Game Thread Chapter 2 - The Trail of a Girl - Page 4 - RPG Crossing
RPG Crossing Home Forums Create An Account! Site Rules & Help

RPG Crossing
Go Back   RPG Crossing > Games > Pathfinder: 1e > The Lawless City > Group A
twitter facebook mastodon bluesky

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #46  
Old Apr 22nd, 2023, 04:32 PM
Noquarter19's Avatar
Noquarter19 Noquarter19 is offline
It's clobberin' time
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 19th, 2024
RPXP: 18045
Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19
Posts: 4,327
Vyeggar Vugmuk
right-aligned image
Credit to @TSRodriguez14


The conflict had begun - and then ended - so quickly, Vyeggar felt a bit disappointed.

"Deflated, if I'm being honest," he said quietly to himself. There was a riot going on, somehow including a random sexual encounter in the middle of the street. Gwendoline was being handled by Damien and Liana, Tarbin had choked the captain purple... even the guard shack was already destroyed and the tolls stolen back from the public. Vyeggar sighed.

"I'm not even sure what to do with my hands right now." But then! Like a bolt of lightning, like divine inspiration itself, Vyeggar found his enlightenment.

"Army'll be here in five minutes, so, Mister Captain, enjoy the next four minutes and forty seconds while I beat you senseless. I think I'll start with the gonads, work my way up to that cowardly tongue of yours. And then, when you're nice and unconscious, a refreshing dip in the river. Tarbin, dear, you might want to toodle on down the road. There's likely going to be some... spatter."

 

__________________
normal image without text wrap
A watched game never updates...

Posting status: Around.
Reply With Quote
  #47  
Old Apr 23rd, 2023, 09:41 PM
Vaerdis's Avatar
Vaerdis Vaerdis is offline
Rules of Paradise
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 13th, 2024
RPXP: 7967
Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis Vaerdis
Posts: 9,243
Afternoon Shift
right-aligned image
Kara sighs with relief as she catches her spindly package. Kara hauls the net close and grabs the woman to ensure she doesn't escape until the action is over. Surprisingly though, thanks to a mob giving no concern to Kara or Gwen, there is no trouble for her, and action does die down with the guard captain's consciousness.

Damien makes his way over to persuade Gwen. while persuasive of an argument, Kara hears a dozen or so other persuasive arguments on the march to this bridge. Scooping up Gwen in her arms to carry, rather than pin down, Kara says, "Making a decision for her, we are leaving, now. She can tell us everything at the Casino. Unless you have a better course." She says, side glancing at Damien.

Kara looks down at Gwen in her arms, "Don't worry, everything will be alright, we just have some questions, we know that you aren't the one behind everything." Kara looks to the smarter or charismatic ones of the group, "Who has a better course?" She asks before picking a safe(r) direction and leads a route back to the casino.
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old Apr 24th, 2023, 03:37 AM
Alatere's Avatar
Alatere Alatere is offline
Crazy Kobold
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Sep 28th, 2023
RPXP: 9775
Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere
Posts: 12,354
Tarbin Haldar
right-aligned image


- - - Earlier - - -

Tarbin nodded wordlessly as the green skinned vishkanya beckoned him aside. The large man then obediently followed after the lighter built man and was soon frowning at what he had to say. ”If truth be told I’d rather not lay hands on anyone that didn’t deserve it…” Tarbin agreed. ”But if what you were told is true than this man is a rapist and deserves to be punished…” Tarbin declared as his frown intensified. ”Can we not just kill him? His crimes sound bad enough to deserve it!” Tarbin then questioned.

Tarbin then shook his head. ”No Kara did not tell us much about who had held her…” Tarbin replied honestly though even if she had the large man knew that he was no super sleuth or master investigator.

”I may be able to do something to help the women…” Tarbin commented with a thoughtful look. ”I will ask for guidance tonight…” he added with a thoughtful look. ”But failing that I will bring plenty of rope along, I could tie up anyone who’s mind is not right and I would only have to be a little rough…” Tarbin offered.




- - - Now - - -

Tarbin was vaguely aware that their target had been apprehended rather quickly and was already in the process of being dragged back however the large man’s focus remained upon the guard in his grasp. The area around them had erupted in to absolute chaos and rather surprisingly not a single guard had raised their hands to help their captain.

Tarbin then mentally scoffed at the guard Captain’s pathetic throw. Not only was it incredibly weak but it was off target too. This man clearly would have never survived in the arena fighting for his life.

