoners closely enough. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael followed him onto the stage. Sakura: Sakura nodded at Carus's reply, "That is fine." she replied to Rafael as she followed Carus. Sleeping Dragon: Carus moved into a corner out of sight and hearing of the foyer and waited until the party had come close before speaking quietly. "I have a proposal for you. I have a plan whereby Malador can avoid war, retain her independence, and all of you can gain wealth and influence, and it needs your help for it to succeed. Are you interested?" Rafael ben Efrim: "If such a thing is possible, but it seems unlikely." Rafael said, honestly. Vachir: Looking pleased at hearing this kind of talk, Vachir spoke out "It does sound almost too good to be true. But still, if it's a good plan..." Enrico: "Lets hear the plan first" Sakura: Sakura looked surprised for a moment and replied, "Is that so? At least we can listen to your plan. I am personally interested in it of course." Sleeping Dragon: "Very well. I'll be blunt. The Councillors who run this city are absolute idiots badly in need of guidance. For a while I've wavered about that, wondering if maybe they had information I didn't, but now I'm sure of it. Did you know that after they spoke to you, Wellaw and Delorri went straight to the Council Hall and didn't bother to go and speak to General Juthe? That task was left to me, entirely on my initiative, and a good thing too because he was going to leave the city in a rage if I'd not talked him out of it, and we'd have had Kingdom Guards storming across the border by nightfall," he said, sounding very angry. "He's gone to the Council Hall to shout at them now. He's sure that whoever's behind this, they're trying to delay a vote even longer and he's not willing to put up with it. What will happen, and what I explained to him, is that there will be an Extraordinary Election, to temporarily name one person a Councillor, so they can cast the deciding vote."
Carus paused. "I don't know which one it was, but I'm certain that it was either Delorri or Wellaw who was behind this murder. Probably Delorri. She's less worried about the consequences if it results in war. Anyhow, my plan is to use whatever proof you gather in order to blackmail whichever of the two is behind this. They will elect my father as the temporary Councillor. Rather than vote for Union or war, he will suggest a more sensible, third way, one that hasn't found a voice as yet in the Council because they've been so polarised by all the fear and bribery and pride around this issue. Rather than have a Union with Torath and allow King Darragan to be the ruler of this city, my father will suggest that instead we should pay a tribute to Torath, which will give King Darragan the money he wants, but allow us to remain free to set our own laws. He'll accept this deal, I think. If he really wanted war he would have just invaded rather than bother sending emissaries. We can once again blackmail the guilty party into voting with my father, and their faction of the Council will go with them." Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (390) Ardrun... Ardrun: "This sounds like a sensible plan. We do not want unnecessary bloodshed." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael was silent, considering this idea. Eventually he spoke. "I think it might just work. I believe the Torathi would prefer to avoid war. They just want the money." Sleeping Dragon: Carus nodded. "King Darragan doesn't have enough money to pay all his Kingdom Guards. Without a new source of funds Torath will collapse within a decade, but without all his Kingdom Guards Darragan cannot retain his throne." Ardrun (exit): 22:16 Rafael ben Efrim: "It seems a pity to aid him to do so." Rafael said ruefully. "But the city will at least survive." Enrico: "What's our profit?" Vachir: "Sounds like it might just work."simply said Vachir Ardrun (enter): 22:17 Sakura: Sakura considered it carefully and nodded with a hint of agreement, "I found it surprising that the Council have not thought of that. Of course, I suppose that what you get if you got two faction that oppose each other all the time. Still, it is only clear logical course that will achieve what everyone really want. The city still can run itself and the King get uncertain but new income." Sakura: "... And, allowing more time for the city to plan ahead as well." Rafael ben Efrim: "And the city will get a new Councillor who hopefully has some interest in the city and its people rather than just increasing his own wealth and influence." Rafael added, with a questioning glance at Carus. Sleeping Dragon: Carus smiled. "My father will afterwards be elected as full Councillor, and we'll need to set about reforming the city. For a start, the Council won't actually have the money to pay the tribute without raising new taxes. It's unfortunate but that's the way of things. I love this city dearly, and would never normally accept her being humiliated in such a way, but there is no hope that we can defeat Torath in a war now. I have fought in many wars as a mercenary captain, and I know a hopeless cause when I see one. This is the least of all evils."
