Thanks Reckless. I'd much rather know, than linger. Good luck with your stuff. To everyone else, see you around the boards, I'm sure.
--deviousdevious
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yeah, it has. Everything OK, GM? How's the new computer working out?
Rahdeem leaves his post from across the street and climbs higher into the sky, sliding over to be above the building as Yander moves up to it. Still hidden from view by his Chameleon power, he conjures some subtle defensive winds, which start swirling around him, just in case someone does manage to see him. Keeping his eyes moving in a pattern that covers the whole building and all its entrances and exits, Rahdeem signals to the others that he is in position, just before hearing Yander announce his presence.
been there. good luck. that's the absolute worst.
"Roonie," Rahdeem calls out over the mindlink, "What are they talking about in there?"
"Ha. Yes, for now. Though I expect we'll see our share of violence soon enough... Go ahead, get into positions around the building everyone, and check in. Then I'll distract the door on your 'go', Roonie. And we'll be right behind you."
"I'm just thinking that if the man in there paid Hali to deliver the note to Yander, perhaps he ought not to show himself. If we want to follow them, or listen in for a while, that might teach us something about what they're up to and to whom they answer. And if we need a distraction, or back-up for that matter, I am well positioned here to do both. Perhaps Sir Yander and Lady Calista could position themselves close by as well?"
"And then what, Sir Royce? Are you suggesting we attack them outright? Or that we simply allow Roonie the opportunity to infiltrate?" Rahdeem pauses, and continues. "If it's the latter, perhaps I can distract them from up here, and then we both can stay hidden."
From his perch on the building across the street, Rahdeem watched Roonie steal a glance into the building, then lets his eyes dart to the clay roof. That looks somewhat fragile. I wonder if I could break through it in a pinch? he thinks to himself, careful to avoid broadcasting to the others, before asking Roonie over the mindlink, "What do you see in there, friend?"
After giving Roonie directions, Rahdeem concentrates and activates Chameleon and tries to move un-noticed to a new, closer perch above the building where he'll have a good view of the approach. Upon arriving, he looks around. "I'm in place, just come when you can." he replies to the others. "And be careful down there Roonie."
"To the sky it is then. Stay safe, all." Rahdeem slips down the first open alleyway or corner he can find, then launches himself up, hoping to avoid detection from whomever might be following them and any onlookers, then finds his way back to the group, maintaining an overwatch position as the others move down the street.
Rahdeem does his best to not physically react to the warning, and answers in kind as he and the others continue to walk down the road. "Will do, Roonie. And be careful, friend."
Rahdeem waits for Calista to finish before chiming in. "I don't know Calista, I agree time's important, but we'll get nothing done if we're caught out split up and get ourselves killed... Perhaps we should stick together, and maybe just get an early start?
Good catch, Calista, but I hope it's nothing... Rahdeem thinks to himself. As he waits for Hali's response to the question, he keeps a careful eye on the girl and remains ready to act against her if necessary, Calista's warning about shapeshifting magic fresh in his mind.
Rahdeem follows Yander towards the kitchen, but lingers in the arched doorway, keeping an eye on the conversation, and prepared to act if anything goes awry.
Rahdeem frowns at the mention of using the girl, but doesn't say anything out loud or over the mindlink, then slowly nods in agreement with Calista.
"I agree, Sir Yander. I'd like to think that the girl isn't involved, and that a palace-spy seems more likely. Still, it can't hurt to have Calista check, gently." "Regarding our current base of operations, I don't expect any new place we find will stay hidden long from a palace spy. I think our best bet is to play our advantage and rely on Master Garnackle's traps to do their job. As for myself, I'll not stop scouting from the sky, but I will certainly continue to do my best to stay hidden from view. If anyone sees me, they'll have earned it. I assure you I'm quite good at staying unseen." "As for tomorrow, perhaps morning is best? If we find anything, that'll give us time to follow up. No sense wasting a day."
::Nothing particularly sinister Calista, just that I'd like a good vantage point, since we're expecting 'guests' at some point. Sometimes thing look more clear from above, and in my experience, it's better to strike first when visited by guests such as we expect:: Replying over the mindlink, Rahdeem is quiet at first, then offers, "Let me get a few maps then, and you can mark them for us with the captain's address, my Lord." With that, Rahdeem flits off into the other room and starts rummaging around for a map of the locality. After a short while, he returns, map in hand.
Rahdeem interjects, addressing Lord Pansidar.
Gesturing to Roonie, he continues,
"I myself would prefer to pick my enemies off from a distance. Perhaps I shall familiarize myself with the roof of this building."
bummer. good luck with everything.
As the Lord knocks on the door to the manor, Rahdeem floats towards him and drops to the ground, landing deftly and silently on his feet a few yards away from Pansidar. With a thought, he dismisses his Chameleon power, and as his skin and equipment pop back in to full view, he coughs politely, begging for acknowledgement as he pulls the key from his pouch and walks towards the door. "Greetings, Sir" he says, careful to avoid acknowledging the man by his title when he's clearly gone to lengths to avoid being recognized. "The others are on their way, let's wait for them inside, shall we? Rahdeem opens the door, and gestures inside. Before following the man indoors, Rahdeem gives a good wide look to see if anyone happens to be watching too intently...
