Into the Moral Darkness: IC

[Nonlethal Force]

As Venial approaches Stalagmite he can see the town from several miles off. The large city wall surrounding the entire city is the most obvious marker. The wall is made of solid field stone and blends well with the surrounding landscape. What makes it visible is not so much the color but rather the unbroken expanse of the wall across the horizon.

The city itself is slightly over 28,000 inhabitants and boasts to be the second largest city in Enigmatica. The only city larger is the capitol of Tongra, Eberdeen, under the rule of King Rupert. Eberdeen boasts an incredible 34,000 inhabitants. The city of Stalagmite is incredibly proud of its ability to sustain such a population successfully.

As is the case with most major cities in the nation of Enigmatica - at least those with city walls - there are four main gates into the city. Each of the gates matches precisely with the four cardinal directions: North, East, South, and West.

Venial knows that above the East Gate a one foot diamter focusing lens rests upon an iron stand. The lens is designed to catch the sun's rays from the moment of dawn on the summer solstice. The focused rays of the sun travel about 20 feet to where a two foot torch rests upon another iron stand. The focused rays easily ignite the torch within a minute of dawn. In this manner the people of Stalagmite (and thus the people of Fenneress) know when they are living the longest day of the year. They also know that from this day on the days will get progressively shorter.

Over the West Gate a similar set of iron stands is aranged on a different height. These iron stands are intended to catch the closing rays of the sun as the sun descends on the winter solstice. In this manner the people know when the days will be getting longer and the winter should begin to ease.

The city of Stalagmite lives up to its name. The city sprawls across much of a valley, enabling most of the city to be short buildings. There are two buildings that rise up together side by side. The Baron's Palace area encompasses both of these buildings. Neither of these tall buildings belong to the Baron, however. One of the buildings is the large stone steeple of the largest temple in the land - the temple devoted to Altua, Heironeous, and Moradin. The other building is exactly equal in height to the temple steeple. This building belongs to what the people commonly call the Baron's wizardry college. Of course it is not a school, but it is a large collection of magical minds.

Within the walls of this town most anything desired in the land can be purchased for the right price. To purchase something one must merely be able to find to right palm to place a few coin within to get information about where to purchase the item.

As Venial approaches the gates of the city they are open as he might expect. This deep within Fenneress there would be little cause to keep the gates closed during the day. The gates are manned by guards, but the guards seem to be on crowd control than interrogation.

 

[Velmont]

Feeling now out of danger, Venial relax and walks toward the gate. It is one thing to kill a spy in his house, it is another thing to kill an inhabitant in another city. The effect wouldn't be the same and teh mayor wouldn't have much reason to do it, as anyway, Venial hadn't found much.

He take a glance behind him, making sure no one have been following him on the road. Venial now tries to thinks how he will reach the baron.

I need to contact him, but if I could surprise the spy in the baron's surrounding, it would be better.

Venial starts to remind down who could have been aware he was sent as a spy. He will have to be cautious toward these persons.

Venial's feet lead him to the large gate, entering as most traveller's do, in search of an Inn to relax. A good night will allow him to attack his problem, the road have been long.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=OOC]Just out of curiosity, I had assumed that with Venial taking up a semi-permanent job with the baron that he would have an apartment rented at the least. If you want to go with that, cool. If not, we can go via the route of the inn. In either case, I should ask where you see Venial's alchemist lab located?

I won't progress the plot until I've gotten a reply - especially to the inn/apartment question. Easier to wait a day than have to go back and edit![/Sblock]

[Sblock=List of potential scoundrels within the Baron's employ]

Mahrdarr Beck - Dwarven sentry who often is sent to the Fenneress-Quehalost mountains to gain updates on the happenings of the evil within Quehalost. Mahrdarr commonly takes a stance of jealousy to Venial's known missions as he aspires to be more than a mere sentry.

Rufus 'Six-digits' Jackson - Short human male so named because each hand has a genetic deformity: he has five fingers and a thumb. Rufus is an ornory man, the years of treatment as a six-fingered freak has caused him to be cautious of others. He makes few friends, and even less people desire to be his friend. His disposition makes him a naturally cautious second assistant to the Baron's national defense officer. He has no know grudge against Venial, but he has certainly never gone out of his way to make Venial welcome, either.

