The lab is right out that door. Just go for a walk with intent to get there and you will find it. I will be here if you need anything. The library is also here as well it is just as easy to get to.
These places I speak of are places in the outskirts of the known world. They have less influence from the goddess, and are safer havens. Though in all honesty you could probably walk right into the High Priestesses chambers right now. I just wouldn't expect you to come out the same. These places have laid back attitudes. The people I know there are not agents but the remnants of the old world. Their genetics hold the last chemical markers of old world emotion and action. They are the few who see problems with the world, though I doubt they have the motivation to do anything about it.
As the others get up and move around The Harlequin stays on the bench looking at the others. Placing her hands behind her head she ties off the face scarf to make a vial. Then sits up in one move crosses her legs and hovers 2 feed above the bench. Defy Gravity Poor 3pp
"Information of all kinds, pen a paper for my Designs and a plan I have for use to lurk and reintroduce evil in a way that will work...
Wile she says this she push off to the books and maps, picks one up and starts to read at impossible speed.
"arrr talking in rhyme, that's got to stop!"
Shaking her head she drops the book she just read and picks up another.
"'101 facts about plumbing', humm, It may have use, are this is better, 'woods of the south', you know I do have plan if you would like to hear it and good logic to back it up. It will be fun and trust me you will get to reintroduce evil and a way most unexpected. For as the claw, spell and sword are your weapons of choice, so mine is my voice and words tell story's and in story's any thing can hid. To change minds one must change ideas and one must ask, in a world of good, who, what, where and when do the idea of Evil enter them mind. Look to the pulpit my dear agent provocateurs, and from up there down at the flock. Not much fun being told only from one place. But what if there was another, a fun place of lights and action, where tails tell of dark and lustful deeds, the dark cat from the Juggles seeking fair maids for dark acts. The mad crafter in his lab, making the monster a shade of life, in horrific from. The Black Knight with fel deeds and harsh blade, A clown and the Devil making a pact, the world for a soul. Last of all the king of the Fay, delights for ever of you can trick it out of him. What this world needs my dear sweet fellows is"
She looks around
"Is the Cabaret Macabre!, an idea in form, with this we will reteach the world the story's of evil they have forgotten. Undercover of this circus of lustful, pranking, dark freaks, we will hid in plan sight. A large tent acts that hide with in them the temptations of the darkside. In one breath saying "look goods wins" wile in the others sinking the idea deep, "But what fun for for me if evil is vitreous" O sex and violence, greed and power lurk in all harts. The arms of evil, all we need do is reawaken the ideas and let souls do the rest. Also they will pay us for doing so"
She smiles and gos back to her book.
Then looks back,
"That is unless you would like to act in the open, seeking others of like mind, Humm let me thing, for that you would need to get around, or seek to clime the halls of power, but what and age that would take and being just a snake with one head in one place, so easily found and cut off. Or would you like to go on a rampage, killing and looting your way across the land. With a nice trail of evil to follow to your gallows.
But ideas spread as fast as any horse, the reach as high as any king, and they multiply on there own once a root has grown. Grow into gods is that not right Espressora, you know how fertile the land here, risk yes, what what god did not risk. So what of us, think small become a band of anti-heroes and quench our limited thoughts in the immediateness of temporal gratification or should we seek to become what is lost, dark ideas, dark gods, lets set our sights a little higher shall we."
She looks at Espressora,
"be careful what you wish for Espressora, you may get it"
She holds up a book and taps the cover so all can see.
'Old Tails of the Dark Gods'
is its title.
looking around at the group Tronath says
two things, one if we are going to work together we should know a bit about each other. and what we can do when all prepared. two who else got and wants to have a fun little orgy to celebrate this new life of ours, we are already naked after all. This sort of decadence is what this world needs. he smiles as he says the last part. showing his willingness to go on with his blunt suggestions.
it will be interesting to see what such unions make if anything
"I only f*ck what I eat. So unless you want to be devoured afterward I'll skip it. As for what I can do, well...I have some skill with the arcane, and I am quite convincing when I need to be. I also know where to put a blade to do the most damage to a man." Merran replies. "Oh, by the way, you can call me Merran I suppose. Just don't repeat that name to outsiders. I like your circus idea Harley. It lets us travel and spread our ideas without being too obvious about it."
Harlequin says over her shoulder wile holding a book on local history.
"Why Merran, an orgy what a good idea, if you would be so kind as to bend over your old cot, so I can stap you down, ill go get some Industrial strength custard, some Freshly caught Mackerel and summon up a Fiendish Rino, so we can start exploring the pleasure centers of that new body of yours from the Bottom up"
She smiles at him.
