Metropolis (The World in Waiting) - Chapter One

[Bront]

Vulgarth's face looks up from the crowd of children as Taran calls his name, his wise old face calmly looking at the halfling and his ward as they scurry down the ladder from up high. Taran's eager blurting of recent events is almost spat out into his lap, and as the tale is told Vulgrath barely pays attention as he lifts the small child into his arms.

With one hand slowly drifting over her frightened face, Vulgarth intones an ancient spell and concentrates intently on the child. His eyes glow softly for a moment before his hand wavers across her face a second time, her eyes close, and she sleeps.

"You cannot help this child Taran." The old man's voice was obviously once powerful and commanding, however even the passing of years can effect the majesty of an elf, for now it wavered and crackled. "Her soul has been taken from her body, harvested as were her teeth, blood, hair, fingernails, retinal fluid and even one of her kidneys. It seems that she has fallen victim of organ farmers, though not like any I have heard of before."

He mutters something under his breath, placing the child down away from the bubbling vats nearby before continuing. "Most organ farmers do not have the necessary equipment to extract somebody's soul and still leave them alive and walking. It is a very dangerous act, one which many ancient sorcerers have tried to master and failed for years."

"Taran, we can look after her here, you do not have to take this any further. But if you truely want to help this girl....you will have to go to the surface, to find whatever manner of creatures would do something like this."

"Do you know anyone I should look to find to help?" Taran asks. "Is there anything else you think I need to bring?"

If his Vulgarth thinks it is best, Taran will leave immediately. Otherwise, Taran will try to get some rest to recover before he leaves.

Taran sets out to the surface, to investigate these strange goings. Hopefully he can stop it before someone from his village is taken by these organ harvesters.

 

[D20Dazza]

"Zimmerman bought that girl fair and square, I recognise that. I would never do anything to go back on a business dealing, but that girl left him for one of my boys fair and square, Liam. Love she said, or something. I dunno where she is now, wouldn't have a clue. It would be in your best interest to leave it alone though, I'll deal with Zimmerman..."

[sblock]Using Sleight of Hand or Bluff I'm going to try and cast Scare without him realising that I'm casting a spell, while casting I'm saying[/sblock]
"That Zimmerman is a bad bastard, a bad, mean son of a dwarf and as tight with his security as he is with his money. Why I've seen first hand the things he's done to others. Look just between you and me" Ghost stops and makes a show of looking around to make sure that what he says won't be overheard "do you remember the massacre of the Stetton Street Boys?" he continues "All 15 of them killed, basically ripped apart, eviscerated they was. I covered that story and let me tell you it chilled me blood. I've heard he's signed a pact with the demon Xekh, that he has supernatural connections. They never did bring the dog to justice but I know it was him. I have friends that can take care of this sort of business." (wiggling his fingers and rubbing the skeleton finger bone he casts his spell) "they'll grind him into dust" (with the final trigger word the finger bone crumbles to a powder) "Why don't you tell me all you can about Liam and I'll track he and his girl down and make sure they get the right protection. I'll also talk to my, ahhh, friends in The Apartments and they'll take care of Zimmerman, making sure that it looks to be an accident of course. You're clean then, no blood on your hands and I get to finally have my revenge for what he did"

[sblock]As he speaks he takes a few steps away from Bremmen, his hand gripping the hilt of his mace that is still hidden beneath the folds of his cloak. He warily watches Bremmen, ready for any sign of attack[/sblock]

 

[Cathoi]

Quix's eyes shine wide at the prospect of money. He barely hears what Naten actually wants, but grabs the list nontheless. He squints a little, holds the list upside-down, then smiles at Naten stupidly.

"Yoo are funny man, yoo know I cun read."

Quix's eyes narrow in something that normal people could assume is thought as Naten reads the names one by one past his ears. As soon as one name is said, Quix's eyes light up and he sticks his hands out for money.

"I know that 'un! Stefany Zimman. Giante bought 'er the utha day, I go' along well wif her...till 'e was finished wif 'er an' she wen away."

Quix looks back nervously in the direction of Giante's stall.

"Yoo know, 'e dus nasty fins to kids. He dusn' tuch me tho cause 'e seys I go' all the filf unner the sun anyway, not werf two bits 'e sez."

With a grin on him dumber than a new born squid, Quix looks hopefully in the direction of Naten's money pouch.

*Nate grimaces at the thougth of having anything to do with the man*, but business was business, not as if this would be the first unsavoy character he'd have to have dealt with these kind of unsavory characters.

*Nate looks back down at quix, and gives him another 10 royal's, still making sure that no one is watching the exchange too closely.*

"Good work Quix, that's exactly what I needed to know, now go make yourself scarce. Ah, one last thing, if you want your twenty royal's come to the barges in two day's. If I'm not there find a preist of Urbanus, tell the priest what you told me. Alright, now get."

*Once Quix is swallowed by the crowd Naten turns back towards Giante's stall, looking carefully over his wares (paying special attention to anything that looked like it could be used as a weapon by Giante)*

[sblock]So what's he sellin?[/sblock]

 

[Phoenix]

And she was. Her feet would hit the ground hard, in rapid succession. Fast as they'd carry her. She wasn't accustomed to fleeing.

