drnuncheon's Freeport Story Hour - Book II: Inheritance
- Thread starter drnuncheon
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drnuncheon
Explorer
Ah yes, guns.
It was kind of funny. Both Dru and Di'Fier thought independently..."maybe we should just sink them in the harbor". As you can see, they didn't - and the consequences of their decision will have a profound effect on them...and potentially the city of Freeport.
J
Did that sound dire? It was supposed to sound dire...
It was kind of funny. Both Dru and Di'Fier thought independently..."maybe we should just sink them in the harbor". As you can see, they didn't - and the consequences of their decision will have a profound effect on them...and potentially the city of Freeport.
J
Did that sound dire? It was supposed to sound dire...
ShawnLStroud
First Post
Re: Session Seven, Part Four: The Mysterious Cargo
Heh. Looks like the Nailo family got some new toys. I'd have loved to see the scene where Dru and DiFier work that out.
As always, Dr. N., great job -- I especially liked the scene interrogation scene with the smuggler captain. Looks like Dru miscalculated in her tactics; while DiFier's approach made all the difference.
My question for Dru and DiFier: How did you work out the (I presume) illegal transfer of firearms from DiFier's custody to Dru's; assuming I'm correct and 3 bundles of guns went home with her?
drnuncheon said:
Heh. Looks like the Nailo family got some new toys. I'd have loved to see the scene where Dru and DiFier work that out.
As always, Dr. N., great job -- I especially liked the scene interrogation scene with the smuggler captain. Looks like Dru miscalculated in her tactics; while DiFier's approach made all the difference.
My question for Dru and DiFier: How did you work out the (I presume) illegal transfer of firearms from DiFier's custody to Dru's; assuming I'm correct and 3 bundles of guns went home with her?
drnuncheon
Explorer
Re: Re: Session Seven, Part Four: The Mysterious Cargo
Ah! I was wondering if someone would notice me being all subtle like.
Actually, it was 4 bundles of guns and 5 casks of black powder to each. And it was quite simple, really - they called her wagon before they got ahold of the Watch.
There really wasn't that much to 'work out' about it, though. Both of them decided on an even split without even thinking about it.
That session was really interesting to watch, as Dru and Di'Fier - even though they were on separate sides of the law at that point - just fell back into the old partnership again without even thinking about it. Old habits die hard, and this one provided a vital link that the Claw...well, I'm getting ahead of myself.
J
ShawnLStroud said:
Ah! I was wondering if someone would notice me being all subtle like.
Actually, it was 4 bundles of guns and 5 casks of black powder to each. And it was quite simple, really - they called her wagon before they got ahold of the Watch.There really wasn't that much to 'work out' about it, though. Both of them decided on an even split without even thinking about it.
That session was really interesting to watch, as Dru and Di'Fier - even though they were on separate sides of the law at that point - just fell back into the old partnership again without even thinking about it. Old habits die hard, and this one provided a vital link that the Claw...well, I'm getting ahead of myself.
J
drnuncheon
Explorer
Horacio said:
I guess I'd better post an update, then.
But first, this space reserved for an Interlude (by Dru), as she has a heart-to-heart with her fiancé.
And oh yes...
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Council Deadlocked on Drac Succession!
Serpent Creatures Sighted in Old City! Shipping News, only tuppence!
[edit: fix broken url]
Last edited:
Thorntangle
First Post
Re: Re: Re: Session Seven, Part Four: The Mysterious Cargo
I guess the Claw is still having them surveilled. Interesting - I wonder what the Nailos and the Watch will do with their new toys. Gunfight at the Orc Corral?drnuncheon said:
drnuncheon
Explorer
Re: Re: Re: Re: Session Seven, Part Four: The Mysterious Cargo
So far, all they've managed to do is singe off Glunnyn's eyebrows - they've been too busy to learn how to use them, especially by trial and error, although both organizations have put people on the task. There were some half-serious Guy Fawkes-like suggestions about what they could do with ten kegs of black powder, but the Captain's Council remains unexploded...for the time being.
J
Thorntangle said:
So far, all they've managed to do is singe off Glunnyn's eyebrows - they've been too busy to learn how to use them, especially by trial and error, although both organizations have put people on the task. There were some half-serious Guy Fawkes-like suggestions about what they could do with ten kegs of black powder, but the Captain's Council remains unexploded...for the time being.
