julie
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Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 12, 2014 15:04:41 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 12, 2014 15:04:41 GMT -5
Dahlia abruptly halted, and leveled her hand crossbow at the sudden appearance of the intruder-on-her-thoughts. "You again," she sighed, lowering her weapon. "Don’t you have a home? No, you’re an abandoned stray, aren’t you? Just look at you."
Dahlia didn’t care too much for dogs. She liked cats even less. She looked at the poor creature, at its mange, and the look of hope in his eyes. Maybe it was something in his eyes, that look of hope that hit the soft spot in her heart. It was a spot that was very small, very hard to hit. With each assignment for the dreaded Azzuri, the spot became smaller and smaller and tougher to find.
"All right, Dog, come on." She glanced again at her compass and began to move. She had to keep moving. Even though the Man-Orc brute was only asleep, she didn’t go back to him to finish him off or to check on him. She had to get out of the area.
She looked down at the dog. "That’s your name by the way; it’s 'Dog', until you earn your keep, and become worthy of a name, something more specific than the strange creature you are."
15:57, Today: Black Dahlia rolled 12 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,5,4,2. 4/IQ check
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1: Aria
Sept 13, 2014 8:27:49 GMT -5
Post by vladtaltos on Sept 13, 2014 8:27:49 GMT -5
Dog looks up at you with hope and affection, gently wagging his tail. You swear you can detect a near-human smile on his face. When you tell him to ‘come on’ he trots along behind you, obediently following your steps.
Your compass leads you out of The Maze, and as the full brunt of dark blankets the city of Florence, a thought occurs to you---how did Benedetto and his Man-Orc thug get the drop on you? It was an ambush in the alley back there, wasn’t it? They came upon you nice and quiet, undetected.
How did they know you were there? Did your footfalls betray your presence? Did they spot you? That’s not likely. You are good at what you do, and moving quietly and unseen through darkened streets and alleys is one of the many skills you’ve become quite good at in your time with the Azzuri. No, if they weren’t expecting you, it’s not possible they would have gotten the drop on you.
They were informed you’d be here tonight. They had to be. A dimwitted oaf and a pimp, street hustler successfully ambushing a trained assassin? Impossible. Someone warned them. But who? Who set you up? The slow chill that trickles through you now burns with a cold fire.
New emotions boil within you as you exit The Maze, and pulling the hood of your cloak up and over your head, you navigate through the more hospitable streets of the city, a faithful companion padding along behind you.
A few blocks from the safe house where you’re to report after tonight’s mission, you come to a quick stop. A City Watch wagon rests at the side of the road, one of its patrolmen hammering a notice to a tree, while the other waits in the driver’s seat, loosely holding the reins of the two horses that pull the cart.
They’re about twenty yards from you, but the light from a lantern hung at the top of the wagon illumines a wide swath of ground. You melt back into the cover of the shadows and neighboring shops. Did you avoid detection? Will Dog give your position away?
Make a 4/DX + STEALTH check.
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 14, 2014 9:04:36 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 14, 2014 9:04:36 GMT -5
Dahlia cursed her ill-fortune and dropped back into the veil of shadows. The loose grip on her hand crossbow tightened, but for the moment she held it at her side.
Would Dog start barking, or walk out in the middle of the street? Dahlia realized she wasn’t breathing as she waited for what happened next.
09:59, Today: Black Dahlia rolled 7 using 4d6-2 with rolls of 3,3,1,2. 4/DX + STEALTH.
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1: Aria
Sept 15, 2014 9:12:24 GMT -5
Post by vladtaltos on Sept 15, 2014 9:12:24 GMT -5
You watch, silent and hidden, as the smaller of the two watchmen bangs away at the sign and tree. The larger of the two sits idly in his perch, casting glances at his associate and down the street in your general area. Dog sits behind you, neither whine nor growl coming from his throat.
The driver says, "That’s good enough, Marcus. It will hold. We still have twelve more to go. Are there enough trees in this city?"
"Nah. We can nail them to the front doors of these shops."
"The owners will just tear them down in the morning." The driver tilts the lantern on the wagon so that it lights up the storefronts. The swimming light misses you by mere inches.
"Then we can fine them for tampering with Watch business. Make some easy coin tomorrow, a bonus for this slave work." Marcus laughs wickedly.
With a sudden start you realize you’ve backed into the shadows of two such shops. They’ll be approaching you soon. As you consider slowly heading the way you came, back into The Maze (or perhaps taking these two out, Azzuri style), the driver says, "There’s some trees a couple of blocks over in the Church District. We can nail ‘em there."
