The Mockers, the Upright Man speaks
Subject The Butler
OOC: Allistar's got some balls.
From: Kevin
Subject The butler
As Seargant Kline move to take them from the room, Harp says to Allistair "Sir, are you sure you'll be OK?"
From: Ashley
Subject The Mockers
Surin smiles genially and begins to speak.
"In thanks for seeing my associate and I on such short notice, I'm not going to bother wasting your time with pleasantries. I am Surin, and this here on my left is Mund. On my right...well, if this were a simple business meeting, I would introduce my other companion before offering our services to the guild and hopefully finding some good work among you folks for a while. Well, *I* would be doing most of the work, and the others would handle "waste management" if necessary.
"The problem is, our buddy Ace was supposed to come ahead of us a few weeks ago, feel out the town, and report back when we caught up. He'd been here before, see, and heard that some things had changed since his last visit. Knowing what I know now, we probably should have all gone together. He didn't meet us outside town like he was supposed to, nor at the inn he had recommended to us.
"I'm not discounting the idea that he could be dead in an alley somewhere -- I saw one idiot get left out in the street just last night while I was trying to enjoy my ale. But Ace knows how to take care of himself, and I've known him to get out of worse scrapes than a bunch of drunk brawlers like it was nothing. That's mostly what makes him so handy, and why I'd like to find him if I can.
"After a few days here, I have a theory. This mayor guy, he sounds like someone you wouldn't want to cross, even on a good day. Plus I heard of kidnappings and the like going on if your'e not too careful. I think Ace might have landed on the mayor's bad side, and is shut up in some hole in his house or estate. He's got himself a few other friends in town that want to bail him out, but what I'm trying to find out is how stupid does a person have to be, to try and sneak into a place as heavily guarded as the Mayor's hangout. Because that's about exactly as stupid as we all are.
"What I ask of the Upright man is information, if you've got it to give. About the Mayor, what he's up to when he's shut up in his base, what are some weak security spots, and the like. It would take me way too long to do all that reconissance work on my own, and I figure the Mockers are probably the best bet to finding this stuff out, if you're as good at what you do as I think you are."
He pulls out 10 gold pieces from Salix's money bag. "Here is a gift, for taking the time to see us today. I ain't asking for charity. Thanks to Ace we did remarkably well on our last job, and we're willing to negotiate a good price for your efforts. I figure, it'll be an investement toward future successes in our company."
He adds, "Secrecy is my specialty. This ain't your fight, and you've got your own people to think of. The Mockers will recieve no trouble from loose lips of me and mine while I am around to keep them closed."
OOC: Surin will make Sense Motive checks during this entire exchange.
From: Derek
Subject The butler
Allistiar gives Harp a pat on the shoulder. "I'll be fine, Hack. It's just an interview. The worst that can happen is that they won't have the budget for another position right now, since I know that I'm qualified. You and Ran can wait for me at the gate after you're done speaking to the guard captain. Now that we've come to this town, you both should get a decent job. You're both more that qualified too."
With that, Allistair stands and goes to the adjacent room to wait, unless the butler says something else.
From: Derek
Subject The butler
OOC: We need to start taking some risks to get to the bottom of what's going on in this town. As long as Allistair doesn't sa something stupid, I don't think the interview is too risky.
From: Mark
Subject The butler
I wonder if that falls into the category of "Famous last words"?
From: Josh
Subject The Butler
:-D
From: Kevin
Subject The butler
"If you say so, sir. We'll see you later then."
From: Mark
Subject The Upright Man
The gravely voice wafts out of the shadows "Your 'donation' to the cause is noted and appreciated." He motions with a hand and another figure moves out of the shadows and collects the gold. The voice continues "If your friend has run afoul of the Mayor, your safest option would be to leave Bodentown now. Since Faldor has become Mayor, no one has left that house that did not enter freely. We do not know what happens to them, but I have my suspicions." The voice hesitates for a minute and then speaks again, this time to others in the room. "Leave me with these two. Jimmy, you stay. I may have need of you." There are some grumbles from those around the room but they file out of the room at the man's request.
