Chapter Three: The City of Stone and Splendor. [Interstice]

To Marcus


Karon strokes his pepper-and-salt goatee, nodding with each presentation. He chuckles a bit when you finally get off your long examples. "And people say the Demeter hold nothing of worth anymore." Looking to you and then to Garda, "You've done us a great service and I'll grant you can use our facilities for study. My staff will be going through these books anyhow, so whatever ones you wish to actually study should be picked out now. I can't really budge on that part. As for a further 'finder's award', we can award you a spot of money, perhaps a bit of training, and perhaps set up favorable agreements if you have any other found books, items or what have you sent to us first?"


Karon sits in his chair behind a wide oak desk, steepling his fingers and leaning back into the cushioned chair.


"I would find that agreeable," Garda says, nodding. "Marcus?"
 
Marcus


"Agreeable, yes. Most assuredly." With a nod Marcus will extended a hand.


"Now... as for subject matter..."


The great hunt for materials will begin as he proceeds back to the entryway, seeking out their cache of literature.


Intelligence (4) + Investigation (3) + willpower success = 7 dice: 5 successes [ 4 6 7 0 7 8 2 ] = 6 successes


At this time, Marcus will spend one endurance from his resplendent destiny (The Key), activating Never Cease Moving. He will begin preparing for a Lore roll to determine if current events and astrological predictions (concerning the East and these Solars) have any basis or precedent in the histories in these books. He'll be working 24 hours a day.
 
To Kalek


Golgo shrugs, "True enough. Hmm, there he goes, off again like his Harborhead friend." Golgo dons an amused look. "Too many comings and goings. Lyrik looks to be scooping up the money and the admiration. All too unsurprising." He'll crack into a platter of bread and cheese brought out by the cook along with another pint.


"Mmm, look at what walked in." A half dozen men in white and black, wearing long silver chains round their neck.


To All in the Spinneret


Silence descends. All the other mercenaries who were drinking throw down money and quickly leave, trying to avoid the newcomers at all hazard.
 
To Kaya


The Falcon leans back, nodding, whispering to you, "Easily done." As you approach the hostess, Adair spreads his gloved hands wide, then quickly sliding them off, bowing. "How do you do? We're here for dinner if you'll have us and our money. We're starved and I pray the wait isn't too long?" Lords, he's oozing charm like he always does. A quickly flick of his hand and you'll see a silver coin placed down on the woman's stand. "A booth by the windows, please. We'd like to see the pagoda as night falls, if you'd be so kind."


You'd swear the girl throws you a jealous glance after seemingly coming to the present. You'll be ushered quickly to seating adjacent the windows and be given a lovely view of the pagoda across the boulevard and the square. It's still faintly gleaming in the yellow-orange of the lingering sun. Steadily, the sky begins to blue and change overhead, filled with the quiet lights of the stars.


Adair flips open a menu, humming to himself. "What would you care for? I'm buying."
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


Kaya's head peeked out from the menu it was hidden behind, her nose barely clearing the top edge of it. Surprise was apparent in how wide her eyes were and how much her eyebrows were lifted. "You're buying again?" She lowered the menu enough to reveal her wide grin to Adair. "I think I lucked out when I followed you out of the Spinneret." Looking quite pleased with herself, she ducked back behind the menu. "You know, I believe I'm going to be adventurous and try their local specialty." The folded list of dishes made a sharp, papery smack against the table when she laid it down on the table before make a face at the Eclipse. "Let's hope it's nothing as repugnant as bird lung mash or whatever that was you told me about earlier."


Her shoulders heaved as she sighed mightily, cupping her chin in her palm while she stared out the window. A contended smile played about her lips. "You're quite good with some people. I didn't think we'd actually be able to get a nice seat by the window." Twilight was giving way to evening, and Kaya still stared longingly at the pagoda. "I hope they light it. It would be so pretty lit from within. One of the nicer glass buildings back home used to look like a beacon at night." Her warrior's eyes softened again while she stared across the square. "The colored glass would just glow with lights that danced from inside. It was quite a sight."


Turning back to him, she made a dismissive gesture with her hand. "Ah, don't let me go on and on about home." She leaned in towards him, the grin still in place. "Did you figure out what you want yet, Falcon?" It was only then that she actually glanced at the other patrons in the restaurant. Before then, her attention was more than occupied by her companion and by the striking glass structure outside.
 
To Kaya


"Seems both of us lucked out," Adair muttered, looking at his menu, not looking up at you but still paying rapt attention. "I think I'll have a steak, really. I've not had one in forever that wasn't cut from horsemeat." He shook his head.