And just like that things were wrapping up… Damien was already patting him on the back and Vyeggar seemed eager to get a piece of the guard captain. With a slight half nod to both men Tarbin then drew back the fist that he was not currently crushing the captain’s wind pipe with. Rather than let the man fully suffocate Tarbin then hammered the man in the face with a large fist crushing his nose and sending blood flying. Before the captain could fully register the pain to his face Tarbin then brought a knee up and slammed it right in to the man’s exposed groin before letting the man drop right at Vyeggar’s feet. ”He’s all yours…” Tarbin then declared having got some of his anger at the man out of his system. ”Don’t take too long…” Tarbin then declared as began to move towards the rest of their motley crew.





ooc

Last edited by Alatere; Apr 24th, 2023 at 03:38 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #49  
Old Apr 24th, 2023, 02:25 PM
Dylan Scott Dylan Scott is online now
Great Wyrm
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 19th, 2024
RPXP: 6905
Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Dylan Scott
Posts: 1,296
Grim
right-aligned image

As much as he would have liked to have taken credit for the chaos that erupted on the Bridge, the results of his small act of magic had completely snowballed out of control and were beyond even his wildest hopes. The Simple act of opening the door to expose the corrupt guard captain had lead to Gwen's own rebellion as she struck her boyfriend and fled, scattering coins on the bridge to aid in her escape, which of course in a city as downtrodden as Julianople resulted in the expected surging crowd. an event the others quickly capitalised on, a swiftly cast charm to grease the floor under the guards and a call to arms from the Silver tongued Damien was all it took to turn that small spark of rebellion into a flame of a riot.

Grim would have liked to have stood back and enjoyed the resulting chaos but as Kara swiftly captured the fleeing Gwen and Tarbin and Vyeggar easily incapacitated the naked angry guard captain, the small gnome found himself in the awkward position of being between a rock and a hard place, or in this case between the floundering remains of the guard and the surging crowd which was growing larger by the second and he lacked his companions height and weight to fighting against that surging tide of bodies and he didn't trust the people of Julianople not to pitch him over the edge of the bridge in their excitement like they were doing to the guards

Quickly casting his gaze around he spotted an avenue of escape behind the guard house, he just needed to get there quickly. Luckily Damien had provided him with just the means to do that and before he could reconsider what he was about to do Grim ran towards the currently greased up area of cobblestones which had appeared under the guards feet with Damien's Magic. Fortunately for Grim, that morning he had been feeling particularly inspired by his night with the Lovely Phoenix that his blood had sung with the magic of her name sake instead of the usual serpentine magic it usually did and that change had brought with it the gift of seeing magic so he was currently able to see the glow that marked the edge of the area of magical grease coating the ground and he was able to turn his run into a leaping slide just before his feet made contact, his momentum carrying him across the bridge and slipping under and past the guards and civilians struggling to remain standing

A slide which carried him to the other edge of the grease and turned into a tumbling barrell roll and a handstand to bring him back to his feet at the other side, it was by no means the graceful act of acrobatics Liana was capable of but for a Gnome of Grim's age and girth it was an impressive display of athleticism which surprised even himself, although he was sure he would regret it later.

Taking a moment to compose himself again, he took the opportunity to slip passed the growing crowd rushing to the bridge and joined Damien, Liana and Kara as they dragged Gwen to her feet, trussed up in the net and discussed where to bring her for questioning, the Casino seeming to be top of the list. Pausing for a brief moment to clean his clothing from his slide and tumble with his magic, Grim made his suggestion

"As familiar as the Mermaid would be for us, do we really want to bring a young woman in Gwendoline's state into Tilly's Demesne? She will surely take advantage of the girl. Why don't we find a nearby Tavern where we can get the girl some food and warmth and we can have our discussion in relevant comfort and privacy"


Actions & Movement
 


Stat Block
 

Reply With Quote
  #50  
Old Apr 24th, 2023, 02:40 PM
CatCanCook's Avatar
CatCanCook CatCanCook is offline
Community Supporter
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 16th, 2024
RPXP: 8048
CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook
Posts: 8,974
Hastening to a tavern?
right-aligned image
Liana nodded in satisfaction as Grim expressed thoughtfulness to the woman's condition and how she might be put at risk at the Mermaid.

She concentrated, intently, enchanting herself momentarily. The maps that she had glanced at in passing suddenly came to her mind in exquisite detail." A 21 is a decently good check, and so I am assuming Liana can serve as an adequate local guide.I know a place," she said. "Not too far. Pay them for quiet, and we should be able to do as we please."

As a little lady, and a crossbow wielder -- she prefers not to lead the way. But she urges those so emboldened to lead (whether Kara or Vyeggar or Tarbin), and she takes the second rank, acting as lookout.

And so, heart hammering, she started to direct the team in the direction revealed by her local knowledge.

As the team travels, she kept half her mind upon +5 to Grim's Perceptionenhancing Grim's perceptions. The gnome was alert and had proven a decent observer in the past. "Keep your eyes pealed, Grim," she urges: as his senses expand in acuity.

