TUW: The Steel Trade [IC]

[Kwargrow]

When the Captain declares they are under arrest, San-Bolo look at each other and then burst out laughing. They laugh even harder at Clavo's insults and clink their mugs together in celebration before taking another drink.

After Marstoni sits Sannit loudly says to Bolo, "It seems our attempt at friendship with these men has been callously rejected."

Bolo replies, just as loudly, "That is a good thing. For this insult we should take their swords and send these Asylim guards home without them."

Turtle keeps to the outskirts of town, snacking when he wants to, but remembering not to harm livestock or people. When he finds someone he recognizes, he is friendly but wary at all times.

 

[redraider629]

Vadin begins laughing with San-Bolo.

He then says, "Arrest us? Huh, that would be a neat trick."

He goes back to enjoying his drink and food, while still keeping his eyes on the captain.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tor says nothing boisterous; in fact, he says nothing at all. But he does make eye contact with Marstoni, and gives him the deadly, icy, cold stare of indifference, almost daring him to start something. He takes a long, slow drink of his pine vine, while maintaining the stare. Then he gently places the mug down on the table, and smiles. It is not a welcoming smile, nor is it friendly. It is the smile of a wary adversary.

Merin, on the other hand, completely ignores Marstoni. Merin discreetly exits the tavern, walking over to where the caravan wagons are parked, and he is focused on looking at the other caravaners who are still with the wagons, having their evening meals. It occurs to him that if one of them is indeed an assassin, as Clavo suggests, then his or her collar would be for show only; thus, Merin is detecting for Way traces on every collar that he can see. If he finds a collar which does NOT show signs of Way, he will return to the tavern, and discreetly inform the other Seekers.

 

[MacConnell]

Y 0: Day 158: The Boar's Head, part 2

After Marstoni sits Sannit loudly says to Bolo, "It seems our attempt at friendship with these men has been callously rejected."

Bolo replies, just as loudly, "That is a good thing. For this insult we should take their swords and send these Asylim guards home without them."

Vadin begins laughing with San-Bolo.
He then says, "Arrest us? Huh, that would be a neat trick."

GM: Marstoni and his lieutenant placidly ignore the overt insults as the captain sits, again, shaking his head. He places the palms of his hands flat upon the table, an outward sign of inner turmoil.

Sheldon orders two more Pine Vine Mellows. He stands and takes them from the server as they are delivered. He carries them toward Clavo's table and the seated Marshals. He turns and gives a sarcastic grin to the rest of the Seekers.

Indigo eases her chair back a bit and shakes her head at Sheldon.

All the Seekers note that for just a second Sheldon manipulated Way, but as to exactly what he did, there is no determining. Sheldon sets the mugs on Clavo's table sliding them toward Marstoni and the lieutenant. Steam can be seen rising from the wooden mugs that should be filled with a cool wine. Sheldon nods toward the Marshals.

GM: Marstoni retrieves his offered mug and takes a big mouthful, spitting it back out immediately and coughs profusely. The lieutenant, being slower, pauses when Marstoni begins coughing and sees the steam rising from the mug. He sets the mug upon the table and dips a finger in it, feeling the boiling hot liquid. He jumps back from the table, knocking over his chair but does not reach for his sword. The expression on his face is one of fear. He mumbles a barely audible word. "Blighter."

Sheldon looks at Marstoni and says calmly.
"You are out of your depth, here, captain."

GM: Marstoni calms his man with a gesture, and the lieutenant retakes his seat after righting the chair. He looks over at Clavo, though Sheldon is still standing there. "You asked me why I was only a Captain. This is why. I am cursed. I always get stuck with the impossible tasks." He looks at his lieutenant. "Brintto, the server delivered the mugs to the young man. They came from the kitchen. It is a good trick to make a point." He continues for all to hear. "We are headed to Boga City from here. We will be leaving in the morning. As far as I am concerned, I did not meet any group of people calling themselves the Southroad Seekers." He looks at Clavo, then Sheldon, then all the Seekers. "If assassins have been employed here, this is far beyond my pay grade. I do not personally know any of the caravaners that I am escorting, but I know my men. They will not be starting a war, here... Thank you for the drink, but I prefer mine chilled not warmed."