"And as for our Panther freand here, you do know I hope that feline pieni has barbs, may now that must help with your piles"
She looks at Merran
"Merran, thanks, I have been calulating the opition and this way, each of use can have 'our act' and space to do what we need. We can travil freely from the biggest city to the small its town and to the bad lands, where we will find other to join. The longer we keep this world in the dark about what we have planed for it the better.
She gets up, then grows to large and changes into a man.
He winks at Merran and in a deep voice says.
Then as he walks out to the craft room.
When He gets to the lab he looks around for the things he will need fro his mask
"This must be made 1st"
Placing the items in-front of one of the craftsmen.
Just slightly disgusted at the idea of an orgy with just one female; Sic shook his head an continued to look at the map.
This is no time for games. A circus idea has some merit but until we know more abou this world its too big a plan to put into place at the moment. I am no clown or performer and refuse to be put on display doing something ridiculous. Plus we are only five strong. Five does not make a circus. Its a cabal, a cell of corruption that will last longer striking from the shadows and remaining unseen or at least considered symbiotic than gallavanting around waving flags and selling treats to youngsters.
Anonymity is our best weapon and we should keep it that way as long as possible versus becoming house hold names and celebrities. Ego is the road to ruin and I will not feed mine with applause from those not of similar ilk.
Now that his new eyes had come into focus he was able to study the map.
Lets start in one of these small, isolated towns. Like this Portland.
As to what I can do...well, its plain to see that this body is suited for hand to hand combat and I can feel some of Father's malevolent magic coursing though these bones even if he is not anwering prayers anymore. It is less than I was but has much potential.
"I am capable of posing as a member of almost any profession. So the sideshow idea isn't a limitation for me. However, Portland appears to be several hundred miles away, over mountainous terrain. How do you propose we get there?" Merran asks Sicsivicus. "The purpose of the performing troupe wouldn't be to get our ego's off or become famous, it would be to have an excuse for why we're so freaky and a reason to not stay in one place. If I'm going to walk hundreds of miles I at least want to earn some money and corrupt some mortals along the way."
"Merran is right and I agree with you Sicsivicus 100% Anonymity is our best weapon and what better way than to hid in plan sight, but when you paint it as 'ether' 'Anonymity' or 'celebrities' that is where you misunderstood, the aim is to hide the trappings of our work. Think a gnome who wants 4 arms. that kinds of stands out as necromancy. A Cat-folk who is partial to eating the locals.
Now no one is asking you to put on a Clowns face. But think, what better way to pick up society strays and misfits to our course than as a small travailing show, tavaling the towns and villages far away from civilization. So you see you miss understand the nature of the show I ask we make. This is not an entertainment act, this is a recruitment drive. And when the freaks come as I know they will, who best to teach them in the paths of darkness, who better to show them the freedom evil brings. Where better to tempt, twist and sway the body's we will need to make an Army. for one day we must rise humm. Or do you think you will find a hoard just waiting to be lead. In this world we must make what we need dos not this craft room show you that. Not one murder for 1200 years, if we alone try and stand the powers of goodness will hunt us is for sport. That is unless you know a better way to rise an army wile keeping five sociopaths under-control or where you seeking to become our de facto leader by means of edict, rule with fist and threats of exposure?"
The Harlequin smiles at Sicsivicus sweetly.
"I know this sounds odd but we can put this to an evil vote"
Bah! How do you even know if these sorts of things exist in this world? Traipsing around acting fooliosh is just going to garner attention. Hiding in plain sight means doing just as everyone else does. Hunt us they will just as you say and how easy to find us dragging ass loaded down with some frilly side show garbage.
turning towards Merran.
I sat Portland because it is the closest to where we are. How will get anywhere here? Walking, riding whatever they ride for beasts or boats. Yon angel raised us from the dead. Im sure she could put us wherever we want to start with no hassle.
"O dear, how very sad, lets see, you turn you back on me, show me you do no respect me in the most base of animal ways, you then start barking commands about where 'we' should go, and then its all us doing you will. how nice, to see the military mind and work, so refreshingly two dimensional. Arms, food, movement, kill, subtlety in what ever passed for a past life obviously did not play a large part in it. I can see in your mind that sneaking into a village and rapping the best cow with no one seeing, must have been the very height of tactics back then.
He moves to the door way.
"But some of us are old, some of us have been around and some of us know, some of use have seen more worlds and wars than you can possible imagine. So let me make myself clear, if you do not go along with what the group thinks is right, the group will send your soul back to what ever simplistic life it came from. You are dealing with gods here and ideas that form a very world. HOW we start this is key to HOW things will go. Your rushing off to kill in the next town as soon as yo can may work for a grunt but for a world changer. your mind will have to do whole lot better!."
