DM Vord's Zeitgeist Act I - Portents of a Starry Sky

Game Master Vorduvai

"Times are turning. The skyseers – Risur’s folk prophets since their homeland’s birth – witness omens in the starry wheels of heaven, and they warn that a new age is nigh. But what they cannot foresee, hidden beyond the steam and soot of the night sky, is the face of this coming era, the spirit of the age. The zeitgeist."

Current Date: 6 Summer, 500 A.O.V. (towards early Hunter's Moon on 10 Summer)
Current Location: Cloudwood District, Flint City, Risur
Prestige Favors Used: Risur 0 / Flint 0 / Unseen 0 / Family 0
Summary of Clues HERE


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**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Round 6, Initiative 21 – The Warehouse Fight
HP:11/11 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / F:+3 / R:+5 / W:+2
FA:Talk to Group, MA: Walk to L-13, SA: Fires weapon
EFFECTS: Studied Garrys +1 Hit/Damage; Point Blank +1 Hit/Damage (Garrys is exactly 30 feet); No Cover; Armed with loaded barrel Pepperbox pistol; AMMO: 4/6, FA: Switch Barrel to loaded one

Willem shakes off his sleepiness and perks up, "We need to move now, we are running out of time. Either he is going to get a spell off or cause some sort of explosion! He is too hostile and convicted to intimidate or use diplomacy on. He knows that we uphold the King's law and he has no respect for either!"

Willem calmly walks into the room to his position, "Since you do not have any respect for law or life, I have none for you."

He levels his firearm at Garrys and fires.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Garrys makes a last minute and unconscious direction change and Willem's round hits the stone wall behind him in a poof of dust.

Willem is not visibly happy with himself and quickly moves the barrel assembly to the next loaded barrel.

AMMO: 3/6; Sorry, can not get the good shots all of the time ...LOL


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

Round 6, Initiative 19 – The Warehouse Fight

MA:Pocket Healing Potion
SA:Reload Pistol
FA:5-Foot Step to N10

Knowing that he can't immediately get into a good firing position, Emerson bides his time and uses the cover of the stone wall. He pockets the healing potion he took off of Arn's body and reloads his pistol. That done, he risks peeking his head around the corner to get a position on Garrys.


Female Human (Risuri) Arcanist 3; AC 12/12T/10FF; hp 17/17; +2F/+3R/+3W; Init +3; Perc. +0; Sense Motive +7

Round 6, Initiative 14
hp 7/7; AC 12/12T/10FF; +1F/+2R/+2W

MA: Pick up blunderbuss
SA: Move 30' to R9

Anneca grabs her blunderbuss with one hand after dropping the empty vial pilfered from the fallen rebel. Invigorated, she rushes up the stairs to get closer to the others. She tries to get the pistol into her waistband, but it will take a bit more effort to get the unwieldy weapon in without a holster. "Arthur! Throw a grenade before he gets a spell off! He could kill us all if he gets one cast!"


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Free Action - Round 6

Willem looks at Arthur, "Yes Arthur, please throw a grenade! This is now your most opportune time to throw one! You do not have to worry about deadly force being used nor RHC protocol. And we may be subdued or dead if we do not act further now?!"


Male

Arthur Wilde (DMPC)
Round 6, Initiative 13

hp 10/10; AC 16/13T/13FF; +3F/+5R/+1W
Effects: None

MA: Move 20’ to J12
SA: Throw bomb at Garrys (w/ PBShot) (3/5 bombs remaining)

bomb 25’ distance AC 10: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 21
bomb direct dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11 11hp fire damage to Garrys

"Yeah yeah I'm coming, don't get all in a twist you lot..." Arthur seems almost perturbed at his fellows as he walks straight into the room, not attempting to look for cover as he squares off against the rebel deva ringleader. "Time to visit the Bleaking...or whatever it is your kind does when snuffed out..." Arthur strikes a priming agent on the spherical bomb and causally tosses it in a small arc right at Garrys. In almost comical fashion if not for it being so deadly, the metallic sphere lands and wedges itself on the front of Garrys' suit between a reinforced metal plate and one of the firedust satchels. Time draws out as the deva looks down with eyes wide at the wedged bomb right before it explodes in his face and across his chest.

The rest of the action will occur on Garrys' turn in Round 6 in a separate post later this evening...


Male

The King’s Arrival – The Warehouse Fight
Round 6

The Third Man “Garrys”
Round 6, Initiative 11
FA: Speak
SA: Detonate

Detonation Rolls:

Jiese Gem (fire dmg)
2HD 0’-20’R: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10
Firedust & Phlogistite (fire dmg)
0’-5’R: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2) = 22
6’-10’R: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 6) = 18
11’-15’R: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7
Alchemist Fire (fire dmg)
0’-5’R: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 5) = 7
Concussion (bludgeoning dmg)
0’-5’R: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 3) = 12
6’-10’R: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
0’-20’R Fort Save DC15 or Stunned 1d4 Rounds
21’-40’R Fort Save DC13 or Deafened 1d4x10 Minutes
Non-lethal impact damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

With his silvery-sheened face burned and blistered from Arthur's bomb and the front of his explosive suit catching fire, Garrys the deva can only shriek in pain as he floats above the stone rubble, feet flailing in the air uselessly. Onlookers can clearly see the red vials of liquid begin to bubble violently and crack the glass they are contained in, while the leather satchels containing firedust start to darken and smolder from ignition. Around his waste the bronze belt containing firegems all start to glow red-hot, but it is the arcane gem in the torc around his neck that flares with a distinctively fiery magical energy.

In a final display of action Garrys throws his arms skyward and looks up at the roof of the warehouse with his blistered face and eyes. "SOOOOOOOOOOOr...!" is all he manages to shout as several alchemist's fire flasks burst around his middle and turn him into a living torch for several long seconds, twisting his shout into a shriek. Then he explodes.

Total Damage at 5’R: 51 fire, bludgeoning
Total Damage at 10’R: 39 fire, bludgeoning
Total Damage at 15’R: 17 fire
Total Damage at 20’R: 10 fire
Total Damage at 40'R: 1 non-lethal, DC13 Fort Save or Deafened - Arthur/Gemma/Willem are in room and must save

Willem Fort Save DC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 FAIL, Deafened 1d4 ⇒ 1 10 minutes, 1hp non-lethal damage
Gemma Fort Save DC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 FAIL, Deafened 1d4 ⇒ 1 10 minutes, 1hp non-lethal damage
Arthur Fort Save DC13: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 FAIL, Deafened 1d4 ⇒ 4 40 minutes, 1hp non-lethal damage

For those inside the room, the thudding BOOM! of the blast sends a shock right through their gut as if punched, their ears ringing from the blast which they try to shake off but cannot. Fortunately for both Emerson and Anneca, the wall separating the room from the landing and larger warehouse area provides them enough cover to only feel moderately uncomfortable.

Knowledge: Engineering DC20 (and Arthur automatically):
The blast was truly spectacular in the sense that the explosive suit was clearly rigged for close-proximity damage. If grapeshot or cruder forms of shrapnel were packed around him, the impact to a crowd would have covered a much wider area, but this was not rigged in that way for anti-personnel in a wide dispersal pattern. It was meant to be up-close and personal, as the placement of the satchels and plates directed the explosive force inwards to some degree.

Knowledge: Arcana DC15 (and Anneca automatically):
You are fairly certain Garrys did not trigger the Jiese Gem with a command word - it seemed to ignite itself with the direct impact of fire. Whatever Garrys cried out at the end was not the command word, as the Jiese Gem already flared to "life" in activation by that time.

*****************************
Assistant Chief Inspector Delft stands upon the Royal Square front platform, worriedly looking out across the square for any sign of his constables when the dull thudding BOOM! is faintly heard and felt by him. Over across Royal Square to its northwestern side a brief gout of flame erupts from a chimney, followed by a small volume of soot-filled black smoke. Several squads of policemen also see this disturbance, but ironically the great numbers of citizens in the crowds do not as they have already been released across the bridge to Fleet Square on the shipyards isle. A very few civilians behind the barricades who were not selected for the King's parade do notice and point to the chimney in the distance, but Delft can make out they seem to think it merely fireworks or some intended effect of the celebrations. Delft, of course, knows differently.

"Did you see that, Drake? Northwest side along the waterfront, second building from the square on the first side alley." To anyone witnessing him, it appears the Inspector is speaking to himself.

"Yessir," answers Drake Wellingham to him via his arcane messaging connection. "It's across from me and I can't make much out, but there's some smoke also coming from the wall facing the waterfront, upper story."

