gideonpepys
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Session 76 - Downtime Week Two
This week Matunaaga left Flint to visit his family, Malthusius took extended leave to undertake some private research and Leon devoted himself to extensive training at the Battalion. (Their players were out, but we went ahead with the session anyway, focusing on the other half of the unit and leaving unit B aside for now.)
Free to pursue more complex and/or varied goals were Korrigan, Rumdoom and Uru. This account draws extensively on the contacts each player set up as part of their preparation for the Dying Skyseer (details of which I posted earlier in this thread http://www.enworld.org/forum/showth...ontinuing-Adventures-of-Korrigan-amp-Co/page3), and demonstrates what an effective method of campaign-building that was, as they were throwing in these names and ideas without prompting (unlike Ptolus where every NPC was presented by me and they forgot all their names and who they were and what they did). So the story was built by the players, with me chucking in a few roadbumps from my notepad as we went along:
Tilish Dredgeport, retired smuggler and landlord at the Slippery Eel (where Rumdoom once drank, slept and provided security) got back to Rumdoom regarding his earlier request for help. He suggested that certain associates of his might be able to help interfere with the supply-lines (ships bringing ammuntion and supplies) for the gathering mercenary fleet in Flint harbour. These friends had other friends who might for a fee be persuaded to change the targets of their piratical activities and take on individual mercenary ships on their way to join the fleet. Rumdoom agreed and paid a substantial sum of gold to grease the wheels.
Uru began working on clockwork insects to bring his garden to life: creatures that could use the strange bleak/fey plant-life as fuel. He toyed with the idea of trying to find some way of enabling them to self-replicate, but quickly realised that this was beyond his capabilities for the time being. Having discussed the problem with Tinker Jack, who he hadn't visited for some time, they instead began to think about using the punch-card programming system found in some of the newest 'gearmen' created by Pemberton Industries. They also thought about using this system to improve Little Jack, making it easier for the ghostly toddler to operate, so that Uru could teach him more tricks. At the same time, Uru began work on a new crossbow - one that would fire both the shuriken he had picked up while facing off against the Obscurati Shadowdancer and the bola he used to bring down fleeing targets.
Sticking with matters technological, Uru also responded to a request by Royal Technologist Justin Rollins to come by and cast his eye over the bronze golem the now-disbanded beta unit had found. Uru had tried to help out several weeks ago, but Rollins had been too jealous of his task. This time he admitted he was flummoxed and Uru did his best to arrange the pieces as he saw fit, relying on instinct and anatomical knowledge rather than 'book-smarts'. When he left, Rollins was in grateful good humour, despite the strange songs Uru hummed to himself while he worked. Uru, for his part, was impressed by the incredible workmanship and complexity of the bronze golem and realised that he had learned alot about technology while working on it.
Uru also came to an agreement with Tokoloshe, the strange creature he had freed from the stoppered bottle Ashima-Shimtu had led him to. Tokoloshe promised not to leave the confines of the garden (Uru was worried it would get up to mischief), but was keen to prepare for the winter solstice ritual that would pay its debt of freedom. Uru would need a 'bleak candle' made from human body fat. He asked Searkil Shortankard to see what he could do to obtain such stuff from crematoria and surgeries.
Korrigan spent the week networking: He sought out Cezar Stainer (nephew of his father-in-law and well-meaning social gadfly) for advice on how to approach the informal side of politics in Flint. Cezar was only too pleased to help, having always liked Korrigan, and suggested he might want to put a more positive 'spin' on his family situation if possible - that the conservative socialites of the upper echelons would find his predicament unnerving. He also went to see Heward Sechim to try to put the feelers out among like-minded pacifists and cautious industrialists who might be opposed to the militaristic adventurism of Black Star Mining and Pemberton Industries. Heward was pessimistic about galvanising much support, but felt that more idealistic entrepeneurs might be pursuaded to join their cause if public opinion swung in their direction.
And so Korrigan spent a great deal of time with ambitious young reporter Johan Grimm developing a series of articles for the Flint Courier - reminiscances about the war, Korrigan's take on public issues, his reaction to the tragic events that had befallen his wife (with an appropriately sympathetic tone). They also discussed collaboration on a ghost-written memoir.
