Realms of Agartha PbP

Game Master Emperor7

Setting -

Agartha. It is a name shrouded in mystery. At least by outsiders. For them, it fades from the mind before the thought can direct a pen to scribe it. The whisper of it fades on the winds before the sound reaches the ear of the listener. It is a place of legend, where dead empires breathe yet again. From the earliest days of this world, when the Ice Gods first traced their fingers upon the scorched landscape of the Fire Gods to the present, and at every point in between, this realm grows. The Elder Gods set down the law to the Younger; Keep the knowledge of this place secret. With few exceptions, so has it been.

Still, legends whisper of two worlds; one known to the inhabitants of the outer world and the other as the hidden world, Agartha. Some even speculate that Argatha is home to the Azlanti that left Golarion so long ago. Only the Agarthans know for certain. Their hidden world lies deep within the earth, deeper than even the caverns of the Underdark, safe from the mining of the dwarves and the turmoils of the outer world. It stays hidden because it has the power to do so, a reflection in a mirror unable to be touched. A power its inhabitants protect as jealously as a dwarf protects his mines. It lies in ancient magic and in technology too complex to be understood by most. Shut off from the outer world, Agartha is only accessible through a limited number of portals, warded from magic and indestructible to physical assault. These barriers are mirrored on the various planes, so even beings strong enough to travel in those realms find themselves unable to cross.

Shangri-La is the capital city of this world, the nexus of a series of connected cities, connected empires, each self sustained and varying in their appearance. Shangri-La is home to the intellectuals; mages of immense power, clerics of alien gods, mystics and and psionics of no compare. The Council of Five meet to discuss matters of state, but rarely intrude on the sovereignty of the satellite empires. Each of the council members would rather spend their time in contemplation than in matters mundane. Unlike the drow these people, the Agarthans have risen above gathering or using their power for selfish reasons. Well, most of them have. Even in a paradise there are those that stand apart from their brothers. Acknowledging this fact there are whispers of a Sixth Member of the Council.

As on the surface the world a mirror of a sun lights Agartha, motionless but waxing and waning in its brightness. It is a crystal of immense size, placed in the mile high roof of this underground world, and its light is not diminished over distance. Though a mere shadow of its partner above, it radiates enough heat to destroy anyone foolish enough to get too close.

In some ways Agartha is a land of the lost, providing sanctuary to beings and creatures long extinct on the surface. In other ways, the Hidden World far surpasses its cousins. It is here that the Antlanteans might mingle with the Titans, while gazing upon the construction prowess of the Mayans or Egyptians and sipping tea from the First Empire of the East. It is here that the Children of the Ice Gods might swim in waters warmed by the breath of the elemental races. Magic and Technology co-exist and overlap. All is possible in a world such as this. While the dwarves and men of the outer world may occasionally dream of this place as a paradise, and the rare drow priestess may dream of conquering it, this is not a world of innocents. It is a world of power and danger, held in check by a careful balancing of power. Here anything is possible. Here anything becomes probable.

The Temple of Flowing Water was located in a remote corner of the jungle. There was a large walled courtyard surrounding a tall pyramid. Several long, squat buildings were located near the wall. This was where the monks and their students lived, ate, and trained. Only the Masters ever entered the pyramid. Aananda had lived her whole life here. She had been brought here as a baby after one of the many tribal skirmishes that occurred between the villages had wiped out most of the adults of her tribe. She was mostly alone now. The other children her age had either gone back to the jungle to find a place in one of the villages or just didn't want anything to do with her. She missed Chan. They had always done everything together, especially getting into trouble. But she couldn't bring herself to join him when he left. This was her home. She sighed and rebalanced the bucket of spare parts she was carrying to Master Quo. Maybe he would let her help him repair the skimmers and hoverbikes. That was even better than playing.

A few years later...Aananda stood there, paralyzed with indecision. Master Quo had sent her with three others. He said that she was old enough now to shoulder the responsibility. She wanted to weep. The village had called upon the monks from the Temple of Falling Water to act as peacekeepers, as was their right. She had fought along with others to repel the invaders and restore peace to this village. But now her companions were on the other side of the village and the invader standing in front of her was none other than Chan. She could not bring herself to strike out at her childhood friend, and her hesitation cost the lives of three villagers as Chan cut them down just because he could. He smirked at her before turning and walking back into the trees. She looked at the bodies before her, horrified. This was her fault. She was supposed to be here protecting these people.

