VoA's World Serpent Inn Game

Game Master Monkeygod

Master Beschi frowns at the table and looks up at the door. I shall do just that. Sliding his chair out he rises to his feet keeping an eye on the demon at the table and heads towards the door, he opens it and looks out before stepping outside.

You step outside the Inn, and find yourself in a massive, near endless graveyard and very much not in London, or New York, or any place else you've ever been to or seen. As you look around, you realize you've walked out of a mausoleum, which is still open, though the Inn is not viewable on the other side Instead you just see a swirling grey mist. You are certain however that were you to step back through, you would be back in the Inn.

As you look up, you see what you would guess is the vastness of space, as if you were perhaps on the moon, yet clearly that is not where you are.

This cannot be good.

Beschi heads back into the open doorway as that would be preferable to here. His anger rising Beschi heads to the bartender and nods to him, "I was told that I must speak with you if I am to learn more about this... place".

The shadowy man, who to your powerful senses radiates powerful necromantic energies, replies in a hollow sounding voice "Perhaps, depends on what you seek to know"

Beschi takes a seat at the bar. "I wish to know how to get back to where I am from. It would appear that an error has occurred somehow transporting me here. It is vital to the fate of my world that I return else we will be overrun by terrible and powerful foes. While intellectually I am fascinated by what has happened now is not the time to satisfy that curiosity".

The bartender doesn't seemed overly phased by your plight "Time works differently here in the World Serpent Inn. You can spend what seems likes weeks on end here, only to arrive back whence you came and discover only mere minutes had passed. Unfortunately, there's no real way to determine which exit or room will take you back to your home world. Not only that, but it's entirely possible that even if you do find a way home, you'll land in the distant past or the far future." He peers closely at you, and it feels like his eyes a burning a hole in your immortal soul.

"Ah. Your one of them. Have no fear, I know your master quite well. When you eventually do get back, tell him you had a few rounds with Veldrin and he'll understand."

Beschi stares at the Bartender in shock, "Are you saying that my sire has been here!" Whatever else Beschi has heard is absorbed in the shock of the moment and he does not respond to any of it.

Veldrin laughs "Your sire, and he who you currently work for both have been here before."

Beschi grimaces, The man is reading my mind as easily as I read a book. "Assuming what you say is true then they must have a found a way out so it is possible to do so. Time may or may not be of the essence. In any case what can you tell me about the demon at the table behind me? Is his presence here a test for me as I will or was soon to do battle with such creatures".

Perception check dc 35 to overhear Beschi's conversation with Veldrin. 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (12) + 33 = 45

Hearing the older gentleman talk of demons and gesture in his direction Valen stands. "If you'll excuse me Miss Jen, I believe I feel my nose itching." Easily making his way toward the bar Dalnen takes a stoll next to Beschi. "I'm no demon. I find the beings deplorable and rude, to say the least. But, I will admit I've been mistaken for one once or twice. Tends to happen when you look like I do."

Veldrin nods at Dalnen's comments "What he said is true, he is no demon, though I will let him be the one to tell you what exactly he is. However he is not here to test you, merely one more patron whose found their way to my inn." He pauses to think for a moment "Yes, they found a way out, but it's generally happenstance as opposed to any real ability to find an exit. Even I don't know all the right rooms and doors, as while I am the bartender, and this is currently my inn, it wasn't always that way, and it may not be that way forever. What I would suggest you do dear Kindred is to relax, and enjoy your stay at the World Serpent Inn while it lasts. One never knows if they'll ever make it back, and it would be a shame to waste what could be a once in a life time opportunity by worrying how to leave"

"Perhaps this is a sign that I have been searching for. Very well as I have little choice in the matter I shall learn what I can in my time here. Though I do have one final question for you, if you know who I am then you know my, limitations. There are concerns and needs I have, can they be accomodated here?"

Beschi turns to Dalnen while waiting for Veldrin to reply, "I apologize if I have offended you. I am Master Costanzo Giuseppe Beschi of Clan Tremere. Though considering my current circumstances it seems I am the master of very little including my burned out husk of a Chantry. Tell me who and what are you?"

Raising his hand in a placating gesture, Dalnen shakes his head. [b]"No offense taken. It takes quite a bit to offended me. I am Dalnen Vasir and there are those who know me as the Crimson Duke. A pleasure,"[b] he replies with offered hand.

Beschi returns the shale with a surprisingly solid grip, his hand is cold to the touch.

