Action 2
The cool of the dome was sweet relief, but Agia dare not let it show. She strode purposefully over to the console with the missing part held before her. She stood by while Altha did her check, nervous but trying desperately not to fidget.
Once Altha gave the okay, Agia stepped forward. This wasn't the kind of thing you could rush, and she had heard many tales of brash nanos who had been struck down by divine fire for attempting such rituals improperly. Carefully consulting her book of tales, she leaned on the insight of what past generations had learned of the taboos for temples such as this. One must always wear gloves, lest they profane the device with the touch of their flesh and be struck down. One must never allow opposing connectors to touch, lest you become a conduit for divine power no mortal can bear. One must speak the holy words, lest the guardian spirits descend upon you.
Slowly and methodically, with a seriousness and uncharacteristic poise drilled into her long ago for holy occasions, she reconnected the cylinder. A hum filled temple, Agia nodded, walked calmly away from the console and sat down hard, finally relaxing. "Well? Who wants to try nodding off?"
Before the rest could reply, she was already asleep.
I'll wait patiently for Dreithik's description of his powers and the rest of PCs reaction to it...
Meanwhile, I just wanted to say that I'm enjoying the different takes on the numenera that Agia (superstitious) and Altha (technical) are expressing.
And in general, the level of roleplaying has been pretty good, which is great considering that most of you are new to this type of gaming. I aim to continue to foster that in this next adventure.
I'll probably develop the 'hooks' over the weekend so we can start playing this next part then.
Questions?
Game on!
Dreithik went over to the remains of the Priests. My, my, it's been a while, my old friends. He rummaged through until he found the skull/head of one of them and held if firmly in his hands. Two questions, that's all I got.. Better make them count.. Only letting go of the head to wipe away sweat from his eyes, he held it at arms length and started murmuring "Those who have left, joining the unending ranks of the dead, gain voice once more and tell your tale".
Speaker of the Dead: 2 Int -1 for edge, +1 for additional question.
Suddenly the room went quiet, dark and cold. Dreithik never knew how his power worked, if he was bringing the dead back for a time, or if he was briefly joining them, but nonetheless, the specter of a Priest stood before him. Shivering madly, Dreithik forced his own voice out. "I bring you forth to share your knowledge. We have finished what you started, please, How do we stop this from happening again? And where do we find ones to replace yourselves for the town's safety?"
Arms losing their strength, he stood there shaking, awaiting the dead man's reply.
Balanders sits in a dark, quiet pub in Uxphon. He keeps his back to the corner, slowly nursing the local beverage. The barkeep told him it was an acquired taste, he grunted his assent and drank without interest for the flavor. As he sits there, his attention is drawn to the charm bracelet doubled up around his wrist. He goes from charm to charm, thinking back on his travels.
A Pallone - Touching the smooth disk with sharp edges, his mind goes back to the skirmish along the road. Ballanders smiles when he thinks of how he was able to prove his worth to his companions that day. This charm in particular reminds him of his friend Modou, who gifted it to him. His smile turns to a grimace when he remembers that Modou is still enslaved in the gladiator pits.
A Skull - Balanders has no distinct memory of how this charm came to be on the bracelet, but as he touches it his mind reaches back to those men he was forced to kill in the gladiator pits. He closes his eyes for a long moment as the guilt comes crashing over him. ”You had no choice.” he mumbles to himself, attracting a quizzical look from the barkeep. Balanders gestures at his empty mug and the barkeep pours him another.
A Key - Balanders looks quizzically at what seems to be a new addition to his bracelet, even moments before he could’ve sworn it wasn’t there. He touches it and his mind begins to focus on the task of freeing Modou. “The key is getting enough money to free him” he thinks for a moment of the sneers and grins of the merchants, he begins to doubt they will ever allow him to buy Modou’s freedom. “Perhaps the key is busting him out and making a run for it!” Balanders begins thinking of all the guards, locked doors and ancient technology between Modou and freedom. Finally, he thinks “no... the key is finding someone with the power to free him... The key is doing whatever they demand in return…”
Thank you for that.
I intend to recap later today so we can start 'playing' the new adventure over the weekend.
Questions?
Game on!
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Yes, you type anything in the Gameplay Thread and then 'delete' it. That way gets you added to the list and you don't leave anything on the gameplay thread.
Most games will use 'play' in the gameplay thread and use this thread for OOC discussion. But not us; we're weird special. :)
Altha watched as Dreithik selected a severed head, trying to look less repulsed then she was - handling the dead had never been pleasant, and it brought back memories of before. She wasn't even sure his ritual was working when the room visibly dimmed and her breath puffed out in a fine mist, the chill clinging to her like a damp cobweb.
The Nano shivered, rubbing her hands up and down her arms as she looked on, believing now was not the time to speak up. She could vaguely see a humanoid form standing before Dreithik - it was hard to tell in the gloom - but something must have shown because he was asking questions.
This experience was undeniably creepy, Altha decided, mildly concerned for Dreithik's well being. His shaking made it seem like this was unreasonably taxing on the other. Then again, Altha supposed, it probably was given the whole 'dealing with the dead' they were doing. She'd never heard of anyone who'd solved the after death conundrum, or if they had it wasn't very satisfactory.
Bravely, she stepped a little closer, "What is... ah, he? he, saying?" Did the datasphere save something of the essence of a person, like making snow angels, fading over time?
Turn 044 is up.
Read the OOC (extensive).