Aananda stood silently, eyes fixed on her feet, as she heard the judgment of the Masters for her failure to act in the village. "Aananda," Master Quo said sadly, "if you were an initiate in this temple your punishment would be severe. Your actions go against all the principles we have taught you. Your failure to act cost three lives. However, as you are yet a novice and have taken no formal oaths to this temple, it is the judgment of this council that you be sent away. We feel that you are not suited for this life and must seek out somewhere that better fits your nature. I am sorry, child. I fear that some of the blame is mine for sending you out too soon." Aananda nodded, trying furiously to blink back tears. She walked away dejectedly, heading to the dormitory to pack her meager few possessions.

She was surprised to find Master Quo waiting for her beside the gate. He was leaning against a hoverbike. It was an older one. She remembered many happy afternoons spent repairing it. She swallowed hard. She was determined not to cry before she left, but this was proving very difficult. She tried not to remember the taunts of the other novices. It had taken much longer than necessary to get her things and get out of the dormitory. She bowed to Master Quo as she approached the gate.
"I packed some food for you," he said. "I put it in the storage compartment of the bike."
"Do not trouble yourself. I can get it out for you," she said hurriedly.
He chuckled and shook his head. "You still do not understand. I mean for you to take the hoverbike with you. Do not argue. If it were not for you, this bike would be nothing but a pile of scrap metal. It is not much, but it is all I have to give. Stay safe, child. I am sorry that I failed you."
"No, Master, I am the one who failed. Thank you for this," she added blinking away tears that simply would not wait. "I will miss you."

Aananda climbed on the hoverbike and started the engine, driving it out the massive front gate and away from the Temple. She stopped on the top of a hill and looked back at the only home she had ever known. The tears flowed freely now and she let them come. She cried until she had no more tears left. Then she wiped her eyes and looked around. She felt very small and alone in a large world. She couldn't stay near the Temple. She couldn't bear seeing the monks and worse, the other novices, or worse, seeing Chan again. She turned her eyes away towards the unknown. She did not know if she would end up somewhere wonderful or terrible. She had never been very brave. But what choice did she have? She set out towards the north.

Cardcasters. Relatively new to Agartha, they are the result of conjuration magic mixing with the slight psychic ability of certain people. Regarded with suspicion and fear by some, they are usually loners, choosing to practice the 'Art' in secret. Able to seal energies, items, and willing creatures into the cards the wield, Cardcasters are able to call upon them at will. This ability develops at random, so you could be a normal psychic of some skill one day, and calling fire and lightning from a seemingly ordinary card the next. Not much more is known, and that is part of the reason they are not trusted by many.

”Why me?” Ryo says to himself. “Why did this happen to me?” Just a few days ago Ryo, a young man in his early twenties with potential as a Seer, had picked up his divining cards and watched as energy flowed through him. The Fire card(representing new growth after hardship) had burst into flames that lept around the room to light the candles he had set up. But that wasn't to worrying, plenty of people could light candles with their minds. No, what was terrifying had happened next. He had just picked up the Gate card(representing leaving something behind or giving something up) when his younger brother walked in. Energies surged around them, and they found themselves in a strange new world. The giant light crystal they had known all their life was gone, replaced by a huge pale white disk. Air moved freely about them on it's own, sounds of strange creatures echoed around them, huge plants seemed to reach for the tiny gems in the black ceiling that held the ivory disk. A snapping sound from behind alerted them to the presence of a stranger. Black hair hid most of his pale face, and his dark clothing was unknown to them. Ryo didn't feel the man's evil until it was too late. The man lunged forward, mouth open and filled with fangs, and bit into his brother's neck.

