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 Hajra - The Desert BP: 2 "I thank you, elder." Hajra says as she turns towards the food reserves. She paces around the storage, drawing opened eyes in the sand with her foot to ward of the evil sprits, or to contain them should they already have tainted the food. As she reaches the entrance again she focuses on the food stores, hoping to find something to explain what is happening here. Using Apprentice Lifebringer [+2] to see if I can find a taint in this food too.
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Apr 15, 2017 10:35
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 Magroth - Fenstrom’s Quarters, Aum Duplication through growth seemed to run into issues, so he went with a different tack: Literally cutting a plant in half and then repairing both halves back to full individually. He went with a variety of types and angles of cuts, naturally leading themselves to paired experiments: Trying to regrow the extremity of a branch limb with regrowing the rest of the plant from just that extremity through to bisections, horizontal, vertical and oblique. If he could get these right, he might well get a step closer to the duplication issue, on top of the benefits being able to accurately repair missing limbs might have further down the road. On a whim, should the regrowths prove successful, he tried removing matching limbs from a pair and reattaching them on the other plant to see if they would take. Continuing experimentation, this time with regrowing from bisections, perhaps stumbling into grafts along the way. Seeing what is possible, seeing how accurately each half can replicate the other, how close to the original. +4 Lifecrafting Prodigy, +2 Cunning Innovator.
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Apr 15, 2017 11:53
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 Natasha - Norgrad BP - 1 Natasha said nothing, merely smiled sweetly as per her act and nodded when the caravan master yielded to her demands. Of course, she did not intend to sit on her laurels when preparations were being taken. She was well aware that the caravan master might learn of her status at the next stop, and precautions had to be taken that he would not turn her in. Thankfully, she was very skilled at digging out dirt, or fabricating believable such from nothing at all. A little blackmail always went a long way to help people keep their mouths shut. OOC: Natasha tries to discreetly uncover some blackmailing material/fabricate some if none is easily found in order to make the caravan master not turn her in if he learns her true standing. Underhanded [+4] probably applies, as might Eyes Everywhere [+2] since this is a small scale information op. Natasha shies away from very little, incriminating info, plausible threats, slow acting poisons that only she has the antidote for, all are perfectly valid options for the ex-Eye. Whatever seems plausible enough a plan, she will follow. Also, here is a bit of IRC-chat to further elucidate what I'm trying to achieve here: quote:Theantero: that's why I need the blackmail. Because if I have it, the caravan master knows there's only a chance for him to get screwed if he doesn't sell me out [in case he gets found with a fugitive] Theantero fucked around with this message at 16:36 on Apr 15, 2017 |
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Apr 15, 2017 15:07
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 Skadi - The Dragon's Kneecap, Bjornhold 2 BP That had gone over pretty well. Skadi was getting better at judging what the audience wanted, which meant she knew this particular brand of storytelling wouldn't fly with her peers back at the Green Man. She was less angry, having found some people who appreciated her skill, but nonetheless she craved the respect of her fellow bards. Well, that was a problem for future Skadi, right now she had someone to talk to who reminded her of some of the men back home, huge and scarred but with a pleasant demeanor underneath it. Skadi introduces herself, and tells Bjorn of the skaldic delegation and their purpose here in, well, Bjornhold. She figures he'll remain guarded about what he does, considering the amount of bladed objects that have apparently made contact with him over the years, but maybe he'll tell her more of the city itself. She steers the conversation to the undercurrent of the city and asks how it fares now that the jarls are soon to arrive and a new king to be chosen. Getting some current events here before pressing for more personal info. [Diplomat+2] if a roll is required.
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Apr 16, 2017 02:43
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Kain - Sidon City Days turn into weeks as you continue to take on special cases for the Eternals. In general the work is similar, less interogation than re-education. It turns out you have a knack for it, taking even the most hardened cases and succeeding with flare. You even get used to your students thanking you from the bottom of their hearts once the process is completed. With each new case, another delivery of funds occurs, the Eternals are clearly pleased with your work because they start referring your services to others. A few cases, they tend to be more mixed than the Eternals, interrogations mixed in with the more usual breaking. By the time the second month rolls around you’re starting to develop a reputation. People in the know begin to talk about how there’s no nut you can’t crack, and those under the thumb of the various cartels begin to worry about a visit to the Shaper if they’re uncooperative. You have amassed a moderate fortune from the work, and all of the cases, especially the difficult ones have sharpened your skills, you’re finding it easier than ever to do your work. With sufficient time, the mind of any man is putty in your hands. So you’re skipping forward about 2 months. In that time you’ve made a decent pile of cash, and made the Eternals very happy. The work has also sharpened your skills in this department, so you gain one rank. You can either upgrade an existing trait, or create a new one, as long as it's related to your work. You’re also getting the trait Rich[+2]. Also, you’re the first player to gain Reputation. Kane now has the reputation: Shaper of Men: In Sidon, there’s a man who the gangs send people who are too difficult to deal with. They say a that men return from his care… different than who they were before. That he can make a man believe anything he wants, and do whatever their told. Ingrid - On the Road to Bjornhold Of the dozens in the original caravan, only about a half dozen remain, in various states of injury. They had fought bravely and well, but they had been outnumbered nearly two to one. It was a small miracle they’d managed to win at all. As for casualties, both Jarls were dead, as were virtually all the non-combatants. In the end, you simply lacked the manpower to take back all the bodies. However, you were sure to make sure the two Jarls and their closest retainers bodies came with you to Bjornhold. When you arrive there is a significant stir. The town guard rush out, as do various representatives of the city. They flood you with questions, and promise to send a party out to the sight of the battle right away. The Court begins to make preparations for the funerals of the Jarls and will see that the fallen huskarls are given the appropriate funerals. In the end you are left adrift, with the Jarl dead with no official heir there is not much for one of his surviving huskarls to do. Hildegard - Rock Formation “Well, at least there’s a lesson here. Few things are as dangerous as underestimating an enemy.” Zan’Drel says and then turns and begins to decend the rock face as quickly as he can. You soon follow, and before you know it the two of you have made it back a good distance from the bandit-camp. Zan’Drel is sitting on a rock, when he speaks again, “We’ll we can be sure where their camp is now. However, they know we’re here.” He looks at you, “I know you might be more interested in moving pieces around on a board, but if you ever want to be a general you have to be able to fight. If you don’t know battle, not just the abstract mechanics of fighting, but the actual feeling of it, you’ll be severely limiting your ability to command. It’ll also hamper your study of the rune. To truly understand war and thus be able to carve it’s rune most efficiently, you need to be proficient at combat.” He sighs, “When this is all over, you can add combat training right next to basic medic work.” “Now, we need to think about next steps.” Cassandra - Aum The market is full of hustle and bustle, with artifacts, scrolls, and other academic paraphernalia doing brisk business, along with more mundane wares that one can find in any market in the world. It was smaller than Southport, but you found the markets here had their own sort of rhythm. It didn’t take too long for you to find a broker, they didn’t exactly hide themselves, there was always someone looking for some rare treatises or difficult to find reagent, and brokers often acted as middlemen for the less than business inclined academics. For a relatively reasonable be, a tall and lanky man with a well groomed beard and mustache was able to answer your question. “A Lifebringer of the old-school eh? Well, the man you are looking for is named Fenstrom… or I suppose I should say was named Fenstrom. He died a bit more than a moon ago. I believe his apprentice still resides in his old quarters, goes by the name of Magroth. He may be able to assist you, or perhaps not.” The man smiles and takes his fee. Bo Ruknamal - Ohalo Brothers Farms The sale goes smoothly, the buyers overjoyed at the early delivery. They had wanted it even sooner, but they were used to the realities of shipping. You return to the warehouse with the knowledge that tomorrow there’d be a hefty payment of gold waiting, and the promise of a