J
drnuncheon
Explorer
Session Eight, Part One: Talking to the Council
It was strange not to be meeting Dru over breakfast. Especially given the events of last night. Di'Fier hadn't realized how much he missed the teamwork. Katya was fine and all, but...
"...can't just let him go," the red-haired priestess was saying. "We should follow the Council's orders and put him in jail with the rest of them. If we let him go, he's out there with the rest of the Claw."
The subject was Vagn - their captive - who had been by turns overconfident, nervous, angry, and the entire gamut of other emotions one could attribute to a man locked in a small windowless room for two days.
Jemis grinned. "I could tail him."
Di'Fier shook his head. "I promised him he wouldn't be followed."
The little man's expression didn't change. "I could...not tail him."
The Watch-mage sighed. "We'll figure it out later. In the meantime...Glunnyn, did you say you recongized the seals on those bundles?"
"I did indeed," said the gnome, climbing onto his chair so he could be seen. "It's the maker's mark of Kolter Clockworks, a well-known manufacturer of precision timepieces from the city of Highgate. I've never heard of them producing weapons, but the workmanship is quite fine. I'm still analyzing the powder," he added, reflexively touching his shortened eyebrows, "but it seems to provide propulsive force to the lead spheres by some form of acellerated combustion and the concomitant expansion of-"
"Fine, Glunnyn, thanks," Di'Fier cut him off with an upraised hand. "Just let me know when you have it all figured out, okay? Jemis," he said, turning his attention to the former smuggler, "I want you to go down to Scurvytown and see if you notice anything...things that don't fit, maybe signs of the Dragon's Claw. And be careful."
"You got it."
Di'Fier's eyes moved down the line. "The rest of you, we'll meet back here at noon to go check out where the Claw was signaling from the jungle. In the meantime...Katya, I think we should pay a visit to someone on the Captain's Council."
Dru passed the paper to her bodyguard, who glanced over it disinterestedly. "I don't like that editorial," she grumbled. "They're up to something, I can tell."
Ellerand nodded. "But what?"
"I'm not sure." Taking the broadsheet back, she looked over the articles again. "I think we need to pay a visit to Captain Blax, though. If they're blackmailing Roberts, then that means that they're backing one of the Drac candidates - and I'll bet it's this 'mystery candidate'."
A walk of a few short minutes brought them to the Docks. Dru nodded fondly towards the Broken Mug as they passed it. "That's where your friend sent me the first flower." Moments later, they stood at the door of the Black Gull - Blax's unofficial "campaign headquarters". Ragged cheers arose from inside as the door opened.
"And that is how we will restore Freeport to greatness!" Blax was standing unsteadily on one of the tables, gesturing with one hand and a tankard in the other. By the looks of it, it wasn't the first of the day - for her, or for the men seated around her, shouting encouragement. From the looks of some of the less conscious denizens of the tavern, the celebration may well have begun the night before...
Dru watched as the Captain climbed down from the table with exaggerated care and resumed her seat (and her drinking). With a sigh, she moved across the floor and sat down at Blax's table.
The pirate peered blearily across at her. "I haven't seen you here before," she said, slowly and carefully.
"We're new." Dru looked her overin disbelief. This wants to be the Sea Lord? "I'm Drusilia Naïlo."
Blax struggled with the concept a moment, and then comprehension dawned in her grog-sozzled eyes. "Oh, you! I know your father. Well. Not know him know him."
There's no way she's backed by the Claw. She might be able to win a drinking contest, but not the Council's vote... "And how is the race for the Sea Lord coming?"
Blax gestured grandly to the rest of the bar, upsetting a tankard and wetting an unconscious sailor in the process. "The people...my people...they love me."
They love you buying the drinks, anyway. "What about this 'mystery candidate'?" Dru pressed. "Are you worried? Do you know who it is?"
Blax waved a hand dismissively. "Probably a faker. There's a lot of those." For some reason, she seemed to find the idea unimaginably amusing, as she chortled into her drink. Dru and Ellerand left her there.
As they departed, Dru's face resumed its near-habitual scowl. "She wasn't the formidable opponent I was hoping for. Unless she's a really good actress. I think it's time we had a talk with Soderheim."
"Congratulations on your position with the Special Crimes Unit, Watch-Lieutenant." Sister Gwendolyn brushed a strand of long green hair behind her ear with one hand, gesturing at the chairs with the other. "What can I do for you?"