Without thinking, Ryo drew a card from his divining deck, drawing the Guardian(representing protection from an unknown source). A suit of armor appeared, wielding a blazing sword. With a single slice, the fanged man lost his arm and fled. Ryo rushed over to his brother, staring in horror at the large bite wound on his neck. When he finally managed to stop the bleeding, his brother was barely alive. It took even longer for the Gate card to work again, and days for his brother to have the strength to get out of bed. The bite mark vanished, not even leaving a scar. But his brother started acting strange, craving uncooked meat and hissing when the light crystal's glow was let into the house. Then his brother was gone. Ryo didn't know how, why, or when he had left. And he worried that he may hurt someone. The only thing his divinations could tell him was that Keaton was in a dark place. People started disappearing, strange creatures with long fangs were seen in packs around the city, while other, smaller ones that looked more like winged rodents swooped down on unsuspecting passerby.

Ryo stared at his cards, cursing them for causing so much trouble. But he would need them if he was going to find Keaton and end the evil he was spreading. Picking them up and putting them in the inside pocket of his cloak, he stood and went to look for his brother again. The cards had said he was somewhere in the north, and that's exactly where he was heading...

Bullets. Destructive spells. Breath weapons.

These just aren't the kinds of things one should have the displeasure of running away from - especially all at the same time, Tamrin Sunwake thought to himself as he was racing back around a corner of the tunnels he was trapped in. That half-dragon he had tussled with earlier had pulled quite a few Imperial militia to take care of him - and that was just too much attention to be drawing right now.

The kobold Tamrin made contact with had obviously sold him out - the magic portal that was down here was damaged and unstable, and now he had bad company blocking his only other way out. It wasn't turning out to be the best of days...

Tam quickly checked his gunbelt as he crouched down in the portal chamber - he had the shells he needed to blast his way out of this mess, but they would probably bring the tunnels crashing down on his head, or maybe even destroy the portal itself in the process. Neither of those options seemed particularly good as he heard the sounds of the troops getting closer. His time was almost up. He opened his Caster and slammed a shell home as his opponents rounded the final corner.

Taking off at a full run, Tam raced for the portal. As gunfire and magic and flame rained down on him, he hurled himself into the glowing aperture, spinning around at the last second and firing as its failing magic whisked him away...

...The keen whistling of high winds and fog greeted Tamrin's ears as he exited the portal. It was cold too, but not dangerously so. The freshness of the air meant he had to be outside. The only immediate problem appeared to be that he hadn't hit the ground yet.

Quickly turning himself, he found out why. The portal had deposited him in midair - high in midair evidently, as he broke through the clouds and realized he was in freefall.

"AW C'MOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooonnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!"
Tam yelled out frantically (to nobody in particular) as he plummetted toward the ground far below...

After an obligatory instant of panic and arm flapping, Tamrin gets his wits back about him and starts to weave together a spell to save his life. A moment later, he comes out of his unintended freefall as his fly spell takes effect.

Tam comes to a stop in midair, trying to get his bearings. He is taken aback by the fact that he doesn't appear to be outside at all, but in some kind of cavern of truly cyclopean scale. Realizing that he makes quite the visible target floating in the 'sky', he heads down to find a reasonably safe place to land before his spell wears off.

Spying a hilly outcropping in the forest below, Tam carefully lands and takes in his surroundings, making sure that something wasn't about to pop out and try to chew on him.

Once he has done that, he concentrates for a moment, and a silver-white wolf with glowing emerald eyes appears next to him. Tam kneels down and pets his faithful familiar. "Hello, Rune. Looks like I've gotten us lost somewhere new again. At least the weather's cold enough for your liking," he says with a chuckle.

Rune wags his tail and licks Tamrin's face happily, then sniffs around to confirm there are no threats nearby.

A voice sounds from behind the pair.

"I suggest you send that creature back where it came from. The others being called into this world are attacking people, and I wouldn't want people thinking you are behind the attacks."

Standing under a tree is a red haired man wearing a billowing cloak. A strange red glyph has been scribed onto the left side of his face.

A voice sounds from behind the pair.

"I suggest you send that creature back where it came from. The others being called into this world are attacking people, and I wouldn't want people thinking you are behind the attacks."

Standing under a tree is a red haired man wearing a billowing cloak. A strange red glyph has been scribed onto the left side of his face.