On Cezar's advice - although he had intended to do so in any case - Korrigan also went to see his in-laws, hoping to find some common ground. Elroy Stainer would not come to meet him, but was prepared to grant an audience in their mansion on the Ayres, where he and he alone (his wife being indisposed) confronted Korrigan with customary disdain, demanding to know why he 'slept when the life of your wife and child are at stake. You must use your influence and demand action from the King!' Korrigan patiently explained that he was working to gain sufficient influence to move matters in their favour ('too little too late' was Elroy's response, sore that Korrigan had not accepted his patronage long ago) and went on to recount the lengths he had gone to - entering the Dreaming, confronting the River King - to free Elizabeth from her bargain. Elroy Stainer said that this issue proved that there was something rotten at the heart of the fey alliance with Risur, which he regarded as a 'crippling canker'. Korrigan did not entirely agree, but said that many things he had witnessed in the Dreaming had caused him to question the motives of the Unseen Court (in particular the attempted incursion which he and the unit had thwarted). Unable to win any greater approval from Stainer, he departed.
Bernard of Glenwade stopped by to apologise for the festival atmosphere that had greeted Korrigan on his return home. Korrigan reassured him that all was forgiven: Bernard had sacrificed alot when they had travelled together to the Dreaming to save Elizabeth, handing himself over to the jealous Birch Queen in order to further their quest. Korrigan still regarded him as a trusted family friend, and allowed that he continue to stand sole vigil over Elizabeth and their unborn son. The old druid became tearful and they shook hands. (Korrigan did not mention that the incident had further shaken his faith that the traditional belief systems of Risur were the best means of securing her future.)
In preparation for his first group meeting, Rumdoom received instruction from Azon the Stoneforger, who taught him the meaning of two of the most important runes on his dwarven heirlooms: the rune of protection (on his shield) and the rune of destruction (on his craghammer). Rumdoom found he had more aptitude encompassing the latter, but he learned about the stories of both and sought to weave them into his own unique approach to the Heid Eschatol.
(He did not say this aloud, but all of this - his survival against the Kraken and subsequent 'rebirth'; the heirlooms Hildegaard and Harn had given him; his fortuitous encounter with Azon following his triumph over the family bravuras - confirmed in Rumdoom's mind the conviction that he was the one who would recover the fabled Stone of Not, an ancient artefact that Azon told him had been stolen from the dwarves thousands of years ago, when the 'sea invaded the land'. Rumdoom had also begun to believe that he could not be killed - in part because this destiny was as yet unfulfilled; in part because he had survived against such incredible odds.)
When the time for the first meeting rolled around, alot of dwarves and other interested parties crowded into the hall Heward Sechim had provided, thanks to the efforts of Hildegaard who was charged with recruitment, and had billed the evening as a fundraiser for poor Khoomrung Morkanstall - mercilessly ravaged by Lorcan Kell during a failed assassination attempt. Rumdoom had seen to it that Khoomrung was now being well looked after, and hoped to provide some way to ameliorate his suffering. Both dwarves now shared a deep enmity towards Khaled Valchek, and were determined to thwart him if they could. So while Khoomrung's avuncular charm was no longer at Rumdoom's disposal (as he now sat in an armchair sans tongue, sans eyes, sans hands) his many friends and well-wishers were in attendance too, all keen to learn about and contribute to this philosophical movement.
Azon wanted to take a backseat, having no wish to publicise his arrival in Flint (his long-standing debt to the Family as yet unpaid), so it was up to Rumdoom to try to better his previous rather lukewarm performance and convey the central tenets of Rumschatology. He abandoned any attempt to sound even vaguely intellectual, or even reasonable, and instead embraced a fire-and-brimstone preaching style which was quite at odds with the rather rational message at the heart of what he was saying. Nontheless (or perhaps consequently) he was greeted by applause and approval, even by hardliners like Thered and Thangir who had stormed out of his previous 'event'. This time they remained, lurking at the back with Kvarty Gorbaty, and were buttonholed by Azon before they left. Their appraisal had been begrudgingly positive, he reported.