The Harlequin shifts to human female form then Gnome male then back to elf.
"because right now, Orc! your looking like one big liability to us, if you can not even shift shape to 'fit in' and have a hissy fit when you do not get your way".
You keep your feckin idle threats where they belong. In your head. The rest dont look so hasty to start kiling each other. Hahaha! Five evil bastards in the whole damn world and youre ready to make it four so you can have your song and dance. It wont be enough to just commit murder for like you said they will just follow the blood trail. We need to remind them how good it feels to murder each other. I have ways to do just that. 'From the shadows' doesnt mean hiding in the woods eating grubs like you think either. I only made a suggestion of where we should go. Youre the only one barking orders clown! You do not even kow if your little feckin cabaret will work yet you are making grandiose plans to start one. I said we need more information before making any plans. You and your silly ways are the only liability I see so far so get off your 'Im a god' high horse and start using that scrambled mess you have for brains.
"you forgot to beat your chest wile you said that and you should have bellowed at the end, You know the thing about reading books is you lean things"
The Harlequin walks over to the books case and pulls out a book.
Its title is
'Current good circus Troops'
The Harlequin throws it at the orc.
"Wile you where finding out where the poop comes from on that new body of yours, I was reading, Librarys are an amazing things don't you think"
Harlequin heads back to the Crafting room chuckling.
from the crafting room you hear.
"Us a god, o that's a good one"
And more chuckling.
Hahaha! You are even funnier than you look and Im surprised that you can read considering you can hardly speak.
"Woah woah woah. Lets calm down. Sicsi-wixie is also right Harley, we do need more information. If we were the only circus in the land it would be sure to draw unwanted attention." He turns to Espressora and says, "So...Witch. Care to chime in here? Will you aid us in traveling? Can you comment on the situation of circuses and side shows out there?" He chuckles at that last question. What a ridiculous scenario this is. It will be fun though. Haven't had fun in a looooong time. "Don't you even in the least bit want to be a strongman Sicsi? You could end your act by ripping the still beating hearts from the ribcages of calves or something."
Then comes back into the room and starts pulling books off the shelf's and takes them back to the craft room
"Library, Merran start with Espressora's Library My dear"
Sic was pleased that at least one of these others would listen to reason.
Ripping the still beating heart out of animals is quite beneath me and I doubt very seriously if it would go over well with the populace here and also not as well with the authority. I wish to attract no attention whatsoever. Id rather fear and doubt of the unknown was their only enemy. We have a long road indeed before we dare show ourselves for what we really are.
Well in any case i think we will be here for a some time while her crafters make our gear, so we have plenty of time to learn about this world and what our best coarse of action might be, no need to pick any one thing right now. it feels odd being a voice of reason and calm hmmm.
if possible tronath gets some items to write with and starts making a list of things he might want crafted while the others talk.
travel, i can help you with but only from here. Once you leave my house and my woods i have no power. I dare not attract attention here.
There are indeed circuses and performance. The seed of the whole religion is a church named "the stage". Peligree has always loved a good show and actors are revered. However the peformances have become quite stagnant, what with the complete lack of proper inspiration. You would be special thats for sure but assuming you keep the show friendly, that means no ripping hearts from anything, you can attract nothing but good things. Sicsivicus is right to be weary of drawing attention. What you speak of Harlequinn will require a delicate touch, and some research on your audience. It does sound quite entertaining though. I too enjoy a good show. He he ha ha he
She starts cackling and it makes your blood run cold. You all feel slightly less hot headed.
The Harlequin comes back in to the room an hears what she has to say, shes now dressed and with a better vial of silk, she gets more books, she also says in a completely diffident voice than the last one she used.
"She's right research is needed. Sics I have a feeling your not very good at telling lies. Not the kind of bare faced lies that tick others into thinking your there best friend wile you stab them in the hart. For all your current talk of restraint and hiding. But we can make you a performer of you trust me?"
The Harlequin winks at him.
"Espressora, or should I call you Baba yaga? you said, the faith has has "the stage" at its center. Do you have any books on heretical teachings related to this faith. I would know more of its make up"
After she gets the books, She walks up to Merran and puts her hand on his arm.
"Merran, sweet the craters would like to get started on your items"
Mind Link 1pp
Then in his head she says
::"Merran, sorry to have to talk to you like this, but I felt Sicsi may need more work to win him over, hes right in a way of couse but I worry he may be thinking of being the one telling all what to do, any how you said you can impersonate any skill. Do tell me more and also about your ideas for the acts..."::
[ooc]"I want to make clear I will go along whatever plan the group decides is best."[/b]
Yes I do have some fine information on the religion. The book is more of a formal thing though. The real truth is kept up here. She taps her head a couple times. and stretches out her arm as if reaching for something. A few seconds pass and then a book floats through the air through the wall and into her hand. Here it is fresh and new. Bunch of trash honestly, they hide all the good bits.