Merin discreetly exits the tavern, walking over to where the caravan wagons are parked, and he is focused on looking at the other caravaners who are still with the wagons, having their evening meals. It occurs to him that if one of them is indeed an assassin, as Clavo suggests, then his or her collar would be for show only; thus, Merin is detecting for Way traces on every collar that he can see. If he finds a collar which does NOT show signs of Way, he will return to the tavern, and discreetly inform the other Seekers.

GM: The idea is sound judgment. Merin is sure of it. The 8 guards with the caravan take no caution against the approach of the lean Amiradthan. Some caravaners are gathered around cookfires. Some must already be in the wagons. Merin can detect Way upon every collar that he sees and within the wagons containing people. If there is an assassin hiding among these people, he has already departed or is within one of the wagons hidden from view. The former caravan master greets Merin and asks him what he is looking for. He admits that he does not know the identity of most of the people with him and that only he and the weaver are from the original group. He also does not know if anyone is missing. He returns to the others, disappointed.

 

[Kwargrow]

"As far as I am concerned, I did not meet any group of people calling themselves the Southroad Seekers."

When Bolo hears Captain Marstoni say that she turns her head with an enraged look on her face and an insult ready to fly from her lips.

Sannit puts a hand on her arm to calm her and whispers, "We've gotten under his skin. Watch my back and I'll see if I can get anything else to slip out."

San-Bolo stand and bring their drinks over to the table. Sannit smiles and nods to Clavo and asks if he can sit with him and then sits. Bolo remains standing beside Sannit and works on hiding in plain sight.

Sannit says to Clavo, "I heard someone say 'Asylim'. I have seen the city from afar but never been inside. What kind of place is it? What kind of people live there? We have all heard stories but I would like to know from someone with actual experience. Is it true the Magisters make slaves or bootlickers out of all that live there?"

Without manipulating Way Sannit is attempting to goad the guards into divulging something about their mission or about the state of affairs in Asylim.

 

[MacConnell]

Y 0: Day 158: Doldrums 38: The Boar's Head, part 3

OOC: For reference, Captain Marstoni is in his 40s. His lieutenant is in his 30s. Clavo is in his 60s.

When Bolo hears Captain Marstoni say that she turns her head with an enraged look on her face and an insult ready to fly from her lips.

Sannit puts a hand on her arm to calm her and whispers, "We've gotten under his skin. Watch my back and I'll see if I can get anything else to slip out."

Indigo adds in a quiet voice,
"He seems to be motivated by despair. That is really odd. Technically Clavo named us. We did not name ourselves. His lieutenant seems to be motivated by duty. We may be able to make a real advantage of this."

San-Bolo stand and bring their drinks over to the table. Sannit smiles and nods to Clavo and asks if he can sit with him and then sits. Bolo remains standing beside Sannit and works on hiding in plain sight.

Sannit says to Clavo, "I heard someone say 'Asylim'. I have seen the city from afar but never been inside. What kind of place is it? What kind of people live there? We have all heard stories but I would like to know from someone with actual experience. Is it true the Magisters make slaves or bootlickers out of all that live there?"

Marstoni offers no objection to approach. He even gestures toward an empty chair. Sheldon sits with Sannit and orders two more wines to replace the ones he heated.

Clavo snorts.
"Things had been degrading for some time when I was finally able to discharge from service and retire, here. Marstoni, you can probably shed some light on how much worse things have become."

Marstoni takes a drink from his new mug of wine, but says nothing. Clavo continues.
"The city has always been factionalized. When I was a child, no one really paid much attention to that. Taxation was really the worst of it then, but the laborers, sailors, merchants, and soldiers went on about their daily lives. No one paid much attention to the Magisters either. They were just some rich people living their own fancy lives."

At this point, Marstoni nods in agreement. His lieutenant seems to be listening with interest, as well. Clavo takes a drink before continuing.
"I suspect that the change was sparked when the old Magisters started dying off and new ones were finally able to get elected. Elected, ha! What a joke. Out of the seven Magisters, only three old timers are left, unless Contadino Cotone has died."

