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Topic: Demon Wind Q&A
Subject: The message
YeOlde, how did you want to deal with Tadirien giving the missive to Elessarae? Should I rework my post?
Posted on 2011-02-20 at 09:16:47.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Info
You guys need any more info or clarification from me on anything? If any part of any of my posts doesn't make sense, please ask questions here.
We're about halfway through the two week window for the next round of posted actions.
Posted on 2011-02-20 at 09:13:06.
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Topic: Orion Group take 2: QA
Subject: Woot!
I've set aside of chunk of time Tuesday for working on my Inn games. I should have something up by that night...
*wanders off to find some wood to knock on*
Posted on 2011-02-20 at 09:02:46.
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Topic: Demon Wind
Subject: Tadirien (sorry 'bout the delay)
"Tadirien. Tadirien Vanlithe, at your service... probably. Are you lot MV6?" The elf reached into his pack and pulled out a packet as he spoke. "My orders are to hand deliver this message to Elessarae of MV6 and then to join that group for the remainder of its current mission. Are you that group? What's our mission? They didn't fill me in before dispatching me from headquarters."
He stands there for a few seconds, caught up in his excitement, before realizing he was still holding Elessarae's missive. "Oh, yes.... sorry. I believe this is for you, m'lady."
Posted on 2011-02-11 at 10:30:31.
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Topic: The Black Hand - viewer discretion advised
Subject: "Why do you wish to know?" "No reason.... just a casual chat."
And so the group fragmented as everyone left the boat and wandered into the city to look for information. Ardur-kel shouted out a message to the others about meeting up later and made his way down the street, disappearing into the crowd.
Geppetto, seemingly incited by a audience, began a juggling routine with brightly colored scarves. The dock workers paid the flamboyantly dressed man little heed, and those that were there to do their shopping didn't seem to know what to make of the man at first. Very slowly the performer drew a small audience, only a handful of people, but though a small number, it was constant. One pair of onlookers would peel away and resume their business and would shortly be replaced with new faces wanting to watch the act.
When the jester had a small surge of attendance, he took his chance to start gleaning information. Not many of the onlookers knew of a traveling merchant named Dobb. They few that did said that he was likely in town, but weren't sure exactly where he'd set up his wagon. "Haven' seen 'im fer some time now," said one of the fishmongers from nearby, having overheard Geppetto's questions. "So I 'spect he's 'ere somewheres. That 'ol gnome has got the most surreal timing. Jus' when you start wishing he was around to buy somethin' from, you'll turn aroun' and there he'll be, wheeling that ol' cart up next to ya. He'll set up o'er in the crafters quarter where the smell o' fish can' get a chance to, erm," and here the man's voice took on a higher, squeaky, quality as if he was trying to mimic the stereotyped gnomish voice, but he he was doing a poor job if that was his intent, "where it can't taint my fine silks and linen."
"Now them colors are pretty an all," the man continued in his normal voice, "but you're distractin' my customers. Mind headin' off?"
Jeremy slipped through the crowds and out of the docks area. He was very subtle in his probes for details on the city alternating between acting a tourist to Clearwater and taking the part of a local planning a trip to another city. Over the course of the afternoon, he learned that Clearwater was in the middle of a prosperous boom in trade and was probably going to have another growth spurt soon. Most of the locals seemed to love the way the architectural styles of the buildings clashed and almost seemed to feel like a stroll through some of the more upscale neighborhoods was akin to a trip through an art gallery.
He also discovered that Dobb Hesslewhite was indeed currently in town. According to those Jeremy talked to, Dobb was heading out soon on one of his more dangerous routes. "I don't know why that man insists on risking his neck. I'm sure he can make a living just running between the trade cities, but he's just got to gallivanting off into the wilderness to trade with the smaller, remote villages. What could you possibly get there that you couldn't get here?"
Lastly, Jeremy discovered the getting to Nihzyn might be a difficult proposition. "Well, not Nihzyn specifically, but the whole of Silvarum," said the guardsman Jeremy was currently talking to, "That place is closed up. Guess the King over there is having troubles or something, because the last I heard, he'd sent his army out to close the borders. I don't like it much myself. He didn't even send us notice that he was doing it! Only reason I know is because my cousin works on a trade ship, and he told me that the last time his captain tried to sail up there to trade at the port of Tersara, the Silvarum navy turned their ship around. My cousin said that if they hadn't turned back, the navy was threatening to sink the ship! Can you believe it? And I've heard rumors that they've done the same thing to merchants that've tried going over the mountains. Soldiers turn 'em back around."
