1 - 004: And it Begins...

[K Man]

SEA GREEN

With his back to the wall, 'Roberto' looks to Natsumi and Black-Jack as they offer kind words. He relaxes at Natsumi's touch, feeling entranced by her alluring presence. You can see movement through the tavern windows in the street beyond; men, torches, a blade or two.



"Look...this wasn't supposed to happen, not like this."

"We were charged by the council to find 'heroes'. They told us to go to the lower city, stir up some trouble and hopefully someone would stand up to us, stop our petty thievery--those that did would presumably be heroes and be taken to the council."

Some mumbling from outside. The men moving about as they try to peek through the colored glass panes.

"Would you believe that no one has stood up to us this entire night?"

Roberto reaches up and pulls the bandana from his head. Along with it comes the long hair...it was a wig! He pulls out the small hoop earrings, straightens his shirt and leather frog. Suddenly, he is clean cut, organized and militaristic--definitely his element. He reaches into a pouch on his belt and produces a small brass badge bearing the crest of the Blackwing Kingdom, the very same badge all of the city guard and militia wear.

"During our little bizarre mission down here, we managed to cross the notorious Montrose. We tried to leave and continue our mission elsewhere but it appears he's followed us here...and brought friends."

"My name is Henrick, I am a captain in the New Ravenshead watch. These are the men that have been assigned to me." He motions down the cloaked figures leaning against the wall with him. "Admittedly, we didn't expect to cross Montrose. He is renowned for...gruesome tortures on previous city watchmen that have tried to hunt him down. Not even the seasoned seargeants will seek him out--they always just hope he'll die naturally and they won't need to arrest him."

The voice booms once more from the street, shouting loudly even through the windows and thick wood walls.

"I SAID GET OUT HERE NOW CUR! THE WATCH KNOWS BETTER THAN TO COME DOWN HERE!"

Henrick looks to Gro-Bug, Ella and Sean now too, pleading with them visually.



"I implore you. Help me and my men out of this and I'll tell the council we found their heroes..."

{If you want to go outside Ella, the guard will stand aside at Henrick's direction.}

Map:

 ______________
|    |   S    D|
|    |  p¤p   D|
|    |        D|
|    |p    ¤E R|
|    |  ¤  N   |
|    |        D[]
|    |   G¤   D|
|   /   ¤p     |
|    |        D|
|    |  B¤    D|
|    | p      D|
|____|_________|

<<<LEGEND>>>
B = Black-Jack
N = Natsumi
S = Sean Sylvertongue
G = Gro-Bug
E = Elle

R = Roberto

D = Dark-Cloaked Man

p = bar patron, barkeep or waitress

¤ = Table

[] = Front Door

/ = Door to Kitchen/Pantry area

---

---

DARK RED

Dermont smiles at Gildas.



"It seems your commander was very wise to pick you Gildas. You are the first to ask that question. Most become so obsessed with finding the next bone that they forget themselves, their spirits too high on hope."

"I cannot say this was a very coordinated event. This is a new arena for us all and perhaps we could have gone about it better. I will tell you this much and it should be a good stepping stone for you."

"Most of the groups we have dispatched immediately assumed returning to the capital was a wise idea. Though we have informed our sages at Tartiritia, it is still not a wholly fruitless idea to search there...just make sure it is outside of the military and typical channels. Aside from that, few have talked about going further South and even less about further West. If you want to break new ground and forge a path, I suggest you follow Wanderer's advice and seek the largest cities beyond our borders."

"I wish we could offer more..."

Dermont drops his head, casting a sorrowful glance downward.

Before being dismissed, Dermont tells you to get a map from provisions and study it carefully. Most of the lands on it you have heard of, but the road is still full of mystery.

Of course, you will have to move clandestinely to the South through Yexuhl to reach these distant lands. You could also move North to the shores and seek passage on a boat...but the Yexuhl also patrol those waters in search of easy prey...

See the Map of the Lands Post for more information.

{Let me know if I can answer questions.}

[TheZebraShakes™]

Bardic knowledge or know local check on Montrose +8, mainly to see how badass he actually is.

----------------------------------------------

As the halfling woman moves to the door and this man begins to reveal his true identity and reason for being here, Natsumi can only frown.

