Urgeon prepares for the trip to Scrapwell. "If we use the main entrance the smilers, or for all we know any of the gangs, may just attack us on sight. We can try bluffing our way in, but bluffing and disguises is not our strong suit. A stealthy entrance over the wall may allow us to be a bit more discrete."
Razorend wakes as the others begin moving about. He checks with Meyanda as the group discusses options. "Any suggestions on how to enter Scrapwall without being noticed?"
Fort
Perception
"Let's go right in the front door....look like we belong there! I am sure there are lots of travelers that go to that city"
"The walls are not vertical and can be scaled, but the rubble shifts dangerously at times. I've seen people on both sides slide and fall cut and bruised, miraculously surviving only to be buried in an avalanche of discarded gear and robots."
A ramshackle bridge leads from one side of the river and it only takes a few minutes to get within a mile of the city.
Scrapwall is an intimidating sight. Towers of rusted iron and hills of rubble and ruin, long ago divested of anything of remote value by tech-hungry scavengers, loom from the dusty surrounding plains. Immense lengths of chain, coils of jagged wire, giant clockwork gears, and old corrugated metal cargo containers riddled with gashesbullet holes, and the telltale pockmarks of laser fire are piled high, forming a jagged and intimidating hill-like wall surrounding the interior. Scrapwall is 3 miles across at its widest point, and the walls of junk enclosing its interior are an average of 30 feet high.
A ramshackle pair of buildings with walls and roofs made of strips of leather and fur, timbers, metal plates, and other junk lashed and bolted together sits in a gap in the surrounding mounds of refuse. Between the two buildings runs a metal gate, closed to block passage into the open area beyond.
"I think we should be on the lookout for Smilers but I still think just walking in will be the best bet. It doesn't sound like the whole town is a united front so even if any Smilers do happen to notice us, I don't think they can call the entire town down on us."
"None of us are gifted thieves that can scales good walls easily, let alone bad walls at all"
Urgeon sighs, "I suppose you're right. Meyanda, is there anything you would advise concerning entrance to the city? Do you have any suggestions on how we can avoid the smilers? Do the smilers have any enemies that we can possibly ally with? Does the city have a leader that we can petition or bribe for help?"
"Why all this concern for the Smilers? We killed all that came for us, and none know what we actually look like, at most maybe they have been given descriptions, but I am sure they are not thinking we were going to Scrapwall. I say we try the front door.....Maybe only a couple of us at a time to check it out."
"You forget the one that escaped at the ruins and stole your horse, he might recognize us so it does behoove us to be cautious once we are in town."
"You can walk in past the Steel Hawks guards or climb the walls, unless you can fly. Can you?" She cocks her head, asking seriously.
"No one leads Scrapwall, but the Lords of Rust are the most feared and most powerful, so they hold the most sway. The Smiles respond to that. They've gained much by following the Lords' needs."
"If you wish to be taken seriously, you need to be worthy of the scrap they live in. They respect strength, violence and fearlessness. You could attack the Smilers outright or you could find allies or even be so bold as to make a notable name for yourself. Slay the flying beast or brave the haunted mists. Find your own "scrapworth" and the other gangs will either leave you alone or offer something to gain your aid. Until then ... you're just fresh meat."
She stops dead in her tracks, and looks at you all, "My presence here endangers you. They are hunting me, not you. You should not take me. Maybe you should ... ah ... leave me with the sun paladin. I could learns something from him about his God ..."
At this last, her lines flash purple brightly once and then fade. She calls out once in pain and then falls to her knees, grasping the dirt, whispering "He is gone ..."
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Urgeon nods at Meyanda. "She has a point, these thugs respect nothing but violence. Maybe we should hunt down the smilers immediately and beat them down. Since the conflict is inevitable we should try to fight on our own terms. Gorum favors the bold!"
To Meyanda he adds, "We're not leaving you behind. For better or worse you're part of the team now. Possibly we can disguise you."
He attempts to steady Meyanda as she collapses. "What's wrong? Who's gone?"
"If we are to attack the Smilers, to make a name for us....It will have to be in the city for all to see, that is the only way we will ne knowen. Of course, we will probably not survive, so I would like to choose another course. We should enter, and just stand our ground to any that challenge us."
Ridic scoffs "Leave you? You must be joking. We have risked enough already, but there is no way I am going to allow you go back to the city and seal our fate! No, Nowzai is and will remain your shadow."
Responding to Dalamus, "Not the city ... just with the paladins. They can imprison me if you prefer."
Later after her collapse, she whispers "Hellion, I can no longer feel him ..."
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Razorend kneels, supporting Meyanda after her fall. "Hellion is gone? You mean he has left the area, or just severed his tie with you?"
"I will not bind you if you wish to leave, but I think we can handle any threat -- to you or us -- better together. As you said, perhaps we can earn some protection by showing our mettle to the community. The Smilers are already after us. If we strike their base, we eliminate a threat and gain some 'scrapworth' at the same time."
Looking at Meyanda, "Are you very well known in town? As in, most will recognize you or are there just people and places we should avoid?"