 


Last edited by CatCanCook; Apr 24th, 2023 at 02:58 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #51  
Old Apr 24th, 2023, 11:52 PM
Lentil Sponge's Avatar
Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge is offline
Cleaner of the Royal Butt
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 15th, 2024
RPXP: 4160
Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge
Posts: 2,142
Location Map Season Day Time Weather
South Bridge, Western Checkpoint J7 Harvest 104 of 120 4:39pm Cloudy

The Trial of a Chest
left-aligned image
Gwendoline started trying to fight back against Kara, completely ineffectually. There was only so much a spindly, weakened woman could do in the throes of a drug-high and a panic. But as Damien approached her, there was something about him that enraptured her. Maybe she had taken too much Red Sunshine, or maybe he had a glowing symbol on his head. It looked like a chuckling dwarf, or a vagina, or a roaring fire, or a pregnant woman, or a kiss, or so many warm, inviting symbols that told her this was a vishkanya that she could trust. More than the city guard, more than her boyfriend. Her resistance in Kara's arms completely died, and quietly she just nodded. Then Kara brought her closer up, close towards the face of the warrior woman who had so easily captured her, and to the vishkanya with an everchanging symbol on his forehead. Her cheeks went entirely red, her knees knocked together, and her golden irises completely swallowed her pupils altogether.

There were only small little pieces of business that could be done before you all moved. Seeing Kara following Grim and Liana as they led the gang away, Tarbin and Vyeggar made their beatdown on the captain short. Though it was still plenty satisfying. By the time the captain was being thrown into the river, there was a few cracked ribs, a completely disfigured nose, and more knees to the balls than there were hairs on his head. Damien, meanwhile, slipped into the guardhouse. There were people fighting over coins and purses. He assessed no way of getting any of those. But maybe, he thought, the guards have some potions for healing when it gets violent? He looked around and... yes, 6 Potions of Cure Light Wounds in a little crate, which he scooped under his arm as he rejoined the Bucket Brigade.

Liana couldn't immediately think of a place, but she did have a Blue Book, of all of the secret locations and information about every established that the guards either told people not to go or, more importantly, didn't know about. She flicked through, urgently. A little bolthole, an old smuggler's hold, that some kobold was converting into a bar. It wasn't open officially yet, which is why it doesn't appear on many maps, but apparently they were serving discounted food and drink until they opened properly. It would have to do, as she began to lead the way.

It was not a moment too soon. The riot had truly gotten out of control, and the troops were arriving just in time. You did not slip away unnoticed, but if anything that was actually helpful. The guards notice six people carrying a chittering nervy bug of a woman, and saw six good samaritans helping their friend out of danger. Not important - there was a bridge to turn into a bloodbath.

Gwen hopped this way and that in Kara's arms, still dazed and fascinated by her and Damien. "W-wasn't behind any of it," she finally said. Then her brow furrowed. No, no, she couldn't lie to the glowing vishkanya with the flower-snake-family-pair-of-boobies thing on his forehead, or his strong athletic bloodstained friends. "Well, no. B-but I wasn't involved with them. They j-just told me to... ****, don't kick in now, don't kick in now... not let you guys through. They never gave me names..."

She suddenly shivered all over, her legs stretching out in Kara's grasp and kicking just a little. "Ok ok ok ok, the running and the bouncing and the vibrations, it's kinda interfering with the high and making me nnnnnnng stop kicking in, stupid drug, I need to think..." Her eyes were not acting like usual eyes should by this point, as the high got worse and worse. How this woman was expected to guard anything when on this drug, much less a bridge, was anyone's guess. Although all of you knew that her guarding skills weren't why the captain kept her.

"I-I-I-I-I-I delivered the armour to them!" she shouted suddenly. Without warning she tried to sit up in Kara's arms and take Damien's cheeks. "M-Mr Porridge-Gun-on-the-Head! Very sexy man! I took the armour to everyone except Grim and Liana knew where that was, and them two could guess. J5 on the map, about thirty minutes away from your current location.the old abandoned dockhouse on Middleton Street Sh-sh-ssssssh... surely that information is worth keeping me alive! I'll... I'll blow you if it's not enough! ****, this drug does the wrong things to me..."

Gwen was squirming all over again, and her pupils were completely gone as she looked up to Kara. "Please understand, they had good sunshine, I couldn't resist... crap, crap, crap, if you keep running so unsteadily I'm either going to throw up or climax right in your arms," she groaned, despite how careful Kara had been while holding her. Tears were in her eyes again, even as her mind was slowing down once more. She began gesturing in Grim's direction with her naked foot, her toes wriggling awkwardly near him. "The talking dog's right... we don't need to kill me... I left my purse at the post, d-d'you think they'll serve us if I show my tits..." Then she began patting Grim's head. "... thank you mysterious dog... when I come down, I'll find you a treat..."

Last edited by Lentil Sponge; Apr 25th, 2023 at 01:02 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #52  
Old Apr 27th, 2023, 11:21 AM
CatCanCook's Avatar
CatCanCook CatCanCook is offline
Community Supporter
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 16th, 2024
RPXP: 8048
CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook
Posts: 8,974
Compassion, entrapment, or murder, hmm?
right-aligned image
There was a bit of a debate as to what to do with this guard woman Gwen. Liana gazed upon her; feeling a mix of emotions. For a woman exploited and abused, she surely felt sympathy. But the woman was a fool. She chose to make herself a sex object and a pawn because of her addiction. And she was on the wrong side: she’d taken acts that lead to violence against Liana and hers. Gwen as a law-enforcer was in a role that intimidates and extorts the many. No friend to Liana’s kind of people. It was easy to feel more contempt, and less pity.