She tosses you the book. The cover looks like an old 20's ad. It has a picture of a beautiful Half-Elf apparently called Medaglia. A million gold smile on her face as she looks to be beckoning you in. It's almost magical in it's innocence. The title reads "Pelligree and You"
Sicsivicus knew better than to brag about the ability to lie so let the slight against that skill pass without remark.
We've all seen your display at restraint already Harlequin.
He said as he absently points to the book that was thrown his way earlier.
Youll have to still that childish temper if we are ever to be amongst the populace.
he half orc was still staring at the map but turned to regard them all.
We have time it seems to come up with numerous plans. All of which can be entertained...with a nod to the clown and a grin at his pun... but none of which can be set in stone until we have seen first hand exactly how things are in this world and how the people will react. I propose the first and most important mission to be simple observation with secondary plans to manifest as opportunity dictates.
I will toss out my thoughts. First we should see what we can do with our new body's, and find out how much of our old skills still remain, and the combinations we can pull off as a group, we might not relies on such acts but information on what we can pull off as a group will be important.
looking to the witch.
would it be possible to leave this house and hunt beasts and still come back, you said this is a magic house, so i am being careful.
looking to the group as a whole
Ah i forgot to say what i can do. I am a master alchemist and make a higher number of potions in a quick time, sadly they lose effect after one day, but they cost nothing to make is the flip side. I also am very good at cutting things up, mostly living things, if only i could show you....
looking in himself he finds a new sorse of power and taps into it. going into rage. Tronaths mussels bulge and his veins stick out, his fingers turn into claws.
Oh well that will do nicely, my skills in alchemy can make similar modifications to my body. now to test.
attacks the floor.
Very good to know. lets his rage end.
She takes the book,
"Well well well, they really know how to go all out with Propaganda, I'm starting to get the picture now. Lots of happy smiley people. Magic all along to keep the world zipping along."
She flicks through the book reading fast and say to no one.
"What a MEME form, very fine work we thinks, but I see some a weakness in its stability, O we need to be the OCP thats what we will have to be come."
Then as Sicsivicus starts talking she up and walks close looking at his mouth as it moves.
"Remarkable. I have a new name for you Sicsivicus, 'Mr Obvious', and we move on to how some time ago."
She turns and puts her arm around Tronath,
"You know more arms seem like a grand idea, but that kind of Necromancy is hard to hide. 'Mr Obvious' over there would have you sulking in the shadows but my idea has us safe and sound under a vial of respectability, with lots of space, coin and time for you to work."
She looks over at Sicsivicus.
"It has yet to dawn on 'Mr Obvious' what two of us have worked out all ready, how to get coin in the land of good. You see 'Mr Obvious' would have us skulking but to get coin we would have to rob, steal and take from day one outside. That us unless you wish to sell 'Mr Obvious' the things that will be made for you?? or should we seek Gainful employments. In a land with out war or mercenaries. could I ask how are you baking skills? Or would you like a little nick-nack shop?, no? no you would have us a band of outlaws so fact we would have no time for you skulking, 'Mr Obvious'."
The clown smiles once more, making a mime of some one making a cake.
Mind link Tronath 1pp
::"Tronath, sweet would you not like a nice lab to make things in one that moves around and can be put well out of the way of seeking eyes.::"
Very impressive Tronath. And wise of you to suggest some practice hunts to work out our skills as a team.
If Sic was an impatient being he would have sighed with all the frustration of a parent over an impetuous child and probably turned said child over his knee by now. As it was he just replied with the blunt truth.
If it was all so obvious I would have expected you to make sense of it by now. But you obviously havent.
Why do say 'what two of us have worked out'? No one else has jumped fully on board with your proposal. Quite the contrary. Even our benefactor has advised against it yet you prattle on like a spoiled brat that is likely to throw a tantrum if she doesnt get her childish way. Since much like a child you have already resorted to name calling.
Turning to Espressora.
I beg of you to put this amateur back in whatever void you found it and find us another. Or leaves us as four. If this is going to be the way of things I say we have better shot without her.
Sic was seriously starting to doubt the wisdom of their benefactor for having chosen the Fool in the first place.
Much appreciated Sicsivicus. Before we go on any farther lets find out what ideas and thoughts our new comrades might have to say, any thoughts so far on this as well witch.
