Shadow in the Sky, Chapt 1 of TRM's Second Darkness [IC] - Page 2

Dr Simon · 27th January 2009, 09:58 AM

Tolly's eyes widen at the half-elf's display of martial prowess.

"Thats...pretty impressive," he says. To 'Hans' he can't resist replying "No, but I can stand on my head and whistle the Chelaxian national anthem.... Oh, sorry, didn't you mean me?"

ghostcat · 27th January 2009, 05:45 PM

Ti appears to consider Hans' offer for a minute or so. "Yes as it happens I have some small skills in acrobatics. Unfortunately I am not really a performer and don't think that i would be able to put an act together. But if you think that your friend Larur can help me with that, I'll give it a go."

Voadam · 28th January 2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Chance

Kronk nods to Voadam as if listening, but the dwarf's eyes shift constantly, as if looking for something.

"Headed into the city? Golden Goblin? I think I know where that is. Sure, I'll accompany you."

Kronk quickly packs up his gear and shoulders his pack.

"Shall we?"

"The Golden Goblin sounds like a tavern. That'll do fine by me to start. As I said, I'm new to town. Always good to begin with some mead and a place to check the pulse of the city." The large man glances up at the Blot again. "Last time I saw anything like that it was the work of a drau pirate. She had a cloud of darkness surrounding her recently claimed ship. She had taken over a ship I had sailed and whaled on in the past and was playing her soulwarping and torture games with the former crew in between raids. I was glad I had magic granting me svirfneblin sight to pierce the darkness when I led the raid against her. Fighting demonwarped dark elves is tough enough without doing it blind."

He turns back to the dwarf. "So what else is going on in town?"

Mark Chance · 28th January 2009, 12:45 PM

Kronk shrugs at Voadam's question. "Not sure. There was some trouble in town, I think where I was staying. I left." The dwarf absent-mindedly scratches one of the dessicated squirrels decorating his garb. "Golden Goblin. I don't like the sound of that. Mixing two things that don't fit. Could be part of the problem. Gold. Goblin." He points to the Blot and then the sun. "Darkness. Daylight. They'd like us to believe it's just a coincidence, I'm sure."

The Rolling Man · 28th January 2009, 10:54 PM

The bouncer looks at Tolly with an annoyed face. "Very funny. You must be some sort of bard or clown. Maybe YOU can help your friend here put an act together. Look, you two, I don't have much more time to offer you. There's still plenty to do for tonight. If you want some work, come with me inside. I'll present you to our floor manager, Larur. He's the one doing the hiring in any case."

If Chan Ti and Tolly decide to follow the big man, he leads them inside the Gold Goblin. After passing throught on of the two main doors, they can both clearly see the main gambling hall of the Gold Goblin. It's a wide room (at least 60 ft. wide) carpeted in rich red that has been recently patched in many places. Spread throughout the chamber are tables for different games. Various staff members are still decoration the place with hellish scenery. Painted panels depicting grinning devils and hellish fires are nailed on some walls while 'heads' made of straw are planted on upright spears and pitchforks. Light is provided mostly by the sunlight coming throught the windows but you also see numerous chandeliers hanging below the horizontally hung, gauzy beige curtains as well as several large copper braziers spaced around the room and filled with coals. At the back of the chamber between a pair of closed doors is a small dais bearing a bust of Desna, goddess of luck. "Stay here." Hans says at the entrance. Leaving them, he goes to see the dwarf Ti saw earlier and the two have short conversation. The small and bald dwarf approaches the duo with an hint of a smile, almost totally hidden behind his great beard. "Larur Feldin, at your service. I manage the day to day operations of this fine establishment. Hans told me that one of you was willing to make an acrobatic display for our guests tonight. He says you're pretty quick."

Larur Feldin

The Rolling Man · 28th January 2009, 11:10 PM

Voadam, Kron and Rorgar leave Lubbertown behind them and start to head into the city proper. The next area they cross is the hilly Devil's Fork, home of most of the Gendarmes' barracks. They meet some guardmen that look at the trio with a suspicious eye but they let them pass without hindrance. After clearing a particular high ridge, they have a good view of Riddleport and its infamous Cyphergate. They also notice something strange happening in the sky above the City of Cyphers.

shadow-sky-chapt-1-trms-second-darkness-ic-seagulls.jpg

Flocks of sea gulls suddenly take to the air and begin flying in a growing cacophonous spiral. This continues for several minutes as large flocks wheel above the city in ever-gathering numbers. Eventually their erratic flight brings them into proximity to the Cyphergate, where they crash into it violently by the hundreds before the few survivors continue their ragged flight out to sea.

