The Order of Tears

[Zayid Tumaini]

Back when I made this character, one of my friends sent me this. Had no impact on character creation, but it seems somehow appropriate here. :P

Zayid smiles, showing a mouth full of sharp feline teeth. "Who gave the order?"

[GM Choon]

The Gnome stammers, Wh-Wh-What order?

[Zayid Tumaini]

Zayid continues to smile. "What were you putting in the cake?"

[GM Choon]

I-I-Don't know! Casper just said to make sure none caught us, please!

[Zayid Tumaini]

"You're going to have to do better than that. What do you know?"

Having always been on the receiving end of bullying by the bigger street kids, Zayid leans in just right to drive home the importance of the question.

[Noro_Kas]

Freia wrote:

Thanks to Ariana's spell, she and Noro can now play good cop murderous cop :P

"Ehh, they were poisoning a cake in the kitchen..."

Noro looks to Friea then glares at the little wanna be assassin.

poishon in the cake? I love cake, in fact that wash my birthday cake. and you gone a ruined my birthday? Noro glres harder, stooping down to eye level. she grabs him by the neck.

jusht give me one reashon to not rip your head off.

intimidate: 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 4 = 23 -- +4 size bonus.

[GM Choon]

Zayid - The gnome throws his arms over his face. Nothing! Just that Casper has friends in high places! We hang with him and we get treated good! Besides, gotta fend of the Bleaching somehow, ya know?

Noro - Casper croaks and wheezes as you squeeze. Ekk-a-tn He manages to cough out a few more unintelligible syllables before you loosen up enough for him to squeeze Friend! out. He reaches out to Ariana, Help!

[Freia]

Intimidate, Aid Noro: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"She really likes her cake." Freia nods in an ineffective attempt to boost Noro's threat.
______

Eh?

Edit: Linguistics - what is that mumbled word?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

I'm not sure if the skill works on this, but it is for deciphering strange languages and words after all :P

[GM Choon]

Sure, why not. :) He said "information"

[Freia]

"I think he said he knows something!" Freia chirps up as Noro grabs the halfling. Duh, I'm sure he knows *something*. Obviously! To clarify, she added "Something he can 'trade' for ... *ehm* well, not getting strangled ..."

[Ariana Rosencruz]

"Tsk! At least let me try asking nicely first, brute!" Arians frowns at her two companions and tries a different approach. "Casper, why would you go poking about in cakes?"

[Noro_Kas]

Noro lets the halfling go.

looking to Freia but Casper can still hear. my mother wash a Varisian Gypsy, she taught me magic to speak with the dead.

But I'll let him live...for now

[Halsanna Firdraes]

Waking up at any period before the usual amount of hours that she liked to sleep was slightly disorienting to Halsanna. In this case, she raised herself up out of bed and turned to see who was in the room. Other people would have had ideas of decorum, but since she could put four arrows into a person before they crossed sixty feet, she was unconcerned. It was interesting to see her consider the situation, half asleep and more curious than anything.

"Casper... and.. Gimble? Or are you Locke?" She was waking up slowly, but since there was no fight going on, she could allow the luxury of trying to hold on to sleep. "I'd be more courteous, but... Yawn since you've made prisoners of yourself, I don't have much obligation." Rubbing her eyes, she did nod politely to both of them, though. Locke(or was it Gimble?), got her attention and a bit of a sleepy smile. "What's Casper gotten you into this time?"

Turning around, she grabbed her pillow from the head of the bunk and laid out at the foot of the bed, resting her head on it. The edge of sleep was quickly slipping through her fingers, but she could hold on to it as long as possible.
_______________________________
Halsanna all sleepily diplomantic and taking 10 for Diplomacy 13

[GM Choon]

The gnome cowering before a feral Zayid gives a little nervous laugh when Halsanna greets him. I'm Locke. Gimbal's over there
He motions to the gnome-cicle that was just now starting to thaw.
Uhhh... help? I think they're going to eat me!

[GM Choon]

Gah. Casper post eaten...

Same reason you people murdered and maimed dozens of people a couple days ago: I was told to.
Apparently not even a bruised larynx can take the snark out of a halfling.
I can tell you plans, but I don't know who gives the orders, I swear!