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Balanders maul came crashing down and a crack echoed through the stadium. The skull of the last beast gave in, and finally Balanders was the only one left on field of battle that still drew breath. The roar of the crowd washed over him as he closed his eyes. He could feel the rage inside of him, whatever chemicals they kept pumping into him left him little choice but to give into his baser instincts. Any attempt at thought was quickly flushed out by pure emotion. As the adrenaline abated, he felt the searing pain in his body from the lacerations left by the beast's claws, Balanders screamed out in fury and rage renewed. The crowd cheered even louder.
Balanders made his way towards the pit. He could make this walk with his eyes closed by now, they kept him fighting as often as possible. As soon as the first gate was closed, he found himself in a cell with locked gates to either side of him. Balanders shoved the maul through the slot in the wall, grunting his submission. The door ahead clinked open.
Balanders began walking towards the room that housed the rejuvenation tanks, a few guards following close behind. After a minute or two of walking down the corridor, one of the guards called out ”halt, someone wants to speak with you. Come this way.”
The pit captain sat in his office at the end of the hall. A scar disfigured the right side of his face, some say it was from the days that he himself fought in the pits. The man handed across some paperwork. Balanders did not pick it up, ”What’s this?” he challenged. The captain responded scoffing ”Nothing but your freedom, you dolt! Uxphon law demands that any man who wins ten combats should earn his freedom. Such a man is worth more alive to the city than dead in here.” Balanders picks up the papers slowly. ”Free..? But what about the others… my friends?” The captain and his guards laugh. ”Some might make it, best say your goodbyes now, giant! It is likely to be the last time you see most of your… friends.”
Still, hot-swapping a descriptor does bring up a few issues that I need to run by you. Feel free to say no to any of them.
First, while Resilient offers a Might bonus equal to Icebound, it also offer an additional 2 points to Intellect. As Agia doesn't yet have an intellect based attack, 18 points seems excessive, so I was wondering if I could instead put 2 of the 'starting points' that I put into Intellect during character creation into Might instead, giving her a spread of 13 Might, 9 sped and 16 intellect. It's how I would have built her stats if I was making her fresh.
Second, there's the issue of Gary the Drakka. Since he comes as extra equipment from the Icebound trait, he should technically go away as well, and it would be easy to handwave it by having him die somewhere on the trail to Uxphon. However, as near I as can tell he is largely useless and he's been kind of fun to have around in the few scenes he's been used. If it's okay, I'd like to keep him, with the explicit intent that he never be used as more than flavour, so there'll be no having him save everyone by carrying explosives into the death-star reactor or whatever. Agia simply hasn't trained him well enough to be useful as anything more than a pet.
With your permission. I'd like to give her a shepherd's sling, since it's a likely weapon to find among a clan of people who keep herds and whose most abundant materials are wool and stone. It would have stats identical to Dart Thrower light weapon from the corebook equipment guide, but would fire blunt rounded stones instead of fletched combat darts. Rounded stones are easier to find or craft than darts but they can't be coated in poison.
Storywise, it could be something she had in her pack but hadn't practiced with. After her recent near death experience she had a renewed interest in ways to engage foes at a distance and so she learned how to use it during the journey north.
I don't forsee it being her primary weapon, since most of her abilities come into play only when up close, but it would be nice to have a ranged option.
@Agia, yes to everything. Anything story-oriented and not trying to take 'mechanical advantage' of the system will always be fine in my games.
@Dreithik: you all have a total of 8 XPs to spend
@everyone:
Yeah, I had a blast as well. Pretty decent for my first Numenera game.
If you all enjoyed it, then keep doing what you did and I'll try to keep my end of the bargain. :)
Questions?
Game on!
As they traveled the weariness that had overcome Kellog when they first met clearly evaporated. He had warmed to travel and companionship, in his conversations and across the journey it became clear that he began to watch over Agia significantly.
He was generally absorbed in conversation regarding her beliefs and found them somewhat compelling but every time Altha started getting technical he got a bit lost.
Driethik to him was a mystery, not incredibly open and withdrawn. Never the less, that stand-offishness hasn't really stopped Kellog from trying to get him to open up. Though more than once has Kellog gotten a cold eye from Driethik for merely giving him a warm pat on the shoulder.
He seemed to take things at ease and despite saying he would try to be more cautious, he still greeted travelers with openness and warmth more frequently than the group was comfortable with. Thankfully it never turned out as disastrous, for when it was particularly dark or strange he has showed restraint and engaged with the party before greeting travelers.
Whenever he met priests he would talk hopefully to them of Redstone and it's needs. And always his spirits generally contributing to optimistic evenings whenever the group crossed paths with friendly travelers.
The hero's welcome in Redstone had been heartwarming and after the messages they'd received in the dome, Altha was keen to explore this new avenue of the numenera. She'd started to travel in order to explore all the ancient machinery she could get her hands on, after all, and this was simply the most direct lead to something potentially huge that she'd encountered in recent memory. That, and traveling alone was that much more dangerous than with a group... she'd bonded a little with them so she hadn't felt like she was imposing when she asked to accompany them, touting her ability to trade in machinery and repair or identify them as useful for funding the trip. Thus, when they set out, she'd ensured to put those skills to good use, bartering for supplies and fronting the group where ever she could, reducing the cost of travel a respectable amount.
As the weeks became months, Altha noticed her powers burgeoninig... and her empathy began to allow her to explore new avenues of affecting people. It happened mostly in battle, where anger, rage, or adrenaline flowed freely. She could catch that anger and stoke it, empowering the person she'd linked to. It had happened first with Kellog but it wasn't long before she began to link with Agia and Dreithik as well. It seemed her mind was expanding as she traveled with them, another reason for her to tag along.