"My gut tells me we should keep you with us and find a way to obscure your appearance, or at least hide it" Kovax sighs and says "What i wouldn't give for a holocaust cloak!"
Once she collapses he will kneel beside her and place a hand on her shoulder, "Are you ok?" Once she mentions she can't feel her god anymore he will squeeze her shoulder in comfort, "I am sorry you had to experience that, as someone who does not pray to a god I can't even begin to understand how empty you much feel right now, maybe our new paladin friend could better help you understand?"
"I would assume those in Scrapwall know me by sight. People I didn't know would step out of way, although I spent most of my time in Scrapmaster's Arena, the Lords of Rust led through fear and respect. They had to know who we are. A disguise would have to be more than a mere cloak if it would survive first contact with any knowledgeable citizens."
She recovers after a moment, looking at Razorend and Kovax in turn, "I can no longer hear Hellion, he has left me ... I know not if he has left the city. I ... am limited ... I shall need to find a new directive. I thought the paladin would be an accessory for that purpose, but if you need me with you, then ... I shall be where the group needs me."
She says the last bit with a slight question as if asking if her outfit is slimming.
"Let us speak to the paladin, he will be far more knowledgeable about this then I am"
Kovax will approach the paladin, (sorry can't find his name) and explain to him what has happened and get his input on the situation.
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Urgeon shakes his head impatiently. "Meyanda will be just fine - there's no need to head back to the keep. We've already wasted too much time. We need to deal with the Scrapwell situation now - I say we head there immediately. Disguises are a waste of time, we're not going to be able to bluff our way in."
Razorend places a re-assuring hand on Meyanda's shoulder. "If this is what you wish to do, we will not drag you into Scrapwall with us. A good part of what I wanted you to learn is that you have that choice... especially now if your ties to Hellion have been cut. Your path is your own."
"The paladin can likely teach you of faith and piety, but I would be wary -- their codes are usually strict and limiting. All well if you share their core values, but not all faithful are so bound. Remember what I told you of Nethys."
"Yes, I am trying to see this and do for you instead of for me. I want to help you but I think my presence will hinder you. Perhaps once you establish yourself in the town you can sneak me in to assist before you approach the Lords of Rust."
She looks past Razorend at Scrapwall, and then asks, "Where can I find more information on Nethys?"
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Urgeon shakes his head at Razorend, "I wouldn't advise leaving her. She's our responsibility and frankly, I think we'll need her help. But, its your call."
"Actually, it's Meyanda's call. I'd prefer she stay with us too, but she makes a good point about her being a danger if she is recognized."
To Meyanda he adds, "I am not carrying any holy text of the All-Seeing Eye. The paladin probably won't have anything either, but for his own faith, but he might be able to explain the gods and their relationships more in depth. If he lacks the answers you seek, we can seek more when we return to Torch." He smiles and looks her in the eyes. "The choice is yours to make, but some decisions may take time and study -- years of seeking, perhaps -- to find the answer you need."
Meyanda ponders for a moment, "I will accompany you to the gate. We can get a lay of the city there and then decide. The Steel Hawks run the gate and they are weak as a gang and have no love for the Lords of Rust. Kolgara was working to have a new leader installed there ... one more pliable. They are unlikely to do anything to you if they see me. "
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"Sounds good Meyanda, having your expertise as long as we can will be incredibly helpful."
Razorend nods with a grin, "Let's get to it, then." He checks his weapons and the straps of his armor and pack, making sure they're secure but loose enough for combat.
Ridic gets his gear ready for the approach. "If we are going to do this, then let's get on with it."
Having made a decision, the party proceeds forward approaching the gate, Meyanda pulling the hood of her cloak as far over her recognizable features as possible.
A ramshackle pair of buildings with walls and roofs made of strips of leather and fur, timbers, metal plates, and other junk lashed and bolted together sits in a gap in the surrounding mounds of refuse. Between the two buildings runs a metal gate, closed to block passage into the open area beyond.
As the party approaches they notice a flitter of motion here and there out of the corner of their eyes and a series of bird calls as challenges and responses ring out.
A man steps out of the building on the other side of the gate and moves toward the gate hailing you with his right hand. Dressed in leathers patched together with small steel plates, he wears the emblem of a hawk's head on his shoulder holding his cloak on. He carries a longsword at his side and a longbow held loosely in his left hand. He speaks with a rough, gravelly voice. "Hail travelers! State your business in Scrapwall!"
Ridic will step forward "We are just travelers hoping to replenish provisions for the rest of out travels. Please allow us passage into the city, so that we may purchase some of your wares and supplies."
Urgeon hands a small bag of 10 gold pieces to the man. "We don't want any trouble. Please direct us to the market."
The guard walks up near the gate eyeing each of you before he answers Ridic's question
Barking a laugh, the man replies curtly, "Ain't no market in Scrapwall, ain't no shops. We don't buy things here, we take them. There’s nothing for you here in Scrapwall, but if you’re looking for a place to live away from the strictures of society, you may find a new home inside."