Di'Fier and Katya sat, and the young man leaned forward. "Mostly, we're trying to understand why the Council is pushing for this crackdown on crime - especially now. That sounds a bit strange, since it's our job, but the sudden pressure makes us think that there's something unusual going on."
The sister looked puzzled for a moment, and pursed her lips in thought. "Marcus - Captain Roberts, that is - is definitely the motivating force behind it." She did not miss the look that Katya and Di'Fier exchanged at her words.
Katya shifted in her chair. "Why does Roberts want to keep the succession law?"
The other priestess shook her head. "I'm not sure. He keeps his reasons quiet. Before this conversation, I would have said that he was trying to maintain the status quo, but..." She invited them to fill in the rest of the information.
Katya let out her breath. "We think that the Dragon's Claw - a criminal organization from Highgate - is interested in the Captain's Council."
"And you think they're influencing Marcus? Do you have anything to support that?"
Di'Fier nodded. "Please, keep this between us. The Claw has kidnapped Marcus Roberts' daughter Nifur, along with two other girls. One of the girls with them got away, and we were able to help her. She gave us the information."
Gwendolyn nodded. "I will speak to Dirwin and Hector - if these people want the law to remain, then perhaps they can be persuaded to change their votes. But...what will these peple do to Nifur if they lose?"
Di'Fier's eyes widened. He hadn't considered the thought. "Perhaps it's best if the stalemate continues."
"I will pray that you find her."
Dru studied the light red wine in the glass. Elven, of course - as was everything in Soderheim's house, from the furniture to the paintings to the table silver. All elven, and yet...there was something indefinably wrong about the way they were presented. Or perhaps not something wrong, but the lack of something right...
"...and that brings us to Marcus. Of all of the people supporting the law, he's the one I'm most surprised about - given his support for Lady Elise in so many matters during Milton's rule."
Dru nodded. "Before I left the watch, some of my father's men were attacked." Soderheim looked surprised at the change of subject, and Dru couldn't help but think that a true elf would have waited for the entire chain of thought to be revealed. "We obtained a coded message from the attackers after they were...dealt with. I'm sure you've heard about the attacks on many of the city's upstanding citizens?"
Soderheim took a swallow of his wine and looked at the elves across from him. "No," he said, in a voice only half full of gentle mockery, "but I've heard about a war among the city's criminal element."
"Of course." Unruffled, Dru continued. "The message discussed several captured girls - and we have reason to believe that one of them is Nifur Roberts, who they are using to manipulate her father."
"I see." Soderheim set down the wineglass, and steepled his fingers in front of him. "So you believe that his support for the succession law is due to their interference?"
Dru nodded.
"Well...I will certainly do everything I can to effect the repeal of the law." Soderheim smiled. "Not that I wasn't intending to do so already. But thank you...Dru. I hope that this sharing of information bespeaks of the further possibility of cooperation between our various interests. After all, we of elven blood must stick together."
Dru nodded. "There have been times when Papa and I take different stances on things. I suppose that happens with most parents and children. Thank you for your time, Councilman."
Outside: "What did you think, Ellerand?"
Her bodyguard studied the street for a moment before answering. "I think he does a disservice to his race."
Dru's eyebrow arched. "Which one?"
"Both. If your father did not dislike halfbreeds before he met Soderheim, I think he would have changed his mind. I do not trust him."
Dru smiled. "Like many people, you can count on him to look after hos own best interests."
"He seems to try so hard to be an elf."
"That is why he is not liked."
"I doubt he'd go against your father."
Dru thought about that for a moment. "Perhaps not directly. He was willing to see us quickly enough because of the name. Still, I'll take allies where I can get them for now." She turned to look at Ellerand. "What do you think of half-humans?"
The muscular elf shrugged. "I try to judge most people on their own merits."
"I do as well. It just irritates me when they try to be elves."
It was strange not to be meeting Dru over breakfast. Especially given the events of last night. Di'Fier hadn't realized how much he missed the teamwork. Katya was fine and all, but...
"...can't just let him go," the red-haired priestess was saying. "We should follow the Council's orders and put him in jail with the rest of them. If we let him go, he's out there with the rest of the Claw."
The subject was Vagn - their captive - who had been by turns overconfident, nervous, angry, and the entire gamut of other emotions one could attribute to a man locked in a small windowless room for two days.