Tressie Toptuft - Slender female halfling priestess (I.E. spy) of Olidammara. Tressie and Venial have more than once clashed on official duties. Their allegiance to the same Baron is well known between both of them, but that does not keep Tressie from distrusting Venial's absolute loyalty. Of course, being a follower of Olidammarra also means that she is a casual worshipper of Lyris, Zuoken, and Xan Yae. This last diety stresses an importance upon stealth and secrets. Tressie's main claim to fame is getting the job done - questionable ethics aside.

Pohk Naratte - An emotional Maenad ... even considering other Maenads. Pohk is not so much a member of the Baron's company as he is a hired associate. Pohk deals with alchemy and designing weapons that utilize his alchemical poisons among other items. Pohk has always been pleasant with Venial in public dealings, but the tension between them is obvious to both Venial and Pohk. It is unlikely that others are aware of the tension between them.

[Sblock=OOC]A short list that comes to mind for Venial. If you would like a longer list, Venial can try to concentrate once he has settled and no longer moving through the town.[/Sblock]

[/Sblock]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Venial receives no major indication that anyone is taking interest in him as he enters the large gate. The guards give him a passing glance, but show no interest in him other than his noticeably small size.

[Sblock=OOC]Small characters are infact more rare than medium sized characters. This doesn't mean they are mistreated or picked on, but people - especially those whose job it is to watch people - often at least make a mental note of a small sized character. This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. It doesn't mean people notice Venial more, it just means that when he goes by the guards likely think, "Huh, that guy's short." But they don't put more thought to it than that.[/Sblock]

He can easily make it to his apartment. He can smell the odd fumes from the Ascerbic Spider (small alchemical shop) next door. The smell is that of mixing chemicals - a smell Venial should not be unfamiliar with himself. Others around him complain, but they are less accustomed to the benefits that come from such smells. Besides, the odd smell does add to the cheaper price for the apartment.

 

[Velmont]

He enters his appartment and lock the door behind him. It is more an habit than a safety, as being disturb when he is working on some alchemical items can be dangerous for him, or simply for the house. How many fires had been starts by some apprentice who wasn't caring... but hehadn't the luck of his master, his laboratory is in a wooden room, not a stony one. Anyway, how many time he had been working on some item that are not well seen. He always had prefer to work alone.

He removes his clothing... All ripped, dirty, I could always keep them in case I would need again to disguise into a beggar. Too bad I had to use my courtier clothings. I could always put that on my fee. thinks Venial. Shooking his head, he put it on his bed and come to take his chest were he puts his clothing. Oops, all is in Elk River.

He takes some water and quickly wash his face and hands before removing his scroll case from his backpack. He writes down a letter to his uncle.

Hi uncle,

I am back home. My trip back to Stalagmite was fine and without trouble. You can send my chests to my home. I hope to see you soon on the next hunt.

The Hunter of Stalagmite

Venial knew nothing woudl look suspect with this letter, but his uncle would understand that he had failed his mission and he was back and safe to Stalagmite. He thought his uncle would be surprise to recieve that letter so soon. But now he should have his chests in a few day and restarts his work until his next assignement. He quickly put back his vest and pants and go to the posting office so they can deliver the letter with the first rider that head to Elk River.

On his way to the post his mind wander between the people who had come to his mind. Who could be the spy? Tressie? No, she knows I respect Olidarama and by my acts, I follow her, even if I don't have her faith. I could hadly see her doing that for some follower of Vecna... except if she is hiding her faith of the darks god behind the faith of Olidarama.... but teh godess wouldn't allow that.

Pohk? I don't think the tension would be so high, and he has all the advanatge to keep me away. When I am here, I do direct competition with him in alchemy, but when I am on mission, the Baron cannot use my talents. But I was suppose to die and dead, I cannot come back at all...

Six-digits? He his not very friendly, but I cannot see why he would do such harm to teh Baron reputation.

Mahrdarr? He would be the one who would have the easiest time to meet Jairal without the Baron knowing. It is part of his mission to leave the city and goes in that direction. A stop in Devil's Hand wouldn't be hard. And if I died, he will surely be a possible replacement to me. Unlikely, but he might thinks his skilsl are better than they are. It would worth to start investigating on him first, but I will not let the other possibilities on the side.

[SBLOCK=OOC]I took time ot answers, but I give more stock in those case [/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock]

I took time ot answers, but I give more stock in those case

Not entirely sure what exactly you mean here. Care to explain a bit?