Her run isn't as fast as that of most. He robes fall around her, and get in her way. She holds tight to her holy symbol as she flees.

Eventually, [assuming nothing else goes wrong], she would reach the city streets. Just outside her front door, but utterly foreign to her... but she'd keep moving, down streets and alleys, just to get away from Vrisse.

What could make him *do that* to her? And what happened to his... body? It should be gone, working in the sewer farms...

Alexis' feet pounded on the polished floor of the temple, carrying her swiftly away from the study and down a flight of stairs to the temple proper. For a moment she was forced to slow as she made her way through the crowd of acolytes and worshippers that milled through the area. Above her on the walkway, Vrisse leaned heavily on the railing, searching for the 'intruder', calling the nearby skeletal guards to his side.
The crowd worked for her though, Alexis burst from the front door and almost fell down the stairs and into the street. For what seemed like forever she ran, stumbling down alleyways filled with the refuse of humanity, her body finally gave up, tumbling into the mud that caked thick onto the streets.
Her lungs screamed for air, but at least she was safe, for now. All of her training, all of her lessons from her mentor, had not prepared her for this...

 

[Phoenix]

"Do you know anyone I should look to find to help?" Taran asks. "Is there anything else you think I need to bring?"

If his Vulgarth thinks it is best, Taran will leave immediately. Otherwise, Taran will try to get some rest to recover before he leaves.

Taran sets out to the surface, to investigate these strange goings. Hopefully he can stop it before someone from his village is taken by these organ harvesters.

Vulgrath shakes his head, but only a little. "I left the world above behind decades ago, I know little of the people with whom we live beneath anymore. You are young, and very resourceful, I suggest that you leave the young girl here for now though, I will protect her in this sanctuary." His wizened hand stokes the girl's mottled hair in affection.

Vulgrath looks up once more, studying the haggered Taran. "You look tired, get some rest before you leave." Sleep does not come easily though, with images of rivers of blood and screaming children at the back of Taran's mind, it is a long time before he can rest.

Twitchy is the first ready, scratching at the foot of Taran's cot to wake the small druid, it seems that the eager rat knows what excitement the day will bring. It doesn't take long to gather provisions and ready for the trip ahead, and before they knew it, the two were on their way...

[sblock]Taran and Twitchy receives a full night's rest, recovering all lost hit points and spells.
[/sblock]

 

[Phoenix]

[sblock]Using Sleight of Hand or Bluff I'm going to try and cast Scare without him realising that I'm casting a spell, while casting I'm saying[/sblock]
"That Zimmerman is a bad bastard, a bad, mean son of a dwarf and as tight with his security as he is with his money. Why I've seen first hand the things he's done to others. Look just between you and me" Ghost stops and makes a show of looking around to make sure that what he says won't be overheard "do you remember the massacre of the Stetton Street Boys?" he continues "All 15 of them killed, basically ripped apart, eviscerated they was. I covered that story and let me tell you it chilled me blood. I've heard he's signed a pact with the demon Xekh, that he has supernatural connections. They never did bring the dog to justice but I know it was him. I have friends that can take care of this sort of business." (wiggling his fingers and rubbing the skeleton finger bone he casts his spell) "they'll grind him into dust" (with the final trigger word the finger bone crumbles to a powder) "Why don't you tell me all you can about Liam and I'll track he and his girl down and make sure they get the right protection. I'll also talk to my, ahhh, friends in The Apartments and they'll take care of Zimmerman, making sure that it looks to be an accident of course. You're clean then, no blood on your hands and I get to finally have my revenge for what he did"

[sblock]As he speaks he takes a few steps away from Bremmen, his hand gripping the hilt of his mace that is still hidden beneath the folds of his cloak. He warily watches Bremmen, ready for any sign of attack[/sblock]

[sblock]Sleight of Hand check (Opposed DC 6) +25 - Success
Bremmen Will Save (DC 15) +21 - Success (target shaken)
Intimidate check (Opposed DC 22) +24 - Success
[/sblock]

With Hound's final words Bremmen looks obviously concerned, looking about the alley for any of his employees that could be nearby, but they are all too far away to help him. He tries to nevously light another cigar, but fails terribly.
"Ok then, fine. Liam's still around, but he's got nothing for you, he simply lured and grabbed the girl when the time was right. I had a taker for her y'see? That damn Zimmerman cheated me by finishing the deal without me, so I cheated him back by grabbing his 'precious daughter'." He leans forward a little to whisper.
"It's these Yellow fellas y'see, they pay good but they're dangerous. If I don't do what they say..." His face pales a little further.
"I know where she is though, just leave and don't bring Zimmerman down around here. Between him and the Yellow devils, I've got enough on my plate. The girl is in one of the Yellow Cult's harvesting areas, here, I'll show you."
Bremmen draws a crude map of an area in The Apartments, showing sewer access points as well as a secret wall that opens up into a small group of holding cells. His face attempts to return to a harden state as he snarls: "Now get outta here!"