Voadam · 29th January 2009, 01:00 AM

Voadam watches the rising of the several flocks with interest, then when he sees them crash into the Cyphergate he frowns "At first I thought they were fleeing the city. The gate deaths hint at more though. It is possible the birds were unable to turn away from a force calling them out irresistably, even when such an obstacle meant their rapid course insured the death of most of them. Or there might be something about that rune gate that makes navigating flight near it inherently hazardous. I think the former more likely, the survivors still seem to be flocking together as if carried on a current." Voadam continues to watch the birds' progress for a time.

Walking Dad · 29th January 2009, 10:57 AM

"What ever it is, it is a very bad omen. We should hurry to this golden goblin!" Rorgar says. His face is darkening. These damned cities, they seem to have damaged a friends mind and bring danger for whole creation, like a spreading cancer...

Dr Simon · 29th January 2009, 11:10 AM

"Nice decor," mutters Tolly as they pass through the Goblin. He takes the opportunity to get an idea of the layout of the place and looks for other exits, more out of habit than a direct need.

He nods and smiles at Larur, but since the half elf was addressed, he waits for him to speak first.

ghostcat · 29th January 2009, 08:45 PM

"Lead on Hans. We'll give it a go.". Ti will follow Hans in to the Golden Goblin, talking to Tolly on the way. "Hi I am called Chan Ti, my friend call me Ti. As for this show, I have the moves but I am not a performer. Have you any ideas on how we can entertain the crowd."

Ti wait while Hans talks with Larur and when addressed replies "I'm really a fighter not a performer. However, I have some skill as an acrobat and with the help of my friend here I am sure that we can put on a good show. Have you any ideas on the type of thing you would like to see?"

The Rolling Man · 30th January 2009, 04:53 AM

Larur thinks for a moment. "You won't need to keep them entertained for the whole evening, there's plenty of gambling games and other things to keep everyone busy. You just need to spice up the evening a little. Just show me the various move you can do and we'll work something out. If I'm satisfied, it'd be an easy 10 sp for you and your friend." The dwarf turns to the red-headed human. "And, what does your friend do, by the way ? Maybe he could tell the audience a few funny stories and present you ?"

Dr Simon · 30th January 2009, 09:58 AM

Tolly looks a little surprised.

"Me?" he asks. "Well, I wasn't really... I mean, I was just wandering by and..." He stops babbling and extends a hand to Larur.

"Tolly Garnus at your service," he says. "I guess I can tell a yarn or two, and I can turn a few little conjuring tricks, you know, coin behind the ear kind of thing. If you want someone to schmooze the punters, I reckon I'm the man to help you there. I was rather interested in Cheating the Devil and Winning His Gold tonight, though. What's your policy on employees joining the tournament?"

Voadam · 30th January 2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walking Dad

"What ever it is, it is a very bad omen. We should hurry to this golden goblin!" Rorgar says. His face is darkening. These damned cities, they seem to have damaged a friends mind and bring danger for whole creation, like a spreading cancer...

"As we go keep your eyes out for other urban animals in the city. Rats, feral dogs, cats, workhorses. Rats in particular. Could be just the gulls were summoned away, or something might have spooked all the natural wild animals." He considers for a moment. "The gate crashing leads me to think it will be just the gulls. Best to keep our eyes open though. Its a mystery for now, perhaps it was a sea vampire who calls gulls instead of bats."

Voadam joins the half-orc and the dwarf in heading into the city.

Mark Chance · 31st January 2009, 02:22 PM

Kronk snorts and chuckles. "Maybe their just stupid. Gulls. Little better than flying rodents, I say. But you got one thing right: Got to keep an eye on the animals, but not especially the rats. It's the squirrels that bear close watching. I've not figured it all out yet, but the squirrels are important."

ghostcat · 1st February 2009, 03:45 PM

"OK. Here goes." Ti repeats the fighting moves that he showed to Hans, followed by a number of tumbles, rolls, flips and walking on hands. Finishing with a dive over Larur going into a tumble landing and ending up on his feet. "How's that, anything you can use?"

OOC
Acrobatics +7, taking 10 and taking care to not try anything above DC 17.

Voadam · 2nd February 2009, 10:08 PM

Voadam glances down at the dwarf's squirrel shirt as they go. "I mention rats because they are closer to the wild than pets or workbeasts. Seaports rarely lack for rats but each city is different. Are squirrels common here? If they are then their absence would be of note as well. What have you noted about the squirrels here?" Voadam engages the dwarf in conversation, giving Rorgar an opportunity to evaluate his old friend while Voadam picks up bits about both the city and the dwarf.