She came to regard Agia was a friend, someone to learn from, and Kellog's protectiveness of the icey woman was both amusing and understandable... the fellow blamed himself for her injuries in their run in with the Margr and feared being the cause of another grievous injury. Agia's reaction to the Glaive's protectiveness also entertained Altha.
The nano tried to learn more of Dreithik and his odd abilities – he was unique among those she'd encountered, and given her past experienced with widespread fatal diseases, she was curious about how far of a reach he had into the afterlife. It was a topic that machines couldn't really fathom... but she was hungry for more knowledge. Often, Altha could be seen walking near or talking with the necromancer. It was no secret she tried to be welcoming to the whole group and had a reasonable success rate in doing so.
As Agia slept in the crystal dome, she dreamed. This time she didn't dream of horrors and incoherent sensations, but nor did she dream the pleasant nothings of her own subconscious. She dreamed of a great voice, a voice that spoke not in sound but in colour and tastes. It wormed into her mind and spoke over and over, changing each time. Finally, she felt herself begin to understand.
"TECHNICIAN SERVICE IS APPRECIATED BUT FAR BEHIND SCHEDULE. ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUEST FROM B SITE LOGGED OVERFLOW ERROR CYCLES AGO. DESTINATION PRESET. ALL TRANSIT LINES EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED DELAYS. ALTERNATE ROUTE RECOMMENDED." boomed the voice.
"Lord of sun and sand, I am glad that you are pleased! Grant me but one boon and I will travel any route you ask!"
"REQUEST UNCLEAR."
"In a moment of weakness during battle I prayed to the patron of death and frost, The Lady of the Wall, and pledged myself to her service. Protect me from her wrath so that I might once again freely follow Wind and Sky. Do this, and no quest is too great."
"LOCATION IDENTIFIED: THE WALL. GENERATING LIVEMAP."
And suddenly, Agia was there, looking down on the vast ridge of snow and ice that formed the edge of her world. She dangled above it as if suspended from some vast invisible cliff. She tried to grab something to keep herself from falling, only to find she had no limbs. She began rushing towards the ice below.
"No. NO! Keep me away and I'll do it! I'll go to this place of Preset!"
"PRESET DESTINATION SELECTED. GENERATING LIVEMAP."
Without so much as a popping noise, she found herself far above a city. It was strange, the houses and shops seemingly perched upon massive grey roots. The tiny people milled about like insects and Agia supposed that the whole place must be extremely small. Then she was jerked forward and found herself among those same milling crowds, as large as life. This place seemed almost as big as Nebalich, and that had been the biggest city Agia had ever seen. She gaped as she saw a man led through the street in chains who seemed to be some kind of giant. Forced herself to look away, she struggled to regain her composure in face of such power over space and time. "Alright, but I do not know this place. How do I get there?"
"ROUTE GENERATED. PREPARE FOR DOWNLOAD."
All at once, Agia was bombarded with images. She saw the scorching desert, vast trackless plains, black mountains and shattered fields of shimmering stones. Through it all, a massive glowing line pierced northwards, winding through hills and valleys like a snake. Near the end, she saw the city again. Then the route repeated, again and again, searing itself in her memory. Her head swam, and the images became an nauseating blur. She heard a high pitched whine and began to smell the scent of burning umlan fur.
The voice sounded almost amused now.
"ERROR IN TECHNICIAN FUNCTION. ENGAGING REBOOT. HAVE A NICE TRIP."
Agia's mind went entirely blank, propelled into a state of unconsciousness far deeper than sleep. Hours later she awoke, her head fuzzy and ears ringing. Her mind tried to grasp the edges of the dream but it seemed slippery in her mind. The voice kept turning back into colours and tastes, and the details escaped her. But she remembered enough. She would go north.
...
On the way back to town she told her companions something of the experience, leaving out the part where she had thrown herself upon the mercy of cruel desert god to free her from a bargain made with the god of death. By the time they were finished in Redstone, each seemed to have found reasons to be going her way.
Agia bid farewell to Deymish and the others who had traveled to Redstone with her and Dreithik, and prepared herself for a long trek ahead. She had no idea what she would find at this city of Preset, or whatever name it was known by in this age, but it felt good to no longer be walking the trail alone.
...
On the trail, Agia found herself finally adapting to the northern heat. It seemed the whole redstone ordeal had strengthened her, and it was no longer a chore to keep herself cool. Indeed, over the many miles her companions could always enjoy their drinks chilled even on the hottest days, courtesy of her powers.
Kellog seemed to always be hanging around her now, and despite Agia's insistence that she didn't need a mother she was secretly glad for the company. She was doubly intrigued by how her powers had managed to jump to Kellog during the battle with the margr, but for now at least she wasn't able to replicate the effect.
Altha also seemed curious about the ways of Agia's people. Agia initially scoffed at the idea of some fancy steadfaster wanting to know about her backwards clan, but Altha's wisdom was made apparent as the group roamed over terrain as inhospitable as that which Agia's people had travelled for generations and the group came increasingly to rely on that knowledge. Agia had grown up obsessed with the great tales of battle and ancient treasures, and now sorely wished she had studied more about the means of raw survival. She dug her sling out of the bottom of her pack, and for the first time in her life began practicing with it in earnest, occasionally managing to bring down small game for the cookfire.
Agia and Dreithik never spoke much. She didn't need to draw him into conversation, as she now understood all too well the burden of exile, forbidden knowledge and pacts with powers beyond the ken of mortals. Often they would walk together in silence, eyes on the horizon, each looking as if they were bearing the weight of the world.
"No. NO! Keep me away and I'll do it! I'll go to this place of Preset!""PRESET DESTINATION SELECTED. GENERATING LIVEMAP."