And yet: she had platinum blond hair. She was tall, and would be good-looking if she took better care of herself and carried herself with more dignity and self-control. That reminded Liana, at least just vaguely, of someone else.

Liana’s mind drifted backwards … to back when she only dreamed of adventures before actually getting tied up in any of adventure’s real-world ugliness and brutality.

The Silk Sheet Society was a high end service that provided escorts, concubines and paid sex workers, but operated discretely and in the upper echelons of society. It has minimal presence in Julianople, but has inroads with aristocracy and various wealthy associations throughout multiple counties and regions. It trades in information as well as sensual entertainment. Each branch of the Silk Sheet Society operates independently, with tradecraft, tips and techniques passed among the members, and with a trade in clothing, jewelry, aphrodisiacs, and of course information flowing between the groups.

The Cirque de la Fumee is an allied organization, operating much more in the public eye, and regularly moving from place to place both as small troupes and massive commercial enterprises: setting up their tents and pop-up festivals, and entertaining with comedy, acrobatics, juggling and the mundane but talented trickery known as street magic. They engage all sorts of clowning about, with harlequins of painted faces, costumerie and pranks with steam, smoke and fire (hence the “de la fumee” in their name.) Naturally the Cirque has some other business, of which one simply does not speak, but a part of that is as a conduit of trusted travelers routing the Silk Sheet Society’s whispers to the right ears.

Liana’s mother Leonidora Xirkul was a local courtesan, and a human; and being half-human and half-halfling, Liana was an oddity among her community – and with her youth and looks she was unfortunately a magnet for unwanted customers and pedos. It was Cestine, a member of the prestigious Sik Sheet Society and of the Cirque both – who acted like an aunt or second mother to Liana. Cestine helped shield and protect Liana from the worst of clients, and think for herself and protect herself. Liana adored and admired Cestine, who was connected to a mysterious world of high society and international intrigue, and the mysterious Cirque (who was her Family both in a social and a literal sense.) That Cestine had adventures beyond the ordinary life of a courtesan was something that filled Liana’s imagination: and so Liana wanted to be like her adoptive Aunt, especially in the dimensions of performance that got them away from the ordinary life of prostitution. Liana cared for her mom’s community but didn’t want to be like them: the life suffered a ton of abuse and degradation, and when Leonidora fell out of good looks she lost much of the livelihood young Liana depended on. So, Liana followed in Cestine’s footsteps and ran off to join the Cirque.

left-aligned image
Physically Cestine was Liana’s opposite in many respects: pale white where Liana was medium darker in skin. Cestine was tall (for a human) while Liana was tiny and delicate. Cestine had aquamarine eyes, delicate features, and very exceptionally long fine golden blond hair. (She had her hair treated and restored by magic, on some occasions, lest her ‘adventures’ with the Cirque leave this vital commercial asset degraded.) Cestine favored pastel silk garments. She wore feathers in her hair, and feather trim in her garments. In some of her performances with the Cirque she used trained birds and swans, and she was (among other things) a gifted animal handler. In the need for combat, she was a competent archer with hurled star blades. Her melee weapon of choice was the urumi, a bendable, flexible whip-like blade that could be concealed and worn as a belt. If Cestine had a style it was of refined grace: when she performed in Cirque it was with puffs of white smoke, flying birds, and acrobatic dancing. Likewise, when she performed as a courtesan for aristocrats, it was a show.

Now, the the whole episode with Big Dog that lead to Cestine’s death? That was an aberration. Why would Cestine have tolerated such a brute of a client? Maybe he flashed a lot of money, maybe he put on airs that lent him a modicum of style, or maybe Cestine took him on to protect others – thinking she could handle him? But also, could there be something more? Cestine was on the cross roads between two communities that dealt in secrets, the Silk Sheet Society and the Cirque de la Fumee. Both dealt in work done discreetly for high end clients, both traded in mysteries that would not be known to a low-end Talent Scout like Liana.

But violence upends one’s expectations. The murder of Cestine and the violent assaults on others in Liana’s family was shockingly abrupt and upended her community forever.

It was then that Liana returned from her training in the Cirque, equipped with new skills, and now motivated for vengeance,

And here she was, gazing at this far less glamorous blond, who nonetheless remended her of her Aunt Cestine – her teacher and inspiration – and dead these months now.

Abruptly she spoke up. "We should leave her in the old smuggler's hold, that a kobold is converting into a bar. Pay for a room for her to rest up and recover. Give her a chance to rethink her life, maybe she doesn’t return to drugs, or the guards. Maybe she does: give her a chance. Taking her to Tilly OR Sandraminae might deny her that chance; they have a way of putting the thumbscrews on a person, don’t they, and there is no need to entrap Gwen in that kind of life. So let’s not. But then: if she’s lied to us about the Armor and the Dock, we should hunt her down and kill her. "

That was Liana, warm compassion and bloody minded death dealing, in the same breath.