[Zayid Tumaini]

GM Choon wrote:

Zayid - The gnome throws his arms over his face. Nothing! Just that Casper has friends in high places! We hang with him and we get treated good! Besides, gotta fend of the Bleaching somehow, ya know?

Zayid continues to smile at the gnome. "What friends?"

Aboki's tail twitches impatiently.

[Noro_Kas]

Noro looks to her fellow tormentors, did you bring any of that cake back here? I think Cashper could ushe a little treat for being sho cooperative.

[Halsanna Firdraes]

Locke wrote:

The gnome cowering before a feral Zayid gives a little nervous laugh when Halsanna greets him. "I'm Locke. Gimbal's over there"

He motions to the gnome-cicle that was just now starting to thaw.
"Uhhh... help? I think they're going to eat me!"

Looking in the direction that Locke had indicated made her stare and try to make sense of what she was seeing. Gimbal was... certainly deterred. She did not envy him the chill he was no doubt experiencing. The curiosity was pushing away the sleepy state that she was trying to hold on to, and she sighed as she realized that she had to give it up. Pushing herself up out of the bed, she stood, looking at Zayid and Aboki menacing Locke, and could only smile in wry amusement. "You're cute. They'll probably save you for last."

The breeches that she was wearing were cut short enough for them to be comfortable, which also exposed no small amount of leg to anyone looking. The tunic had also been creatively altered to allow sufficient exposure, while covering up the necessary parts. Her midriff and legs were exposed, as well as her arms from the shoulder down. Potentially scandalous. Nobles certainly did not dress this way.

She walked over to check on Gimbal, the fuzziness of sleep making this interrogation seem more fun that it probably was. "You with Locke on the Casper bandwagon?" When she got the opportunity, she wanted to see if their tattoos were anywhere visible. Those two struck her as the type that were not in for murder, just mischief of some sort.

[Ariana Rosencruz]

GM Choon wrote:

Same reason you people murdered and maimed dozens of people a couple days ago: I was told to.
Apparently not even a bruised larynx can take the snark out of a halfling.
I can tell you plans, but I don't know who gives the orders, I swear!

"Plans would be nice. How come you can't tell us who gave you the orders? How do you receive them?"

[Freia]

"We bough the cake back, but its laced with some sort of will-inhibiting chemical now ..." Freia trails off, wondering if Casper couldn't actually use a bite or two! Perhaps a plan C?

[GM Choon]

Zayid- Locke deflates as Halsanna moves away and starts gaping like a fish out of water. Listen, We're just the muscle. All I know is he meets with some guy in all black and then gives us orders. In return we get easy work, don't have to go outside the base, y'know? The good life.

Casper Crew- I met the Distributor. I don't know his real name. He dresses in all black like a Sorrow without the mask. I get a Sending to meet and where, and I do it.

Halsanna- Gimbal is just now coming around. He looks to be in pain and more than a little disoriented. Huh...wha...?

[Ariana Rosencruz]

"Hmn..Distributor? ..Freia, come over here. Can you draw a sketch if he describes the individual?"

"Is there a pattern to when or where the sendings come to you? What other missions have you had to do. Why do you follow the orders of someone who is not a Sorrow? Do they pay you? If so, how much? And how?"

[Freia]

"Aight!" With a cheerful bounce Freia went over to her pack and fetched her notebook and sticks of coal. Sitting down beside Casper she nodded. "Can you describe him?"

Craft(Sketch): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24

[Noro_Kas]

Noro looks at everyone. what the hell is this? arts and crafts?

what about my damn cake? Noro says a bit flustered about the cake.

[Freia]

"There!" Freia points towards the delicious cake. In a sad tone she adds. "But it is poisoned now ..."

[Ariana Rosencruz]

Never thought that skill would come up so much, eh?

[GM Choon]

Casper - He describes a figure who is slightly taller than your average human and is completely covered in black robes. In fact, the only thing distinguishing this figure from a Sorrow is the lack of name on the robe trim and mask.

At the flood of questions, Casper looks overwhelmed. Uhh... Uh.. no pattern? No payment. We do what we're told and we don't go Below, ya know?

[GM Choon]

Halsanna - Sure enough, you spot a tattoo with the crimes of swindling and fraud.