The person spins around, though the wolf doesn't appear startled as he turns.

Ryo is looking at a human, close to 6 feet tall but lanky. A mop of reddish-brown hair covers green eyes and a face that looks to be about mid-20s in age.

A well-used backpack is strapped over an equally-worn brown duster. As he spins around, Ryo notices that underneath is an odd outfit that covers everything below the middle of his neck to his boots. Breaking up that silhouette is an odd belt with small pouches along its length, holding objects about the size of sling bullets. Attached to it at his left hip is some kind of wand you presume.

His hands are gloved, and one is near the wand as he turns, but is not touching it.

"I suggest you send that creature back where it came from. The others being called into this world are attacking people, and I wouldn't want people thinking you are behind the attacks."

"Um - well, that 'creature' as you called him is just a wolf, and as I know him but I don't know you, please understand if I'm a bit...cautious...about taking advice from someone who sneaks up on people in the middle of nowhere."

"Spiffy cloak, by the way. It catches the wind nicely," he says with a smile. "You don't happen to know planet this arcology is on, and the star system we're in, do you?"

"Did you get hit on the head? You are not on a planet, you're in one, and you're in deep. This is Agartha, The Hidden Realm. Your 'wolf' isn't native to this world, and the only others like him are attacking and killing people in cities all around the Underground. Since he doesn't look like the ones killing, I would prefer it if you were not blamed for something someone else did."

"Interesting wand you have there."

"Interesting wand you have there."

"Uh....thanks?" he says with a weird look on his face, hooking his duster closed.

"Did you get hit on the head? You are not on a planet, you're in one, and you're in deep. This is Agartha, The Hidden Realm. Your 'wolf' isn't native to this world, and the only others like him are attacking and killing people in cities all around the Underground. Since he doesn't look like the ones killing, I would prefer it if you were not blamed for something someone else did."

He kneels back down next to Rune.

"I think it's okay. Other than cruising for a date, this guy doesn't seem like the bad sort. I'll call you if I need you." ;P

He then dismisses Rune.

[Facepaw]

Rune just shakes his head as he disappears.

:)

"Anyway, you said this placed is named 'Argatha'? Huh, can't say that I've heard of it. And I realize that this place is underground, thank you very much - I got that as soon as I realized I had appeared in midair way up there," as he points up to the 'sky'.

He pauses for a moment, looking up as if he expects something to fall out of the sky, then shakes his head.

"So why is it hidden? Is this some kind of Imperial shelter? It does look big enough to hold quite a few dragons comfortably..."

"It's hidden because this was to be as close to a utopia as possible. At least, that is the rumor I heard. As for the Imperial you talk off, I have not heard of it. I won't deny the existence od dragons, some travel here through the other planes. As for your 'date' comment, I was talking about the strange wand on your belt, next to those weird sling bullets."

"It's hidden because this was to be as close to a utopia as possible. At least, that is the rumor I heard. As for the Imperial you talk off, I have not heard of it. I won't deny the existence od dragons, some travel here through the other planes. As for your 'date' comment, I was talking about the strange wand on your belt, next to those weird sling bullets."

"So is it actually a utopia, or are you fairly new to these parts too (just not as much as I am), and just don't know for sure yet?"

"I have lived here my entire life, and like others who live here, I have only heard rumors about why it is hidden."

Tamrin blinks, then smiles.

"Fair enough then. Well, if you can point me to the nearest town or city, I'll move along and let you get back to....whatever it was you were doing out here all alone. Ships or gates won't find themselves, you know? Heh..."

The thick jungle hid the ancient city of Chac Mool. The pale stones had been quarried by hands other than human, long long ago in the days of the Elder Races. The Children of the Quetzal had discovered the ruined city when they fled the bloody Aztecs centuries ago. They had been changed over time in this subterranian realm, growing thinner, paler and more fey as time went on.

Huitzilopochtli is his name, after the war god that the Quetzal once revered before the Aztecs stole him for their own bloody purposes. He has mastered the element of Fire, for which he wears a crimson robe. His face is tattooed in arcane symbols which grant him sight beyond sight and ward him from danger. He strides alone, but for his staff of Firecalling, secure in his arcane power.

