Malia says, "You have to listen to your patron and you serve at his leisure. What do you mean by that?"
Cretien sits and observes, but does not engage strangers in conversation, trusting his more gregarious allies to play to their strengths in the investigation.
She says, "I have to help the customers."
Isaac waits to see if either of the new arrivals comes out of their compartments. While waiting he approaches Malia and asks, "Were those the guns for the safari I saw being loaded on? If so I'd love a chance to examine one before the safari. What sort of animals will we be hunting?"
Malia says to Falko, "Well, he is a patron with whom I have had a few business dealing in the past and he has an urgent message for me but I cannot speak to him until later."
And she then turns to Bray and says, "Well sir, I will be glad to show you the weapons after lunch. It is all quite safe, they aren't really animals per se but rather malice infused creatures. We will be leisurely shooting them from atop the train."
At lunchtime, Luc Jierre and his elfen compatriot come out of their cabin and into the First Class lounge to has some food.
Falko
At lunch time, Malia has one of her guards bring you the rifle so that you can inspect it. It is a very well made weapon of fine quality.
Isaac takes his time examining the rifle and then says, "This is an exquisite weapon and would very much like to try it out. Who else is joining in the safari?" he asks Malia.
Malia says to Isaac, "We have a number of guests joining in on the safari. Mr. Grientos and his son will be taking part, as well as Ms. Bree Kaldeckis and Mr. Olivert Boone and Mr. Cardiff Hengehill. There will be food and refreshments. We will set everything up after we cross the border into the Malice Lands."
Throughout the day you mingle with the other first class passengers in the lounge car. The train goes through a city every hour or so, until finally at 4:51 pm it reaches a station at the base of a hilltop fort. This marks the border between Danor and the Malice Lands. Numerous soldiers disembark, leaving the coach section fairly empty. A boisterous band greets them, creating a festive atmosphere for a few minutes before the train moves on. The air tingles and seems to shift temperature and humidity based on one’s emotions (hence why the fort tries so hard to keep its troops spirits up) – a result of the ancient magical catastrophe. Outside the train, the terrain south of the track is a bog with jagged rocks rising out of it; to the north is a flat sheet of ice with cacti sticking out of it.
Malia the train guard comes through and reminds you all ‘while magic can work, because of the risks it poses we must insist that none be used until the train reaches Orithea.’ An assistant with her begins moving all the clocks on the train forward one hour. You’ve entered a new time zone.
After border patrol makes a perfunctory check of passports, they disembark and the train pulls out of the station. About half an hour later, Malia returns and says,
‘Safari time everyone!’
‘Will all of you who want to shoot at malice beasts please come to this end of the carriage’. She hands out rifles to those who are interested, then leads people up to the roof of Car 19. ‘I’m used to walking on the train roof while it’s moving’, explains the nimble guard, ‘but for those of you less used to it, I suggest you sit down and plant your feet on the lip along the edge. Obviously we’ll stop the train if anyone falls off, but it will cause a significant delay to our timetable.’
The train slows to a leisurely 20 miles per hour. This afternoon’s safari will have to be brief — the train’s schedule can only spare about half an hour—but tomorrow you’ll have a couple hours. ‘A keg of beer and pitchers of hot spiced cider are provided to make for a pleasant experience even if no monsters show up’ Malia says with a smile, a moment too soon though, as you spot horrific mutated giant slugs and gorillas and walruses loitering a few hundred feet away.
In addition to yourselves, Bree, Boone, Cardiff, and both Damata Griento and his son Tarro want a crack at the monsters and climb up to the roof. Griento teaches his son how to hold a pistol. Bree seems more interested in watching how others fare in the challenge than in the strange monsters around you. She looks like she has a new vigor since crossing the border. Boone takes out his gun which is crimson and makes a bet with Angus. Cardiff Hengehill introduces himself with a Risuri accent and cool demeanor, shakes himself up a quick martini from booze he picked up in the loungecar and offers one courteously to Bree, as he transfers the cord of his briefcase to his ankle instead of his wrist, so it won’t bother his shooting.
As the train rolls past the monsters roar at it and start charging after it, trying to leap onto its side and climb up. Malia just laughs, confident people in and on the train are safe, but keeps her pistol cocked just in case. Boone and Cardiff effortlessly take out four, and Bree takes out two. Tarro gets one to his father’s delight.
Cretien ascends to the top of the train, in part due to his keen interest in new firearms and in part due to the mention of hot spiced cider. He makes small talk with the Griento family before testing the aim of the musket himself.
Angus will be going over to the top of the train and join in the safari bu will not be using a musket to fire.
He will just enjoy the food and beverage and will try to get some excuses to have a closer look at the participants hands during the event
Isaac looks at the strange beasts and says "Those are awful looking creatures. Let's see how this thing works."