generous payment when harvest rolls around. The best of all was that the costs on your end were virtually nothing, the deal was essentially pure profit. Now all that remained was the question of what to do with that profit. Jian - The Battlefield One of the soldier’s claps you on the shoulder. “Of course, you did a valiant thing today. Hopefully, this should allow supplies to flow into Tir once more. Now, let's go get you patched up.” The cleanup takes a few hours, but most of that work generally falls on the soldiers. As time passes, you feel the magic that had infused you from the start of combat fade. A combat-healer sees to your wounds. He’s no Lifebringer, but he gets you bandaged up, and makes sure you don’t make things worse. There are a number of wounded, but less than you expect considering the fact that most of the volunteers were totally green. You hear talk about your stand with the other soldier drawing the bandits out of position and allowing such a (relatively) easy victory. The soldier who had been with you on that first night, and whom you had attempted to rescue, is getting treatment for his wounds as well. Finally, once the site was secure, the commander comes over to you. He looks you over, “You fought well, especially for a novice. Have you considered mercenary work?” Berke bin Jibril - Outside the Yam You attempt to hold your ground, but the after effects of the fall are too much. You put up an admirable fight, managint to mark another two of their warriors, but in the end you are overwhelmed and a particularly lucky warrior manages to nick you arm. You are out of the fight, bound to serve this new tribe for a year and a day. However, your efforts are not in vain, your fellows finally manage to regroup and drive back the raiders, maintaining control of the Yam. Your actions this day will be remembered by your tribe, and you can expect to be highly valuable to your captor. As the battle ends, both sides wait on the edges of the area, to allow the various casualties to report. Yep, managed to roll snake-eyes. Your tribe rolled well for the overall battle though, so they keep the Yam. I’m giving you a chance to either go meet up with your captors as honor demands, or ignore the requirements. Hajra - The Desert You search the food and find nothing amiss. However, searching more closely, you can find some faint residue. It would seem the tainted food has all been consumed, from what you can put together, there hadn’t been much of it. Only a small handful of animals, likely the results of one hunt. It seemed the effects of the taint was at least somewhat long-lasting. You never had a chance to examine how long the taint remained in the body in the previous village, as all the affected had been dead within a few hours. “So?” the elder asks impatiently. Magroth - Fenstrom’s Quarters, Aum Your experiments into bisections was useful in plants, but you suspected it would be more difficult with animals. With plants there was no need to worry about the patient losing blood or going into shock. Still, it provided some useful date. It was at this point you realized that you hadn’t left the house in over a week. You might be able to continue, but you were low on food and other supplies. Still, at least you had enough funds to ensure you won’t be going broke anytime soon. Ya, time to do something else. Natasha - Southern Landse Trade Road You keep your eye on things as the caravan sets out, carefully fishing for rumors and looking for evidence of anything you might be able to use to get the caravan-master in your pocket. You, of course, knew all the usual places and usual vices. After a week, you discovered that the man had a taste for gambling, and he was in debt to some of the wrong people. You weren’t sure if he was skimming a little off the top or not, but you suspected that the officials of House Ruknamal would be less than well pleased to discover he had gambling debts. Skadi - The Dragon's Kneecap, Bjornhold Bjorn listens to your description, but generally isn’t terribly interested in bardic politics. As to the ongoing events, it’s clear that the coming moot means there’ll be plenty of business for the more martial times, both above and below board. It would seem, though he doesn’t say as much, that not all of the contenders are playing completely fair.
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Apr 17, 2017 08:21
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 Cassandra - Aum BP: 3 The news was disappointing and exciting in equal measure. An apprentice likely wouldn't have anywhere near the skills of his master, and she thought she'd need every ounce of skill to bring back the wounded warrior. On the other hand, perhaps an eager apprentice would be more... energetic? Less cautious? She knew well the pain of being a shadow of someone else, and the desire to prove oneself with one's own achievements. She dismissed the guards, so as not to be too ostentatious. The streets seemed safe enough and she was slowly starting to get hear bearings in the city. Then, humming a cheerful tune from her childhood, she headed towards Fenstrom's quarters.
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Apr 17, 2017 16:01
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Magroth - Fenstrom’s Quarters, Aum Weighing up the merits of generating food or other necessities via his art, heading out for supplies or simply selling some fresh fruit, Magroth was pleasantly surprised to be interrupted from his reverie by someone willingly choosing to approach his domicile. Tucking away the experiments for now, he headed to the threshold to welcome the approaching woman. "I bid you greeting, and a warm welcome to my quarters. I am Magroth, former student to Fenstrom. How may I aid you?"
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Apr 17, 2017 22:18
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 Ingrid - Bjornhold Some hours after her last conversation with the various officials with whom she'd spoken about the attack, Ingrid found herself walking aimlessly through Bjornhold. Nothing since the attack had felt entirely real to her. Here she was, finally in the city she'd been looking forward to seeing for so long, and she felt entirely unable to appreciate it. All she could think about was the jarl, about all her comrades, about all the unarmed people who'd been slaughtered along with everyone else. Even among the few survivors, many had been badly wounded. In all, Ingrid appeared to be the only one to escape the battle entirely unharmed. She had never had much time for the contemplation of the supernatural, but it was enough to make her wonder if there might be some deeper reason behind her survival. As she walked, she passed what looked like a tavern. It wasn't the first one she'd seen here, and once again the thought crossed her mind that drink might help her feel better. But once again she rejected it, just as she had rejected the urge to run home, to abandon everything and return to her father. Someone would have to tell him and the jarl's other retainers what had happened here, but it wouldn't be her. She had been given a task by her lord - his dying words, no less - and she would not and could not allow herself to forsake that responsibility. But how was she even supposed to start? She had so little to go on. A bastard son by the name of Bjorn. Even in her tiny hometown there were at least half a dozen men with that name, and here she was in the largest city in the kingdom. In Bjornhold. A bitter laugh caught in her throat. And he didn't know about his father, apparently, so there was no guarantee that looking for a Bjorn Gunnarsson would be any more productive. Ingrid sat herself on a low stone wall by one of the main avenues and watched the people mill about. She had to stop feeling sorry for herself. Jarl Gunnar had only had a few moments to relay the necessary information to her; it was a miracle he'd even managed to tell her his son's name. She would just have to figure the rest out herself. So what did she know? Jarl Gunnar wasn't an old man, at least, so that obviously limited how old his son might be. On the other hand, she knew that the jarl had rarely travelled since his father's death, which had happened not long before Ingrid was born, if she recalled her father's words correctly. She supposed it was possible that the child could have been conceived after that, but it seemed less likely than the alternative. So what did that mean? She was looking for a man rather than a boy, most likely. Older than she was, but perhaps not by much, and certainly not by more than a decade or so at the very most. It still wasn't a lot to go on, though. He would likely bear some resemblance to his father, but that probably wouldn't help much, at least until she was looking at him herself. She sighed. She'd feel a little ridiculous walking around asking people how many young men named Bjorn they knew. The other option was to see if she could find someone who knew Jarl Gunnar from his younger days, but she didn't have much idea where to start with that, either. As well as she'd always been treated by the jarl, their relationship had always been more professional than personal - he hadn't told her many stories about his younger days. She wracked her brain. Was there anything else that could help her? Her father had once told her about the time he'd accompanied a young Gunnar to Bjornhold, hadn't he? He wouldn't have said anything about his lord's indiscretions, even if he'd known, but had he mentioned any names? Any friends of Bjorn they'd met here? Where they'd stayed, even? She cursed silently; she couldn't remember. Ingrid is basically going to try to see if she can remember/think of any relevant detail that might help her find someone who might be able to help her find Bjorn, such as some detail her father might have mentioned about travelling to Bjornhold with Jarl Gunnar. Sadly none of her skills are terribly relevant.
