Metropolis (The World in Waiting) - Chapter One

[Phoenix]

The companions made their way through the sewers and finally to the streets above where Ghost had mentioned a gathering spot for sympathetic minds. Climbing to the surface with their group of sewer-dwelling warriors, Ba'aktar was the only one to recognise the leader of the group that had gathered to assist the would-be heroes.

Waiting for them was a handful under twenty men, looking far from the sympathetic sort. More likely they had seen the opportunity to loot and had measured the pros and cons to the point where the possibility of money had one.

At the front a strange looking halfling stood watching the group. He spat in his hand and preened himself ineffectually before offering his hand to Ghost.

"'entre's me name ya know. Me an' deez fella's 'ere wanna 'elp ya see. Dun s'pose yoo be needin' a extra 'and ay?"

 

[D20Dazza]

Ghost Hound Elf Bard

"Ahhh, friend Entre" Ghosts says as he grips the halflings hand tightly "tis good to see that men staunch and strong would come to the aid of these street children. See Ba'Aktar" the elf says turning back to the half-orc "friend Taran was right, the righteousness of our endeavour was enough to bring out the good in at least some of the people of Metropolis. And now" he says sweeping his arms in a circle so that all are included in his next statement "we almost have an army. Let us have vengeance" he roars clutching his hands into fists and throwing his arms in the air.

 

[Festy_Dog]

"Nay it is yours fairly given my friend" Ghost says as he hands the bundle back to the half orc "I but meant, in a heavy tongued way I admit, that I hope if I am injured that you will be there to have an opportunity to repay the debt. Which I hasten to add I don't consider a debt. Apologies my friend I was but trying to lighten the mood" Ghost says with a wink and a smile as he and Ba'Aktar trail behind Tarran.

Ba'aktar nods, the strange looking elf was an odd character, but likable enough. He pockets the Phesen with the other two and returns his attention to the matter at hand.

"Seems you've recovered alright," Ba'aktar says to Hentre in greeting, "Can't be sure how much good loot's in there, didn't get a decent look around."

There was a little surprise that Hentre was still alive, but it was likely the robed figure had ignored the unconcious halfling when he dealt with Yu'olan. Ba'aktar decided to ask the little fellow about Yu'olan when there was a moment spare.

 

[Phoenix]

Hentre smiles with broken and rotten teeth at Ghost, "We iz reddy to go!" The group falls in behind the people from Taran's village, following the group down into the sewers once more. Before long the entire group was heading to their destiny in the lair of the Yellow Cult.

Ba'aktar:
[sblock]Dropping back to talk to Hentre, the small halfling's eyes watch the half-orc's approach carefully. Once Ba'aktar said his mind one of the halfling's hands dropped to the pommel of his dagger, the other clenched into a fist with its thumb poking out. Making a slicing gesture with his thumb across his throat, Hentre snarls and moves away from the large half-orc, his point delivered.[/sblock]

Ghost:
[sblock]Trudging through the sewers once more, this time with a small army at his back, Ghost can't help but notice something...familiar. The scent, the shadows down certain tunnels, the faint noises echoing that others dismiss. There are ghouls following them, that he was sure of, and no wonder with a group like his walking through the sewers...[/sblock]

Taran:
[sblock]Leading the small army through the sewers once more, there is a sudden warmth eminating from somewhere in his clothing. Searching through the myriad of pockets, it is not long before the halfling discovers that the pocket that he had placed his mysterious key into, was lacking a key. Instead the pocket contained a shiney gold coin, brand new as if it were minted yesterday. The coin was not like the paper thin coins of Metropolis, this was thick and heavy...[/sblock]

 

[Bront]

Taran pulls out a thick gold coin and begins to examine it curiously.

 

[D20Dazza]

Ghost signals to his two original companions that he wants a quiet word. Calling for a quick break he draws the two aside and advises them of his fears that the group is being tracked by ghouls.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Ba'aktar understands Hentre's message. Either Yu'olan had survived and told him what happened, or Hentre went back to piece together what happened for himself. The injuries inflicted on Ulam could easily have been identified as Ba'aktar's handiwork; heavy, cleaver-like wounds. If Ulam's skill was anything to measure Hentre by, the little fellow's vengeance would be something to look forward to. They could settle their own matter once the Robes' Den was cleaned out, or perhaps during if Hentre was angry enough to jeopordise the job. With their interaction complete Ba'aktar moved back over to the others.

"Ghouls?" he asked quietly, not certain he had heard Ghost right, "I look forward to it."

The living dead were an exotic opponent. Going toe-to-toe with them would be something he could be proud of. At the sight of Taran studying a thick gold coin however, Ba'aktar's eyes widened in surprise and his hand moved to his own pocket in search of his own.

 

[Phoenix]

As the group continues their journey, the three companions gather to walk and talk closely. The others seem to know the general direction that they are supposed to head, so the lack of guidance for a few moments is not missed.

Taran:
[sblock]Appraise check (DC 15) +11 - Failure

The coin itself is thick and obviously more valuable than the common coin of Metropolis. On one side is the face of a man that you do not recognise, on the other is an image of the towering spires of Metropolis. There seems to be no readable markings that signifies the dating of this coin.[/sblock]

Ba'aktar:
[sblock]Fishing through his pockets, the half-orc feels his coin roll around in his pocket for a moment before falling into the palm of his hand, he hadn't lost it yet. As the three talked it was easy for him to identify that the coin that Taran held was the same as he had recovered from the temple of Urbanus.[/sblock]

 

[Bront]

"Let us continue, we should make haste, for as much as ridding the sewers of the gouls would be good, we have a more important task at hand."

In a softer voice to his other companions, Taran says "It seem the key is gone. This coin was in my pocket instead."

 

[Festy_Dog]

Ba'aktar returned his own coin to his pocket without mentioning anything, not comfortable with clarifying its presence to the others just yet.

"Humus help us if that key was our only way in," Ba'aktar remarks quietly as he continues forward.