"It is a pleasure to meet you then Dalnen, my friend calls me Beschi. What led you here or are you trapped as I am/"

As Beschi's cold grip touches Dalnen's his eyebrow arches slightly, but his expression quickly returns to a passive one. "The Inn itself brought me here. I've traveled my world many times over and after seeing it for so long it got a little stale. I'm an... entrepreneur of sorts, and my own world held little business that was interesting. When I head that this was the doorway to the multiverse I knew I had to come and see new things." Turning toward the hooded barkeep, "An abyssal shriek, please." After receiving a moderately sized tumbler with a bubbling and smoking liquid and taking a slight quaff he turns back to Beschi. "Tell me, you are strangely attired Master Beschi and pardon my rudeness but your hands are chilling. Are you native to some plane of cold climes?"

"I am an anachronism even in my own world, this style of dress suits me and is quite comfortable. The society in which I live people are adorned in much stranger attire than this I assure you. Cold climes? Yes, I have caught a chill that simply won't go away my apologies if it has made you uncomfortable".

"Are there other places you seek to journey to? My world has changed a great deal in the last few centuries, magic like the doorway to this place I had believed was gone forever. Tell me how were you able to locate the portal to this place?"

Dalnen shakes his head holding up a crimson colored hand. "No apologies. I was merely commenting. Usually beings with such chilling touches are either dead or beings of cold and you do not appear to be either. I hope you're able to warm yourself soon." Taking a long draft from the cup, Dalnen finishes his drink and motions for another.

"Where would I like to go? Anywhere new that would provide unique sights to be seen and new opportunities to be had. My world hasn't truly changed much over the last few centuries. Nations and empires have come and gone. Societies have risen and stagnated. But people seem to be the same. I imagine my own world seems to be on the cusp of something new but it doesn't truly hold much sway for me anymore. Which is why I sought this place out," he gestures to the rest of the bar.

"I heard rumors of it and was intrigued. I saw an opportunity and went for it. I searched out more rumors and that lead to stories which lead to tales. All of which contained both fiction and fact. Once I was able to sort out the fact from the fiction I found the nearest egress and came."

After a few sips and moments of silence he spoke up again. "But I suppose that is very vague. The entrance I came through was door on a stoop in a back alley in the City of Door, known as Sigil. It's certainly a sight to behold. Never have I seen a place where there was such a mix of beings. Sigil is about the only place in all of the multiverse, that I know of anyways, where you can see an angel and a devil walk down the street and not attack one another. Truly a marvelous place."

"Fascinating. So the world which you occupy is very rich with magic. My world was once rich with it as well, at least the stories say it was. Magic is quite rare now. Few wield it and those few do not share.
Technology has replaced magic. Devices which allow communication across the world, devices which allow scrying from remote locations, transmissions of data both visual and audio are in every home. Other devices allow for travel across land, beneath the sea, through the air, and even to the stars".

Beschi pauses for a moment, "Veldrin, do you serve my drink of choice here as well?"

Beschi turns back to Dalnen, "Angels and Demons? Together? Such a thing is unthinkable! How could this be, are they not sword enemies? Gd must punish any such Angels for these transgressions. This I simply cannot believe, they must be fallen".

Jun stands slowly and stretches, shaking off the lethargy that had set in to his muscles. 'I have been too long from the world it seems...' Sighing, he moves to the bar, propping himself against it, before staring around the room.

'So many things to do, all the time in the world to do them!' Nodding softly, the man frowns, staring down on a spot of drink that has spilled on to his hand, before pulling a cloth from his pocket. Wetting the cloth with a small skin of water he keeps at his belt, he wipes the spot clean, before drying his hand on a small piece of toweling.

'There. All better!' Nodding in satisfaction, he turns towards the two men standing at the bar. 'Interesting...'

Dalnen chuckles and sips his drink. "Oh, they are sworn enemies. But the Gray Lady does not permit open violence in her city. True there are fights that break out from time to time. But nothing too large. She'd not have it. As for them being fallen I don't think so. The goodly gods understand that the Gray Lady wishes to keep the peace and since Sigil sits on the nexus of crossroads they do not wish to cross her. So, they abide the armistice. No one truly knows how powerful she is and none of the gods; good, evil, or neutral wish to find out." He pauses and takes a few more drinks, pondering what Besci has said. "A world without magic? Interesting. I've encountered places in my own world where magic ceases to function or behaves erratically. But never a whole world where there is no magic. That would certainly be a sight to see. Wouldn't it Mal?"

A voice issuing from Dalnen's hip speaks up. "A world without over-pompus wizards or sorcerers trying rule the world? Sounds amazing to me. You think we could set up shop there?"

sorry for the long delay in reply. Just moved to Kentucky and don't have my computer down here yet. So, computer use is intermittent.