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Apr 18, 2017 00:14
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 Kain - Sidon City Updated character sheet. New load out. Increased Dread Presence. Mortal Qualities: Warlord [+4] Inquisitional Interview [+2] Dread Presence [+4] Rich [+2] Reputation: Shaper of Men Drawbacks: Classist [-2] The Grudge [-2] Kain spent the time and it bore fruit. It was time for an introduction. Asking his contact in the Eternals for a formal meeting, Kain prepared to meet with the representative from The Chains. Doing some special work or favors for them...Kain had a plan about the payment(s) he would take and what form. Coin of another kind. Perhaps something the Manticores would eventually want for parts he mused. But first the meeting with the Chains. See how this would go. Setting up a meeting with the Chains. Meet their rep.
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Apr 18, 2017 02:36
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Cassandra - Fenstrom's Quarters, Aum BP: 3 "Thank you for the cultured welcome. My name is Cassandra Vi... Actually, let's not stand on formalities. Just Cassandra. I have been referred to you due to the nature of my request. May I come in so we can discuss it?" "There is a man I met recently. A warrior of some repute, but he has suffered grievous wounds. So grievous, in fact, that less skilled Lifebringers refuse to treat him. Without a way to earn, he has been reduced to lying in bed soaked in his own... fluids. Unlike some wealthier members of society, he hasn't merely lost his limb or his health. He has been robbed of his dignity. I would like to it restored. I would like to give him life back. That's what the name Lifebringer is supposed to evoke, yes? Yet none have done it." "I have been told the name Fenstrom. I have been told Fenstrom cared more for life than for dogma. I have travelled from Southport in search of this name. Now I've heard that he is no longer with us, and you were his apprentice. I hope you share those same qualities." "I understand, of course, that the journey is an additional complication. The compensation will, of course, reflect that. This is also a chance for you to spread your name to another great city. And, if you succeed in giving the man his life back, you will no longer be known as the apprentice of Fenstrom. You will be known as Magroth who did what others could not. Magroth who succeeds where others fail."
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Apr 18, 2017 17:43
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Magroth - Fenstrom’s Quarters, Aum He waved her in at her request, bringing in a basket of succulent fruits and placing them at the table as a hospitality offering. He listened, watching carefully, as she outlined her request, weighing up her offer with the thoughtfulness it merited. Eventually, he nodded his assent. "I would need to assess him myself before seeing what can be done, and I am less interested in earning comparative epithets than I am advancing what it may be possible for the Life rune to do to help people. Before we are agreed, I must offer a caveat: It is likely that this work will be on the edge of what is possible: It may not succeed fully, it may succeed differently. It may succeed in ways that other lifecrafters would not like to exist, which would require discretion on his and your part. You have made it clear that what you seek is in this area: I would not be doing my duty to you and to him if I did not clearly point out that this area can be dangerous. Also, a stipulation: The patient has the final say over what is done to them and to what degree. Working on someone against their will is not a path I am willing to walk down. Other than that, if the compensation is sufficient to my needs, I am amenable to your cause."
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Apr 18, 2017 19:05
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 Bo Ruknamal - Ruknamal Office, Southport BP: 1 Bo’s First act once the transaction completed was to secure the coin in the office. His next was to count out a modest bonus for the ship crew and warehouse workers and give everyone the rest of the day off. Once he had the warehouse to himself he settled in, taking out his own notes about channeling anima. It likely wasn’t what any of the schools taught, but it was what little the rumors and scraps of texts he had gathered over the years had in common. He was intent on doing some accounting tonight, and wanted his mind in top form to grapple with the figures, factors, and myriad other kinds of information he would need to process. First, though, it would have to be primed. A personal ritual to clear and prime his mind before he does some complex bookwork. Literacy +2 For the prerequisite bookwork involved in forming this ritual, and Confidence +2 because self-doubt can kill most endeavors before they even begin. Total of +4 toward my pre-accounting ritual.
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Apr 20, 2017 01:19
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Natasha - Southern Landse Trade Road BP - 1 For most of the trip, Natasha stayed quiet, taking part only in so much idle small talk as to avoid suspicion. Other than that, she had her pieces. Thus, she had little reason to do anything but avoid detection until the time became to show her hand to the caravaneer. For now, she bided her time. OOC: Bit of a non-action, but Natasha is basically just going along with the caravan for now without engaging in additional shenanigans. Feel free to timeskip to when we approach the next stop or to whatever events worthy of attention might take place on the way.
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Apr 20, 2017 01:42
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Skadi - The Dragon's Kneecap, Bjornhold 2 BP Well that was interesting, it turns out there's going to be all sorts of skullduggery and back alley shenanigans. Maybe that's what that brute from yesterday was on about. Oh well, something to tell whatever jarl she decides to aid about it and hope his bodyguard is up to par. That still left the man himself. "Are you planning on joining one of the jarl's retinues when they arrive? From the looks of you, you know how to handle yourself in a fight." Skadi knows she's prying but the other guy ran off so she's here killing time. Meeting these hardcases was exciting, even if the reality of violence was a great deal grimmer than what the songs recorded. She vividly remembered throwing up after seeing the aftermath of a raid her people had fended off, but she was a daughter of the North, and squeamishness was not a trait the village could afford to tolerate. Skadi pushes those thoughts out of her mind before continuing. "Many heros have made their name during these contests, and their backgrounds were as varied as they come, from farmer to huskarl, I take it you're looking to join their ranks?" Shooting the breeze, trying to learn more about Bjorn. [Diplomat+2] if I need to pry something out of him.