Later, wanting to find out more about the Deep Ones, who according to Silas Fennac (and corroborated by Azon's great flood myth) now had possession of the fabled Stone of Not, Rumdoom visited Krazy Krauss' abandoned compound. It lay untouched. He broke in, but could not make much of Krauss' crazed scribblings and diagrams. And yet, when he threw back the tarpaulin on the huge machine Krauss had been working on, he felt sure he had uncovered something of significance (despite its resemblance to an enormous, contracted brass sphincter). Rumdoom would have to find some way to indentify its function, and perhaps complete this machine, without drawing all kinds of attention!
Finally, an anxious Stover Delft - who had yet to be summoned to Slate to discuss the unit's most recent adventure, and was clearly losing sleep over the possible ramifications, his worry made all the worse by the length of time it was taking the King to respond - called Korrigan in to go over s few matters, most importantly what to do about Luc Jierre, and what to do about Malthusius who had shaken Delft's faith by confessing a leak of information about the Avery Coast mission. Delft was considering sacking the deva from the unit. The problems were linked, as Malthusius' abilities as an interrogator were highly valued. In response, Korrigan spoke highly of Malthusius, and vouched for him in no uncertain terms. The very fact of his artless confession proved that there was nothing further to worry about. Korrigan felt that the investigation into the Obscurati would suffer without him. Delft decided to trust Korrigan's judgement and leave Malthusius' status as unit member intact.
Then Korrigan went to the library to take out a book on Triegenes ( one mentioned by Ottavia in their intriguing discussion about philosophical approaches to the clergy faith) and something happened that made him question his faith in Malthusius:
A librarian at the University asked Korrigan to step into a private room, where he expressed concerns about the deva's behaviour: He had spent all week in the library, researching deva heritage and reincarnation (so far, so good). But he had returned after hours using his fellow's pass and worked from midnight until just before dawn. His temper during this visits had been short, according to reports of the duty watchmen, and records showed that he had requested a variety of specialised books on demonology, the history of the Demonocracy, and the binding of demons and devils. While all of this might be explicable on its own, all together it presented a very odd picture indeed. The librarian knew that Korriagn was a friend and colleague of Malthusius and took this opportunity of his coming in to seek his advice on the matter before passing it on to the proper authorities. Korrigan said he would look into it.
Next week will begin with a planned 'intervention' as the group intercepts Malthusius on one of his nocturnal library visits...
This week Matunaaga left Flint to visit his family, Malthusius took extended leave to undertake some private research and Leon devoted himself to extensive training at the Battalion. (Their players were out, but we went ahead with the session anyway, focusing on the other half of the unit and leaving unit B aside for now.)
Free to pursue more complex and/or varied goals were Korrigan, Rumdoom and Uru. This account draws extensively on the contacts each player set up as part of their preparation for the Dying Skyseer (details of which I posted earlier in this thread http://www.enworld.org/forum/showth...ontinuing-Adventures-of-Korrigan-amp-Co/page3), and demonstrates what an effective method of campaign-building that was, as they were throwing in these names and ideas without prompting (unlike Ptolus where every NPC was presented by me and they forgot all their names and who they were and what they did). So the story was built by the players, with me chucking in a few roadbumps from my notepad as we went along:
Tilish Dredgeport, retired smuggler and landlord at the Slippery Eel (where Rumdoom once drank, slept and provided security) got back to Rumdoom regarding his earlier request for help. He suggested that certain associates of his might be able to help interfere with the supply-lines (ships bringing ammuntion and supplies) for the gathering mercenary fleet in Flint harbour. These friends had other friends who might for a fee be persuaded to change the targets of their piratical activities and take on individual mercenary ships on their way to join the fleet. Rumdoom agreed and paid a substantial sum of gold to grease the wheels.
Uru began working on clockwork insects to bring his garden to life: creatures that could use the strange bleak/fey plant-life as fuel. He toyed with the idea of trying to find some way of enabling them to self-replicate, but quickly realised that this was beyond his capabilities for the time being. Having discussed the problem with Tinker Jack, who he hadn't visited for some time, they instead began to think about using the punch-card programming system found in some of the newest 'gearmen' created by Pemberton Industries. They also thought about using this system to improve Little Jack, making it easier for the ghostly toddler to operate, so that Uru could teach him more tricks. At the same time, Uru began work on a new crossbow - one that would fire both the shuriken he had picked up while facing off against the Obscurati Shadowdancer and the bola he used to bring down fleeing targets.