"Oh yes, your profit. Well, in reforming the city, my father and I will need help. Tasks of some difficulty, requiring people of skill and subtlety to carry out. I would propose a long-term partnership with your group. You stay ready to do what you're asked to do, when we ask, and my father and I will supply you with a regular income, with larger ad-hoc sums provided for particularly difficult tasks. And you'll have someone on the Council who is your ally, not just someone who is using you and will cast you aside when they're finished. Whatever it is you want to achieve in this city, it'll be easier with such an ally." Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (399) Ardrun... Ardrun: "This is good to hear. I am getting tired of being sent back and forth by different political machinations." Ardrun (enter): 22:30 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (406) Ardrun... Rafael ben Efrim: "Provided the reforms are truly in the interests of Malador's citizens, I would be glad to work for such a cause." Rafael answered. Sleeping Dragon: "Of course. I will stop at nothing to defend Malador and uphold her interests." Sakura: "A new faction to reform the city?" Sakura wondered, "Since I do not like the Old Shark or Dellorri's factions with someone I can trust a little is better. Sooner or later, I knew I will support a political cause sooner or later, if only for self interest. I like your plan and thus, I will agree to it." Sakura nodded Rafael ben Efrim: "What do you suggest we do with the prisoners?" Rafael asked. "Bring them with us when we confront Delorri?" Sleeping Dragon: Carus laughed uproariously. "Is that an admission that you have discovered that Delorri is the one behind this? I'd not asked you that yet." Ardrun (exit): 22:40 Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shrugged. "She was one of your likely suspects. However there is someone else involved, and we still need to look into that." Sleeping Dragon: Carus raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Sakura: "There was two murders done to him. A poisoning and in his own bed, his neck was tore out." Sakura answered his question. Sakura: edit: A poisoning in Lost Angel Sleeping Dragon: "That is very unusual! But these prisoners you have have proof that Delorri is involved, correct?" Carus asked, sounding suddenly anxious. "The plan won't work if we don't have proof to threaten her with." Rafael ben Efrim: "The prisoners ARE the proof. But the other attack on him is more worrying, in that it seems to have used some form of sorcery." Sleeping Dragon: "Really? That's worrisome. Well. If the prisoners are the proof, then I'll have my men take them back to our estate and hold them there. That will keep them away from any members of the Watch that Delorri may have corrupted." Ardrun (exit): 22:48 Rafael ben Efrim: "We will keep looking for the other responsible then." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "So what exactly happened then? Delorri hired your prisoners to poison Councillor Rohdell?" Rafael ben Efrim: "The evidence points that way." Rafael answered cautiously. Sleeping Dragon: "Alright. Well, continue the rest of your investigation then. I'll stay here while we get the prisoners to safety, and then I'll head back to Clifftop. I should be at the Council Hall or thereabouts if you need me." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded, and went to speak to the prisoners before they left. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael then went to speak to Relt. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "I am sorry for the trouble that has been caused." he said to the manager. "I'm sure you can understand that the less said about what happened here the better. We know that you are not involved in these plots and poisonings, but if word got out..." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Relt was still cowering in the ticket office. "He...he was going to kill me!" he gasped, seeming to barely hear what Rafael said to him Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael sighed. "He's been taken away to face justice." he said. "You are safe. But tell nobody or you may face worse that Nardren." Enrico: Enrico looked ill for a while before retching in the corner. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "O...Ok, I won't say anything. Are you going to leave soon?" Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael nodded. "We're going shortly. Carus will arrange the cleaning up. Can you find a story to cover your acrobats leaving at such short notice?" Sleeping Dragon: "I...Alright, I'll try." Vachir: "We'll want to call someone to take care of the bodies, by the way."mentioned Vachir to the others "The Watch probably. But we'd best take anything of value from them first - these greedy watchmen would do it anyway." Sleeping Dragon: "I'll deal with the bodies Vachir," Carus called. "We're going to need to get these acrobats away from here anyway." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael returned to the others. "We don't want the Watch involved at all, or Delorri will be asking where her suspects have gone. Relt is going to try to keep it quiet. Luckily there aren't any other performers here." Sakura: Sakura was only silent, considering what will happen next for a while before speaking up, "We will have to hurry up anyway, everything need to be settled before the Vote tonight." Vachir: Vachir shrugged "The sudden disappearance of the acrobats might be suspect, of course. But I'm sure they'll manage to cover it up properly." Sleeping Dragon: leaving the acrobats to Carus, the party left the Lost Angel and made their way back towards Clifftop to confront General Maxxen Juthe. As they made their way through the streets, they saw more than one small group of people speaking to each other in obvious fright. Word of the murder had obviously begun to spread onto the street.
For the duration of his stay in Malador General Juthe had been staying in the Oramo House, the home of Chyra Delorri's uncle, who had died without an heir and thus left it to her. It was in fact one of the smaller homes in the district, though it was still large and opulent when compared to the homes elsewhere in Malador. It was a simple stone building with a large iron fence around it and a small adjoining stable and gardens. From the highest point of the house flapped the flag of Torath, a white wolf running on a field of black and red. Two Kingdom Guards, in their black and red tabards, stood guard at the gate, in their full war gear - scale armour, metal shields, and longswords. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael walked up to one of the guards. "Is your master at home. We would like to speak with him if it is at all possible." Sakura: Sakura agreed with Rafael, "Indeed, this is vitally important matter we need to discuss with him." Sleeping Dragon: "And who are you?" the Kingdom Guard asked bluntly. Vachir: Vachir looked at the guards warily as he followed behind the party Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael produced the writ of deputisation. "We realise that this authority has not effect in relation to the General, but I am sure he would want to aid us in finding the murderer of councillor Rohdell." he said smoothly. Rafael ben Efrim: edit* no effect Sleeping Dragon: The Kingdom Guard glanced at the Writ, looking for a seal - plainly the man could not actually read the words on it. "Alright. Stay here." The man opened the gate and walked towards the estate. The other Kingdom Guard eyed the party coolly, looking them up and down and sneering quite openly at Rafael. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked back steadily at the guard. Sleeping Dragon: The Kingdom Guard smiled at Rafael. "We killed all of your kind in Torath, you know. Speaking rubbish about our King." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael held his ground and his temper. "How fortunate that you have something to feel proud of." he said quietly. Enrico: Enrico encouraged the dog to try and rediscover the scent from the Councillors manor. Sleeping Dragon: The Kingdom Guard grinned broadly. "In a week or so we'll kill all of you here too." The dog sniffed about and began to bark, moving towards the gate and pawing at it. The Kingdom Guard frowned at it. Rafael ben Efrim: "Is that so? Surely it depends on the Council's vote whether the Torathi have jurisdiction here?" Rafael asked, privately imagining the guard roasting over a slow fire. Sakura: "I do dislike guards who mispoke to his master's guests. I do recalled ten guards who were executed just because they did not offer my father's guests proper courtesy. Unless you are average for your people..." Sakura looked irriated at the Guards. Sleeping Dragon: The Guard looked taken aback, but said nothing more, passing the remainder of the time in silence until his companion returned from the estate. "General Juthe will speak to you," he said, opening the gate to allow the party to enter. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael thanked the guard. Sakura: Sakura gave sharp nod at the Guards as she strolled through the gate. Vachir: As they went through the gate, Vachir looked back for a moment to glance disdainfully at the guards. "So, what are we going to ask Juthe?"he asked once they were distant enough that the guards could not hear them Rafael ben Efrim: "We will have to be careful. Maybe ask if he saw anything that day, or noticed anything about the councillor." Rafael replied. "And take a look at the dog. Then lead on to other things." Sakura: "We can use Enrico's dog as well. I found his reaction curious." Rafael ben Efrim: "He might just get excited about the scent of the other dog. For all we know it could be on heat!" Rafael answered. Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way into the Oramo House. They were led through a short cloak room and into the main hall, which was a large, open chamber surrounded on three sides by a balcony. The balcony and ceiling were held up by beautiful marble pillars while the floors and bannisters were of polished hardwood. The stone walls of the hall were broken up by a series of statues and colourful banners, there were murals and tapestries depicting nautical scenes, in particular battles.