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Apr 20, 2017 02:22
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 Hildegard - Rock Formation | BP: 1 “General, huh…” Hildegard absentmindedly scratched at the back of her neck as she thought, focused on that one particular word spoken by Zan’Drel. General. She hadn’t thought of it before, but it was a role that might suit her quite well. Still, while she was certainly skilled with words, to lead was another matter entirely. Was that something she could truly handle, or even desire? It was difficult to say as of now. Thankfully, there were more important things to concern herself with. “...well, that aside, it’s true that my combat skills could use refining. However, since you brought up next steps, Master, I have some thoughts. Now that the bandits have been alerted to our presence, I worry that they may become more aggressive towards the villagers in retaliation. Perhaps it might be wise to find some of the more able-bodied men and women of the village, and teach them some basic skills to defend themselves? Possibly, we may wish to set traps around the perimeter as well, though I admit I’m not particularly knowledgeable about such matters myself. I’m certain that there has to be at least a few hunters around who are proficient, however.” Going on the defensive was not to Hildegard’s liking, but in this scenario, it seemed to her the best course of action. If preparations were not made, then even if they managed to drive out the bandits, it was very possible for them to cause an irreparable amount of damage before then. That it was her fault they were in this situation was not forgotten, of course, but she stored that away for the time being. Regrets could wait.
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Apr 20, 2017 03:22
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Meat Jungle BP: 2 He did not have the luxury to be upset or offended. Meat made a terse comment thanking the alchemist for his help and left. He had some clothes, he had a backpack to store things in for now, and he would need to leave town. The plan had never been to stay, it was too close to the Harrowers, he would get caught sooner or later and more likely sooner. The alchemist had mentioned to sell the manticore he'd really need to go to Sidon. Meat had known this would be the case, but had hoped it to not be. Sidon was intimidating, the seat of the rich and powerful. It was the lair of immoral and terrible carrion feeders (unlike the ones in nature itself)...but it was also large, and populous. Maybe he could hide among a sea of people. He gathered his belongings together and headed for Sidon, making sure to make a wide berth of his old home. Along the way Meat would mostly hunt for supplies and camp in the wild. He had no tent, he had no rations and no money. Nature would have to provide, it had so far. While he traveled along the roads, Meat would try and avoid the notice of other travelers when he could. Heading to Sidon. Using my Beast Lore [+2], Strength [+2] and Resilience [+2] to make his way without getting injured, and staying reasonably healthy. Of course his Injury [-2] continues to act up and hinder him. Total of [+4]
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Apr 20, 2017 03:24
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Ingrid - Bjornhold You search back your memory, but it is something more mundane and present that joggles something loose. One of the members of the Court approaches you about the Jarl’s accommodations. It seems he and his retainers had reserved rooms in the Bronze Saber, one of the city’s more dignified inns. The mention of that name sends you back to your younger days when your father told you of his visit to the capital at the Jarl’s side. He mentioned a maid, with hair blond like gold, who from her accent had been from one of the far northern holds. Her beauty was strong enough that it had lingered in his mind even all those years later. When you had asked what the Jarl had thought, he had clammed up. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Kain - Sidon City It took several days for the meeting to be arranged, the relations between the Eternals and the Chains weren’t exactly cordial, but your services were valued highly enough that they were willing to make an introduction. The Chains, it turned out, were eager to meet you. It would seem your reputation had gotten around, and they were eager to get a chance to size up the man supposedly putting their own Breakers to shame. This time, your meeting is in one of the private rooms of one of the Gate Quarter’s nicer taverns, the Red Shield. The Gate Quarter was the destination of choice for such meetings, as anything as noisy as an ambush was a quick way to get the Guard and the Hunters Guild to come down on your like a ton of bricks. As such, this particular tavern saw quite a bit of business from less than legitimate groups looking for neutral ground, and had developed a reputation for discretion and comfort that made it the top choice. The Formosian who sat across from you was elegantly attired, though his physique and a few visible scars suggested he hadn’t always been quite so well off. You can see him returning the favor and sizing you up, then he speaks, “You wished a meeting with us? I was surprised to receive the message from the Eternals. They much value you quite a bit to go through the trouble of arranging this.” Natasha - Southern Landse Trade Road You travel for another week, putting you only a week’s travel from the border, before you come along your first real stop. There had been the boring array of taverns and small villages along the way, but the caravan had largely breezed through all of them. Now they had reached the town of Olesik, where they planned to remain for a few days trading and exchanging goods at the local House Ruknamal office before continuing southward. It was in many ways the point of greatest danger for you. For notice of your “treason” had almost certainly made it to town long before your arrival, and as one of the larger towns along one of the more frequented trade routes south, they were certain to be on high alert for you. Avoiding detection would not be easy, and if any of the caravan staff learned of your status, well… what the Eye did to those who failed to report traitors was enough to turn the stomach of any normal person. Skadi - The Dragon's Kneecap, Bjornhold Bjorn shrugs, “We’ll see what they’re paying. Gotta eat after all. As for hero stuff, that’s something for young boys and girls to dream about. I’ve seen enough of the world to know that there are no heroes. Gold is better than tales anyways.” You get the impression that there is some history there. It is not usual for a northman to so openly cast aside notions of honor and the like, but this is not the sort of establishment where the fine upstanding folks go. Turning the conversation, Bjorn asks, “So what about you, what brings an upstanding skald to a place like this?” Hildegard - Rock Formation “Hmmm…” Zan’Drel is pensive for a moment. “That’s probably the best path forward. If these are Resdisian remnants though I’m not sure the villagers will be up to this fight. It really depends on how many of them there are.” He shrugs, “I’m not sure we have much alternative, though.” You make your way back to the village without further incident. By the time you arrive the sun is already setting, your little expedition had taken most of the day. Meat - Jungle You begin to head south towards Sidon. Your travel is mostly quiet, at least for Sidon, so the monster attacks are few and far between, nothing you couldn’t handle. The upside to Sidon’s inhospitality was that travelling along was unheard of, so you would generally have plenty of warning before you ran into one of the trade caravans. After about a week, you first spotted the Tower on the horizon. Despite living in Sidon all your life, you had never seen it before. You must be days away, but it stretches impossibly upwards. Taller than the highest mountain. It’s appearance turns out to be a lucky break. For you stop to look at it for a bit, and as a result you can better hear the approaching group before they come into view. Hiding in some of the heavy undergrowth that grows wild on both sides of the road, you catch a glimpse of them and your heart seems to stop, as you recognize instinctively what they are. It is a group of slave-hunters… At least they haven’t seem to have noticed you yet. Bo Ruknamal - Ruknamal Office, Southport You go through your ritual, and it makes you feel better, as it tends to. You have no idea if you are accomplishing anything, but you are as ready as you ever will be to tackle the books. Valhawk fucked around with this message at 05:20 on Apr 20, 2017 |
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Apr 20, 2017 04:06
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Kain - Sidon City "Well, I'm always open to making new friends. For the right kind of payment. I'll also need a place to sell any captives, once I begin the reconquest of my birthright." Kain finished as he unconsciously clenched a fist. The momentary lapse passing, Kain chuckled. "But that is a long way off. I enjoy teaching my pupils so that they can exceed in the new paths chosen for them by my friends." "While my work might be too unwieldy and expensive to use on every slave for example, it could work rather well on more lucrative and uncooperative assets. Pit fighters, concubines, eternally loyal manservants, etc. All I'd ask for working with flesh is payment in kind, the chattel type would vary. One can never have too much property, or money." Kain sipped some mead, wetting another of his appetites. "The Eternals do respect me and my work, as I respect them. Hence I find myself in your good company. I only ask if your respective groups have any misunderstandings you don't involve me. It wouldn't be enjoyable to work on an old familiar client and would ruin my reputation. I'm sure you understand." Setting up a deal with one condition. Diversifying payment, there is more to life (and Kain's further plans) than money.
