Chronicle of the Scavenger Lands (Exalted 3E) - IC

[Sherwood]

Keeping her guard up, Ailera says, "I am just that much better than you in a fight, and I could have easily killed you, but I chose not to. I was trying to meet up with you guys, not get into a battle. Now, are we going to keep on playing games, or can we put the weapons away and talk like reasonable people? Either way, I'm fine with it. Just depends on how many bruises you want."

 

[jaydude]

The bandits all look unhappy at nearly getting their backsides kicked by a single woman, but after some exchanged looks and unspoken dialogue, they all sheathe their swords. The one on the ground climbs back up to his feet, and the one with the broken ribs slumps down against the wall, nursing his injuries.

"Fine. We'll talk." says the first bandit. "You said earlier you were looking to join a band of fortune seekers. Were you referring to us, by any chance? If so, I have to ask, how'd you even find out about us?"

 

[Sherwood]

"As a matter of fact, yeah, I was referring about you guys." Ailera lowers her hands down to her sides, but is still somewhat wary about the bunch. "As for just how I heard about you, hell, anyone that has anything to do with that mine knows about the bandits that are raiding their shipments. It didn't take a genius level Iq to put things together and be able to figure out where you were." She runs her fingers through her hair to get a few loose strands out of her face. "So, can we put aside our recent misunderstandings and talk like civilized people?"

 

[jaydude]

The first bandit crosses his arms. "Okay, fair enough. But do you think we're just going to *tell* you where our camp is? For all I know, this is all just a ruse of yours to find out where we're based, so that you can come up there later with some friends and attack us all."

Spoiler: OOC

You will need to use a Persuade action to convince the bandits to lead you to their hideout or tell you where it is. This will be an Inconvenient task for them.

 

[Rykon]

Ryan looked to the wondering man, somewhat concerned for his well being for his circumstances to be so dire, "We're headed toward Marita on financial business."

 

[jaydude]

The traveller blinks. "Why would you be heading back to Marita?" he asks, looking and sounding a little confused. "I saw you and your band of mercenaries leaving the city but a few days ago." he explains.

 

[Rykon]

Ryan sighed, trying to keep his words vague enough as to not lead a suspicious vagabond upon his companions. "Seems we stumbled into the midst of a dispute between a landowner and a guild princess. Obviously, the princess lives back this way toward the city. The hope is that she will be amenable to civil negotiations."

 

[jaydude]

The traveller nods in understanding. "Ah. You are looking for Lyla." he replies. "I've heard a bit about her since I came to this part of Creation, but rest assured that if you were heading towards that riverside villa about a day's walk west of here, that is where you will find her."

"As for whether she will be amenable...well, that will depend entirely on what you can offer her, my friend. After all, the Guild seeks profit above all else." he says, an enigmatic smile appearing on his face.

Having said that, he turns around and resumes walking eastward along with his pack mule.

 

[Sherwood]

The first bandit crosses his arms. "Okay, fair enough. But do you think we're just going to *tell* you where our camp is? For all I know, this is all just a ruse of yours to find out where we're based, so that you can come up there later with some friends and attack us all."

Ailera looks at the bandit, considering her next words. "Because you need someone like me. Look at what I was able to do to the four of you, all by my self. I can help you to ratchet up your profit margin. I just want my own share of the cut."

Spoiler

Using my Charm of Seasoned Criminal Method, I want to use a combination of Receptivity and Familiarity to give them a reason to listen to her. Here is my Persuasion roll. Total of 4 successes.

 

[jaydude]

The bandits are quiet before a few seconds as they exchange glances and take in Ailera's words. Then there are nods of agreement, and they turn back to the Night Caste.

"I'll admit, you do give the impression of being a criminal." says the first bandit. "Follow us. We'll take you to our hideout. Can't promise our boss will let you join, however."

With that, the bandits will turn around and start walking to the west, the one with the broken ribs being assisted by one of the others.

 

[Rykon]

Ryan watches the travellers depart then turns about to continue his journey down the road with a fatigued sigh. "Yeah, it's always the same with the guild... That's what I'm counting on after all." He took a bored glance at his compass and set one foot in front of the other, marching mindlessly to the inn before the villa.

