Trial By Fire - Exalted 2e IC Thread

[jaydude]

As Aredin let loose his accusations, Annika would use her Gemstone of Surface Thoughts on Blythe, curious about what the other woman would now be thinking as a result of Aredin's stern words.

 

[Sherwood]

Blythe takes a sip of her drink before answering. "We do have some items that only seem to be able to be made here, most notably this wine you are drinking. It is a top seller to the merchants that come here. But yes, there are other items that draw the interest of the Guild to the Slope. There are . . . many artifacts that we have cached in safe places that are left over from the days of the Shogunate. They do fetch a handsome price for the items that we are willing to part with. Why? Do you have an interest in our old relics?"

Annika can read enough of Blythe's thoughts to know that she is thinking basically that there may be a chance to have a second buyer for the "old junk that is gathering dust" and bring in some resources for the people of Mount Metagalapa.

 

[jaydude]

Annika would whisper what she had heard into Aredin's ear, keeping her voice quiet and indistinct to prevent Blythe from hearing what she was saying, and stop her finding out that one of her visitors could read her thoughts. With any luck, Blythe would assume her whispering to merely be one of Ryan's security detail voicing her concerns to him.

 

[Rykon]

As a former merchant prince, even Aredin would've hesitated to maintain a non-essence powered aerial vessel. Such things were beyond most nations and companies making them liable to attract covetous attention in droves. "Most of the older relics are only valuable to essence users, so I have a very practical interest in investigating them." Aredin said bluntly. "If there are various antiquities that myself or my associates could make use of, I would be happy to negotiate a fair price."

 

[Sherwood]

Blythe is silent for a long moment, obviously thinking over her response. She finally says, "Let me say that I am not against this idea, but I cannot answer for this question alone. This is a topic I must broach with others here on the Slope, but I don't see any reason why you cannot place an offer on some of the items we have in storage."

She looks over at one of the two girls there, and says, "Go fetch Issar and Cable. Tell them that I will be at the counsel hall in an hour, and will need to speak with them."
"Yes, mama." With that, the girl hikes up her dress and runs out.

 

[Rykon]

"I take it you've had dealings with these guild merchants in the past then? Given the level of scrutiny your people seem to levy on who does and doesn't get to know of these wares, I can only assume as much. Seems rather counterintuitive if your goal is to prosper 'the slope', as you call it. Perhaps, if your people are willing to hear me out, I could see what I can do to help fill in what needs or wants you all may have in future trade. I've no shortage of means at my disposal after all." Aredin said, hoping to probe for more information as to how they came to deal with what he only assumes to be Abyssal agents. Should they prove helpful in claiming his prize, he would sincerely make an effort to see how Gwynnin could aid the people of Metagalapa.

 

[Sherwood]

Blythe looks at Aredin with a speculative gaze. "I will present this offer to the other Elders of the mountain, but I will say that I am not against the idea of working with you for the benefit of both our people. The thought of trading with you is less . . . odious . . . than dealing with the current bunch of representatives that are visiting here. But that is just my own personal opinion, and it is not universally shared by my fellow Elders."

She glances out the window at the position of the sun, and says, "It is nearly time for me to go meet with the others. Please, make yourselves comfortable while I am gone. Feel free to explore the Slope if you so wish, or you can stay here and Ella will take care of your needs. Please excuse me." With that, she rises up and heads for the door.

What do you do now?

 

[Rykon]

Aredin will let Sirocco handle surveillance from here, taking the time to enjoy a fresh meal after an extended flight from Gwynnin.

 

[Sherwood]

Sirocco was in bird form when the group arrived, pretending to be a bird of prey in the regal couple's entourage. Shortly after, she would give Heaven the agreed sign to let her fly, and explore the mountain, seeing what she can see with a bird's view.

Please give me a Perception plus Awareness roll as you fly about.

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

Perception + Awareness
Spending 1 willpower

3suxxes

 

[jaydude]

Annika chose to remain sat with Aredin. Ordinarily, she would have gone off to do some investigating on her own, but she feared that doing so would blow her cover as a bodyguard.