 

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Cestine.png
Views:	53
Size:	1.05 MB
ID:	99392  

Last edited by CatCanCook; Apr 27th, 2023 at 11:26 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #53  
Old Apr 29th, 2023, 05:58 AM
Alatere's Avatar
Alatere Alatere is offline
Crazy Kobold
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Sep 28th, 2023
RPXP: 9775
Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere
Posts: 12,354
Tarbin Haldar
right-aligned image


Tarbin nodded at the suggestion to bring Gwen to a tavern for a private talk though based on the state that she was in and how she was being treated the large man doubted if even Tilly would treat the woman worse than she had already been treated.

With a destination chosen Tarbin followed along with the group keeping an eye out for trouble, particularly any sign of guards or the army. Tarbin however couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Gwendolyn’s outbursts as she was carried along by Kara.

”The abandoned dock house could be just that… an abandoned building that was just used for a drop…” Tarbin commented with a thoughtful look. ”We need to know more… she might not know names but what about what they looked like… what they sounded like… I’m sure there must be more she knows…” Tarbin commented hoping someone else would take a lead on the questioning. ”To be honest I’d take her best guess who they worked for aswell…” Tarbin added.




ooc
Reply With Quote
  #54  
Old Apr 30th, 2023, 02:46 AM
Touketsu's Avatar
Touketsu Touketsu is offline
Mysterious Ice Ninja
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 18th, 2024
RPXP: 12899
Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu
Posts: 5,900
Damien Buranta
right-aligned image

Damien recoiled a bit as Gwen grabbed hold of his face, doing his best to maintain composure as the girl unloaded her confession in between her colorful, drug-fueled ramblings. She was about as close to being an open book as possible right now... but she was also incredibly fragile, and he didn't want to risk closing her off with open shows of disgust. The vishkanya didn't know what had happened in this woman's life to put her on such a path, participating in a broken system while allowing herself to be used for a quick fix... but he didn't sympathize. He didn't feel his anger over the the theft of the chest and their treatment at the bridge subsiding in the presence of this sad display. Maybe she did what she had to... but everyone makes choices. And they have to live with the consequences of those choices.

"Gwendoline..." Softly as he could, Damien reached over and brushed the woman's hand away from the top of Grim's head, his voice steady as he tried to sound comforting, but firm. "Your cloak stays on, and the only thing your mouth needs to do right now is keep talking... so stay focused. You said "they" told you not to let us through, and that you delivered them the armor... who were they? I want descriptions of everyone. Race. Height. Hair. Distinguishing marks. And tell us about the drop-off. How did the exchange go? Did they say anything?"

Damien ran a slender finger delicately down the woman's cheek, tilting up her chin toward him.

"Make me feel like I was there. Whatever you know... make ME know."

Hopefully, the girl could clear her head enough to give them some decent information by the time they got to Liana's little hidden gem in the city. Damien understood not wanting to bring Gwen to the casino and leaving her at the mercy of Tilly, Sandraminae, or the others, but he also wasn't sure how much he trusted this woman to act in her own best interest and lay low unsupervised. Once they had her there, they'd need to move fast in their investigation before they lost their advantage.
Rolls & ActionsLet me know if I need to continue rolling checks to ask her for more info.
Stats
 
__________________
I have taken the Oath!
Reply With Quote
  #55  
Old Apr 30th, 2023, 03:15 AM
Noquarter19's Avatar
Noquarter19 Noquarter19 is offline
It's clobberin' time
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 19th, 2024
RPXP: 18045
Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19
Posts: 4,327
Vyeggar Vugmuk
right-aligned image
Credit to @TSRodriguez14

While the others treated the treacherous druggie guard with kid gloves, Vyeggar had run entirely out of patience – or so it seemed.

”Why are we wasting our time trying to do this ourselves?” he barked out to the room. ”As soon as we bring her to the casino, it won’t take Tilly but half a moment to run in and start working this b*tch over. And why do we care about her well-being? She sure as sh*t didn’t care about ours. Selling out five perfect strangers for a d*ckline of sunshine – and you think she’s worth saving? I’ve met leprous goblins who deserved more pity than this scuzzy tw*t.” He looked around the room, his golden eyes finally fixed on the nude guard. His nostrils were flaring menacingly.

”You tell us everything we want to know about who sent you and why – and you have thirty seconds, or I will personally drag you by the hair naked through the streets back to Tilly, and she will bury your junkie ass so deep in the ground, scientists are going to have to invent a whole new geological layer”

And with that, the half-orc began to count to thirty without ever breaking eye contact from the terrified woman.
 