Yeah, everyone's posts have been a real pleasure to read.
Waiting on Dreithik's 'hook post' and then I'll post to bring everyone together in Uxphon.
How are we doing with character sheets? Everyone done?
Questions?
Game on!
Dreithik was in a bright room, or what could be a room. Everything was white, so there might not have even been walls. There was a floor though, white as everything else, not red like the blood he was losing. Or was he? Laying on the ground he felt no pain, no weakness. Pushing himself up he saw no wounds. Looking around in this perfect, white world, he saw a man, an Aeon Priest by the clothing. What sorcery is this.. This man's dead.. He got up fully and edged towards the Priest and called out. "What have you done? Where are we? I broke our connection already..." Didn't I?
The Priest only stood there, waiting and smiling. When Dreithik finally reached him, he spoke. "Welcome, I've been waiting for you to get here. You've been on the list for a long time, But I regret to inform you that you cannot pass any further and must go back. You aren't done yet." The mans face started melting away revealing the grimy skeleton beneath, his voice growing deeper and darker, as did the world around him. "Go to Uxphon. Finish what you started." The world started spinning and spinning in the darkness and Dreithik fell through into the unknown.
He bolted awake, gasping for air, wincing in pain as his wounds opened from the movement. He looked around the shadows of the Dome and saw the Priest's Skull beside him. First sleep in days and this is what I get..Uxphon.. He let out a little chuckle and rubbed his eyes. One day you'll learn how to resist the urge.. But not today.
And it start. Again. :)
Turn 045 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Actions 1: Impressions of Uxphon
Balanders walked hunched over through the narrow pipes that this city uses as thoroughfares with barely space enough for him to allow other people to pass. Often, he found himself needing to move aside to accommodate a passerby, only to bang his head against the side of the pipe. He sat down at the bar of the inn near the gladiator pits that he had been calling home since his release. His eyes fell to his charm bracelet. This was the first time he noticed a particular charm, a droplet of water. He touched the charm and was suddenly distinctly aware of the damp discomfort that followed him throughout the city. Everywhere you went in this city was contained, sealed off, clamped down… Everywhere but the arena that is. For the first time, he found himself almost missing the pits.
Actions 2: Dish
Balanders still didn’t know what to make of this Ricci. He had a lot to say, always plotting this or discussing that. Balanders never found much use for words. Balanders flexed his arm, musing I suppose that if he knew how to shut up and act, he wouldn’t have much use for me… Then I would be right back where I was before, with no good way to figure out how Modou got out of that hole… He would’ve come to find me if he was freed, I have to find him… His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the rest of the crowd standing up, pointing excitedly. His body suddenly felt charged, like being outside after a thunderstorm. Balanders could sense the energy in the air. It took him a minute before he noticed that the very sky itself was moving! He was so captivated by the rapid movements above, that he wasn’t the least bit aware of his own shifting center of gravity. A slight adjustment in the alignment of the Dish might not effect a man standing straight, but Balanders was seated and bent back staring into the sky. Suddenly he found himself falling backwards from his seat, only barely catching himself at the last minute by standing up hastily and grabbing a nearby man’s arm, making a scene and a racket in the process. The man looked absolutely scandalized. Ricci looked over with a bemused grin and dismissed the man’s complaint with a casual wave of his hand.
Actions 3: Friends!
Balanders followed Ricci’s lead to stand as four strangers approached. Balanders could tell that these four were clearly not of Uxphon, they wore ragged travel clothes and their skin looked like it had gotten far more sun than was common in this soggy, sad, sunless city. Balanders paused, except for the man in the back, glancing at his pale face just barely through his hood, Balanders wondered if the slight man had ever allowed the sunlight to grace his skin. Balanders saw that two of the group were women, he thought perhaps he was supposed to be polite, to show some courtesy. He looked for signs as to how the others acted.
Ricci introduced Balanders to each character in sequence: As Kellog gave a slight bow, Balanders likewise bowed, his bow, however, started a bit after Kellogs. Balanders compensated by moving forward a bit too quickly trying to catch up, and sharply standing back up. He glanced around to the eyes of the group members trying to see if he had done what was expected.
Balanders expectantly looked to the other members to see how they would greet him, worried about matching their styles - like for like.
After Ricci finished “How about I get you in his house and you can all search for all three things there?” Balanders said ”He needs caretakers? I’ll take care of his home.” Balanders gave the party a wide mouthed grin for a (too) long moment, and then pantomimed smashing things.
Action 1
A slaver town. Agia spat on the ground of this 'Uxphon'. Her clan had been hounded by raiding parties ranging out from Nihiliesh, and while these people might not be mutie huggers they were every bit as cruel. She wouldn't have set foot in such an abhorrent place for a whole fistful of shins if not for her holy quest, and now it seemed like even that had lead her astray.
Her various solicitations for information from the locals had apparently caught the attention of one of the higher ups, and when the invitation came she was just desperate enough to give him a shot.
Action 2
The dish made her uncomfortable. It was all too clean, too tidy, like a well oiled weapon. A massive blunt instrument with which to crush a certain kind of people. Agia's kind of people. As the crowd stood for a better view of the proceeding, Agia sat, unwilling to watch what transpired. At first she mistook the frisson that went through the crowd as the start of another fight, then she felt it herself. A prickling and a tingling, she saw lights dance in front of her eyes, and couldn't be sure if they were shimmering in the sky or within her own skull.
As the dish calmed, Agia felt better. Whatever perversions the locals undertook in this place were immaterial. This place was older and more dignified than their scattered multitudes. They sat on its surface like the ants they had seemed to be in Agia's vision, and try as they might they could never own it.
