"Well that is an interesting and unique approach. One question... how many have you lost attempting to harness these forces? It seems rather haphazard and dangerous. Do you really understand the forces you are working with? How did you come by this knowledge".
He makes sure to step back and take any partial cover the room offers to reduce any damage.
The wizards blink at Dingus. One answers at last. "I think that was three questions actually. We come upon Cyphers likely the same way that you have. Through dangerous adventures investigating ruins and poring over the arcane lores of the ancients. If we are skilled enough to uncover a Cypher then we are certainly powerful enough to use them."
Mugging a menacing grin Kaul moves to the door, then attempts to steal inside
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Yet you struggle to master this supposedly simple spell? Power must be tempered with caution and knowledge. A rat can uncover poison bait, but still eats it unaware of it's danger. Perhaps we can combine our knowledge and coordinate our approach to it. I'm all for a quick roll of the dice to try things but have enough scars to prove that's not always the best tact".
At this statement Richard rises from his warm nesting spot in Dingus's snake pouch and nods his head wisely.
"Let us take the time to research what we can and implement what we learn before we succumb to blindly trying things".
The door is locked, but Kaul is able to force the cheap lock with nary a sound and slip inside. In the dim light, he can clearly see a naked man standing in the center of the room with his eyes closed. We wiggles his body and waves his arms in some sort of dance to the music in his head which is emitted in an out-of-tune phrase hummed intermittently. The slight odor of flayleaf mixed with aromatic herbs comes from a pot of tea cooling on a small stove.
The man continues his dancing without opening his eyes to notice Kaul.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kaul grimaces inwardly, knowing all too well that anyone cavorting naked likely is mad as snakes, a wielder of arcane power or worse yet... both.
Taking no chances he holds in the gloom and retrieves sap from belt... watching the dancer warily and then creeping forward to crack the addict...
It is certainly not Kaul's most solid hit, but given the unclad and unaware state of his prey, the sap's blow knocks the man flat out and unconscious on the floor.
The wizarding trio exchange looks and Dingus isn't certain what their take on his uncharacteristically sound advice will be, finally one shrugs and says, "If you will share your knowledge, then we will consider what you say."
Kaul mugs a grin then lumbers o'er to the inert cavorter.
He places a boot on the man's chest, then gives him a light slap;
"Wakey -wakey Otuk matey... We needs to 'ave a little chat..."
Kaul has a good many skills, but nursing the wounded is definitely not enumerated among them. He smacks the unconscious man around a bit to wake him up and adds a good number of additional bruises and contusions the man's already battered head. Kaul reckons that the sapped sap is going to be out for quite a while. He rips up a sheet to bind the naked and knackered cashier and wonders if he ought to dress the man.
Corliss gives Lyshna a nod before going to do her bidding.When he returns with a couple of burly folks, he helps out a bit himself
Stepping out of the room, Corliss spots a a pair of gladiators in the lobby and is met with cool, somewhat intimidating looks when he tries to recruit them for stevedore duty. Before they can begin to pound his bumpy head though, Temeera shows up to restate the request with the proper authority and they shrug and head into the workshop.
Temeera scowls at Corliss. "You're going to have to be a bit more wary around Lyshna, she's very good at her job, but she's got a sick sense of humor. She may have escaped Nidal, but her tastes haven't changed."
"So that altar's goin' on a ship, eh? Might be touch dangerous fer the crew but not so dangerous to sink the whole ship, I'm hopin'. Is a Besmaran the cap'n?"
"I"m certainly not putting you in charge or Lyshna for that matter so no Besmarans or Kuthites. Just focus on saving yourself around Lyshna and I'll take care of the high level stuff, OK?"
The wizarding trio exchange looks and Dingus isn't certain what their take on his uncharacteristically sound advice will be, finally one shrugs and says, "If you will share your knowledge, then we will consider what you say."
Dingus ponders the best use of his new respected position when one of the wizards, Atraphes, seems quite interested in the fact that Temeera has stepped out of the room after Corliss and Lyshna is trying to get to gladiators that just entered set off the trapped altar.