[Noro_Kas]

Noro walks away from the questioning turned scrapbooking session.

she goes to whats left of the cake. hands on her hips she simply sighs what a waste.

looking to be sure the other "prisoners" are not being troublesome, Noro goes back to her bunk and plops down on it, lying there staring at the ceiling for a while, hoping that this will all be done soon so she can go back to sleep.

[Zayid Tumaini]

GM Choon wrote:

Zayid- Locke deflates as Halsanna moves away and starts gaping like a fish out of water. Listen, We're just the muscle. All I know is he meets with some guy in all black and then gives us orders. In return we get easy work, don't have to go outside the base, y'know? The good life.

One corner of Zayid's mouth rises in a smirk. "And how is your 'good life' now?" he asks quietly, as Aboki licks his lips expectantly.

[Halsanna Firdraes]

Gimbal wrote:

Just now coming around, the gnome looks to be in pain and more than a little disoriented. Huh...wha...?

Grinning at the disoriented gnome, she nearly laughed. "You're a bit lucky, y'know?" Squatting down to get more on his level, she moderated the grin into a smirk. "You could be dead. So, what were you doing?"

[GM Choon]

Zayid - You're not sure how, but Locke just got more pale. He starts desperately talking, quietly, so as not to be overheard. Ok, ok, I get it. You guys are the new boss in town. You think Casper was the first? We're yours. I'm sure I can convince Gimbal. Just don't hurt us more than ya already have. We got skills! I mean Gimbal did knock a couple of ya out just recently, ya?

Halsanna - Gimbal swallows hard. Watchin' Casper. Ya know, being good pals... He glances around at Casper coughing and Locke cowering. He swallows again.

[Halsanna Firdraes]

Halsanna was going to reply to Gimbal, when Locke folded, abandoning Casper. Tilting her head at the concession, she looked back to Gimbal. "Not much of a spine in him, looks like... Do you have more?", she purred. Still, it was disappointing, and she did not hide her expression from the gnome, pouting slightly. "I take it you two aren't all that high on the totem pole, huh? --No offense intended, of course."

Thoughtful, she reached a hand out and ran a finger along Gimbal's jaw, meeting his eyes evenly. She wondering if he was as cold as she thought he was, but that was not all she was thinking, and that she was considering the both of them right now was probably obvious. She was never really that good at deception. "Guess we'll have to see, won't we?", she murmured absently.

With a predatory smile, she broke her gaze with Gimbal and looked to Locke. This interrogation was not over yet, but it seemed most of the information was with Casper. So, she waited.
______________________________
Halsanna being playfully intimidating: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

[Freia]

Well, I expected to coax some use of it - but not this easily :P

Freia completes the sketch and looks to Casper for confirmation. Admittedly, it didn't look like much to go on. Hmm. *It* must be what we saw at the construction site!

[Ariana Rosencruz]

Describe your last jobs for this man
Starting with the first. Include how he first began communication...mind, Friend, I am only trying to help. It seems you are in deep."

Ariana seems good at asking questions but not so great at pretending to be friendly. Fortunately, magic made up for that.

Why do you listen to his orders? And...what is Below?"

[GM Choon]

Halsanna - Gimbal smirks back. They always did say I had more cheek. I know things Locke doesn't. Spare my dignity, and I'm yours.

Casper folks - Our last jobs? Sneeking. Reporting on movements, stuff like that. He likes to know where people are.
We listen so we don't have to go below... oh. Ya, youall are the special ones. Absentia's pets. Below is the foundation and below ground work. Once you go down there you don't come up for weeks. Unless the Bazzar is on fire or something like that...

[Ariana Rosencruz]

With a sigh, Ariana stands up and stretches, pacing back and forth.

"..the Distributor..what does he distribute..who is this person? ..Which sorrows has he been checking on? And have you had to check on us as well?"

She frowns, her brow furrowing as she tries to, poorly, act the part of ally. "..Thank you for the help, Casper."

Turning to the others, she opens her hands and shrugs. "What should we do with them, though? As soon as they meet with this individual again, he'll know we are on to him. It may be best to arrange for their transportation Below out of the way. They will be of no further use to the Distributor then."

[GM Choon]

Casper shrugs He distributes jobs? I didn't think to ask. He had us tail everyone at some point or another. He went to great pains to not be identified.
I did watch youall fight that big dog and his pack. That was a good fight!