Sticking with matters technological, Uru also responded to a request by Royal Technologist Justin Rollins to come by and cast his eye over the bronze golem the now-disbanded beta unit had found. Uru had tried to help out several weeks ago, but Rollins had been too jealous of his task. This time he admitted he was flummoxed and Uru did his best to arrange the pieces as he saw fit, relying on instinct and anatomical knowledge rather than 'book-smarts'. When he left, Rollins was in grateful good humour, despite the strange songs Uru hummed to himself while he worked. Uru, for his part, was impressed by the incredible workmanship and complexity of the bronze golem and realised that he had learned alot about technology while working on it.
Uru also came to an agreement with Tokoloshe, the strange creature he had freed from the stoppered bottle Ashima-Shimtu had led him to. Tokoloshe promised not to leave the confines of the garden (Uru was worried it would get up to mischief), but was keen to prepare for the winter solstice ritual that would pay its debt of freedom. Uru would need a 'bleak candle' made from human body fat. He asked Searkil Shortankard to see what he could do to obtain such stuff from crematoria and surgeries.
Korrigan spent the week networking: He sought out Cezar Stainer (nephew of his father-in-law and well-meaning social gadfly) for advice on how to approach the informal side of politics in Flint. Cezar was only too pleased to help, having always liked Korrigan, and suggested he might want to put a more positive 'spin' on his family situation if possible - that the conservative socialites of the upper echelons would find his predicament unnerving. He also went to see Heward Sechim to try to put the feelers out among like-minded pacifists and cautious industrialists who might be opposed to the militaristic adventurism of Black Star Mining and Pemberton Industries. Heward was pessimistic about galvanising much support, but felt that more idealistic entrepeneurs might be pursuaded to join their cause if public opinion swung in their direction.
And so Korrigan spent a great deal of time with ambitious young reporter Johan Grimm developing a series of articles for the Flint Courier - reminiscances about the war, Korrigan's take on public issues, his reaction to the tragic events that had befallen his wife (with an appropriately sympathetic tone). They also discussed collaboration on a ghost-written memoir.
On Cezar's advice - although he had intended to do so in any case - Korrigan also went to see his in-laws, hoping to find some common ground. Elroy Stainer would not come to meet him, but was prepared to grant an audience in their mansion on the Ayres, where he and he alone (his wife being indisposed) confronted Korrigan with customary disdain, demanding to know why he 'slept when the life of your wife and child are at stake. You must use your influence and demand action from the King!' Korrigan patiently explained that he was working to gain sufficient influence to move matters in their favour ('too little too late' was Elroy's response, sore that Korrigan had not accepted his patronage long ago) and went on to recount the lengths he had gone to - entering the Dreaming, confronting the River King - to free Elizabeth from her bargain. Elroy Stainer said that this issue proved that there was something rotten at the heart of the fey alliance with Risur, which he regarded as a 'crippling canker'. Korrigan did not entirely agree, but said that many things he had witnessed in the Dreaming had caused him to question the motives of the Unseen Court (in particular the attempted incursion which he and the unit had thwarted). Unable to win any greater approval from Stainer, he departed.
Bernard of Glenwade stopped by to apologise for the festival atmosphere that had greeted Korrigan on his return home. Korrigan reassured him that all was forgiven: Bernard had sacrificed alot when they had travelled together to the Dreaming to save Elizabeth, handing himself over to the jealous Birch Queen in order to further their quest. Korrigan still regarded him as a trusted family friend, and allowed that he continue to stand sole vigil over Elizabeth and their unborn son. The old druid became tearful and they shook hands. (Korrigan did not mention that the incident had further shaken his faith that the traditional belief systems of Risur were the best means of securing her future.)
In preparation for his first group meeting, Rumdoom received instruction from Azon the Stoneforger, who taught him the meaning of two of the most important runes on his dwarven heirlooms: the rune of protection (on his shield) and the rune of destruction (on his craghammer). Rumdoom found he had more aptitude encompassing the latter, but he learned about the stories of both and sought to weave them into his own unique approach to the Heid Eschatol.