"Yeah, it’s time we switched. I wanna drive, and you can nail."
Marcus, done with the sign, hops up into the seat beside the driver, and with a "Ha!" and a quick jerk on the reins the wagon starts down the road and is soon nothing more than a clack of hooves in the distance, out of eyeshot.
Breathing with relief, you and Dog are now alone in this patch of the city. The sack at your waist, holding the severed head, isn’t leaking too much. Only traces of blood have seeped onto your boots and the cuffs of your pants.
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 15, 2014 15:56:39 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 15, 2014 15:56:39 GMT -5
Dahlia’s concern was realized. The blood from the sack was leaking onto her clothes. Any contact with Watchmen would be deadly. She had to avoid them. With an exasperated breath, she also realized she had a chore waiting for her when she got home--washing blood from her clothes and off of her.
But first, she had to get to the safe house and report that the night’s work was done. Making sure the wagon was far from sight and ear, she crept from her hiding spot. She read the sign they had nailed to the tree, and then headed straight for the safe house.
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1: Aria
Sept 16, 2014 10:29:21 GMT -5
Post by vladtaltos on Sept 16, 2014 10:29:21 GMT -5
The sound of hooves fades in the distance. With the road clear and the night returning to silence, you leave your hiding place, and approach the tree where the watchman nailed a notice. This is what you read: The Halo Killer
Wanted for
MURDER!
Reward! 100 Gold Sovereigns
The above mentioned reward will be paid for information leading to the arrest of the fiend responsible for the murders of five people--three women and two men--in Florence’s West End.
Contact Tomas Danielle, Captain of the City Watch
This is the first you've heard of The Halo Killer, but obviously unbeknownst to the Watch, a sixth victim has been added this night, the prostitute you saw earlier. The "calling card" of the killer, a ring of yellow rose petals left above the victim's head is how he obtained his soubriquet. (You mentioned going to the safe house, but I thought I'd pause it here, in case there's any response you have to this information.)
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 16, 2014 16:29:46 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 16, 2014 16:29:46 GMT -5
The Halo Killer, Dahlia thought. So, you have struck before, five times. Now six.
His modus operandi is the same obviously; an ear-to-ear gashing smile, rose petals left above the head of the victims. He had become a thorn in the side of law enforcement, so now they’re making his crimes public.
The victims caught her attention. Three women. Two men. That was strange, the male victims. Didn’t these psychopaths kill the same type of person? What was it, then, the victims had in common? Wrong place, wrong time, or something more?
Dahlia wasn’t sure she should be thinking of the killer as a male. What she saw the killer could be man, woman, or beast.
Throbbing pain coming from her nose, mouth, and general aches elsewhere, Dahlia decided to move on. Time to get off the streets and have her wounds tended to at the safe house.
No, it hadn’t escaped her attention. She noticed the reward. She could do a lot of things with that money, she wagered. Like get into a Wizards’ Guild somewhere.
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1: Aria
Sept 17, 2014 9:55:48 GMT -5
Post by vladtaltos on Sept 17, 2014 9:55:48 GMT -5
A few blocks later you come to the safe house. It’s of modest design, sits on a modest corner in a modest neighborhood surrounded by homes of similar modesty. The Everyman lives here, neither rich nor poor. Nothing is new or elegant, but neither is it worn and decrepit. It’s what the Azzuri wanted. Hide in plain sight. The man inside the house doesn’t live here. No one lives here. He is Giancolo Scarpetti, underboss to Franco Mirillion, who runs you and Azzuri’s ring of assassins. You deliver the bloody parcel, get cleaned up, and an attendant sees to your wounds. Afterward, you sit in what’s meant to be a dining room, but there’s no dining table or utensils, just a tiny round table riddled with cracks and two shabby chairs. Scarpetti has your payment, one-hundred silvers and a withered piece of brown paper. Your bonus. It’s a scroll. You’ve learned how to siphon a spell from a scroll and commit it to memory. As you do so, black smoke emits from the page and spirals a few inches above the table; it then floats up toward the ceiling. An inky rank smoke, it coalesces into various geometric shapes, one after the other, before dissipating into a thin wisp and vanishing altogether. Even in your brief time at the Wizards’ Guild Academy you’ve learned what that means. The scroll has flaws. The formula isn’t complete. But there's a more important meaning to what just happened---a statement is being made to you by the Azzuri. You will get no bonus tonight. You glare at Scarpetti. A thin, slimy smile is on his face. He says flatly, "Not to worry, Dahlia, that which you crave will be yours. But you’ve been out of service for some time now, haven’t you? You were off trying to be a wizard." The memory isn’t a good one. You had the brains for the work, you could’ve been a wizard, but then the guild scrutinized your background, quickly discovering one of its prized apprentices had served for the dreaded Azzuri. You were dismissed without preamble. "How those old grey beards must have been shocked," Scarpetti muses, "allowing a cold killer into their sanctimonious circle, even if for a little while." There’s venom in his voice; his poison is directed at you. He folds the flawed scroll in half and places it in the pocket of his tunic. "Killing Benedetto was nothing. Hell, that was more like murder. He wouldn’t have stood a chance against any of us." He smirks. "That’s why the assignment was given to you. We must determine if you still possess the skills that made the name, Black Dahlia, so feared, so respected, and if you still have the stomach for wetwork since your foray into the--" he waves around a hand, searching for the right word, "---arcane." His eyes are as dark and as small as his soul. They fix on yours. "Well, what of it, Dahlia?" he asks, impatiently. "Is killing people and cutting off their heads for a few silvers still what you wish to do?" You know beyond any doubt you must answer carefully. Everything you say will get back to Mirillion. There’s many ways to answer, including ‘No.’ But, this is the Azzuri, and every answer has a consequence.
