Yeah, I'm scaling down too. Closing a PbP that I'm running, and backing away from a couple of other games. Thanks though, and the rest of the game sounds like it would have been a blast. Cheers!
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And so dies a brave and bold Badger Lord game! I think?
Is it just Hames and I posting at this point?
"Hmm," mutters Simeon, bouncing the small diary in his palm. "Much as I hate to admit it, this probably has what we came looking for. At least, it might explain our friend's defection. Hames, care to take a look at the last few entries?" That said, he lobs the diary over to Hames underhand. Then he freezes, eyes going wide as he stares at an innocuous silver cup. "Uh. Guys? That cup there. I coulda sworn it just moved by itself." His voice has gone stiff and tight with sudden nerves.
Simeon moves forward with a purpose, looking and searching for whatever might catch his eye. Rifling through the desk, opening the chest, he seeks objects of both monetary value and that which might inform their quest.
Simeon grins and rubs his hands with anticipation before following on Hames' heels, intently peering around for both trouble and information.
Simeon shudders and steps judiciously behind Hames.
Simeon hesitates beside the door and then looks down at the others. "Hames, you got any magic that we can use to open this without bringing the world down on our heads?"
Simeon breathes a deep sigh of relief, nods, and continues his ascent. This time he moves even more slowly, taking painstaking care to climb as stealthily as he can.
Hey guys, with the GM's permission I'd like to post some news and an offer: I've just finished writing Book 1 in The Chronicles of the Black Gate, a new epic fantasy series that I'm publishing on Amazon. It's currently with my editor, but I'm hoping to publish it mid-April and have already begun outlining and plotting Book 2. The reason I'm bringing this up is because I'm looking for sharp, creative, fantasy-oriented folk who might enjoy reading an ARC enough to write an honest review come launch day. If you're between books or curious enough to read the first chapter, you can grab a copy in either PDF or EPUB format here in my Dropbox folder. Here's the very rough blurb:
Many thanks!
Simeon lets loose a string of expletives and shakes his hand, blood splattering everywhere before he sticks it in his mouth and sucks on the wound. "Gah! Who puts a stupid lamp on the wall?" He then places his hand between his thighs and squeezes it before taking a deep breath and cocking his head. "Looks like they've somehow detected us. Quick - hide and then ambush them!" Moving like a wraith, Simeon darts behind the closest piece of furniture, tapestry, wall hanging, or suit of precariously balanced armor.
Simeon leads the way upstairs, moving as quietly as he can, falling into old habits as he tests each step for extra-creakiness.
Feel better, Hames!
Simeon looks at the rest of the group. "Anybody good with locks?"
Simeon cracks his knuckles. "A good ol' fashioned break in then. Let's see."
Simeon grins and drapes his arm over Gabriela's shoulders in turn as they walk down the street, smiling blithely at one at all. "Alas, that young man with stars in his eyes got mugged by an ill fortune, which shoved his head deep into a barrel of mule's piss and taught him that if you want aught in this world, well, you gotta take it by the balls and pull as hard you can." He nods in turn. "You seem perfectly set for an innocent conversation, like. Maybe we could dress you up as a courtesan, get you a fake letter of introduction, and have you pump this lady for secrets in the city, one sister to another, like." Upon reaching the house, Simeon eyes the building with judicious speculation and then rubs his nose. "There's something to be said for bluffing our way inside. Just knock on the door, tell 'em that the accountant sent us, that he was hurt real bad in a distant part of the city, demand our payment for services rendered, and then watch as the Blackjacks run off to save their mates. Leaving, incidentally, the house wide open for us to just walk into without a by-your-leave."
"Thing about visiting his lover is that unless we off her, she'll tell him we're snooping around. And there's no way she'll reveal the secret tunnel without inducements. So." He rubs his chin. "How about we leave off visiting her till the morning of the show? And just break into his house tonight for now?"