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Apr 20, 2017 05:04
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Cassandra - Fenstrom's Quarters, Aum BP: 3 down to 1 "Your terms are in line with what I expected before I entered this room. You may count on my discretion, and of course the patient would have final say." "I am staying at the Rose inn, past the Eastern market. I would like to ask you to consider your financial expectations as well as an estimate of when you will be prepared to depart, and to send a messenger there by tomorrow noon. I hope that is agreeable." Once the conversation was concluded, Cassandra respectfully said her goodbyes, not forgetting to commend the host on the fruit. It was, frankly, spectacular, even to her rarefied palate. The fruit would be an excellent trade opportunity, if it wasn't for the fact that they were likely made by the Lifegiver, who seemed unlikely to enter into a commercial partnership and give away his secrets in order to scale production. Before heading back to the inn, Cassandra spent a few hours in one of the markets. She had made progress towards her goal, but the journey here had not yielded any profit - and she was dreading the possibility that she might not be able to pay Magroth for his services. The journey had taken time, and it would be a huge disappointment to go back to Southport without a deal or two. She needed this. She knew full well what harm "trade instincts" might bring, and knowing she lacked the natural, effortless talent of Marcus, she chose a different approach. Instead of emulating her brother, she would try her own way. Mustering all her conviction, resolve and intellect, she began cold, ruthless analysis. Analysis of wares, of traders, of patterns, of the simplified version of important deals in Southport contained in the pocket version of her ledger. Once the numbers made sense, she would use her charm and ability to read people to negotiate something even better. Spending 2 BP because I really want some income. Using Administrator [+2] to do the math, and Inspires Devotion [+4] to read vulnerabilities and exploit them in negotiation.
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Apr 20, 2017 16:51
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Bo Ruknamal - Ruknamal Office, Southport BP: 1 The methods of record keeping by Bo’s predecessor, while adequate, were not up to his own personal standards. Sorting was the first order of business, sometimes employing the aid of a polished seeing glass to decipher tiny notes. Then came making a master list in a new ledger and addition and subtraction of the value of goods purchased and sold. Bo deftly manipulated three separate abacuses to keep track of all the numbers and aid in his calculations. He brought out special inks to better denote different kinds of items and transactions. He wasn’t certain whether the final tally would show the accounts short, even, or ahead but he did know that when it was done it would be a lot more organized. Doing the books as suggested long ago. Literacy +2 Use of advanced record-keeping and organizational skills. Business Acumen +2 For the review of financial transactions and keen eye for discrepancies therein. Inconsiderable Wealth +2 Utilizing expensive items like a magnifying glass, custom abacus, several kinds of ink. Total of +6 toward a thorough accounting of the business.
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Apr 21, 2017 17:38
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Kain - Sidon City “I think something can be arranged.” the man responds. “Do you have any particular preferences for your first set of payments? We offer a wide variety of products, from gladiators to plantation workers.” He pauses for a moment, and then you can see an idea occur to him, “Also, if you would be willing to accept payment in problematic chattel we would be able to offer them to you at cost. Top of the line physical specimens, I assure you, just… well it would be difficult for us to tame them without damaging them and diminishing their value. Considering your skills, I have no doubt you’d be able to handle them. It might be a benefit even, more top-quality flesh per job and you can work from a blank slate to train them as you like.” Cassandra - Fenstrom's Quarters, Aum You attempt to grow your limited remaining funds. Of course, your ledgers show trends for the Southport market, Aum’s trade is different enough that it doesn’t exactly map. Still, you manage, in part through a string of good luck. By being in the right place at the right time, you manage to reap a tidy profit on a couple of different investments. Of course, the sort of super-short term investing you’re currently attempting is highly risky, so once you have made enough to more than cover your return expenses and a very generous payment for the Lifebringer you quit while you’re ahead. Bo Ruknamal - Ruknamal Office, Southport You begin to examine the books, double checking your predecessor's work. Things seem normal at first, the trading outpost hadn’t been terribly profitable, in fact, it was less profitable than you expected. After completing your first run through, everything seemed to be in order, but something felt off. The profits seemed to be just too low. Your cousin, who previously ran this office, was unscrupulous, but he wasn’t stupid. In fact, he would likely still be in charge here if he hadn’t managed to get himself killed. His poisoning had been quite the splash, and the House wasn’t certain if the culprit was local or the Eyes, and they knew better than to look too closely. Safer to just leave such things alone. Still, despite him somehow managing to get himself killed, he wasn’t dumb enough to be making trades at some of these prices. That realization, and very careful analysis revealed something you hadn’t noticed the first time through. It would appear your cousin had been skimming profits off the top. It had been an expert job, you could only catch the outline of it from the books, but once you knew what to look for, it became more and more of an inescapable conclusion. From the look of it, cross-referencing trades to common reference prices, your cousin had managed to redirect an awesome sum of money out of the company and into dummy accounts set up to hide the funds. On a lark, you did some checking, and the funds were still available, it would seem your cousin hadn’t had the time to clean them out before his unfortunate demise. This left you in something of a quandary. You could report this to the head office, landing a serious blow against your deceased cousin and his faction of the family. If you did so, however, you’d almost certainly have to return the funds and the profit projections would be adjusted. However, if you didn’t tell anyone about this, you’d have not only a black fund unknown to anyone but you with a significant sum of money, but if you didn’t skim like he did, you’d probably see a significant enough increase in profits that you would look very good to the home office.
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Apr 22, 2017 04:37
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Magroth - Fenstrom’s Quarters, Aum Magroth did not waste time: Being able to keep the wolf from the door indefinitely was a prize worth the journey. He packed his belongings, arranged for his quarters to be rented out in his absence through a reputable and trustworthy broker, got word to Cavernon that he would be out of town for a while, drained his plants into single fruits for the journey in accordance with his earlier experimentation, and otherwise made sure he was ready at the earliest opportunity. Prepping to head out, setting his affairs in order, setting up a rental income stream in order to put the quarters to work in his absence. Scrounging Gleaner +2 to make sure nothing is wasted, left unaccounted for or fallow. Possibly Lifecrafting Prodigy +4 on the fruits if the roll is necessary when packing them for travel. AJ_Impy fucked around with this message at 13:25 on Apr 22, 2017 |
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Apr 22, 2017 12:59
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Cassandra - Rose Inn, Aum BP: 1 Cassandra was ecstatic. It was more than money. It was proof. Her methods worked! The pride she felt was immense. She'd tell the family. She'd no longer be the black sheep. Look at this return and timeframe, she'd say. Marcus would smile and nod, showing how he always believed in her. Her other siblings would say they were wrong. They were sorry. Her father and mother would embrace her and tell her they were proud of her, and give her more funds to manage. ... No. Don't be weak. Maybe that is how things would go. Maybe she would be given more funds to manage. Maybe she'd earn an inheritance. She'd build large holdings. She'd restore the family home, and her portrait would hang there for future generations. That wasn't bad. It was better than now. But was it good? For others, maybe. But her mind told her something else. It whispered that it wasn't enough. That was mediocrity. She would continue the family's legacy. But she was better. She would make her own. The world was harsh, cruel, unjust. She loved her family, but she loved people in general. All of them. She would make things better for everyone. She would provide for the needy, guide the ambitious, give purpose to the disillusioned. That would be her legacy. There is much she will need. There were three pillars she could think of. Identity. She will need a new one. Symbols had power; were not runes an example of that? Families had crests. Nations had flags. Armies had banners. Symbols led and inspired people. She would become more than a person. She would become a symbol. Funds. They were critical. She needed somewhere to live. She needed some way of gaining supplies. Some way of exerting influence. Money was all of those. The wisest way seemed to be to create income streams rather than relying on the ups and downs of particular trades. People. She would not achieve much alone. She would convince others of the worthiness of her cause. Perhaps he had began to do that already with Hakon and the house staff. And didn't she come to Aum to gain more than a warrior in the tournament? She remembered thinking she wanted a champion. The thoughts weren't new, she realised, but now she began to give them structure. Her thoughts became more regimented, more purposeful. More confident. This wasn't yearning, a child's attempts or wanderlust anymore. She knew. She will not be Cassandra Visieri. She will not be Cassandra the independent merchant. She will be more. Not doing anything in particular, but Cassandra is beginning to plan. These three pillars are the medium term goals I'll be working towards.
