"We were lucky to get through the gates with this posted. Getting out might be suicidal. We need to figure out what started this and deal with it. It seems odd that our images would have made it here before us with what happened in the village." Nevitash says as he pulls his cloak down a little more over his face. "I don't think the troll even got a good look at us all, and these are clear images of us."
"We were lucky to get through the gates with this posted. Getting out might be suicidal. We need to figure out what started this and deal with it. It seems odd that our images would have made it here before us with what happened in the village." Nevitash says as he pulls his cloak down a little more over his face. "I don't think the troll even got a good look at us all, and these are clear images of us."
"I know you were busy during school, but you took divination, right? Maybe I'm just over sensitive because it was my mother's speciality: this is no surprise at all. Maybe it wasn't even illegal salvage ... maybe the actual mission the Cygnan's were on was Search & Destroy. I think it's time you had the "real" chat with Vicky my friend. We can try to convince the Order, and the truth is the truth, so it is divinable for sure. Until then though, we are in for a rough time."
Erryll tries to smile
"Really though; time to be a little magical, like before we die. You & Vicky need to figure out why you are bonded. You seemed surprised, I am certainly surprised, and the answer will for sure help us not get shot at."
Rosaleen glanced at what the youths were posting and her eyes widened in genuine surprise. She then made sure that she and the others didn't stand and stare at it, her thoughts whirling. This seemed like an extreme response to a single death. For the first time, she wondered what she had gotten into in traveling with these people. She was now reaping the consequences of being with people that responded first and thought after. But then again, she didn't know all of the laws surrounding steamjacks.
She had never been to Corvis before or else she may have had a safe house in place that they could use. As it was, she could help with disguises but the first thing they needed to do was get out of the street. She pulled her hair inside her jacket and pulled the collar up to hide the profile of her face. "We need to get out of the street. Even if it's just into an alley away from more prying eyes and decide where to go because Nevitash is correct that getting out of the city gates will prove difficult. We need to find help in clearing this up or we need to find an alternative way out of the city, maybe by water?"
Nevitash nods and motions down a side street, "Heading down the side streets until we find a place that is out of the way makes sense." He will then begin heading off of the main road.
Kita followed Nevitash off the main street, into a side street, and finally into an alley. "Okay, this ain't good. In fact, we're in a world of trouble. Common sense says we split up. But they put us all on that there waybill, and Sir Mohammed and Rosaleen didn't do nothing. So maybe this is about Vicky, and maybe it ain't. If trouble is looking for us, we'll do better if we got each others backs."
Turning to Erryll, she said, "You ever been to Corvis before? Do you know the way to your Wizard folk? If so, lead on. Trouble likely won't find us inside their walls, and maybe we can find answers there, or at least good council."
The warrior priest looks over the notice in stunned surprised. He never thought he'd see the day. He then nods at Akita's suggestion, brain not quite firing on all cylinders.
Erryll absolutely knows where the Order is located, which doesn't exactly make him a guide though either.
"We need to get to the Order for sure: interesting that Vicky isn't cited on that posting ... let's hear it folks; we are clearly in this together, but it might also be easier for most of our group to stay in one place, and just Nev & I go to the Order to report in and ask for Sanctuary for all of us. What say you?"
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As the party talks over their predicament, a loud whistle seems to sound very close to you. Looking around you discover it was Vicky who sounded the shrill call.
"I think...I remember this place. I am an Imperial Cygnar WarJack and I need to report to command. My system is damaged and I am unable to contact any network...Commander Nevitash please register at the local garrison."
Vicky turns silent for a moment, then in a slightly softer tone says, "It's this way if you will allow me to show you..."
While all of this is happening, the party is surprised to find themselves somewhat surrounded by several poorly dressed vagabonds, each holding some form of weapon, and a few even in the remains of tattered armor.
"Well now...look whats we have 'ere! Maybe we take yers in fer a reward...or maybe you pay us to look the other way. So what's it gonna be my beauties...we'll get paid regardless!"
Nevitash looks away from Vicky as he is trying to determine how to respond and at the rough looking group and shakes his head, "This is not worth the gold. Walk away while you can."
I would leave now sinners, while you still have legs to carry you.