When all of the others are gone the voice rings out from the shadows again. "Jimmy, come here and give me a hand. You two follow us. We are going to a place where we will not be overheard." The young boy helps the man from his chair and they move through a door at the back of the room. Mund glances at Surin who gestures for the man to follow the two in front them. They follow the two for what seems another 10 minutes, although the going is slow. The Upright Man moves very slowly and deliberately, using Jimmy as a crutch on several occasions. They eventually get to a much more comfortable room, and Jimmy helps the man sit. The man points to a comfortable looking couch and motions for the two to sit. They still can not see the man's face, because he is sitting in shadow. Jimmy sits down in a chair near the west wall. The Upright Man pulls out a small item and chants a quick phrase. "There" he says "now we can talk in private."
"So you want help getting information about the Mayor? I doubt you know how dangerous those questions can be. Or maybe you do since you came to us. Asking questions on the street is liable to get you a room with your friend. I also know you did not tell me the whole truth." Surin starts to protest at this but the man holds up his hand. "I have not been in this job so long with out being able to tell when I am being lied to or not told the whole truth. Not telling me everything was shrewd on your part. And you did not lie outright, which shows caution and brains on your part. We may be able to come to an arrangement."
The man leans forward in his chair and pulls some glasses and a bottle from the table next to him. He pours himself a drink and offers one to Surin and Mund. Jimmy takes the drinks to the two and returns to his seat. The Upright Man takes a sip, sighs in delight, and continues his story. "Before Faldor became Mayor two years ago things were as they should be here in Bodentown. Businesses paid their protection, whores paid their pimps and drug dealers paid for transport. Life was simple but good. Then Faldor took power. I do not know what foul magic he used, but over night the old Mayor was gone and Faldor was in charge. He had come out of nowhere. By itself this did not bother the Mockers. Mayors come and go. So I sent an emissary to Faldor to explain to him how things worked in town, in case he did not know."
"The next day the emissaries head was on spike outside the Mayor's house. When we were able to retrieve the head we found a note inside. It told us that there were now certain areas of Bodentown that were off limits and that they would not pay for this. We, of course, took this as a personal affront. I set my best people loose on the Mayor and the places he had said were off limits. None of them came back. The next day their heads also appeared on the gates." The Upright Man stops for a moment, lost in his memories. "I lost control of myself a bit at that. I personally led a group two nights after that. I was going to put the Mayor's head up on his own gate. My arrogance almost cost me my life. It did cost me the lives of all who went with me. The Mockers have been broken. I have been broken."
OODM: I will write more tonight when I get home. It will be before 8 since 24 is on then.
From: Mark
Subject The Upright Man
"But enough about my sorry state. You have asked for help. The Mockers do not have much help left to sell. We know some of the lay out of the Mayor's house here in town, but that information is over three years old and is suspect. We do have a list of when the guard patrols make their rounds and when the guards change shifts. However, stealth will only get you so far, as we have found to our loss. Maybe your friend here can help with that." He points to Mund. "What do you mean?"asks Surin. The Upright Man's reply is quick "I recognize a northman when I see one and this one is not a basher. Basher's don't use axes. They use clubs, staffs, blackjacks. Can't collect protection from a dead man."
"So here's the deal. For 300 gold the Mockers will supply you with a schedule of the guards. We will supply you with a map of the inside of the Mayor's house. For an additional 200 gold we can supply a diversion that might help you get into the house. Once in though you will be on your own."
"What else would you ask of the Upright Man?"
OODM: Any questions
From: Josh
Subject The Upright Man
OOC: Nice round Mark.
Talking to the guild, with the guards, acting
Subject Talking to the guild
Nicely written Ashley. Good Job.
From: Mark
Subject Talking to the guild
I agree. Very nicely done.
From: Porter
Subject Talking to the guild
Mund turns toward Surin like a subordinate waiting for his superior to issue orders.
From: Ashley
Subject Talking to the guild
"The price sounds fair" Surin hands him Salix's money back, adding a few gold pieces of his own to make up the difference. "Here's the 300 for the schedule. Is there a safe place I can meet you, once I report back to a few people, to go over when? Then I could have the 200 ready. I imagine it would take place pretty soon.
"I wonder if you might know what the Mayor's doing razing the forests outside of town? I noticed as much barren wasteland coming in here as I've ever seen. I have to think Faldor is behind it.
"I'm sorry for your recent troubles. It must be hard being a a leader in that sort of situation. Have you considered leaving town permanently, and reestablishing the guild elsewhere?
From: Mark
Subject turn
Depending on my work schedule I might have something this afternoon. If not then, I will do it when I get home this evening.