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Apr 22, 2017 16:44
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 Jian - The Battlefield BP: 1 quote:Jian regards the the commander quietly for a moment. "As a means to an end, maybe. Not as a career. Why?" Having nowhere else to go, Jian requested a cot and a place to rest for the time being, which was thankfully granted. With little to do but rest and recooperate, and in no shape for any sort of physical training, Jian instead turned inward, passing the time on the road back to Tir and the days to follow in intense meditation. Clearly he had let his training slip for the past year; he couldn't afford to do so any longer. Using Strength of Will [+2] and Anima-Ka [+2] to meditate and practice drawing out his Anima; basically performing Anima exercises while I'm physically recuperating.
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Apr 23, 2017 02:18
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Kain - Sidon City "Acceptable." Kain would take the more valuable yet problematic chattle as standard payment. Then Kain thought about his first set of payments. "Servants. At least at first. I plan on purchasing a household and place where I can conduct business of my own." Kain swirled his wine thoughtfully. "Any suggestions of a secure space? It doesn't need it's own dungeon but that would be a nice bonus. Corpse disposal through a sewage trap door or a furnace. Secret entraces and exits so I can meet with my friends and maintain privacy of your shipments. I'd pay a finder's fee of course to you or your organization." Accepting, will take more valuable but problematic chattel as normal payment. First set of payments will be servants. Asking about a homebase, will pay finder's fee and pay for it. Rich [+2], Using one BP [+2]
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Apr 23, 2017 03:26
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Bo Ruknamal - Ruknamal Office, Southport BP: 1 “Scoundrel.” Bo mused as he weighed his options. Keeping the money was dishonest, of course, but returning it would damage the family and ruin his cousins reputation. Well, ruin it further, anyway. Besides, using it free of the restraints of the House could yield even greater results. The situation had some promise to go along with the risk. After operating expenses he still had a decent amount of money on the books as well. Enough to do something more than just wait for the caravans to arrive. There were purchases that the House made which were steady from year to year. Some other trends he could probably guess, especially considering a military buildup would be a wise investment at the moment. Bo took the time to estimate the House’s needs for the winter. Keeping the money. I am making an educated guess as to what the house will want. Literacy +2 I just audited the place twice so not only do I have free access to the records but they are fresh in my memory. Confidence +2 I need to trust my intuition. Business Acumen +2 Knowledge of the structure, needs, and trends of House Ruknamal as a baseline Dwarven Political Information +2 Preparations for war must be taken into account. Total +8 to know the goods, food, and materials that will be vital in Landse in the next year or so. My purchasing list.
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Apr 23, 2017 04:42
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Natasha - Olesik BP - 1 Natasha was the image of perfect calmness, despite her situation. Anything less would have been a disgrace from an ex-Commissar of the Eyes, no matter the amount of duress they were in. For whilst her situation was difficult, it was not impossible, and she had an action plan. From her work, she knew how the Eyes tended to describe their wanted in missives, and had naturally taken the effort to disguise those traits of herself that were most likely to have been mentioned. After all, it's not like the Eyes had the capacity to mass produce drawings in mass scale, so if anyone here had a picture of her likeness it was probably the regional commandant. The mooks had probably just seen it and been told to commit it to memory. Nevertheless, this meant that she had fairly little to fear from your average peon, and she was confident she could at least misguide your average Eye operative, if it came to it. Thus, the largest danger was the caravaneer. It was unlikely he could identify her from a description alone, after all Natasha had been disguised this entire time. However, she had shown him her ID, which meant that he might recognize her if mentioned by name. Thus, Natasha elected to shadow the man, and be as discreet as possible about it. If at any point it seemed like her cover was being blown, she would know. Other than that, she gave the man a cryptic message, and nothing more, before they departed ways to do their dealing in the city proper: "Rumors abound, of untrue veracity. I strongly suggest you consult me before taking hasty action, lest you are willing to pay a heavy price indeed." OOC: Natasha shadows the caravaneer without being spotted hopefully, using Underhanded [+4] and Eyes everywhere [+2], as well as giving some cryptic threats to the man so that he's less liable to sell her out immediately, and so that Natasha can show her hand and keep him in a grip.
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Apr 23, 2017 15:00
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Valhawk posted:Justiciar Catriona - Village of Intria, nearish Golden Mountain  Justiciar Catriona - Village of Intria, nearish Golden Mountain I observed the hunters as they returned. Most were happy to be back amongst their family. Their wives or parents or children greeting them warmly. Pleased with the meat and skins they brought back. But one seemed restless. Fidgety as if he was uncomfortable to be back in the village. Strange. I pulled him aside and led him to the clearing where the Priest had been killed. "I am Justicar Catriona. Your fellow villagers tell me you have been acting strangely these past weeks. Just now I saw you uncomfortable amongst them. Tell me what is wrong that I might bring you the peace and safety the Empire promises all its citizens. And also tell me about your last hunts and where the other hunters usually go on their hunts." questioning one of the skittish hunters to get a lead on where the village elder's son might have gone and what the hunters might have found that is making them act strangely. Journeyman Justicar +2 Sorry about not posting for awhile. I was visiting family and had very limited computer access.
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Apr 23, 2017 16:05
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Skadi - The Dragon's Kneecap, Bjornhold 2 BP "Tired of being cooped up in the same inn for days, wanted to see the rest of the city." Skadi tries to phrase this in a way that makes her sound interesting and detached instead of the local yokel she is still agog at the place (even if she was getting used to the smell). "And a proper story includes the place where they begin the journey. It ain't all about palaces and heroic destinies and whatnot, even if that's what they usually want to hear." She pauses and finishes her drink. "Basically I'm bored out of my mind and looking for something or someone interesting to happen and when the competition starts and things get violent and dramatic, I want to be there. For the purposes of recording for posterity, not being on the receiving end. The ancestors will it and all."