"Nav ... how many kills did you say Vicky had in the war!? You said she kicked someone's ribs in!? Let's see!"
Erryll lights up like a Yule tree, his forearms covered in glowing runes and his ring glowing as bright as day
Kita felt a moment of guilt - these people were going to get hurt, or worse, because of their mistake at the inn. Then she hardened her heart - these were people willing to do harm to others AND turn them in for money. She knew that bounty-hunting could be honest work, but bounty-hunters were regulated by their guild, and the contracts were confirmed and legitimate. This was not that.
The alley was too tight for her rifle, so she swished her duster open with a well-practiced move (she hoped it looked as cool as she thought it did) and drew both her pistols. "We ain't paying you, and you ain't taking us. Best be off while you still can."
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The thugs look around as if trying to gather comfort from their numbers, but many seem to be re-thinking their decision to attempt to harass this group. Slowly by ones and twos, they fade back into the darkened alleyway and soon the players are left alone once again.
However, before they can even catch their breath, a voice comes from behind them.
"Alright, don't move. You are bound by law to lower your weapons and be taken into custody, by order of The Corvis Council and General Galt
Langworth and General Adept Sebastian Nemo, I place you under arrest for murder, theft, and sedition. Please do not resist or we will be forced to take more extreme action."
The group looked and about a dozen soldiers, not city guardsmen, crowded the end of the alley. Behind you can see more of their squad mates, as well as two hulking forms of WarJacks.
Kita grinned when the thugs dispersed, then immediately deflated. Spinning her pistols back into their holsters, she sighed and put her hands up. "Better do as they say, y'all. This ain't the place for a last stand."
Maybe this would be a good thing, and they could clear up what was hopefully a big misunderstanding. Maybe.
Military law... and overwhelming force to impose it was very familiar to Mohammed. He raised his arms in aquisiance.
Rosaleen's body had been tense, ready to react should the hoodlums attack. She stayed quiet, knowing that there was nothing she could say that the others hadn't already voiced to their would-be attackers.
There was no opportunity to relax between the goons melting away and the appearance of soldiers. With a sense of dread mixed with a small seed of hope that this misunderstanding could be cleared up, she moved her hand slowly away from her bandolier and raised her arms up. "I'm not resisting." Not yet, at least.
Nevitash will carefully undo his belt with his weapon and drop it to the ground.
The glow around Erryll's hands & forearms flickered and dimmed; it wasn't easy to turn down the reaction to a threat ...
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The soldiers gather up the various weapons the players have dropped. Each is bound and frog-marched through the city to a large fortified tower on the eastern wall. Passing through the mighty oak and iron gates, the party finds themselves in an open courtyard. The soldiers un-cuff the group and an officer, whom most of you recognize as a Major.
He briefly speaks with the sergeant who brought you in before approaching the group. The party's weapons are on a nearby table.
"Well now. What do we have here? Brigands...murderers...thieves? I cannot wait to hear this story. So tell me how this is some sort of mistake."
"We knew nothing about this wanted sign until we arrived in town. There is nothing on it, so we have no idea what is happening. Maybe you could enlighten us?" Nevitash says.
Kita nodded, doing her best to look innocent. "We'd love to tell you this is a mistake, but I don't know what the mistake is. Please, what are we being charged with?"
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Removing a slip of paper from his breast pocket, the Major reads out the following.
"It says here you are wanted for theft of Cygnar military equipment, attacking one of His Magistries military officers, murder of same, and assaulting an NCO of the Cygnar Army. Well, you have all been very busy! Any words in your defense now?? Just remember I can see the warjack behind you..."
He stands there tapping the edge of the paper against his chin...waiting for some kind of answer.
"There are probably some wording and description changes that all of us would make and/or take issue with sir. Most assuredly, the Order of Wizardry might want to clear up some particulars around this matter."
Erryll does in fact nod his head at the Major: other than Kita, no one else had seen Erryll show deference to anyone. It was QUITE novel.
"I know someone of your standing can imagine that, with several mages here assembled, we are ... less experienced and less inclined to endure being treated as commoners or chattel. We do regret that the Captain made that choice and presented himself so poorly. It is certainly, however, hard to fault the laoyalty of his aide in this case."