"Right. Mark anyone who comes out before I get reinforcements there, and if they're not our own but armed, take the shot on my authority." Delft moves to the edge of the platform and looks down at a waiting police sergeant with a half-squad of six men at the ready. "Sergeant, take your men and secure that building now with full force - challenge and disarm anyone in police or military uniforms, but if you see R.H.C. grey you can trust them as genuine..."

With the policemen converging on the building from Royal Square, Delft curses silently to himself and shakes his head, wondering to himself if he has now lost more than one constable in this plot against the King...
*****************************
As the constables recover from the force of the blast and try to shake off its effects, they find miraculously that the thick stone walls of the warehouse held firm, preventing much of the explosion from escaping other than the chimney and gaps in the stone that had been previously pried away. Smoke from the blast clears enough to show all of them that the crowds along the bridge piling into Fleet Square are unaffected - in fact it is entirely possible with the cheering of the crowds and accompanying music that they did not even notice what had just occurred.

Inside the room itself, the table has been knocked upon its side and its lantern broken upon the floor, with a vial of blue-green hued liquid clattering to the floor but still intact; strangely a single piece of intact scroll parchment floats to the ground in front of them after being scattered into the air from the knocked-over table.

As the smoke clears in the stone rubble where Garrys stood, the constables now make out the only remnant of his infernal plot to launch himself at King Aodhan's carriage and kill him: A single, smoking leather boot lies on the ground but otherwise fully intact, with the macabre remains of a blackened lower leg bone jutting up from it...

Initiative Order:
Gemma 23
Willem 21
Emerson 16
Anneca 14
Arthur 13
Garrys the Deva 11
Veteran Rebels 8

Map

Foe Summaries:
Veteran Rebel 1: -5/23 hp; AC 8; +5F/-5R/+1W; CMD 11; Helpless, Unconscious
Veteran Rebel 2: -5/22 hp; AC 8; +5F/-5R/+1W; CMD 11; Helpless, Unconscious
Garrys, the Third Man: -32/30 hp; AC 19/10T/19FF; +2F/+3R/+6W; CMD 14; Dead

Combat Notes: Combat is OVER!

Items Recovered:**
* 2 Pistols (w/ 17 Paper Firedust Cartridges total between both ammo satchels)
* 4 Longswords, 4 Daggers, 2 Kukris, 2 Truncheons,
* 2 Studded Leather Armor, 2 Leather Armor (all medium sized)
* 2 Cure Light Wounds vials (CL1), Risuri Old Faith make (a third already consumed)
* 1 Scroll of Fly (CL9), Arcane make (one other already consumed)
* 48 gold crowns, 12 silver shills, 27 copper pence

** Anything “recovered” must be turned back in to the RHC Quartermaster’s Office in a reasonable period of time. This allows you to use recovered items for a time while on mission, but eventually you must account for it - you can only permanently keep it if you have wealth/stipend availability. Otherwise it will be considered stolen property if ever discovered (and they are watching…an inventory audit could occur at any time). Obviously, consumables cannot be turned in if “consumed”, so there is some leeway there. See Zeitgeist Extended Players Guide pg. 15 for more info.


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Male

Arthur Wilde (DMPC)
Out of Combat

hp 10/10, 1 non-lethal dmg; AC 16/13T/13FF; +3F/+5R/+1W
Effects: Deafened

Arthur turns slowly away from the direction of where the blast was and stumbles a few feet towards Gemma and Willem. Yet upon his face is something quite unexpected - a large beaming smile nearly from ear-to-ear across his face as if he has just come from a dance hall during yesterday's New Year celebrations. Willem has never met the man before today, but finds his smile odd and out of place. Gemma and the other constables, however, have hardly seen Arthur smile in all the time they were being evaluated as prospects last summer and then became constables.

"DID YOU SEE THAT? THAT WAS SOMETHING! BEAUTIFUL! REALLY WELL DONE THAT WAS..." Though Gemma and Willem can barely make out what Arthur is saying, both Anneca and Emerson find him to be shouting at the top of his lungs, his hearing clearly affected by the blast. It doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest however.

Arthur lightly slaps each ear with his hands a couple of times as if he emerged from a pool and had water in them, then still smiling he walks over to Gemma, face-to-face with her and gesturing to get her attention. "DON'T WORRY LOVE, THE HEARING WILL COME BACK SOON, I'VE BEEN THROUGH IT BEFORE!" Arthur nods to Gemma and claps her twice upon the shoulder in a display of camaraderie, then moves over to Willem. "NO WORRIES MATE, THE HEARING WILL COME BACK SOON ENOUGH TO YOU!" Nodding and clapping Willem on the shoulder once for good measure, he looks over to Emerson and Anneca outside the room and gives them a wink and jaunty salute. Then he turns and moves back to where the lone boot rests on the ground, drawing out his truncheon as he begins to carefully poke around the rubble, looking for any signs of unexploded ordinance.


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

”That was pretty impressive. Haven’t seen an explosion that big since the war.” Emerson says to no one in particular. He peers inside the room and sees that his compatriots are all safe, if not a little deaf and give them all a thumbs up. ”Good job Arthur!”.

He glances back at Anneca and can see that she is fully healed and all that is left of her wound is new if not barely perceptible scar. Hill reaches in his coat pocket and retrieves the other potion and gives it to her. ”If we run into any problems, you’re probably going to need this again.”

Emerson walks back down the ramp and recovers his truncheon next to the still forms of the remaining veteran rebels. Once that is stowed, he walks over to the un-named one and relieves him of his pistol, holster and ammunition satchel, as well as his dagger. He kicks away the longsword so that it is far out of reach incase the man comes to. ”Believe it or not, these bastards might make it through this alive. Although they might wish they had not.”

”I’m sure all this racket has attracted the attention of Delft. I’m going to go out and wait for the cavalry and make sure they don’t come in guns blaring. I’ll leave the rest of the investigating to you guys.” With that he makes his way out down the hall and out the building.


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Gemma is momentarily rocked by the blast and very happy to have not been closer. She shakes her head a bit, trying to shake off the effects, including the hearing loss. Trying to take a moment to gather herself and survey the damage, she’s taken aback by Arthur’s high spirits. He’s barely spoken to her outside of training, let alone smile, clap her on the arm and act like they’re teammates.

Crazy bastard…

She looks back at him with a slight smirk. “YOU’RE A CRAZY SON OF A B!$*~!” She spies the smoking boot with the charred leg still in it over Arthur’s right shoulder. “BUT EXCELLENTLY PLACED! AND YOU DIDN’T BRING THE BUILDING DOWN WITH US ALL. WELL DONE!” Gemma wonders to herself if things slow down for Arthur when he throws his bombs. Does time momentarily stop for him in his mind, like hers during a fight, so he knows exactly where to arc it, calculating blast radius and damage beforehand? Or does he just lob it and hope for the best? Does he see the fire billow and grow and then snuff out the way Anneca has described it when she does her magics, seeing each bit of flame almost like a piece of art to be examined and appreciated? However he sees it, it certainly makes him as giddy as a schoolboy, which in a very strange way is nice to see.

After a minute or so, Gemma is able to collect herself and goes over to collect the vial and the parchment by the table and then makes her way over to the boot. As macabre as it is, she’ll collect that too, trying to find something to wrap it in on their way out. “MAYBE SOMEONE AT HEADQUARTERS CAN IDENTIFY SOMETHING OFF THIS…OR GLEAN SOMETHING FROM THE DEAD OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY DO.” Gemma has no idea if it will be useful or not but it’s the only piece of evidence directly tied to the deva.


Female Human (Risuri) Arcanist 3; AC 12/12T/10FF; hp 17/17; +2F/+3R/+3W; Init +3; Perc. +0; Sense Motive +7

When Arthur comes out of the room, a huge smile comes across her face. "What a display!" She grabs him by the shoulders, giddily pointing at the size of the explosion and re-enacting its contours. "I'm damn jealous you got to him before I did!"

She takes Emerson's offered potion with a grimace. "Let's hope not. Dumb of me to get so close without setting him on fire. But thanks." She slips the potion into her uniform as she situates the newly-acquired pistol in her waistband. She is careful to make sure that it isn't loaded, as the last thing she needs is to blow a hole in her leg by accident. She pulls the holster off the other rebel, taking it for her own purposes. In a few moments' time, she has the firearm loaded and holstered on her hip. She practices a few times, hoping to get used to drawing it quickly or on the move.


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

"Don't be too hard on yourself Anneca. I doubt if I had gotten such a lucky shot, that he would have advanced on us. It looked like he was going to trying to stall for time for Garrys to make a big enough hole to get through."