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 18, 2014 9:27:44 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 18, 2014 9:27:44 GMT -5
Dahlia immediately thought of the implications of answering such a loaded question. A simple ‘yes’ might not convey the right tone, the level of commitment Scarpetti was looking for. A ‘no’ might get her killed.
"You have his head, do you not? Am I turning green, puking, looking queasy?" Her next statement was a lie. "It was simple. No complications at all."
Should she tell Scarpetti her suspicion, that she was set-up down the alley? Benedetto had been informed she’d be coming for him, and had brought along muscle for the task. Who had told him? Was it the dirty little man sitting in front of her? Or Mirillion? Who wanted her dead?
"So, I suppose everyone knew I had this job tonight? Everyone’s waiting around to see how I did?"
She left it at that for the moment. His reply would either narrow or broaden the suspects.
She also wondered how that mangy dog was doing.
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1: Aria
Sept 18, 2014 13:40:53 GMT -5
Post by vladtaltos on Sept 18, 2014 13:40:53 GMT -5
"You have his head, do you not? Am I turning green, puking, looking queasy?" Her next statement was a lie. "It was simple. No complications at all." Scarpetti nods, the thin ugly smile remains on his face. He pulls a pouch free from its strap at his side. "Very well, then. Your payment." He tosses the pouch onto your side of the table. It clinks with the familiar sound of rattling coins when it lands. Inside are ten coins, each worth ten silver pieces. "So, I suppose everyone knew I had this job tonight? Everyone’s waiting around to see how I did?" The sarcasm drips from his lips as thick as cold honey. "Why of course, everyone wants to know how the famed Black Dahlia did tonight in her grand return to the stage." This guy really deserves to be punched in the face. Hard. But then, he gives the answer you seek. "If 'everyone' is me, Mirillion, and the other assassins, then the answer is yes." If you’ve been betrayed, it came from either the boss of the assassins, Franco Mirillion, his underboss Scarpetti, or one of the other Azzuri assassins, of which there are five. Seven suspects. Scarpetti adds, "You should know this: Reaper was killed tonight, shoved off a third floor patio as he was breaking into his mark’s house. It happened a few hours ago. Our man, Marcelli, informed us." Marcelli is one of your contacts, the Sergeant of the Watch. He’s been on the Azzuri payroll for a few years now. The suspect list has instantly dropped to six. You were aware of Reaper, didn't know him too well. You don't know any of the other assassins too well. The attendant who patched your wounds is also providing additional treatment to Dog. Both the attendant and Scarpetti were less than enthused to see a four-footed beast come into the safe house.
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 19, 2014 14:50:06 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 19, 2014 14:50:06 GMT -5
Dahlia was surprised to learn of Reaper’s death, but she didn’t let it show. Even though she didn’t know him, he was an Azzuri. They had a bond. She briefly reflected on what could’ve been had she had been given his mission, instead of the one liquidating Benedetto. Would she have suffered the same fate?
"Shoved from a third-floor patio?" An idea crossed her mind. Was Reaper betrayed as she felt she had been? "Someone was waiting for him, then?" Maybe in a roundabout way, she could either eliminate Scarpetti as a suspect in her betrayal, or boost him to the top of the list of suspects after hearing his answer.