__________________
normal image without text wrap
A watched game never updates...

Posting status: Around.
Reply With Quote
  #56  
Old May 1st, 2023, 05:52 AM
Lentil Sponge's Avatar
Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge is offline
Cleaner of the Royal Butt
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 15th, 2024
RPXP: 4160
Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge Lentil Sponge
Posts: 2,142
Location Map Season Day Time Weather
South Bridge, Western Checkpoint J7 Harvest 104 of 120 4:39pm Cloudy

The Trial of a Chest
left-aligned image
Gwendoline's pupils dance, swelling and shrinking, and darting from person to person. Oh, what a terrible place to be - drugged up, and surrounded by people who, yes, had just saved her bacon, but also six people she had sold out just a few days ago. Six people looking to her for answers.

"Thirty seconds thirty seconds thirty seconds," she began repeating in terror. Her body began swinging a little in Kara's arms as she fought to hold on to the last of her focus. "Th-there were ten. Ten of them. Seven suits of armour for seven of them... they just st-started the fight and took the box when the other guards..."

A stumble. A dip of her head. She struggled to hold it up. "The leader... I knew him already... G-Gaius Creed... human, skinhead, in 'n outta the holding cell for smuggling whatever over the bridge... surprised me with the plan... maybe a new gang... he didn't seem smart enough..." Her fingers tugged a little at her cloak, trying to pull it all over her. "St-stole a cart... took the armour to them... two kids helped. Boy, girl, lookouts... got to the place, secret knock, they made me wait, but I saw..."

Her eyes drifted closed. Then they screwed themselves shut harder as she strained. "D-don't remember all... Gaius giving orders... a woman gave me the instructions... mostly humans... the sunshine first, the money when you were... who else was there?" Then her eyes opened. The pupils had almost entirely gone by now. "... the old orc in the wheelchair... Gaius gave the orders, but everyone... listened..." She was fading by now, even as she fought to remain awake. "... they listened to... he had a funny name..." Her eyes fell shut again. Kara could feel her pulse still, but it was clear that the Red Sunshine was fully overpowering her by now. She wouldn't be much use.
Reply With Quote
  #57  
Old May 3rd, 2023, 01:38 AM
Noquarter19's Avatar
Noquarter19 Noquarter19 is offline
It's clobberin' time
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 19th, 2024
RPXP: 18045
Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19 Noquarter19
Posts: 4,327
Vyeggar Vugmuk
right-aligned image
Credit to @TSRodriguez14

Although she was quickly losing consciousness, the naked guard was babbling like a brook. Vyeggar wasn’t sure if his threat of bringing the Maztablastas had done the trick, or if she was still feeling the effects of whatever persuasive black magic sh*t Damien had pulled on her, but no – she was probably just too dumb and stoned to know what she was saying. Probably thinks this is all some kind of really vivid trip, I imagine. He’d not partook of Red Sunshine before but was aware of its strong narcotic effect and knew that Gwen was fading like a setting sun.

Gwen's speech was broken, each sentence interrupted with a further bobbing of her head, a drooping of her eyelids. She was going out like a light, but Vyeggar wasn’t done. He hurried across the room and, grasping her left hand he began to pinch the webbing between her thumb and forefinger hard until her eyes wavered back open into something not quite resembling focus. ”The knock, you dumb b*tch, stay awake and tell me about the secret knock.” He contemplated slapping her for good measure, but she seemed to have revived enough for one last wisp of information. She didn’t speak, but her gaunt arm extended a bit and she twisted her fingers into a fist. Her eyes were already closing again, but her fist rapped gently on his arm. Knock… knockknock… knockknockknockknock. That was it; if there was more to it, he would never know. She was gone.

”Well,” he said, letting her fall unceremoniously to the floor, ”looks like that’s that. I’d say we’re done here, huh? We’ve got some asses to kick down by the docks.” He had already put the somnolent woman out of his mind. She was just a rung on the ladder – a bottom rung. But she’d given them a name, a place, and a way in. Would this Gaius be the next rung? And the last words she’d muttered, just before she’d gone out, before he’d pinched her back awake for one last gasp of intel. ”The old orc in the wheelchair… Gaius gave the orders, but everyone… listened…” and ”…they listened to…” and then finally, ”he had a funny name.” It wasn’t much to go on, but then, how many old orcs in wheelchairs could there be in this city? Vyeggar racked his brains, trying to recall anything he might have heard about a
Dice * Kn: Local (Gaius Creed):
1d20+5 (18)+5 Total = 23
skinhead named Gaius Creed or an
Dice * Kn: Local (old orc in a wheelchair):
1d20+5 (4)+5 Total = 9
old orc in a wheelchair – possibly with a funny name. He half imagined these were just the delusional ravings of an habitual narcotics abuser… but then he thought about that last line. ”He had a funny name.” Such a trifling, throwaway line, but one which lent credence to her words. If she was just making this all up, she would have fabricated a name for the old orc as well, right? Why would she make up not remembering a detail? As a survival instinct, Vyeggar had learned generally not to trust people, but he didn’t think she was lying. Too frightened and high to do anything else but tell the truth.