Male

"SURE SURE, TAKE IT IF YOU WANT," shouts Arthur to Gemma as she carefully gathers up the sole remains of Garrys the Deva. Chuckling openly to himself, he adds, "HE WON'T BE NEEDING IT AT THIS POINT EH?"

Poking around the rest of the rubble where the explosion took place, Arthur shouts more findings back to the rest, his hearing still clearly affected by the blast. "ALL CLEAR HERE, BUT YOU SHOULD SEE SOME OF THIS - THE SORRY SOD HAD GOLD DUST IN HIS RIG, AND IT'S ALL MELTED NOW OUT AROUND THE BLAST RADIUS. CAN'T BE FOR NUTHIN THAT HE HAD GOLD WITH HIM, AND ITS NOT FROM COINS IN HIS MONEY PURSE THAT'S CERTAIN."


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Willem follows the grenade to its target and smiles just before the grenade explodes in Garrys face. Shortly before going up in a blaze of glory, he waves good bye to Garrys. After the grenades, explodes he shakes his head and rubs his ears.

"NICE THROWING ARTHUR! THAT SAVE OUR BACON AS WELL AS OUR KING'S! DARN ENCLOSED AREA AMPLIFIED THE SOUND, AND CAN BARELY HEAR A THING! I LOVED USING GRENADES IN THE FIELDS OF THE YERASOL WAR AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS."

Willem nods his head at Arthur's hearing reassurance, and places his hand on Arthur's shoulder ...

"THANK YOU FOR THE REASSURANCE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD THIS RING IN MY EARS CONDITION. NOR PROBABLY MY LAST."

Willem let's go of Arthur's shoulder and looks to the group ...

"AS FOR THE TEAM, NICE WORK EVERYONE! EVEN IF LUCK WAS NOT ON YOUR SIDE THIS TIME, THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT TIME."

Willem looks at the gear to see if he wants or needs any.


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Since Gemma is already over in the same area, she starts inspecting the rubble with Arthur, smoking evidence in hand. Just as he described, there is melted gold in a splash radius right around where the deva exploded.

"WHAT WOULD HE BE DOING WITH ALL THAT DUST? I GET THE FIRE DUST AND THE GEMS AND ALL THAT, BUT WHAT WOULD THE GOLD HAVE DONE? DRAMATIC EFFECT??

Gemma claps on her left ear a little, noticing that some of the hearing is coming back only to be replaced by a loud ringing noise.

"THIS IS DAMNED ANNOYING, YOU KNOW?!? She looks at Arthur and points to her ear. "I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THE EXCITEMENT OVER THE BLAST AND ALL BUT THE AFTER EFFECTS ARE...WELL...JUST DAMNED ANNOYING!


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

A little shaken up, Willem is a little slow as the wolves in the rear of the fight descend on the perpetrator's goods. He thinks to himself, "Here we go again! Not even offered the pistol of the suspect that I took out on the first shot!" He looks at what remains, "CAN I PLEASE HAVE SOME AMMUNITION TO RELOAD, OR MONEY TO TURN IN TO PURCHASE AMMO, FOR MY PRIMARY WEAPON?! AND SORRY FOR YELLING, MY EARS ARE STILL RINGING?!"

Willem is use to what he perceives as rampant greed and back stabbing in the RHC, and continues to do his job according to his Type-A personality.

He begins to do a detail search and investigation of the rooms even with his ears ringing ...

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Constable: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Minus any disadvantages for his current loud noise condition.

If Emerson does not return with medical personnel for the unconscious in the hall and in the rooms, he will look into that next so the perps can be maybe revived and interrogated.


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

Emerson is almost out of the warehouse and into the entrance hall when he hears his old war buddy. "HEY WILLEM!" he says while pulling out the reloading rig he previously picked up. He limps back over to the work table and drops it, then points to Willem and give him a thumbs up.

"I'LL BE BACK WITH SOME REINFORCEMENTS!" He yells as he walks back out to the entrance.


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

True to his word, Emerson is back within minutes.

The rest of the constables can hear the commotion of Flint Police carrying the two suspects in the entrance hall away as more officers rush in the main warehouse.

"Over there." says Emerson, pointing over at the two incapacitated rebels. "They sustained horrible wounds but I managed to stabilize them for the short term. We may be able to get some useful information out of these ones, so take care."


Male

1 Spring, 500 A.O.V. – late afternoon, just before five o’ clock
Royal Shipyard Isle - at the pier of the R.N.S. Coaltongue (some distance away from the formal disembarkation area)

”SO? He said “So” but as if speaking of a person or place then, was it? Hmm…” Assistant Chief Inspector Delft spits Nicodemus leaf juice on the ground of the stone pier they are on, his fingers tapping on the top of his cane in thought. Somewhere he found himself a wooden stool and now sits on it comfortably. Around him in a circle stand the RHC Flint constables that covered Royal Square’s security detail from well over an hour ago: Drake Wellingham, Alastair Rayne, Devinn LeMont, Talyssa Dane, Emerson Hill, Anneca Summers, Gemma Atherton, Arthur Wilde and Francis Kane, not to mention their “on-loan” RHC Slate constable, Willem Muhnee.

After the mop-up actions with captured men and materials in Royal Square as well as a check-over of the constables for wounds, they crossed over to the isle and assembled on the pier just over a half-hour ago for a priority debriefing. There they each expounded on their recollection of events to Delft on the plot to assassinate King Aodhan in its most extraordinary and unanticipated fashion. In addition to the dramatic events of the “four-double-nines” foiling the main plot in the shoreline warehouse, they also learn of a related plot by four Docker brawler types to waylay the King’s carriage when it was to pass by Fleet Square during the parade, throwing bags of gold dust on the King and the other occupants. Three men named Iscalio, Mercliffe and Coulton had been identified and captured by Constables Rayne, Dane and Kane, who later cracked under scrutiny and revealed their minor parts in the plot. A fourth man –their Docker ringleader named Dafton Marne – had been found by LeMont and bluffed into thinking his cover had already been betrayed, causing him to flee the square entirely. Apparently the fingering of Dafton Marne was the news the Docker Thames Grimsley had come to relay to Devinn, which put him on his mark just before the citizens were released across the bridge to Fleet Square. All told, the constables had bagged seven men (four severely wounded but alive, three unharmed), with the ringleader dead and one other at-large, not including counts by the senior team over on Pine Island.

A loud and enthusiastic cheer goes up from the assembled Risuri citizens just yards away from where they stand, accompanied by the blaring of horns and drums and a deep-voiced herald announcing Lady Romana as she and her entourage disembark from her carriage in front of the main quay to the R.N.S. Coaltongue. Though the King’s parade has already come and gone at Fleet Square without incident, the following hour has been devoted to Risuri elites (in ascending order by prominence) coming off their parade carriages and gathering at the head of the assembly before the main quay, with the royal family being the last to arrive - whereupon King Aodhan will speak to his people and formally bless the ship prior to departure. The King’s carriage cannot be seen yet, but based on Lady Romana’s arrival the lesser elites and minor nobility have already arrived, marking the staged affair to be more than halfway concluded. Per their initial briefing instructions, the constables were all to be in their dress uniforms by this time and standing at attention next to military honor detachments for the full event. Somewhere in the front of that assembly stand Viscount Director Price-Hill and Lady Inspectress Saxby, but thankfully for the constables it appears an additional Risuri Army platoon have taken their places in the formal assembly, allowing them the freedom to stay with Delft and conduct real business.

”So…” repeats Delft a second time, mulling its meaning over in his head.

”How about ‘Sooo…rrry I’m such an insane idiot for blowing myself up because I have a burr up my arse against the King’ is what he meant!” Devinn LeMont chortles to himself at the quip, his dyed hair now magically back to its normal brown, but still wearing the getup of a Docker performer. ”Or how ‘bout this – ‘Sooo…rry I was so rude to leave my foot behind and not properly cleaning up after myself when’ hey ow!” Devinn’s ill-conceived joke is cut short by Alastair who elbows him in the ribs.

”Chief is serious about this, Dev.”

”Right okay, Easy. Sorry there, Chief.”

”Anyway,” says Stover Delft with a determined glare towards Devinn Lemont before continuing, ”I’d wager to guess ‘So’ could be ’Soliogn’, as in ‘Gale Soliogn’ the terrorist cell leader of the Cloudwood. It all fits, what with the use of sustained arcane flight, which to this point is how she has escaped out of her assassination attempts of Flint factory owners and what-not. The scroll is most likely of her doing, but we won't know for certain until Miffrain and Stock fully divines it back at HQ.” He taps his chin thoughtfully. ”How she’s done it still remains a mystery, but if she could teach her secret to others…who knows? Perhaps this deva ‘Garrys’ was her lover or confidant, and she was his last thought before the end.”