Are you saying that you want Venial to take more time to think up possibilities?[/Sblock]

Venial makes it to a messenger service that he has used before to send letters back home. They seem to be a trustworthy business and has never failed him in the past.

Upon receiving the letter the office manager replies, "It'll be 1 gold to take it to Elk River, sir. Will there be a reply message or something to pick up? If so, it will be another 1 gold paid in advance - unless the person to whom this is being sent will pay the gold on their end. In which case, the messenger will only bring back anything you might desire if he or she is so paid at that end of the journey."

 

[Velmont]

"No, there won't be any reply."

Using a messenger to carry my chest, plan to see him trigger the wards. At least, all have been plan before I left, uncle will know who will eb able to carry it without havng him looking what inside.

Venial hands the gold piece and the letter. He then leave the post office and goes to the market to find some unripped clothing. He won't try to replace is rags by anotehr courtier's set, but a servant outfit could be what he need to reach the Baron without attracting more attention than he needed.

First, contact the Baron and then see what to do to find that spy. Better not being spotted near the Baron for now.

[SBLOCK=OOC]Update to my equipement:
- Removed 1 gp
- Changed Courtier's outfit for Rags
- Add an entry fo rthe jewels that fit with the courtier outfit[/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Venial is able to find several pieces of clothing that will fit his bill. Most of them are in earth tones, and the merchants babble on about how browns, blues, and greens are really the best colors because they can hide the stains best anyway. All in all, he can find what he's looking for for a silver piece per outfit.

[Sblock=OOC]Going to do anything before trying to enter into the Baron's estate?[/Sblock]

 

[Velmont]

Venial heads back to his home with his new clothes and quickly changes and wash his face and hands before going to see the Baron. Being the supper time, there will be a lot of circulation and he will most likely be able to blend in the servants movement. He will just need to be in line of sight and use his magic to whispers him a message of warning before trying to set a meeting with him.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

As Venial approaches the estate he sees a familiar sight before him.

[Sblock=IC Background Information]
As with most rulers, their estate is protected round the clock. As with most important rulers, there are always poor, downtrodden folk who flock to the ruler's residence in the hope that even in a small glimpse of the Baron they might be able to catch his attention and their luck might change. The security is designed to keep these patrons at a safe distance.

There are three main entrances into the Baron's estate.All entrances are heavily guarded. Magical wards and fencing run between the the guard posts, preventing most types of travel onto the Baron's estate except through the protected gates. The three gates are known as the Entrance, the Platform, and the Gate.

The Entrance is so named because it is ornate. When important figures come to see the Baron and are expected they enter with all the Baron's pomp and circumstance through the Entrance. When the Baron leaves his estate on official business it is always through the Entrance.

The Platform is where merchants come and go. Of course, these merchants either come when beckoned or are on a regular goods delivery schedule. The guards either know the merchants well and allow access or allow merchants who have a special summons to enter. The Platform gives direct access to the Baron's personal storage warehouse and seldom do merchants in this area ever even get close to the Baron. They deal with the Baron's staff through this entrance.

The Gate is the servant's entrance. This entrance is also quite heavily guarded and all servants who come and go are inspected closely every time they approach the gate from either side. As a result, many of the Baron's servants simply choose to live within the Baron's estate even though their accomodations are typically less extravagent than what they could afford in the city. Those who desire the freedom of living on their own understand that they consent to a search when they come and go.

At this point I'll give you some choices. You don't need to ask for permission to choose one, just pick which one sounds the most appropriate to how Venial would enter the compound. It is unlikely that Venial has anything written from the Baron given his line of work. The Baron would not want anything that would trace back to him personally. However, Venial could know a password which would allow him public admittance through the Entrance. Part of his personna could tap into his alchemical background and he could be a familiar and accepted merchant who is allowed through the Platform. He could also gain admittance through the Gate - although for the sake of maintaining his disguise he would have to allow the search to avoid attention being drawn to him as being special.

Feel free to pick one of the above options or run with any of those ideas and come up with something more to what you think fits Venial and we'll role=play it from where Venial meets the guards at whichever entrance he is accustomed to using.[/Sblock]

As usual, there seems to be a particularily heavy crowd around the Entrance, although the well trained guards have little difficulty keeping the crowd away from standing directly in front of the gates. Looking to the Entrance there is a feeling of calm and security in spite of the gathered crowd. The other entrances are not in Venial's view quite yet, although he can certain head for one of those should he desire.