Metropolis (Slaves to the City) - Chapter Two

[jkason]

[sblock]Constantine Intimidate Check (DC 26) +35 - Success[/sblock]

Constantine begins to go to work on the saveage dwarf, beating him quite badly while shouting at him at the same time. An hour passes swiftly and the dwarf is badly beaten, his face smashed and broken badly, but his savage nature holds on and refuses to talk. It is not until Constantine has broken all of the man's fingers that the dwarf screams something, then Constantine seems to get somewhere with his questioning, turning to Ru once more.

"Ok then, seems as though these guys are looking for something, something that was stolen from them, a key I think. And they are not 'expanding' apparently, just searching systematically through various suburbs, it's just our turn at the moment. As soon as these Killi-kelli-hek have found the 'key' they are looking for, they'll return to their homes."

"As for the key, he says that it's for the Heart of Metropolis. That mean anything to you?"

"Not ringing any bells," Ru's forced to admit. Grimacing, he turns back to the bloodied dwarf before returning his gaze to Constantine.

"Looks like the quickest way to put the Killi-kelli-hek back in their place, then, is to track down this key, yes?" Ru jerks his thumb back at their captive. "While he's softened up then, what say we see if we can't get some details on who the thieves might be and what this key looks like. I'd sure as blazes rather be tracking down some scrubby thief than any more cannibal dwarves, that's for sure."

 

[Phoenix]

"Yesth, That's me Mr. Las'. Sorry I'm late, I had a brewer to defeat. Now how far ahead are they?" says the Jackal peering down the hole "Phewww, if that don't sober me up, I'll puke all me beer up!"

The halfling gags at the smell of Jovik's breath, looking warily at the man as he staggers towards him. "Ok, I was left to make sure that any more coming alone knew the way. I guess you're it though, we'd better hurry though, or we'll miss all the action." Clambing down into the storm water drains, the halfling introduces himself at Perrik.

The drain itself stinks of the sewers, whose tunnels join up with the storm water drains underneath the city. In less than a few minutes Jovik is led into a tunnel that forces him to wade through knee-high fecal matter, it looks as though there was a disturbance down here recently, as much of the stonework has come loose from the walls.

Eventually though, the two come across a dark chamber where Jovik can barely see the shaft that goes deep into the earth. Along the side of the shaft a brand new iron ladder is safely attached, as if put there yesterday specifically for the people's army's incursion.

Perrik says little in his wandering, mainly because Jovik's drunkenness seems to offer little conversation that the halfling is interested in. It is not until the two reach the bottom of the ladder that Perrik really opens up.

"Oh...my...god..."

The sewer here does not run with the refuse of society above, but the filth and fluid of bodies. Severed limbs, rotting organs, internal fluids and general filth drifts slowly downstream in a morbid mockery of a river. The faces of several old men, their heads severed from their bodies, their eye sockets looking blankly around as they drift slowly away.

"We...go...downstream..."

 

[Phoenix]

"Looks like the quickest way to put the Killi-kelli-hek back in their place, then, is to track down this key, yes?" Ru jerks his thumb back at their captive. "While he's softened up then, what say we see if we can't get some details on who the thieves might be and what this key looks like. I'd sure as blazes rather be tracking down some scrubby thief than any more cannibal dwarves, that's for sure."

Constantine returns to the dwarf, meeting out his diplomatic energies on his body for a while before asking Ru's questions again. The dwarf spits blood onto the troll's clothing, barking something in dwarven that Ru can't quite make out.

"Seems this gentleman is looking for a particular brand of thief." Constantine walks away, grabbing a rag to clean his shirt off. "Seems as though a group of yellow-robed men found their 'Clan Hall' and stole the key..." Constantine thinks a little about what he has said.

"Ru, what he is saying is key. But what he means is Key, as in something that opens something else, not necessarily a lock, it translates poorly. He refuses to tell me what the Key looks like though."

 

[Fenris]

"Oh...my...god..."