"Captain, surely you know that heroes are not made through trickery and deception. Your less than admirable actions have put us all in danger. What is so urgent that such a risky search for'heroes' is required?"

She wonders if this whole thing could have anything to do with the war which she had been hearing so much about as of late.

Keeping her eyes on the windows and those few patrons in the tavern who seemed to be ready to take some form of action, Natsumi holds her place for now.

She says to no one is particular,

"I do not think that it will be wise to clear people out of here until Montrose has been dealt with.

[Japic]

{Assuming that his speech fit into 6 seconds}

Hearing the none too brave words of the self professed guardsman Ella will halt, her hand on the door handle. Depending on who this guy was; negotiation could be out the window. The situation was much changed from what it seemed a minute ago.

Sepaking to the room, Ella eyes the patrons and then those that have spoken. "It would seem that their poor ruse has drawn the wrong sort of attention." Seeming to come to some sort of decision she speaks on. "Will anyone stand with me to protect those within these walls?"

Whether she receives assent or not she turns her eyes on Roberto and continues. "Go hide; you may live a while longer yet." To those assembled, "If anyone else values your life more than your pride please retreat to the back; there's no telling what may transpire today."

{I'm thinking that it's time to negotiate if we can. Fight if we cannot.}

[Fangor the Fierce]

Lenny is content with the map, and a direction to the larger cities past enemy lines. "South it is then. Let us forge our own path through the ranks of those scum, and leave them in wonder as to how many covert groups have infiltrated their army. This might actually help out our troops, as the enemy would then be looking over their shoulder, and worried. It might buy the army time to heal, train, and to survive."

Lenny is all for moving along south.

[VemuKhaham]

Gildas frowns and lays his one hand on the table, the other resting on his side. He didn't like risking his life as a soldier while the organization was sloppy, but he remained polite - as a good soldier would - to his commander. "I understand, sir. However, in the interest of this undertaking, if any of the other groups returns here, make sure they leave a message as to where they have gone and what they have achieved."

Taking up his speak and turning to the others, probably outside the tent, he says: "Tartiritia is probably covered already. Of course, we can try to find the bards you mention, before we head anywhere. But once outside of Tertia or Yexuhl, I have hardly any knowledge."

He looked once more at his three companions; each a worthy addition it seemed, and for now he gave them all an equal benefit of the doubt as to their characters. After all, they had been selected by the best and he would try to make sure this team would not be torn up by inner conflict. Yexuhl or Tertian, there were other troubles to deal with.

Lenny then spoke up, and Gildas agreed. Before saying anything else, he tried to think of a good way to get through the Yexuhl lands unnoticed.

---

Knowledge (Yexuhl) +7 to try and think up the safest, most hidden and less densely guarded/populated route south through Yexuhl lands. Perhaps through the mountains and forests west near the inner sea? Is that safe?
[dice=20]=25[rand=90988084503240212236924593380999582374794512340579859003733425751]

[Rojito]

Bardic Knowledge on Montrose: +12
[dice=20]
26

Knowledge history on anything i can dig up on this guy: +9
[dice=20]
11

Sense Motive on Roberto +8
[dice=20]
18

"Well now, City-guardsmen indeed... I assume that there is a tale among all this? Well then allow me to attempt to get us out of this so you may tell me the tale of the Guardsmen Thieves."


Moving to the door Sean tries to shout out to the people outside, "There be some innocents alive in here... So maybe we could have a transaction that would be of mutual benefit no? After all, this measly cur would easily be dealt with, no reason for you to truly get your hands dirty when we could do it for you... for a small price."

Diplomacy: +15
[dice=20]
34[rand=7049462620642265258649574252910133666561784935567517107091438925614]

[TheUdjat]

(OOC) I think it's hilarious that Gildas knows more about my character's homeland than he does himself.

Wanderer nods in agreement - not going over the footsteps of others sounded like a good idea. "Then South through Yexuhl, and on to the Dune Palace. It is closest, and the elves are older than any others I know of. Surely they'll have records and knowledge of some kind."

"As for travelling beyond Yexuhl, I suppose I am most qualified to guide. I have some experience in the world beyond." He looks to Wystfalrun. "But I still think it wise to see what the bards have to say. With the number of companies right here, it should be easy enough."

(OOC) So check out the bards, check out our path through Yexuhl, and then we're off?