 

[Sherwood]

While Sirocco is flying about, at first everything seems quite normal for a flying mountain with a few thousand people living on it for the past eight hundred years. But soon enough, you do spot something that looks somewhat out of place. Off towards a steep precipice, there appears to be a fresh trail that has been recently carved into the rock of the mountain, curving around out of sight of the houses on the shallower grade. The trail leads off to a cave, and as you watch, you can see several Mercury Ants dumping debris out of the opening as they dig deeper into the mountain.

Watching the progress of the Ants is a tall figure in robes with bandages wrapped around (you are guessing it is a man) his face that conceal his features. One of the elementals approaches the man and speaks to him, and the man replies, sending the Ant back inside the cave. You were too far away to hear what they were saying to one another.

 

[D. Rex]

Ragnar too would wait. He had no reason to go off, nor had any specific skills that would help him in their endeavors at the moment. He did, however, refrain from drinking or snacking. Just in case.

He gave a look to Annika. "Checking ahead might be a wise thing to do. One can't fault a bodyguard for preemptively looking for security concerns." He suggested quietly. Ragnar could handle things here. And Annika was by far more skilled for snoppomg around than he was.

 

[jaydude]

Hearing Ragnar's words, Annika would look at Aredin and then Darian, prepared to head off and do some investigating, but also wanting to know what they thought she should do.

 

[Psychie]

Darian will look over at Aredin and the others and say, "Well, since we have some time before our host comes back, why don't we wander about and see some of the locals? We might then learn more about what these people might need in trade with Gwynnin. Shall we?" She rises and holds her hand out to her husband to join her.

 

[jaydude]

"A good idea." said Annika, as she stood up as well. "Any suggestions on where we should go?"

 

[Rykon]

"Very well. Let's start back at the landing. I imagine the folks there will have a better idea of what comes in and out of Metagalapa. Among other things..." Aredin added the last part in a barely audible whisper. "Like our competitors."

 

[jaydude]

Annika would nod, and follow Aredin, assuming that he was heading back to the landing.

 

[Sherwood]

Stepping outside, it is a pleasant afternoon with a soft breeze blowing the flowers and trees, and kids are running around, playing various games that involve a lot of laughing and screaming at one another. As you head back down the path towards the large marketplace where you landed, you can see that there is a small crowd of people gathered around a large tent that has been set up at the side of the merchant airship, looking over the various wares that have been brought up for sale.

Several of the shoppers there stop and make way for you to step forward and look at what is being hawked in the tent, offering up respectful nods and half bows to you, and some even offer up a pleasant welcome to you.

One of the merchants in the tent comes over to you, dollar signs flashing in his eyes. "Ah! Welcome! How can I be of service to such a lovely couple?"

 

[Rykon]

"Ah perfect! My good man, my gorgeous bride and I have come to see new sights, and we have heard the most distressing news on our arrival. One of the people here has given me the impression that you're good folk here don't get as much access to outside markets as such a wondrous location rightly deserves. Would you be so kind as to regale us with your account of what the markets here have to offer, and what coincidentally, you might be willing to purchase to fill the gaps?" Aredin still held the Jade obol coin in his hand and rolling it across his knuckles as he spoke, intentionally trying to incite the merchant's enthusiasm and elaborate on what Metagalapa currently does and does not have access to.

"Speaking of, what of your other guests, the guild merchant ship I heard was moored here?" Aredin leaned closer as if confiding a deep secret to the man. "Word has it, they are some very dodgey and somewhat suspect folk. I'd hate to think they might try to exploit such good people as the folk of this mystical slope. I promise on my honor as a prince, trade with my nation would not be done with such suspect and unsavory characters!"

[Taking a manipulation based presence action to get the merchant to expound on recent events and our alleged abyssal rivals. Throwing in a WP and Irrestistable Salesman Spirit for good measure. 22 Successes for 11personal motes 1wp total. No assumed stunt.]