Standing on the third-lowest step of the staircase leading from the main hall up to the balcony was General Maxxen Juthe, a weather-beaten man in his mid-fifties with a white-grey beard and an upright, military bearing. He wore a Kingdom Guard uniform decorated with medals and wore a battered steel helm, and a sword was belted at his waist. His stern appearance was somewhat spoiled, however, by the presence of his repulsive, hairless dog, which he held in his arms and regarded the party with lazy, contemptuous eyes. Two other Kingdom Guards stood on the steps just behind the General with drawn swords, and up on the balcony to the party's left there stood a short, dark man in his thirties, who wore the clothes of a servant.
As the party approached General Juthe greeted them with a short speech. "I have been informed of the dire news regarding Councillor Rohdell. I offer my government's deepest condolences to the people of Malador, and naturally I am willing to do whatever I can to assist your investigation, provided it does not infringe upon the political interests of my own nation." Sleeping Dragon: Enrico's dog barked and began to move towards Juthe and his dog, straining against the lead Enrico had on him. Vachir: Vachir gave a displeased, almost horrified glance at the hairless dog before looking at the general holding it, sizing him up. He waited for one of his companions to talk. Sakura: Sakura nodded understandably and replied, "Indeed, and our task is to find the murderers of the Councillor and would like to ask Your Excellency some questions, only at your convenience. Have your dog at anytime gone missing? Ironically enough, it is your dog that led us here" She said blunty. Sleeping Dragon: General Juthe looked confused. "Why on earth would Borxus have led you here? Yes, he did go missing briefly a few weeks ago." Enrico: "We suspect he was around a certain Councillors house at the time of said Councillors brutal murder. Our scenthound led us all the way here." Sakura: "Well, the information we gathered from the Residence of the Councillor have pointed it quite clearly to Borxus. In fact, the dog used at the Residence found a scent and it seems that very same dog with us found the source." She went on
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Mar 16, 2009 18:21:31 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: General Juthe stared at the party in bewilderment. "You are suggesting that my dog killed Councillor Rohdell? Are you merely trying to waste my time, or are you mad?" Juthe exclaimed. Enrico: "As unbelievable as it may sound, we decided to come forth to you to straighten this out first before spreading suspicion elsewhere." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael spread his hands in an appeasing gesture. "The dog that was seen appeared to be Borxus. But the crime itself...unless sorcery was used there is no way that your dog could have been responsible. However you must understand we have to ask you about it." Sleeping Dragon: Juthe calmed down slightly, though he still looked incredulous. "The dog that was seen where? I did take Borxus to the estate yesterday when I met with Councillor Rohdell." Sakura (enter): 19:52 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (1507) Sakura... Enrico: "Not seen, per se. Our hound here has been tracking the killers scent all the way from the estate and it seems to be Borxus." Rafael ben Efrim: "The dog actually was seen in the grounds of the Councillors house." Rafael said. "The gardener had to chase it off several times." Vachir: Vachir interjected "And we saw some some interesting footprints leading to Councillor Rohdell's window, including some that could be your dog. Not like we'd be suggesting anything but..," Sleeping Dragon: Juthe looked confused and shook his head. "Neither Borxus or myself have ever been to the Rohdell estate until yesterday. You must be mistaken." The Kingdom Guards behind General Juthe looked annoyed, and one whispered something to the General, but he shook his head. Rafael ben Efrim: "There is of course the possibility that someone deliberately took your dog, and let him into the estate, to lay suspicion on you..." Rafael said quietly. Sleeping Dragon: Juthe paused. "Perhaps. As I said, Borxus did go missing several weeks ago. When did this gardener see him?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "He was seen several times during the past week." Sleeping Dragon: "Then that can't be the case. Borxus went missing about five or six weeks ago, I don't recall the exact dates. It was only for a short while before he was found." Sakura: "Where was he found?" Sakura asked him Sleeping Dragon: Juthe paused to think. "Hokar there found him, by that hideous pink fountain," he said, gesturing at the servant on the balcony Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked up at the servant. "Perhaps we could ask Hokar a few questions." whispering to CosmicHorror, Cat took a look around the perimeter, seeking some side entrance, but couldn't find one quickly Sakura: "Can you explain more about Hokar? I assumed he is a servant from this city, correct?" Sleeping Dragon: "Of course, I have no objections to you speaking to him. I have nothing to hide, and my staff do not truly answer to me anyhow." Juthe paused. "Hokar is local. I believe he had served one of the local lords, I'm not sure which one, before he was placed in my household when I arrived. Hokar, come down here." The General called to his servant brusquely.
"Yes, milord," Hokar called. He slowly made his way along the balcony, whistling as he went. Sleeping Dragon: Hokar made his way along the balcony. About halfway across, however, he suddenly turned and dropped something off the balcony, exclaiming words in a strange, guttural language quickly before dropping down to hide behind the bannister. At the same time, Borxus leapt out of Juthe's arms, tearing free. His limbs twisted and contorted as he sprang forth, elongating. His colour changed, transforming him from a small, hairless dog to a bizarre grey-green wolf-like creature with jaws full of huge, slavering teeth.