 

[Phoenix]

*Nate grimaces at the thougth of having anything to do with the man*, but business was business, not as if this would be the first unsavoy character he'd have to have dealt with these kind of unsavory characters.

*Nate looks back down at quix, and gives him another 10 royal's, still making sure that no one is watching the exchange too closely.*

"Good work Quix, that's exactly what I needed to know, now go make yourself scarce. Ah, one last thing, if you want your twenty royal's come to the barges in two day's. If I'm not there find a preist of Urbanus, tell the priest what you told me. Alright, now get."

*Once Quix is swallowed by the crowd Naten turns back towards Giante's stall, looking carefully over his wares (paying special attention to anything that looked like it could be used as a weapon by Giante)*

[sblock]So what's he sellin?[/sblock]

Quix snatches his money quickly before darting into the crowd, obviously afraid that Naten may change his mind and want the money back. Once the child is gone, Naten casually approaches Giante's stall and surveys his wares.

Teeth.

The stall is covered with teeth, from animal teeth to monstrous teeth, Giante sells teeth as wall ornaments or jewelry. The man himself is quite small, even for a dwarf. His stubby arms and short legs are supplimented by a large bench that he walks along behind his stall, giving him access to all of his wares at anytime. Unlike other dwarves in his line of business (at least in this area of the city) he does not seem accustomed to arms and armour. Several large pouches hang securely at his waist as well as a small holster within which a slender wand rests, it seems like this man may be more than meets the eye.

 

[D20Dazza]

"I know where she is though, just leave and don't bring Zimmerman down around here. Between him and the Yellow devils, I've got enough on my plate. The girl is in one of the Yellow Cult's harvesting areas, here, I'll show you."
Bremmen draws a crude map of an area in The Apartments, showing sewer access points as well as a secret wall that opens up into a small group of holding cells. His face attempts to return to a harden state as he snarls: "Now get outta here!"

Carefully folding the map and tucking it away in an inside pocket Ghost dips his head in thanks to Bremmen "Rest assured I'll sort this, we may do business again my friend" he says as he saunters off towards the exit. Pulling his collar up high and tucking his head down against the driving rain Ghost makes his way back to The Apartments, his eyes darting to the shadows and his every nerve raw and on edge, waiting for everything to go pear shaped.

 

[Phoenix]

Carefully folding the map and tucking it away in an inside pocket Ghost dips his head in thanks to Bremmen "Rest assured I'll sort this, we may do business again my friend" he says as he saunters off towards the exit. Pulling his collar up high and tucking his head down against the driving rain Ghost makes his way back to The Apartments, his eyes darting to the shadows and his every nerve raw and on edge, waiting for everything to go pear shaped.

The rain pours from the sky overhead, pounding the city into submission around Ghost as he makes his way slowly back to the Apartments. Occassionally checking the crude map in a sheltered doorway, away from both the rain and prying eyes, it does not take him long to weave his way through the base of the Apartment's towers towards the alleyway that contains the entrance to the sewers that he is searching for.
The alley is dark, damp, and dismal, much like the rest of the neighbourhood. At least a dozen homeless have made crude shanty houses out of debris in the area and loiter about the entrance to the sewers with dozens of their traps set up to catch an unwary rat or two.
From Ghost's position at the mouth of the alley it seems that the sewer grate is set into the ground firmly, rusted hinges locking it tighter than any master's lock could.

 

[Bront]

Vulgrath shakes his head, but only a little. "I left the world above behind decades ago, I know little of the people with whom we live beneath anymore. You are young, and very resourceful, I suggest that you leave the young girl here for now though, I will protect her in this sanctuary." His wizened hand stokes the girl's mottled hair in affection.

Vulgrath looks up once more, studying the haggered Taran. "You look tired, get some rest before you leave." Sleep does not come easily though, with images of rivers of blood and screaming children at the back of Taran's mind, it is a long time before he can rest.

Twitchy is the first ready, scratching at the foot of Taran's cot to wake the small druid, it seems that the eager rat knows what excitement the day will bring. It doesn't take long to gather provisions and ready for the trip ahead, and before they knew it, the two were on their way...

[sblock]Taran and Twitchy receives a full night's rest, recovering all lost hit points and spells.
[/sblock]

Taran gathers his things, smiling at the excited Twitchy. "Yes, I know, there's lot of fun things on the surface, but we're there on business. "

Once everything is gathered, Taran mounts up and sets off to the surface. He knows his way there, down a few miles here, turn there, up this pipe, around this pipe, up this ladder, and out this grate. He'd been that way once, but only to be shown the way. In general, the surface was full of wasteful people, who threw away things that were perfectly good. Why bother trading with them when what you needed was salvagable from what they threw away? Sure, there were occasional expeditions to the surface to sell or buy a few rare items, but they were few and far between.

As Taran and Twitchy emerged from the grate, they had to squint their eyes to adjust to the bright light. Taran urged his faithful companion forward, as they strode into the light...