From: Ashley
Subject turn
That's fine. Everyone wish me huge amounts of luck and prayers for Tech Week for the show I'm stage managing. I'll need it.
From: Randy
Subject With the guards
Ranthir will fight hard, taking out some of his aggression on the seargent. He will not beat him, but will make sure to get in a couple of blows that cause some pain. He will, in turn, accept some blows from the seargent to downplay his own abilities.
From: Randy
Subject Acting
Good luck! Tell your actors to break some legs!
From: Derek
Subject Turn
Work schedule? Hah. Here in Austin the entire city is shut down due to a bit of snow and ice on the roads. It seems pretty laughable coming here from Utah, but then when you realize that 98% of the people here don't know how to drive in snow, it is pretty scary. Not to mention there is maybe one salt/sand truck for the entire city... pretty much every school and major business is closed for the day, and all major bridges/overpasses are closed.
From: Derek
Subject With the guards
After Allistair meets back up with Harp and Ran at the gates, they start to walk back to the inn. "Well, if they are half as much in need of another scribe as I think they are, I expect they'll come to the inn as soon as tomorrow and ask me to start work. They had me copy some documents to see how well I could do it. Compared to scribing magic spells it's as easy as walking, so I think they'll be more than willing to give me a position. What's more interesting is the documents that I was copying. Lots of supplies: blankets, food, wagons, waterskins, spears, swords, and shields all for the mayor's estate outside of town. I think the 'mayor' is building up an army on his estate. I can't say what for though."
"So how was the meeting with the guard captain? Learn anything useful?"
From: Karl
Subject Acting
Break a leg. Stage managing is practically the most important job in the theater once the show goes live, and often one of the hardest. I worked with a fantastic stage manager for several shows a few years ago. She ran a tight ship.
From: Mark
Subject Acting
I miss that so much. Arkansas would get ice storms every once in a while, and nobody would go anywhere, and just stay inside and drink hot chocolate. It got to the point where I thought I *liked* winter weather.
Utah weather sucks.
From: Kevin
Subject With the guards
Harp heads to the training ground, old memories stirring in his head. How long had it been since he had first stepped foot on a training lot like this back with the Order. The first days seemed like a memory of pain and suffering, but in hindsight, it had taught him a hugely valuable lesson. His strength, coupled with the training and discipline the Order had taught hiim, would take him a long way. He was pretty sure he could take this Seargant Kline, but he did not want to take Kline's place, just get a job on the local guard troop.
Blades start to swing, and before long Harp's training starts to take over. Swing, parry, duck, block. Kline is good, but not especiall talented. He and the seargant are pretty evenly matched in level of skill, but Harp is pretty sure in a real fight he could take the man. Not only was he stronger, but he had not even called upon the graces of the Battlelord, and that was where he knew he could truly out do his opponent. But, now was not the time. He just needed to impress the other man that he was a worthy opponent with out challenging his authority.
OOC: Mark, did we find anything out while going through our paces on the training yard?
Anniversary, More guild talk, hiatus
Subject Happy Anniversary
Today marks the start of the third year for the game.
Thanks to all of you for participating and here is to an even better year ahead.
From: Porter
Subject Happy Anniversary
It's our anniversary?
Crap!
*goes out to buy lame flowers at the grocery store*
From: Karl
Subject Happy Anniversary
Yay! Man time flies. So how long has it been in game time?
From: Mark
Subject Time
Well the first adventure, rescuing Rochelle, took several weeks, mainly travel time.
The second adventure, the Testing grounds, also too several weeks, mainly travel time.
This one has also lasted several weeks already.
There was some resting time between adventures.
The first adventure started in mid spring, IIRC. That would make it late spring to early summer right now. One reason why it is not too cold in Bodentown.
From: Randy
Subject Happy Anniversary
Today also marks the 9th Anniversary of my marriage.
From: Mark
Subject The guild
"Meet me? No one meets me. I meet them. Jimmy here will be your contact. Take him with you when you leave and he will report back. I am not usually so trusting but I am itching to get back at the Mayor and I sense something about you. You may be able to cause him some discomfort and I am willing to risk this much to help you." The man holds up the bag of gold. "A nice bag of gold does not hurt either."
"I do not know exactly what he is doing with all that timber. Some of it has been used to expand the size of Bodentown and the wooden wall around the town. However, that would account for only 1/4 of the amount of timber that seems to have been cut down, and they are still cutting. Most of it has been taken out to his estate and that is the last we see of it."
