[Game Thread] Prologue: MasterArson

[Ralos theUnspoken]

Your travels bring you to a new and unfamiliar town. On any other day, it would be just the same as all the rest; a sharp divide between rich and poor, in every arena but their shared fear of the future under the Tyrant's rule. Today, however, all that is forgotten, if only momentarily. A raucous festival is in full swing here, the entire city alight with vivid colors. Vendors line the streets, hawking all manner of treats and souvenirs to any that pass by.

The sights and sounds compete for dominance of the atmosphere, but one visual trumps them all: a massive wooden wheel spinning in place, little carriages mounted along its edge for passengers to ride in. The device is made all the more spectacular by the periodic clouds of steam that erupt from the side, suggesting that there is no magic involved, just genius.

The streets here tend to wind around, but the main street you are on now leads straight for the town square and the machine that dominates it.

[MasterArson]

wow, i have seen flying ships, but nothing this intricate without the usage of magic, truly one gifted man.
going to an inconspicuous corner to turn off the invisibility that protects him from random annoyances while traveling, which just seems unnecessary in a place like this.

After making sure no one sees him as a threat for just appearing, he heads off to the center of the town to look for the creator of the genius of joy rides.

[Ralos theUnspoken]

The town square is a storm of activity, people moving every which way, trying (often in vain) not to bump into each other and so better hold on to their purchases. In the middle of all this is a long, snaking line wrapping around the base of the wheel, made up of people young and old clamoring for their chance at soaring into the sky atop the wondrous contraption.

The creator of this marvel, if indeed he is here (which you suspect is highly likely), he's doing a good job of blending in, perhaps to observe the goings on without pulling focus away from his machine.

[MasterArson]

Since I am here I might as well partake of the festivities
Asop gets in line to ride the ride

[Ralos theUnspoken]

Though the intense thrill that most of the riders get from the heights involved has somewhat less of an impact on those born with the gift of flight, the experience is one to remember all the same. Despite the completely mechanical nature of the wheel, it sways gently as it moves, almost like a living creature in its own right.

When the carriage Asop rides in gets about three-quarters of the way up (roughly 150 feet), the entire thing suddenly grinds to a halt, leaving the riding cages swinging. Looking around shows that everyone on the ground is puzzled as well. Then, a moment later, the mass confusion turns into a chorus of screams as the entire crowd looks and points up at the very peak of the wheel.

[Assuming Asop positions himself in the carriage to get a better look]

Standing atop the topmost car is a man dressed in a long, slate grey trenchcoat, his silver hair clipped close. He has a grey mustache as well, and a long, thin scar running straight down over his right eye, concealed by a dark blue eyepatch. The most striking thing about him, however, is the little girl he is holding over the edge of the two hundred foot drop with one arm.

With his other hand, he holds a cone shaped object [megaphone], and when he speaks into it his voice can be heard throughout the parade grounds.

Bring forward the creator of this wheel, or all the king's men won't be able to put this girl back together.

[MasterArson]

Asop gets out of the seat and flies to an area lower than greyman close enough to catch the girl if she is dropped.
Hold on there, dont do anything rash.
What problems do you have with the creator?

[Ralos theUnspoken]

[Successful Spot check]

He notices you, and you notice a flash of dreaded recognition race across his features for the briefest moment.

He lowers the amplifying device.

This does not concern you, runt. Go play hero somewhere else.

[MasterArson]

Wait. So choosing me to be the "hero" means you are thus the villain and thus you are doing something evil or the like, thus you recognized this fact meaning you are truly evil for acknowledging your evilness. But I transgress you can do whatever you like but i don't think anything in this life gives anyone the right of holding the life of someone who is innocent deciding if she dies or not

I am not really playing the "hero" per say, more of someone who is making sure nothing bad happens

[Ralos theUnspoken]

Hell's bells, you really were that motor-mouthed from the start... Look, I'll make you a deal. Go down there and find the creator for me, and I'll set the girl down nice and gentle and we can all hash out this disagreement more quietly.

[MasterArson]

Asop looks around for anyone out of the ordinary in the crowd.

How am I supposed to know who the creator is?

[Ralos theUnspoken]

Would you look at that, right back where we started.

He raises the cone and shouts down at the crowd again.

I don't have all day people, and neither does she!

Below you, the festival goers are in a deep in the throes of a panic, rushing around blindly in hopes of stumbling across the man in question, but none seem to be having any luck.

[MasterArson]

Asop flies around, talking to people who seem to work there asking things like where the creator is or whoever hired them.

[Ralos theUnspoken]

None of the workers know any of the details about the wheel's architect, oddly enough, but one suggests that if you go to the event organizer's office (a rather colorful tent on the far side of the town center), he might know more.

Oh dear, I think my arm's starting to get a little tired...

[MasterArson]

Any damage that is done to her, I will do to you ten-fold.
Asop plops down and sprints to the tent to ask people about the architect.

Note to self: I should have tried here previously to find the architect.

[Ralos theUnspoken]

The tent is rather stuffy inside, despite only hosting four things; a desk with a chair, a plump man with a double chin and a self-satisfied smirk, and the large stack of money that he is counting. When you enter he has his feet propped up on the desk, but quickly stashes both his feet and the bags of coins under the desk when he sees you.

Yes, yes, I'm very busy, is there something you need me for?