Erryll smiles, slightly
"But if a mage of the Order asks anyone to stand down on an issue of magic, military or otherwise, that request at a minimum should be considered, and not dimissed out of hand because one believes the writ they carry is all powerful. It isn't. There were workings of magic at hand far beyond the ken of this 'Captain' and we, initially, requested quite respectfully that the 'salvage' operation be suspended so that we could make an assessment. The indivisual declined."
Erryll's look changes quickly to being VERY serious
"Again, a person of your esteem should have serious questions also. How is it that this 'jack is bonded to my colleague? How is is possible that either of them, most assuredly the 'jack itself, bypassed the cortex locks to reach out to another mind? I am decidedly learned in these matters, as is he. I want them explained, because I have no explanation myself. I deeply regret that the soldiers at hand were unwilling to accept our offer of forebearance while we looked into this. My hope is, you will see that we did not intend any disrespect to anyone, certainly not the entire Cygnan army, and that what should have been a magical investigation simply escalated ... poorly."
Kita tried to look morally correct and confident, but she still didn't know if they had done the right thing. Sure, Vicky had somehow reached out to Nevitash, but was the machine's free will worth more than a man's life? She hoped Nevitash and Erryll knew what they were talking about.
Rosaleen watched quietly, hoping that the others would be able to explain what had happened because she wasn't quite sure she understood it herself. It was hard to accept that she was in such trouble for something she hadn't directly done herself. She had thrown one grenade and it wasn't even a lethal one but a deterrent.
In that moment, she found herself contemplating what she would do if this didn't go well. Considering she had only met these people a few days ago, she had to be honest with herself that she would probably sell them out if it meant saving herself.
Rosaleen watched quietly, hoping that the others would be able to explain what had happened because she wasn't quite sure she understood it herself. It was hard to accept that she was in such trouble for something she hadn't directly done herself. She had thrown one grenade and it wasn't even a lethal one but a deterrent.
In that moment, she found herself contemplating what she would do if this didn't go well. Considering she had only met these people a few days ago, she had to be honest with herself that she would probably sell them out if it meant saving herself.
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The Major looks over the group after hearing Erryll's explanation. He looks to be ready to say something when the soft, delicate voice of Vicky interrupts him.
"Major...Tomin. I would like to speak on behalf of my commander, Lieutenant Nevitash and his squad. I reached out to the Lieutenant as his mind was a very close match to my last commander, Colonel Ezabar Gunderham. The 'procurement' unit that was sent to find me, was not authorized to tamper with my core, and as such, I was forced to call for help. I am the Queen Viktoriya Sunbright, experimental Warjack 002415- Theta. I was taken from my depot during the Skorne incursion and was deactivated. For some time I was not fully functional...that is until the Lieutenant showed up and answered my call. I will vouch for this group Major."
Before the shocked Major can say another word, another voice can be heard coming from the direction of the main gates.
"I too will vouch for this group...or at least one of them!"
A well-dressed middle-aged woman walks calmly from the direction of the gates. The guards seem surprised to see her, as none of them opened the gates to allow her access. Before anything violent can occur, the woman holds out a talisman...the symbol of the Order of Wizardry.
"Acyolite Erryll is under the command of the Order, and as such is exempt from military interference. I would ask that you release him and his friends. I think that perhaps they unwittingly stopped a theft and saved this 'jack from perhaps being sold off to the highest bidder."
This reaction also is unexpected, even to Erryll's friend Kita. Not only does Erryll raise an eyebrow in complete surprise, he then bows, DEEPLY, as though to royalty.
"My Lady, eternal gratitude! Please know that we were headed to the Order when we were ... diverted. Although Her Highness had not yet identified herself as experimental, we knew there was something unique anout her."
The normally unflappable knight has his jaw hit the floor.
Kita's eyes widened as the Warjack introduced herself. Queen?! What a strange thing to program a machine to say. Does she actually believe she's royalty? Is it somebody's idea of a joke? She made a mental not to ask Erryll later.
When Erryll bowed deeply to the wizard, Kita's already large eyes threatened to bug out completely. Wow, actual respect! I didn't know he had it in him.
She opened her mouth, then shut it again. After all, she didn't have anything particularly intelligent to add, so best off to stay mute for the moment.