Ardur-kel arrived at the Dancer's Arms in no time. There's a short barrier wall on the right just inside the door so that until a person gets a few steps into the establishment, all one can see is the bar straight ahead and a wall to the left. The place was lit by a series of candelabra on the walls and a chandelier over the bar that gave a dim, but even light to the entire room. The smell of exotic pipe weed assaults your nostrils a soon as you step through the door, and the sound of the busy street is replaced by a band playing somewhere on the other side of the barrier wall. There are at least two stringed instruments that can be picked out, drums, and some kind of wind instrument.
There's a big, burly man standing just before the end of the barrier wall. "Welcome to the Dancer's Arms dwarf." he says as Ardur-kel walks up to him. "Tonight's not your specialty. Come back on Tuesday if you're after that. If you're staying anyway, I need two silver or two drinks up front." In momentary pause while Ardur-kel formulates how to respond, the man continues, "I know your kind are always good for the drink minimum, but there was an issue with gnomes, and now the boss says I've got in enforce the rules on everyone. So what'll ya take?"
((Assuming you pay the cover or order the drinks))
Once past the bouncer the bar opens up out to the right. There are scatter tables in the center of the space, and a split level platform against the far wall, the taller of which is surrounded by bar-stools. The tall platform, maybe four and a half feet off the ground jutted out perpendicular to the wall and had a metal pole running from it to the ceiling. The other platform was maybe only two feet off the ground, but gave enough height the band playing on it was clearly visible.
Ardur-kel settled at a table, still glad to be back on the ground again after so many many days at sea. Feeling comfortable no with a drink in hand, he began asking questions of some of the patrons. Did they know of a merchant named Dobb Hesslewhite? Did anyone know where the town of Nihzyn was?
His questions weren't immediately answered because right about that time the band played a fanfare and then their music took on an almost haunting harmony with a slow, steady beat. There was a loud cheering from almost everyone in the tavern as an attractive woman wearing very revealing clothes emerged from a back room and walked the steps up onto the stage where she began dancing around, in front of, and on the pole.
The dwarf found that most of the men near the stage couldn't be bothered with questions at all, and that back near the bar, you could only keep a guy's attention between dance sets. So Ardur-kel turned to the barkeep for info. He found that the bartender was more than glad to have a conversation last longer than "Gimme another" and filled Ardur-kel in on local goings on, and Dobb Hesslewhite. Dobb is a gnome who started his career as a reckless adventure wandering from town to town looking for old crypts and abandoned mines to plunder for forgotten treasure. People got so used to Dobb's wanderings that they'd pay him to make small deliveries for them whenever he'd be leaving sooner than the next merchant caravan. One year he hit a bad run of already-plundered dungeons and realized most of his money was coming from the delivery trips anyway. "And after that," he says, "Dobb HassleWight became the merchant he is today."
The bartender informs Ardur-kel which intersections Dobb likes for setting up shop and that Dobb's been in town for some time now, meaning he's likely to head out again soon. Unfortunately, the barkeep's knowledge is strictly local, and he says with regret that he's never heard of Nihzyn before but he thinks maybe Silvarum is somewhere to the north.
Meanwhile, Telnin's journey didn't seem to be improving much. No one he talked to seemed to know anything about a merchant named Dobb Hesslewhite, or about how a person might get to the city of Nihzyn. There was one other tourist who latched on to the idea of moving on to another city, and after Nihzyn was mentioned he began asking for recommendations of where he should go next, and if Nihzyn was a good place. "Do you know if there are any other people headed to Nihzyn too? I might be able to join a caravan or something if there's one going. This Silvarum country, how much do you know about it? Why nihzyn? Why not one of the other cities?"
His questions hit an odd chord with Telnin, and he studied the tourist a bit more closely. This man had a good deal more combat experience than one might expect from a civilian tourist. The way he stood and moved showed a trained sense of balance that most just didn't have.
The tourist narrowed his eyes at Telnin a moment, a hard look crossing his face for just an instant, before being replaced with a forced smile. "Ah. I see," he said. "I made a mistake, you are not as easy a mark as I had thought." He took a step back away from the duskblade. "I will leave you now and not bother you again. Welcome to the city. Beware of pickpockets." He forced even more of a smile, took several more steps back and turned, fading into the crowd.
Once Telnin had discovered the initial false persona that "tourist" was using, he was more vigilant for clues of misdirection. The thief identity was also a lie, that man had no intentions toward mere theft and has no intention of leaving Telnin alone. Now that was was on guard, the bits of information the duskblade wanted seemed even further from his grasp.