"It is not devoid of magic but there is very little left of it. I wield some power but it cannot be divorced from the blood which powers my energies. Gods? Do you worship multiple Gods? The pagans of old did so but there is only one true God. I wonder can it be that His light has not spread to other worlds? I must admit that I have never given much though to other worlds but I suppose I must consider it now..." Beschi trails off for a moment.

"Is that blade speaking or is it a soul trapped in an inanimate object? So many wonders in this one little room".

Beschi turns to Jun Fah and nods but does not speak to him.

Dalnen nods. "Many people do indeed worship multiple gods. I'm not much of a theist myself. I know they exist but found that thinking any one specific god is directly interested in my continued existence to be some what farfetched. In fact I know they're not lest they would have cured me of the curse that afflicts me. I've visited many clerics each espousing different tenets. But none carried what I sought. As for one true god? I've heard of no such being. Many of the gods work in concert and some are more powerful than others. But none claiming to be the one and only true god. Certainly an interesting notion." He nods in the direction of Jun. With a motion Dalnen pulls back his cloak revealing a sword. "Yes, he is speaking," he replies pulling the blade from the sheath and placing it on the bar. "This is Malcastus. Technically his soul is trapped within the blade but he has spent so many years inside he's not sure he'd want to leave."

"Dalnen is indeed correct. It's been many millennium since I've had a body. And I have almost no recollection of my life. But I've grown attached to the red one and without my skills he'd definitely fail at anything he attempts. Truthfully, I'd not know where my soul would go nor what I'd do in the afterlife. It took time but I am content as a sword."

"Cursed? Yes I am familiar with being cursed indeed. For soem time I sought a cure to my particular curse but I too have grown to accept it. Surrendering to death and what lays beyond is not an option for me. I seek redemption or at least that is what I thought I was doing and now I end up here. Perhaps it is the cursed and the afflcited that end up here". Beschi ponders for a moment.

"I assure you there is only one true God, all other Gods have shown themselves to be false with time. I have met beings who are so powerful with a mere thought they can crush your will. Who move so swiftly the sound of the death they deal canot even be heard. No doubt these Gods are but Wizards playing at Gods, they live and die they are not Gods".

Beschi turns to Jun Fah, "What is your story stranger?"

The barkeep looks to Beschi and in a voice that echoes from the shadows behind him says "I can assure you, there are exist a multitude of gods, demigods, and more. I should know, I've killed my fair share"

"Ah there now, you have proved my point. God cannot die, what you slew were pretenders. Beings who may be powerful but are as mortal as you or I. Well perhaps not you". Beschi smiles as he does not know what to make of the barkeep.

"Or your knowledge of the multiverse is severely limited. For example, did you know that there are countless planes of existence and mortal worlds? In the vastness of the realms, there are indeed beings who are divine and they can in fact die. Just because you aren't aware of such things does mean they do not exist."

"My knowledge of these things I agree are limited. I postulate that there is only One God and that He cannot die. By extension anything else that can die, whether labeled as Divine of not, is by definition not God and therefore not the One True God. It is a matter of belief in my faith".

"How do you know he can not die? Has anyboy ever tried to kill him?"

"It is an interesting point you raise. My Faith tells me He cannot die. Stories are told of Angels who rose up against Him in revolt, they were cast down as Fallen to the pits of Hell. So that is the only attempt I am aware of. It is these same foes I seek to fight or perhaps their minions".

"I know plenty about the forces of the Pit and their counterparts in the infinite Abyss. I will tell you this, their power might be great, their numbers seemingly endless, but what I have seen is that no matter how powerful or how numerous they are, true faith, such as what you seem to possess will turn the tide against them."

Finishing a long pull and nodding toward the barkeep, "I agree. I've traveled and adventured with a a number of clerics and a couple paladins once. And many of them display the devout faith you so display. But blind faith can be troublesome as well. I suppose that faith is a very fine double edged blade. Capable of healing and harming all in the same stroke. I've even traveled to a country in which religion and faith of all sorts was made illegal. Who knows what faith has the answer? Certainly not I."

"Faith healing and harming? I have never seen such miracles, my belief is here Beschi points to his heart because I trust in my faith. God grants me no such powers. If anything healing and harming are more akin to sorcery on my world. For a long time I believed I was forsaken, I see the opportunity laid before me now as a chance to redeem myself and I assure you I have many sins to be redeemed".

