Paridon: The Dark Metropolis (Ravenloft)

[industrygothica]

Darian sets Suki down gently and throws a hard glare back at Alek. "You dare speak of trust? I wager to think you wouldn't know the meaning of the word!" He wraps his cloak around Suki, removing it from his own shoulders in a few hard, quick gestures that cause the corners of the fabric to snap angrily. "But that is something to discuss a bit more... privately," he says, trying to hide the rage swelling within him. To be confined with him in these cramped quarters, even for the short time it takes to return to the station makes Darian's skin crawl.

 

[Rhun]

Torhan can hardly believe that they managed to surive battle against the gnome-thing...it had mopped the floor with them. The paladin remains quiet as the carriage gets underway.

 

[kinem]

As it was clear that the wand's magic was considerably less potent than his own healing spells, Father Berman judges it prudent to spend an additional charge on each of the three cops he'd healed.

"Alek" he now says "Tell us what you know about that ... thing we fought."

For it was clear that the two lawbreakers were not allies; those who uphold law are fortunate in being united, while those who spread chaos inevitably conflict with each other.

 

[jkason]

Ru Brike, barbaric human monk

As Darian carefully sets Suki down, Alek stares at Ru. After a pause, he replies, "No thanks necessary. We all need someone we can trust."

Ru nods slightly. "Gods grant we choose the right people," he returns, his tone noncommittal. Smiling his thanks to the Father for his healing, the monk climbs back to his place up front with the coachman, senses clear, bow ready, and once again looking for trouble even as he hopes to avoid it.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Chapter 5: Let No One Tear Asunder

The remainder of the coach ride is uneventful--indeed, little would be considered an "event" right now. Fr. Berman completes his healing (Ru +6 hp, Darian +3 hp, Torhan +9 hp) and everyone settles in best they can.

In response to the chaplain's question, Alek responds matter-of-factly, "Honestly, nothing. I know nothing about that thing that attacked. Garl, the only reason I'm sitting here right now is that I feel safer here, with you." He turned to Darian and added, "And you... mistrust me." Kitten and Marionette glower in response.

As Ru climbs back onto the coach, Tavish greets him. "Good to see you again, officer. I dare say I was afraid we lost you. When you ran... it looked like there was the devil inside you. Like a rage trying to get out. I'm glad you're all right. That thing... maybe the gnomes are better with their masks on, after all."

Very quickly (the horses have never run so fast) the coach returns to the front courtyard of the Constabulary. The white gnome carriage from earlier stands patiently at the ready, just beyond the gate. A pony lets out an impatient snort. One investigator leans in the doorway as the enforcers check the coach and let you enter. He is portly, unkempt, and spits out a wad of tobacco. Fitch, only Fitch, still holds to that old tradition. As the Clocktower investigators approach, gnomes in tow, Fitch grunts, "Hey, Torhan, your bird's flown." Grunting was all Fitch ever seemed to do.

Fitch.​

Still, the recent combat makes it easy to ignore him. Tavish presents him with the gnome corpse. "Here, help me get this to the morgue." Tavish grins as he takes his leave of the policemen. Fr. Berman takes a moment to heal Calahan (+6 hp).

Gis is quick to meet the policemen. He rushes the gnomes into extra rooms, and moves the police into his office. He quickly gets to the point. "I hope you are making progress. You're bringing more and more gnomes here, and it's impossible to keep track of them all, apparently. Templeton and Sasha have gone missing. Best we can figure, they slipped out during the confusion with the explosion downstairs. Ada and Pigglemorth are still here, although Ada's been acting strangely. Can't blame her too much, cramped up here all day with no one to talk to."

[sblock=credit] Photo by mharrsch. [/sblock]

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

Calahan will thank Fr. Berman for the additional healing, then stretches his muscles to prepare for the effort to carry the woman's body to the morgue together with Tavish and Fitch.

Afterwards, he will take a quick visit to the constabulary's arsenal and ask the officers in charge to collect some strong explosives and fire weapons for him and his fcolleagues.

Encouraged by his apparent success with the burning flask, he thinks that fire might maybe help against the vicious indestructible opponent.

Finally, supposedly returning with an entire sack full of grenades, guns and bombs, he will return to the others and distribute the stuff to whoever of his companions appears interested.

 

[Rhun]

Torhan frowns at Gis, and then shrugs his shoulders. "It depends on your definition of progress. We were just attacked by..." Torhan pauses as he thinks about the right word, and then shakes his head. "Something. It mopped the floor with us. This investigation is proving to be more complicated and dangerous than we initially thought."

 

[industrygothica]

Templeton and Sasha have gone missing. Best we can figure, they slipped out during the confusion with the explosion downstairs. Ada and Pigglemorth are still here, although Ada's been acting strangely. Can't blame her too much, cramped up here all day with no one to talk to."[/COLOR]

"Well, I don't know why they'd run unless they had something to hide. I think maybe we'll talk to Ada again and see if she knows more than she's letting on. Personally, I'm starting to think that they all know something of the mess, and none of them are speaking up."

 

[jkason]

Ru Brike, barbaric human monk

"Well, I don't know why they'd run unless they had something to hide. I think maybe we'll talk to Ada again and see if she knows more than she's letting on. Personally, I'm starting to think that they all know something of the mess, and none of them are speaking up."

"I suppose we could put them all in a room together with a single deal on the table and see who jumps first," Ru offers up.

 

[industrygothica]

"I suppose we could put them all in a room together with a single deal on the table and see who jumps first," Ru offers up.

Darian nods to Ru, apparently in agreement. "At this point I should more like to put Alek's head on a table, but I suppose your idea is a better one. More appropriate, at least."