You'll see the other patrons are the middle class for the most part. A few lower class dyers and salesmen are at the bar, drinking, their hands stained purples, blues and greens. But for the majority sitting round you, you can see glassblowers in their finest eating hams and roasted potatoes; merchants in rich Isle silks or Southern fashions, drinking fragrant V'Neef wine and eating sweet meats; blacksmiths smoking pipes and talking of local politics; tailors and artisans of many sorts clustered around with their families, sharing a fine meal and so on. A woman's baby stares at you with wide brown eyes as toddlers are wont to do.


"Yeah, I'll have a steak. Um, try anything, they don't serve that here. Street vendors pawn that crap off on folks. Maybe try...hmm." Adair scans the menu, he'll flick an entry, "The chicken dishes all look very fine...maybe some of these dipped onions, though I doubt you'd care to have onion breath...it all looks fine!"
 
Marcus


In the glances between pages and the long, searching looks out the windows between books, Marcus will attempt to keep track of the rest of the "group" during his stay at the university. A twenty-minute walk every morning and evening will help accomplish this as well.


In the seven hours of free time each week, Marcus will track the others, just keeping an eye on them. He will, of course, keep out of sight.


Perception (4) + Investigation (3) + Locating People (3) = 10 dice: 4 successes [ 8 5 2 2 2 1 7 8 8 2 ]


Dexterity (3) + Stealth (5) + Remaining Inconspicuous (3) = 11 dice: 12 successes [ 5 2 0 8 7 0 9 7 9 0 9 ]
 
Amilar Blefuscu


Blef smiles a winning smile, then remembers his face is covered.


"I was wondering if you had anything in swordfish?"


The password was always swordfish.


Results for 6 dice: 4 successes [ 4 0 5 5 8 8 ] (TN: 7)
 
To Blef


The snakeman perks up a little bit, "Why, yes, we have plenty of things in swordfish. Finest scales you ever did see..." He'll peer out the door onto the street. "Come in quickly." He'll usher you in and close the door, latching locks, closing the single curtain and turning toward you, his tale sliding lazily on the floor.


"Welcome, friend. Who do you strike colors for? Families? Tang Sept? Those old fogies in the rich part of town? Hell, you a Spider?"
 
Amilar Blefuscu


Blef shakes his head as he removes his scarf. "Strictly freelance. Blockade-runs, infiltration, dirty work... you know the drill. Name is Blef."
 
To Blef


The snakeman looks you over, nodding. "About as striking as I am. Not much of an issue though. People overlook the damnedest thingssss." He clips off the word after he begins to hiss. For a moment, he looks mad, then waves his hand around, offering you a seat in one of the very plush and rich looking chairs on the show floor you're standing in.


"Here's how it works. I'm a go-between in general. I like a few favors done from time to time, but mostly I'm an avenue into our wide world of sports." He shrugs, wiping down his front desk adjacent the door. "I do, in fact, have a line on a little shindig occuring tomorrow night at Hartcourt Manor in the Noldovina. You said you do infiltration. I've gotten wind that something fairly large is occuring in this city. Murders have seen a short spike and people are dying; money is trading hands. Power-grab is my guess, amongst our...ilk. I have two jobs, see if you can sniff out any info on what's going on at Hartcourt tomorrow night. A number of high rollers will be there along with a load of knights and local nobility. Someone will be up to something and discussing, it's almost mandatory for such things. That information is worth hard silver."


He'll reach behind the desk and toss you a bag of coin. A very heavy bag of coin.


"Get me something sweet to nibble on and pass along and you'll find a lot more of that rolling into your pockets, Blef."
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


"Ha! Steak truly sounds good," Kaya replied, her eyes staring hungrily at the fine food at the tables around them. She smiled fondly at the Southern attire that she saw here and there. Her eyes finally alighted on the wee toddler. Grinning at first, Kaya proceeded to entertain the little one with a series of funny faces. Having four younger sisters made her excel in her repertoire of strange expressions aimed at making little ones laugh. She only stopped when she remembered that Adair was across from her. Luckily, he was reading the menu.


Picking up her menu once more, she perused the list of chicken dishes that he suggested. "I think I'll be passing on the onions." She chuckled softly to herself. "You're right though, the chicken dishes look good. I think I'll have one of the roasted ones with this..." she peers closely at the entry, "Hundred Kingdom Fiery Spice Blend. That sounds intriguing enough. Maybe with peppers and some of those little red-skinned roasted potatoes on the side like that one gentleman is having." She tilted her chin towards one of the silken-garbed merchants popping a small one whole into his mouth. Grinning at Adair once more, she mused, "We'll see if they can really do spice here in the East the way they do it in the South."
 