As Borxus' transformation finished, there was a loud crash as the thing Hokar had dropped shattered against the ground. The air was filled with a red mist and sulphurous smell. As the mist cleared, four hideous, bulbous, pale forms, slightly smaller than humans, sprang forward, giving off loud, mad cries. Sleeping Dragon: Finishing his transformation, Borxus looked at the party and snarled. Waves of despair washed over the party as they found themselves suddenly confronted with such terrible opponents. As the sorrow washed over them, Borxus sprang away from Juthe Sleeping Dragon: "Fucking Maladorans!" the Kingdom Guards shouted. One drew his sword while the other grabbed Juthe, and they backed away and through the doors at the top of the stairs and out of sight, snarling. Rafael ben Efrim: "Lemures!" Rafael said, keeping calm, but furious at the guards. "Minor devils but they must be hit hard to harm them. If only we had a silver or blessed weapon." Sleeping Dragon: From behind his cover Hokar began to chant, voice deep and booming, intoning mystic syllables Enrico: Enrico drew his crossbow and fired at the lemures, missing. Sakura: Sakura then said, her voice shaking with taint of sorrow, "Be careful of Barghest! They can go through armours as if they do not exist. And Hokar is summoning something big!" Sakura: edit: It can go through armours Rafael ben Efrim: Ignoring everything else, Rafael raced past the still confused Lemures and sprang at the balcony. Grabbing onto the rail he heaved himself up and over, landing next to the sorceror. Vachir: "What kind of fell sorcery is this?"shouted Vachir as he reached for his bow, surprised and yet unshaken by the crushing despair of the monster which had just appeared before them. Aiming at one of the diminutive devils, he shoot at, only grazing it as the creature's tough hide absorbed most of the attack. Vachir: edit: add 'it'after 'shoot at' Sakura: Sakura yelled long stream of insults at Hokar but it failed to make any effects on him. Sleeping Dragon: the lemures surged forward, attacking Sakura and Ardrun. Ardrun ignored their weak clawing attacks, but Sakura was less hardy and took several scratches Sleeping Dragon: yelling with rage, Ardrun drew his scimitar and lashed out. His great sword hacked through one of the demons attacking Sakura, striking it down and causing it to disappear in a flash of red mist, and then he clove through and struck the demon Vachir had shot, destroying it as well. Sleeping Dragon: Borxus' form shimmered as he ran back towards the steps. The barghest's shape seemed to blink in and out of existence, here visible and there insubstantial. Enrico: Enrico dropped his crossbow, cursing at its ineffectiveness, and took a run past the lemures, trying to get onto the second floor. Unfortunately, he stayed at the bottom after furiously trying to find a foothold. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael vaulted over the wall. Down on the ground was Hokar, looking surprised but not at all unnerved. He stared up into Rafael's eyes and the Jeth felt something seize hold of him. A voice whispered sibilantly in his ears and everything flashed red for a moment. "You have wandered too long. You will remain weak and ignorant until your feet read the Crimson Path." And Rafael recognised the wisdom of the voice. Sleeping Dragon: as Hokar's chanting ceased, the air shimmered above the party and there came into view a huge, golden, winged creature larger than a horse, majestic, proud, and bearing resemblance to both lions and eagles. With a screech it pounced down on Ardrun, biting and clawing into the huge gladiator with unbelieveable fury, rending his flesh and splattering blood over all the party that stood nearby. Rafael ben Efrim: Up on the balcony Rafael stood for a moment staring into the eyes of the sorceror. Then he shook himself, drew out his scimitar and slashed at Hokar, wounding him slightly. Vachir: Awed for a moment by appearance of such a majestic creature, Vachir held his bow and pulling at the string, sent two powerful arrows towards it. Though the first bit deeply into the flesh of the hybrid beast, the second flew wide, burying itself in one of the walls of Juthe's residence. Sakura: Sakura attempted to roll awat from the enemies battling in front of her but her actions draw some blows from them but only one managed to bypass her defence and scored a glancing blow. As she moved to beside Vachir, she then sung a good sorrowful song. Sleeping Dragon: adrenaline coursed through Ardrun as he shook off the effects of some of his injuries. Raising his blade high, he hacked at the griffon with his long arms, slashing over top of the lemures. His great curved blade hacked a deep, terrible wound into the thing's side, and it gave a huge shriek of pain as red blood gouted from the wound. Black Cat: A black figure largly obcured by a heavy cloak ran into the room through the door that Juthe and left through and threw a dagger at Borxus. "Over here doggy." The figure called to it mockingly. Sleeping Dragon: snarling, Borxus rushed at the black cloaked figure, snapping at the figure's face. Teeth closed around the figure's shoulder, tearing away a strip of black cloth and flesh Enrico: Enrico moved away from the griffon cautiously, and tried to climb once more. He clawed at the wall, wiggled his legs, jumped or all the following at the same time with no progress. Enrico: *or did all of the following Sleeping Dragon: the griffon attacked viciously, tearing into Ardrun three more times, dealing solid wounds to the gladiator Sleeping Dragon: Hokar meanwhile stood up. Paying little attention to Rafael, he looked out over the battlefield and his eyes found Vachir's, and he stared into them. whispering to Vachir, Vachir felt something reach in to some private part of his mind he had scarcely been aware he had. A voice whispered subtly into his ears, and all the world gained a red sheen. "Destroy them. Only the Crimson Path will allow you to reach your full potential." The voice hissed, and Vachir felt the truth of the words. Rafael ben Efrim: "Come on you swine." Rafael muttered, spinning and wheeling about the sorceror then cutting into him with a slash of his scimitar. Vachir: Vachir took a step towards at Rafael, glancing at him, and for a moment there hate in his eyes while he reached for his bowstring, like he was readying himself to shoot a powerful arrow at the Jethi with the intent to kill him. But then, shaking his head and muttering to himself, the Bolgar seemed to regain control of himself, and his eyes quickly darted from Rafael to Hokar, though an hate even greater was still in his eyes. With a scream of anger Vachir fired an arrow at the sorceror, hitting him straight in the chest and sending him straight to the ground, helpless and bleeding. Quickly refocusing, he remembered about the powerful griffin which had been threatening his companions and shoot another arrow at it, the shaft burying itself in the conjured creature's head and making it disappear. Sakura: Sakura moved quickly move to the stair and yelled insults at the Borxus but it does not make impression on Broxus Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun struck down one of his lemures with a sweep of his blade, but his follow-through missed the remaining demon Black Cat: The figure whirled away from Borxus, leaping onto the bannister and summersaulting off, a dagger flying from the spinning cloak and striking the bannister before the figure landed. "Get back!" The figure