Simeon straightens with a proud smile as the Blackjacks run off. "Well, looks like I haven't gone soft with old age." He pinches his gut. "Not yet, anyways. So! What shall we be? I say we knock off some more guards during the day, pay Antoinna a visit during the evening, and if we're still feeling in fine fettle pay the house a visit later tonight. Agreed?"
"Welp. I think the best answer is to kill them. Their friends are going to get it in the neck from us, and why wouldn't they run to them and give them a head's up?" Simeon looks from one friend to the other. "But I think killing 'em would make you lot mighty uncomfortable, and we'd have to deal with the law if they found the bodies." He leans in close to the Blackjacks. "So listen good. You're getting lucky today. You're not dying. But if you think about going back to your friends, the next time we see you we'll drop you just as easy, and I'll take my time with you 'cause you'll have really pissed me off and made this personal. Got it? Lie low for a couple of days, and then get back to your old life."
Simeon looks to his friends. "Problem is, what do we do with these men now? If we let them go, they're liable to run and spill the beans. I don't know if I trust 'em enough to just take their word, and it would be a pretty nasty business to just cut their throats and hide their bodies. Maybe we can leave them locked up somewhere till we're done?" He looks to the Black Jacks. "Any suggestions so we don't have to kill you?"
*grin* Simeon is pretty good at being the bad cop. He kind of excels at it, even. Ah, the thug life.
"Now that," says Simeon with a broad smile, "Is some excellent information. A secret lover, you say? My my! If we can locate that secret entrance ourselves, we'll be in ripping good shape. Do you know where said entrance is?"
"All right, let's start with the nose slitting. Nothing gets the tongue going like a white blinding fire in the middle of your face that won't ever go away." Simeon draws his knife. "Pin this idiot to the ground, will you?" With the servant held down, Simeon will kneel and wedge the man's head between his knees so as to steadily cut his nose in twain. This he will do unless the man starts talking or the others refuse to hold him.
Simeon grins. "Death insurance? Well how about this. I won't kill you. You'll wish I did. I'll tear out your tongue, poke out your eyes, burn out your ears, and slit your nose. Maybe break your back for good measure. Then I'll drop you off in the town square and see where the fates take you. Strong man like you should take years to die, suffering even as you would in the dark, unable to communicate or experience the world beyond blind, painful fumblings." He nods. "Then we'll just find another servant that's more biddable, like. Yes?"
Simeon grins and cracks his knuckles, stepping in closer. "Oh good. I thought this was going too easy. I hope you really have some backbone, and make extracting this information fun." He looks over at Gabriela. "Let's take him back to the warehouse? The one we cleaned up after last week's... mess? I think I've still got my tools and a cage of rats there that'll suit just nice. The rats should be nice and hungry by now." He smiles warmly at the servant and ruffles his hair. "Come on then. I bet you're not too attached to the lining of your stomach."
Simeon comes to a stop, breathing rapidly and clearly ready to keep fighting if the guards prove to be bluffing. Still, when it becomes evident they're done, he straightens and glares at the two surviving Blackjacks. "Crouch ain't good enough, my friends. Lie face down, hands behind your backs." Standing over them, spear held at the ready, he growls at his most menacing, "Why are three of you guarding this servant? Why he so important? How many more of your mercs are there back at the house? Your boss expecting trouble?"
Hello everyone, I'm going to be traveling tomorrow, so please feel free to bot me if needed!
Taking a five foot step forward, Simeon again swings his spear overhead, bringing it down with punishing speed upon the closest merc.
Me! Apsu, Apsu, Apsu!
Whole lotta conditionals in my latest post. DM, please feel free to adjudicate as needed! +1 from higher ground, +2 from Hames, rolling straight 11's due to Touch of Law.
Simeon rises into view, his longspear spinning dramatically over his head till it keens like a damned soul. Staring down with a wroth expression at the mercenaries, he does his best to seem like their doom, eyes glaring and cold. "Wrong alley, my friends. I hope you've lived rich and rewarding lives, because I'm going to open your bellies and pull out your guts with my teeth!"