His leather boot was inches from where he had let her fall to the floor. He could have kicked her, but there was no need. She was just another broken thing in a city of broken things – a casualty of the rampant sludge of illegal weapons, booze, drugs, sex and gambling that so many in the city had made a part of their daily lives. Endemic, he thought quietly. A disease so pervasive in society that nothing short of the destruction of every man, woman, and child would put an end to it. And who knows – maybe that really is the best solution. I mean, look at us. Look at this city, this open sewer of a society, and then tell me that this is what the gods wanted when they created the world.

Dumb broad, he said quietly to himself. He had been ready to leave her to her fate, to turn his back while she dozed away on the floor. She might very well have vomited in her sleep and aspirated it into her lungs – and that would have been it. Another loose thread taken care of, just another dead junkie, just another victim. He sighed. No. No, it wouldn’t do.

”Being as how I am – against my better judgment – trying to be at least a facsimile of a better person, I’m going to do the right thing and carry her somewhere where she will be safe. More to the point, where she can be monitored. This place – I don’t know the people here, seems like they’re just trying to run a business. Like as not she’d slip their minds. We’ve been off the streets a bit, army should be gone so it should be safe enough for travel. Here’s my thinking, and feel free to interject, as I know you are all so wont to do. Ariadne owes us a favor: whether she chooses to admit it or not, that’s just the way it is. She’s got an apartment that’s safe and quiet. My preferred option, we get Ariadne to watch her until she comes to, although it will take a bit of time for one of us to go get her. Or, one of you volunteers to stay behind and make sure she doesn’t choke to death on her own vomit – but then you wouldn’t be available when we hit the docks. Either way, we need to do something because I don’t feel too good about just leaving her here. Or – wait a tick, inspiration - !”

He left the room abruptly and returned a few minutes later carrying a large, empty wooden barrel that appeared to be used for storing whiskey . ”Barrel babysitter!” he said triumphantly. He lay the barrel on the floor, then wedged a few random objects under it on either side to keep it from rolling. Content with its stability, he turned back to the sleeping Gwendoline. ”Alright, up you go,” he said quietly. He gently, even tenderly, picked the unconscious woman up and draped her onto her stomach over the barrel. She was stick thin and light as a hollow-boned bird. It was a wonder she didn’t blow away on a gust of wind. He could hear her snoring away. He did not envy her crash.

”Problem solved. Even if she does get sick in her sleep, it’ll just – plop – right on the floor. She’ll wake up uncomfortable but alive, and who knows, maybe she’ll even learn a life lesson or two – I don’t know, not my problem.” He dusted his hands together symbolically, then looked to the rest of the group. ”Alright, well my conscience is as clean as a five gold wh*re’s bush, so yeah, let’s get the hell out of here.”

 

__________________
normal image without text wrap
A watched game never updates...

Posting status: Around.
Reply With Quote
  #58  
Old May 3rd, 2023, 02:03 AM
CatCanCook's Avatar
CatCanCook CatCanCook is offline
Community Supporter
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 16th, 2024
RPXP: 8048
CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook CatCanCook
Posts: 8,974
On to a new raid!
right-aligned image
Liana was content to watch as Damien and Vyeggar played the good cop bad cop roles. The psychological game of contrasts could wear down even the very wary, but Gwen was far from on her best game. She seemed an open book. A short book, of few pages. A pamphlet.

When it came to the disclosure of Gaius and the wheelchair bound orc, she put her full concentration on Vyeggar, enhancing his memory with her divine and psionic gifts. If there was any clue to recall and expand upon, then by the Hundred and Eleven, he would do it. She would make him remember. Giddy with the surging of magical energy, she strove to make Vyeggar into his best self. (An ugly job, but needful. She'd rather worth with prettier or more tractable ingredients. Anyone else in the expedition, really, but ... well a circus performer juggled what balls were tossed to her! The show must go on.)

Liana was tempted to intervene when the orc suggested taking Gwen back to Tilly. That would be -- unwarranted cruelty. Or taking her to Ariadne? Worse! Gwen was both an unsafe person, and might now be in some danger. Why risk Ariadne -- one of our own people -- in an unwanted complication?

Still, at last, there was no need, as Vyeggar acquiesced to sensibility and left the woman put.

 


Last edited by CatCanCook; May 3rd, 2023 at 02:07 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #59  
Old May 3rd, 2023, 03:39 AM
Touketsu's Avatar
Touketsu Touketsu is offline
Mysterious Ice Ninja
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Mar 18th, 2024
RPXP: 12899
Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu Touketsu
Posts: 5,900
Damien Buranta
right-aligned image


Listening to the junkie rattle off details, Damien ran through his mind trying to think if he'd ever heard of a punk named Gaius Creed... or a wheelchair-bound old orc working in the criminal underworld for that matter. Gaius was probably nobody important... a petty criminal from the sounds of it, possibly looking to make a name for himself like so many other wannabes in this town. A big talker shouting orders while the real brains lurked just behind. Damien couldn't help but think of Big Fox....