Action 3
The commoners looked on in disbelief as the likes of Agia and her companions were led up to the noble's boxes. Agia on her part was unimpressed with the silk and finery. The lot of them were just a ravening pack of broken hounds as far as she was concerned, and no amount of woven worm-leavings was going to change that.
The giant was another story. Easily twice her height and looking as out of place as the rest of them, Agia's heart bounded at the sight of him. There had been a giant in her vision, she was sure of it! But was this the right one? The details were fuzzy, and dulled by the long journey. Still, how many giants could there be in one town?
She was still slightly agape when the Count got around to introduced them. Balanders. It was good to know his name, but Agia was at a loss for what came next. The Count looked at her expectantly, looking increasingly amused at her apparent confusion. She smiled a crooked smile, revealing gaps and crooked teeth, and waved awkwardly. "Uh... hi. Pleased to know you and whatnot?"
The giant waved back vigorously with hands large enough to crush her skull. Agia recoiled at the sheer amount of mass being shaken about and Ricci laughed airily, as if her momentary confusion and fear had been a polite joke.
He neared them, “How about I get you in his house and you can search for all three things there?"
Agia didn't believe this Ricci for a moment, but the giant seemed eager to investigate and she needed to stick close and find out what he knew. After a week of nothing, this Balanders was her best lead yet but they'd need to talk somewhere other than this slime pit.
And now that she thought about it, she wouldn't mind raising some havoc in a slaver's home either. Even if it was at the behest of another slaver, hurting one hurt them all. "I'm in, but the rest will have to choose for themselves. We're free folk yet."
...
"What's the plan then? I imagine someone would cry out at the sight the lot of us just strolling up to one of your facified houses." Agia she cast a sidelong glance at one of the noble ladies, all dolled up and enjoying a view of the current match through a some sort of zoom-lense. "If it involves a wearing a dress, find someone else."
Action 1
When they arrived in Uxphon, Altha was amazed but the landmark tubes, thrilled as they walked through them from place to place going so far as to inspect the walls whenever she could. It was impossible to tell what had once flowed through them... or what was in the hot ones, but it fascinated Altha. If there was hot stuff, maybe it was connected to something deep underground and these were cooling arrays? It made her eager to talk to the locals and learn the legends of the area.
Her enthusiasm ebbed, however, as they came into contact with the numerous slaves and learned of the slave market. The idea of trading people like things had never really sat well with her... she had felt echoes of those burdened by life's journey, she could only imagine the weight on a slave's shoulders. The one time they did linger near a pen to speak with a trader, she'd nearly been overwhelmed by the anguish, fear, and pain in the market stall... she'd made a point of staying away from large gatherings of slaves since.
When the week passed and they made no progress looking for the city of Preset, Altha began to wonder if they were going to move on. It was nice to enjoy the amenities of a large, wealthy city, yes, but it was also starting to wear on her. Perhaps they could investigate the tubes more?
The invitation came as a surprise and Altha grew excited. She'd rarely dealt with nobility... she was often beneath their notice and for one to directly invite them....? Well, it was either cause for excitement or she'd be fighting for her life – it was hard to tell, sometimes.
Action 2
The trip to the Dish was entertaining for Altha as she moved from spot to spot, trying to figure things out about the tubes. It was such a novel idea to her... but when they got to the dish and the bragged rumors were bandied around them as if the locals took great pride in their relic of ages past. The worksmanship intrigued Altha and she wondered just what would happen when it came 'alive'... would something light up? A space open up? Something rise from the Dish itself?
She spent most of the first match looking around at the Dish and its associated constructions – the fighting in the bowl didn't particularly interest the Nano. People fought and died for nobler purposes than the enjoyment of a blood thirsty crowd and she wasn't going to support it, and the suffering it wrought, by paying it mind.
Thus, when the crowd fell silent, Altha shivered as goosebumps rippled up her arms. The hush was like that of a forest during the passing of a predator. It was eerie. The thrumming sound started up, inspiring Altha to look to the bowl expecting something there. Then the sensation of a cold hand on her neck made her yelp, energy crackling through her hair and fizzing over her goggles. The people stood as one and smiled as one... the same crafted, joyous expression on each of their faces. Altha didn't like it... didn't like it one bit.
Action 3
Thankfully, the boy came to fetch them soon after and the moment faded, leaving a metallic taste in the back of Altha's mouth. She frowned, on edge from the encounter.
When they reached the noble's side of the Dish, Altha found herself looking up at the hulking beast of a man. A guard? But more importantly a giant! Hadn't Agia's ramblings about her vision mentioned a giant? The nano leaned over to Agia and whispered in her ear, “You think he's our man?”
The introductions were made and Altha smiled up at the man, sensing no dangerous intent from the other... just a mild awkwardness. “Hello!” She waved and gave a nod, stance easy and relaxed. The giant echoed her wave and gave another bow-nod as if he weren't sure what was right for the circumstance. Who is he? she wondered.
Then this Ricci began talking about finding things. Sure they were finding things, but Altha had trouble drawing the connection between that and the vacant noble's house... she frowned as she spoke up, “I'd like to know more about this Baron Tichronus... what makes you think his residence is a good place to keep looking? And what are you – and Balanders – looking for?”
I found a story that I had written back in 2002. So here's proof that Monte copied my ideas. :)
Somewhere in the Ninth World... God Was Calling
Dreithik, Kellog?
I'd like to recap later this evening...
Questions?
Game on!