((ooc: The gather info checks take most of the day. It's now between six and seven o'clock. ))
Posted on 2011-02-10 at 21:56:49.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Late
I know, I know. Just got into a bit of a fight with RL. But I've got it tied up in he corner now. I'm typing as fast as
I can before it gets loose again and makes me do something horrible.... like go to work.
Posted on 2011-02-10 at 18:54:32.
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Topic: Orion Group take 2: QA
Subject: RL
aw. RL can be obnoxious sometimes. Just had an altercation with it myself. Hang in there Shield.
And a "get well soon" for your kids.
Posted on 2011-02-10 at 18:52:16.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Maybe not so clear.
Got things mostly right, and I feel some of the mistakes are my fault for not being clear. So to fix that:
Dobb is a merchant that sometimes makes trips from Clearwater to Nihzyn.
Gaillard is your contact in Nihzyn. He can fill you in about the kidnappings.
Nihzyn is a town in the country of Silvarum, which is probably to the north or north-east of you current location. Hopefully tek's gather info check will tell you more.
Btw, the captain of the Narwhal, the ship you took to get here, is named Tradamont. Check the first page of this q&a.
Ps
I'm going to start a post tonight. It should be up by tomorrow 3pm (pst). If you want your character to do something other than stand on the docks, please post if you have not already done so.
Posted on 2011-02-07 at 23:00:05.
Edited on 2011-02-07 at 23:08:55 by Deucalion
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Topic: Demon Wind
Subject: Tadirien
"Ah, yes" said the road-weary syl as he fished out a silver piece, "but I did not say I had a message for just any MV team." Tadirien now had just as big a grin on his face as the man who had approached him. "My orders are to bring a missive to a specific member of a specific team. If that's not your team, I may have to down grade this coin to copper." He paused here for effect, turning the silver piece over in his hand.
"Where's Elessarae? I have, quote, an urgent message for her, end quote. Here." Tadirien flipped the coin he'd been holding to the man. "On faith that you're not gonna jerk me around. You can tease me some more after I've finished this courier job and can think about something, anything else."
Pulling himself out of the chair, Tadirien shook out his legs in case Elessarae had taken a room upstairs or, gods forbid, up multiple sets of stairs.
((ooc: not sure how you want to deal with my handing the recall orders over yeolde, but that's what he's gonna do as soon as he gets a location out of mendez
Also, I'm aware the quote he uses isn't actually a direct quote. He's just playing a bit with the guy, bringing in the suits from corporate as a potential misdirect for any more teasing. if this guy is willing to take money from a fellow mv operative, maybe he'd be okay with a little informal griping about the management.))
Posted on 2011-02-06 at 09:33:23.
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Topic: Demon Wind
Subject: Tadirien
The sun had set and the last of its glow was leaving the sky behind the messenger as he rode on into the night. His poor horse had put in a valiant effort all day with only a single, brief, respite and was now nearing the edge of collapse. The Syl rider wished he could slow his pace to give his steed, Dáithí, a break and some water, but he'd been foolish with his time earlier that evening and his punishment was watching Dáithí struggle to regain squandered minutes.
*****
Tadirien had made good time that morning and just before sunset he came upon the inn he thought MV6 would have stopped at for the night. He stabled his horse and took the time to knock as much of the road's dust from his clothes as he could before entering. This was his new team, and perhaps, his home. He would make the best first impression he could manage having just ridden most of the day.
He confidently stepped through the door and, just as expected, there was an armed group sitting around one of the tables just finishing up a meal. He ordered a drink and a small plate of food before approaching the MV team to introduced himself. "Greetings, sirs. My name is Tadirien Vanlithe." he said, pulling out a chair. "I'm sent here with a message for one of your team and with orders to join you until your current assignment is completed. Tell me, where may I find Elessarae?"
The all stared at the Syl that had just joined their table, then glanced at each other, before looking back to Tadirien with confusion etched on all their faces. "Who?"
Minutes later Tadirien was back on the road kicking Dáithí on to greater speed and kicking himself for skipping the most basic of steps in delivering any message, that of making sure you've found the correct recipient. He was so excited about actually being a part of a real MV team that he'd lost his head. Stupid, stupid mistake.
*****
Now there was another inn in the distance. He prayed this was the one, because he couldn't in good conscience push Dáithí any farther. This time Tadirien slip from the saddle, tied his reins to the hitching post, and headed straight for the inn. He'd lost his chance for that good first impression. Hopefully he wasn't too caked with dust.
