Rathan sat at a corner table and watched his companions leave. With the talking done, he sipped his drink while his gaze wandered around the tavern and his thoughts turned to the past.
Vi was a bit stunned by the antiquarian's generosity. Curious, she looked at Palisades new "brother"; though she thought pet would be more accurate. "That's a really great...ah...brother, Palisade. He's very...cute?" she said, unconsciously echoing Squeak's assessment of Bronwyn. The rat turned it's cyclopean gaze upon her, and she unconsciously stepped back. Repressing a shudder, she thought, Ugh, still a rat.
Bronwyn had obviously misjudged Kidro. His gifting of Medlindri's belongings to Palisade was surprisingly thoughtful. When he redirected his attention back to the coins, Bronwyn was all smiles. "I can assure you that they aren't stolen. We came across them quite unexpectedly while exploring a lower level of Sharn. I wanted a different and unique experience of Sharn since this is my first time here and our guide," she threw her arm around Arleth, "did not disappoint."
Reassured as to the legal nature of the coins, Kidro and Vi set down to haggling. Perhaps it was his kindly disposition to Palisade, or perhaps the Vi had underestimated the coins' worth, but they settled at about three times the coins worth.
Very pleased, Vi thanked the old gnome, took his modern money, and they left the shop. Palisade doing so somewhat reluctantly.
"Make sure you hang onto your, uh..." she couldn't quite bring herself to say brother, "Bub."
Next she brought Bronwyn to Platinum Heights, where some of the finest shops were. They laughed and giggled their way through trying on several outfits. Vi settled on two dresses for her new Viara persona.
After a glorious lunch at Sannid's Restaurant, they headed back to find Rathan. "If we're going to try Tower Tag, he's got to be in on it," Vi declared.
Bronwyn watched Palisade with his new charge. Anyone who thinks warforged are just mindless machines to command need to see something like this. She secretly hoped that maybe he'd be so consumed with Bub that he may relax somewhat when it came to her.
Admittedly, the wizard was looking most forward to their next stop. Vi had promised her some clothes shopping and she delivered. Bronwyn used the offered sleeves to show the kind of dress she was looking for. "But for colors I was wanting a mix of reds, oranges, and yellows. Whether it's glamerweave or some other material, that's ok." It turned out that it would be a special order but this wasn't surprising to the wizard. She purchased one other outfit along with Vi and made arrangements to return to pick up her other dress.
"If we're going to try Tower Tag, he's got to be in on it,
"That and we should take our purchases back to Squeak's. It doesn't do to be carrying this around all afternoon. I guess it's time to shed Arleth and become Vi. Be prepared to be schooled in Tower Tag by your childhood friend."
Squeak looked around "Souls appear to have a limited duration - approximately thirty seconds. It may be possible to increase that duration, but I suspect the increase in size will quickly render this incapable of flight. Potentially there is a way to build some sort of repository in which a Forged could be backed up. The Soul would then only need to transport the most recent memories." Squeak shrugged with a sound like grinding gears "This would neatly explain the human need for sleep. Some sort of... remote backup process to an extraplanar storage area."
Squeak formally greeted Palisade's new brother "Welcome Bastion. I am Squeak."
"Forgive me Bronwyn, but Tower tag sounds quite dangerous. A single miscast spell or errant pigeon and you could be rendered inoperable! How about a nice safe game of cards instead. I understand your father favoured Poker?"
Squeak formally greeted Palisade's new brother "Welcome Bastion. I am Squeak."
Bronwyn wasn't sure if Bastion was capable of thought like the 'forged but she didn't want to be rude. "Yes, Bastion, welcome to our tribe."
"Forgive me Bronwyn, but Tower tag sounds quite dangerous. A single miscast spell or errant pigeon and you could be rendered inoperable! How about a nice safe game of cards instead. I understand your father favoured Poker?"