called to Sakura. Black Cat: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 23:08 Sleeping Dragon: Borxus sprang down after the figure, biting at the cowled head, but missed widely Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael crouched down to check on his fallen foe. He wished he could slit the sorceror's throat but a dead man would tell them nothing, so he bandaged Hokar's wounds, then leapt lightly over the rail and headed towards the others. Vachir: Glancing around and seeing that Borxus was cornered, Vachir quickly moved towards him and fired an arrow. The projectile flew through the air, whistling - and then just went through the body of the beast like it was air and pierced the wall behind it deeply. When he saw what had just happened, Vachir cursed loudly in disbelief, muttering for help from Alaric. Sleeping Dragon: The lemure attacked Ardrun, who shrugged it off and struck back, dealing a light blow Sakura: Sakura nodded and start singing even more depressing song, concerning the fate of puppies. Sleeping Dragon: The dark figure darted around Borxus, springing this way and that, leaping over his head and then stabbing out, but the barghest blinked out of this plae just as the dagger stabbed towards him Enrico: Enrico was right behind him, however, sinking the dagger into the beasts side. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael ran accross to help attack Borxus, but although his thrust was true, the creature seemed unhurt. Vachir: Vachir fired another two arrows at the monster - the first went through it, leaving it unarmed, but the second drew blood. "Ah! Not so invulnerable now, eh?"he grinned "Just keep hitting it and this fuckin' monster will soon be destroyed."he said to his companions, eager for blood Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun and the lemure continued to hack at each other, the berserker being struck lightly but then missing with his attack Sakura: Sakura tumbled and fired a bolt but it missed widely Sleeping Dragon: the dark figure continued to leap about, spinning around Borxus. The figure bounded back off the wall and stabbed out, drawing blood Sleeping Dragon: surrounded and outnumbered, Borxus stepped away and snarled. Words formed on Borxus' hideous lips and a gleaming purple door suddenly sprang up from the ground. Borxus snarled again and stepped through, and the door vanished, taking Borxus with it Enrico: Enrico moved towards Ardrun to help dispatch the remaining Lemure. Rafael ben Efrim: When the barghest vanished. Rafael ran back, climbing up to the balcony to make sure Hokar was still safe. Sakura: Disconnecting from server... Sakura (exit): 23:52 Vachir: Vachir stood dumbfounded and disappointed as he saw the monster disappear. As a consolation, he turned back and shoot at the remaining lemure. Like a thunderbolt, the arrow struck the hapless creature's head, making it explode in a shower of gore. The bloody mess only lasted a few moments though, for the what remained of the devil quickly vanished after its death.
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Mar 22, 2009 17:53:06 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Vachir's arrow tore through the remaining demon, ripping it to pieces that then flashed and vanished, leaving the room empty save for the party and the fading echo of Vachir's bowstring Rafael ben Efrim: "We have a prisoner." Rafael said to the others. "I think we need to question him as quickly as possible." Black Cat: The black figure looked at the others. "Juthe is headed up, he won't have an escape. We should hurry." Whoever it was, they were keeping their voice disguised, but impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman. Rafael ben Efrim: "You think it's gone to kill him?" Rafael asked, looking at the figure. Edivad: "We might want to cut out his eyes first."suggested Vachir looking at the fallen sorcerer with spite , somewhat worn out by the battle but otherwise unhurt "We wouldn't want him trying any of his tricks on us again." Black Cat: "It would put suspicion on Malador if Juthe died while those working for the council were meeting with him." Rafael ben Efrim: "A sack over his head if we can find one." Rafael said. "Go check on the general while I keep watch on this one." Vachir: "Whoever you are, thanks for the help here and at the theatre." said Vachir to the figure in black Black Cat: The figure nodded to Vachir and turned, heading up the stairs after the general, black cloak trailing behind. Sakura: Sakura nodded at Rafael, "Agreed, let go." She made sure her crossbow is loaded before nodding at Vachir, "Black Cat is very helpful indeed." She smiled at that. Sakura: as she replied back to Vachir* Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael raised his eyebrows. "You know that person?" Sakura: Sakura glanced up as she strolled away to the stair, "Yes. But how I come to know it is... complicated" Sleeping Dragon: as Black Cat turned to head towards the stairs, the main door opened and the two guards from the gate entered the hall. "Stay where you are!" the one who had been insulting Rafael shouted, while the other asked "What's going on? The General shouted out the window about an attack." Vachir: Vachir,seeing one of his arrows had struck one of the walls, and went there to pull it and place it back in his quiver. He still kept his bow out however, wary for any other attacks. Black Cat: Black Cat ignored the guards, rushing up the steps in a blur of black. Vachir: edit: remove 'and' before went Sleeping Dragon: Without further word the guards rushed after Black Cat Sakura: Sakura glanced back with a hint of annoyance, "As you may have heard. There was an attack happening and it was the murderers who killed the Counciller. Naturally, we do not like attackers and dealt with them most apt." Sakura: Sakura sighed with a hint of annoyance once more as guards chased the Black Cat Rafael ben Efrim: When the guards were out of earshot Rafael leaned over the bannister. "There's more to this than Councillors playing power games, or even the Torathi empire building. The Crimson Path are involved." Sakura: Sakura glanced at Rafael with a hint of surprise and strolled toward the direction where the guards is heading to. Sleeping Dragon: Enrico stayed with Rafael to help tie the sorcerer up Vachir: "That is true."replied Vachir's "I could feel the Crimson Path calling out to me when the sorcerer was trying to control me - and it's a good thing I managed to snap out of that. They are obviously behind this." Sakura: "Vachir! Ardrun! We need to go after the guards and see to the General!" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael and Enrico worked on securing the sorceror with ropes, and Rafael used a bandage to blindfold him. Vachir: "That horrible beast might have somehow reached him with its feel magics."commented Vachir "Let's go and find him before it can kill him." Vachir: edit: fell instead of feel Ardrun: Ardrun followed Sakura Vachir: So did Vachir, bow at the ready Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "The Torathi may demand that they retain the prisoner." Rafael told Enrico. "I'd rather we could get him out of here." Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun, Vachir, and Sakura rushed up the stairs after the guards. At the top they came to a long two-way corridor with doors running along its length on both sides of the wall. Marble busts of dead Councillors and patricians were spaced at intervals by doors and at each end of the corridor.