Tamrin blinks, then smiles.

"Fair enough then. Well, if you can point me to the nearest town or city, I'll move along and let you get back to....whatever it was you were doing out here all alone. Ships or gates won't find themselves, you know? Heh..."

"I am heading for the nearest city right now, in search of someone. If you wish, you may accompany me. I warn you though, not everyone.. tolerates me once they find out what I am. I am Ryo, apprentice Seer rank 3."

A patch of ground begins to shimmer, taking on an almost fluid consistency. From the center of the disturbance the ground erupts like a fountain. Out shoots the body of a dwarf, flying 20 feet into the air. Before he lands the ground returns to normal, and he falls hard upon it. He gets up, rubbing at his aches and dusting himself up. As he checks his gear he takes a swig from his flask and mumbles

"Well, you don't have to get so touchy. I'm a dwarf, and it's in me nature to dig deep and far." the words are followed by a number of curses

The dwarf picks out a small box from his beltpouch and seems to pick a direction to walk off, hoisting his repeating crossbow to his shoulder. There are more curses about 'how far you threw me this time'.

"I am heading for the nearest city right now, in search of someone. If you wish, you may accompany me. I warn you though, not everyone.. tolerates me once they find out what I am. I am Ryo, apprentice Seer rank 3."

** spoiler omitted **

Tam thinks on this for a moment.

"Sure...I'll just make sure not to talk to anyone about your career/lifestyle choice. And my name's Tamrin," he says as he takes one more look up at the sky, then grins. "Remedial Tourist Rank 1. Lead the way," as he waves an arm in no particular direction.

"I already tol-, nevermind. This way."

He continues along a path that doesn't seem to be there, warning Tamrin against eating something or stepping in the wrong place without even looking back at him. After a few hours, a city looms into veiw.

"If anyone asks, I'm just a normal Seer."

"I already tol-, nevermind. This way."

He continues along a path that doesn't seem to be there, warning Tamrin against eating something or stepping in the wrong place without even looking back at him. After a few hours, a city looms into veiw.

"If anyone asks, I'm just a normal Seer."

"You got it, Ryo - if anybody asks, you're normal. So what's the name of this place?" Tamrin asks as he nods towards the approaching city.

"You got it, Ryo - if anybody asks, you're normal. So what's the name of this place?" Tamrin asks as he nods towards the approaching city.

"It's real name is Lemuria. It was originally a continent on the surface, but a cataclysmic event caused it to sink into the earth, what you see before you is what is left. Most people call it Mentor, because it is the place of scholars. It is said you can learn anything here, given time."

"It's real name is Lemuria. It was originally a continent on the surface, but a cataclysmic event caused it to sink into the earth, what you see before you is what is left. Most people call it Mentor, because it is the place of scholars. It is said you can learn anything here, given time."

"Nice!! If that's true, things may be looking up - I can find some system charts to pin down where in the Outlands we are, and then figure out where to go from here."

"Unless you are in dire need, do not summon Rune. The latest attacks have happened here, and seeing him may cause a panic. And possibly your death."

Psychic abilities, they make others uneasy! In order to keep him from eating something deadly or stepping in the wrong place, a slight connection needed to be made. Of course, it will be broken once they enter the city(and possible go in different directions).

"Unless you are in dire need, do not summon Rune. The latest attacks have happened here, and seeing him may cause a panic. And possibly your death."

"So what exactly has been going on with these attacks? Any theories as to why it only happens with summoned creatures? Does it happen with elementals and 'outsiders' too, or just non-sentient creatures?"

Psychic abilities, they make others uneasy! In order to keep him from eating something deadly or stepping in the wrong place, a slight connection needed to be made. Of course, it will be broken once they enter the city(and possible go in different directions).

Gotcha :)

"The only reported creatures attacking are wolves and winged blood-sucking rodents. There are also rumors of smaller, wingless rodents with hairless tails. I have a theory, but I need to do some research into ancient lore in order to make sure."