Upon seeing Cardiff's expertise he says to him "That is some good shooting there. I think I'm better off with my crossbow. My name is Hillary, Hillary Bray. You've traveled this way before?"
You are able to notice that most of the passengers are wearing rings, but if you could only see if there was an inscription. You notice that Bree is wearing a golden ring, Mr. Jierre's and his alleged wife are wearing silver rings. Cardiff is wearing a pinky ring. The Grientos are wearing rings of weaved copper.
Falko
Cardiff says, "The crossbow is a weapon of a more primitive era. I have been through here a few times. I conduct business on this railway. Mostly securing manufactured good from Drakr or Danor for my homeland."
Cephas wanders over to Luc Jeire and tries to strike up a conversation. "What brings you up top, Sir? Rather dangerous for a man of your station, no?"
Jierre stutters, "Errhummmm, cccccuuuurrriossitty. IIII nnnnnevvvver bbbbbeeennn iiiin thheee Maaaalice Llllands before. III Liikeee Cheeerrage bbbeesst."
He looks at you quizzically and then nods.
"Curiosity, yes, that is something I can relate to. I take it that curiosity is what takes you to, uh... wherever you're headed?"
Jierre says, "Fffamily bbusiness. Mmmmust rrrrepresent ze clan yyyaaaa knowwww. Bbbbuttt ddddeeee beasts interessssst moi"
Angus /Stehphan will go an engage in casual conversation with Bree he looks over the firearm an tries to engage in casual conversation I more of a traditionalist when it comes to weapon but i see you have experience on this modern ones. Would you mind teaching a few things about them in case they becomes so common that i will be at the end of a muzzle once two often ?
he says
Cardiff snaps at Falko and says, "That seems to be unnecessary, its on my ankle." he shrugs and then quickly recovers and says "Thanks for the offer though."
Cretien and Isaac take down their targets without much fuss.
Cretien
Knowledge Local DC 10 Cretien DC 15 others
of the country’s Minister of Outsiders Lya Jierre, Luc
was always thought to have felt inferior to his family. From childhood,
his stutter made him socially withdrawn, but he found
comfort in the arcanosciences. He could express himself
on paper in clear formulae, and he could learn a
skill the rest of his family did not possess.
Jierre says, "IIIIs ggggooinnn to Elfaiveeeerrrr."
"I've read your work, it is quite impressive. I take it you are on your way to a conference, or a working group?"
Cardiff says, "I have it. So what are you doing here?"
Falko
Bree says to Angus, "I don't see why not." as she wraps her body around his showing him how to hold a weapon.
Cardiff says, "Ah you are some sort of guard, how fascinating what is your patron up to? Quite, its connected to my ankle. Is Mr. Bray your patron or is it Mulheer?"
Jierre says, "Weeee haveeee tooooo llllook over an aaaartifact zzzzhat was discovered in Elllllfavir."
"Oh, fascinating. I'm a field researcher, myself, looking into history, magic, lost religions, planar energies, really anything that is interesting."
Cardiff speaks with an easy, educated manner about other stops with Falko, but Falkoo senses that he’s not really interested in chitchat. He most certainly does not want to discuss the briefcase (‘a private matter, I’d be grateful if you could respect that’) and responds to queries about it with cool disapproval. He does indicate that he is going to Nalaam. He’s a very good shot though.
Angus' shot goes wide.
Jierre says, "Iiiiinnnnnteresssannnmoi
‘Oh my gosh! Who is that!’ shouts Malia, looking in horror to the front of the train. About ten carriages ahead is a single figure standing unsteadily on the top of the train roof, bellowing and waving a crowbar in the air in frustration. He wears a long patched coat that you recognize: this is the half-naked man running away from the guards last night in Cherage. ‘Be quiet – sleeping! How rude!’ he roars in a strangled voice. ‘Guards!’ responds Malia. ‘Arrest that man!’
Cretien makes note of the situation, but does nothing. Not only do the authorities seem to have things handled, but unnecessarily acting like a hero at this juncture is not befitting a researcher.
Isaac stops looking at the creatures and says "That looks dangerous. Some one should stop him."
Falko
Malia says, "Of course Mr. Bray."
The mysterious man is chased by guards and ducks down and hides in one of the cars, but the rest of the safari passes without incident, and you all get to shoot a couple of mutant beasts. Boone (of course) manages to get the head of one of them as a trophy.
The evening sky is streaked with the brilliant colors of gold, violet, red, and blue. More than just a sunset, the heavens warp and change the sun’s light into an aurora, painting the sky with streaks of iridescent, chaotic color and ribbon of ethereal light.