He pushed through the door and nearly stumbled into the common room of the Lonesome Traveler. Too much time riding, not enough time walking, and his legs were rebelling against this unaccustomed walking. There was another group that fit the "MV Team" appearance, but Tadirien refused to make the same mistake twice on the same day.
Clearing his throat, the Syl projected his voice to catch nearly everyone in the rapidly quieting room. "Beg pardon for the interruption, but I have an urgent message for an MV team that should have passed through here recently. A silver piece to the one who can put me in touch with them, or two copper for proper directions." Tadirien paused to catch his breath before making eye contact with the man behind the bar and continuing, "Also, I'll need lodging for myself and my horse, if you please, sir."
And with that, Tadirien unceremoniously collapsed into the nearest chair.
Posted on 2011-02-04 at 22:56:17.
Edited on 2011-02-04 at 22:57:03 by Deucalion
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Topic: Orion Group take 2: QA
Subject: At the Shop
Was there anyone else inside the carpenter's shop with me?
Where are you guys that have seen the thing in the woods?
Do your characters remember that mine can see invisibility?
Posted on 2011-02-04 at 21:54:46.
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Topic: Birds of a Feather? SCA query
Subject: SCA
I reside in the Barony of Adiantum, Kingdom of An Tir.
Posted on 2011-02-04 at 21:52:08.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: No excuses needed.
Just checking in. As jozan pointed out, still plenty of time before the posting deadline. Monday nights/tuesdays are the only time I know I'll have free time to devote to thinking about posts, and with no new posts since my last one I just wanted to make sure no one needed anything from me in order to finish their posts before I disappear for a week.
If you've all got what you need, and are just waiting on some free time to write, I can go into my school/work week not worrying about not being able to post myself.
Posted on 2011-02-01 at 20:35:41.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Spelling Error
I totally fixed the spelling error in the tavern's name, in case that's what was keeping you guys from posting.
Seriously though, did I not give you all enough to build from, or is it just RealLife being obnoxious like it's apt to do?
Posted on 2011-02-01 at 08:30:42.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: BTW
Welcome to the game, Grugg!
Posted on 2011-01-29 at 03:55:18.
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Topic: Orion Group: Inner Turmoils
Subject: Khetarin
"I assure you, sir, recovering your missing items and ending the thieves is our intent."
Khetarin back-pedaled to the door, taking in the entire shop. "Please, sir, humor me one moment longer and then I'll take my leave. Mime for me what you were doing when the tools disappeared. Pretend they are all still here and place yourself and your son as if you were working. I want to examine the sight-lines, see how close the thief could have crept before... well."
Waving away the increasingly incredulous look the carpenter was giving him, Khetarin turned the man to face his workbench.
"This will only take a moment. I assume you were here, like this? Good. And boy, where were you? .... You were there, 'you guess'? Do not guess, be precise. Take a breath, close your eyes, and imagine your father is working at his craft. You hear the sound of the rasp shaving away the wood. Now, in your mind, take a step back and see yourself watching him. Where are you standing? .... Very good. Stand there now."
After a few minutes of being shown how to focus their minds, the carpenter and his son were able to calm enough to run through the routine of working in the shop. Khetarin tried to sneak up behind the father from several different angles, but the pair of them together could just see too much of the shop.
"Thank you for your effort today. I believe the thief must have used magics to conceal himself before even entering your shop, if not well before even entering the town. There's no way he could have conjured in and out again without being seen. This will help narrow our search." Khetarin lied to keep their spirits up.
There were still too many types of magic to get around the father and son. It could have been a charm to make them forget the thief they saw, or illusion to keep them from seeing the thief at all. Despite what he'd said, conjuration paired with divination couldn't be rules out either. Or it could be a thief who had discovered similar tricks to what Khetarin himself used, and the residual magic was from something the thief carried, or it could be completely unrelated.
The warlock sighed at the number of possibilities and left the carpenter's shop to find the others. Hopefully they had found something more substantial.
Posted on 2011-01-29 at 03:53:06.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Short and sweet. Well, very fragrant at least.
So here you all are in Clearwater. You know that you're on the same continent as Nihzyn, and that this is the closest port to that city. You know that the country Nizyhn is in, Silvarum, has closed its borders.
You guess that it is somewhere north or northwest of your current location (if you've got an INT of 12+ or any ranks in knowledge(geography)).
And in other news.....
Grugg, you joined after this question went around, so reposting here.
How much would you have interacted with the others on the boat once you found out you all were headed to the same place?