Kannic tops the rise, after walking for the better part of the day. The outline of Mentor brings a smile to his face. Those scholars sure know how to brew some good ale, and he knows he can also get a good meal and a soft bed in the Juggling Dwarf Inn.

He picks up his speed.

"The only reported creatures attacking are wolves and winged blood-sucking rodents. There are also rumors of smaller, wingless rodents with hairless tails. I have a theory, but I need to do some research into ancient lore in order to make sure."

"Oh goody. Strange combination of animals that."

Aananda shivered in the cold air. Her clothing was meant for the warm weather in the jungle. It did little to protect her from the cold. And even when she did reach a city she had no way to pay for warmer clothing. Maybe she could find a job as a mechanic somewhere. Hopefully she wouldn't freeze to death in the meantime. She was relieved to see buildings in the distance. She leaned down over her hoverbike to expose less of her to the biting wind as she sped towards the city.

Settling in at a table, Kannic sets himself behind a meal fit for 3 dwarves. Only fair since he's been exploring tunnels for 3 weeks now, ending in getting shunted to the surface when he got too close to Agartha's protected borders. He scribbles a dispatch to his clan with his latest findings and posts his leave. His employers are used to him disappearing at times, either from the powers of this world or due to his own nature.

He belches loudly and orders more ale.

"The only reported creatures attacking are wolves and winged blood-sucking rodents. There are also rumors of smaller, wingless rodents with hairless tails. I have a theory, but I need to do some research into ancient lore in order to make sure."

"Well, since it sounds like you're heading to a library of some description, I'll tag along with you that far. Hopefully I can find the info I'm looking for as well - or a recommendation of other places to try by the staff there."

"Come along then. This place hasn't changed too much since my last visit, so I should still know my way."

With only a few moments of confusion, Ryo manages to find Mentor's best library easily.

"The index can be found over there, or you can keep going this way to the front desk."

Seeming a bit preoccupied, Ryo goes down the rows of book seemingly at random. It isn't long before he can be found at a table with four large books.

It occurs to me Ryo seems a bit rude. I'm going to have to say it's the whole "My kid brother's a vampire and is going around using his summoned creatures to kill people for their blood" thing.

"Come along then. This place hasn't changed too much since my last visit, so I should still know my way."

With only a few moments of confusion, Ryo manages to find Mentor's best library easily.

"The index can be found over there, or you can keep going this way to the front desk."

Seeming a bit preoccupied, Ryo goes down the rows of book seemingly at random. It isn't long before he can be found at a table with four large books.

It occurs to me Ryo seems a bit rude. I'm going to have to say it's the whole "My kid brother's a vampire and is going around using his summoned creatures to kill people for their blood" thing.

Nah, he's fine. The guy's got a lot on his mind - it makes sense that he's not going to be the most bubbly of personalities. Besides, it makes for good dialogue! ;D

Tam heads over to the index, hoping that this place actually has some technology in addition to its magic...

She slows the bike as she comes to the outskirts of the city. She glides slowly through the streets, careful to avoid pedestrians. She needs warm clothing and some food. She's running very low on supplies. But in order to get any of that she needs money. She starts looking around for any places that might be looking to hire a mechanic. After nearly two hours of searching she comes across a small greasy looking shop with a little help wanted sign up. She tentatively knocked on the door. A grubby looking dwarf with a sour expression opened the door.
"What you want?" he demanded grumpily. Her eyes widened with surprise. She'd never met anyone so rude before. "I am inquiring about the job," she said softly. "I'm a very good mechanic," she said quickly at his skeptical expression. "I rebuilt this hoverbike from spare parts. I can fix almost anything given a chance. And that's all I'm asking for, a chance. I promise, you won't be sorry." He scowled and shrugged. "We'll see. You get one chance. You fix that," he said pointing to a large mechanical mining drill sitting in the corner. It looked like it hadn't been used in decades. "Put bike in back. Then fix." She swallowed hard. This wasn't going to be easy. At least she'd be out of the wind in here. "Yes, sir." She hurried to park her hoverbike and set to work on the mining drill.

PLEASE ENTER YOUR SEARCH CRITERIA BELOW

"Hmmm..."