Amilar Blefuscu


Blef nods appreciatively, hefting the bag and biting one of the coins. "It seems like this could be the beginning of a beautiful business relationship. Now, I'm afraid the road-dust is still on my cloak, so perhaps you'd be so good as to give me a primer on who's who, what's what, and so forth in this charming little city. It'd be most conducive to my work and your profit margin."
 
Anju


Lady Jaspree really didn’t seem to get along with that man.


Anju gave a small almost unperceived shrug, “Probably to sell stuff and get supplies, it’s what we do at most cities. I came to the Hall of Law because when we were coming in, it looked so big! It’s a lot nicer than anything we’ve scene recently that is for sure.â€


With a delicate tilt of her head, Anju glanced at the high ceiling and the wall at the end of the room, “Do you always get to talk in here when not making laws?â€
 
To Blef


The snakeman shrugs, nodding, "Very well." He takes a seat behind his desk. "First rule of Shale: don't fuck with the clergy or senators, a lot of 'em got serious connections and many of them have many friends in the deepest gutters of Malfeas." He'll pause to let that sink in.


"Then, after that, you got the Tangs, they run protection in a small cluster of streets on the west side of the city. Moderate sized gang, ran by the Dorphan. He's a God-Blood or some such thing I'm told. So be wary. They're a rather peaceful group when they're paid and no one moves on their interests. Gang warfare is rather rare here, but when it happens, the Icehouse fills up quick.


"After that, you've got the occasional Grass Spider. You'll not know who they are much like us. I hear one is roaming in town since all this bullshit started. Don't fuck with him, they as a group don't fuck with you. I remember when this city had interesting times last. Ground war between a few Spiders and the whole of the Tangs and two other small time gangs. Well, the Tangs only run a few streets now... That was-oh-fifteen years ago now?


"Then there are the militia and military proper, they run a few rackets but nothing near what the Families or anyone else run, in truth. Military just likes to secure contracts for arms from the Smithy at decent prices. Though gods know where all that damn steel is going or for whom. We shit out enough swords to arm the Realm a dozen times over. That's beside the point. What you really, really need to worry about here are the Families. These are the big fish. Even the Spiders don't really fuck with them and the clergy kiss ass to even the lowest Families on the ladder."


The Snake opens up his hand and counts off names with his fingers, "You got the Illenii, I don't care what anyone says, they're one of 'em; then you have the Buzuso; then the Illyushin, Red Dragons of the Barren Hills; Archimonidae is probably the second largest family, they run pretty much all games on the ports of the Salt Stretch; finally, the ever-charming Tuloshin some old money from the Shogunate era. They have their fingers in a lot of shit. They all got enforcers, they all got connections, most got some Outcastes, they are terrifying."


The Snake pulls out a bottle of wine, pouring himself a glass. "Care for some?"
 
To Anju


"Sometimes, sweetie. Sometimes." Jaspree smiles again, showing those lovely white teeth. It's a warm look. "It is an impressive structure, no?" She chuckles, rolling her shoulders some. "It takes almost an hour to walk to the top, you know? This chamber along, aside the second tier viewing area there," she points somewhere above and behind you, "raises a few hundred feet with that vaulted ceiling."


"Jaspree, while this is all well and good and you're making a new friend," the jowly man speaks up, "we have important business to discuss." He makes a very pointed tilt of his head, eyes widening some. He and the other man nod gravely.


Jaspree sighs, "I believe you must go then, my dear. I am sorry. Enki, escort her out, please and be gentler than you were." The big man lets out a grunt.


Perception + Awareness, please.
 
To Kaya


Dinner is wonderful, about an hour's worth of dining and talking with Adair about any little thing under the heavens. The spices certainly opened up your nose and tear ducts, you've not been able to see well for almost twenty minutes now. Woo! They're just as good as back home for peppers and such. Maybe a bit too gung-ho. But it was a delicious meal. You're full, pleased, and a little well-greased by wine as Adair is. He looks positively giddy.


"...and that's how I bartered my way past that whole tribe of beastmen. I'll never do it again."


He laughs as you both head down the avenue toward the wagons, you'll note Grin's caravan, some of the wagons in your wagon train have been moved to a storing area near the city gates. Jonas and a few of the men are near the last few wagons in Saeka's caravan, talking and unloading products to sell.