"Every being has sins. Some greater than others. It's the nature of being mortal. Some wish to wipe it away while others revel in it. As to the nature of it being sorcery, in a way it is. The gods from my world grant various devout followers a portion of magic in order to perform healing and various other things."

Jun smiles and bows to the outlander. "My story is a long one, strange and twisted. If you both have the time I am sure we could talk over all these things at a table!" He gestures back towards the squashy armchairs he had just vacated himself.

Beschi turns to the barkeep. "If you could have the waitress bring my drink to me that would be most appreciated".

Beschi turns back to Jun, "I am Master Beschi, this is Dalnen Beschi gestures towards Dalnen I am sure he would be as interested in your story as I am". Beschi proceeds to walk over and take a seat in the comfy chairs, not that comfort has mattered to Beschi in quite some time.

Nodding and following Jun and Beschi, Dalnen sits next to the two. Comfy. "A greetings to you Master. I apologize if I am incorrect but you look to be a monk of sorts. I studied for a time in my own world in a temple and greatly enjoyed it. You seem to carry yourself with the ease and serenity that they did."

Jun sits cross legged in one of the large squashy armchairs, pouring himself a cup of tea, before blowing on it softly and taking a sip. When Dalnen mentions he used to study at a temple, Jun smiles fondly. "Ah yes Master Vasir. I am indeed a Monk. Well... I used to be. I do not know what you would call me now!" He laughs softly, stroking his chin in thought.

"Now... Master Beschi, you are of some interest around the Inn it seems. You have a faint scent of the grave about you, but I hazard to guess you are not a zombie!" He laughs softly, taking another sip of tea, as he picks up his Harp and begins to strum a soft spritley tune. "Hmm... There are so many types of undead like that bag of bones behind the counter there, that I probably would be better off asking you, rather than guessing. So that will be my first question. Then, you may ask me one. Seem fair?"

Jun smiles, the tune twisting in to something a tad sadder, before spiraling in to merriment once more.

Turning to Beschi. "I too am curious about you, Mister Beschi. I'd mentioned your cold touch before and I've noticed you've not taken a breath once the entire time we've been talking. Now, I can think of a few planar beings that have those criteria, but they look decidedly non-human. You on the other hand appear to be completely normal, other than those two oddities. And I have to agree with our monk friend that you do have a small scent of unlife to you and yet as mentioned look completely normal. I have to say that, I am intrigued."

Veldrin melts out of the shadows next to you and fixes Jun a glare. "Bag of bones? Come now mine ancient friend, I thought we were beyond such petty comments. Do I call you a pacifist sissy?"

Jun laughs softly, twisting the tune in to a sorrowful promonade. "Veldrin, dear bone bag, I was kidding. You know I respect the terrible power you weave! And yes, you do call me a pacifist sissy, all the time. Like at breakfast. This morning!" Smiling, Jun offers the lich a hand in friendship.

10 days and no new posts? What's going on?

Beschi frowns, "The olfactory senses you both possess are extraordinary. Normally I would not admit to anything but as I sense more curiosity than aggression I shall oblige. You are correct I am not alive, undead would be an appropriate word. My people are called the Kindred, or in vulgar argot Vampires. Once we were human now we are something more and yet something less. I am 350 years old, an elder among my own kind. It is this cursed state which has brought me low before my God, once I was a monk, a priest actually. What exactly are you now if you are not a Monk? As you can see in theory I have quite a long time left to hear your tale".

Jun smiles softly. "Three hundred and fifty years old? Why you are but a child still!" Jun takes a sip of his drink, carefully, to avoid any spilling. "I am... A being!" Jun shrugs, indicating around himself. "We are all beings, are we not?"

Dalnen chuckles. "True, we all are. If you wanted to get even more basic we are only the stuff that makes us up. But the statement is truth nonetheless. Albiet, a mild dodge at the question."

Sighing softly Jun shrugs. "I am human. Well... I was... I am older than our dearly departed friend here maybe older than anyone in this room!"

Jun smiles. "I am a Monk and a Bard. I am a human and... Immortal I would guess. I have lived for thousands of years. I have seen empires rise and fall. I have travelled through many worlds, many places. I am... It is hard to explain!"

"How is it that you have come by this immortality? Though I would daresay that immortality is fleeting at best, for instance were I to live out my days I would continue to exist, however if faced with poor circumstances my immortality would be.. short lived".

Raising his glass to Jun, "Cheers. We are a select group that wander the world. Although, I must admit mine own immortality is due to a curse and something I've tried numerous times to be rid of. My own travels have shown me the same Master Fah, but you are probably a bit more enlightened than I." And with that Dalnen drains the glass, motioning a waitess for another.