Phyrric Legacy - Shackled City IC Thread

Malvoisin said:

Ghelve's countenance has not changed, and he looks on with an anxious expression, despite the lack of any obvious threat in the room.

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Jon follows cautiously, almost whispering "wait..." to his new friend Liracor, but stops himself. He concentrates for a moment, and a the briefest of shimmers surround him a moment as he cautiously follows.

[OOC: inertial armor]

"We will need all the books that depict the orphanage. I would not be surprised if that means we'll need to take over one of the rooms here for the rest of the day, since we are looking for anything that might shed light on this mystery."

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"No way!" Remen looks exhasperated, as he might at any time dart through the door, giving temptative steps every so often.

"We will speak with the mayor... you alone speak with the mayor if that's your wish..." adding a violent wave of the hand on the air "I won't stay here..." but he looks thoughtful... actually wondering what he could do instead.

Suddenly he calls Arak beside him, leaving Dowlee in front of the surly dwarf at the counter.
"What is it you want?" he asks in a cutting tone, the same he used with Patch when the janitor was not getting to the point.

Jdvn1 said:

ooc: White room is the unexplored area.

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OOC: That is correct. Thanks!

Arak glares down at Remen and hisses the answer quickly in a whisper.

"This ... person will not tolerate us disturbing her sense of order. I know I wouldn't. So we upset hers. Either we find something useful in the old maps -- like an entrance everyone has forgotten -- or she gets flustered into giving us what we want another way. Of course, undercutting me in front of her is an excellent way of letting her regain her footing and turning this all into a wasted excursion and putting the childrens' lives further at risk!"

Arak whirls back around, slamming his hands on the table and glowering down at the dwarf.

"Books, now. Investigator, now. No more delays!"

Whizbang Dustyboots said:

Arak turns and glares meaningfully at Dowlee.

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Dowlee is a bit put off by the glare, but she figures it's part of an act. <Arak could be a bit nicer though... flies with honey and all that> She's a bit worried about Arak, but she looks at Remen, "I suppose it can't hurt to spend some time with books."

Whizbang Dustyboots said:

Arak leans forward, his knuckles on the commoner's desk, his face descending closer to hers.

"And whom did he have investigate the disappearances at the orphanage?" Arak looks back over his shoulder and nods at the books. "I see that you are a busy woman -- my companions can go through the books for anything of interest on their own. We will return them when we're finished. In the interim, I would speak with the one the mayor's office sent."

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The receptionist does not seem rattled in the least by Arak's tone. Without batting an eye she answers, "Sir...I just told you. The Lord Mayor's office does not employ any investigators. Matters such as the investigation of disappearing people are left in the hands of the Town Watch. No one was sent. Please stop leaning on my desk."

Land Outcast said:

"Damn!" Desperated at the uselessness of the mayor's people... or just unhelpful "bureocrats" "I knew of incompetence but..."

He states matter-of-factly, and with obvious disgust:
"I think noone investigated the disapperences" then he looks at the dwarf in search of acknowledgement.

"But certainly we can look at... any papers if that is of any use" Remen is relieved Arak proposed to meet with someone while they *searched* through the books, he doesn't like very much to vent out his illiteracy...

We don't even know their names, not even if they are brothers... damn it, not even if they are half eves for real!

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The receptionist observes Remen's histrionics coolly, but does not speak to him. With a slight shake of the head, she turns her attention instead to Dowlee.

Jdvn1 said:

Dowlee is a bit surprised, "Oh... well, I suppose it would make sense that they would have been contracted as third-party investigators by the mayor personally..." She shakes her head in thought, "I'm not sure if the books would be immensely useful since we'd need the mayor's own private books to find anything we'd need... we should just talk with the mayor."

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Scratching idly at the light stubbly growth on her chin, the female dwarf answers, "The Lord Mayor is in meetings all day, he is not available to speak with you."

Land Outcast said:

Calming down he hears and hearing Dowlee's words (or maybe... probably the other way around).

"Yes... sounds... reasonable" but is still agitated

Then he looks at the dwarf
Better I get used to this kind of people soon, for their own good
and returns to the background.

Patch and the receptionist are taking their toll on Remen's patience... as well as certain cheater in a card game last night...

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Whizbang Dustyboots said:

Arak turns and glares meaningfully at Dowlee.

"We will need all the books that depict the orphanage. I would not be surprised if that means we'll need to take over one of the rooms here for the rest of the day, since we are looking for anything that might shed light on this mystery."

Arak gives a subtle nod at the officious dwarf receptionist, and then winks at Dowlee.