Action 1
And now that she thought about it, she wouldn't mind raising some havoc in a slaver's home either. Even if it was at the behest of another slaver, hurting one hurt them all. "I'm in, but the rest will have to choose for themselves. We're free folk yet."
...
"What's the plan then? I imagine someone would cry out at the sight the lot of us just strolling up to one of your facified houses." Agia she cast a sidelong glance at one of the noble ladies, all dolled up and enjoying a view of the current match through a some sort of zoom-lense. "If it involves a wearing a dress, find someone else.".
Balanders furrowed his brow and followed Agia's gaze to the noble. He slowly turned his gaze onto his own outfit.
Balanders had been wearing the same ragged garb from the slave pits around town for days until Ricci found him. After Ricci saw the opportunity that Balanders presented, he had a tailored outfit made. The tailor balked when first presented with measuring Balanders, his measuring tape wasn't long enough to measure each dimension! The tailor and the cobbler both left grumbling, but the smith, on the other hand, was all grins. He knew that the giant represented a windfall for him, the hours he could up-charge and the extra material on top of that!
After a few days wait, Balanders ended up with the first suit of armor that had ever fit him. A full brigandine in the unique style favored by Uxphon's noble houses. Beneath the armor, he wore a black woolen doublet - well suited for the damp, cold environment - and loose-fitting breeches that tucked into boots of solid construction.
Balanders gaze returned to Agia and the man agreed heartily "I, also, would rather not need to wear a dress."
The introductions were made and Altha smiled up at the man, sensing no dangerous intent from the other... just a mild awkwardness. “Hello!” She waved and gave a nod, stance easy and relaxed. The giant echoed her wave and gave another bow-nod as if he weren't sure what was right for the circumstance. Who is he? she wondered.
Then this Ricci began talking about finding things. Sure they were finding things, but Altha had trouble drawing the connection between that and the vacant noble's house... she frowned as she spoke up, “I'd like to know more about this Baron Tichronus... what makes you think his residence is a good place to keep looking? And what are you – and Balanders – looking for?”
Balanders met Altha's gaze as she asked her questions. He looked to Ricci to answer the first question.
After hearing Ricci describe Tichronus, Balanders nodded his affirmation and added: "He is the coward slaver that bought us, drugged and in-irons. He is a man that treats his slaves like beasts and cares for nothing but power. He is the only man that might gain from my friend's disappearance. Slaves here are freed after their tenth combat, a man like me is hard to miss - bills for my tenth combat were posted across the city 'The Tower fights his last battle, will the giant tumble down or stand strong?' - but Modou was not so big, not so strong - not hard to miss. Maybe Tichronus didn't want Modou freed like Balanders. Maybe there is another way to make money from flesh. Tichronus is above nothing."
Balanders looked to the floor before returning his gave to Ricci and the group. "Ricci is a noble too, a slaver too. But his slaves have rooms, clothes, food. Have good work. I am free now, there is nothing in Uxphon for the free. All work is done by slaves. All shins held by nobles. Ricci is noble too, Ricci can gain from Tichronus loss. Nobles play their games."
Balanders looked Ricci firmly in the eyes "I care nothing for Uxphon, this city be damned, but I must find my friend."
The tall man's concern about dresses made her giggle lightly, grinning to show she meant no offense. The mental image was simply too amusing, it sort of burbled out her. Altha rather liked the idea of wearing a dress... something fancy and exciting for a few days sounded charming. She could already navigate most social circles well so looking the part could only help her in her endeavours. The nano smiled absently, trying to imagine what sorts of garb she might don for the job... but they would also get particularly grubby when she went exploring, wouldn't they? Perhaps it wasn't the best idea then. She looked down at her current travel worn clothing with a quizzical expression. Would it be worth it?
Things turned serious again and Altha looked up as Balanders spoke his part. She sighed, "There are many ways to make money from flesh, I'm afraid. He abuses power and people, hn? Does he collect numenera? Strange devices and knicknacks?" She was morally being pulled to investigate this man but the jobs sounded like a legitimate house-sitting request. It wouldn't do to trash his house... but then again, the watching of the house might be a veiled phrased to indicate something else. Nobles did indeed play their games.
"Tell me more about this estate... and your heirloom. It must be old and valuable." She looked back to Nicci as she opened herself to him, attempting to connect with his emotions to gauge his honesty and his intent behind the invitation. Perhaps she could see if they spoke in double meanings.
Action 1
Dreithik looked around the large city, thinking about the stories of the arena that he heard. A whole city built upon death... not bad.
A sharp voice cracked in his head "Finish what you started" and his amusement was gone. It would help if I knew what exactly it was that I started..
Action 2
Dreithik was intially shocked by the dish, but regained his composure before it was apparent Seen a few strange things, but this is definitely a new one..
Action 3
Not liking the boy's proposal, Dreithik investigated a bit further. "I don't mean to be rude, but how do you intend on making us appear as slaves?" and he gestured to the present company. "You might have noticed that we don't exactly look the part"
No, never any approval necessary for cosmetic/flavor changes but just keep us informed.
I figured a First Aid Kit has 10 uses before the 'supplies' are depleted.
Questions?
Game on!
Turn 046 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
The deciding factor for Altha had been the nobleman's honesty... and his assurance that the estate sat on secrets. That sounded like a vault of some sort, perhaps even something linked to the tubes?
When they were dismissed and directed to their lodgings, Altha was positively pleased. Ricci had put them up in a posh tavern, a room to each of them and a wonderful meal the likes of which she hadn't enjoyed in months. Roasted meats, chilled fruits, free flowing lagers and spirits... the mood of the common room was jovial. It seemed the events of the Dish had sparked a festive evening for the nobles of the tavern... bets had gone well, some game among them had seen power shift favorably to the circles that frequented the tavern.