Planning time! What do you guys think: Surprise round: Simeon drops and does his intimidate thing. Then you other three step into view, two behind them, one other with me (Hames?) We then pummel them to pieces as quickly as possible.
Simeon climbs up onto the roof at the far end of the alley. "Here's the plan!" he calls softly. "Wait for them to be in the middle. I'll jump down and intimidate them, then when they're nice and softened up, you guys drop down and prevent their retreat!"
That said, he finds a nice and cosy chimney in the shadows to hide behind.
We could buy a dozen live badgers, dress them in noble finery, and release a few after each ploy?
Realizing their chance, Simeon turns, waves at the others to follow, and then ducks into a side street, clearly intent on getting to the ambush spot as quickly as possible without losing his gang.
Simeon nonchalantly pushes off his post as he sees the group leave, checks his nails as if for dirt, then gives a little whistle to catch the attention of the others. That done, he winks and starts to saunter down the street after the small group, always conveniently sticking to shadows, ducking under awnings, finding his way behind carts and carriages, and generally keeping himself hidden from the group as best he can. When the others catch sight of his mug, they see that he's grinning, and clearly enjoying being back in a city.
Simeon's hanging down at the end of the street, watching his friends and allowing them to make the call. As far as he's concerned, two hours is early days yet, so he simply chews on some jerky and waits, arms crossed, leaning against a post.
Has anybody heard from Dieuwer recently?
Simeon meets everyone downstairs, ordering a heaping breakfast that he lays into with gusto. Speaking around a mouthful of food, a flagon of cream in the other hand, he leans forward. "All right. I say we spend our morning gainfully employed in capturing ourselves a servant and tickling him till he gives up the goods." He chews and swallows. "Then depending on what we learn, we make a move on the house. Sound good? If so, one of us can watch the house, and mark when the servant leaves it. The others watch our point man from a distance, and follow a block behind him. Every block or so, we rotate a team member into point so the servant doesn't notice us. We track them to wherever they go, and then on the way back we grab them at some spot we identify on the route out. Sound good?"
Hey, just to let everyone know, I'll be traveling from tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday night. I might get in one more update before I head out, and another when I get in Wed night, but don't be surprised if I only post again Thursday morning. Feel free to bot me if necessary.
Simeon nods and absent-mindedly cracks the knuckles of one large hand in the palm of the other. "Sounds good. We tonight we rest, then tomorrow we... what, exactly? "
"You know, we could break in tonight and pretend to be simple, honest thieves going after a few jewels. Get a look-see, then run away." Simeon shrugs, ambling along and seemingly not too worried. "Or we could grab this Lord, take him someplace quiet, and ask him the questions that need answering. Then we do him in, and burn the rest of his stuff down at our leisure."
Hames' lecture finds a grim response from Simeon, who simply brushes soot from his hair (along with burnt hair) and scowls. "You gotta leave a little room in your ethos for coincidences, Hames. And I didn't murder those men. I simply finished what we started." He waves his hand though, not wanting to get into a theological debate. "But all right, all right, let's leave a huge pile of perfectly spendable gold sitting here in order to appease Apsu. Fine by me. I'm sure we'll come by more in time." Simeon leaves the tomb grumpy and surly and singed, but after Gabriela's ministrations and fetching a new (if equally nondescript) shirt out of his pack, it takes little time for his insouciant confidence to reassert itself. "Now this is more like it," he says to the group as they close in on the house. "Takes me back, this does. Casing a joint. Golden memories of my childhood years. Don't know how many times I knocked on a kitchen door, all winsome and abandoned by the cruel world, in the hopes of being allowed inside for a cup of soup so that I could get a sense of the layout. Ah, good times. Good scores, too! Trick is to know when to scarper." As they get close and he sees the house, he nods and taps the side of his nose. "Classic shut house. No easy ways in. If we had a little more time, a confidence job would be our best bet to gain us access. But we're just looking to set the whole damn thing on fire, aren't we? That case, all we need to know is who's in the house at any given moment so we don't get any deaths on our hands." He nods to the others. "Brings more attention, deaths do."
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