The Icy Wastes - IC

[Cottonmouth]

Session 1, Scene 1


With long winters and short summers with more threats than someone could think of, the people of the North survives in harsh conditions. The cold wind and snow coming down on the boats and ships coming to the port town of Grieve, surrounded by a wall to keep fair folk and other creatures. The dockworkers are busy unloading cargo, with merchants and their entourage stepping out their vessels. The new arrivals stand out, many wearing attires that you would not find among the northerners plain wool and linen clothing. The visitors share a goal with your circle, the mysteries of the White Elixir.

Second only to the people, the city cats have apparently taken over the city and can be found everywhere.

The crowd gathered and had all their attention on one thing this morning, a mutilated body on the dock, turning the snow red with blood, appearing to be a man. Like moth to the flame, you at least come to check it out. The guards will probably arrive soon.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Words as Weapons has just arrived to Grieve leading his mercenary company. He has contacted them before arriving, and secured a pass, with the caveat that the troop will stay outside the city walls. He had no desire to antagonize them, and if he could get his hands on this white Elixir and replicate it, having immortal troops would be very handy.

He'd heard of the commotion as they got off the boat, and he gave orders to Talish, his second-in-command, to take the troops and set up camp just outside the city walls, while he made his way to the mutilated body. But he kept his distance and looked around. He knew he stood out, with his different complexion. Maybe it was time to learn how to remedy that. But he was looking around to see who else took interest in this.

 

[Sherwood]

Sasha has always been a cat person, so the abundance of felines in the city is not a bad thing for her. But right now, there is the question of the mutilated body on the dock that has drawn her attention. She knows little of medicine, but has seen her fair share of wounds over the years, so she is wondering if she can identify just how the body got in that condition to begin with. With all the people gawking, though, she is unable to get a good enough look to try and get the answers she seeks.

 

[Random Word]

Ah, It's good to be home, observes Winter Sun as a Lynx hisses and recoils from a surreptitious shadow serpent extending out from his heavy black fur coat. Anyone could wear white makeup and open a black parasol - they were rather fashionable these days - but to really sell the look of one of the Queen's secret police you need the authentic reaction. It's the little things that elevate a hastily acquired coat and a death mask into a disguise, like making sure to cover his mouth in thick cloth so his breath doesn't mist in the cold morning air, and padding his coat so his chest doesn't visibly rise and fall. The dead don't breathe.

With an imperious gesture to those who turn, startled, as the lynx hisses Winter Sun parts the crowd, giving an almost imperceptible nod to Sasha as he passes, stopping several paces from the body and clearing her line of sight. "Caught by a woman thwarted by a crowd of peasants," he shakes his head, as if in disgust over the murder, but his distaste is genuine as he considers the corpse. He's no physiker or shaman, but this isn't his first crime scene.

[Intelligence 5 + Medicine 0 + Stunt 2 = 7; 1 success ]

 

[Cottonmouth]

Sasha attempts to take a look around but with the crowd around, she has a hard time to concentrate on what she can see even with the help of Winter Sun. The blood appeared to be coming from the neck, that much Winter Sun could see as he got closer to the scene. Before she could the time to take a look, a few men wearing heavier fur and swords seem to push the crowd away.

"Everybody moves back, go back to your activities! We have this under control. Hey you! help them move the body!"

As the guard points at Winter Sun to the corpse on the ground, as another guard is heading toward the feet of the young man on the floor.

World as Weapon even when trying to be discrete noticed that many people were looking at him, his appearance obviously was mesmerizing to the people around and many hadn't seen somebody that impressive in a long time.

Note: Sasha had the first botch of the game, so added a little complication, the guards have come already on the scene. World of Weapon with appearance 5 and charisma 5 is pretty much catching people eyes without even trying and could take advantage of that if he wanted. Winter Sun you can do a disguise roll but going to assume the guards won't be able to see through it.
A disguise roll is Intelligence+Larceny.

 

[Random Word]

Winter Sun turns cold dead eyes on the man with a look intended to freeze the blood of even a hardened Northern warrior. "You dare address me so? I will note your impertinence in my report. What is your name?"

[Winter Sun will attempt to instill a Tie of Fear. Charisma 1 + Presence 3 + HPM 3 + Excellency 1 + Stunt 2 = 10 dice. Bloody hell. 11 hits.]

He holds the silence uncomfortably after the man gives his name. "You are not wrong. This is an unsightly stain upon our Queen's city. I will assist you." He takes one last look over the body before gesturing to Sasha to come closer. "You. Hold this over me. Follow." He hands her the black parasol shading him from the pale sun. He moves to heft the legs.

 

[Cottonmouth]

"Silver Lynx sir! and sorry just trying to get this corpse sorted out as soon as possible!" The guard known as Silver Lynx is obviously taken aback by the situation and prefers to let Winter Sun do his thing.

Note: Will let the other players posts first before posting some more, since Silver Lynx is a trivial character so kept the social influence action simple here. But yes, this roll was enough to beat the resolve of 2 from Silver Lynx, so formed a minor intimacy of fear toward Winter Sun, would recommend to note as well if you use personal or peripheral mote.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Words as Weapon realized he stands out in the crowd. It happened to him quite often, but still he wasn't used to it outside of leading troops. He smiled at the crowd, and moved his cloak out of the way, revealing his tribal tattoos. These weren't his Moonsilver tattoos, but he knew they would catch more attention, as he didn't see many men here boasting tattoos.
He did notice the woman, and gave her a wink, before flexing his muscles, to distract the crowd.

Spoiler: OOC

Appearance + Performance - 3 successes

 

[Psychie]

Ryma doesn't try to get to the body to try and get a look at it. He's dead, and little can be done about that. Instead, she spends her time to look around the gathered crowd to try and get a read on the reactions of the onlookers. Is there anyone standing out as acting unusual? If so, she would take note of that person, and if not, she simply watches as the others do their part to examine the body.

OOC 5 Successes on my Per + Awareness roll.

 

[Cottonmouth]

Worlds as weapons might be able to distract people.

Ryma observes the crowd for anything suspicious and her piercing sight catches someone in dark robes apparently staring at the scene from afar, with the cowl making it impossible to see its face, close to a far away building. This person stands out for not wearing the same clothing styles as other people in the nearby crowd. The person in the cowl is not approaching the crowd.

Note: World As Weapon can roll Appearance + Performance to see how well you distract the crowd with your performance.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Rolled on my previous post

 

[Cottonmouth]

Worlds as Weapons manages to keep many people of the crowd busy with his antics, while a murder happened not too long ago, his imposing appearance caught the eye of people presents. Even including most of the guards who are astonished by such a display.

Note: Crowd is at least mostly distracted at the moment.

 

[Sherwood]

Winter Sun turns cold dead eyes on the man with a look intended to freeze the blood of even a hardened Northern warrior. "You dare address me so? I will note your impertinence in my report. What is your name?"

[Winter Sun will attempt to instill a Tie of Fear. Charisma 1 + Presence 3 + HPM 3 + Excellency 1 + Stunt 2 = 10 dice. Bloody hell. 11 hits.]

He holds the silence uncomfortably after the man gives his name. "You are not wrong. This is an unsightly stain upon our Queen's city. I will assist you." He takes one last look over the body before gesturing to Sasha to come closer. "You. Hold this over me. Follow." He hands her the black parasol shading him from the pale sun. He moves to heft the legs.

Sasha does her best to act cowed and she scurries closer to follow Winter Sun's directions. "Yes, sir! Right away, sir!"