Bronwyn rolled her eyes and gave an unladylike snort. "I'm not going to sit in a room and play cards. I can do that anywhere and we're in Sharn. I will concede that Tower Tag has an air of danger so if you have a better idea, that doesn't involve cards, I'm all ears. Otherwise I'll take my chances with the birds."
tag Squeak or others
Vi's not going to suggest something else - I want to play tower tag! Tell B's nervous nellie babysitters to relax and come play! :)
Squeak desperately tries to think of something that might appeal. "Theatre? Restaurants?" his mind flashes back to the talk of soldiers he was stationed alongside "Drinking? Brothels?"
He pauses "Maybe you could live through the death of the 'Forged whose soul we have? That was certainly an experience I'll never forget."
Bronwyn started at Squeak's last suggestion. "Brothels!? You don't think that's a somewhat inappropriate suggestion? Besides, what would you or Palisade do?" The thought of how that scene may play out was going to give Bronwyn nightmares for weeks. She shook her head as if trying to erase her mind. "At least with Tower Tag you can come with."
She gave a small laugh at Squeak's last comment. "I don't think I can experience the soul of another warforged like you can. There's no place to hook it up. I can assure you that I don't want to play Tower Tag to experience death."
OK, 24 more hours and back on the story line...
Questions?
Game on!
"Why is it inappropriate?" asked Squeak, desperation to change the topic masked badly by curiousity - "I thought humans loved brothels. The soldiers used to talk about it all the time. I've got some recipes to write up, and I'm sure Palisade could pray quietly in a corner."
"Oh, come on!" The newly transformed Vi stamped her foot in impatience. "Stop being rooted! This is Sharn! Let's fly!"
However, she had to laugh at Squeak's suggestion. "Oh, this is too much. Look, I'll fill you in on why that was not appropriate later. But time's ticking!" Slapping Palisade and Rathan on the shoulders, she said, "You guys are in, right?"
tag
Turning to Squeak, she sized up his plating. "You probably are heavier than the max allowable anyway. You can stand below, and be ready to catch her."
Swishing through Sharn in her new silks, Vi led them to the Adventurer's Quarter. The Warforged continued to protest , but Vi was determined.
"Look, tomorrow I normally have dinner with my family. If you'll just let us do this, then I'll invite you all to dinner. What do you say? I real safe Sharn experience. Deal?"
tag
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Why is it inappropriate?" asked Squeak, desperation to change the topic masked badly by curiousity - "I thought humans loved brothels. The soldiers used to talk about it all the time. I've got some recipes to write up, and I'm sure Palisade could pray quietly in a corner."
"Correction. This one would be interested in observing the initial phases of the manufacture process of new humans," the 'forged announced. "It is a constant source of amazement how even unqualified labor can result in passably functional beings. Logical conclusion. *Qualified* labor could lead to much improvements in the end product. To improve the process, it's current state should first be observed in detail and documented. Perhaps charts and diagrams could be drawn, for use of educating the next generation."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Bronwyn actually took a step back from both of the 'forged and held up her hands as if pushing away the disturbing image from her mind. "Ewww, gross, no. You don't get to watch, ever. At least not when me or anyone else you know is involved. And there are plenty of books and diagrams already. If you're really interested, I'll track something down for you."
"Look, tomorrow I normally have dinner with my family. If you'll just let us do this, then I'll invite you all to dinner. What do you say? I real safe Sharn experience. Deal?"
Squeak considered for a second.
Under the faceplate Squeak's mind had worked furiously. On the face of it the invitation seemed quite boring. Yet Vi presented it as a high value offer. Was this related to some secret regarding the creation of families - something Bronwyn seemed determined to keep from them? What was the value of this offer in the social negotiations around Bronwyn's activities 'What social minefield have I fallen into, here? Why don't humanoids come with a manual! I can't negotiate when I don't know the value without giving away my lack of knowledge! I have to agree or risk further exposure.'"Deal."