"General, look out!" one of the Kingdom Guards shouted, as they made for the middle door on the left of the southern passage. whispering to CosmicHorror, as Black Cat looked out she could see one of the Kingdom Guards was at the window, but his head turned towards the hall as he heard the shout Sakura: Sakura quickly approached the Guards and asked, "What is going on? Is General safe or not" Sleeping Dragon: the Kingdom Guards reached the door and turned towards the party, drawing their swords. "Stay back!" one of them shouted. whispering to Ardrun, over the noise of the shouting Ardrun could hear movement from the room the Kingdom Guards were standing in front of Sakura: Sakura glanced at them with a hint of annoyance, "I can ensure you that we have no desire to harm your General." Vachir: "We're on your side and were just fighting to defend our lives - and the general's."said Vachir, lowering his bow to appear less threatening "Let us help, in case that beast is still around." Sleeping Dragon: the Kingdom Guard waved his blade warily under Sakura's face. As he did, the door opened and within they saw General Juthe and his two bodyguards, all with their own swords drawn. "What the hell is going on?" the General snapped. Sakura: Sakura smiled slightly at the general, "it is... complicated. But first, let me say that I am glad to see you safe and unharmed. The dog that shiftchanged into a beast which murder the Counciller was under control of a sorcerer which we are questioning very closely. I however regreted to inform you that your dog is most likely dead some time ago. We dealt with the sorcerer but we still need to find the beast still." Ardrun: "It's true," said Ardrun, adding little to her attempt at persuasion. Sleeping Dragon: Juthe nodded gravely and gestured to his men to sheathe their blades. "And what happened to your friend in black? He just up and vanished!" the insulting Kingdom Guard demanded, suspicious Vachir: "It stepped through some kind of magical door and could probably be anywhere. Best for us to stick together in case it comes back."added Vachir Sakura: Sakura nodded at Vachir's point, "That is right. We or the city cannot afford to lose you or your guards in the time of crisis like now. Now if I remembered my reading correctly, barghest can only shiftjump very rarely. So it is likely still near." Sakura: She glanced at the insulter, "That is how good he is. He is an ally of mine so you can be at peace." Sakura: She then went on saying, "I would think barghest will be out in the street at the moment so I suggest we will search for barghest." Sakura: Lastly, she ended with a question, "General, do you have any questions to ask?" Sleeping Dragon: "I want to question Hokar," he said. "Frigg, Casar, head into the streets and search for B...that creature," he commanded his bodyguards. Sakura: Sakura nodded at the General, "I think of all people, you no doubt deserve the answers the most. We will help your guards as well." Vachir: "No offence to your men, general, but I think that two of your guards will be enough to handle that beast. Many of our attacks just went through it, and it's snarl snarl sends waves of despair which can weaken the bravest of men. "having said that, he added "Perhaps you might allow us to help in the search?" Vachir: edit: add "do not" after I Sleeping Dragon: The General nodded. "Of course." He made for the stairs down Sakura: She followed the General after glancing at these guards carefully Midnight: As Sakura was leaving, her cat brushed past her leg, heading down the hallway. Vachir: Vachir went with the guards to help them in their search Sakura: Looking with hint of puzzlement, she went into the general's room and took a quick glance. Sakura: (whispering): She looked for Black Cat. whispering to Sakura, Sakura saw no sign of Black Cat in the General's room Sleeping Dragon: they made their way back down the stairs to where Enrico and Rafael were tying Hokar Bilthone up. The sorcerer was still unconscious. Sleeping Dragon: The two bodyguards quickly made their way towards the street while the General went over to where Hokar was. His hands had been tied and his eyes blindfolded. "We'll need to bring him around," said Juthe brusquely Sakura: Sakura approached them and nodded. "Yes, I am also dying to ask questions as well. Rafael is excellent at this task." Sleeping Dragon: Rafael was eventually able to bring Hokar back to consciousness. The sorcerer groaned, but quickly sat upright and said nothing. Sakura: She glanced at the General and said, "Would you like to start?" Sleeping Dragon: the General shook his head Sakura: "Whom do you serve? We know about the Crimson Pact and will take that into account. But surely your desire is to start a war, thus your acts. I am right on them so far?" Sakura asked Sleeping Dragon: Hokar said nothing. "The Crimson Path?" Juthe asked Sakura Sakura: "A warloving cult of maniacs. They believed that the only the strongest should survive and rest should die beneath their hands. basically, they want to see everyone dead and burnt. This city got considerable amount of trouble with them. Now, whose master do you serve that place you here in this household?" Sakura: she asked Hokar once more Sleeping Dragon: "I walk the Path! We have no masters!" Hokar snapped angrily Sakura: "Then let me rephase that question! So who your employer? Your placement in this house is no accident. Someone clearly place you here and it is not your masters, the Path!" Sakura: She kept going Sleeping Dragon: "You have no power over me. Be silent, worthless whore." Sakura: "Hmm... do you love the death then? Very well, once we finish questioning you, you can take your own life then after this day is over. I have no desire to give into Path's thinking. Maybe the General got better questions, I get back to that question again after him. Sooner or later, you will answer our questions. Just like every single Crimson Path followers we asked in the end. Sakura: " Sleeping Dragon: "Why would I take my own life? Others will take it from me, or I will take theirs and escape." whispering to Vachir, Vachir and the guards hastily made their way out into the streets. "Which way should we go? It'll try to get out of Clifftop, won't it?" Ardrun: "I would be happy to take it," growled Ardrun. "He's no use to us." whispering to Vachir, Enrico's dog sniffed the air, but its nose was leading it back into the house. "It teleported, it won't be able to pick up a scent," said