”It’s pretty bold for her Chief,” chimes in Drake Wellingham. Of all of them with tattered standard uniforms and Docker performer garb, Drake stands out in a drab suit of dark grey, covered by a garnache-style cloak that seems to slightly shimmer and take on the colors of his surroundings, his heavy crossbow slung over his shoulder. ”She’s hit factory owners and such before, but going after the King? She’s got Skyseer support and they’d never go for that. Neither would the Unseen Court.”

”That’s true Drake, but this opportunity has never presented itself before to those zealots. And as for the fey, they are hardly what you would call unified and consistent.” Delft looks at them all with a grimness in his eyes that they’ve never seen from him before. ”I’ve gotten more word from the senior team over at Pine Island and the warehouse they took down – one zealot dead and one wounded but taken alive, plus the remains of at least four others that may have been killed by Constable Fileccia a few days ago. The planning, the numbers, the materials such as gold dust and the arcane magic…it all fits to a terrorist cell like Soliogn’s band.”

With something of an uncomfortable pause Delft adds solemnly, ”You should know as well that they recovered Makala’s remains…what was left of them. Gaethan is attempting to delve more there now, but…” Stover Delft cannot continue, and though he is not one to shed tears he takes a deep breath as if to compose himself. Then he looks with a fixed eye at Anneca. ”I’m sorry you had to hear of it this way, Summers. I know Constable Fileccia recommended you to last year’s invitation of prospects, and she told me more than once that you’d come through at the end. I have no doubt if we were still under the old methods that she would’ve taken you on as her apprentice. She’d be proud of you for what you did today.” He looks then at each of the constables in turn around the circle. ”What you all did today, you honor her and the Constabulary. I could not be more proud or any more grateful.”

***********************

Note on dialogue:
Obviously you have several hooks to interact with in this piece, as well as several NPC’s to interact with besides the other PC’s. Please stick to a single hook (or at most two if you reaaaaalllly have to, but make one primary) when you post and don’t answer multiple interaction hooks simultaneously as if they were all separate conversations, because that creates a jarring effect where no one really knows what is being responded to at what point in the conversation timeline. Certainly change hooks if yours is not getting the results you want or has reached a natural conclusion, but avoid the massive mulitiples in one posted reply please.


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

THE WAREHOUSE FIGHT

Willem looks to Emerson and gives him two thumbs up in return, "THANK YOU BUDDY, I OWE YOU AN ALE! LIKE OLD TIMES, THE EARS ARE RINGING AGAIN!"

+5 rounds which he uses to reload his Pepperbox pistol and the extra 2 in his pouch

Willem waves to Emerson in response to bringing reinforcements, "I WILL BE LOOKING OVER THE WAREHOUSE WITH THE REST OF THE TEAM WHILE YOU DO THAT!"

THE ROYAL SHIPYARD ISLE

Willem intently watches for Chrystine Robinson as the elites rode in to capture her beauty at the very least. Then he draws himself back to the current update briefing so as not to be caught or noticed of his intent.

Willem stands at attention after Assistant Chief Inspector praises the team, "Thank you sir! My condolences for our loses and we will continue to honor them and the Constabulary! I did not know our loses very well so that is all I can currently offer. Do you need us back on protection since the Glorious Event is still active or shall we begin to analyze the evidence and start the process of locating our primary suspect, Gale Soliogn?"

Willem relaxes and stays professional relaxed.

What physical evidence did we process at the warehouse? Any?


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

THE ROYAL SHIPYARD ISLE

Gemma listens to Delft and the others, pleased at everyone’s handy work but upset to have lost one of their own. The sisterly part of her wants to sit and commiserate with Anneca and tell her how very sorry she is for the loss of her friend and mentor, but the situation at hand prevents it. Perhaps there will be time for it later. She doesn't know Anneca entirely well but she knows there was history between her and Makala.

As for now, something else isn’t sitting right in her mind. Constable Delft keeps saying “So”, but deep down Gemma knows that isn’t entirely correct. Despite the fact that, as far as she’s concerned, she was fairly useless during their recent encounter, she does have a knack for remembering.

“Constable Delft…one correction, if I may, sir? I don’t think the deva said just ‘So’. If my memory serves, as he was burning and before he was blown to bits, he raised his arms and eyes skyward and yelled out, ‘SOOOOOr’.” She pauses a moment, trying to think through some possibilities. “Before that, he mentioned ‘His Lady and Love’, spoke both Sylvan as well as Lanjyr Common, and said that he had been there to witness the death of Makala. I don’t know how much that changes the obvious choice of Gale Soliogn, but it may mean something to someone.”

Gemma hopes her information helps. She, more than some and for reasons that are her own, would love nothing more than to see Gale and her group behind bars, but as a constable upholding the law, she wouldn’t want to see the wrong person accused and arrested.


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Willem nods his head quickly in agreement, "Yes Constable Atherton, that is correct! I also confirm Assistant Chief Inspector Delft, Garrys did indeed state "SOOOOOr" instead of "So"."


Male

Inspector Delft initially eyes Willem as he speaks with a wry expression, as if to say 'are you honeying up to me for a reason constable?' but doesn't say anything openly, as Gemma's observations rekindle the mystery in his mind on the mastermind behind the assassination plot. When Willem once again speaks to agree with Gemma's statement, Delft speaks to him first. "Constable...Muhnee is it? I'm glad the Lord Director could spare you from his retinue today - know that I'll be putting in a good word for you when I see him later this evening, in addition to the written reports."

He nods at the Slate constable once in approval, then looks to Gemma. "As you both say, for you were there and I was not. Yet as you all said yourselves, the assassin was...well...burning right before he blew up in agony, so perhaps his diction wasn't perfect. As for him speaking Sylvan, that only adds to the theory that it could be Gale, for she has mastery of that tongue as well as Eladrin Elvish - our files indicate Gale Soliogn is eladrin and has loyalty of other elves, fey, naturalists and many of the radically-minded Skyseers. Why not a misguided deva doing her bidding out of love?"

"Then again, to discredit my own conjecture, if this 'Garrys' was her lover, I find it unreasonable that she would have staged such an attempt and yet left him to its fate alone...Gale is many things but she's shown a boldness for direct intervention in the past. Unless she's in the city somewhere for a second plot..." Delft lets the words trail off for a look around the constables' circle for effect, spitting once again on the ground. "Don't worry lads and lasses, for right now a powerful and trusted ally of the King is consulting with the Conclave of Skyseers in Slate even now, and soon I should hear from their divinations if Gale's afoot against us at least. Perhaps more than that, though Skyseer omens are rarely much more than gibberish these days."

Willem:
Your examination of the warehouse was thorough and logical, yet other than what was recovered directly upon the wounded rebels there was no evidence left behind. The arcane scroll that Gemma recovered was turned into Delft, and is being examined by R&D for possible source of its crafter. From what Willem has just been briefed on, the staging locale of the rebels was over in Pine Island, and not this location in Royal Square. Police reports state the warehouse was swept and cleared in the morning like the others, with no unusual reportings.

Willem can say that inspection of the uniforms the wounded rebels wore did not seem to be cheap facsimiles, but authentic uniforms of Flint's Police force. How that was managed is unknown, though logically the R.H.C. have four living men to obtain answers from.


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

"Excuse me Chief. What are our orders now?"


Male

Delft smirks at Emerson and says, "Wait there Hill, one foiled assassination plot against our sovereign not enough for you? Don't tell me you're so eager to be back at your rickety desk at HQ to write your after-action report?"

Devinn LeMont chortles openly, while Drake Wellingham snidely quips out, "Oh sure he is Chief. He's Sorginson's new paper-pushin' pet after all."

Constables like Alastair and Talyssa smile at the barb, though Francis Kane remains stonily silent on the matter. Stover Delft also seems to find the remark amusing, though he goes on to reply to him. "I haven't made my mind up yet," answers Delft almost cryptically.


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

"Just because you lack tact and manners, Drake, doesn't mean the rest of us have to abandon them."

Emerson turns around and walks back into the warehouse knowing if he stays he'll probably say something that he'll regret.


Male

Emerson starts to turn from the assembled circle of constables, only to realize the unusual events of the long day have started to muddle his mind a bit, as he is on the pier in front of the soon-to-be-blessed Coaltongue and nowhere near the warehouse across the bridge back on the mainland. Drake juts his chin out at Emerson challengingly to "speak his mind" more in front of their boss the Assistant Chief Inspector, while Delft himself simply watches Emerson with a raised eyebrow.

