"This was a little unnecessary don't you think?"
"Hands off me, you brutes!" Jacinthe snarls at the guards as they shove her into place.
She looks blankly at the unknown prisoner.
Garson! A fine wine of Keltish vintage! Monsanto rolls over, gaining consciousness (he's a sound sleeper). He realizes his mobility has been greatly diminished.
THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT A DIPLOMATIC PRISONER. I DEMAND TO SEE THE GOALER NOW! He roars.
"Hmmm... You look familiar... Have I worked for you before?
Oh, you're quite the important person aren't you?"
Ignis folds his arms and surveys the area.
Twisting his mustache Hmm. Not myself, but perhaps one of my brethren. They deal with flamers sometimes. I am Monsenior Monsanto Chaundecy the 4th, Barrister of the 4th Ward, Envoy of Cheliax, and Bishop of the 3rd Circle of the church of Asmodeus, J.L.V.D.C. At your acquaintance. he nods a small bit, struggling with his shackles.
"Not you, you buffoon, him..."
Jacinthe turns to Ignis as best she is able, shackled as she is. "You were the fatalistic one. Looks like Death has been delayed, for now." She isn't familiar with Ifrits, but continues. "So, who is our other friend over there? ...not you, Hell-Bishop."
Despite being overwhelmingly surrounded by Chelaxians, Jacinthe can't help but sneer a bit, against her better judgment.
Caspan looks around him with bewilderment. While he'd known Aroden would see him free, this wasn't quite what he'd been envisioning. He recognizes several of the other people present from nearby cells, but one of the men remains a mystery.
"I am Caspan Saal," he says, his voice calmer than it often was in the cells, "a follower of Aroden Reborn."
Even calmer, his dark eyes burn with an intensity that seems surprising in his face, which pale enough that it seems to have gotten little sun over the previous years, as if he wore a mask much of the time.
Monsanto cocks his head slightly to the side and gives Cor Ignis a little smirk. Ah, my friend, I apologize. I see the problem now. In my country and among my race is customary to look someone in the eye when one addresses them. He holds up his shackled hands and raises both index fingers, indicating a direct gaze. I have just noticed your oddity. Tell me, does it give you great difficulty in seeing? He revolves one finger slowly, as if to indicate that the Cor's two eyes do not line up directly as if he has a wonky eye.
Quite pleased with his jibe, he ignores the djinni, and slowly assesses Jacinthe with a look that spans head to toe and lingers far too long. Andoran, eh? Meh. he suddenly finds the walls of the room and the pattern of his robe more interesting to pay attention to.
Ignis ignores the people addressing him and turns to the guards.
"Guards, why are we here? What is the meaning of this?"
He looks a little worried being in such close vicinity to the new prisoner, like something bad could happen any moment.
Jacinthe appears conflicted as to where to shoot her glare of hatred at first, Ignis or Monsanto. She turns to Saal instead.
"I am Jacinthe Steynval."
She shrugs and looks at Monsanto resignedly and says with little heat, "...and no doubt I killed one or more of your brethren as a mercenary for Andoran." She shakes her head, her expression distant and foul, as if she considers the whole conflict a tangled mess.
Angry again, she looks at Ignis and then the guards. "Indeed, guards, be on with it. Let us not delay whatever punishments you have in mind."
|
Suddenly the double doors on the other side burst open, revealing the warden. Dressed flamboyantly in an oversized suit with deep shade of purple with gold trims, He arrogantly saunters in whirling his diamond-topped cane in one hand and carrying a stack of files in the other.
"Well it looks like the recruits are all here. Welcome to the Initiative program where we...attempt to rehabilitate you worms that infest my prison. The short version is if you sign up, each mission takes time off your sentence.. along with other perks during your stay. That being said I need to know whether you are in or out now."
Jacinthe squints and barks a curt albeit girlish laugh. "Rehabilitation? Missions? Those two words seem at odds. I've been a disposable dupe for enough missions. However, I hate this stinking pit of a dungeon. I waded through blood to get here, and I'll wade through more to get out. Tell us what you want us to do. I shall agree if these perks mean I get my Kiru back, as long as you don't have us slaughtering the innocent. Only those who deserve it." She scowls sidelong at Monsanto while saying her final words.