All jollity gone the Harlequin stops dead and stands still looks into space. Then voice's two voices come out of the gifted body, seem unearthly as if from an old radio radio broadcast. A recording of two men in a large empty room.
Voice one.
"In the form to provoke an elicited response the subject was stimulated in the form of a change to his corporeal perception of an entitled position of dominant power. This was done with combination of mockery and sarcasm, level 1 & 2"
Voice Two
"And the response? did the subjects actions fall within projected parameters."
Voice One
"They did, to with the 87th percentile."
Voice Two
"Will the subject continue along the projected path"
Voice One
"We believe so, At this point the Subject is doing as projected."
Voice Two
"and the others?"
Voice One
"Yet to be analyzed, but we are working on that."
Voice Two
"I see, well, end subject one test, move on to the others, when you have, report"
Voice One
"As you command"
The Harlequin then continues Her movements as if nothing happened.
Then in her normal elf voice she says, wagging her finger at Sicsivicus.
"Sicsivicus, you said you could not act!, yet your the best strait man I have had for years. But I can see my playing has angered you, so Please accept my most humble apologies"
The Harlequin bows low, with a flourish of her hand, from the bottom of the bow she says.
"Will you ever, find it in your hart, to forgive me"
This is said with such startling sincerity it is a vast contrast from her previous manner.
She straitens up then moves to Espressora side
"Espressora sweety, can you tell me some thing of the west cost, from reading your books they seem very laid back. What do they do for recreation and who she points to a are of wood land south looks after this land.
Pointing at copy of the map
Merran watches the back and forth with a frown on his face and remains quiet. Once Harley apologizes he interjects, "I am not set one way or another at this point. I agree that we need more information. The traveling show idea could work, or not. Espressora, is this area completely depopulated, or does it simply lack large cities? It would probably behoove us to spend a day or two in a small town, to really get a feel for what the common Peligrite is thinking. After that we could return to collect our crafted gear, and make a final plan. Does that sound reasonable to everyone?"
The Harlequin moves to Merran, and places her hand lightly on his.
::"Merran, that sounds like a wonderful idea"::
Mind link 1pp,
With her voice she says,
"Merran, that sounds like a wonderful idea"
While The Harlequin reboots the witch speaks to Sicsivicus in an even softer tone than before.
Sicsivicus, please trust that I chose her for a reason. Look how entertaining she can be..
After the Harlequin snaps out of it she addresses them all.
You are free to explore my forest as you like, but I warn you there are no civilizations here. On occasion I get visitors who are lost, and there is a small gathering of Lycanthropes that I have quite enjoyed letting live, for now. Upon leaving this forest you will find it quite hard to get back. I must protect myself from this world as well as I am well off the charts simply by existing.
As for the west coast, "Sweetie", they are the biggest bunch of hippie trash ever bred to bear the title living. They do nothing all day but smoke Ganja, and tend the expansive organic fields. They cover the whole of the coast and grow everything from Apples to Yucca, and a large amount of Greenery as well. As for the lands to the south...
The big half orc shook his head at their hostesses request that he abscond. He had his doubts and they were justified... Id bet a handsome amount of coin that at least one or two of the others here are of like mind and not willing to risk such a liability for 'entertainments' sake...time for that later though...
Im game for some exploration and to stretch these new muscles. Where can we get some gear?
"I see. Well perhaps we could get some experience as a group in your forest while our magical items are being crafted. Then you can teleport us anywhere?" Merran asks Espressora
Wile the others talk the Harlequin seems to pay them little heed taking up pen and some paper starts drawing at a ferrous speed. She then places the complex schematics down and summons up tiny three dimensional images of three forms, They look like tiny men with bowler hats. One of the crafts comes in to the room as if bidden. She points to parts of the schematics and places her pen into the 3d images.
"Där och där fokus finns här. Det är den makt resistiv punkten bara det, resten är som jag har visat".
The craft'er nods and picks up the papers as the images winks out of existence. Then the Harlequin gets up and gos over to the beverage table.
"Should I be mother? One lump or two? you look like a two Orc to me"
She pours out teas into fine china cups, pops them on to a tray with some small angle cakes and proceeds to walk around the room offering both.
"Tea?, Cake?"
@Merran
::"Running around in the woods, that sounds fun dear Merran, would you be looking to hunt or just explore, we may get in you way if you seek to hunt, but we could beat some thing out to you. How dos that sound"::
@Tronath
::"You seem to be some one after my own hart, a maker of things, could I ask would you modifications work and any living thing? and you talked of more arms, could you do that to any living thing? I would really like to know if mine and your skills can be used to make things, would you feel we could work as a team, making some thing truly new"::