Fortunately, it is Talyssa Dane which comes to Emerson's rescue, taking a step towards him and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Lots has happened today, but we came through it all right by working together and not stirring up bad blood for unprofessional reasons - right Wellingham?" Though not one to normally call attention to herself, Talyssa Dane sounds almost motherly as she gives a challenging look in her own right to Drake, followed by an accompanying screech-squawk from Skimmer at the expert crossbowman sniper.

"Here here, Talyssa," agrees Alastair.

"I thought 'paper pusher pet' has a rather nice ring to it..."

"SHUT UP DEVINN!" echo both Alastair and Talyssa in near unison. Devinn shrugs his shoulders and puts his hands up peacefully.

"Yeah yeah Dane, I see the flags high and clear," responds Drake sourly while avoiding Emerson's gaze entirely.

Stover Delft, who to this point has been watching his constables' behavior without comment, spits his Nicodemus leaf once more to the ground and clears his throat to end it. "I haven't made my mind up yet...on the next round of orders for you all. In case that wasn't well stated. Ven, Taflis, Sorginson and the rest should be returning back to HQ by nightfall, and they'll form the basis for a strike team against Gale tomorrow if it comes to it."


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Gemma casts a hard eye at both Drake and Devinn, openly displeased with both for their unprofessional behavior, especially given the seriousness of everything that's just happened.

But she then looks back to Delft. "Sir, do we yet have any assurance that the king is now safe and there is no more threat? Or should we try and do another sweep or two just to be sure?"

Anything to not be standing here with these two idiots and to not have to deal with the nobles.


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Willem professionally replies to Assistant Chief Inspector with enthusiasm, "Yes sir! Thank you for your hospitality Assistant Chief Inspector, Sir!"

Willem casts a pair of dangerous gunslinger steely eyes at Devinn and Drake and thinks to himself, "If I ever become a Chief Inspector, this unprofessionalism will stop and I would send those two and that idiot, Glix back into the military. Even if I could not, I would try?"

Willem responds to Emerson's comments with a smile but remains to see what the next orders will be.

He looks at Gemma as shes asks Delft for the next set of orders but does not say anything because he caught a hint that Delft may think he is a brown noser instead of someone who has been pushed around too much at HQ.


Female Human (Risuri) Arcanist 3; AC 12/12T/10FF; hp 17/17; +2F/+3R/+3W; Init +3; Perc. +0; Sense Motive +7

Linguistics 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Knowledge (local) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Anneca mulls over what the deva's last words might have meant, in Common or in Sylvan. Surely, it means something. She looks up briefly as Inspector Delft speaks to her personally, offering condolences for the death of her friend and mentor. She nods, trying to keep her mind focused so that the grief doesn't wash over her. She pushes the thought back to put her mind to the task at hand instead. She tries every possible suffix at the end of the deva's words, looking for something that makes more sense.

Try as she might, though, the thought of Makala's death weighs heavily on her. She walks up to Delft, gathering the will to ask a question of him that she isn't sure she wants the answer to. "Inspector, sir, may I ask you a question? Is the RHC going to raise Makala from the grave before she passes through the Bleak Gate? If we recovered her body, and if anyone has earned it in service..," A thought strikes her and moves out of her lips without filter. "Maybe that was the goal of such a large bomb - if the king were blown to bits, there wouldn't be enough to raise from the dead. The classic assassin's dilemma - that killing a man of means will be a temporary setback - wouldn't apply."


Male

Stover Delft's reply to Anneca is as if he tastes ashes, even though he nods in agreement. "That is how that would be done by those experienced in the field of spycraft and assassination. It was taught, for example, in the old days of the R.S.S. before it was formally disbanded. I don't know if there is anything of her to recover...the last sending from Kaea to me said these traitors were very thorough in that regard, though her enchanted blades were discovered intact. Serena had one made for her you see, which is why it was identified by the team so quickly."

Delft doesn't say anything else for a long moment, clearly brooding on the loss of one of his finest agents. All around the circle there is silence - even for one such as Devinn LeMont there is no desire to turn a phrase or mock the mood. They have lost one of their own, and though it was neither the first time nor expected to be the last, the mortality of their profession is keenly felt by all of them to some degree.

The Inspector seems to shake himself out of his own reverie, and waves his cane over to Gemma in an attempt to change the subject. "To your inquiry Atherton - I would say we have no assurances whatsoever that our King is safe and there is no more threat to consider. In fact I would never presume such a thing, and I would like to think none of you would either. Yet the assassination plans communicated by the seniors to us seem to indicate this was the lone plot. They'll tell me otherwise if something turns up but..."

Assistant Chief Inspector Delft stops in mid-sentence just then, his eyes looking suddenly distant and unfocused. The grip upon his walking cane tightens to where his knuckles are white. Then his eyelids start to flutter as if in the midst of some waking dream.

Knowledge: Local or History DC15 (Anneca already made it):
The R.S.S. is the acronym for Risuri Special Service, which until the end of the Fourth Yerasol War was the principal branch of Risuri spies and agents for centuries since the Great Malice after the Second Victory. Presided over by an appointed "Minister of Spies" and ultimately answering to the Kings of Risur, the RSS was a highly secretive but decorated service, responsible for some of the greatest exploits to counter the plots and machinations of the Dragon Tyrants of Ber, not to mention the first three Yerasol Wars with Danor. However, by the time of the Fourth Yerasol War the RSS had fallen to disrepute and scandal, with excesses and corruption from its agents, culminating in the discovery of several prominent spies turned turncoat to Danor and Drakyr. Six years ago (594 A.O.V.) after several public trials it was disbanded. Prior to its disbandment, the RHC's mandate was strictly internal to the national borders of Risur, whereas the RSS could operate both domestically and abroad. Since the downfall of the RSS, the RHC took on its foreign mission duties.

Anneca:
Try as you might, the relevance of "So" or "Sor" doesn't hold any significance to you, other than perhaps "sorcery" though that would be an odd last word to shout. Stover Delft's notion of 'Soliogn' does seem to fit the most...assuming Gemma Atherton and Willem Muhnee both heard it incorrectly.


Female Human (Risuri) Arcanist 3; AC 12/12T/10FF; hp 17/17; +2F/+3R/+3W; Init +3; Perc. +0; Sense Motive +7

Spellcraft 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

"Inspector! Are you all right?" Anneca shouts as Delft slips into some sort of standing seizure. She reaches out to grab his arm and stabilize him even as she tries to figure out what the source of his ailment is.


Male

Anneca:
You think it is a spell from direct observation, and probably arcane at that. Whatever it is, it is far more powerful than anything you've ever seen or even heard of before.

Delft continues to have his eyes flutter and seems to be in a great deal of discomfort, but unlike a man under some sort of affliction "No...I mean yes, yes I am all right. It's Assistant Director Cyneburg...her spell to contact me...it's rather unpleasant."

Drake Wellingham had begun to reach forward as well though Anneca was faster. Unlike his prior belligerence he simply says to the group, "Yeah, I've met Cyneburg once in Slate...a real hard old b#%&% she is. Strongest arcane in the RHC though."


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Knowledge-Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Willem still affected by the blast and the lost of a fellow constable is slow to recall anything about the RSS and is awaken from searching his mind when Constable Anneca asks if Assistant Chief Inspector Delft is ok. He follows Constables Anneca and Drake to catch him or back up those if they should miss.

Constable Muhnee remains silent as the Assistant Chief Inspector decides if he wants the Constables to remain active until the parade is over or start processing the evidence and locating the primary suspect. However inside, he is deeply impatient to do something instead of waiting for an old man to make up his mind. Personally, he would have the constables remain on protective service until the event was over to make sure. From his experience in the military, Intelligence does not always get things right and there is always someone smarter and more devious than you. Lastly, even Garrys could have been a distraction to a larger scheme?


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Well, that's a terrible way to contact someone...although handy. I wonder where the hell she is to have to contact him like that...and why.

Gemma makes no attempt to grab Delft as he already has two others there to steady him. Other than looking around from time to time to try and keep an eye on the situation around them, Gemma waits on orders and perhaps new information from Delft via Cyneburg.


Human Alchemist (Grenadier / Saboteur) 1 AC 16/13/13 / HP 10/10 / F +3 R +5 W +1 / Init. +3 / Perc. +5 / Bombs 5/5)

Wiggling a soot covered pinky finger in his ear, Arthur sighs as his right drum finally pops with a head-rushing equalization. The world seems to spin for a moment and the demolitionist feels a rush of nausea before regaining his balance. Abruptly Arthur pats down his left and then his right pocket looking worried, before with a grin producing a slightly crumpled cigar.

With a flourish the nettles born native stuffs the unlit tube in his mouth before quickly lighting it. The end burns coal red. Smoothly the man withdraws the cigar from his mouth and glanced at his hand. The shakes had worn off from the rush of excitement following the explosion. Lords was it work of art.

