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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Black Omega" data-source="post: 899632" data-attributes="member: 79">Vlad took out a few daggers and laid them close to hand before going to work on the terrified Octopus gang member, using the kusari-gama as a hammer to drive the daggers in, crucifying the man against the wall of their hangout, blood already flowing as he made sure the man was securely held in place then nodded to the others “This will make a big impression, don’t worry.  Learned this back in Rashemon.  It can take the man hours to die…”Then the scene got gruesome as Vlad went to work on his Blood Eagle.  As far as the others could tell, it seemed to involve flying skin from parts, forcing the ribs outward a little with the end result intended to leave the impression of ‘wings’, it was a bloody spectacle that caught the attention of even hardened bandits.  Even members of his own group were disgusted by the display, Kyruko shuddering a little and not even bothering to watch.Vlad was cold bloodedly working on his masterpiece when suddenly over his shoulder an arrow thunked into his victim.  Then another followed, both finding the bandit’s throat and bringing an all too quick end to the bandit’s suffering.Angry, Vlad looked around to see who had dared disturb his work.  Not far away, Viktor was handing a bow back to the nervous bandit he had borrowed it from.  Folding his arms over his massive chest, Viktor looked to Vlad evenly “Your point is made.  That’s enough.”  Then the hulking abomination waited to see if Vlad wanted to press the issue.  Vlad stared into Viktor’s eyes for several seconds, then simply turned away to rejoin his group.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~“That was sick.”  Kyruko whispered as soon as the group was well away from the bandits watching the scene.“I’m just surprised Viktor would be the one stopping it.”  Vlad growled, a little annoyed still that he had been interrupted.“I hope Jyaku-sama didn’t plan on us keeping a low profile here.”  Fireblossom commented with a grin.“You know, I bet we’re the distraction.  While we make a spectacle, he probably has other people slipping in to do stuff more quietly.”  Mongo said thoughtfully.A sudden, strange feeling that swept over them interrupted their conversation.  Hooves pounded as a horseman rode toward them from Rodrigo’s central keep, a rider in black.  His armor looked like it had been through a fire, sooty and blackened.  His face was concealed by a black mempo, a mask in the form of a demon face.  Even the horse seemed wrong, dried blood blackening it’s fur, it’s eyes wild, a fiery green.  As the rider charged down the street, they could see other bandits cowering out of the way.  But they resisted the rush of fear that accompanied the rider’s presence as it galloped past, and on to the southern gate.As the rider left Kuzo, Kyruko felt in the link with her familiar a happy sigh “It’s better now, Mir.  I’ll go up and look around.”“Fly south as fast as you can.  There’s a black rider there, follow him as best as you can.”  Kyruko ordered quickly.“You know, us not seeming bothered by the rider will only help our reputation in town.  Though Vlad’s reputation has to be mostly me keeping him alive.  The only people he’s killed so far have been helpless or asleep.”  Fireblossom teased.Asking around, the group found a shaky bandit who had the information they wanted.  “That was one of Shahai’s Tetsu no Shukun.  An Iron Lord.  Things will be happening soon, mark my words.”  The older man said before wandering off to get a drink.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The group gathered together at the Dancing Ferret for drinks and to plot a little.  Finding a spot in one of the corners, for maximum protection.  Mongo had some interesting news from the Yabanjin barracks.  There had been a small fight between them and the Inu.  No more than ten on a side, with other Yabanjin watching.  The Yabanjin had won but the situation was tense.  The hostility between the two groups went very deep.As they talked a figure entered the inn.  Dressed in a hooded robe of dark purple, he wore the sigh of Cyric, a silvered skull surrounded by purple flames.  Immediately he began walking toward the group, slow measured steps while some of the bandits already in drinking paused to watch the show.The Cyrician came to a stop before their table and the group readied for trouble.  But then the man swept his hood back, revealing a thin, gaunt face and a surprisingly warm smile.  “Vlad.  I saw your work today.  I was quite impressed.  May I join you for a drink?  I suspect there is much we can talk about.”The man turned out to be a Cleric of Cyric, and quite interested in drawing the group over to join the Temple of Cyric. “You did the right thing, Vlad.  Best to make a big splash so everyone notices you.  And fears you.  These are tenets of the Temple of Cyric as well.  You should visit us tonight.  I can show you a little of the temple.  We are a strong power here in Kuzo.  We are led by one of Rodrigo’s sons, Stavros, a powerful wizard.  Rodrigo’s getting old now, one of his son’s will be taking over for him.  And we’re betting on Stavros.  Your group seems to have the proper mindset.”  Well, most of you, the Cyrician thought to himself.The Cyrician was quite friendly, chatting with Vlad about use of torture implements compared to the more spontaneous effect you can get from improvising with more mundane items.  But soon enough his gaze turned to Ming.  “I hope you’ll visit the temple as well.  We know you are not a Shugenja.”“I never said I was.”  Ming said with a smile.“You’ve never said what you are.  Yes.  But a Roko using cleric magic?”  the Cleric smiled thinly “Very interesting.  And you are not so far off us than you seem to think.  Chaotic.  Neither good nor evil.  It’s one short step from where you are now to where I am.  One simple sacrifice would do it.  And then you would have such power…”Kyruko broke in before Ming got into trouble “you said Stavros leads the Cyricians?  Who are the other factions?  We should watch out for them.”  She said smoothly.“Viktor.”  The Cleric replied with a sour look on his face “Grond is the toughest one in town.  But he doesn’t have…well…that aura of leadership.  Viktor can lead people.  Stavros is even better at it.  Grond is powerful but not a leader.  You already know how weak Viktor can be.  He won’t think kindly of you after what happened today.  Joining us will also make you safer.”The group promised to think on it, and Vlad promised to visit the temple later.  But now a plan was forming and they had to work quickly before the evening came.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~“We know there is tension between the Inu and the Yabanjin.  Why don’t we try to provoke a fight between the groups?  A serious, to the death fight?  What would it take to do that?”  Fireblossom asked Mongo.“When they fought today it was even numbers.  A good challenging fight.  I’d say we have the attack take place at night while they sleep.  By surprise.  I bet that would really piss them off.”  Mongo decided.Fireblossom nodded, “And animals.  We have to make sure they think it’s the Inu.  Ming, can you summon some animals to attack them?”Ming was willing to give it a try.  He could sneak over invisibly and summon up a bear and a small pack of wolves to attack in the night.  He knew from experience summoning creatures and turning them loose would mean a good amount of bloodshed.Next came the factions.  They had seen a Cleric of Cyric talking to Finafin and suspected the evil Elf was in league with them.  Besides which, they simply wanted the perverse Elf dead.  “I can look like him using magic, and perhaps drop some innuendo about Finafin and Viktor?  Viktor’s part…he’s a half breed.”  Fireblossom said, still not quite able to imagine Viktor was really any part elf, despite his appearance.Yukiyo volunteered to help.  The Kid had been making friends with some of the other kids in town and could make sure they heard whatever the group wanted.Verick would play Finafin’s Elven ‘friend’, since he also spoke elvish.  They’d find a bar other than the Dancing Ferret, and Finafin would let it slip about him and Viktor while acting a little drunk.  In fact, Vlad suggested they add in something about Finafin and Rodrigo, just to really take this plan all the way.Then Vlad and Fireblossom would quickly visit the Temple of Cyric while Kyruko went to see Viktor and let him know the Cyricians were plotting against him, and try to get in his good graces by offering to spy for him.Dangerous, but if everything went according to plan they could be close with both factions by the time the night was over.  If it went according to plan…</blockquote>

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