Her room was exquistely appointed with hardwoods and enamel inlaid ceramics. The running taps of the separate washing room with a tub large enough to stretch out was a welcome luxury after months on the road. The bed was surprisingly soft and comfortable with a metal strongbox at the foot of the bed that glowed around the edges and had a few buttons on the front for locking and unlocking. She tinkered with this for a few minutes, curious.
When she finally made her way to the common room after a much needed bath, Altha ordered the first round of food. She ate her fill, partaking of as much as the proprietor was willing to let her taste, and tucked into a large mug of local tea for the evening, watching the room. They were going to interview in the morning and she wanted to take stock of the nobles' dispositions. Quietly, she let the ebb and flow of the room wash over her, focusing on conversations where the emotional auras intrigued her – mostly looking for rumors and secrets.
At length, she wondered if they should purchase supplies – she only had her whip and a handful of shins at this point. “Anybody think buying supplies is a good idea? I don't have much on me but I'm not sure what to expect at this estate we're going to.” She wasn't worried about the interview – she was confident she could read and sweet talk the interviewer with her social skills and she was particularly good at working with Machines if her winning personality wasn't quite enough.She looked to her comrades then to the new comer... she didn't know much about him. Clearing her thought, she waved at him to catch his attention, “You were a gladiator? How long have you been free? Are you from around here?”
A large bug crawled on the man’s cheek, “You’ll have to convince Dorial of your worth. Can you do that?”
A chill ran down Balanders' spine ”My worth? Evidently ten battles, ten deaths, is my worth. How many shins were earned and lost in The Dish when I fought? Is my worth equal to what was wagered, what was lost? What was my worth when Voss drugged me, when Tichronus bought me? What is my worth to you Ricci? I have had enough talk from slavers about the worth of man.” Balanders turned his back to Tichronus and made his way to the inn.
The party entered the inn after Balanders, and saw him posted up in the corner, with a growing collection of empty glasses. He seemed to be watching the gambling and revery from the corner but not participating. When he saw the party enter, he gestured to the empty seats at the table, welcoming them to join. ”Have a drink, have a few... Ricci is buying.”
She looked to her comrades then to the new comer... she didn't know much about him. Clearing her thought, she waved at him to catch his attention, “You were a gladiator? How long have you been free? Are you from around here?”
Balanders beheld Altha, something about her made the man drop some of his guard, he felt like all of her attention was focused on him, and that she really cared.”A Gladiator? <Altha’s empathy gives her a sharp wave of anguish> No… I was a slave… These Uxphon call us gladiators to make them forget the inhumanity of their entertainment… Free? Am I free? I don’t know what freedom means anymore. Free to have my only friend stolen from me. Free to wander these streets alone. Free to sell my labor to the highest bidder. These Uxphon have taken my freedom. The shackles are clear when you are in the pits, but even here <he gestures around him> I remain shackled to the will of the nobles. I am from far away; but that is a story for another day. Tell me of yourself, what do you seek in this evil city?”
After the group had eaten and spoken at length, Balanders noticed a dice game taking place across the room. He got up and walked over. Balanders proposed to the group of men ”A round of drinks on me if you give me a stake in the game.” One man, running odds in his head, said “pike off” without looking to see who was asking to play. Another looked up, not having seen the giant approach with his interest in the game. When he beheld Balanders his eyes widened. A moment later he was laughing joyfully ”I made a lot of money off of your last fight, these fools thought you were a goner for sure!”
Dice games?
Aw c'mon guys! I know they play games of chance in the Ninth World but dice games? That's the best you can come up with?
Just some playful kidding around here. :)
Game on!
The wave of anguish lanced through her, unexpected and sharp, as he described his slavery. “Well, I daresay if you're joining us in house sitting, that you're not alone, friend.” She smiled warmly, “Dreithik's a bit quiet but everybody is decent enough.”
She paused a moment, watching the other, before speaking, “Your freedom cost much and gained little, I can tell. However, you're only locked to the nobles if you stay here and let them lord it over you. We've come from lands far to the south, I've seen all sorts of people and all sorts of communities... they're not all as terrible as this one, I can assure you of that at least. I for one, am not terribly good at hand-to-hand combat, so having another someone in the group who's versed in fighting will be handy for warding off any would-be thieves.” Altha grinned, shifting a bit to compare her own slender arm to Balander's much larger and muscular arm, “See? There's your proof.”
At his questions, she chuckled lightly, “To be honest, I'm not really sure. A communication relay we repaired in the south nearly fried Agia's brain and insisted we head north to a 'City of Preset' to reinstate some sort of prayer device... She mentioned Service, so the temple was probably part of a network that's broken down. I'm along for the ride mostly because I'd like to see just what this new temple is and how it works. I... well,” Altha looked uncertain a moment, unsure of how Balanders might interpret her skills, “I have a sense for people and machines, I get along with them... machines sometimes talk to me, function better. So if you have some numenera, I can try to figure it out for you!” It was clear she was proud of her abilities and expertise.
The nano looked out across the room thoughtfully as she continued, “If this network is some kind of benefactor, I'd like to help restore it. Maybe it'll talk to me this time. Maybe Tichronus' estate sits on top of the array. And I hope we find your friend along the way.” Given the way he'd described his experiences, she wasn't sure they'd find his friend alive but at least a body would help bring closure.
When Balanders rose to go look into the gambling game across the room, Altha followed and watched for a moment before she smiled winsomely, "Can I try too? I also offer a round as my buy-in." She wasn't much of a gambler but maybe this could be fun!