[Ariana Rosencruz]

Nodding her head, Ariana looks to the others. She doesn't have any more questions for Casper. "Well then..if no one else has any questions for him.."

She'll give the other PC's enough time to chime in, if no one does, she does the following.

"Casper, my friend. I think after this conversation that the Distributor will be looking for you--and not in a good way. I don't want you to get hurt...would you mind going and talking to one of the sorrows for me? Ask if they'll send you Below..for your own safety, you know?"

Prescience: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Charisma if needed: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

[GM Choon]

Casper looks scared for the first time. If you think it's needed. I've spent most of my time here avoiding that hell hole...

[Freia]

"Might be best. The Distributor doesn't sound like a pleasant guy and if he notices you got caught ..." Freia trails off. "I know we haven't exactly seen eye to eye, but I wouldn't want you to *die*..."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

[GM Choon]

Casper gulps and nods. Very well.
Casper stands and shuffles out the door. It's kinda pitiful, really.

Locke and Gimbal both see their boss go.

[Freia]

Freia too watches Casper leave. Why doesn't it feel *right*? He probably deserved that didn't he? Atleast more then death ... After a few minutes has passed, Freia mumbles an apology to Locke, or possibly Gimbal.

"I'm sorry I turned you into ice..."

[GM Choon]

The thawing gnome-cicle winces. As long as you don't do it again... he mutters.

Meanwhile, Locke is on the verge of wetting himself as Zayid stares him down.

[Freia]

With a blush, Freia nods. "I promise!"

[Zayid Tumaini]

Zayid's top lip twitches, but whether it's a snarl or a suppressed smirk is impossible to tell. Reaching forward, he takes a deep whiff of the gnome, and as he stares into the fearful fellow's eyes, says in a low voice, "If you ever cross me, I will make you regret it."

[GM Choon]

Locke starts nodding vigorously and inching toward Gimble. Once he's out of arms reach he spotted walls over to his copy.

A glance is all they need to communicate what had happened and the obvious course. We are yours. they say in perfect unison to the assembled party.

[Ariana Rosencruz]

Ariana snorts and rolls her eyes. "Unneeded dramatics."

She sneaks a glance at Zayid and Halsanna, tapping her lips. "...not a bad idea though."

[Halsanna Firdraes]

As the interrogation wound down, Halsanna was standing, hands on her hips and a curious smile on her face. There was far more in her expression than just amusement, and that smile had a hint of more... personal inclinations. Of course, it could have just been the disturbed sleep that was making it seem that way. "You two are mine", she corrected the both of them firmly.

Drawing herself up, she fixed the both of them with authoritative looks. "This, of course, is not limited to just keeping an ear out for us, but also includes getting some more spine", she fixed Locke with a look. "As well as finding creative solutions to the unwanted situations that you may find yourself forced into as a result of your choices-- That would be preferable. I do not doubt that you two are capable of managing subtler solutions." That look was given to Gimbal. The more she spoke, the more of a Taldane accent crept into her speech. "If a problem proves too bi--, ah, troublesome for you two to handle, pass it on to us. I'm betting some are not fond of our status within these walls as perceived 'pets'." A roll of her eyes indicated how much credence she gave that particular bit of gossip.

Her hands came off of her hips and she approached Locke with the same smile that she had shown Gimbal. Quiet confidence, a hint of intimidation, and engaged assessment. She squatted to bring herself down to a more even eye level, and regarded Locke intently. "Let them gossip. Let them envy. When they move against us, they will trip, and they will fall." She was in the personal space of the pair, and well aware of it.

Despite the accent, which held the haughty tones of nobility, perched on her toes, her elbows on her knees as she looked at the pair of gnomes, there was a readiness there that belied the accent, a relaxed air that said she was more than comfortable with what she was capable of. She looked over her shoulder and asked the room as a whole, meeting everyone's eyes as she asked, "Any objections?"

[Noro_Kas]

Noro simply lay on her bed as the others diplomicized. She listened to them, and had your own opinions, but she decided that silence was best for now.

she rcalled her own situation with "Z" so others forming "gangs" in here should not concern her.

Halsanna asked for objections, Noro simply says, (as she lays in her bed), I resherve the right to beat the pissh out of them if they do anthing out of line. With or without conshent.