The sewer here does not run with the refuse of society above, but the filth and fluid of bodies. Severed limbs, rotting organs, internal fluids and general filth drifts slowly downstream in a morbid mockery of a river. The faces of several old men, their heads severed from their bodies, their eye sockets looking blankly around as they drift slowly away.

"We...go...downstream..."

Through this olfactory ordeal, Jovik has vomited several times. The combination of alcohol and the stench as well as later the sights are nearly over-powering. By the time they are wading through the river of humanity, the Jackal is weak and pale, but essentially sober. He can't help but wonder, if we are going down stream, what lies upstream, are where have all these bodies come from? But his thoughts quickly return to the here and now of survival and pressing on. The fading buzz of alcohol and the tempering of his rage make revenge seem less and less worthwhile to have to go through this to extract it. He take some small comfort though in the fact that at least the men that float by him are in fact dead. "Lead on Perrik, nothing we can do for these men now. Let me know if the water gets too deep for you, as wading up to my knees is bad enough, I can only image how it is for you."

 

[jkason]

Constantine returns to the dwarf, meeting out his diplomatic energies on his body for a while before asking Ru's questions again. The dwarf spits blood onto the troll's clothing, barking something in dwarven that Ru can't quite make out.

"Seems this gentleman is looking for a particular brand of thief." Constantine walks away, grabbing a rag to clean his shirt off. "Seems as though a group of yellow-robed men found their 'Clan Hall' and stole the key..." Constantine thinks a little about what he has said.

"Ru, what he is saying is key. But what he means is Key, as in something that opens something else, not necessarily a lock, it translates poorly. He refuses to tell me what the Key looks like though."

Ru nods, chewing on the new information.

If he won't even give us a description, don't suppose they're much likely to let me do the key searching and back off the district, then, Ru thinks to himself.

"Yellow? Kind of bright for the streets. Gotta figure someone's seen that kind if they're around. Sounds like as good a next step as any to me."

Ru sticks out his hand to shake the troll's, saying "Many thanks, Constantine. You're clearly a good one to have on a man's side. I'll let you know whatever crops up next"

Then he turns to his men, motioning out the door. "Bag him up, boys. Since we're already here, might as well make good use of the waterfront."

 

[Phoenix]

Through this olfactory ordeal, Jovik has vomited several times. The combination of alcohol and the stench as well as later the sights are nearly over-powering. By the time they are wading through the river of humanity, the Jackal is weak and pale, but essentially sober. He can't help but wonder, if we are going down stream, what lies upstream, are where have all these bodies come from? But his thoughts quickly return to the here and now of survival and pressing on. The fading buzz of alcohol and the tempering of his rage make revenge seem less and less worthwhile to have to go through this to extract it. He take some small comfort though in the fact that at least the men that float by him are in fact dead. "Lead on Perrik, nothing we can do for these men now. Let me know if the water gets too deep for you, as wading up to my knees is bad enough, I can only image how it is for you."

Jovik watches the halfling wade through the knee-deep filth...which is also knee deep for him as well. Perrik had come prepared, with stilts attached to his legs that he balanced on with no problems at all.

The stream opened up ahead into a large underground lake, bobbing with filth, severed limbs, and unidentifiable offal. On its edge two boats are being loaded with halflings and humans, with one large half-orc in the lead boat already heading out. With less than a minute to spare, Jovik is able to catch a seat on the last boat across.

Crammed in with several other halflings that patiently detatch the stilts from their legs, they all look strangely at the vomit-stained Jovik, who definately seems to be the odd one out in the group. But after only minutes drifting across the lake of filth, Jovik sees ahead several lanterns bobbing on a shore where more men and halflings gather.

Staggering out of the boat, the Jackal looks around in the darkness, nothing of note yet but a conversation by what seem to be the leaders of the small warband ahead seem to be deciding their next move.

