It takes ten minutes. But you find him begging for money for his next Shirril hit. He's in an alley way, begging for money and food. He still has the eyes of an addict.
"penny for some medicine, gov?" he asks.
"Hello. What medicine do you need?"
Tony slapped his head, remembering where he had heard that name before.
He stares at Kali Soy and tries to make a run for it.
Vallus sighs, seeing the man's eyes. "You do not need medicine, friend. You need help to break this cycle of need that you've developed. Please, if you follow this path, only ruin awaits you."
"Run... chasssse?" he hisses a bit as the begger starts to make a run for it
Kali laughs and begins chasing him.
Vallus nods and shrugs and moves 30' closer to the fleeing man before calling loudly "FALL!"
The addict
trips over himself and falls.
Beads dashes forward. The little lizard was on the quarry in a heartbeat
"I winsssss thisss chasssse" he says with a wide smile
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Vallus jogs to catch up to the fallen man. "I regret the need for that, sir. The angels generally frown upon those who flee when questioned, though. A wise man does not need to fear pursuit."
"Would someone get this lizard off me?" the addict derisively says. Apparently, he doesn't like Beads' people or their near cousins the lizardmen who work in the docks. "I feel like I'm being smothered."
"Beadssssss too ssssssmall to do that. Beadsssss not near mouth" he looks up at his companions
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"Now, now, sir. I've been told that I can't just beat you unconscious, then conscious again so that you can answer the questions paid for by he-who-travels-beside-me, but if answers are not forthcoming, I will assume that you wish to challenge me, and then I will hand you this:" Kali draws one of the weapons that the thugs were carrying. "After you are armed, I will show you why you should honor your agreements."
"All I know is that Shulikar meets with my supplier," the addict explains. "At the east warehouse, tomorrow, that's all I know, I swear! Just don't pull out another one of my teeth."
Jogging up behind the group, slowly bringing up the rear of the chase, Shellin will gasp out, "No- *gasp*- need- *gasp*- to hurt- *gasp*- him."
Catching up, he will take a moment to catch his breath and listen to the exchange.
When the addict is finished Shellin says "Well then, that's that! Thank you, friend, you have helped us more than was expected. Here is the latter half of your payment."
Shellin will help their informant to his feet and hand the man his payment.
He will then take out his map and mark the east warehouses.
"Shall we be off to the rally then?"
"Do you ever want to see me again?" Kali asks the addict.
"Then are you going to go and let Shulikar's supplier or Shulikar know we're coming?" Kali let's the implied threat of the consequences of doing that sink in without saying anything else.
Trailing the rest of the party, Tony comes up and stops.
"Did he... (gasp)... have anything?" He panted, his hands on his knees.
A light drizzle makes the streets wet as you decide on your next course of action. Either go to the rally, or hunt down Shulikar, or something else.
"Whatever we do, we should do so someplace dry."
"The mage will be meeting his supplier in the the east warehouse tomorrow.
That means we have today to see about this rally. Shall we?"
"The mage will be meeting his supplier in the the east warehouse tomorrow.
That means we have today to see about this rally. Shall we?"
"Hmph. Well I suppose there is no use but to wait until tomorrow to lay our hands upon the villain." Tony acceded with ill grace as he slapped his hat on his head to protect from the rain.
"I guess we have time for this rally. But what is it about this Republican rally that intrigues you? I mean, aren't one set of political extremists much like any other?"
"Is this some sort of clan moot? What are we waiting for then?"
"It's a rally for the people who wish the City to be governed by the people and not the nobility. It may give us a sense of who is important in this movement. At any rate, it's a historical event. Who knows what small moments can create great change?"
"Shellin's thinking is one with Vallus, curiosity abounds. That and Shellin is new to the city and wishes to familiarize himself with those most active, which includes such political parties."
The republican rally is in an interesting spot. After dealing with the two pale dogs, you find yourself on the way there. It's in front of the Administration Building, where the city's Administration meets. There seems to be a lot of people gathered there.