"Leave Bodentown? I was born up here and I will die here, cesspool that it is."
"I do have one more comment for you. If you think you can swing it, you should hire a few headbangers to go with you. Two of you against the Mayor is asking for two new heads on the gates. That is one of the reasons we have not done more. I have a group of Bashers, but they are not warriors. I must warn you though that most, if not all, of those you might hire would probably turn you in when you tell them what you are going to do. People here are afraid of the Mayor."
From: Mark
Subject Hiatus
It looks like we might have to put the game on hiatus starting Saturday.
Kevin is going on vacation and Karl is going to be out of town as well. With Ashley busy with her play, I think I am going to have to put the game on hold until Kevin and Karl get back. That means that the last official turn will be Friday, Jan. 19 and then the game will pick back up on Monday Jan. 29.
However, depending on where people are during that time, I might be able to do short turns for the others, such as Kal or Mund or Ally, etc.
Harp and Ran audition
Subject Harp and Ran get a work out
The sergeant puts the two new comers through their paces. Both Harp and Ran hold back a bit, not letting the man know just how good they are. Harp goes first. He and the sergeant spend several minutes trading blows. The man has some skill but Harp is fairly sure he could over power him if needed. Kline calls time after a while and goes to rest before the next match. Harp moves over to a water barrell to refresh himself.
As Harp is getting some water, Ran talks with a few of the other guards watching the training. He over hears one of the guards talking to another one. "Well, Kline won't let him in the guard. He hates orcs. Too bad. He looks like he can handel himself." Ran walks over casually, introducing himself. The two soldiers cautiously give their names, Alex and Nomad. Ran spends a few minutes talking with them, trying to get them to open up a bit about the guard of the house (Diplomacy 14+2=16, success). "So how long have you guys been in the guard? I bet once youv'e been here long enough you get the cushy service of patroling inside the house, you know, out of the rain and the cold?"
The two laugh. "Naw, none of the guard patrol in the house." Nomad says. "The Mayor just has us patrol the grounds. In fact only the Sergeant and the Captain are allowed in the house. Hell, half the time the Captain isn't even here. He out at the estate doing whatever he does out there. Kline lets it go to his head, orderin us around. But it's better than being a farmer." Nomad nudges Alex "There's also the other benefits." Alex laughs a nasty laugh. Ran looks questioningly "What other benefits?" "Well" Alex replies "when one of the Mayor's guard is in town, no one gives him any grief, if he knows whats right for him. Or her. Get my drift?"
Ran nods knowingly and turns as Kline calls him to show his stuff. The 1/2 elf goes a bit harder on Kline than he had planned, but he feels a bit better for it. When Kline calls a stop, he tells Harp and Ran to come back tomorrow, and then he limps off to the barracks, shouting orders to Alex and Nomad as he goes.
OODM: OK I still have to do some work on Surin and Mund but the rest of the party can meet back at the inn.
Room Suggestions
Subject Anniversary
I just noticed this. Porter is married to us and his wife. Must be a Morman thing. :)
From: Porter
Subject Anniversary
We also get a free 1d2 attack with our horns.
From: Kevin
Subject Hack and Ran
Harp takes a long drink of water. It had been too long since he had practiced well and hard. He was better than the seargant, but not by much. It felt good to work out like that, strech his muscles, work up a good sweat.
Standing around, he watches as Ran works out with Kline. He can see where Ran decides to hold his swings, intentionally missing here and there. He had watched Ran fight many times before, and knew the skill he had with a blade.
After the two finish they meet up with Allistair. As they head back to the inn, the mage tells them of his "testing" inside. When asked what they learned, Harp relates that it seems that the normal guard is not allowed to enter the house, only the captain of the guard and the seargant. Maybe that would be useful, maybe it wouldn't.
OOC: Ok, guys I am going to be heading out on vacation for the next week. Talk to you all when I get back.
From Mark
Subject Room suggestion
As Surin and Mund prepare to leave Surin speaks up again. "Is there a good inn near the Mayor's house? When we move we do not want to have to spend a lot of time dodging patrols and stuff." Jimmy, standing next to the Upright Man, pipes up "There's the Screeching Eel. It's not a 15 minute walk from the Mayor's house." With a sudden flash, the Upright Man slaps Jimmy across the face. The young boy crashes to the ground, fighting back tears, blood seeping from a busted lip. "Boy, you need to learn when to talk and when not to. The man was speaking to me." He turns back to Surin and Mund "He's a good boy but a bit impetuous. Reminds me of me when I was his age."