So Chief, what's the word? We going to peacock or can I see about having a pint for a hard days work?


Male

Willem:
Of course as a constable of R.H.C. Slate Branch, Willem knows of Assistant Director Lauryn Cyneburg, technically second-in-command to only Director Nigel Price-Hill himself. Yet she rarely involves herself in the operational or day-to-day aspects of R.H.C. activities at Slate, leaving those "lesser" duties to other Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors of rank there. Half-elven and older than King Aodhan himself, Cyneburg is said to be the most powerful mage in the R.H.C., and second in power only to Principal Minister Harkover Lee, who is widely regarded as the most powerful wizard alive in Risur.

She's also thoroughly unpleasant, arrogant and condescending to all except Price-Hill, though very efficient at what she does. Willem has never spoken to her personally, but her mastery of teleportation and divination magics is legendary in the R.H.C., and she often personally presides over the teleportation of R.H.C. veteran constables on mission from the capital city's famed Cloverdelve Circle. Needless to say, Willem has never been part of any mission that called for a visit to Cloverdelve Circle.

The spell that affects Delft goes on for a few seconds more before ending just as abruptly as it started. The Inspector relaxes the grip on his cane and opens his eyes after a deep breath. "Right." He takes another breath and spits on the ground, shaking his head slightly as if to clear his head. By way of explanation, he says to Anneca and Talyssa, "Assistant Director Cyneburg has a special spell she herself created, akin to a sending but much more powerful, as it can convey thoughts as well as visions as if she were in a dreaming."

To the rest of the constables gathered around him he then says, "The Royal Skyseer Conclave have performed their...whatever it is they claim to do with omens, and I have now seen it firsthand. Cryptic and lacking precise information as usual, but they confirmed that Gale Soliogn is still in one of her holds in the Cloudwood under the protection of fey, and not here in Flint. As for the danger to King Aodhan, they see..." He pauses for a moment as his eyes seem to recall the vision just thrust into his mind by Cyneburg that she must have witnessed herself from the Conclave. "They saw him consumed by a great fiery explosion, where fire and water are close but do not meet. They saw a pulsing red gem shine with the essence of Jiese. Then there's some nonsense about a tree that is sundered at the fork of two branches, in the midst of a verdant hedge-maze where fey of light and dark stand opposed to one another as if playing a game of kingschess. In another vision, two swords with crowns encircling them are crossed, yet salute one another before everything is swallowed into a black vortex of...nothingness except for a gleaming golden bar at its heart. Somewhere a giant man cries great black oily tears, next to another laughing man who has many voices yet no form, yet his eyes are turned from the vortex and looks to the sky as if oblivious to the danger behind him. Nothing more about the King that I can see..."

He shakes his head briefly as if to shake off discomfort. "Rubbish as usual, but I'll convey it to Kaea Than'dil and see if she can make some better sense of it. At least we know Gale is not in the city, that much seemed plain to me. Still, the seniors will form a strike team in the event we need to start hunting down her camps of operation in the dawn."

"Consumed by a fiery explosion, the gem, where fire and water are close...the warehouse next to the shore I'm thinking," offers Alastair Rayne in thoughtful suggestion.

"Right. I see it that way as well," says Delft.

"Chief," interjects Talyssa, who looks briefly back to the Coaltongue as yet another carriage of nobles disembark nearby to the cheers of adoring crowds, "I should get going to the ship if you don't have further need of me. My dress uniform is up there and Shipwright Masarde will be expecting me to go with him for a final walkthrough of the tour for the King and his entourage."

The Inspector nods to her and waves his cane. "Off with you then Constable Dane, and good luck - I'll see you onboard after the King's blessing event." Turning to Arthur, he tells him, "A pint of the good brew may be in the cards for you Wilde, but not quite yet. It's going to be a long night for all of us, so let's get assignments sorted out, now that we know what we know."

With a murmur of nervous thanks and a quick wave to the others, Talyssa Dane leaves the circle of constables and makes her way nearby to a small service quay that is guarded by several elite Risuri soldiers, showing her R.H.C. badge to gain admittance to the gangplank ramp.

"Save me a spot for one of your tours there Jet!" shouts Devinn LeMont in the direction of Talyssa as she starts up the service ramp. She gives him a quick wave in response.

However, it's the Assistant Chief Inspector that has the next word out. "What? Tour? Where do you think you're going, LeMont?" He spits Nicodemus juice on the ground and gives him a fixed stare. "You think I'm addled enough to let you woo and swindle half the North Shore nobles on tonight's maiden cruise? With the King in full view? You've got to be completely daft!"


Female Human (Risuri) Arcanist 3; AC 12/12T/10FF; hp 17/17; +2F/+3R/+3W; Init +3; Perc. +0; Sense Motive +7

Anneca listens to the bizarre vision as Delft describes it, having little patience or appreciation for such a vague description. "It could be anything," she mutters to herself. "Keep it vague enough and you can claim that you predicted anything..." Once it's clear that Delft is steady and at no risk of falling, she lets go of him and gives him some space. Taking on such a vision cannot be easy.

She approaches Willem with a look of consternation on her face. She doesn't like admitting fault or that she needed help, but she also doesn't like leaving thanks unsaid. "Look, thanks for coming to my aid back there. I survived and got to add to my scar collection. That's the important thing."


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

Emerson takes advantage of now not being in the spotlight to turn the tables on Devinn. While standing behind the Chief, he acts out a pantomime of Devinn dressing for the reception on the Coaltongue, only to be told no by his commanding officer. He begs and pleads only to be re-assigned to another location. It is by no means good but Emerson enjoys himself none-the-less.


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Gemma interjects after Delft seems stable and Anneca has spoken. “Sir, I’m not one for Starseers myself but I know of them a little. Their predictions are fickle and vague as Anneca mentioned. There’s never any way to know if what they see is past, present or future….or even if they see some alternate version of it all, but what if the place ‘where fire and water are close but do not meet’ is the Coaltongue herself. This may sound completely daft, but one of the nobles could easily ferret in a magical gem on a necklace. Maybe even throw it into her furnaces or something. Not to be paranoid, but this may not be over yet.”

Gemma is measured and sure but hopes she hasn’t overstepped her bounds. “Just thinking of options, Sir.”

Here goes…now I’m going to have to hear it from Drake and Devinn. Whatever. I just don’t want to see Talyssa get blown to bits if I’m even remotely right. I’m not sure I really give a shit about the other two.


Male

Devinn LeMont scowls at Emerson and gives him a facial of expression of 'very amusing har har' while Gemma offers her interjection, seeming barely to pay attention to her. As for Inspector Delft, he hasn't fully finished with LeMont yet, waiting for what is expected to be the bard's inevitable reply on why he should join the grand affair on the maiden voyage of the Coaltongue. Delft though is the first to reply to Gemma.

"It's not that far-fetched, Atherton. Opinions, Constables?"

Alastair Rayne muses with a hand to his clean-shaven chin and nods. "Sounds reasonable, certainly."

"Rayne, you just agreed with the Chief that it was likely the warehouse." scoffs Drake Wellingham irritably. "So which is it then?"

"Well they both seem plausible to me," answers Alastair Rayne with a friendly shrug, prompting Drake to throw up his hands in exasperation.

"Yes yes, quite the promising thinking from H...her Battalion Academy mind there," offers Devinn LeMont, attempting to steer the conversation back to his side. "We need to cover all the alleyways so-to-speak, and so you need constables of quality to keep an eye on matters onboard ship. And Chief Inspector, I have to say with all honestly..." He draws his arms wide as if about to make a bow, with a winning smile all full of bravado and supreme confidence, "It's me you need up there, Chief. It's Devinn LeMont."

Though Drake mutters an expletive and Alastair incredulously shakes his head, the show-off constable continues his pitch to their boss. "The King has bodyguards aplenty, but that is not what you need more of. I am the virtuoso of mingling and blending in, able to interact with those both highborn and low, and will sniff out any sinister plot should it be out there. Who else assembled here can do this?" He waves a hand dismissively at Emerson. "The offended undersecretary of paper? Hardly!" He next points to Willem. "The country yokel there, what with his calvary spurs and longcoat ten years out of date? Please!" He points then to Arthur. "Cigs n' Gogs here perhaps? Only if you need the bilge pumps room inspected the entire time and not topside!" Devinn then scoffs at Gemma openly. "Or perhaps you want to take the Battalion brat with her delicate stomach onto open sea and gossip up the scribes onboard unscripted? Of course not!"