But the orc... that was interesting. Julianople wasn't exactly known for its accessibility; not too many wheelchairs. One would assume someone who had one was either pretty well-off, or else in the care of someone who was. Possibly a healer's guild, or someone associated with one of the churches in town. The trouble was, that didn't exactly fit the profile of somebody participating in low-level thuggery. So, what was REALLY going on? That Gwen had passed out short of managing any kind of name for this mysterious orc was vexing to say the least... but not as vexing as the notion that she was now their responsibility. Damien recognized how one might have the empathy to want to keep the miserable woman safe, though he was admittedly surprised that empathy was coming from Vyeggar of all people. Still, the half-orc ultimately erred on the side of pragmatism and arranged the naked guard as best he could to keep her from dying in her sleep.

"Just to be safe..." Damien wandered over, reaching down as he began to channel a bit of magic into his palm. PrestidigitationAs he waved a hand over the cloak covering Gwen, the clean fabric became soiled and dirty. To the average onlooker who might happen on her, Gwen looked for all the world like a passed out, homeless vagrant. "The filthier and more easily overlooked she is, the better for her... and us." Damien didn't see the need to elaborate, though he knew some of the others might be more readily understanding than the rest why a dirty unconscious woman who appeared to have soiled herself was safer than one who appeared to be clean.

"Alright... so the plan." Damien straightened up, turning to the others. "We can move while we talk, but it would be idiotic to rush in with no strategy. She said ten.... seven who wore the armor, the two lookouts, and an old orc. Doable, but only if we take them by surprise, and gods willing those are the only problems hanging around. If we split the group a bit and move separately, we'll draw less attention... but we need someone to use the secret knock to get that door open, preferably someone they wouldn't immediately recognize."

The vishkanya's eyes combed his comrades, noting their rather eclectic appearances. That was going to be a bit of a tall order.

"I don't suppose any of you happens to be a master of disguise?"
OOCUnless someone else has reason to stick around the building, I'll assume we're planning as we walk.
Stats
 
__________________
I have taken the Oath!

Last edited by Touketsu; May 4th, 2023 at 01:52 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #60  
Old May 3rd, 2023, 05:19 PM
Alatere's Avatar
Alatere Alatere is offline
Crazy Kobold
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Sep 28th, 2023
RPXP: 9775
Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere Alatere
Posts: 12,354
Tarbin Haldar
right-aligned image


Tarbin continued to listen as the rather drugged guard continued to reveal more important pieces of information. The large man was content to be a silent observer as little intervention seemed to be required as the young woman's lips were already loose enough. Once the woman was done and slipped in to unconsciousness Tarbin spared a glance for his companions to see what their next course of action would be and was rather surprised to see that Vyeggar was the one to take the lead and he did so with an act of compassion though in his signature crude and rather abrasive way.

"Vyeggar is right... we can be better... and we should be better..." Tarbin commented as he reached out and briefly placed a hand upon the scarred half-orcs shoulder. "Though I think we can do even better than this..." Tarbin added with a raised eyebrow as he eyed the unconscious form of the naked guard propped over a barrel with her rump in the air. No matter how dirty or unclean she appeared Tarbin feared there were still many in this city who would take advantage of such a sight in the worst kind of ways. "Give me five minutes..." Tarbin then declared before turning and heading for the bar.

"Do you have rooms? I need one for just the night..." Tarbin asked the bartender and after a brief discussion and handing over a few coins Tarbin returned with a key and tankard of the closest drink to water that this placed served. Without another word of explanation Tarbin then hefted the unconscious woman up and over his shoulder and had towards a door at the back of the room.

Once in the room that contained little more than a simple bed and plain wooden night stand Tarbin deposited the woman carefully on to the bed and positioned her in such a way that if she were sick she would through up on to the floor and not choke on it. Tarbin then placed the tankard on to the night stand before crouching down and digging in to his back. Pulling out a old spare shirt Tarbin folded it and placed it on the night stand next to the tankard. Tarbin then pulled out a piece of parchment and scrawled a hasty note.


Quote:
You are in our debt. Tell no one about us. Sort yourself out and stay away from that filth. We will be back to collect what we are owed one day.

The Brigade.
Tarbin then placed the note on top of the shirt and weighed it down with a small stack of silver coins.

With a final glance to make sure that she was still breathing Tarbin then headed out of the room. The large man then locked the door behind him and slipped the key under the door.

Finally Tarbin hurried back over and rejoined the group.

"Think the look outs were kids she hired..." Tarbin commented as Damien layed out the situation and began working on a plan. "I can do a pretty convincing farmer..." Tarbin added with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "But if you need a volounteer, I reckon I don't stand out too much not without the hat atleast..." Tarbin commented as he reached up and adjusted the straw hat that he wore at most times. "Though can't say I know the secret knock..." Tarbin added with a frown.




ooc Yeah Tarbin's a big softie
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:50 AM.
Skin by Birched, making use of original art by paiute.(© 2009-2012)


RPG Crossing, Copyright ©2003 - 2024, RPG Crossing Inc; powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Template-Modifications by TMB