Knowledge: Geography to try and help Gildas work out a path through Yexuhl.
[dice=20]+7
Total: 10. Should be enough to assist, though.[rand=084117621840024698746326545501455208441520724953219061623749451567]

[BluSpecs]

It seemed that at least a few of the other patrons had more elaboratly silvered tounges than he did, so black jack was content to let them do the negotiating.

looking to Henrick:

"Perhaps it would be best if we put some guards upon the entry points to this inn. No use letting some of these rogues sneak in to stab us while were talking out the front door"

Does this inn have a second floor? If so black jack makes his way up there a tryes to find a high vantage point to look down on the imediate area surrounding the inn and trys to count the number of men they are facing.

If there is no second floor he looks out any windows.

He'll be sneaky about it too:

Move Silent and hide both +15

[dice=20]
[dice=20]
[rand=9058299110555066188083426698823186088362654755766463172012883986]

[ryngo]

The Dune Palace. Tyrano silently assents to the plan as it is. The elves would know of these mysteries, doubtless. The only thing standing between was the raging hordes of Yexuhl.

Wanderer and Gildas begin looking over maps to secure the route. Tyrano stands back. Too many cooks and all... He closes his eyes for a moment to gather himself. Sometimes in the black of his eyelids, the old crone would speak to him. She is absent for now though. As he opens his eyes, Wanderer looks to him and concurs with the idea to check with the storytellers. Wystfalrun nods, then glances at his newfound companions already falling into step with one another as if they had known each other for years. The threads were winding. Something was behind a door, but they could not see what. Not yet.

He will wait until they have come up with a route and then check with the bards for extra clues.

[VemuKhaham]

Gildas nods. "Bards, travel south, Dune Palace. In that order."

There was one thing however that he needed to do before heading anywhere. Gildas took a piece of paper and his writing material and sat for a few seconds alone, excusing himself from the others. He wrote a short letter that hopefully would explain a lot.

Dearest Madilèn,

I have arrived safely with the army at Rose Canyon. If there would be no war, the beauty of this place would be worthy of a visit in its own right; the green river valley, bordered on both sides by hills and mountains that shimmer a dim pink from the very stones themselves. But currently, I have had no time to settle here and admire the sight.
I have been assigned to a mission that goes beyond normal military duty. I fear to admit it, but this may very well mean that my duty may take me away from home further and longer than I had previously expected. I would've refused if it would mean that I could return to you with peace in my heart and in the world, but such is not the case. This mission has given me, along with three other worthy companions, the chance to actually make a difference. Understand that I cannot refuse such a chance in good conscience.
Meanwhile, please don't hesitate to turn to the local militia for support if you lack anything. They know us well enough to take care for you while I'm gone. And remember the boys to be responsible young men, and that I am proud of them.

I will write you when I can, and return as soon as possible.

Love, Gildas

He would try and get the letter to be delivered by a military courier or someone heading into the direction of his home. He then heads back to the others.

[Japic]

{OOC: Even if Romar is dead the spirit of his player writing letters is alive and well. I'm noticing a trend Vemu.}

{nothing else to add, jsut had to put that out there}

[TheUdjat]

japic said:

{OOC: Even if Romar is dead the spirit of his player writing letters is alive and well. I'm noticing a trend Vemu.}

{nothing else to add, jsut had to put that out there}

(OOC) I hope the trend of betraying us has ended, though. I guess we'll find out soon, we're headed for the elves!

[VemuKhaham]

Ouch the elves, that'll be a temptation... Dune Palace too brings up sweet memories...

And the trend is true. While making Gildas I sometimes had to explicitly avoid recreating Romar. I think Gildas won't be Romar II, he's certainly much more experienced, hardened and therefore less prone to identity crises I think, and much more a warrior at heart. But both Romar and Gildas are determined, sometimes stubborn people. As for writing letters, it's simply fun to do and good for getting the feel for the character. You should try it!

[Wicksy]

"Well, it would seem we all fight for our lives now...Aye, i'll fight"

He turns to the doorway and howls "Montrose you cowardly whore son, do you fear us so much that you have to burn the place down to get us. Where is the scourge of every city watchman? Cowering in the gutter? Come in and get us you spineless rat!"

Intimidate
[dice=20] +9[rand=3696153155764932344110237906237353456067828281755791256656683731]