Enrico. Sakura: Sakura laughed for a moment, "Ahh... no. I do not think so. There is a nice trick in my homeland we do to slaves that disobey us. One popular way is with miners. When they refuse their overseer or merely did not meet their quote, we sealed behind them in the tunnel called Chamber of Tounges but walls cover in water, It took days and weeks for them to slowly wilting away, in the utter darkness. The walls are covered in toungemarks as they so desperately try to leech every single moistures out." Shaking her head at Ardrun, "No, we must not kill him. It will only make him happy and I would not like to make anyone like him happy." Sakura: "Frankly, most suitable punishment for these kind are to die in darkness, surrounded by death and decay. His nature will attempt to live." Sleeping Dragon: Hokar laughed. "A terrible end. Very well. I'll give you the information you want, but only if you agree to hand me over to the Watch for execution." Vachir: (whispering): "That's trouble."said Vachir seeing that the dog was no help. Turning to the guard, he replied "It probably has some sort of lair, but where I do not know. I guess we might try looking in the surrounding areas, but I wouldn't dismiss the tought that's it's still hiding here in Clifftop" said Vachir sounding unsure of himself whispering to Sakura, Ardrun, Hokar seemed untroubled by the threat, and even pleased that it had been made. His sudden change seemed brought on more by a sudden realisation, rather than a fear of injury or death. Sleeping Dragon: Juthe spoke quietly to Sakura, Ardrun, and Rafael. "He wants a chance to speak to the city before he's killed. Agree to his request. They'll just need to cut out his tongue before they do it." Sakura: Sakura nodded and replied softly back to Juthe, "Good idea. I think his eyes are better removed beforehand as well. I want him to be blind and mute just to be sure." She strolled back and told Hokar, "Good enough, that is fair request and we will hand you over to the Watch." Sakura: softly and quietly* Sakura: "So explain it all then." whispering to Vachir, "The cliff's that way," one guard said, pointing east. "It's presumably going to try to get over the wall, let's head towards it and hope the dog picks up the scent." Vachir: (whispering): Vachir decided to follow the guard's directions, keeping his eyes on the dog as they walked towards the wall, hoping for any sign that the monster was nearby Sleeping Dragon: "It was Wellaw who placed me here. He wanted me to spy on the General and report his movements. Early yesterday evening he came to see the General and told me to kill Rohdell. He knew of my gifts, but he doesn't know of the Path." Sakura: "Well, the fact you are a spy is clear to us since it is simplest way in the book of diplomacy. I am not surprised abouot Wellaw though for he is old shark. But why Path is in this? There are more is there?" Sleeping Dragon: "I hoped to blackmail Wellaw afterwards. Callas Delat, a well thought of merchant, is a fellow Walker. We were to force Wellaw to vote for him as the new Councillor. Together we could ensure that Union created the most opportunities for people to learn their strength." Sakura: "So like what I heard about Callas... Still, from what I heard, he opposed the Union but he also may be very good at showing public anti-Union. We will keep in mind about him. Does the General have any questions?" She glanced at the General? Sleeping Dragon: "What did you do to my dog?" the General demanded.
Hokar laughed. "The barghest killed it. It saved me some, but there wasn't much meat on it." whispering to Vachir, Vachir and the Kingdom Guards made their way towards the wall, but they could find no sign of the barghest. Sakura: She sighed sadly, "Sorry about your dog, I know how people love their pets. Shame the Barghest is not edible." Sleeping Dragon: "That dog survived the fire that burned down my sister's farm. Bastard." Juthe sounded very angry. He turned to Sakura. "It is not in the best interests of either Torath or Malador for this information regarding Councillor Wellaw to become public knowledge," he said. Vachir: (whispering): "Shit."cursed Vachir "It's not there. We don't know how far it teleported, it could be on the other side of the city or even miles away. I don't think we have much of a chance of catching it now. Perhaps we could return to the mansion and see if interrogating the sorcerer got any info out of him."he said haplessly Sakura: Sakura glanced at her fingers and replied, "I am well aware of that information of Wellaw is not in public knowledge but we have a duty to report it to the city on the murderers... No matter who is it." She sighed Sakura: for a moment, hinting Sleeping Dragon: "It would be wrong of us not to," said Rafael Sleeping Dragon: "A duty? Don't pretend you're stupid. You're the Council's investigators, they won't want you making this public. Well, other than Delorri. I warn you, if the vote goes against Union then the Kingdom Guards will be coming," Juthe said hotly. "Malador has benefited from our protection without paying its way for too long." Ardrun: "Let the Guards come," said Ardrun flatly. Sakura: Sakura glanced at Ardrun and shook her head, "Still, I can see what the General is coming from. Hordes from the Gray Steppes and Demon-King of Karatekos which are also defeated by King Darragan and Kingdom Guards..." Sakura: she explained to others Sleeping Dragon: Juthe nodded. "Torath is the shield of humankind here in the New Coast, but we need coin to keep fighting. Reveal Wellaw's role and all that will result is blood and war." Ardrun: "You have not seemed as keen to avoid blood as you like to imply. Your desire to control the city has led to much of it." Sleeping Dragon: "I'm not here to be lectured by a nobody," Juthe snapped. Ardrun: Ardrun smiled back at him. Sakura: "And that will cost your King." She sighed for a moment and rubbed her eyes, "While we are in full agreement that you and Kingdom Guards have enough power to seize this city by force. That is beyond dispute. What is in dispute is your King's ability to hold this city. We know you need more money in order to fund your army. I have heard about that revolt in your Guards just because they are not paid. The only reason that your Kingdom is holding together is because you got higher number of guards and that require money, lot of it. But forget about them for now, we are not diplomats and thus, we will reveal Wellaw's role in this unless you