Hi all! Hope everyone had a nice NYE etc., looking forward to getting back onto a regular schedule. Cheers!
::An excellent plan. I'll see you there:: Taking the keys from Calista, Rahdeem rises up off the ground and speeds towards the house. However upon returning, Rahdeem recalls the thoroughness with which Roonie trapped the house, and instead decides to wait outside the front door, and keep an eye out for the Lord.
::Very well, I'll stay in the sky then and get a better look, but finding one single warehouse from the many in the city might prove harder than you think, friends:: After sending a quick response to Calista's request through the mindlink, Rahdeem jets upward, gaining a significant amount of altidude, and does his best to take in the big-picture layout of the city.
::I agree, the warehouse seems like a good next step, and if the guards haven't heard of the Dhalavei's involvement, we might still keep the element of surprise. Maybe we should wrap things up quickly here, no sign of anyone yet, but you never know...:: Rahdeem keeps his head on a swivel, watching the surroundings intently.
::"Okay then, I'll keep a watch on the outside from above. Be careful in there":: Rahdeem returns back to the air directly above the building, his skin and equipment still taking on the appearance of the sky, making him nearly invisible. Floating around 30 feet off the ground and slowly spins himself in a continuous circle, he watches for anything that might seem dangerous or suspicious, prepared to blast anything that menaces the others.
::Perhaps Roonie and I ought to stay hidden then. I can't imagine more of us will calm her, especially if we step from the shadows. Maybe you can calm her, Raziya, and get some information?:: Rahdeem thinks to the others.
Rahdeem conveys to the others about the alleyway and the girl over Calista's mindlink. ::Looks like just the one girl inside, going about her business, nothing illicit. No back door either. Why don't you try knocking on the front, and I'll watch the back in case anyone tries anything? :: While waiting for a response, he scans the alley in both directions every few seconds, watching for anyone who might not belong.
::Will do, let me know what you all see, and I'll do the same::
Rahdeem bows his head for a moment in concentration, and then leaps silently into the air. As he rises, he skin, clothing, and equipment take on the color of the sky behind him, leaving only the most acute of watchers a chance to notice him.
Rahdeem floats up, over and around the shop, coming to a stop on the other side of the building a few dozen feet off the ground before taking in the scene.
With a quick thought, Rahdeem reports back to the others what he sees.
Rahdeem wears a thin frown as the discussion of splitting up begins. More efficient, maybe, but also more dangerous. At Raziya's comment, he nods in apparent agreement, and replies. "I am willing Calista, if we think it best, yes, but I agree with Raziya. I am more than a small amount concerned about the prospect of splitting up. As you said yourself, we each bring something to the table here; splitting our resources might make us more efficient, but could also leave us under-equipped to deal with whatever it is we may find." Rahdeem pauses and glances around the room to judge the response before continuing, I can appreciate wanting to make a good impression on his Lordship before he visits this evening, and having followed up on two leads would be impressive to say the least, but I can't shake the feeling that moving in separate directions is a dangerous plan. Dhalavei's cultists have already demonstrated they are powerful, and I should not like to underestimate them.
As Yander exits the main rooms in search of the stables, Rahdeem floats back to where Raziya and Calista are discussing the paperwork, keeping an eye on the two women on the chance that their discussion escalates into something more. Looks like Raziya intends to see this job through, while Calista... is being, well, Calista... taking in the situation, Rahdeem tries to diffuse the scene. "Excellent idea Raziya, about the writs. Don't you think so, Calista? And I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to discuss groundrules for working together. We all seem a reasonable lot, how much could we possible disagree on? And Lord Pandisar will be coming by still tonight, let's wait until we have heard the final details before agreeing to anything further, internally. How does that sound?"
As Calista and Raziya flexed their personalities at each other, Rahdeem listened carefully. At Raziya's snort, Rahdeem breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Looking to keep things light-hearted, Rahdeem turns to Yander, and gestures to Junebug.
Rahdeem replies to the knight slowly and with a definitive air,
Turning and bowing to their host, Rahdeem continues, "Shall we then? And how do we go about securing our writ, sir?"
And so the knight speaks... Rahdeem watches the girl leave the room, and nods, smiling at Lord Pandisar and gesturing to Yander.
As he turns back to face the others, a mild wind swirls as Rahdeem's feet lift off the ground and he crosses his legs into what would otherwise be a sitting position, his head remaining at the same height as everyone else, save the gnome.