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Apr 23, 2017 18:12
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Hajra - The Desert BP: 2 "It is faint but... I can feel it. The same kind of spirit as in the other village but for some reason it brings you joy where it had brought them death," Hajra pauses, "For how long have you been elated like this? Do any of your hunters remember killing a sickly beast? Where do you usually hunt?" Sorry, was internetless a couple days. Digging to find some leads about this sickness.
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Apr 23, 2017 20:16
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Cassandra & Magroth - Aum Once the various little details of travel were worked out, the pair of you set forth on a trip back south. As you were proceeding down-river this time, rather than the 4 weeks on horseback, you could make it back to Southport in half the time by chartering one of the boats that plied the waters. The journey south is largely uneventful. You once more pass the base of the tower, and for Magroth the great structure leaves the skyline for the first time in years, as you continue southward. You can stop in Rivercross or proceed straight to Southport if you want. Jian - Royal Army Garrison, Tir The commander readily agrees to lend you, and anyone else injured in the battle a cot in the makeshift garrison they’ve set up on the outskirts of Tir. The trip back to the city is much slower than the ride out, both due to the lack of urgency and the injured. Still, once you return to the city, the commander is as good as his word, and you find a cot has been prepared for you. The garrison is small, and space is at a premium so there is little privacy, but you are fed and get regular visits from the garrison medic. After a few days, the one of the city’s Lifebringers even visits and examines the wounds. After he declares they will heal on their own with time and rest, he leave to focus on other patients. Though the bandits may have been vanquished the effects of their reign are still felt, and the city is still reeling. Still, you overhear that caravans with supplies are making it to the city now, so the worst threat of starvation and disease have passed. While you recuperate, you begin to meditate, using the forms you learned in the monastery. You were rusty at first, but as the weeks passed you once again grew proficient at it. As you did so, you could feel your anima flowing more smoothly, responding more readily to your will. It was as one of your masters had once said, for Anima-Ka, the mind is the first muscle that must be trained. After a handful of weeks, the medic proclaims you fit to resume regular work. Your wounds close, and though you are a bit still from weeks limited to mostly bed-rest, your side feels normal. Soon after you receive a message from the commander. Once you are ready, he would like to speak with you, he has the payment for your work dealing with the bandits, as well as details on your first mercenary assignment. Kain - Sidon City The man thinks for a second. Then indicating for you to wait, he leaves. About an hour later he returns. “I think we might know of a place that meets your specifications. However, it is hardly inexpensive, and will push even your new-found finances to their limit. It is about a half a day’s travel outside of the city, the former estate of a baron whose family has fallen deeply into debt. The location is close enough to the city to be useful, while far enough away to allow for complete privacy. The estate is surrounded by sturdy walls to keep out beasts, and includes some very good growing land within the walls. It has fallen into some disrepair, but if restored it would be more than suitable for the residence of a true noble. Additionally, it has all the proper ‘amenities’ for a man of your reputation. The previous baron’s came from a line of well-respected Breakers. It would be good to see it once more in the hands of someone like you. The current baron is a degenerate gambler, a dangerous embarrassment. He’s here in the city today, in fact. No doubt, getting drunk, accruing even more debts, and generally giving the rabble the wrong idea. If you were to reach… alternative arrangements with him, I don’t think anyone who mattered would object.” Worth remembering that Sidonese noble estates outside of the city are basically fortresses. This one has everything Kane might want, and then some. Having that sort of possession would also earn him some cachet among the more legitimate circles in Sidonese high society. To acquire it, you can buy it straight up, but at the cost of losing the Rich[+2] domain as it eats up a significant chunk of the your funds so far. Or you can try and find some other way to convince the current owner to part with it. The Chains rep will give you his location if you ask. Bo Ruknamal - Ruknamal Office, Southport Pouring through the data in your head, you try and ponder out just what exactly the home office will come looking for in the next couple of months, especially with the potential for civil war to break out sometime in the next year. Normally, the Southport office seems to have been primarily maintained to generate funds for the home office though the sale of exports. In terms of imports, they tend to vary based on prices in Norgrad, as for House Ruknamal, Southport is seen as a secondary market. So there are few clear patterns. However, the impending civil war might change all that. War at least makes things simple, because the things the house will need are fairly obvious: grain, meat, leather, bronze, and slaves. Based on the intelligence you received and what you know of stocks of various goods, it's likely that you would be wise to stock up on all of the above prior to the breakout of hostilities, as their value will likely skyrocket. Natasha - Olesik You leave your vague threat, but from the caravaner’s scared reaction, you doubt it would stand up if he was confronted by the Eyes proper, even more if they decided to take him in for “questioning”. The caravan is meant to linger in town for nearly a week, but it takes less than a day for a pair of uniformed Eyes officers to approach the caravaner. You manage to avoid detection, but at the cost of being unable to overhear what they say to him. Justiciar Catriona - Village of Intria, nearish Golden Mountain The hunter was nervous, and when you got him alone, he seemed to break under a great strain he had been carrying. Before you have the chance to cast the rune, he falls to his knees and begs you, “Please, Justicar. I have to confess something to you, I only ask that you show mercy and help me return to being an obedient servant of God.” Skadi - The Dragon's Kneecap, Bjornhold Bjorn laughs, “So another skald hoping to draw the eye of a Candidate, am I right?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. “I imagine things’ll get less boring around here in the next week or so. All the big names should be here by then, then another week to the Announcing. I’m sure you can find something worth doing until then. Bjornhold isn’t capital of the North for nothing.” Hajra - The Desert “So is the village threatened or not?” The elder’s annoyance with you is starting to boil over. “I allowed you here because you claimed that you detected spirits similar to the ones that ravaged another village, nothing else.”
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Apr 24, 2017 00:03
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Valhawk posted:Justiciar Catriona - Village of Intria, nearish Golden Mountain Justiciar Catriona - Village of Intria, nearish Golden Mountain "It is my duty and my pleasure to help all be obedient servants of the one true God and the Empire that is his instrument for peace and order. I will gladly help you return to the proper path." As for mercy... mercy is no part of a Justicar's remit. Too much mercy often leads to weakness and relapse. Young Justicar hopefuls are selected for their empathy, but we are constantly warned against the dangers of too much mercy. I had shown my own best friend no mercy on my first day as a full Justicar. This hunter's chance for mercy from me were more slender then the blade of razor knife hidden in my boot, but I saw no benefit in mentioning that to him and so stayed silent on the subject. continue the questioning and help him return to being an obedient servant of God Journeyman Justicar +2
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Apr 24, 2017 02:36
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Cassandra - On the way to Southport BP: 1 On the journey this way, Cassandra was fascinated by the tower, but had no one to ask about it. Now she did. Her enthusiasm overcame her desire not to be seen as too youthful, inquisitive and annoying. She asked Magroth dozens of questions about the tower. During the rest of the journey, she asked a hundred more about the Life rune, Magroth, life in Aum, the history of Fenstrom and the old Lifebringers, anima. She did not expect the Lifebringer to reveal any secrets. That was not the point. Right now, she craved tales. She wanted to hear of things she had only read. One day on the road, she found the courage to pose the question she had always wondered about. "Master Magroth... What is life?" I'm happy to skip to Southport.