[The Dragon Empire...]

[Asamet Dynasty...]

[Emperor Mezzenbone...]

[Starcaster shipping lanes...]

[The Long Road...]

[Paxingale...]

[Arcane Gunslingers...]

SEARCHING..........

'Hidden Realm' indeed. No mundane access to the surface of the world, no starports that he can find record of, no connection (in this city, at least) to the Long Road, and only fragmentary information regarding Imperial space. Couple all of that with the fact that using magic to get out of here seems to be a dodgy prospect at best...

"Maybe I should've tried my luck with the troops," Tamrin mumbles to himself as he pushes himself away from the search terminal, rubbing his face with his hands. "What kind of prison did I just jump into?"

[Rrrrrummmmble]

His moment of reflection was cut short by the gnawing complaint coming from his stomach. It was time for something more satisfying than an energy bar on the long walk to get here.

He exits his search, gets up and goes over to the table Ryo commandeered for his own research.

"Hey man - where can you go around here to find a decent meal, hold the muggings?"

After several hours of work, Aananda finally got the drill working again. It still didn't look pretty. That would take a lot more work, but it was starting to get late and her empty stomach was making it difficult to concentrate. The dwarf frowned and muttered to himself as he examined her work. She waited anxiously. After what seemed like an eternity he handed her a handful of coins. "Wages. You have job."
"Thank you," she said smiling with relief. He grunted. "Go. Get food. No use for half-starved mechanic. Tavern next door. Buy warmer clothes in the morning. No use for frozen mechanic either." She thanked him a few more times before heading outside. She hurried through the cold to get to the promised warmth of the tavern and hopefully a warm meal.

After giving Ryo several moments to properly ignore his presence in favor of the dusty tomes he was combing through, Tamrin heads to the front desk to get directions to an eating establishment. He has a note left for Ryo thanking him for the help and telling him where he went, should there be a need.

He heads out into the streets and finds his way to a nearby tavern.

She barely notices the sign out front denoting this as the Juggling Dwarf tavern before going inside. She does her best to find a seat next to the fire. Warmth felt good. She ordered a hot meal and waited for her food, enjoying the warmth. She'd never been so cold before in her life.

"Juggling Dwarf, Juggling Dwarf, she said it was around.....bingo!"

Tamrin comes around the corner and finds the establishment the librarian recommended to him. The fact that he could (hopefully) get a meal and a room here was frankly the best news he'd had today.

He goes in and heads over to the front desk to get a room, and then enters the dining area to grab a table and order a nice hot dinner - looking around to make sure there are no unfriendly (i.e. Imperial) faces here to be worried about.

Aananda was oblivious to all else as she warmed herself in front of the fire. From the outside she looked pretty grubby herself now. There was a big streak of grease across her face that she was totally unaware of and her clothes were covered with dirt and machine oil.

Aananda was oblivious to all else as she warmed herself in front of the fire. From the outside she looked pretty grubby herself now. There was a big streak of grease across her face that she was totally unaware of and her clothes were covered with dirt and machine oil.

Tam noticed the woman huddled by the fire, and the fact that she was dressed like a mechanic. Coveralls, the grit and grime of machinery - this city has industry! And where there's industry...

Hoping she's not packing a lug wrench and a mean disposition, he walks over to the fire.

Aananda wrote:

Aananda was oblivious to all else as she warmed herself in front of the fire. From the outside she looked pretty grubby herself now. There was a big streak of grease across her face that she was totally unaware of and her clothes were covered with dirt and machine oil.

Tam noticed the woman huddled by the fire, and the fact that she was dressed like a mechanic. Coveralls, the grit and grime of machinery - this city has industry! And where there's industry...

Hoping she's not packing a lug wrench and a mean disposition, he walks over to the fire.

She was startled out of her reverie by someone else approaching the fire. She bowed slightly and stepped a little to the side.

Ryo grows pale as he reads the ancient tomes, so ancient that they were made on the surface and came down here with the rest of Mentor. Though probably outdated, all the information matches what is occuring.

Checking out the book, Ryo sees the note Tamrin left and decides to get some food as well. He really wanted a strong drink right now...