Marstoni shakes his head, no.
"So Contadino Cotone, Molo Pesce, and Xiros Alas are the old timers, though Molo Pesce may be part of the new problem. He is as mean as a sand badger. This Suasedeserp who runs the silk caravan. I know nothing of him. He is new. He seems impetuous and petty."

Marstoni chimes in,
"He gave me my orders directly when we departed. He is young, really young, but he is an Amiradthan, so it is hard to gauge his age exactly. His eyes, though. He may be a kid, but he gives me the creeps."

"Me too," the lieutenant adds.

Sheldon asks calmly, trying his best not smile as the two have begun speaking,
"How so?"

Marstoni continues,
"You managed to get me with the hot wine. I can explain that, but I was there when one of the prisoners tried to remove his collar. It was after I watched that man die that I was ordered to choose my men.

I can see the looks on your faces. You think ill of us. You probably think me a coward but you are wrong. My men and I may not be wearing collars, but make no mistake, we are not free. All of us have wives and children back in Asylim. I have no delusions of what their fates would be if we do not return.

So to answer you question directly, yes. Yes, Asylim is becoming a slave state, but it is so much more complicated than that. Frustratingly more complicated. Many of the citizenry are fully convinced that this new way of life is better for them, big claims of redistribution of wealth and geriatric care. There is so much more.

You think one of the caravaners is an assassin. If that is so, it may even be he or she was employed to keep tabs on me. At least none of the caravaners is here in the tavern. With almost everyone else gone for the night, it would be obvious."

 

[Kwargrow]

All of us have wives and children back in Asylim. I have no delusions of what their fates would be if we do not return.

Sannit replies to Marstoni, "I have no objection to someone protecting their interests. We do that here in Southroad Fair as well, but using collars and holding the lives of loved ones hostage is cruel and humiliating. What does anyone owe the Magisters, old or new, that they hold so much power?"

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tor walks over to Marstoni’s table and sits down next to Sannit.

He looks at Marstoni and says, in a quiet, almost whispered tone, “I told you on the road, when we first met, that we were men of honor. That is still the case. We wish no feud with Asylim or its Magisters. We are not trying to take anything away from them. We, and when I say we, I mean all the people of Southroad Fair, are simply taking a chance to make a better life for ourselves; coming here, to the middle of nowhere, was a huge risk for us all; we literally hack our livlihood out of the wilderness a piece at a time.
I do not understand why Suausedeserp sees this as a threat to his interests. We have brought civilization to this area, which means that his trade route now has an extra stop; that means more trade, more commerce, and more profit, especially for him, since Asylim has many things that we all need on a regular basis. We are literally paving the way for progress.

Suausedeserp’s desire to subjugate this town is base, despicable, greedy, and cruel. We are not the bad guys here. I am glad to see that you are not so naive as to follow his mandates blindly. I appreciate your effort, in that you have yet to discover the location of The Seekers, and I shall not forget it. You are obviously a man of honor, despite the fact that your employer is not. I pity you for the predicament you currently find yourself in, and I will make you this promise: if you continue to display your good will toward us, your efforts shall be rewarded at some future date.

We do not intend to stand idly by while innocents suffer slavery. There will always be rich and poor, selfishness and generosity, compassion and neglect, benevolence and narcicsm, altruism and corruption; but there is no room for tyranny and slavery. That is where the line must be drawn. And we intend to be the ones who draw it.”

 

[redraider629]

Vadin begins to feel sorry for Martoni, and approaches his table and sits alongside Tor and Sannit. He then says "I see now that you are acting honorably, and I apologize for my comment earlier, but I wonder, what are your desires in Boga City? Also why did it appear your guards were scouting the city earlier?"

 

[MacConnell]

Y 0: Day 158: Doldrums 38: The Boar's Head, part 4

Vadin begins to feel sorry for Martoni, and approaches his table and sits alongside Tor and Sannit. He then says "I see now that you are acting honorably, and I apologize for my comment earlier, but I wonder, what are your desires in Boga City? Also why did it appear your guards were scouting the city earlier?"