Jemis grinned. "I could tail him."
Di'Fier shook his head. "I promised him he wouldn't be followed."
The little man's expression didn't change. "I could...not tail him."
The Watch-mage sighed. "We'll figure it out later. In the meantime...Glunnyn, did you say you recongized the seals on those bundles?"
"I did indeed," said the gnome, climbing onto his chair so he could be seen. "It's the maker's mark of Kolter Clockworks, a well-known manufacturer of precision timepieces from the city of Highgate. I've never heard of them producing weapons, but the workmanship is quite fine. I'm still analyzing the powder," he added, reflexively touching his shortened eyebrows, "but it seems to provide propulsive force to the lead spheres by some form of acellerated combustion and the concomitant expansion of-"
"Fine, Glunnyn, thanks," Di'Fier cut him off with an upraised hand. "Just let me know when you have it all figured out, okay? Jemis," he said, turning his attention to the former smuggler, "I want you to go down to Scurvytown and see if you notice anything...things that don't fit, maybe signs of the Dragon's Claw. And be careful."
"You got it."
Di'Fier's eyes moved down the line. "The rest of you, we'll meet back here at noon to go check out where the Claw was signaling from the jungle. In the meantime...Katya, I think we should pay a visit to someone on the Captain's Council."
Dru passed the paper to her bodyguard, who glanced over it disinterestedly. "I don't like that editorial," she grumbled. "They're up to something, I can tell."
Ellerand nodded. "But what?"
"I'm not sure." Taking the broadsheet back, she looked over the articles again. "I think we need to pay a visit to Captain Blax, though. If they're blackmailing Roberts, then that means that they're backing one of the Drac candidates - and I'll bet it's this 'mystery candidate'."
A walk of a few short minutes brought them to the Docks. Dru nodded fondly towards the Broken Mug as they passed it. "That's where your friend sent me the first flower." Moments later, they stood at the door of the Black Gull - Blax's unofficial "campaign headquarters". Ragged cheers arose from inside as the door opened.
"And that is how we will restore Freeport to greatness!" Blax was standing unsteadily on one of the tables, gesturing with one hand and a tankard in the other. By the looks of it, it wasn't the first of the day - for her, or for the men seated around her, shouting encouragement. From the looks of some of the less conscious denizens of the tavern, the celebration may well have begun the night before...
Dru watched as the Captain climbed down from the table with exaggerated care and resumed her seat (and her drinking). With a sigh, she moved across the floor and sat down at Blax's table.
The pirate peered blearily across at her. "I haven't seen you here before," she said, slowly and carefully.
"We're new." Dru looked her overin disbelief. This wants to be the Sea Lord? "I'm Drusilia Naïlo."
Blax struggled with the concept a moment, and then comprehension dawned in her grog-sozzled eyes. "Oh, you! I know your father. Well. Not know him know him."
There's no way she's backed by the Claw. She might be able to win a drinking contest, but not the Council's vote... "And how is the race for the Sea Lord coming?"
Blax gestured grandly to the rest of the bar, upsetting a tankard and wetting an unconscious sailor in the process. "The people...my people...they love me."
They love you buying the drinks, anyway. "What about this 'mystery candidate'?" Dru pressed. "Are you worried? Do you know who it is?"
Blax waved a hand dismissively. "Probably a faker. There's a lot of those." For some reason, she seemed to find the idea unimaginably amusing, as she chortled into her drink. Dru and Ellerand left her there.
As they departed, Dru's face resumed its near-habitual scowl. "She wasn't the formidable opponent I was hoping for. Unless she's a really good actress. I think it's time we had a talk with Soderheim."
"Congratulations on your position with the Special Crimes Unit, Watch-Lieutenant." Sister Gwendolyn brushed a strand of long green hair behind her ear with one hand, gesturing at the chairs with the other. "What can I do for you?"
Di'Fier and Katya sat, and the young man leaned forward. "Mostly, we're trying to understand why the Council is pushing for this crackdown on crime - especially now. That sounds a bit strange, since it's our job, but the sudden pressure makes us think that there's something unusual going on."
The sister looked puzzled for a moment, and pursed her lips in thought. "Marcus - Captain Roberts, that is - is definitely the motivating force behind it." She did not miss the look that Katya and Di'Fier exchanged at her words.
Katya shifted in her chair. "Why does Roberts want to keep the succession law?"