"We wish to secede from the Empire and have our own government elected by the people," says one rally attendee. He even has a sign that has FREE PTOLUS on it. He said that to no one in particular but it's enough that you can hear.
Vallus nods and smiles at the man. "How would that be different from the way it's run now?"
"Because the people shall be in charge," he says. "They will elect representatives to represent them in a Senate. And they will be able to make laws, instead of having an emperor dictate laws to us."
"But what laws will you change? Which ones do you take umbrage with?" Vallus asks.
"The taxation laws," said the rally attendee. "They are too high, for instance. I want to be able to afford my family to live."
Vallus nods. "I can sympathize with that. But do you believe the Empire will allow us to break away so easily?"
"We will fight for our rights," said the attendee, this time slowly and brokenly. As if he doesn't want to face an army of Imperial soldiers.
Vallus nods sympathetically. "I understand, friend. The choice to stand up for one's beliefs can be hard, especially when one's opponent has the might of a vast army at his disposal. Take heart, though. Perhaps you could make holding Ptolus too expensive for the Emperor? Blockades, work stoppages? That sort of thing might make your work easier."
Beads stays well hidden. These matters were going right over his head. Which wasn't to hard. He was really small. But yes. Maybe he would ask when things settled down. Empire? Taxes? So many strange concepts
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Shellin's usual half smile spreads to nearly split his face in two at the exchange.
Well this seems fun.
"I don't know," said the attendee. "I just want Ptolus to be free and able to figure it's own destiny."
Tony looked on the debate with an arched eyebrow. He was apparently skeptical of the proceedings, but elected not to speak.
"What mewling is this?" says Kali after watching for a few minutes and listening to Vallus' exchange. The longer she listened the more agitated she got. Finally, she started bulling her way through the crowd towards the steps.
Tony lunged out and grabbed Kali's arm, trying to stop her.
"Forget it. I've seen people like this before; people focusing on their own righteousness. Nothing you say will sway them now, especially surrounded by their fellows cheering each other on.
"They need an enemy! By going up there you'll only give them a face to punch!"
"Maybe that's what I'm looking for. My beloved father used to say that you can't have a discussion without someone getting kicked in the face."
Kali sighs and then says "But the true ways are not your ways. It's what makes your people appear to so weak. Words. You all vomit so many of them that they lack heart."
Turning back and giving people the look that suggests that being anywhere else than in her way is the best place to be for their long-term health and wellbeing, Kali will say "I am done here. Enjoy your word vomit." to no one in particular.
A lot of people stared at Kali Soy's intrusion. The barbarian had become the center of attention lately. People are beginning to wonder why such an outsider wanted to go to the top of their rally.
Shellin will take the time given by Kali's distracting actions to mingle in the crowd and
Shellin will take the time given by Kali's distracting actions to mingle in the crowd and [dice=Gather Information about the Republican parties leadershipt]1d20+8
You learn that at least today's rally has been organized by Helmut Itlestein. Perhaps he is the movement's leader?
Another name to remember...
Shellin will remove himself from the crowd and wait for the others with Kali. "Kali, have you seen Be-" seeing her demeanor he stops his first question, curious. "Not quiet the 'clansmoot' you expected of Ptolus, friend?"
Kali moved away from the rally and it's (to her) complete waste of breath and time. She would find a corner to wait and keep an eye on things while she waited for her travelling companions.
Tony followed Kali until he is out of the crowd again.
Shrugging at Kali's lack of reply, Shellin will turn to Tony for conversation. "Are you a Ptolus native, Tony?"
Tony grinned at Shellin.
"Indeed I am Master Shellin! Nigh unto twelve generations! We were present at the founding of the Lion-guarded Throne, or so the family legends say. And yourself?"
The Nedraid family is a cadet branch of the Khatru noble clan; prominent in military affairs.
Tony is all but disowned by his family, for choosing to go to the University instead of the Military academy.