Dingus isn't sure how seriously his advice has been taken when Atraphes whispers to one of his companions and points to Temeera's unguarded library. They head over quickly to snoop through the books.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kaul considers dressing the mook, then recalls that most folk who are naked feel vulnerable... unless they dance with snakes by the moonlight...
He mugs a grin, wondering what his mad shipmate is up to, then sets about waiting for his captive to come to.
"Ohh! Let me help!. I love looking at old books. Perhaps working together we might cover more information".
Diplomacy (Enhanced).
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It is much later when Kaul hears a forlorn moan and then some sifting as the Otuk seems really confused as to how he managed to wake up bound. He doesn't appear to see Kaul sitting nearby in the dark room.
Dingus follows the pair over to the library area.
At Dingus' offer, Atraphes pulls the book he's perusing close to his chest. "Mine." He says and walks a short distance away. His partner follows trying to look over his shoulder. Dingus notices a notebook on the desk and looks more closely at what is written within.
"Ohhh! What this"?
Will Save
Dingus barely has a chance to glance at the latest entry- something about a diversion for the shipment arriving at- but the words shift and he feels a compulsion to return the book directly to Temeera. He closes the book and takes several steps toward the door when something explodes behind him.
He turns to see the two wizards lying unconscious on the ground, robes torn and bleeding from their noses. Lyshna explodes in laughter pointing at the blasted mages. "Explosive Runes! Classic!"
A moment later Temeera runs into the room and stomps over to the book on the ground and picks it up, frowning at the two fallen mages. Dingus turns holding the notebook forth as he moves to return it to Temeera.
"I told them they needed myh help... but no... they had to do things on their own. I know better than to just blindly try things. Here, is this your journal"?
Bluff
Temeera frowns, but is convinced of Dingus' good intentions. "They should have known better than to touch another wizard's books. Corliss, are they still alive? Mend them if you can and then tell them they are fired."
Corliss finds the blownup wizards alive, but barely.
Temeera pockets her notebook and makes sure the altar is safely boxed and readied for transit. "Corliss and Dingus, you are hired. We'll be moving this all down to the ship now. Gather whatever tools that you will need."
"Gotcha, boss!" Corliss replies before moving over the the spell-blasted mages and using one of his healing channels.
He helps them up before regretfully informing each that Temeera has fired them for the accident. "Don't shoot, punch, bash, maim, or otherwise harm the messenger, OK? An' what don't kill ya makes ya stronger, right?"
Next Corliss moves to gather some tools that might be needed, casting guidance twice on himself, mumbling "Where's that hammer I saw earlier...where's that saw?", giving himself a reason for using the orison just in case anyone present recognizes the spell. In truth, though, he uses the spells to help his mixed-up brain recall any details about the land of Nidal and the religion of Zon-Kuthon.
Zon Kuthon is brother to the Love Goddess, Shelyn, but he was twisted by jealously and maybe other forces and now revels in causing pain as do his worshippers.
As his captive comes round, Kaul chuckles and makes his presence known;
"Hur.. Evenin' matey. Sorry 'bout the knock on the noggin' an' bindin' ye up. 'Opefully that'll be the worst o' it fir ye..."
He ambles toward Otek, jigsaw grin an' all menace;
"Jus' a few answers Otek, then Kauly'll be gone, leave ye tae yer nudi-tea... Hur-hur-hur! Who knows ye might come out o' tonight with an opportunity or two... Iffin' Ol' Kauly 'ears good things eh?"
The thug rumbles a chuckle as he taps his notched ear.
The man blinks, struggles weakly at his restraints and moans, closing his eyes. Kaul waits for his words to sink in. Otuk squints into the darkness. "Who are you? I can't see anything. Am I blind?" There's panic in his voice.
Kaul chuckles;
"Hur... Ye ain't blind lad. You just ain't seen the light... Now don't ye worry bout me, worry bout singing me the right song. Then ye can 'ave some tea and get back to cavortin' in the buff."
