Storyteller Shadow |
Xing Shi
"Very well you may bring your contact here since you know the way. I am not pleased that he wishes to have this meeting at night. I must tell you that I already find the request to be unsavory asking for a meeting to happen at night in my experience generally means that the nature of the activities will be immoral at best. Have you eaten? I can have a meal prepared for you if you like. I prefer to get to know someone before making deals with them and I know nothing about you".
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji
As the gondolas move into the city the man at the edge of the docks comes up and the gangplank is lifted with him. With the poor lighting you are not able to get a clear view of him but you feel that if you see him again you will know him though at the moment he is not familiar to you.
The men head down into the ship likely to the cabins whereas the automoton crew continues to take its post at the edge of teh cargo hold. No sounds can be heard now exceot for the creaking of the ship. What do you do?
Storyteller Shadow |
Sorry folks with the holiday and what not I was a bit slow in responding. Work is crazy right now so that is not helping things out. I will get back to a number of you once some of these scenes play out.
Storyteller Shadow |
The Captain pours a drink for everyone but himself.
"Drink a bit to take the chill away from your bones my friends. Soon we shall be done with this whole affair and you back to your normal life Venetian unless of course you continue to associate with Sadir. That one is quite the snake . What do you really know about him eh?"
Before you can answer there is another man who pokes his head in the cabin, one you have never seen on the ship before. He is dressed like a Turk!
"Captain, I believe all is well below deck. I wish to slake my thirst if you do not mind".
The Captain looks back at him, "Here? That is madness you realize".
The Turk grimaces, "I doubt these westerners will even know I was here Captain".
The Captain pauses, "Make sure you cover your tracks then, I don't want any mishap ruining our deal. The Ghost is already out there checking to make sure none of the Prince's men challenge us. No doubt if this all goes well our next trip here will be much more pleasant".
The Turk bows to teh Captain slightly and heads back up the stairs, you do not even hear them creak in the slightest as he makes his way up.
The Captain turns to you again. "My apologies you were saying?"
Storyteller Shadow |
Xing Shi
"Some but not most. We are a society that has prided itself on being a leader in trade especially maritime trade. Our greatest foe is nature and the next greatest after that each other. If one can survive in the elemenst where the winds are ever unpredictable and if one can survive in this city one can survive anywhere. It is why even Empires bow to our whims because we have achieved a toughness of mind and will they can only dream of. The entire world against our flooded city and for a millenia we have thrived. It is no easy task I assure you. However, ruthlessness breeds envy and contempt which is why we must at times show charity to others to take the egde off of such feelings and reduce the animosity that our enemies feel towards us. Or perhaps it is because you appear hungry. Either way you are the beneficiary of a free meal. Now tell me girl where do you come from and why is it you are brokering a deal so very far from your homeland?"
Storyteller Shadow |
The Captain chuckles asdo his men when you mention the Turk, "He coudl you are right but he is a hunter of men. For him to go the Inn would be the same as finding half eaten game in the wild there is no thrill in it. If I am dangerous he is lethal".
"Tell me what will happen next once this transaction is complete?"
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji
Make a Dexterity + Stealth check to slip away unseen and unheard. The DC is an opposed check so the higher the rolls the better!
Xing Shi |
Xing Shi eyes the man trying to determine if he is being genuine.
Per + Empathy?
3d10 ⇒ (9, 8, 2) = 19
She takes a seat across from him and takes some food in before answering his questions.
"I come from the Yuan Dynasty, which you westerners call Mongol. My family was butchered when I was a child and I ran west to get away from the savagery. I made friends with some of you westerners such as Luigi and lived in a Monastery for many years. When I was of age I decided I wanted to see the lands of the West which I have heard so much about and here I am." She smiles a bit.
"I needed a job and running around for someone as a messenger is not such a hard thing to do so I do it and it keeps me fed, well most of the time." She eats more food watching him.
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji
Great, then we have tied! Re-roll your Dex+Stealth.
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji
Your feet barely skim the water as you swing onto the dock with only a slight thud. You swing your head to and fro to make sure no one is about and you proceed through the mist heading back into the city proper.
The mist is still thick and you hear no other footsteps on the docks with you when you turn a corner. Standing before you in the mist is a figure which wears a strange helm that covers its entire face. Its body is large and misshapen with arms and legs of bizarre proportions.
The figure speaks to you in arabic, "Nice night for a walk but not a nice night for a swim. You are fleet of foot and know your way around this city. I admire you for your skills. Tell me why are you out here this night snooping about?"
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji |
Coming to an abrupt stop, Alessandro's hands are up, empty, with palm turned outward.
The young man responds in Arabic. "I'd much rather the term surveying, if you please. But, thank you for the compliment. This is my city.... or rather I belong to it. I have come to love and protect it. Come, walk with me... we can talk if you wish."