Marstoni listens to all the conversation and responds to Vadin.
"Fair questions. The first is simple. Like Clavo here, I wish to finish my service and retire. Preferably outside of Asylim, with the way things are degrading."

He takes a long drink before continuing.
"The second, you are not going to like. We were not tasks with assessing battlements or defenses or scout groups. We are tasks with assessing economic development."

The lieutenant who had been silent for a long time stands suddenly, having had an epiphany.
"It is about the money! Listen. We do not know the particulars of the prisoners we are escorting. It is not that Asylim is a slave state, but there are many more prisoners than ever before. The dock hands, fishermen, and pickers are currently happier. It is the merchants who are suffering. I will bet that many of the prisoners with us were in positions of management over production.

It is not just Suausedeserp. He is too new. The Magisters are pushing out the merchants to be able to control all the money. Southroad Fair is becoming a profitable depot. They want the money."

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

"...The Magisters are pushing out the merchants to be able to control all the money. Southroad Fair is becoming a profitable depot. They want the money."

Tor questions the Lieutenant, "Are you saying that Asylim does not intend to annex Southroad Fair? i.e., do you mean that they simply want to position themselves as Southroad's only trading partners, by force if need-be, preventing other Ansylin merchants from trading with us? That would be highly irrational. And if this is the case, why are they so bent upon the arrest of The Seekers?"

At this point Merin enters, and wears a look of surprise to find The Seekers at the same table as The Captain and his Lieutenant. Undaunted, Merin takes a seat next to Tor.

Merin smiles, "I guess I'm late to the party. Tell me, what's the good word? Tor?"

 

[Kwargrow]

. . . why are they so bent upon the arrest of The Seekers?"

Sannit nods at Tor, "Good question. What is the charge against us, or is the displeasure of Saucy Drip enough to condemn us to slavery or death?" He acts nonchalant but his use of words such as 'us' and the mispronunciation of Sausedeserp's name is intentional.

Bolo watches the men converse without interrupting. She knows Sannit is trying to invoke a reaction and she watches the guards to determine how this conversation affects them to determine which would be more likely to follow through on their orders.

 

[redraider629]

Vadin leans in slightly, as Tor and Sannit ask their questions. He too is wondering on what flawed charges they were to be arrested. He then asks, "and who brings these charges against us up?"

 

[Sylvar B.]

Saemund listens intently...Then attempts to get Tor's attention using Way and give him the impression that Saemund needs to speak with him.

If that doesn't work Saemund will simply interject and say,"Excuse me gentlemen, Tor if I could speak with you privately for a moment."

When he can get Tor away, Saemund will say, "We cannot allow this treachery to evolve lest we all become slaves to the Magisters. I did not leave the confines of the Caravan to become a slave. I will be free, and the people of Southroad will be free also. If it becomes necessary for us to take down the Magisters it will be in a round about manner. Perhaps we should attempt to make allies out of these men and form a guerilla army and harass the Magisters."

 

[MacConnell]

Y 0: Day 158: Doldrums 38: The Boar's Head, part 5

Tor questions the Lieutenant, "Are you saying that Asylim does not intend to annex Southroad Fair? i.e., do you mean that they simply want to position themselves as Southroad's only trading partners, by force if need-be, preventing other Ansylin merchants from trading with us? That would be highly irrational. And if this is the case, why are they so bent upon the arrest of The Seekers/"

GM: The lieutenant looks at Tor as if he were speaking an unknown language.

Sheldon rolls his eyes,
"How in the world did you come up with that scenario after what the lieutenant said? Annex is such a technical term, but of course that is what he is saying. They do not want partners. They want all the profit from Southroad Fair's export, not just some of it, is what he is saying."

At this point Merin enters, and wears a look of surprise to find The Seekers at the same table as The Captain and his Lieutenant. Undaunted, Merin takes a seat next to Tor.

Merin smiles, "I guess I'm late to the party. Tell me, what's the good word? Tor?"

At that moment Indigo discretely exits the building. With such an involved and informative conversation, she is going to circle the building to make sure there are no eavesdroppers.