The other priestess shook her head. "I'm not sure. He keeps his reasons quiet. Before this conversation, I would have said that he was trying to maintain the status quo, but..." She invited them to fill in the rest of the information.
Katya let out her breath. "We think that the Dragon's Claw - a criminal organization from Highgate - is interested in the Captain's Council."
"And you think they're influencing Marcus? Do you have anything to support that?"
Di'Fier nodded. "Please, keep this between us. The Claw has kidnapped Marcus Roberts' daughter Nifur, along with two other girls. One of the girls with them got away, and we were able to help her. She gave us the information."
Gwendolyn nodded. "I will speak to Dirwin and Hector - if these people want the law to remain, then perhaps they can be persuaded to change their votes. But...what will these peple do to Nifur if they lose?"
Di'Fier's eyes widened. He hadn't considered the thought. "Perhaps it's best if the stalemate continues."
"I will pray that you find her."
Dru studied the light red wine in the glass. Elven, of course - as was everything in Soderheim's house, from the furniture to the paintings to the table silver. All elven, and yet...there was something indefinably wrong about the way they were presented. Or perhaps not something wrong, but the lack of something right...
"...and that brings us to Marcus. Of all of the people supporting the law, he's the one I'm most surprised about - given his support for Lady Elise in so many matters during Milton's rule."
Dru nodded. "Before I left the watch, some of my father's men were attacked." Soderheim looked surprised at the change of subject, and Dru couldn't help but think that a true elf would have waited for the entire chain of thought to be revealed. "We obtained a coded message from the attackers after they were...dealt with. I'm sure you've heard about the attacks on many of the city's upstanding citizens?"
Soderheim took a swallow of his wine and looked at the elves across from him. "No," he said, in a voice only half full of gentle mockery, "but I've heard about a war among the city's criminal element."
"Of course." Unruffled, Dru continued. "The message discussed several captured girls - and we have reason to believe that one of them is Nifur Roberts, who they are using to manipulate her father."
"I see." Soderheim set down the wineglass, and steepled his fingers in front of him. "So you believe that his support for the succession law is due to their interference?"
Dru nodded.
"Well...I will certainly do everything I can to effect the repeal of the law." Soderheim smiled. "Not that I wasn't intending to do so already. But thank you...Dru. I hope that this sharing of information bespeaks of the further possibility of cooperation between our various interests. After all, we of elven blood must stick together."
Dru nodded. "There have been times when Papa and I take different stances on things. I suppose that happens with most parents and children. Thank you for your time, Councilman."
Outside: "What did you think, Ellerand?"
Her bodyguard studied the street for a moment before answering. "I think he does a disservice to his race."
Dru's eyebrow arched. "Which one?"
"Both. If your father did not dislike halfbreeds before he met Soderheim, I think he would have changed his mind. I do not trust him."
Dru smiled. "Like many people, you can count on him to look after hos own best interests."
"He seems to try so hard to be an elf."
"That is why he is not liked."
"I doubt he'd go against your father."
Dru thought about that for a moment. "Perhaps not directly. He was willing to see us quickly enough because of the name. Still, I'll take allies where I can get them for now." She turned to look at Ellerand. "What do you think of half-humans?"
The muscular elf shrugged. "I try to judge most people on their own merits."
"I do as well. It just irritates me when they try to be elves."
DiFier
First Post
Re: Re: Re: Session Seven, Part Four: The Mysterious Cargo
Well Lets just say be careful what you ask for. You might just get it. (no not the mithrial shirt) but something else Di'fier needs. . .
Old Habits Die Hard. Oh yeah, Di'fier dropped the ball here. He sorta forgot who dru worked for.
drnuncheon said:
Well Lets just say be careful what you ask for. You might just get it. (no not the mithrial shirt) but something else Di'fier needs. . .
drnuncheon said:
Ah! I was wondering if someone would notice me being all subtle like.
There really wasn't that much to 'work out' about it, though. Both of them decided on an even split without even thinking about it.
That session was really interesting to watch, as Dru and Di'Fier - even though they were on separate sides of the law at that point - just fell back into the old partnership again without even thinking about it. Old habits die hard, and this one provided a vital link that the Claw...well, I'm getting ahead of myself.
J
Old Habits Die Hard. Oh yeah, Di'fier dropped the ball here. He sorta forgot who dru worked for.