Should the remainder of the hike prove uneventful he'd take his time to make himself presentable to financial nobility in the morning.

 

[jaydude]

13th of Ascending Air, Realm Year 768
(For Ryan and Quill)​

Ryan looks more dashing than usual as he, Quill and his men set off from the inn that morning. They catch sight of the villa before long, seeing a large, two-storey building with white walls and a roof of orange tiles, surrounded by a tall wall of grey stone that extends a few meters into the river. Within the wall opposite the front of the villa is a large metal gate, currently closed. Close to the gate is a small tower, within which Ryan and Quill can see a man in lamellar armor looking around over the wall, clearly keeping an eye on those approaching or passing the villa.

What do the two of you do?
Rykon , Red Shadow Claws

 

[Rykon]

Ryan, seeking a legitimate meeting, steps forth boldly with a courteous bow. "Good morning sir, I am Ryan Shepherd of the Crimson Fangs. I came to discuss a resolution to Lady Lyla's woes of Jade. Would you be in a position to help us schedule an audience at her convenience?"

 

[jaydude]

The guard gives Ryan a nod, the Dawn Caste noticing that he wears both a bow and a sheathed sword.

"Ryan Shepherd of the Crimson Fangs, huh? I can certainly send someone to check with her, and ask if she would be open to meeting with you. Tell me, are you from Feren Mine?"

 

[Rykon]

"I just came from there yes, but if you were asking if I was under his employ, the answer is no, I am not. I'm merely a third party looking to turn a profit." Ryan said, thinking it best not to poison discussions by giving them a misleading assumption.

 

[jaydude]

The guard gives a nod, and shouts what he has been told to someone behind the wall. After a few minutes wait, Ryan, Quill and Ryan's men all hear the sound of someone in heavy armour walking towards the gate from the other side, before a deep, rumbling voice speaks out. "She will allow them entry. Open the gate."

With that, the gate is pulled open just enough to admit a single person through at a time. It also reveals a man who seems to radiate power and fortitude; he is tall and extremely muscular, with tanned skin, white hair and thick white eyebrows (Appearance 3). He wears a reinforced breastplate of white jade, and in his right hand he carries a grand goremaul with a massive head, also of white jade.

He looks over both Ryan and Quill, as if trying to assess how much of a threat they are, before speaking in the same deep voice that ordered the gate to be opened. "Greetings. I am Attimus, head bodyguard for Lyla. She is willing to meet with the two of you, but you must first hand over any and all weapons you are currently carrying." he says, his eyes darting to Ryan's daiklave before turning to the man's face. "Also, your men are to wait outside. Only if you agree to these conditions will you be allowed to meet with Lyla."

 

[Rykon]

Ryan gives an appreciative nod. "Ah, of course, my good man. I will agree to leave my entourage outside, however, I will leave the Daiklave in their custody also if it's all the same to you. Not like any of them could wield it if they tried." He gave a knowing smile from one Exalted to another, hopefully inspiring some means of respect in the man. Any Prince of the Earth would do the same after all. Such treasures are not to be trusted to strangers lightly.

[4 Successes on an instill roll.]

 

[jaydude]

"As you wish." replies Attimus, his expression impassive aside from the corners of his mouth turning upwards ever so slightly. "My subordinates will have to pat the two of you down for any smaller weapons, but afterwards I will take you to where Lyla will meet you."

Spoiler: OOC

Attimus has a Resolve of 5, so Ryan's Instill action fails.

 

[Rykon]

Ryan nodded, submitting to the search. Given his position and recent frustrations, he obviously kept weapons hidden about his person. Most are stored in such a manner to blend in with the armor splints concealed by the fabrics of the reinforced buff jacket. With those being so hard to access in a scrap, other more obvious knives were still strapped to his legs, in his boots, folded knives beneath the pauldrons, and others. Given the amount of time it would take to shed all of them, he merely let them find what they could then proceed as he was.

Dexterity + Stealth so they have a difficulty target. 7 successes.