Sheldon laughs at Merin's words.
"Have a seat. Too much has transpired. We will have to fill you in later."

Sannit nods at Tor, "Good question. What is the charge against us, or is the displeasure of Saucy Drip enough to condemn us to slavery or death?"

GM: The captain nearly spits his drink before setting it down, coughing and laughing at the same time.

"Saucy Drip? Even having never heard that before, I get who you mean. You kids have gall. I will give you that. The charge is officially insurrection.

As Clavo can tell you. The collars were originally only used to designate violent criminals. Those criminals were then remanded to laborious periods of servitude. Mostly teamster or boatswain duties. If the criminal was caught without that collar, the penalty was death, but I have never before heard of a collar that could kill its wearer.

Many people are being charged with insurrection of late. Too many people, but until being forced to actually speak with you all, I did not draw such a nefarious conclusion. As Mark, here, has surmised, many of those recently arrested seem to be prominent publicans."

Vadin leans in slightly, as Tor and Sannit ask their questions. He too is wondering on what flawed charges they were to be arrested. He then asks, "and who brings these charges against us up?"

The captain replies,
"I do not know, but I can deduce that it must be, Saucy Drip."

He snorts at his own offront against that Magister.
"A charge is levied before the Magistry. A majority vote then determines if the charge is upheld or overruled. What this means for the Southroad Seekers is that there is no recourse with the Magistry."

Saemund listens intently...Then attempts to get Tor's attention using Way...

GM: As with all the Seekers having failed to project thoughts before, an idea suddenly occurs to Saemund. Using the ability to manipulate mechanical Way, he causes e very quiet ping next to Tor's ear. When Tor turns his head at the unexpected sound, he moves toward Saemund's beckon to hear what he has to say. Bolo seems to be the only other person to notice the sound.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tor tells Saemund, "Did you hear that? If we go to Asylim, we'll need to be in disguise. We are officially criminals in the eyes of the law."

 

[Sylvar B.]

"Great!! If we are already criminals, then we have nothing to lose, except maybe our heads"...Saemund gives Tor a toothy grin.

 

[MacConnell]

Y 0: Day 158: Doldrums 38: The Boar's Head, part 6

Tor tells Saemund, "Did you hear that? If we go to Asylim, we'll need to be in disguise. We are officially criminals in the eyes of the law."

Clavo shakes his head.
"It is more complicated than that."

He shows the brand on his left forearm. The captain and lieutenant both show theirs, as well.
"We all have the same brand, but it is different for each class of citizen. The brand determines freedom of movement, not only to enter the city but also to move between districts. I would recommend you find a way to enter that does not involve the gates. You however," the captain points at Tor, "will stand out like a torch at night."

 

[MacConnell]

Y 0: Day 158: Doldrums 38: Returning to the Guildhouse

The Seekers discuss things among themselves as they return to their guildhouse. It is already well past dark, but the night is clear enough to see, even if not well. The main road and main buildings all, now, contain oil lamps. The burning pine fuel provides light to much of the town proper. The guildhouse and property are dark. Turtle comes from his hidden location near the rivulet as the group approaches, looking for Bolo.

Indigo stops suddenly.
"I do not sense, Myth. I feel that something is wrong."

GM: It is too dark to say definitively from the current distance, but it appears as if something or someone is lying in Sheldon's hammock, which is strung between two trees about 4 paces from the guildhouse.

OOC: Sequencing needs to be determined. Everyone roll % and post results on LINE. Sheldon: 36(impetus) + 57(sequence) + 93(d100) = 186 Tor: 34(impetus) + 48(sequence) + 96(d100) = 178 Merin: 38 + 42 + 96 = 176 Indigo: 34 + 65 + 93 = 192 Sannit: 31 + 57 + 64 = 152 Bolo: 38 + 55 + 64 = 157 Turtle: 0 + 42 + 64 = 106 Saemund: 34 + 49 + 87 = 170 Vadin: 24 + 61 + 76 = 161

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin gets a sense of foreboding, and a knot in his stomach, as it dawns on him that someone may have killed the big cat, and that its corpse might be lying in the hammock.