Anneca sees Devinn look at her directly then, but for whatever reason he does not call her out one way or the other. Instead he points to Francis Kane. "Take Kane here if you need someone to keep a close eye on the Beran Ambassador, Chief, but let's utilize what we are best at, shall we? I am your man for this, and you need only the best."


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Gemma smirks a little, not at all personally offended by LeMont’s words but just by the man himself. She does appreciate that he didn’t openly use the name he coined for her, but she can’t let the insults go unanswered.

She casts a quick appreciative glance at Alastair and then looks back to Delft to offer her suggestion. “Begging your pardon, Constable, I know it’s not my place to say, but perhaps Constable LaMont’s talents would be better served on the Coaltongue, seeing as how he is our only constable of quality currently available to represent the R.H.C. It would not only offer him the personal satisfaction of being able to get a good look at every noblewoman’s breasts, but it would indeed allow him to get at least a passing glance at their necklaces and gems…and maybe even their faces.” Her recommendation is made with all professionalism and seriousness, as if she is truly offering a valid option and not openly disrespecting a fellow constable. However, she then levels her stare directly at LeMont. Annoyed that he’s choosing to put his personal agenda above the safety of the king and also insulting her comrades in arms, she just can’t help herself. “However, if the Starseer vision is about the king and the Coaltongue, perhaps you'll find a way to protect him or Constable Dane before any explosions.”

She thinks for a moment, as if weighing whether or not to add something. She remembers hearing a snippet of a conversation a while back about Devinn being fairly terrified of oceans, so she’s quick to add one last point. “Oh, and you are aware that she’s in port and not dry docked, right?”

She knows full well that she’ll probably get a reprimand, but as far as she’s concerned, Devinn LeMont’s showboating and insults towards the other constables at a time like this is absolutely reprehensible.


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Willem rolls his eyes at the seer's vision, "Why can they not speak the King's language instead of some sort of cryptic cipher? Leave the encryption to the battlefield."

Drake's harsh comments brings Willem out of his thinking, then spits chew in the direction of Devinn but not hitting him, "I am here on loan and I will go wherever you see fit Assistant Chief Inspector. And I do agree we should stay deployed until the ceremonies have ended."

Willem smiles at Gemma's professional response and nods his head.


Male

The Assistant Chief Inspector regards the words of his constables without comment, seemingly unconcerned about their antipathies and rivalries playing out so openly. He almost looks bemused at the responses, speaking only when the others have had their say on the topic.

”What I need, Constable LeMont, is for you to finish what you started and take the rebel Docker Dafton Marne alive. Tonight. Or is it your notion to let escaped enemies of Risur that you failed to apprehend running about?” Delft spits on the ground for emphasis and regards him sternly.

”I…no Chief but…” stammers LeMont as he is taken aback by the accusation from his boss, the look of confident bravado fading quickly. ”Chief as I relayed before, I was alone and out of time before the barricade was going up! It was my only hand to play!”

”Thought you said had the Docker Grimsley with you.”

”And risk his reputation? Do you know what they’d do to Grims if he was known to betray a Docker to us? I had him stay back out of sight.”

”Didn’t have the confidence to take him down by yourself then?”

”I…Chief he’s one of the best underground brawlers in three districts! Spell and sword perhaps, but it would’ve been a scene in front of hundreds, and you made it clear discretion was highly preferred.” LeMont seems truly offended now with the questioning of his decisions.

”That I did, LeMont.” Delft spits once more and points his cane at him. ”Yet the fact remains that Dafton Marne is at-large. Preliminary confessions to Constable Kane from the other three men taken all confirm Marne hired them for this job, which makes him a ringleader of some level. The four rebels taken at the warehouse are too wounded to be interrogated today, so I want to know what Marne knows – I want Dafton Marne in our basement holding cells by dawn tomorrow. You know Bosum Strand better than any besides perhaps Jaevin or Ma…” Delft pauses as the name of arguably his best agent now deceased, rephrasing his commands with a harder edge than normal, waving over to Alastair in his orders. ”Smoke Marne out and bag ‘em, Constable LeMont. Constable Rayne, you’re in command of mission. Make sure it gets done. Pull whatever resources you need from HQ not deemed critical by Ven or Taflis for their strike team – Constable Sorginson will stay at HQ and authorize any requisitions you deem essential. Got it?”

Alastair Rayne nods affirmatively. ”On it, Chief. Come on, Dev, let’s go bag our game.” He gently pushes at Devinn’s chest to move him off from the circle, grinning at the misfortune of his colleague.

Devinn LeMont, however, seems to be dumbstruck by the rapid turn of events. ”Aw c’mon Chief! Chief? You’re gonna bring Heaves onboard to muck it up with the scribes and King, but leave me out of it?”

”Dev, let it go.” Alastair effectively keeps blocking Devinn from circling back and keeps him moving away from the rest towards the Fleet Square bridge, clearly amused.

”Chief c’mon!”

Delft waves off LeMont with his free hand, the scowl upon his face clearly evident. After a moment he taps his cane on the ground twice and waves to get Drake Wellingham’s attention. ”Better go with ‘em, Drake. LeMont’s got a point about sinking a Docker’s reputation, so if there’s a chance you and Alastair can take Marne down without LeMont being identified that would be preferable. Either way, get him bagged.”

”Right, Chief.” Drake looks at the others briefly, then shrugs and says to his boss while looking at the Coaltongue in the background, ”You would’ve just had me frezzing my ar$% up on the roof of the wheelhouse watchin’ all of those fat nobles eatin’ and drinkin’ anyways, so I got the better end of the deal on this watch.”

”Good man, now go on with you.” Stover Delft watches Constable Wellingham hoist up his heavy crossbow and head off after the other pair, catching up with them at the bridge. ”Now I need a volunteer – not you Muhnee – to fetch up all of our bagged traitors over at Central’s main precinct hall and have them escorted to our own holding cells at HQ. On my authority – tell them to send along a healer if they have to for the wounded ones, but I want all seven in our own basement. Constable Taflis will lead the questioning of them tonight.” Reaching for a pouch for more Nicodemus leaf, Delft asks, ”So who’s it gonna be?”

”I will.” It is Francis Kane that answers first before anyone else can, stepping forward as if eager to be away from the cheering crowds and V.I.P.’s behind them. Nodding curtly to the others, he adjusts his vest and scarf so his R.H.C. badge is clearly evident, then walks off towards the bridge, now leaving just Emerson, Anneca, Gemma, Arthur and Willem in the circle around Delft.

”Well well…look at the ’four-double-nines’ who foiled the grand plot on their first group outing eh?” He nods to Willem then. ”Constable Muhnee, since you got yourself wrapped up in all of this I’d say it’s only fair you get to see it through with the rest of ‘em.” Delft then draws out a golden pocketwatch, inscribed with something they cannot make out but clearly more valuable then their own assigned silver-and-steel issued timepieces. ”Watches out, please. I make the time as five minutes past five o’clock. That gives you just forty minutes to get back over to Royal Square where your R.H.C. dress uniforms are stowed, clean up as best you can and make it back here by quarter till. The King gives his blessing of the ship at six o’ clock sharp, with all onboard and anchors up by six-thirty. A long night ahead for all of us, but I certainly won’t have Flint Branch outnumbered in her home territory by Slate Branch, am I right? Now off with you.”

End of Scene. Next one starts in forty minutes back with Delft near the same location in front of the ship. Think about what your R.H.C. Dress Outfit looks like - unlike military dress there is a certain standard of grey color and decorative golden braid, piping and buttons, but not a single exact uniform. Style differences are present. For the ladies, they can choose either to wear a more standard 'uniform' look with pants, or a full-length gown/dress and petticoat ensemble. Hats are preferred for both men and women and part of the outfit.


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Willem nods his head in response to ACI Delft regarding prisoner pickup in a professional tone (not military), "Yes sir." And continues to wait for further instruction.

Willem smiles in response to "seeing it through", "Thank you sir." He then stands up straighter with hope on his face, "I will take that as a compliment, are things getting better?! I surely hope so!"

Willem quickly takes out his watch and looks at the time, "Understood, a quarter till."

Willem's stuff is still on the Avalanche, correct or did he have to take it with him to Flint HQ?


Female Human (Risuri) Arcanist 3; AC 12/12T/10FF; hp 17/17; +2F/+3R/+3W; Init +3; Perc. +0; Sense Motive +7

Thirty-nine minutes after their dismissal, Anneca stands ready near the Coaltongue. Her breathing runs ragged from running back and forth in an effort to be presentable, but the rush kept her from getting too lost in thought. She grimaces as she wishes yet again that she had the skill of most wizards with minor magic that would help her clean herself off. Instead, mundane efforts were hastily done. She is thankful, at least, that her hair is short and easy to maintain. It took several minutes to furiously clean the blood from her body, having dried and stuck to her skin. Her hand unconsciously returns to the healing laceration on her side that damn near killed her, and she reflects on the extraordinary power of magical healing that makes her feel no more than a lingering twinge of pain.