The thug pauses. Beady eyes glinting in the dark, his rough voice shifting to a less jocular tone;
"Now. Onto business. Questions'll be asked. Ye answer. But iffen them answers ain't to my likin' then we 'ave a problem. Ye don't want a problem."
Dingus quickly grabs books, scrolls, and whatever trinkets draw his attention. More than once he drops everything he's picked up as he tries to add more items. Finally, he sticks a couple of interesting things in his pockets, a stack of books, and balances some loose scrolls on top, then heads out.
Corliss meets up with Dingus and any other hirelings, ready to move to the ship in question.
Corliss meets up with Dingus and any other hirelings, ready to move to the ship in question.
Dingus tries to catch up with Corliss and get in a private word.
"Where are we going? Are we supposed to sail off somewhere? How would we let Kaul and Jim know what's happening? Should we just make a break for it"?
"I don't think we be settin' out to sea; just carryin' stuff to the docks an' settin' it up on a ship. Iff'n they try to set sail...then we jump over the rail, I guess."
"Now. Onto business. Questions'll be asked. Ye answer. But iffen them answers ain't to my likin' then we 'ave a problem. Ye don't want a problem."
The man sobs. "I-I don't want any problems. I-I want to live."
Temeera gives Dingus the side eye and sighs, "OK, we won't need all of that. Can you conjure a conveyance? Like this." Without waiting for Dingus' response. She completes a spell and a translucent disk of force floats above the ground. The gladiators load a heavy crate on it and then the remaining wizard repeats the process for the other crate.
The group then moves out of Zincher's tenement and down the street in a somewhat conspicuous parade of the wizards followed by their floating disks, flanked by gladiators, and the others following behind. More than a few townsfolk stop and stare at the curious procession until it reaches the inner harbor and stops at a ship named the Orchid moored at a prominent dock.
Kaul chuckles at the concern;
"Hur... Me neither lad. So let me knows I 'ave the right o' this: Yer name is Otuk, an' ye work at The Goblin right? Fir Lixy right? Oh an' ye 'ave a pred-lick-ation fir Riddleport tea?"
The man stops moving and just lies still on his back, eyes staring into the void. 'Yes, all true," he replies to Kaul.
Kaul nods to himself, then continues;
"Now am guessin' yer boss don't know about your brewin' preferences. So from 'ere on in, iffin' we keep it our secret you need to tell me true..."
The brute's beady eyes narrow;
"Now I 'eard yer boss took some troublemakers to task fir damage done in the Goblin. Crowbarred 'em into doin' some work fir 'er highness... which somehow connects to Zircher Clegg I 'ear tell. Now them mooks she pocketed ain't my concern. What she 'as planned is. So tell me what ye know... o' the job they been tasked with an why... Jus' info lad. That's all I be needin'."
"So tell me what ye know... o' the job they been tasked with an why... Jus' info lad. That's all I be needin'."
"Job? I overheard something about robbing Clegg Zincher and I'd guess it's that really expensive shipment of powerful magic he's supposed to be receiving soon. Rumors say it could even be sun orchid nectar. It's supposed to be a font of youth and I don't doubt it based on the stories going around town about Clegg's near death experience on the Devil's Elbow. I don't know what Lixy would even do with that if she even is Lixy. Half the time I think she's been replaced by a shape changer. Don't tell anyone I said that. The whole plan is only to hurt Clegg. Whoever is pulling Lixy's strings really hates him. Will you let me go now?"
Dingus looks at Teemera... "Okay. So now what"?
Kaul again chuckles;
"Hur. Good... likin' the song yer singing' Otuk... but no, not free yet lad. We're just startin' our chat."
The brute shifts in the gloom;
"So, font o' youth... Right. An' you reckon she's a Shapechanger eh? What makes ye say that?"
Dingus looks at Teemera... "Okay. So now what"?
Temeera makes no reply, but walks up the gangway with the floating platform in tow, then comes the wizard, the guards and the others. Once aboard the ship, Temeera continues down the stairs into the hold which has been divided into several rooms. They haven't been outfitted yet, but the procession is led to a small central chamber and then the floating disks are dispelled and Lyshna directs Corliss and the guards to reassemble the altar while Temeera directs Dingus and the cyphermage to prepare the wards.