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1: Aria
Sept 20, 2014 8:56:09 GMT -5
Post by vladtaltos on Sept 20, 2014 8:56:09 GMT -5
"Either that or he surprised someone," Scarpetti speculates. "It’s possible he was spotted by a guard or servant as he approached the house. It was the Chief Magistrate’s residence. Our client wanted a one-sided result in the upcoming election. Marcelli will head-up the investigation, and make it seem as though it was a simple botched robbery attempt, nothing more."
Make any response you like, or none at all, then roll 3d6.
Afterward, Scarpetti looks at you appraisingly. "So, wetwork is still in your blood is it? I think something slightly more interesting is in order for your next mission; it’s a 250 silver payday.
"No, I can’t tell you about it just yet. The contract hasn’t been finalized, the particulars are still undecided."
It is here, in the safe house, where you will stay the night. In the morning, you can leave.
This ends the mission proper. What’s left is for you to decide which two contacts you want to approach and what information you seek from them.
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 21, 2014 11:37:56 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 21, 2014 11:37:56 GMT -5
Scarpetti seemed more concerned that the Azzuri name be kept hidden than by the death of Reaper himself. Dahlia wasn’t surprised. Their business was death, and like all things done on a regular basis, it’s taken for granted after a time. Death was no longer something shocking, or troubling. It was a part of business.
Business called for protecting the name. Always protect the name, Azzuri.
"Marcelli was there, he witnessed Reaper's death, or was called to the scene in his capacity as Sergeant of the Watch?"
12:29, Today: Black Dahlia rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,5.
Dahlia gets some sleep. In the morning, she leaves the safe house, and visits two of her contacts, Marcelli and Andreas Grumby.
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1: Aria
Sept 22, 2014 9:34:45 GMT -5
Post by vladtaltos on Sept 22, 2014 9:34:45 GMT -5
"Nah, he was called, but in the neighborhood, didn’t have far to go. One of the magistrate’s people came across him as they were riding to the station to get help."
You’ve studied Scarpetti as he’s spoken tonight. It’s become a habit of yours. In your line of work, you quickly size-up people to get a vibe from them, to know what they’re about, to know what their brain is trying to hide but everything else about them reveals like a flashing sign.
Was he the one responsible for betraying you tonight? Did he inform Benedetto you were coming for him?
Scarpetti’s been around the block. One doesn’t become an Underboss for the Azzuri by allowing even a talented interpreter of body language, voice, and facial expressions to read them so easily.
You get nothing from him. Is he trying to mask what he says? Is he telling the truth, lying, telling half-truths? You simply can’t tell. Of course, you can come right out and ask him, but would that be prudent? Would that put your career, your life, at risk?
Are you positive you were betrayed? Many thoughts begin to percolate in your mind. Well, it’s been a stressful evening, maybe you should sleep on it.
(OOC: Feel free to interject with further questions for Scarpetti or anything else you’d like to do at this moment.)
In the morning, you gather your gear, and leave the safe house. "Hey, don’t forget this fellow." The assistant that tended to your wounds guides Dog to you, and hands you a jar of yellow ointment. "A general healant. Apply it to his mange. In a couple of weeks, you should begin to see results."
* * * * *
You find Marcelli outside the cafe, decked-out in his Sergeant-of-the-Watch uniform, with the star shining bright and gold on his left breast. He must have just polished it. You’ve learned this place is his usual haunt on an early weekday morning. He nurses a hot beverage.
You sit down next to him, and Dog kneels at your feet. Marcelli notices you and looks at you the way a law enforcement officer looks at anyone---with general distrust and agitation---even though he knows you.
"Well, look who’s here," he says, looking up from his cup. He sets the cup down on the table. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" No, his voice isn’t welcoming, friendly, or playful. He asked the question in the same tone an enemy might ask, ‘What the hell do you want?’
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 171
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1: Aria
Sept 23, 2014 8:42:20 GMT -5
Post by julie on Sept 23, 2014 8:42:20 GMT -5
Before Dahlia left the safe house, she turned and asked Scarpetti, "I take it that completing the next mission will carry a bonus? I’ve proven myself against Benedetto?" She had nothing else to say to the man. She didn’t care for him, or his tone, but was interested if any magics would be passed on to her.
* * *
She thought she’d find Marcelli here, and wasn’t surprised at his lack of hospitality. "Aren’t you going to buy me a drink, Sergeant? I have some information you may be interested in."
She waited for any reaction before springing the news on him. "I have some information on The Halo Killer. He, she, it claimed a sixth victim last night. I saw it happen. But first I want to know about Reaper, the whole story. And, yes, thank you for buying me a drink, and the treat for my dog."
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