The Rolling Man · 3rd February 2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Simon

Tolly looks a little surprised.

"Me?" he asks. "Well, I wasn't really... I mean, I was just wandering by and..." He stops babbling and extends a hand to Larur.

"Tolly Garnus at your service," he says. "I guess I can tell a yarn or two, and I can turn a few little conjuring tricks, you know, coin behind the ear kind of thing. If you want someone to schmooze the punters, I reckon I'm the man to help you there. I was rather interested in Cheating the Devil and Winning His Gold tonight, though. What's your policy on employees joining the tournament?"

Larur accepts Tolly's hand and shakes it vigorously. His hand is rough and firm. "Yep, that's what I had in mind. You'll have the hard task of getting everyone's attention and putting them all at ease before presenting the skill of your exotic friend here. Now, let's see what he can actually do." Larur Feldin smiles has he watches Chan Ti make his display. "Good, good, most impressive. It almost seems like you could do better however. Are you holding back because you didn't want to fall on your butt in front of me ? Ha, ha, don't worry. This isn't some Korvosan grand show hall. You two will do fine. We just need to come up with an interesting routine and make you fit with the theme of the evening … Maybe I could find you some 'devilish' costumes. I can't say I really approve of tonight's theme but the boss thinks its curiosity will help us attract more audience. Oh, I almost forgot. I think we'll place your performance only late in the evening so you'll have time to participate in the tournament if you wish. I'll only require you to read and sign one of these." Larur retrieves a piece of parchment from one of his pockets and hands it to Tolly.

Parchment

The Rolling Man · 3rd February 2009, 08:28 PM

About 6 hours after midday, 14th of Aroden AR 4708.

As the day advances, some of the water evaporated by the hot sun start to form clouds in the highs surrounding Riddleport. It isn't long before the clouds hide the sun again and the city is once again under it's usual gloom. On the other hand, it's getting late and the Gold Goblin should open soon. This means that the gambling tournament is about to begin !

Tosh

Rorgar, Kronk and Voadam

The morning has been frustrating for the trio coming from Lubbertown. First, they got lost by following a confused Kronk throught the city. When they finally found the Gold Goblin around midday, they found out that the establishment was closed until the evening. Now, much later, they are happy to see the crowds of participants and spectators milling about on the street or filing together through the main doors to sign up for the tournament. Overseeing this gathering is a larger-than-life-size statue of a goblin, apparently cast in glittering gold, that stands atop the entry stairs with a smirking expression of satisfaction on its face, as if personally enjoying the crowds that shuffle past it into the doorway beneath the gambling hall’s gilded dome. It takes some time but eventually the trio gets pass the main doors and are greated by a tall bouncer and two sultry beauties scantily clad and wearing faux bat wings, devil horns, and tails. The alluring beauties playing the role of succubi hand pieces of parchment to all three. "Welcome to the Gold Goblin, sirs. We'll need your signature or your mark if you want to enter and try to steal the devil's gold. Hopefully, you'll get lucky and exit richer and with your soul." One of them says with a wink. Here's what can be read on the parchments :

Parchment

OOC note : the adventure assumes you have the 10 sp for this so you don't have to pay anything.

Chan Ti and Tolly

Walking Dad · 4th February 2009, 11:32 AM

Rorgar reads the parchment and looks at the others. He doesn't like the idea to risk his soul for wealth. Perhaps there is another way in...

Voadam · 5th February 2009, 01:09 AM

Voadam smiles broadly at the dusky "fiendish" hostess and accepts the scroll. He gives her an appreciative look

Spoiler:

After reading it over with some chuckles he gives her a wink as he approaches her. "I could use a friendly devil's advocate here to explain certain of the terms in this infernal contract." He slips one arm around her waist while holding up the scroll for her to see with the other "Down here on the bottom, you see it mentions a devil's mark. What can you tell me about that? Will the lost souls tonight be marked in pitch or does this call for something else? And as for a witness, I'd say you are far too lovely a vision of temptation to go by the name Old Scratch, so tell me your truename and point out if you can which devil here will answer to that other name? Is he observing from the shadows and waiting until the end for a grand reveal or is he in the hall right now?" Voadam scans the crowd

Spoiler:

before returning his attention back to the hostess on his arm "Also what are the terms if a black wizard like myself has no soul to sell?" The latter is said with a wink.