"So, font o' youth... Right. An' you reckon she's a Shapechanger eh? What makes ye say that?"
"Because I saw it. I heard Lixy talking to someone in her office. I peeked in to see who was there and Lixy was talking to a beautiful woman. Looked like the courtesan-type. Maybe one of Pamodae's ladies. I went back to the box and saw Lixy leave the office, but when I checked to see if the woman was still in there, it was Lixy sitting at the desk. I know what I saw so one of them must have been the stranger, but looking like Lixy."
Dingus takes note of where the ship is located, and any other beings onboard. He then helps put things away.
"So where are we going, and when are we leaving. I have to get my trunks of clothing and supplies, and let my friends know I'm leaving".
He then look around frantically... "And more importantly where is the bathroom"?
Kaul grins in the gloom;
"Hur. Now that's worth yer life lad. Tis' a good song yer singin'. Now fir some other matters... 'Ere tell, the Lixy took somethin' from one o' them that broke in. An axe with the mark o' the hag an' death upon it. Ye know anythin' o' that?"
Temeera shakes her head. "Oh, you aren't going. You are only needed for the set up. Mr. Zincher has got the crew already selected."
"Not on the Ship! Off you go. Go find a public house on the docks." She shoos Dingus toward the stairs and away from her for his bathroom break.
The captive giggles a little in relief. "I think I'd notice an axe like that if she gave it to one of the guards. And so would others which Lixy probably wouldn't want. I would guess that it ended up in the vault."
Dingus gets intentionally lost roaming around the ship looking for clues about where it might be headed and its mission.
Gets out of sight and casts invisibility.
Profession: Sailor to know where to look.
Perception to not get distracted by any discovered particularly interesting items of clothing.
Corliss works hard, striking up a seemingly innocent conversation about the ship they're working on sprinkled with inquiries about how tough it might be to work for Temeera.
Dingus finds that there isn't much activity outside of the hold and quickly casts his spell to become invisible. Spotting the hatch to the officers' quarters, he is inevitably distracted by the thought that he'd like to see how they compare to his own berth and makes his way through the hatch to have a look. He finds no crew below decks at the moment so he checks a couple cabins. He is unimpressed by the lack of flair: just bunks and locked sea chests, not even a wardrobe or splash of a brightly colored silk tapestry.
**********************
Corliss doesn't get more than cold stares from his fellow workers, but Lyshna seems eager to engage if only to distract him into another painful accident. After Temeera moves off to another part of the hold, the halfling rolls her eyes. "Temeera is such a bore. 'Focus on your task, work more efficiently, Mr. Zincher isn't paying us to play pranks... blah-blah-blah.' I'm glad she's sailing with the Orchid rather than me tomorrow. I'll be catching some good matches in the Arena while she's sitting on a boat for who knows how long. Oooh, what if we help make the send-off a memorable one? Clegg wants to make sure the Orchid setting out gets plenty of attention. I think I could help with that. hmmm."
Kaul mulls the info;
"Hur. Vault. Right ye are..."
The brute rubs a paw across his mutton chop;
"Now, we're gonna go our separate ways soon. Ye don't speak a word savvy? That 'appens an' we never meet again, an' ye keep enjoyin' yer tea...."
He moves toward the bound man, placing his claw upon the man's shoulder as he sets about freeing Otuk from his bonds;
"... Now iffin' word o' this chat comes back tae me... that won't end well fir ye lad."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Otuk gives a startled shriek when he feels the claw drop on him in the darkness. "No, not a word, not sound," he promises cackling nervously as Kaul frees him. Afterward, he lies there on his back, massaging the blood back into his hands, and staring silently into the darkness that hides the ceiling.
Corliss quirks an eyebrow at Lyshna's words. "Well ye can count me out--I don't want that one pissed at me, even iff'n she be half an ocean away on some ship!" the priest replies. Flashing his crooked grin, the Besmaran adds, "I probably could hang out nearby, though, just in case whatever prank ye be cookin' up turns more to the deadly side...."