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"Sir, if you wish to request copies of city maps, you will need to fill out these requisition forms," says the receptionist. She digs in a drawer and begins pulling out paperwork. "Your requst will be processed within three to five business days."

Land Outcast said:

"No way!" Remen looks exhasperated, as he might at any time dart through the door, giving temptative steps every so often.

"We will speak with the mayor... you alone speak with the mayor if that's your wish..." adding a violent wave of the hand on the air "I won't stay here..." but he looks thoughtful... actually wondering what he could do instead.

Suddenly he calls Arak beside him, leaving Dowlee in front of the surly dwarf at the counter.
"What is it you want?" he asks in a cutting tone, the same he used with Patch when the janitor was not getting to the point.

Click to expand...

Whizbang Dustyboots said:

Arak glares down at Remen and hisses the answer quickly in a whisper.

"This ... person will not tolerate us disturbing her sense of order. I know I wouldn't. So we upset hers. Either we find something useful in the old maps -- like an entrance everyone has forgotten -- or she gets flustered into giving us what we want another way. Of course, undercutting me in front of her is an excellent way of letting her regain her footing and turning this all into a wasted excursion and putting the childrens' lives further at risk!"

Arak whirls back around, slamming his hands on the table and glowering down at the dwarf.

"Books, now. Investigator, now. No more delays!"

Click to expand...

Jdvn1 said:

Dowlee is a bit put off by the glare, but she figures it's part of an act. <Arak could be a bit nicer though... flies with honey and all that> She's a bit worried about Arak, but she looks at Remen, "I suppose it can't hurt to spend some time with books."

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The dwarven woman's eyes fall laconically on each of the three adventurers in turn, finally stopping on Arak. Then, she calmly says, "As I've already said, the Lord Mayor is not receiving visitors today, and he did not hire any investigators. Anyone who has told you otherwise is mistaken. If you want copies of any maps or records in the city archives, fill out the paperwork. Otherwise, I suggest you leave before I summon the guards."

(OOC: The Diplomacy ship has long since sailed here, and it's pretty certain that this crusty dwarvess isn't going to be intimidated. Yes, even in Cauldron, that hideous monster 'bureaucracy' is alive and well! )

"Clearly, this city's experiment with 'democracy' has given us functionaries who care more for their personal pride than the lives of children." Arak glares down at the woman. "We throw over the divine order at our peril."

Arak turns his back on the woman, looking down at his companions.

"Well, that went poorly, but she may even be telling the truth," he says quietly, red-faced. "Perhaps one of you might have better results speaking with your fellows about the halfling. I pray your subtlety can accomplish what my pridefulness could not."

Legildur said:

Flannad starts with the black curtain and moves to investigate...

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Flannad observes the display niche, but doesn't see anything too interesting regarding the curtain. It seems to be there just to provide a backdrop so the locksmith's wares are visible from the street. Turning toward the staircase, the gnome sees that Liracor is one step ahead of him.

Question said:

Spotting the stairs Liracor rushes for them...

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stonegod said:

Jon follows cautiously, almost whispering "wait..." to his new friend Liracor, but stops himself. He concentrates for a moment, and a the briefest of shimmers surround him a moment as he cautiously follows.

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Liracor and then Jon follow Flannad into the back room. While Jon looks around cautiously, Liracor rushes quickly toward the staircase. Before he can ascend, he is startled by the thump of something landing hard on the floor next to him. He whirls to see a hairless, man-sized humanoid that has leapt unnoticed from the balcony, and landed right next to him. The creature has strange skin which shimmers in color, changing from light brown to dull gray. With a snarl, the creature lunges at Liracor with a rapier before the duskblade can react!



COMBAT!

Surprise Round:

The creature lunges at Liracor with its rapier, but the duskblade's chainmail harmlessly turns aside the thrust.

Round 1 Actions?

(OOC: Note that I've decided not to reveal the initiative order for this combat. It's an experiment, we'll see how it goes. It will require the players to anticipate and offer conditional actions. I'm trying to create combats that are more narrative/cinematic, and less mechanical.)

Map Key: L=Liracor, J=Jon, f=Flannad, 1=Enemy

Jon looks agape at the creature, wracking his brain at what it might be. Noting the actions of his comrades, he tries to attack the strange creature's mind with a savage mental thrust!

[OOC: Knowlege (whatever Jon has) to see if he knows anything. Then mind thrust. Pretty much will not change unless its down by the time Jon goes.]

"Good afternoon" Sarcasm? yes, it's dripping sarcasm.

Once they are back outside Remen says: "we'd better get going to the Drunken Morkoth... until darkness falls there is no talk of the Laugh"
But we could ask about two half elves...