From behind his own mask, he watches the other.
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji
The figure shakes its head, "You have presented me with a dilemma. I did not expect you to be able to converse with me at all. In fact I expected you to be rather confused and with your confusion justify my killing you as the death of yet another non-believer. So you see I can no longer morally justify my actions and this presents a problem. Instead I will ask you why you were spying on that ship in the harbor if your response does not please me I will let you know".
Alessandro Khadaji |
If the language saved his life, he might was well go with it. Alessandro continues in Arabic. "I can be full of surprises, Masked-One. I'd thought you read my mind and knew I spoke Arabic... I'll chalk it up to serendipity. Excuse me... cramps, you understand.
Alessandro squats slowly, working the kinks from his legs. He continues from this squatting position.
And, I am a Believer... in a great many things. As to the ship, I will say this. The canals, the ships, their cargo are the life... blood of Venice. Many people's livelihood depend on the commerce transacted there. Any threat to that commerce, is a threat to the people of Venice.
I bow my head and bend my knee to no Noble house, nor the Doge. I care only for Venice. As my father cares for Alexandria and my grandfather before him for Cairo.
The young merchant stands slowly then, reaching for his own mask even more slowly and removing it. I am Alessandro Khadaji, if you will be killing me... I believe that we should be properly introduced.
Michele Querini |
Storyteller Shadow |
Xing Shi
"Then it seems that this is a better life for you than I would have expected. What about settling down to raise a family is this not something you desire?"
Storyteller Shadow |
"I am happy to be of service Signore. Perhaps in the future you will find my services useful again"
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji
The figure standing before you makes a gurgling sound which creates a wave of revulsion in the pit of your stomach, from the way this man gesticulates it would appear that he is... laughing.
After some time the figure settles down. "A most entertaining response Alessandro Khadaji. So you are the protector of this city then. I see. Tell me is there something that you found on the ship that the city needs protecting from?"
Alessandro Khadaji |
Once more in Arabic. I am entertaining, but not daft nor as ignorant as I'd or others would have me. Certainly, there were things. But, I know my place and my depth. It is of no immediate concern to me.
We both originally come from a culture of hospitality. How may I help you? How may I be of service... I know not your name, please do not think me rude.
Xing Shi |
Xing Shi laughs a bit out loud at the comment of children.
"I do not believe I ever want children, they seem to be more trouble than they are worth and having my freedom to move about as I like is what I prefer."
"Your son and his friends always seem to stir up a rising wherever they seem to go I do not want that in my life to worry about children."
Storyteller Shadow |
Alessandro Khadaji
In arabic.
"So you were simply curious about the ship then that sailed in at night and sat in a fog filled dock. Certainly suspicious to one who would wish to protect their homeland, albeit it one controlled by Infidels".
The figure pauses for a moment and begins to gurgle the sound omce more forcing bile to rise in the back of your throat. This figure is likely very sick, the word figure sticks in your mind as though it stands and speaks as a man its shape borders on otherworldly. "You may do me a favor yet Alessandro Khadaji. Those who know of me call me the Ghost you will refer to me not at all if you wish to keep your pretty face intact. Know this, those souls being transported into the city will be staying at a place called Greetings at least for as long as they will be in the city. My foes to whom I am forced to be subservient have great plans for these people. My foes are non-believers in the truest sense of the world. They follow none of the holy books and worship their own dark masters. If you would protect this city you would do well to unravel their schemes. That is what I ask of you and nothing more. This is something you would do anyway. My foes have made a crucial mistake, they believe that danger exists only in the form of their own kind, I think that you Alessandro Khadaji may prove them very wrong indeed".
Ghost begisn to recede into the fog surrounding the building.
What do you do?
Storyteller Shadow |
Xing Shi
"A pity then, my son needs a strong woman to direct him. None in this city suit his fancy. Let me know if you would reconsider, I find your exotic nature quite intriguing and I believe that he would too. When you are finished with your food you may take your leave. I look forward to meeting with you and your associate tomorrow evening. If you do not mind please dress in something more feminine I would prefer it that way".
The Querini Patriarch walks out of the room leaving you there by yourself.
Storyteller Shadow |
And so the first half of the night is complete. Some of you have nestled down for the night whereas some of youhave matters left unattended. Those of you who have matters left unattended I will get to as soon as I can - Gunther, Michael, and Michele.
Alessandro Khadaji |
Bowing and stepping backwards, "Mohamed rasuul Allah." Finding more shadow within the fog, Alessandro once more sons the mask of I'll Corvo, and heads away from the docks.
Oy!
Bowing and stepping backwards, "Mohamed rasuul Allah." Finding more shadow within the fog, Alessandro once more dons the mask of Il Corvo, and heads away from the docks.
Storyteller Shadow |
Storyteller Shadow |
Storyteller Shadow |
Storyteller Shadow |