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Post by mister frau blucher on Feb 1, 2013 11:29:58 GMT -5
It is a still evening on Water Road. There are few people about, but the night has yet to begin, so not unusual. But its sparseness makes it easy to observe particular individuals - and one catches Aurelio Xenn's eye as he casually walks toward Brody's.
A slim figure in a faded red cloak, obviously a woman and most likely human, walks warily ahead of him. She looks about nervously. Arriving at the tobacco store, she hestates a moment as if gathering courage before going in.
You had intended to meet an aquaintance for a drink along shore road, watching ships arrive and depart in the pleasant evening. But perhaps something else has come along?
[You may enter after the woman, meet your friend, or do anything else you desire to.]
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Post by Julianus Petronius Merenda on Feb 2, 2013 11:40:28 GMT -5
Thinking "This is how it usually starts... with a woman", Aurelio pauses outside of Brody's (to listen outside the door or near an open window). He lights up one of his favored cigars and waits.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Feb 2, 2013 11:49:37 GMT -5
Sometimes Brody leaves the windows open, though he usually likes to keep them closed when he has a new or particularly aromatic batch of leaves in. This evening, though the window by the door is cracked slightly.
You hear nothing for a few moments, and then you hear Brody's gravelly baritone.
"You don't look like much of a smoker ma'am, if you don't mind my sayin'."
She laughs a little nervously. her voice is halting. "No...no. I am looking for someone...I heard he was here often. Maybe I was wr-"
"And who might that be, lass? All my customers return often, mayhap I can help find him?"
"Well...it is not...maybe he is the wrong person for this, it is not...really his job, from what I understand. But it is said he hates the...slavers...oh, this is a bad idea. I am sorry." You hear rustling as if she is gathering her cloak to leave, and Brody says quickly, "Now wait a moment, lass..."
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Post by Julianus Petronius Merenda on Feb 2, 2013 12:01:27 GMT -5
Aurelio remains outside near the door. If the woman steps outside he will ask "Are you looking for me ?" as she walks past him. If Brody convinces her to stay, Aurelio will listen further at the window.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Feb 4, 2013 14:38:25 GMT -5
The door opens and the woman rushes out, nearly colliding with you. "Oh!" she says, startled.
"Are you looking for me?"
Her face is hidden in the hood of her cloak, but she is young and you sense her trepidation. "If...if you are Mister Zenn...then yes. But it...it is not what you...normally do. I just heard that you hated the Slavers Guild, and maybe you..." You see tears stream down her chin, splashing on the faded cloak.
"They have my baby. My...lover stole her, and to gain employment with them, he gave my baby to them, and...and..."
She collapses in a sobbing pile at the doorstep of Brody's.
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Post by Julianus Petronius Merenda on Feb 4, 2013 18:19:42 GMT -5
Aurelio holds her, staring off towards the slavers guild with a grim determined expression on his face.
He guides her back into Brody's and finds a chair for her. He also asks Brody if he can spare a cup of wine. He hands her a scrap of cloth to dry her tears. After she has calmed down, he speaks to her.
"Tell me everything you know. How long ago did this happen ? What is your childs name ? How old is he/she ? What does he/she look like... hair color, eye color ? What is your exlovers name and what does he look like ? What taverns and businesses does he like to frequent ?"
"I will get your child back or die trying. "
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Post by mister frau blucher on Feb 8, 2013 12:20:14 GMT -5
She sits down, and the cup of wine Brody brings ("Goin' on yer tab," he tells you) revives her somewhat. She dries her eyes, and meets your gaze as you ask questions. There is a large bruise over her left eye.
"My name is Raelia. This happened two days ago. Temm - my former lover - drugged me with wine. When I awoke yesterday afternoon, Bella was gone. She is still a babe, and nursing. Blue eyes, a bit of blondish hair." Like her mom, you note.
"I spent the last day trying to find him, and I found his friend Mux, who told me, with mocking laughter, that Temm had taken Bella to the Slavers to show them he could join them.
"So I went there and they...beat me.
"The last day I have been seeking help from supposed friends, but there has been no help. But...one mentioned you, and that you could often be found here. I...I...did not have anywhere else to turn."
You tell her, "I will get back your child or die trying."
New tears, but of hope, well in her eyes. "Oh, oh, please. I will do anything for my baby!"
You have never heard of Temm. You know Mux, he often hangs at the Red Heron, just a few doors down from where you are now, and it is a front for the Thieves' Guild. You can go there, but caution might be optimal.
[You may ask any other questions that occur to you...]
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Post by Julianus Petronius Merenda on Feb 10, 2013 10:53:45 GMT -5
Aurelio asks Raelia what she knows of Mux. What he looks like, what his personality is like. If he gets the answers he needs from her, he'll ask her go home and rest. Then he'll head to the Red Heron, order a drink and sit in a dark corner and listen to the conversations around him. If Mux is there he will pay close attention to what is being said.
Aurelio also makes plans to ask around (especially the brothels) to see if the slavers guild has hired a wet nurse recently. If he is able to contact that woman, perhaps he can get information on where the child is within the guild and what her "schedule" is for feeding the baby.
He also plans to seek out any of his contacts who might know of a "back door" to the slavers guild. Fighting his way in will only get him killed. He might have a better chance of success if he can find a way to sneak into the guild through a unguarded/unused/hidden/forgotten entrance... perhaps even through the sewers.