"Why is it inappropriate?" asked Squeak, desperation to change the topic masked badly by curiousity - "I thought humans loved brothels. The soldiers used to talk about it all the time. I've got some recipes to write up, and I'm sure Palisade could pray quietly in a corner.""Correction. This one would be interested in observing the initial phases of the manufacture process of new humans," the 'forged announced. "It is a constant source of amazement how even unqualified labor can result in passably functional beings. Logical conclusion. *Qualified* labor could lead to much improvements in the end product. To improve the process, it's current state should first be observed in detail and documented. Perhaps charts and diagrams could be drawn, for use of educating the next generation."
"Ewww, gross, no. You don't get to watch, ever. At least not when me or anyone else you know is involved. And there are plenty of books and diagrams already. If you're really interested, I'll track something down for you."
It was then that the wizard realized that the 'forged needed something more logical than her reflexive response. Taking a deep breath and trying to sound patient, Bronwyn said, "To use your terminology, the initial phases of the manufacturing of humans is considered a private act between individuals because one needs to be naked and is thus vulnerable - we've discussed the issues around nakedness before. It is socially frowned upon, that is inappropriate, for others to watch. Even if the act is done without the intention of manufacturing a human, such as what one does at a brothel, it is still impolite for others to observe. And one typically doesn't encourage people they care about to manufacture humans with numerous different partners or strangers - or at least this is true of parents. And the highest violation of social convention is to watch people you know in said act. Which is why I reacted the way I did. Does that clear things up for you two?"
tag Squeak and Palisade
"Oh, I see! That's much clearer - thank you." Squeak nodded at Bronwyn, then turned to Palisade "It's that whole lack of an exoskeleton issue. Remember when digger set up that ambush in the latrine where he would stab people using it with the spiked spear, then pull them down into the pit? The commander was horrified when he discovered what Digger had been doing that week, but couldn't explain it properly - despite his enormous score."
They take up the same slot. The 'soul' was just read and there's nothing more to it than replaying it.
"Oh, I see! That's much clearer - thank you." Squeak nodded at Bronwyn, then turned to Palisade "It's that whole lack of an exoskeleton issue. Remember when digger set up that ambush in the latrine where he would stab people using it with the spiked spear, then pull them down into the pit? The commander was horrified when he discovered what Digger had been doing that week, but couldn't explain it properly - despite his enormous score."
"Agreed. Unit Digger did receive many a celebratory toast that week, though this one does recall people kept staying upwind of him, no matter how he insisted he had bathed afterwards," Palisade said, nodding in thought.
Vi immediately wished that she'd was wearing Arleth's Face, and more importantly, her gear. Vi had her daggers tucked away, but hadn't brought any of her other weapons, or her new chain shirt. After all, why would she need them? Except now...
Coincidence, right? Surely this has nothing to do with the fact that we're coming to check for messages. Right?" Her voice indicated her skepticism.
Grabbing her wand, Vi cast mage armour over herself, just in case there was trouble inside. Drawing both daggers, she looked around for danger. Seeing none, she began to move inside.
I think I'll move this along tomorrow (too late today) so let's get some posts for Actions 4?.
We can always 'reminisce' about the other actions if someone wants to write about it.
Game on!
Action 4:
Coincidence, right? Surely this has nothing to do with the fact that we're coming to check for messages. Right?" Her voice indicated her skepticism.
"Sure, coincidence." But Bronwyn's tone of voice suggested she thought otherwise. "Something or someone really didn't like that door. Was it really necessary to rip it off its hinges?"
"Maybe we should see if everyone's ok or if there's a message?"
"Palisade. Proceed inside. I will guard Bronwyn. This could be a diversion - our patterns are known." Squeak focused on the danger to Objective far more than any injured inside. After a moment he added "If it becomes necessary I can switch position." 'Palisade's cures are only good for a few people. I can stitch wounds all day.'
"Palisade. Proceed inside. I will guard Bronwyn. This could be a diversion - our patterns are known."