(He did not say this aloud, but all of this - his survival against the Kraken and subsequent 'rebirth'; the heirlooms Hildegaard and Harn had given him; his fortuitous encounter with Azon following his triumph over the family bravuras - confirmed in Rumdoom's mind the conviction that he was the one who would recover the fabled Stone of Not, an ancient artefact that Azon told him had been stolen from the dwarves thousands of years ago, when the 'sea invaded the land'. Rumdoom had also begun to believe that he could not be killed - in part because this destiny was as yet unfulfilled; in part because he had survived against such incredible odds.)
When the time for the first meeting rolled around, alot of dwarves and other interested parties crowded into the hall Heward Sechim had provided, thanks to the efforts of Hildegaard who was charged with recruitment, and had billed the evening as a fundraiser for poor Khoomrung Morkanstall - mercilessly ravaged by Lorcan Kell during a failed assassination attempt. Rumdoom had seen to it that Khoomrung was now being well looked after, and hoped to provide some way to ameliorate his suffering. Both dwarves now shared a deep enmity towards Khaled Valchek, and were determined to thwart him if they could. So while Khoomrung's avuncular charm was no longer at Rumdoom's disposal (as he now sat in an armchair sans tongue, sans eyes, sans hands) his many friends and well-wishers were in attendance too, all keen to learn about and contribute to this philosophical movement.
Azon wanted to take a backseat, having no wish to publicise his arrival in Flint (his long-standing debt to the Family as yet unpaid), so it was up to Rumdoom to try to better his previous rather lukewarm performance and convey the central tenets of Rumschatology. He abandoned any attempt to sound even vaguely intellectual, or even reasonable, and instead embraced a fire-and-brimstone preaching style which was quite at odds with the rather rational message at the heart of what he was saying. Nontheless (or perhaps consequently) he was greeted by applause and approval, even by hardliners like Thered and Thangir who had stormed out of his previous 'event'. This time they remained, lurking at the back with Kvarty Gorbaty, and were buttonholed by Azon before they left. Their appraisal had been begrudgingly positive, he reported.
Later, wanting to find out more about the Deep Ones, who according to Silas Fennac (and corroborated by Azon's great flood myth) now had possession of the fabled Stone of Not, Rumdoom visited Krazy Krauss' abandoned compound. It lay untouched. He broke in, but could not make much of Krauss' crazed scribblings and diagrams. And yet, when he threw back the tarpaulin on the huge machine Krauss had been working on, he felt sure he had uncovered something of significance (despite its resemblance to an enormous, contracted brass sphincter). Rumdoom would have to find some way to indentify its function, and perhaps complete this machine, without drawing all kinds of attention!
Finally, an anxious Stover Delft - who had yet to be summoned to Slate to discuss the unit's most recent adventure, and was clearly losing sleep over the possible ramifications, his worry made all the worse by the length of time it was taking the King to respond - called Korrigan in to go over s few matters, most importantly what to do about Luc Jierre, and what to do about Malthusius who had shaken Delft's faith by confessing a leak of information about the Avery Coast mission. Delft was considering sacking the deva from the unit. The problems were linked, as Malthusius' abilities as an interrogator were highly valued. In response, Korrigan spoke highly of Malthusius, and vouched for him in no uncertain terms. The very fact of his artless confession proved that there was nothing further to worry about. Korrigan felt that the investigation into the Obscurati would suffer without him. Delft decided to trust Korrigan's judgement and leave Malthusius' status as unit member intact.
Then Korrigan went to the library to take out a book on Triegenes ( one mentioned by Ottavia in their intriguing discussion about philosophical approaches to the clergy faith) and something happened that made him question his faith in Malthusius:
A librarian at the University asked Korrigan to step into a private room, where he expressed concerns about the deva's behaviour: He had spent all week in the library, researching deva heritage and reincarnation (so far, so good). But he had returned after hours using his fellow's pass and worked from midnight until just before dawn. His temper during this visits had been short, according to reports of the duty watchmen, and records showed that he had requested a variety of specialised books on demonology, the history of the Demonocracy, and the binding of demons and devils. While all of this might be explicable on its own, all together it presented a very odd picture indeed. The librarian knew that Korriagn was a friend and colleague of Malthusius and took this opportunity of his coming in to seek his advice on the matter before passing it on to the proper authorities. Korrigan said he would look into it.
Next week will begin with a planned 'intervention' as the group intercepts Malthusius on one of his nocturnal library visits...
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