[sblock]OOC: Someone's trying to sneak from Chapter Two into Chapter One, naughty monkey! Ok, if your intent is to talk to the 'leaders', feel free to move into Chapter One for the moment...you'll be back though!!!! [/sblock]

 

[Phoenix]

Then he turns to his men, motioning out the door. "Bag him up, boys. Since we're already here, might as well make good use of the waterfront."

With a grin the two half-ogres bundle the dwarf into a large heshan sack and load it with debris from the alley, then drag him along the pier to his watery grave. As dwarf is dragged away into the darkness, the twins approach Ru. "Now for our other half, since the job is complete. Should you be wishing to pay us for any other services tonight?"

 

[Fenris]

Jovik watches the halfling wade through the knee-deep filth...which is also knee deep for him as well. Perrik had come prepared, with stilts attached to his legs that he balanced on with no problems at all.

The stream opened up ahead into a large underground lake, bobbing with filth, severed limbs, and unidentifiable offal. On its edge two boats are being loaded with halflings and humans, with one large half-orc in the lead boat already heading out. With less than a minute to spare, Jovik is able to catch a seat on the last boat across.

Crammed in with several other halflings that patiently detatch the stilts from their legs, they all look strangely at the vomit-stained Jovik, who definately seems to be the odd one out in the group. But after only minutes drifting across the lake of filth, Jovik sees ahead several lanterns bobbing on a shore where more men and halflings gather.

Staggering out of the boat, the Jackal looks around in the darkness, nothing of note yet but a conversation by what seem to be the leaders of the small warband ahead seem to be deciding their next move.

[sblock]OOC: Someone's trying to sneak from Chapter Two into Chapter One, naughty monkey! Ok, if your intent is to talk to the 'leaders', feel free to move into Chapter One for the moment...you'll be back though!!!! [/sblock]

[sblock] Hey, I always read from back to front [/sblock]

Jovik staggers out of the boat, and sits down heavily on the cleanest place he can find, trying to get his head to de-fog. Let the others think for a bit, he thought. What have I gotten myself into, cover with my own and other's filth, all for ome stupid brats?!? Maybe those yellow demons should take the kids, serve them right. But they did make him a good bit of money.

The Jackal sits quietly debating whether even going forward is worth it, allowing his vacant stomach to settle and his head to clear. As the conversation up ahead continues he will turn to his recent companion, Perrik, and say "So, Perrik, what's with all the halflings down on this little crusade?"

 

[jkason]

With a grin the two half-ogres bundle the dwarf into a large heshan sack and load it with debris from the alley, then drag him along the pier to his watery grave. As dwarf is dragged away into the darkness, the twins approach Ru. "Now for our other half, since the job is complete. Should you be wishing to pay us for any other services tonight?"

As the twins claim their earnings, Ru hands over the gold, saying "Nothing tonight, boys. But if you come up with any information on the yellow-robed Key-theives our erstwhile captive mentioned, I'll pay you honest for it. Might lead into more active work, depending."

Ru waits for Scrab and Wos to return, choosing not to play witness to them. He's just a touch cold remembering their glee at the task ahead. Ru's good at violence and killing, sure, but it's always been a tool, not an ... entertainment. Still, he supposed people who liked their jobs were easier to hire to do the work when you could afford to. Keep your own hands a little cleaner and your own neck a little safer.

Ru waits under a street lamp. When the half-ogres return, he'll pay them their share, as well, and give them the same offer for information-gathering on his newest target.

One step closer, though gods know how much crazier the path is going to get.

 

[Phoenix]

The Jackal sits quietly debating whether even going forward is worth it, allowing his vacant stomach to settle and his head to clear. As the conversation up ahead continues he will turn to his recent companion, Perrik, and say "So, Perrik, what's with all the halflings down on this little crusade?"

Perrik looks across to the desheveled form of Jovik and sits on the vile sand by his feet. "Seems as though these yellow-robed cultists have been stealing children's souls to use in their rituals to their dark gods. We're down here to make sure that they don't get the chance to do it again, and also so their corrupt magic doesn't affect the city above."