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Apr 24, 2017 16:49
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Kain - Sidon City "I would very much like to meet this baron. To whom does he owe?" Kain thought it likely the Baron owed gambling debts and would be gambling when he found him. Going to see about this baron. Are there games where it takes some tactics & strategy or is it all luck? A few threads here I can follow. Option 1: Kain either can gamble whereever the guy owes debts using his Dread Presence [+4] to sow some doubt amongst the other players and his Warlord [+4] for the tactics and strategy of the games then buy up the all the debt(with winnings and some of his own cash for expedency) then make the baron give him the deed. OR. Option 2: Win the castle in a game with the baron. Last but boring option 3: Would be to buy the fortress outright.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:27
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Bo Ruknamal - Markets, Southport BP: 1 Grain, meat, leather, bronze, and slaves. He had grain coming, but there could be more. Meat was difficult, the animals needed food and care on the long trip North, but smoked, cured, and salted meats could last the trip and perhaps the winter. Beans, peas, nuts and the like could also supplement the House’s local meat supply. Bronze, well the House had tin reserves but copper was in less ample supply. Slaves were, well Bo never particularly cared for it. Another point of contention with the family. Bo went about the markets, looking to use the free company funds to purchase what leather and copper were available at a fair price, and attempting to make purchase agreements for more after harvest along with grains, beans, and smoked meats. He also spoke about what Dwarven imports were in demand, but refused to make any sales commitments saying with an apologetic shrug, “Eh, I never know what they be sendin’, but I’ll keep it in mind.” Trying to lock in low prices and stock up where possible before the Harvest comes and caravans roll in with the same idea I have and drive up the prices. Literacy +2 - My previous research and making sure written contracts are correct. Confidence +2 - I must be careful not to tip my hand while at the same time bargaining over the price. Business Acumen +2 - Bargaining, anticipating market, acting as sole executive officer for Southport Branch. Insignificant Wealth +2 - For the money. Dwarven Political Information +2 - A factor in predicting market trends. Thats too much. Stranger in a Strange Land -2 : There are still customs and ways of doing business in Southport that Bo might run afoul of. Total of +8 for House Ruknamal anticipatory purchases and Purchase Agreements.
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Apr 25, 2017 01:32
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Magroth - Headed directly to Southport Magroth fielded Cassandra's barrage of questions as honestly as he could, and apologetically where he could not. He spake of Fenstrom with great fondness and the melancholy tail end of grief: To be honest, it was something of a catharsis to be able to speak of him with an avid listener. He had thrown himself headlong into survival and into his experiments such that he hadn't had much time to pause and take stock since the funeral. Aum was a subject he was less favourable towards, the undercurrent of bitter, vexed reproach bubbling up from time to time. Of himself he was markedly cagier, giving away very little as to his own origins or background, but there was ample fodder in his other answers to suppose why that was. Lifebringer history and the nature of the rune were topics that likewise got short shrift save what was generally known, although he was happy to correct falsehoods and misconceptions. As for the big question, "There's a question with many answers. It is more than growth, ice grows, puddles grow. It is more than complexity, a building and its contents are complex. It is more than making copies, clay or wax or bronze can be made into copies of a thing. But life is complex, it seeks to grow, it seeks to make more of itself. It seeks to change, to adapt, to thrive. A plant in good soil will grow strong, a plant in poor soil will still try to grow as strong as it can, to adapt to where it is. Life knows what it seeks to become: A seed becomes a mighty tree, a babe becomes an adult, just as their precursors did. Life is tied to where it is and when it is, secured to the arrow of time: You will see little growth in the coldest months, and you will not see a tree become a seed or a man become a boy. But everywhere you go, life will have been there before you in forms too numerous to count. It persists, it spreads, it finds ways around all obstacles." AJ_Impy fucked around with this message at 08:57 on Apr 25, 2017 |
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Apr 25, 2017 02:41
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Hildegard - The Village of Valion | BP: 1 The natural beauty of the setting sun felt at odds with how tense and dangerous the last few hours had been, but Hildegard was hardly going to complain about the welcoming sight. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how one looked it, the journey back to the village was uneventful, leaving her no chance to make further mistakes in the presence of Zan’Drel nor an opportunity to redeem herself. But with the bandits still all too present, such a chance would come again before long. However, while the night drew near, anxiousness kept Hildegard’s mind more active than perhaps it should’ve been. A moment to stretch her legs and meditate on recent events (hopefully) without fear of combat seemed quite compelling, and so she said, “Seems like all’s well here in Valion. Still, perhaps a patrol around the village might be wise, just to be certain? If you have other matters to attend to, Master, I believe I should be able to handle it myself.”
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Apr 25, 2017 02:49
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Cassandra - On the way to Southport BP: 1 Cassandra was enthralled by the topic, and immensely thankful that the Lifebringer was humouring her. There was so much to learn. So many of the writings she had read were revealed to be fanciful tales without basis in reality; so many of the others made sense now. "So... life is both a force and a process? Like... this campfire, for example? The force gives us heat and can burn us, but it cannot exist without consuming the wood? Assuming that is the case, then when you heal someone, you strengthen the force. But what is the wood? Where does the extra life come from? If it comes from food, then wouldn't that mean that life is a constant, and can only shift forms?" Her voice goes quiet and sad. "That all life comes at the cost of other life?"
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Apr 25, 2017 19:12
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Hajra - The Desert BP: 2 "The spirits are here, there is no doubt about that." Hajra did her best to ignore the other orc's annoyance. She was only trying to help them, could he not see that? "But what I don't understand is why they did not kill you. It makes no sense. You carry the spirit in your body and yet you live and thrive. It was present in the animals you hunted but unlike the other village you still live." Hajra was confused. "If you don't answer my questions there is nothing I can do to help you and your people. Something is at work in this part of the desert and we need to understand what it is before it spreads to more tribes. We need to look out for each other." Hajra doesn't really want him to like her, just to cooperate Strong Willed [+2], Presence [+2], Outcast [-2] seem to apply.
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Apr 25, 2017 19:24
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Magroth - Headed directly to Southport He made an ambivalent 'could go this way, could go that way' gesture, and replied, "In some ways, the analogy fits, in some ways it does not. It is both those things and neither. Think of a broken leg that healed up crooked. If it was just a question of strengthening, of pouring more fuel on the fire, you would make the bone tougher and more resilient, you would make the leg muscles stronger, the skin thicker... but none of these things would solve the problem. The leg would be more powerful, but still crooked. The body knows how to heal, but it does not necessarily get the context which comes from understanding. Unless we align the bone first, there is room for error, and future problems. When you heal someone, you need to take context into account or things can go horribly awry: You have experience with some Lifebringers refusing to take this case no matter the incentive, yes?" He pressed on, "Life is definitely not a constant. A mother does not become less alive when they produce offspring, save for deaths from childbed fever or the like which are preventable. A tree producing fruit can produce fruit in future, the seeds of that fruit can grow regardless of how well the parent plant is doing. Even rotten meat feeds flies and carrion-birds long after it could be of use to our kind. Life wants more life: a flock of birds helps the whole flock live better than one bird, a family providing each other with support makes the life of each person in it live more easily."
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Apr 25, 2017 22:51
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