"Then I guess we're going to have to find some scrap of our own," Razorend grunts. "Open up!"
The man barks a laugh and then glances to his left at the building to the east. He nods and makes a hand motion and then replies to you as the gate opens, "I suppose you do! Go find your squat, friends!"
As you progress through, the door to the eastern building opens up and a well-muscled woman with short hair and a scarred face steps out and leans up against the wall, crossing her sleeveless arms and observing you as you pass. She, too, wears a Steel Hawk on her collar.
"I have no love for the Lords of Rust, you know this ... my lady. And as such, I'll let them down by giving you fair warning. There's a bounty on your head ... Meyanda. And every swinging dick in this town is going to be gunning for you. Hope you greenhorns are ready to fight your way through."
The other man starts as he realizes who Meyanda is and stumbles backward, fear evident on his face.
Kovax smiles at the woman and admires her scars and physique openly, "That you are willing to warn her shows honor and courage, both of which I admire, I am not sure if this place has any sort of a tavern but if you can point me towards it, I would love to buy you a drink there when you are off duty" He says with a warm smile
Razorend asides to Meyanda, "Well, you called it. I understand if you wish to go back, but I'll also happily face down any thugs who try anything if you want to stay."
Urgeon shakes his head at Kovax with a smile, "We're here to kill smilers, not pick up dates. Let's take a look around - we need to earn some scrap worth."
Urgeon casts mage armor on himself and readies his wand. When the others are ready, he follows them into the city.
The woman smirks at Kovax but doesn't respond, "Killing Smilers, eh? Before you all run off, I have a proposition for you. Come join me inside here if you want to hear it out. Meyanda, too, since it looks more like she's following you then the other way around."
She indicates the building she just came out of and shoos away a couple more guards who are inside.
The first guard has come to his senses and is lowering the gate behind you all.
Kovax smiles again not bothered by her no response and says. "She isn't following as much as she is a part of our group now and we decide what's best for the group as a whole" gesturing her forward he says, "Lead on, I would like to hear your proposal"
Urgeon nods and follows Sevroth. He looks around warily for any sign of a trap or ambush.
Ridic follows as well,saying nothing
Sevroth leads you into a small room made of metal panels and pieces of pipe. A crude wooden table and a pair of chairs sit in the middle of the room with a map of Scrapwall and some markers on it. Nearby sits a book of some sort with an inkpot next to it.
Sevroth is quick and to the point, “I present a singular opportunity to benefit us all. My gang, the Steel Hawks, used to be the toughest gang in town before the Lords of Rust arrived, murdered our leader, and more recently, installed that @$$-f***ing Smiler, Birdfood, as our new commander," she grimaces, obviously rankled at this situation.
"He's surrounded by orcs and is lethal with his bow and hawks, but if you get rid of Birdfood so I can take control of the remnants of the gang, I'll help you ... and even her ... however I can, since I'm pretty sure you're not here just to check out our breath-taking accommodations."
Urgeon looks at the others. "Well, that sounds like a reasonable offer to me. How tough can someone named 'Birdfood' really be?"
He turns back to Sevroth. "Where can we find ol' Birdfood?"
Ridic looks at Sevroth and says "There is obviously more to this, otherwise you would have killed him yourself. Is he a attuned to magic? How many guards does he typically have with him?"
"My one last question....At what lengths are you willing to go to aid us, if we take care of Birdfood?"
After Ridic is done asking Sevroth the questions, he calmly takes a seat in one of the chairs.
"Why haven't we attacked him? It's simple ... he's stronger than us and if we attacked and failed, the Lords of Rust would wipe us out. If you attack and fail, no one is the wiser to our involvement and I can await the next group who seems capable," she shrugs matter-of-factly.
"Birdfood is in the Hawk Palace, here," she indicates the location on the map.
"He generally has a half-dozen or more orcs with him, all planted by the Lords of Rust, not real Steel Hawks ... so feel free to kill them all. His hawks are the most dangerous piece of him, and he hates elves almost as much as his own human kind. He uses some magic, but mostly to augment himself. I'm not joking, he's a vicious bastard ... turncoat to us and the Smilers both."
"I'll tell you all that I know about the gangs and the goings on here and will let you in and out of the gate as needed ... Meyanda's presence will be a problem for you, though if you wish to remain incognito. Odds are, at least one of my men has already sent note to a friend to capitalize on the bounty. I'd guess you don't get farther than 100 yards into Scrapwall before someone looks to cash in. Be wary."
"I remember this man ... he was a Smiler at the time. He gave us the information on your leader that allowed Kulgara to slaughter him in the arena. It makes sense that she would place him over your gang to keep you in check," Meyanda muses, not noticing that Sevroth's fists clench and veins pop on her neck as the android speaks.
Razorend nods, "Playing enemies off each other to keep them under control. Effective, but we can flip the scrip on the Rusties by getting all these gangs to work against them." To Sevroth, he adds, "Seems a fair enough exchange. You know we won't tolerate any treachery, but we are generous to our allies -- even some former foes." He finishes with a nod towards Meyanda.