OOC: What is the relationship between the Theives' Guild and the Slavers Guild ? Friendly, adversarial, mutual tolerance ?
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Post by mister frau blucher on Feb 14, 2013 11:28:25 GMT -5
Raelia knows little of Mux. temm tried to keep her in the dark about his activities. His appearance you already know to be blond and lanky. You tell her to go home. She tells you where her apartment is, just off of Sun street on the Commons (south) side.
[OOC: the guilds tolerate eachother, and occassionally do business together. Both are powerful entities, though the Thieves Guild is a bit looser in its organization. it seems unlikely they are really allied in this particular instance, just that Mux, friend of Temm, has done some muscles work for the Thieves Guild. You DO know of some safe houses that both use.]
At the Red Heron, you do not see Mux, nor any of his known acquantinces. You hear nothing of worth as you listen. You leave and discreetly inquire among the two likeliest brothels; nothing of value.
As you are walking down Water Road, at the gap leading to Diamond Lake, you see a group of four Slavers, in thier red tunics and black leather harness, retrieving some water. As you look closer, you see Mux and one other man approach them. They engage in a conversation.
[You might attempt to get closer to listen; there is a bustle of people going to and from the Lake, one of the city's primary sources of fresh water, so you can make a 3/DX Stealth check to get close enough to listen. Or you might wait to see what they eventually do, without fear of being spotted...]
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Post by Julianus Petronius Merenda on Feb 16, 2013 22:26:32 GMT -5
I will try to get closer to listen unobtrusively in on the conversation.
OOC 1: How well am I known by the slavers guild ? Have I got a reputation with the Theives' Guild ?
OOC2: I will have to trust you to make the dice rolls for me. I have tried twice to create an account with the Lost Castle and have not gotten a response back.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Feb 21, 2013 15:39:20 GMT -5
I will try to get closer to listen unobtrusively in on the conversation. OOC 1: How well am I known by the slavers guild ? Have I got a reputation with the Theives' Guild ? OOC2: I will have to trust you to make the dice rolls for me. I have tried twice to create an account with the Lost Castle and have not gotten a response back. [OOC1 - The slavers have many enemies. You are not in their top tiers of foes (yet), and most of their rank and file would probably not recognize you, but one of their lieutenants might. You have had some dealings with some of the Thieves' Guild. The higher-ups would not know you, but many of their street-guys would - cordial relations. OOC2 - someone else had problems. I would try doing it again with a different screen name. If it still doesn't work, i can roll for you and post links.] Aurelio casually approaches the water, blending in well (rolls an 8): invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3937234/The group speaks quietly, and you cannot catch it all, but Temm apparently has several "packages" for delivery. Mux looks nervous, as if he doesn't want to be here. The two of them are intimidated by the slavers. Among them, you only recognize one: Hans, a minor slaver, not a leader, and not in charge here. He does not talk, instaed deferring to another. They are cautious in their talk and alert, so you do not linger long. But you understand that the "packages" cannot be brought directly to the Guild's headquarters, for some unexplained reason. They set up a rendevous in the Park of the Old Gods in the hour before midnight, after the city guard have done their hourly beat there. The only other thing of value you hear is a name - Quandreatha. She is a foreign Slave Lord, that may or may not be in the Guild itself. You have never met her, but you know she is powerful and many slavers fear her. You might get more info about her from some contacts in the Maul (a rough area in the Commons). Sylvia Snarls or Honest Alzander may know something of her. You have about three hours until the planned rendevous.
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Post by Julianus Petronius Merenda on Feb 23, 2013 15:49:49 GMT -5
Aurelio will head to the Maul to ask what Honest Alzander knows of Quandretha... and also ask him if he has a good map of the sewers. If there is time he will also talk to Sylvia Snarls.
He definitely plans to be at the Park of the Gods at the time of the meet to "watch and learn" from the shadows. He will also make sure his cestus is easily accessible.
[OOC: made another attempt at registering at Invisible Castle. no response yet.]
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Post by mister frau blucher on Feb 27, 2013 14:47:30 GMT -5
You stride off to the Maul, via Sun Street. As you get close to the Church of Solarrmys, you see a huge orc coming toward you. You know him - Bolgg. He is a petty criminal that is making a name for himself with his daring. You have spoken with him a few times, but never crossed paths professionally. You don't particularly like him; nor he you.
Initially he just looks at you, but as you are about to pass, he holds up a hand. "I am looking for someone. Word is she went to look for you. Do you know some skank names Raelia?"
[OOC - what I might try to do is create another account there, and then turn that one over to you. It was like four or five years ago created mine, so I don't remember the details, but if it asks for an email account, do you mind if i provide the one you signed up with here? I am sure that is what you used already, if it asked for it, but i might have more luck.]
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Post by Julianus Petronius Merenda on Feb 28, 2013 20:52:54 GMT -5
In my best noncommittal voice I say: "No. What would she want with me ?" (diplomacy roll? To prevent an attack)... while discretely getting a good handle on my cestus. Preparing to defend myself from an attack and/or to make a counter-attack. If he takes a swing at me I will try to dodge the blow then at the next opportunity try to hit back with the cestus (Unarmed Combat).
[OOC: feel free to use the e-mail address I provided to attempt to create an account for me. It's worth a shot]
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Post by mister frau blucher on Mar 1, 2013 17:24:54 GMT -5
Please see my pm!
Let me know if it worked or did not.
We'll pick up tomorrow.
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