Would you have revealed that you're going to Nihzyn because of the note and with the intent to help the city?
-or-
Would you have just admitted to going to Nihzyn and left out your reasons why?
Also, the sixth player has been selected, but won't be joining the group for a little while. So for the time being, this is it.
Posted on 2011-01-27 at 04:13:30.
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Topic: The Black Hand - viewer discretion advised
Subject: Clearwater
The port for the city of Clearwater is on the city's southeastern edge, where a small natural harbor and a shelf break close to shore made it possible for any sized ship to get safely to the docks. The smell of fish, both raw and cooking, is everywhere here, as local fishermen are constantly unloading their catch from mid-morning to sundown.
Criers and beggars make their way up and down each pier with a moored ship moping to make some money. "Need a place to stay tonight, sirs? The Crecent Sailor's got the best rooms this side o' the city. Tell 'em Jimmy sent you and they'll knock a two copper off the price."
"Please.... just one coin. I lost my hand and lost my trade."
"Not ready to go down for the night. Hit up the Dancer's Arms. Like I say, just mention good ol' Jimmy and they'll treat you right."
Two of the recently disembarked travelers head straight down the dock and into the city proper eager to get on about there business, or perhaps just to try to get away from the smell and hectic pace of the docks.
Once out of sight of the docks themselves, the smell of raw fish is overpowered by exotic spices and cooking meats of all kinds if you head west following the shoreline as it curves north. If you head straight into the city, the seafood stench is instead replaced by a more earthy smell as you head first through a small warehouse district used mostly for grain, flour, and alcohol, before reaching a mess of blacksmiths and leather workers. Potters, carpenters, and a decent smattering of taverns have all set up shop here as close to the port and its trade as they can get without the constant smell of fish.
Posted on 2011-01-27 at 04:05:35.
Edited on 2011-02-01 at 08:22:45 by Deucalion
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Topic: Orion Group take 2: QA
Subject: Not dead yet.
Still interested. Kinda busy recently, but later this week I should be a able to post.
Posted on 2011-01-26 at 06:14:55.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Substitution on the field.
Doing some first inning roster changes. Due to irreconcilable differences dungeonmonkey and the black hand are pursuing an annulment.
Grugg is working out a character to join the game. Things are early enough that his character can have been on the boat with you all.
I've not heard from hammer in some time. Sent him a pm yesterday, hopefully he'll get back to me. If not, might get another pinch hitter for this game.
Did I get through that without mixing my metaphors?
Edit: one of the wait-listed players would like to build a character using books outside the list on the recruitment thread. Does anyone with a finished character feel that expanding the source books now would be unfair?
Posted on 2011-01-25 at 12:41:48.
Edited on 2011-01-25 at 12:47:32 by Deucalion
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Topic: how much is your body ££££/$$$$
Subject: ...
$5040.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth.Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Sites
Not sure what I think about being worth more dead than alive.
Posted on 2011-01-24 at 17:09:53.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Thanks
Curious.
You were all on that boat for over a week with not a lot to do.
How much would each of you have interacted with the others on the boat once you found out you all were headed to the same place?
Which of you would have revealed that you're going to Nihzyn because of the note and with the intent to help the city?
Who would have just admitted to going to Nihzyn and left your reasons why out?
Posted on 2011-01-24 at 05:09:08.
Edited on 2011-01-24 at 05:10:52 by Deucalion
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Issues
It has recently been brought to my attention that I may not be the best candidate for running a game. Any of you that want to run fleeing for the hills, do so now and I'll not take offense.
Okay, for the rest that are still here, as I've said before this is a learning experience for me. I've not run a game in this medium before, I don't want to get you riled, so if I do a thing that seems off, please just ask me about it in a non-"You're Doing it Wrong" manner. Maybe there's a method to my madness. Maybe I misremembered a rule. Both are probable.
Thanks
Posted on 2011-01-24 at 03:40:50.
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Topic: Demon Wind Recruitment
Subject: Sign me up.
If it's okay, I think I'd like to make a human caster building toward the ultimate magus prestige class from compete mage. If that's out, a syl wizard will do just fine.
Posted on 2011-01-22 at 22:15:58.
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Topic: The Black Hand - Q&A
Subject: Next update.
I'm going to start my next post monday night, finish it up Tuesday.
Please have some kind of post submitted by then. It doesn't need to be a novella of back story, just something about what you do now that you're on the docks. Enough to show me y'all are still interested.
Posted on 2011-01-22 at 21:39:51.
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