"I knew the enemies of my god could not keep his messenger trapped in this dank pit," Caspan replies. "I shall serve you until such time as my god requires my presence elsewhere. There are others who could benefit from his guidance."
He seems serene, unconcerned by the situation, as if it's merely an obstacle for him to overcome.
"Hmph, typical that you would need us to do your dirty work... It'll be the same as any other assignment I've done."
|
|
Gatsby laughs and spits on the floor before addressing the Warden.
"I'm serving multiple life sentences and my gang runs this joint better than your guards. I have all I need and I don't need your stupid program."
The Warden lets a sinister smile slip onto his face for a quick second before regaining his composure.
"I expected that from the great Gatsby, to be honest you are here to serve as more of... an example." The Warden clears his throat and takes out a piece of paper. "Prisoner: 1251, Codeword: Terminate."
Suddenly a bloody rune appears on the unfortunate crimelord's forehead. He falls to the floor screaming and clawing his face.
Ignis stands, not amused at the attempt to threaten him.
|
|
Monsanto, Jacinthe & Caspan
The Warden turns to Mosanto ignoring the man on the ground.
"I still need an answer from you. And I must say declining would be..." The Warden stops for a moment as a popping sound echoes through the room and looks with disdain at the now headless corpse laying before him. "Rude..."
Threats of death do not scare me. It is as Asmodeus wills; as long as you do not impede my faith, I will join your endeavor. Anything is better than wasting away in a dungeon without the chance to elevate my stature. Let us make a deal, and sign it in blood.
"You should turn from Asmodeus while you still can, my friend!" Caspan tells Monsanto. "A kinder, and infinitely more powerful, god awaits your love. Turn from the darkness and embrace the light!"
I'm sure we'll have time to discuss the various merits of our beloved/feared deities in time, Meester Saal. However, I think for the time being you should respect that the Great Asmodeus has never abandoned his duty to mankind, and has always made good on his promises. Even if those promises are made as threats. There is an old saying in the church, "The devil you know is better than the imaginary friend you don't." Asmodeus has given many great strength, fame, fortune, and any number of worldly powers through his contracts. What has Aroden given, except for disappointment? Let that sink in for a while.
"Both of you are talking nonsense. Now get on with it Warden."
Cor Ignis
Magic Item: Flaming Burst Short Bow.
Two Weapons: See Above, Rapier.
Armor: Medium Leather Armor.
Potions: Two Potions of Cure Light Wounds.
"This is all I need to do my job.
He says this with a wicked smile staring intently at the guard as he hands the papers to him.
"He gives us hope for what comes after this life, something other than eternal torment," Caspan says, before turning to the warden.
As the man leaves, Caspan sniffs. "It would have been nice if he'd let us know what he might be expecting us to do..."
Wand of blindness/deafness
Longsword
Net
Studded leather armor, masterwork
2 potions of shield
Jacinthe bends over the parchment, writing neatly in mercantile script.
REQUISITIONS:
Jacithe Steynval, Citizen of the Alliance.
1 Bastard Sword, +1, Corrosive
1 set of Studded Leather Armour, Masterwork
2 Potions, Cure Light Wounds
Kiru of Lathi, Eidolon and ward of the Alliance.
1 Morningstar, +1, Menacing
SIGNED,
J. Steynval
Monsanto looks around for someone to scribe for him, then decides to take the job himself. He licks the quill, and pens:
Monsenior Monsanto Chaundecy the 4th, Barrister of the 4th Ward, Envoy of Cheliax, and Bishop of the 3rd Circle of the church of Asmodeus, J.L.V.D.C.
Requisitions:
1 heavy Mace +1, spell storing
1 masterwork chain mail shirt and light steel shield.
1 double barreled pistol, 50 shot.
Potion of enlarge person, potion of feather fall.
M.M.C.IV.
Panzah growls in his throat when the prisoner is fried. He turns to the Warden and nods his head. "I'm in."