as his paymaster will keep us quiet. Surely his ally will cover for him." She hinted at it. Sleeping Dragon: Juthe sighed. "You want a fucking bribe? Fine, I've bribed everyone else in this miserable fucking city. There are what, five of you? I can pay each of you a thousand. I'm tempted to give it to you in coppers and watch you break your fucking backs picking up the bags." Sakura: Sakura glanced at the group members and replied, "Yes. That is more than acceptable. We will not reveal the role of Wellaw after all. Meanwhile we will hope that the vote tonight will go peacefully." Sleeping Dragon: "I hope you all choke on shit. Take your prisoner to the Council and get out of my sight." Sakura: She nodded and told Ardrun to escort the prisoner out as she looked sadly at the General. She strolled out along with the prisoner. "So where did you find your barghest?" Sakura: she asked him after coming out Sleeping Dragon: Hokar gave her a broad smile. "Want one for yourself, do you?" Sakura: Sakura acutally appeared to give it consideration... Sleeping Dragon: "They're not terribly easy to control," said Hokar as he was led along through the gate, holding his hand out as he was unable to see through the sack over his head Sakura: Sakura realised something and quietly whispered to Ardrun and Rafael, "Gag him as well. We do not want him to yell to whole world what happen so far." Sleeping Dragon: Hokar's smile faded and he began to shout at the top of his lungs. "COUNCILLOR WELLAW MURDERED ROHDELL! HE ORDERED ME TO IN PERSON! COUNCILLOR WELL-" Ardrun: Ardrun grabbed him by the head and pushed his jaws shut. Sleeping Dragon: Rafael hastily shoved a gag into Hokar's mouth. Sleeping Dragon: they made their way out, being joined en route by Vachir. He and the guards had been unable to find 'Borxus' Vachir: "I'm afraid finding the thing might not be as easy as we thought."said a displeased Vachir "Dog's not much use when there's magic at work unfortunately." Vachir: He cast a glance at the gagged, head-covered Hokar. "Hope you got all you needed out of him, yes?" Sakura: "Oh yes. More than we can hope so." Sakura: "Carus is going to be so delighted on this." Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way to the Council Hall. After handing Hokar over to the Watch, Carus arrived back from his family's estate where he had taken Nardren. "What's happened?" he asked quietly Sakura: "It is complicated but we went over to the General's residence and found that his servant was hired to murder the Counciller with his barghest. And that servant was employed for such service by the Old Shark." Sakura: "We found the servant and handed him over to the Watch but lost the barghest but this give you ample chance to... convice the Old Shark the worthy plan. Sleeping Dragon: Carus looked pleased. "That will make things easier. I had a question for you. Who in Rohdell's house writes for him? I know he has someone who writes his messages for him." Sakura: "Rouden Dewer" She replied after some thinking. Sakura: "his butler" Sleeping Dragon: "Thank you. I'll have to speak to him. I need to find my father now, I'll contact you shortly."
|
|
|
Post by sleepingdragon on Mar 23, 2009 8:20:15 GMT
In the wake of Councillor Rohdell’s murder, an Extraordinary Election was held, to temporarily endow one of Malador’s citizens with the rights of Councillor in order to cast the deciding vote. Carus’ father, the merchant Jan Torwald, emerged from this Election victorious with a vast majority – engineered, the party knew, by the simple blackmail of Councillors Wellaw and Delorri. Emergency Councillor Torwald promptly did as Carus had said, proposing the compromise solution of tribute to Torath in between the extreme positions of war and submission. Carus was promptly sent to negotiate with General Juthe, ‘due to the esteem with which the General holds him, as a fellow military man.’
The price of Malador’s continuing freedom was seven hundred and fifty thousand gold pieces a year, to be collected at the edge of Malador’s territory each season by an elite company of Kingdom Guards. Wellaw and Delorri were stunned by this massive price, but again they were forced to vote in favour due to Carus’ threat to expose their roles in Rohdell’s murder. For the moment, the question of how Malador was to pay this exorbitant sum, larger than the entire yearly revenue of the city, was left to the side.
In the streets of Malador the mood was of jubilation. The news of the cost of their freedom as yet had no effect on them. War would not come to Malador, and the city was, for the moment, safe. Refugees from the nearby farms and villages who had fled in anticipation of war began to return to their lands. The only people displeased with the result were the mercenaries. Several small clashes occurred between mercenary groups and the Watch, but Carus was again sent to negotiate with the sellswords, and was able to convince them to leave the city through the simple expedient of bribery. Within a week of the news, at least half of the mercenaries in the city had left for Adaria or elsewhere, their purses weighed down with gold they had not even had to fight to obtain.
The erratic Councillor Rohdell proved to have one last surprise in him, even in death. Without any direct heirs, it turned out that, in an act of uncharacteristic patriotism, his will had specified that all of his wealth and estates were to be left to the Council of Malador, with generous stipends left to all of his servants.
Seemingly very eager to be away from Malador, General Juthe left the city just two days after the vote, taking his Kingdom Guards with him to report what had happened to his King. Shortly afterwards, a messenger came back to the city from Torath, and an announcement was made that the Oramo House would thereafter become the Torathi Embassy, and that King Darragan would send an envoy to permanently occupy the Embassy and ensure that Malador abided by the treaty.
As a final announcement to finish a season of unprecedented activity and change in Malador, the Council sent out word that, in addition to holding an election to find a full-time replacement for the late Councillor Rohdell, that the size of the Council would be enlarged by two, ‘to demonstrate the continuance of usual government of the City, and to heal the rifts that have arisen in Malador due to recent events.’ The announcement was met with groans and disbelief from the locals. Business would, it seemed, continue as usual.
|
|