Rosaleen was still processing the information Vicky provided when the woman appeared oozing authority. What exactly did the title queen mean in the world of steamjacks? And what did it mean for it to be an 'experimental' warjack?
Her eyes followed Erryll as he approached the woman and they widen slightly when he bowed. She caught Kita's reaction out of the corner of her eye and realized that she was not the only one standing there in disbelief.
The air in which the woman carried herself gave Rosaleen confidence to know that their rag-tag group has dodged the proverbial bullet. Vicky may have swayed the Major to leniency but only this woman could ask for their release and expect it to happen. She had no idea that Erryll had such powerful allies.
Even though the alchemist was fairly certain that their release was imminent, she wasn't about to get her hopes up. Her gaze returned to the Major as she waited to see what he'd say.
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Without being able to form a coherent thought about how to react, he defaults to his soldier's training, comes to attention and salutes... it was normally the safest course of action. When in doubt? Salute... even for officers.
”We were attacked. I heard a cry for help and the crew that was there attacked as soon as they saw us. They were obviously up to no good and we’re trying to get rid of any witnesses.” Nevitash adds.
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The major looks a little surprised by the reveal of Vicky, as well as the appearance of a member of the Order of Wizardry. While he never seems to drop his Stoney visage, you can definitely see he is somewhat ruffled!
"Erupm!..Be that as it may, you are still in possession of stolen property and assaulting an officer of the King's Army. While I can now see that there were..Ummm...mitigating circumstances, we still cannot let you off simply with a warning. I need to look into this a little more, and I also need to know you have not fled the city."
You see him thinking and as he is standing there, a group of men and women arrive in the square. Most are loud and boisterous and all seem to be examining some sort of metal badge and affixing it to their outer clothes. A sergeant arrives and starts giving them some instruction...something about patroling and the upcoming festivities. When she notices the Major, she snaps off a quick salute and then herds the group out of the drill square and through the front gate.
A smile slowly tugs at the major's lips.
"Yes...that could work...that could work nicely!"
He turns and calls over one of the guards and gives him some orders. The fellow takes off into the barracks as the Major motions the woman from the Order of Wizardry forward to talk to her. They exchange a few words and you can see the woman's head nodding in agreement. As they finish, the guard returns bringing with him another sergeant...this one looks like she was dragged out of bed. She salutes the Major and the two of them speak. When finished, she stands off to the right of the Major as he turns to face the party.
"Until I have had a chance to verify all you have told me, I have decided to keep you close by deputizing you as temporary guards in the city militia. You will answer to her and until we figure this out, you will be billeted here in the barracks. Vicky will also need to stay here for now...until we can figure out what is happening. Understand?"
As the cavalcade of oddity continued, Kita once again looked at her friend in confusion peppered with amazement; in all their time practicing language, Kita had heard the word Erryll used just once … when they were talking about his mother. Selu'taar
With a somewhat stricken look, Erryll almost stood at parade rest: it was disconcerting even if you did NOT know him. More so, the beautiful ring on right hand began to glow ...
"Selu'taar, please forgive me, the Articles of the Order ..."
The mage smiled slightly hearing the elven title, and interrupted
" ... specify that no member in good standing may serve on detached duty or accept orders from a non-mage without express direction given to both the serving mage and a superior officer in his detached chain of command. You are so ordered young mage."
and as the cavalcade of oddity continued to continue, the lady herself seemed to bow to Erryll, or possibly his ring
"I am no Selu'taar as that great one was to me; I am gladened you received your mother's inheritance, yet sorrowed for your loss which is now mine as well. My respects honored son. Make her proud in all things."
Nevitash looks over at Vicky and thinks, "Are you comfortable staying here?
Rosaleen's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the Major's solution to the issue. They had gone from probably being locked up in a cell to being given a badge and essentially locked up in the barracks. This was never anything she ever wanted to do but it didn't appear like they had any choice.
She lowered her eyebrows and schooled her face to one of neutrality. Stifling a sigh she simply said, "Understood."
The alchemist waited for more instructions as well as for the Major to introduce the sergeant who they now answered to. She couldn't imagine that the woman was thrilled with her new assignment, especially since it meant that she had been roused from sleep.