”Acknowledged,” Palisade grunted, drawing its mace and shield and moving closer, using the shield to knock open the door so it could peer inside without actually crossing the boundary.
Ignoring the rain and the distant thunder, Palisade walked in silence towards the Speaker's Guild's message station, feeling oddly completed. The reason for Palisade's feelings of spiritual fulfillment made himself apparent by poking his small whiskered head up from under the 'forged's heavy armor to peer at the city with his lone eye full of curiosity.
Palisade had made good his intentions of modifying Bastion's old cage into something it could then attach to its own chest, giving the little construct a safe and secure nest where he could sleep or sit up to watch the world through a hole in the 'forged's armor's gorget. A few pieces of Lady d'Deneith's discarded undergarments had been procured and put to use as bedding - after all, if she had intended to use them she surely wouldn't have left them lying around her room.
Palisade had spent many a silent hour in deep communion with its newfound relative, coming to a mutual understanding. Bastion, having been made by the Goddess-Creator during her years as a graduate student in the Tinker's Guild was several years Palisade's senior. Thus, the right of being the Goddess-Creator's High Priest was his by right of birth Palisade would take up the role of a Deacon, and it had to admit having the heavy weight of the High Priest's burden being passed to a more deserving shoulders came as a relief. Palisade was content to take up the role of the messenger of the faith - for some reason, it seemed Lady d'Deneith and the others were much slower to learn to understand the depth of Bastion's thoughts. Thus, the larger 'forged would speak on it's elder brother's behalf.
Right on cue, the little rodent twitched his long whiskers and made a curious whirring purr of a sound, to which Palisade nodded as if it had just heard sage wisdom put into words. "Fervent agreement. It is as you say, Elder Brother," Palisade answered. "This humidity is most unwelcome. We are past due for a spell of dry weather."
"Palisade. Proceed inside. I will guard Bronwyn. This could be a diversion - our patterns are known."
”Acknowledged,” Palisade grunted, drawing its mace and shield and moving closer, using the shield to knock open the door so it could peer inside without actually crossing the boundary.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
PS: sorry for the delay, been (still are) busy. :)
Rathan: you still with us, right?
"Report any hostiles." Barked Squeak "4 through 8 o'clock clear." There was something soothing about the familiar rituals of scouting, he reflected. Everything was so much simpler - so much cleaner.
"Reporting. One neutral down. No enemies in sight," Palisade answered, taking note of the sling stones scattered among the mess of overturned tables and toppled piles of documents and pools of ink. "Secondary evidence of the assaulters located. Request expert opinion."
With no immediate threats in sight, the 'forged made its way around the mess on the floor to the groaning clerk. "Attention, civilian. Do you require medical attention? Please answer clearly so this one can proceed with triage." The gnome merely groaned again, but Palisade decided to take that at face value and gently raised the clerk's face off the table he was slumbed on, inspecting the immediacy of his need for healing.
Seeing that Palisade was caring for the clerk, Vi gingerly stepped in and began to look around. "This place is pretty torn up. I wonder what happened. Palisade, can you get her awake and talking?"
Taking care not to step on anything, she began to search the room.
With no immediate threats in sight, the 'forged made its way around the mess on the floor to the groaning clerk. "Attention, civilian. Do you require medical attention? Please answer clearly so this one can proceed with triage." The gnome merely groaned again, but Palisade decided to take that at face value and gently raised the clerk's face off the table he was slumbed on, inspecting the immediacy of his need for healing.
"The messages!" she cried. "I have to check on the messages!"
The clerk took a moment, but eventually recognized them from their frequent visits to the message station. She explains that a band of kobolds charged in and attacked her. There were at least four of the vile creatures. After they subdued her and made sure the place was otherwise empty, a human-sized individual wrapped in a dark cloak entered the shop.
"The stranger had a deep, rumbling voice that was strong and threatening, and the kobolds followed his direction without question. He asked if there were any messages for you; the clerk admitted."