Action 1
“You’ll have to convince Dorial of your worth. Can you do that?”
Agia was unsure but nodded anyways, trusting that her an her companions would figure something out.
Action 2
Have a drink, have a few... Ricci is buying.”
After ascertaining that the inn, like most, did not deign to serve warm fermented milk, Agia settled for a local wine recommended by the staff. She made a face when it turned out to be a weak, fruity thing, though she didn't know why she expected anything else from people used to serving soft nobles. She reached her fingers into her cup and grumbled a few meditative phrases, freezing out much of the water content and tossing it aside. Wiping her wine stained hand on the front of her clothes, she resumed sipping the considerably purer alcohol that remained and listened raptly to Balanders story.
...
As Altha and Balanders continued to chat Agia's mind began to dift, thinking hard about how she could possibly convince this Dorial that she was qualified to care for a manor. Altha and Kellog were sure to make a good impression and there was clearly no home security better than Balanders, but they would all need to justify their presence.
In the end, she was forced to conclude that she'd have to rely on her abilities as a healer. If this Tichronus was so heavily invested in "human capital", his second was sure to see the value in having someone around who could protect that investment. As much as it pained Agia to present herself as a collaborator, she was following the path of the destiny and certain compromises needed to be made.
Agia loosened up somewhat, feeling better now that'd she'd found an angle. Still, she found it difficult to enjoy herself in a place that catered so thoroughly to stuffy nobles. When the others began partaking in gambling games, she wished them luck and retired to her room early.
After a half hour of tossing and turning on a mattress that was entirely too soft Agia gave up, spread her bedroll out on the floor and slept there instead.
Dice games?
Aw c'mon guys! I know they play games of chance in the Ninth World but dice games? That's the best you can come up with?
Just some playful kidding around here. :)
Game on!
I think it could work in this format in the following way:
Two Players agree on Ante (3 shins ea) - GM sets the total # of players at 6 - 2 pc, 4 npc
Participating players post:
Player 1 posts: With my first call, I Call Odds. With my second call, (If I am in) I call High. With my third call, (If I am in)I call Low.
Player 2 posts: With my first call, I Call low. With my second call, (If I am in) I call high. With my third call, (If I am in) I call Low.
GM does rolls:
round 1: (player 1 calls Odds)
(3 odds - loses 3 dice)
(2 odds - loses 2 dice)
(4 odds - loses 4 dice)
(2 odds - loses 2 dice)
(3 odds - loses 3 dice)
(4 odds - loses 4 dice)
round 2: (player 2 calls Low)
(1 low - loses 1 dice)
(2 low - loses 2 dice)
(0 low - loses 0 dice)
(1 low - loses 1 dice)
(2 low - loses 2 dice)
(2 low - loses last dice)
round 3: (NPC 1 calls Even)
(2 even - loses last dice)
(0 even - loses 0 dice)
(1 even - loses 1 dice)
(1 even - loses 1 dice)
(1 even - loses 1 dice)
round 4: (Player 2 calls High)
(1 high - loses 1 dice)
(1 high - loses last dice dice)
Player 2 wins 18 shins
Other Rules: If a call would knock out all remaining players, that call is nullified and the call goes to the next player
[.dice=Player 1]6d6[/dice]
[.dice=Player 2]6d6[/dice]
[.dice=NPC1]6d6[/dice]
[.dice=NPC2]6d6[/dice]
[.dice=NPC3]6d6[/dice]
[.dice=NPC4]6d6[/dice]
DICE GAMES
Way too much info on the dice game. I was more thinking on what could be called 'dice' in the Ninth World. Some sort of numenera or a biological entity. I don't know, something weird along the lines that Altha was getting at.
INTERVIEWS
OK, so I have Agia as healer and Balanders and Kellog have been proposed as security.
What about Dreithik and Altha? What are they going to pose us?
Who knows what I will do for the interviews. Make you take tests? Ask you to convince Dorial?
Kellog: you still with us, right?
I intend to recap later today.
Questions?
Game on!
Well, maybe the above should be an IC post to your companions so you can get their input. :)
Game on!
Yup sorry new hire mucked up a project then read 45 when I was done saw 46 was up. Having trouble keeping up.
When the dish buzzed Kellog grew concerned, Is this their nightmare machine
----
Kellog frowned at the request to "recover" the Noble's winnings.
"While I am able bodied and can become a caretaker while this Noble is off, I am not inclined to include thievery, despite the nature of this Noble." He looked over at Balanders,
"Though if you are concerned for your friend," then looking at the rest of his party, "and you feel this is a task that needs our attention. I feel the least I can do is assure your safety. I am certainly able bodied to move lift guard or work where needed"
"Is there a way to get what you need without removing the item it sounds like he rightfully gained?"
-----
Kellog, do you think over the course of their trip north that Altha would become familiar enough with his disposition and moods for her to discover her 'Aggression' ability? I figure it would first trigger with Kellog since he's the tank-y one and it helps might attacks. I imagine they were in a skirmish together at some point and Altha emotionally connected, her anger and adrenaline feedig Kellog's and imbuing him with stronger might attacks for the duration. From there, she'd learn to connect to and empower others as well. Thoughts?
Kellog observed the nobility at the bar. Slavery never bothered him as it was so abundant and certain to be a source of problems for many that he mostly had to keep eyes on those that believed in a different sort of "Justice". He found the best way to get a feel for the crowd was to interact and he drank and engaged happily with the gaming crowd careful to watch his shins. He is sure to be careful with his words because he really was curious about Uxphon
Well, maybe the above should be an IC post to your companions so you can get their input. :)
Game on!