IC: Dichotomy's Age of Worms Redux, Part VI

[Dichotomy]

[sblock=OOC]Hilarious![/sblock]
"I am Nethezar. The same Nethezar you met six days ago. And, to the best of my knowledge, Erdolliel and Kushnak are the same persons with me at that time."

Gust nods. "Thank you. Investigating the doppelgangers has made it apparent that I can trust no one." A hint of a smile touches Gust's lips. "Come in," he says as he opens the next door. "You will be pleased, I think, to see my work."

The next room is a larger chamber. The zone of truth magic extends here as well. Against one wall is a simple stool, but against the other walls are blackboards with scribbled notes. On tables in front of the walls are piles of documents, mostly spread out so one might examine them all at once. Most surprisingly, three younger clerics are scanning through documents and taking notes. They barely notice your entrance.

"It took little time for me to convince my superiors that I required more resources. This is one of our 'investigation chambers.' In addition to the magic prohibiting lies, there is magic that prevents teleportation and outside divination. My assistants are required to take powerful oaths, enforced by magical bonds, that prevent them from even speaking to each other about these matters outside of this room."

Gust sighs. "Unfortunately, drafting a proposal to get these resources took most of the last few days. But it is clear that the doppelgangers had infiltrated even high levels of the Free City government. A full investigation, subject to the highest standards, is warranted. And only those I can trust can see the fruits of this, until the evidence is clear and a charge can be publicly made.

"We have worked nearly non stop. I have yet another worker, but she sleeps now. At least one of them is required to always be awake and in this room to monitor it.

"But I ramble. You have, obviously, not fallen to the... uh... 'squid-faced' thing... yes? That's good. Was there something else you needed?"

 

[TiCaudata]

Erdolliel looks around the room, impressed by what the investigator has done in just a week. "The squid-faced thing was the mastermind of the doppelganger ring. It was also selling particularly potent black magic items on the black market to citizens of the Free City, many of whom you are probably investigating right now.

"Tell us, does your investigation involve Director Loris Rankin? He appears to have bought from the creature most recently, and also paid the thing to have us killed by the doppelgangers in the first place."

 

[o3caudata]

"Pretenses be damned. We have a ledger that will undoubtedly be useful in your investigation. I'm sure it will implicate others, including our fine friend Rankin. You can keep the book. It's of no true interest to us. Rankin is our best lead now, and we'll pursue him appropriately. Tell us whatever you have found and we'll be on our way."

 

[TiCaudata]

Erdolliel rolls her eyes and mutters something about explaining the difference between a foil and a claymore to a swordsman.

 

[Dichotomy]

When Raknian's name is mentioned, the workers in the room all stop and turn to listen. Gust's face grows even paler.

"I'd assume that you jest, but the spell prevents it. What you have just said is probably enough to justify the expense we are putting into this investigation." Gust glances at his helpers. "As their faces betray, you have just shown us how potentially dangerous this will be for us. To say that Raknian is respected is a gross understatement. The man is, frankly, universally loved by the citizenry. His creation of the Champion's Games resulted in a substantial and reliable flow of capital into the Free City, giving him great power with the political elite. Frankly, I suspect you are at substantial risk. If anyone finds about our investigation, and that it implicates him of such dire misconduct, I imagine our very lives would be at stake."

Gust takes a couple of deep breaths. "We will make good use of this ledger, I assure you. Unfortunately, our investigation has uncovered little as of yet. As I mentioned, drafting the paperwork to secure these resources has taken most of my time since you were here. We've uncovered a few illicit love affairs that are of only prurient interest, and some low level bribery, but frankly, we have only barely begun. We are still only working with the documents you've provided. Making lists of persons of interest, how they may be connected to each other, and the like. We have not started what you might think of as 'actual' investigation. We have to build a case before we risk potentially exposing ourselves to those we investigate."

Gust drops his head. "While I will let you know immediately if I find something that I think interests you, with a matter this large, I frankly don't expect much in the way of tangible results for weeks, if not months."

 

[TiCaudata]

"Great, so much for just being able to gut him before he can gut us..." Erdolliel continues to muttter. She then turns to Gust and speaks more clearly.

"We obviously don't understand as much as we will need to in order to survive in the City. Is there anything else you can tell us about Rankin and the Champion's Games? We were thinking of entering the competition, but we'll need more information if we want to stay alive."

 

[Dichotomy]

Gust begins, "I know nothing else of Raknian, and I know nothing really about the Champion's Games, other than that they are wildly popular..."

As his voice trails, one of the younger aides chimes in. "I think you need a sponsor to get in. There's some kind of licensing requirement. And I think that Auric warrior won the games both the last two years."

"Yeah, that's right," another aide interrupts. "And I think you shouldn't need to worry about surviving the Games. If you surrender or are incapacitated, it would be murder to kill you. While violent, it is not meant to be blood sport."