"It was an amazing coincidence," the clerk explained. "because I had just transcribed a message for you from the speaking stone. I must have glanced at the scroll I was holding, and the next instance the man in the cloak had snatched the scroll with one hand and hit me with the other. That's the last thing 1 remember."
------------
you may take 20 on perception as long as you have the time, this would be a good 10 minutes in this room.
Bronwyn started moving closer to the door after Palisade and Vi entered, which meant Squeak moved closer. When everything seemed to be clear, she stepped inside in time for the clerk to regain her consciousness.
"If you had just transcribed a message, do you remember what it said?"
Vi focused on the clues, hoping to figure out what happened. Hopefully the clerk would remember their message.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Rathan?: going once...
Rooting through the papers and debris, Vi found several small stones scattered around. "Sling stones, look. These aren't just pebbles - they're weapons. And look here," she pointed to some inky footprints, "these have claws. Kobolds, I'm sure of it."
Moving to another part of the room, she saw another footprint, a very strange one. It was faint, only made with rainwater on a piece of parchment. It was big, much larger than her own, but cloven. Not like a goat, rather....she looked over to Palisade and Squeak. "Looks like another of our Warforged fanatics got here, based on this print. Unless either of you have something you'd like to confess?"
Action 1:
Bronwyn smiled gently, "The training of House Sivis clerks is renowned. However, if you happen to remember what you may have read before the attack then it would help us bring your attackers to justice. Just because you're not supposed to remember doesn't mean it's a bad thing if you do. Believe me, whatever information you may share with us will go no further than this room. Bad things may happen if your attackers learn the information meant for us."
tag gnome clerk
Action 2:
While the gnome checked on her messages, Bronwyn looked around the room. Once the footprint was pointed out, she recognized it for what it was. "How many more warforged are involved in this? As soon as one is removed, there's another waiting in the wings to wreak more havoc."
tag ?
OOC:
No more info than what was already provided.
Angie: the checks and results are for expediency. That way, you can roll and already know what you gained instead of rolling and having me tell you afterwards. It helps to speed up the game and I trust you guys to only act on character knowledge.
Shari: please give me some sort of 'social' check.
Questions?
Game on!
She excused herself, “I’m sorry but I’m not supposed to recall messages.”
"Admonition. Please stay stationary, young man. This one it attempting to administer first aid. If the patient will not cease and desist, this one is prepared to restrain you to your bed for the duration of the proceedings," Palisade announced, apparently annoyed its patient was feeling well enough to put up a fight. "Instability of short-term recall is often the result of blunt trauma to the brain. This one urges you to respond to Lady d'Deneith's query. Establishing acuity of your memories is vital for determining long-term care requirements."
whatever you are trying to do: diplomacy, intimidate, or bluff.
Action 1:
Bronwyn smiled gently, "The training of House Sivis clerks is renowned. However, if you happen to remember what you may have read before the attack then it would help us bring your attackers to justice. Just because you're not supposed to remember doesn't mean it's a bad thing if you do. Believe me, whatever information you may share with us will go no further than this room. Bad things may happen if your attackers learn the information meant for us."
The gnome responded shyly, "It was &om Lady Elaydren d'Cannith."
She quickly added, "But the details I cannot say. It isn't really any of my business."
------------
I'll move this along tomorrow...
"Little chance we can intercept now. Tracking someone through the city is difficult at best."
"We need to know what it said." pointed out Squeak, talking to the gnome. "Is there a way of asking for re-transmission of a message if the message becomes garbled? Will the original on the other end have been destroyed?"
Vi looked up from her investigation of the room - she'd learned all she was going to. Her voice incredulous, she said, "You mean to say that you transcribed a message FOR US, and you won't tell us what it is? After your carelessness cost us the message in the first place? I think you better wrack your brain, young lady, and give us the message we came for. It could be very important, to help us stop those creatures that attacked you. You don't want to be in danger again, do you?"