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Vicky returns the thought to Nevitash
"I will be fine Lieutenant. I will straighten out this Major and soon we can be on our way!"
The party is taken to a large barracks and given bunks to rest. They are warned that dinner will be soon, and if they miss it, there is nothing until breakfast. A few short hours pass before all the troops are called for mess. While somewhat bland, the food is hot and there is plenty of it.
After dinner, as darkness spreads across the city, you are taken to a corner of the drill square and your sergeant is there waiting for you.
As you approach, Sergeant Addy begins barking orders.
“All right, you lot, fall in! As auxiliary members of the Corvis City Watch, you’ve been assigned this neighborhood as your beat.”
She gestures to the unremarkable slice of Corvis wedged between the industrial sector and the Northern Graveyard.
“Your job is to patrol it from sunset to sunup. We’ve heard rumors of gang activity, so keep your eyes peeled for suspicious behavior. If you see anything out of the ordinary, report back to me. And for Morrow’s sake, try not to kill anyone who isn’t trying to kill you back! It’ll be your heads, but my headache.”
After she finishes her questionably inspirational speech, the sergeant issues each member of the party a straight wooden club and a copper badge identifying the character as a deputy of the watch. Once that’s done, she heads off to give another group of recruits their orders, but not before urging the characters once more to stay on their toes and to follow the orders of any full-fledged watch members they run into.
Kita grinned, this had turned out much better than she'd feared. Not only were they not in prison, they had a bed, as much grub as they could eat, and an upcoming payday. This work wasn't all that different from work she might have acquired with the Warders.
Hefting the wooden bat, she judged its weight and swing. "Are we authorized to make arrests, if it can be done without bloodshed?" she asked the Sergeant. "Or simply to observe and report?"
Glad that he wasn't facing burning at the post, the typical punishment for such offences menothite army, he grunts his acceptance of the offer and salutes again.
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"You may make arrests, and return the criminals to the watchhouse, or use your whistles to call the guard to your location and they will take them off your hands. Anything else??"
If no one has anything to say, leave the barracks and head toward your assigned patrol area. As you move through the streets you can see the people already celebrating, dressed in gaudy clothes, carrying streamers, and sounding horns and banging on drums. Many also take short sips out of various bottles, flasks and wineskins. While few genuinely drunk people have been encountered so far, it is not hard to see what you're going to be encountering in a few more hours.
You arrive and a guard is there waiting for you.
"About time you got here. Now listen, break up any fights, get the drunk back to their homes and for all the gods' sake, try not to kill anyone! If you come upon anything you need help with, blow your whistles and some regular guards will show up and take command. If there are no questions, then get to it!"
The guardsman heads off down the street and disappears around a corner, leaving the party on the street alone, at the gates of the old cemetery.
Kita nodded, content with the instructions. She doubted they would need to do more than drive off a few drunks. Partiers rarely wanted to tangle with authorities, not when there was more partying to be done.
That said, she would missed the comforting weight of her pistols on her hips.
"Shall we start with a circuit through the graveyard?" she asked the others? "Good place for people with bad intentions to carry them out, especially during a festival." She entered through the main gates and walked slowly, taking care to keep her eyes and ears open.
Rosaleen felt naked without her bandolier but thankfully the guards had overlooked her alchemy kit. The rigid views of law enforcement of what constituted a weapon had worked in her favour this time.
She listened to Sergeant Addy's orders but was a less enthusiastic participant than others in their group. How are we supposed to take the drunks home when we're not familiar with the city? But she figured that her question would sound disrespectful so she kept quiet. She took the few items given them and put the copper badge in her pocket. She felt no need to display it.
Her interest was piqued by the mention of patrolling the industrial sector because there could be possible chemicals laying about that wouldn't be missed but then Kita suggested starting with the graveyard. Rosaleen shrugged and muttered, "Whatever," before following. Just because she thought this was a waste of their time and talents, maybe they'd get lucky and something interesting would happen.
Rosaleen kept her ears open for suspicious sounds and looked for questionable shadows as she patrolled with the others.
Nevitash slips his cudgel into his belt and says, "I have never been here, so one place is as good as another. Lets go and see if we run into anything."