"Hoy! Kaya!" He calls out to you.
 
Anju


An hour? Scared for her life aspect aside, maybe it was good she’d stopped to eavesdrop! With the caravan, she had to walk a lot, but it was mostly flat ground, not stairs. Besides, that was a ‘had to’ situation, not a ‘for fun’ one. At this point, Anju was more than happy to not return –though maybe for that viewing area. Such elevation must grant a beautiful view of the city.


“It was very nice to meet you, Lady Jaspree,†Anju said after a curt nod of understanding.


After which she took another look at the room ending on Enki. Yippee.


Results for 5 dice: 2 successes [ 6 8 1 8 5 ] (TN: 7)
 
To Anju


As you leave the room, heading up the stairs toward the distant doors out, you notice for a brief second a soft blue light shining in the pocket of the jowly man. Huh, what the devil could that be? Hearthstone, maybe. Perhaps an alchemy thing! Ooh, that'd be interesting. Enki will be standing there as the large wall of human that he is, looking down at you with a neutral expression. "This way, please." He'll move aside to let you head up the stairs and even open the door for you. As you step out, he'll slowly close the door behind you and you'll be alone inside the hallway again.
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


"Falcon, you spin too many tales. You expect me to believe that?" Kaya had her hand on his shoulder, the other one over her very full stomach as she bent over laughing.


She whirled when she heard Jonas' voice, taking a bit of looking to pinpoint the Lunar. Finally, she spotted him by one of the wagons and jogged over, a silly smile still on her face. "A good evening to you, Jonas. Do you need something?" She seemed truly in a good mood despite the watery eyes and the slightly runny nose, casually saluting the rest of the men.
 
Kalek


Kalek trudges off by himself, mostly ignoring any attempts to snag his attention. After all, he had received the break he had needed- but there was still the matter of that meteor swarm. Not being a very... scientific or spiritualistic man, the meteors had no real meaning other than a freak accident to him. However, he did believe that things happen for a reason- So what better place to find out what might be going on than to open a book and hope for a clue?


With that said, he heads off to the Library.
 
Amilar Blefuscu


Blef nods. "My thanks." Smirking slightly, he holds up a pale hand. Lightning arcs between the fingers. "And I'm not too worried about Outcastes, shall we say? Now. Hartcourt Manor. I don't suppose you'd have anything as convenient as a floor plan, or staff roster..."
 
To Blef


"I dunno how much a staff roster would help unless you can change your skin, whitey." Snake chuckles, drinking more wine. "However. I do have the odd sketch or two of the first two floors. That's all I can give, the other floors are usually under lock and key. Explore if you want, I don't care, but I need any and all information from the guests." He rises, shuffling over to a door behind the desk and slipping in for a minute, you'll hear some shuffling and the like and out he comes again with parchment. "Here. This should do the job."


He was right, bare sketches they are, but they seem to do well enough on their own. Not too large either, they can be hidden in a pocket easily enough when folded. "Have at it and watch out for others such as yourself. You won't spot them at first, but most of the Families and other groups interested will have people there tomorrow night. Promise you that."


There's a knock at the door. The Snake freezes and tilts his head to listen. "Ah, hell. One moment, please." He'll head to the door to open it.
 
To Kaya


Jonas looks at you and then Adair, shaking his head after a few minutes. "Don't even want to know. No, what I wanted was to ask if you've seen Anju? She's wandered off again. Just wondering where she was. We've been selling off shite all day."


"Maybe she found herself a man?" Some of the men unloading barrels roar with laughter.


To Kalek


You have heard the best libraries for this place outside the government run library would most likely be one of the Colleges, perhaps. There are some here in town...somewhere.


You'll be wandering out of the bar by the time the man Adair and the Dereth Kayadin come walking back up. They're conversing with Jonas and some of the other gypsies.
 
To Fayd


The girls are neatly secreted away in their rooms, that short visit with Leliana was rather invigorating. Another is called for later. However, it came to mind that while you have a new contract out on a man's life, you also need to check in with the Snake. He's your middleman in dealing with Mister Constantine. He'd have to be notified and the contract holder added a stipulation that any and all confirmations of your kills would come from you through the Snake.


That's that for the most part. Without that, Constantine made clear he'd hold back a considerable percentage of your pay. Prickly bastard.


You'll be approaching Tevinter Merchants and note the door is locked and windows shrouded. He's in a meeting. Oh well, he always said knock several times in this manner and he'd be there...so you do.


And the door opens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 6 (members: 0, guests: 6)
Back
Top