"However, the boy is also right. The Screeching Eel is the closest inn to the Mayor's house. Normally I could put in a good word for you but I want to keep any association between you and the Mockers to a minimum. Take a room there and Jimmy will meet you there tomorrow with what I have worked out for the diversion. You can give him the rest of the money then as well." His face still in shadows the Upright Man continues "I wish you the best of luck, Surin and Mund. Strike a blow for the Mockers and you will have my gratitude. Fail and I will pray for your soul. Get captured, and I may have to have you killed. Farewell." The man dismisses the two and Jimmy leads them out a door and into another room. There the hoods are put back on and the same process is done but in reverse. A half hour later sees them back in the alley way in which they had started.
It is late afternoon. "Why don't I go get some rooms" Mund says "and you go meet the others. Once I have the rooms, I'll come get the rest of you." Surin nods and the two head off. An hour later finds all 8 companions in the dinning room of the Screeching Eel.
OOD: You guys can tell each other what you found out and make any other plans.
From: Kevin
Subject Room suggestions
OOC: Mark, I think it was the shreiking eel's, not screeching eels.
Turn
Subject Turn
Is anyone still waiting for me to write something up?
I know Karl and Kevin are out of the loop for this week, but do any of the rest of you want to do anything in the mean time?
Getting up to date
Subject getting up to date
OOC: I had thought you put the game on hiatus until further notice, but I'll RP a bit while we're waiting for the others.
IC: Allistair explains to the others what he learned from the interview. "From the documents they had me copy, it's pretty obvious that the mayor is building up an army on his estate outside of town. Lot's of supplies, foodstuffs, armor, swords and shields, etc. What he's building up the force for, or when he plans on making his move, I have no idea. Nor do I know where the manpower is coming from. All the people that have disappeared off the streets at night probably wouldn't make for a very reliable force. On the other hand, the mayor's mansion here in town is not heavily guarded. If you can get inside the building undetected, there is no standard guard detail inside. Of course what else might be inside I don't know. I only saw a few rooms myself. Hack and Ran can tell you more about the guard situation, though."
From: Mark
Subject Getting up to date
Well it is not on haitus until further notice, just until Monday Jan 29.
I was just hoping that you and Randy and maybe Porter/Ashley might fill the others in on what they found out. That way when we started back up everyone would be up to speed.
From: Ashley
Subject Getting up to date
"The leader of the thieves' guild was able to get me some information on the mayor's residence, including, for Salix's gold, times when the guard shifts. Sneaking in might very well prove disasterous -- at least it did for him and his people when they tried it, and they're professionals. He kept recommending hiring mercenaries, but I imagine it was because he thought it was just me and Mund. Mercs in this area are probably all under the Mayor's thumb.
He also offered the guild's services to provide a diversion for us to buy time to get in, for a price. They aren't cheap, but I could cover it if we think we need it."
From: Porter
Subject Getting up to date
"These guys have plenty of reason to hate the Mayor. I think we should accept their offer and pay them for a distraction."
Ally thinks
Subject Ally thinks
"The distraction sounds like a good idea, but what are we going to do with that distraction? That's what worries me."
The Order of the Silver Sword
Subject The Order of the Silver Sword
While we're in the middle of all this hiatus-ing, I have a question. I've been reading over the archives, and it seems that the Order of the Silver Sword, of which Harp is definitely a member, is a sub-order of an overall order. I'm not sure if that is the case, but it seemed from something I read that the OotSS is like the military branch of the order, in which case Ragnar would not actually be a member of the OotSS, but rather the larger organization. I could, however, be misreading it. And since there's no convenient way to search the archives, I'm not going to go back looking for it. I'd like to know anything about the order(s) that you can tell us, including the hierarchy, and specifically where the "cleric" part and the "paladin/warrior" part start to overlap. I figure Ragnar would know a great deal, though I understand that you probably haven't filled in the entire organizational chart in your notes.
OotSS
Subject OotSS
Well the Order of the Silver Sword does have clerics.
The larger group would be the church of Heronious(SP?) in the country of Schon. Probably the closest analogy would be the Knights Templar and the Catholic Church. The more martial clerics join or are assigned to the OotSS. The more "normal" clerics would be part of the rest of the Church.
If that does not make sense let me know.