 

[o3caudata]

"There are some who wish us dead still, i doubt the games will be all that safe for us."

"We will pursue a sponsor and await word from you. Be safe."

 

[o3caudata]

"Unless there's anything else, we will take our leave."

Once outside, Kushnak continues away some distance from the temple before addressing his companions.

"Perhaps i am simply paranoid, but i think it is best that we not share any information we don't need to with our 'friends' here. Secreting away what we can will help us know who has betrayed us. Guard your tongues."

"Enough of that. Lets see about a pub and whatever gossip the girl can dig up on these Games."

[sblock=oc]
Really doesn't matter what, i think it's just a good idea for us to ask what the games are like, who goes, who fights, what they fights are like(magic? 1v1? 10v1?, animal? cover?) Basically whatever we can find out.

[/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

"Agreed, I barely trust a zone of truth enough to speak openly to them. We should keep our tongues from waggling too much if any of that information outside of the spell.

"Speaking of which, how much information do we assume our 'sponsor' will know about our history? Maybe we should develop a backstory now just in case Eligos has not filled her in completely. In the meantime I think a drink and some information are in order, in that order."[sblock=oc]Agreed also on getting whatever info we can on the basic premise of the games. Gather Info in a bar that has a bunch of flyers or fans and/or the common room of our inn. +0... I'll assist the bard if that helps more...

As for a backstory, we can probably keep it pretty simple I imagine. We are a band of adventurers that came to the city for the games. We have proven our effectiveness against beasts, lizardfolk, some people, and an underdark raiding party with the scars and jink to prove it.[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

Nethezar nods. "As I'm sure you have both surmised, I certainly have little trust for religious zealots... not even those in my own order. While it would take quite a stretch for their god to condone such actions, if for even a moment they came to think that Saint Cuthbert wished it, they would sell us out to anyone.

"As for a backstory, simply tell me how fantastic and detailed you want it to be. I imagine that I could sell someone nearly any tale about us."

The trio finds several taprooms in some proximity to the arena, where virtually all discussion focuses on the Champion's Games. Several interesting things of note are discovered:

• There are typically two-dozen teams of adventurers/warbands/etc. that enter the games; they typically having varying talents (magic, ranged, melee all allowed), and some vary in size from merely two fighters to five or more
• Over a period of five days, those two-dozen will be whittled down by single-elimination contests with the other groups; early battles typically involve multiple teams where only the last team standing advances; later battles are one team against another
• Only one battle occurs for each team each day
• While battles can be lethal, competitors can always surrender
• The spectators you meet know there are rules about flying, though they don't know the specifics

Some of the people you meet ask whether you are participating. Particularly those that know the most about the games seem the most interested in your intentions. Further questioning reveals that substantial sums of money sometimes change hands in bets on the games.

 

[o3caudata]

After having learned what they can, Kushnak directs his companions to a table with some relative privacy.

"These games seem safe enough, and may be our best chance to get unsuspiciously close to Raknian. We should use the time before these games start to plan strategies. Both for winning these games, and for trapping Raknian."

[sblock]

Seems good. I say we hang out, get our spells and what not in order, and work out any details that might be needed.

[/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

"They do seem safe. Do you think there are any rules against betting on your own group?"[sblock=oc]Seriously, we could make a lot of money that way... Good point on Nethezar selling anything. Should we worry about Erdolliel blowing the cover if it's too complex?

Finally, I think after we get some info, we should return to our inn and prepare as O3 suggested, and then I believe that our sponsor should be contacting us in the morning no?

Oh yeah, I forget, do we know when the games start?[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

Into Day 51

Nethezar snickers. "Probably no rules against betting in favor of your own group. But if you bet against yourselves and then happen to fall on your face during the match..."

It soon becomes apparent that even the night owls are heading to their homes for sleep, and the trio finds themselves, with all due courtesy, being ushered out of the last taproom.

After another night's rest, the trio meets for breakfast. As they are finishing, one of the staff advises them that they have a pair of visitors.

As the trio approaches the pair in the lobby, the woman quickly steps forward.

"Kushnak, Erdolliel, and Nethezar, I presume," she says in a bubbly and friendly tone. "I am Celeste, a good friend of Eligos."

"And I'm Ekaym Smallcask. While I've never met Eligos, I am a good friend of Celeste," the man adds in a overly-loud and flamboyant tone. While Celeste appears to have little on her other than traveling gear, the trio notes that Ekaym has, aside from his more refined clothing and polished boots, a well-cared-for lute strong across his shoulder.