 

[jaydude]

Red Shadow Claws

By the time that the guards are done checking Ryan for knives, he has three left on his person that have been unfound, and Attimus is looking at him with folded arms and raised eyebrows. Then he looks at Quill and says "Your turn."

The two guards who frisked Ryan then go over to Quill, intending to do the same to him.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Quill was silent throughout the exchange. But when the Dragon-Blooded turned to him, he merely said "I only carry this one knife on my belt, but if you wish to check for more, feel free to do so. Unlike my friend here, I am a merchant, and not a warrior."

 

[jaydude]

Quill's knife is confiscated, after which the two guards return to their posts, and Quill and Ryan are permitted to enter through the gates, stepping into a small plaza paved with large slabs of white stone. Closely followed by Attimus, they make their way across the plaza towards the front entrance of the villa, a set of wooden double-doors which are opened for them by a servant inside.

Stepping through the double-doors, Ryan and Quill find themselves inside a posh-looking entrance hall, with archways on their left and right leading to other parts of the villa. The most striking feature of the room however is first the grand staircase running along the side of the wall opposite the entrance, and then the woman walking gracefully down said staircase, who is clearly Lyla.



She looks to be in her early to mid-twenties, with dark hair exquisitely styled, and wearing an expensive-looking purple kimono that seems designed to show off much of her chest and legs (Appearance 4). As she walks down the stairs, she soon turns her gaze to the two men inside the building, her head bodyguard stood behind them, and smiles.

"Greetings to the two of you, and welcome to my home." she says as she reaches the bottom of the staircase and walks towards Ryan and Quill, before turning her gaze onto the Dawn Caste, her face and body language becoming flirtatious.

"You must be Ryan of the Crimson Fangs." she says, her voice becoming sultry. "I've dealt with many mercenary captains in my time, but I must admit, none of them were anywhere near as handsome as you."

She then turns her attention to Quill, keeping up her flirtatious manner with him. "I'm afraid that I wasn't told your name, only that you were older and more finely dressed than your guards."

Spoiler: OOC

Lyla is using Instill actions on both Ryan and Quill, in an attempt to have them develop Minor Ties of lust or attraction to her. In accordance with the Red Rule, you can choose to have your characters be unaffected, without having to roll dice.

 

[jaydude]

Sherwood
Following the bandits of the southern road, Ailera soon finds herself in an area of forest southwest of Feren Mine, and soon after that she comes to the entrance to the bandits' camp, a gate set within a palisade of thick and sturdy-looking wooden stakes. On each side of the gate is a small tower, and at the top of each tower stands a bandit armed with a shortsword and a self bow.

As the five approach the gate, the bandits in the towers look down at them, especially Ailera. One of them calls out. "Loran? What are you guys doing back here? And who in Malfeas is she?"

The bandit who first spoke to Ailera is the one who replies. "We came across her while on patrol. She said she wanted to join us."

Words are exchanged between Loran and the bandits in the towers, but before long the gates to the camp open, revealing a small village of tents much like Ryan's camp back near Marita, except this one gives the impression of being a more permanent settlement, and the occupants are quite clearly criminals.

The injured bandit and the other two head inside, while Loran looks at Ailera. "Want me to take you straight to the boss's tent?" he asks.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Quill smiles at her, and offer her his hand, to descend the last few steps. "Your bodyguard did neglect to ask me for my name, since my friend here did all of the introductions, well, and since he's taking the lead here. But before I forget my manners, My name is Quill, and i am a merchant, working with the Crimson Fangs." She was stunning, for sure, but etched in his mind, was the glorious image of Ysandre, when she turned on her full charms.

 

[jaydude]

Attimus looks like he might move towards Quill as the Twilight caste comes to assist Lyla, but the Guildswoman just smiles and raises a hand at her head bodyguard. "That's quite alright, Attimus. No need to stop him from being courteous." she says while taking Quill's hand. The Dragon-blood stays where he is, his expression stern.

"I was told that that the two of you came here from Feren mine, and that you wished to talk with me about resolving my 'woes of Jade'." Lyla then says to both Ryan and Quill. "Perhaps we might discuss the matter more comfortably in my sitting room?"