Calista+GM: ::Calista, hello. This is...unexpected, and yet rather convenient. All are new faces to me; I'd assumed maybe you knew them. That would suggest Lord Pansidar is being genuine, this appears to be a noble cause, and one that I'm rather interested in. Do you agree?::
As the conversation progressed, Rahdeem held his tongue while the others began to speak, watching them closely. Hrm, both the lady and the gnome seem to know their trades well; no delay, jumping right into the right questions to ask. Clearly not their first time, if they're to be taken at their word... Realizing the armored man has yet to speak, Rahdeem studies him for a moment. ...And this big man seems to be holding his tongue- hat's off to your discipline, sir. I'd bet anything he's a more clever knight than most I've met...
Content to eat and listen, Rahdeem politely samples the foodstuffs while Lord Pansidar speaks. Following Calista's lead, he makes no move to socialize with her.
At the mention of the cult and the assassination, Rahdeem sets down his plate and somberly bows his head.
Rahdeem listens to the end of Lord Pansidar's speech, is scanning the others for reactions when Calista asks her question.
Having left his initial meeting with Calista, Rahdeem split his next few days between enjoying what was left of the Festival, and keeping a careful eye on Calista. Can't be too careful he reassured himself innumerable times, before ultimately deeming her trustworthy. After receiving the letter from a mysterious delivery-boy, Rahdeem instantly wonders if this has something to do with one of Calista's jobs. Regretting he didn't have time to meet with her before needing to be at the palace, he makes his way there with the help of some locals, fully expecting to see Calista waiting there when he arrives.
Instead of reaching for Calista's hand, Rahdeem extends forward and picks up the goblet holding his yet-untouched wine, smiles, an addresses Calista. I should like some time to think over your offer, Calista, but my first glance finds your terms as reasonable as any I worked with. Let's say we finish this wine first, and then I make my decision?
Well it was worth a shot...
"Calista, you are an exceedingly kind host, and I appreciate your story. However, I have learned in my time alive, that it is best not to tell your life story to every woman, however kind, that one meets. Suffice to say, if your jobs are interesting enough, and achieve a certain, shall I say, minimum standard of ethics, I'd be more than happy to participate." And please no more gossip "I am willing to share my lineage, though that's hardly a guarded secret" Rahdeem continues, gesturing to the blue marks on his arms.
In the blink of an eye, Rahdeem disappears from view, though as he continues talking, it's quite obvious he is wearing a rather large smile.
Rahdeem listened to Calista's story quietly, his goblet sitting untouched in front of him on the table.
As Calista quickly changed topics, commenting on the woman in the street, Rahdeem glanced over his shoulder towards her for a moment before sending his glance back towards Calista.
Growing intrigued, if a bit confused, Rahdeem pushed the girl out of his mind and brought the conversation back around. So you're an investigator of sorts? I've adventured a bit, and I've always considered myself a capable sort. From the sounds of it, you've maybe been at the game little longer than myself. Where exactly do you call home, Calista? And do all your jobs involve such messy subject matter?
Yup, same.
Rahdeem followed the woman back down to the ground and landed with a nimble flourish. "I see" Rahdeem responded, his interest piqued.
"It appears I was right miss. You do know what I am, and you seem to know of my people's weakness when confronted with an interesting tale. And lastly, it appears you do in fact, have one. By all means, please lead the way." Rahdeem kept pace with the woman as they made their way down the street, careful to keep an eye on the crowd as he walked. Arriving at their destination, Rahdeem stood silently during the mystery-woman's exchange with the restaurateur. After she sat, Rahdeem followed suit, and then broke his silence.
Rahdeem turned to face the voice that addressed him. Cocking his head and arching an eyebrow inquisitively at the woman, he looked her up and down, then flew in a small circle around her, continuing his inspection. Ehmm... he coughed, Hello to you too. A half-elf maybe? But there's something different about her, those eyes-- and what is that crystal thing on her forehead? With a thought, Rahdeem gently increased the strength of the winds swirling around him, and his eyes flashed accordingly with electricity, even as the blue patterns on his arms and chest began to move with faster speed. I am Rahdeem, of Breeze. I think you know what I am, but you have me at a disadvantage, my lady. I can't claim to know either who or what you are. Rahdeem stole a glace down at the crowds, where more and more people were starting to take notice of them.
Rahdeem smiles to himself as he makes his way down the busy street among the swaths of people joyously throwing the colored dusts and dyes in the air. So many interesting stories these people have to tell... he thinks, reflecting on some of the conversations he's managed to overhear. A subtle breeze blows past him as he snakes his way through the crowd; his personal wind pushing the dust around him and keeping both he and his cloak free of colors, save the dancing blue streaks that had always marked his skin. Rounding a corner, Rahdeem steps out of the street and into small park with a slightly more open space than the packed streets. ...and what a, colorful, place. Rahdeem finishes his musing, and looks around at the people nearby before glancing up towards the sky. Leaving the ground slowly, Rahdeem rises above the crowd a dozen or so feet to get a better look, and turns around in a circle slowly, taking in the full scene.
Chaotic Good and Lawful Evil? I'm sure we'll be fast friends Raziya :) I'm assuming from the bag of onyx that you'll be Animating a lot of dead things. Maybe I should switch to Neutral after all... |