Amulet of Mighty Fists +1 (Flaming)
Greatsword
Longbow and arrows
Chain Shirt
2 CLW potions
|
|
You are all escorted into a section of the prison you didn't even know existed. The room is huge but plain, to the center is a portal, its violet color seem to touch all corners of the room and varoius sized runestones float around the portal and varying speed. In front of the portal stand two men. The Warden with his unmistakable dress and a stone-faced man dressed in full armour that seems to shine brighter than the portal. In front of them is a table with equipment laid out in 5 piles.
As you equip your gear the Warden turns to address the party.
"Well now that we're all here, let me introduce you to the leader of this little expedition. This is Greycloak Reyner, he will be keeping you criminals in line while you complete the mission. Now have fun and play nice." The Warden turns towards the door and walks away.
Reyner steps up without missing a beat and unfolds a map onto the table.
"Alright, criminal scum your objective is simple. There is a VIP in the middle of Osirion that needs to be extracted. We lost contact with the bodyguards around 5 hours ago. We will 'port to their last known location and follow the trail from there understood?"
"Extracted alive? Or dead?"
"It seems simple enough that even a goblin could understand it," Caspan says with a smile. "We may have fallen in, apparently on the wrong side of the law, but we are hardly idiots. Imagine that, Caspan Saal, a hero off to save someone from fates unknown..."
I never would have done this in my old life. I hope I'm not being led around like my former Razmiran flock, but perhaps this is what Aroden truly wants from me.
Jacinthe tests the weight of her new sword approvingly and straps the morningstar for later. Initially she ignores Reyner completely, turning to her fellow inmates, with a hint of her old militia poise.
"Panzah, you'll be out front to scout and track--so no killing the quarry before the rest of us," she jokes. "And then..." she points to herself (counting twice), "...Fireteam..." then Caspan and Monsanto, "...Assist..", and finally to Ignis, "...and sniper and second scout if needed."
Satisfied, she turns to their ostensible leader. "So...Greycloak, a few questions. Identifying characteristics of this VIP? Known threats? And are you joining us in the squad or just sitting on your duff picking your teeth while we do the work?"
"I'll have you know I am second rate to no one, Woman."
Ignis hooks his bow around his chest and back flips into the portal trying to show off some of his acrobatic maneuvers.
Perhaps it is unwise to ask questions, but I have one relevant to our task. Does the VIP wish to be extracted? Or are we on a wild Tarsque hunt?
|
|
Cor you back-flip through the portal and to the other side of the room.
Reyner glares at all of you and you can feel his contempt for the group strongly.
"The VIP is to be taken alive and unharmed. The VIP is marked by a tattoo of an eye on her forehead. The VIP is not considered to be hostile. I will be...leading your sorry asses into Osirion and guard the portal on the other side. You have 24 hours to complete your mission before your rune activates. Anymore stupid questions?"
Ignis bows gracefully as if he just meant to land opposite the party, his eyes burning a little brighter due to slight aggravation.
"How much will they reduce your sentence for this, Scum Leader? That has to be the reason you radiate such love for us." Jacinthe chortles. "No further questions, Reyner. I'm sure it will be bloody clear soon enough. You'll either have a job well done or our deaths, either of which should please you well enough."
She frowns at Ignis across the portal. "If you're quite finished with your stunt, may I remind you that we are a team. This isn't some solo job. Work together, or die; your choice."
Panzah stares at Reyner, simply watching him with the disconcerting stare of a predator watching prey.
Panzah stops staring at the keeper and strides boldly into the portal, ignoring everything else.
Ignis scoffs,
"Even teams utilize their best players."
As he glides into the portal with grace.
Jacinthe sighs. "Overconfidence. A flashy bauble that tends to cut its owner. Good fortune in holding the reins...Reyner."
With that terrible pun, she smirks, draws her sword, speaks a phrase that causes it to seep colorless smoking liquid, and steps through the portal, arms at ready.
If it weren't for Razmir, I'd say this might be the greatest con I've ever been part of. Too bad I seem to be the target of it...
Caspan rolls his eyes at the others theatrics.
Stepping toward the portal, he looks around at the remaining people in the room, then recites: "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition."
Nodding his head, as if satisfied with himself, he steps through.
Am I to assume that our link to magic is severed here? And that it shall be restored temporarily while we are through the portal? Without my divine connection, I am ill prepared. However, if we may commune with our gods on the other side of the portal, let us go.