 

[Sherwood]

The merchant nods as Aredin talks. "Yes, this particular ship has several envoys from one of the Deathlords down south, trying to get ahold of some of the old artifacts that have been cached in our storerooms ever since the mountain lifted up into the air all those many years ago. I know that some items of power that we possess are not for sale, since our own Exalts can still use them for our own defense if it ever happens that we are attacked. Still other items are things that we protect to keep out of the hands of undesirables. I would hazard a guess that there is no price that the Deathlords could come up with that could persuade the Elders to part with some things in storage. Still, it doesn't stop the Guild and other interested buyers from coming here to try."

"Mostly, our biggest export is our wine. We have a rare vintage here that just doesn't thrive anywhere else in Creation that is truly wonderful. It is sought after by many, even as far away as the Blessed Isle itself! Isn't that amazing? Would you like to try a sample? I promise that you've not tried anything like it before."

You believe that this man would not have told you so much about the stored artifacts if you had not used your own Essence on him to nudge his response in the right direction.

 

[jaydude]

Grimacing at the news that one of the Deathlords was known to be making offers for the artifacts, Annika would go ahead and activate Judge's Ear Technique. If anyone here was hiding secrets, she wasn't going to let them lie their way out of it.

Spoiler: OOC

Activating Judge’s Ear Technique for 3 motes of personal essence.

 

[Rykon]

"I am glad you have been honest and forthcoming friend. I already knew the deathlord's agents were here. They are enemies of ours, you see, and I trust they would raze this place to the ground should you all obstruct their mission. My companions and I would help you hold fast against interlopers now and into the future. All I need you to do, is to raise your voice to those making these decisions. Let us convene together so that we can help you all build prosperity in trade and integrity. The world needs your exquisite wine after all!" Aredin said, taking a somewhat conspiratorial tone as he took the merchant under his arm to talk business.

"Ah, I would be a poor patron if I did not at least make a purchase though. We have a fondness for wine as well, so please, sell us a bottle befitting this regal lady. Just don't forget to raise your voice to your fellows."

 

[Red Shadow Claws]

While Sirocco is flying about, at first everything seems quite normal for a flying mountain with a few thousand people living on it for the past eight hundred years. But soon enough, you do spot something that looks somewhat out of place. Off towards a steep precipice, there appears to be a fresh trail that has been recently carved into the rock of the mountain, curving around out of sight of the houses on the shallower grade. The trail leads off to a cave, and as you watch, you can see several Mercury Ants dumping debris out of the opening as they dig deeper into the mountain.

Watching the progress of the Ants is a tall figure in robes with bandages wrapped around (you are guessing it is a man) his face that conceal his features. One of the elementals approaches the man and speaks to him, and the man replies, sending the Ant back inside the cave. You were too far away to hear what they were saying to one another.

Sirocco regards the figure. Why would anyone hide behind bandages, unless one really wanted a sort of anonymity. Or one was a deathknight?
With a sharp glance, she tries to see whether she can spot some prey animal near the man, that she can, perhaps, hunt down, and then be closer to hear the man, while eating. Heaven would likely object to this, what with her eating raw meat during pregnancy, but much as she adored him, she knew that it would pose no real risk. in fact, not getting enough info could be more damaging.

 

[Neopilot]

"I am glad you have been honest and forthcoming friend. I already knew the deathlord's agents were here. They are enemies of ours, you see, and I trust they would raze this place to the ground should you all obstruct their mission. My companions and I would help you hold fast against interlopers now and into the future. All I need you to do, is to raise your voice to those making these decisions. Let us convene together so that we can help you all build prosperity in trade and integrity. The world needs your exquisite wine after all!" Aredin said, taking a somewhat conspiratorial tone as he took the merchant under his arm to talk business.

"Ah, I would be a poor patron if I did not at least make a purchase though. We have a fondness for wine as well, so please, sell us a bottle befitting this regal lady. Just don't forget to raise your voice to your fellows."

Having heard Aredin's conversation from his coincidentally close position Kuridin would move towards his brother and give him a stern look and shook his head at his being so open about the circle's own position in regards to this Deathlord's agents. "Perhaps it's not the best idea to announce that to random folks brother..."