"Is it true that you still seek entrance into the Champion's Games?" Celeste asks.
[sblock=OOC]The Games are scheduled to begin on what would be Day 54. I'm presuming that any other strategy planning goo might be easiest done via chat or something else.[/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

Erdolliel sizes Celeste up before answering. "Indeed we are. We thought it would be a good opportunity to fill our purses some while gaining a small amount of prestige. Which of you might be our benefactor for entering the games?"[sblock=oc]Umm... How might I guess what 'skills' she might have? Spot check for weapons? (+14) Sense Motive? (+0) She's not bluffing though... Int Check? (+4) Basically I'm trying to find out what Celeste's class might be, or any additional info that Erdolliel might be able to figure out at an astute glance.[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

[sblock=OOC]I dunno... You actually don't see any weapons or armament on her, though you also don't see, for example, a holy symbol or spell component pouch. I don't know how you would discern anything else, other than that she could be any number of things, but only if she is simply not equipped at the moment.[/sblock]

"Whatever your reasons, they are your own. I trust Eligos, and the sage recommends you highly. That is good enough for me," Celeste begins, with an almost conspiratorial wink to the trio.

Ekaym cuts her off. "And I just happened to acquire a manager's license in a game of chance, but I have no fighters. Frankly, managing a group of successful gladiators is a fantastic way to both make a lot of coin and meet a lot of women!"

Nethezar shares a look with Erdolliel and Kushnak and shrugs his shoulders.
[sblock=OOC]Neither Kushnak nor Erdolliel sense anything odd about them.[/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

"Har! Agreed!" Erdolliel chortles a little too merrily. "So, what do we need to do before the games begin then? And just what does 'managing' entail?"

 

[o3caudata]

"We...ah... appreciate the graciousness of your support." Kushnak says awkwardly, his eye flitting between the 2 newcomers.

"We require details on the inter-workings of the event. What rules exist for combat. What assurances that they be followed and the like. We, like you Miss, trust Eligos greatly and have no doubt that whatever 'managing' there is to be done, you will fulfill the duty entirely. Our talents and abilities are at your disposal."

 

[Dichotomy]

Ekaym smiles as Erdolliel and Kushnak express their interest. "Marvelous! Tell you what, I'll buy the three of you something to eat, and we can discuss all of the details."

Celeste gives a brief nod. "While I don't mean to be rude, I'll be taking my leave of you all. I have my own business to see to, and I was really only here as a go-between for Ekaym. I'm sure everything will work out splendidly."

Unless the trio interrupts Celeste, she takes her leave.

"Not to be ungrateful, but we just had our breakfast, Mr. Smallcask," Nethezar mentions as Ekaym readies to lead the trio out.

"Well," Ekaym responds, without seeming the least taken aback, "we will have to start right into wine, spirits, or ale, won't we? I know an excellent place."

Soon enough, Ekaym has the trio following him to a private dining room at an excellent brew house. Ekaym appears to spare no expense in attempting to win you over.

Ekaym reiterates much of what the trio heard the night before about the games but adds some detail:

• While gladiators CAN be killed, participants can surrender (either individually, or as an entire team) by dropping weapons, kneeling, and raising both hands in the air. Anyone attacking a surrendering foe is immediately disqualified from the entire games (and would face criminal sanctions for assault or murder), and anyone giving a fake surrender (i.e. surrendering and then attacking a foe) is also immediately disqualified.
• Gladiators can fly or levitate, but only up to 40 feet off the ground. Going higher results in disqualification. Burrowing into the ground is not allowed.
• Matches continue until death or surrender of all opposing teams.
  Gladiators do not keep the spoils of victory, which also means that you don't lose your equipment if you lose.
• Tactics that endanger the spectators are forbidden and result in disqualification. This is judged on an ad hoc basis.
• If an individual is disqualified, he must immediately move to the edge of the battlefield and take no further part. Failure to comply results in the entire team being disqualified.

Ekaym also advises that the formalities technically begin with the "Free Dinner", which begins at 5:00 p.m. three days from now (Day 54). All entrants must be present no later than 6:00 p.m. "The Free Dinner is quite the feast. More importantly, it is the first chance for the gladiators to meat each other and size each other up. It's also a chance for the richest nobility to meet the gladiators, so that they can assess them and make appropriate wagers."

Ekayam notes that after the Free Dinner, the gladiators escorted to the Coenoby below the area, which essentially becomes the gladiators' home for the contest. While a manager, in this case, Ekayam, can meet with his team every-other day (often to bring healing supplies or other needed goods), a team otherwise is confined to the Coenoby except when fighting.

"And to top it all off, assuming you win, the total payout is around 40,000 gold. All I'm requesting, for the use of my license, is half of whatever the team takes."

 

[TiCaudata]

After finishing a tankard and wiping her mouth on the back of her hand, Erdolliel smiles. "Thank you for the information and the mugs Ekayam. I'm sure this will be a most beneficial partnership. Are there any runner-up awards?"[sblock=oc]So, we should probably spend the next 3 days making sure we got everything we want/need. Unfortunately, this means we will probably take a good 6 months real time to get it lined up

So... Any requests? We might actually be mostly good to go. Scrolls we want to buy? Glitterdust?[/sblock]