Anneca shifts uncomfortably in her formal uniform. With its high collar and epaulets, she feels trapped in the heavy coat. Fortunately, she was able to track down a holster for her pilfered pistol, and the remainder of her weaponry hangs off her leather belt or is slung over her shoulder. Unlike several of the others Constables - LaMont, for instance - her formal uniform is as utilitarian as possible with as few frills as the command staff will let her get away with. Last time someone had suggested she wear a dress as part of her dress uniform rather than trousers, she launched a verbal barrage about the uselessness of such a suggestion and the mental capacity of Constable Crux for suggesting it. She has always utterly refused dresses, finding them useless and ineffective as clothing. She finds the uniform hat almost as useless, but at least it keeps the sun out of her eyes. Anneca turns to Gemma as she fiddles with her hat, trying her best to make it stay on her head in a way that she doesn't notice. "I hate these covers. They make us look like carriage drivers."


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Gemma smiles to herself with Anneca’s comment. She quickly licks her thumb and rubs a spot on her hand, hoping that the spit will help remove the last smudge of dried blood that she just spied. “I dunno. I’ve always kind of liked my dress greys. Nice and formal. Clean lines. Perfectly pressed. Makes me feel all gussied up.” Anneca notices that Gemma’s dress uniform is indeed a bit fancier than hers. It’s not gaudy by any means, but certainly more tailored and form fitting around the waist and with more gold braiding around the edge of the high neck and epaulets. She’s even had it made double breasted with gold buttons down either side. All in all, Gemma seems quite at home and comfortable in her more dapper attire.

She straightens her cuffs a bit before continuing. “That and I’ll wear just about anything as long as it’s not a dress. I’m dreading the day where we’re called upon to attend some ball that requires it.” Gemma makes a little huff in regards to the thought of it, then makes a few final tugs on the front hem of her jacket, readjusting her sabre and tonfa on her belt in the process. Anneca notices that Gemma’s somehow made time not only to get everything on her uniform perfectly in place, but also to braid her hair as if she’s had much more than three minutes to do it.

Gemma turns to Anneca, seeing that she’s having trouble with her hat, and helps her to get it straightened. However she manages it, she very quickly gets it to sit just right so that not only is it no longer annoying, it’s actually somewhat comfortable. “There. Now don’t mess with it. Right?”

Gemma takes a moment, trying to figure out what she’s going to say next and in what order. She looks a little past Anneca first before meeting her eyes and saying a bit sheepishly, “So…I’m glad you didn’t die today. You’ll probably get a really nice scar out of it though!”

Nice. Please tell me you did not just say that. Really?

Anneca and Gemma have never really spoken much, despite sharing an office. They really haven't had the time for it. They've spent most of their time in training or testing or doing what seemed like endless paperwork. However, Anneca did discover Gemma’s tendency towards social awkwardness fairly early on. It’s pretty much all business and not a lot else. She knows she has a sister that she lives with and that she had a rivalry at the Battalion with someone named Sebastian Lockwood who’s now in the army, but not much past that. She’s certainly not chatty, which has been kind of nice. But despite it all, there’s something in the tone of her voice that let’s Anneca know that she’s sincere.

Suddenly, in a quiet motion and in an out-of-character gesture of sisterly bonding, Gemma gently grabs Anneca’s hand, squeezes a little, and then quickly lets go. “I’m truly sorry about Makala. I know she was more to you than just another constable. We’ll get this figured out for her. You’ll make her proud.”


Female Human (Risuri) Arcanist 3; AC 12/12T/10FF; hp 17/17; +2F/+3R/+3W; Init +3; Perc. +0; Sense Motive +7

Anneca takes a glance upwards to check on her hat, hopeful but not convinced that it will keep its precarious position on her head. Dressing herself has always seemed like a chore. Plenty of people have asked her why she would cut her hair so short when it is such a beautiful color, not understanding that she keeps it short to avoid the effort of maintaining it. "I grew up poor. Orphaned, actually, so clothes have always been nothing to me but a way to stave off the cold. And this is so stifling that I might as well be wearing armor, as far as my spells are concerned." Her words seem out of place, considering Gemma's gentle support that she seems to be ignoring entirely.

She trails off and grows quiet for a few seconds, letting herself mourn Makala quietly. "She was my friend. My only real friend. She was the first person to see some potential in me. I joined the R.H.C. because I wanted to be like her. She was so incredibly talented. I can't believe..." She takes a deep breath. "You're right. We're going to get justice for her. Whatever it takes. I'm going to find whoever did this and burn them from the inside out."


**INACTIVE** Risuri Human Male Adult Slayer/Gunslinger / LVL1/1 / HP:11/20 / AC:17 / T:13 / FF:14 / Perception:+6 / Initiative:+5 / F:+5 / R:+7 / W:+2 / Speed:30 / Hero Point: 1/2
Skills:
Bluff:+5,C.(alchemy):+4,Dipl:+2, Intimid:+5, Dungeon:+4,Geo:+4,Local:+4,Prof(Constable):+6,Ride:+3,S. Motive:+6,Stealth:+3,Surv:+6, -2 DEX/ATK

Willem quickly makes his way over Royal Square Checkpoint to pickup his uniform and possibly get dress there if it has a privy. If not, he goes to closest privy to get dress. Being in the military, Willem is not new to having an impeccably clean and pressed uniform even after traveling. In an inspection, the inspecting officer would not find any Irish pennants, no medals or ribbons out of place, everything will be where it is supposed to be and straight as an arrow according to regulation. Like most men in the RHC, MOST of the uniform makes them look quite handsome and project authority. And then there is the cover (aka the hat), Willem thinks it is a form of torture or someone fell asleep when designing the uniform. He thinks the men's cover makes them look like prancing horses in a parade. Lucky for him, the RHC is not as strict as the military when it comes to wearing the cover. In the military, if you are outdoors, you must wear your cover. If you are indoors and not under arms, you must take it off.

Willem looks at his cover and shakes his head, "I can never get used to wearing this cover. Who designed this uniform and hat?! They got the uniform correct, but man, the cover sucks!"

Willem looks at his watch, he hurriedly polishes up his Pepperbox pistol, dons his holster, straightens his holster, quickly places his pistol in the holster, throws some ammo in his pocket, makes sure there is no lint or dirt on his uniform, secures any gear not permitted with the uniform with his daily RHC clothing, and runs out the door with the prancing pony cover his his right arm.

Willem runs up to Gemma and Anneca with his cover in his right arm and not making any quick movements to don his prancing pony cover. Seeing that Gemma and Anneca are not smiling when he arrives as the first male at the meeting place, Willem responds, "Sorry for my interruption and again, my condolences."


Female Human (Risuri) Fighter (tactician) 3rd AC 20/14/16 / HP 33 / F +5 R +5 W +2 / Init +6 / Perc. +7 / Sense Motive +5

Gemma, oddly, smiles a little with Anneca’s last statement and seems completely unfazed by her lack of appreciation for the help. “Well, we managed to burn the first one from the outside in, so inside out for the next one seems appropriate.”

She smiles again and can’t help but straighten Anneca’s lapel slightly before turning to face forward. She takes a moment to look around, taking in the surroundings and looking to see where the other constables are. Without looking directly at Anneca, she goes out on a limb and continues the conversation. “You know…I didn’t grow up wealthy. I grew up on a farm outside of Flint.” She rocks back on her heals a little. “It’s funny though…you feel the weight and heft of the uniform as oppressive while I find it…for lack of a better term…comforting. All that based on how we grew up or things that happened to us when we were children.” Gemma muses at the thought. “Different situations creating different people but still ending up in the same place, so to speak…and both of us not making many friends along the way.”

Anneca realizes that that’s probably the most Gemma’s ever shared with her outside of the office. She has no way of knowing, though, how far out of her comfort zone Gemma’s just gone in revealing where she comes from.

Gemma happens to spy Willem through the crowd and holds up a hand so that he can see them and make his way over. She nods to him, as an acceptance of his apology, after he’s walked up.


Human (Risuri) Oracle/Gunslinger/Investigator AC 16/12/14 / HP 30 / F+5, R+7, W+6 / Init. +6 / Perc. +4 / Sense Motive +4 / Max Grit/Luck Pts 8

Emerson slides up to the gathering of constables in his dress uniform. It is both immaculate and seemingly non-descript at the same time. "Your hats look fine ladies." He elbows Willem in the ribs for effect.

"I guess we're just waiting on Arthur and we can board?

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