RPGWW

by **pd Rydia** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:15 am

Dia nodded. "Thank you both. I have a spare set of clothes, for an easy reference in size, if that would be useful for you, sir."

by **Kelne** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:20 am

Kelne nodded, "That will be fine." He'd caught that little flicker of annoyance, and had felt a bit of his own. Still, a single evening of helping out around the place and answering questions was a small enough price to pay for what was being offered. Their supplies would last them a while yet, but there was no reason to start dipping into them if they didn't have to.

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:05 am

Jak caught himself frowning at the mention of "proper clothing," momentarily wary of a dress code being imposed upon them. He quickly realised that the HU meant protective clothing, though, and squelched the rising protest before it escaped.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:37 am

And thus does the party make itelf comfortable. Jeridan manages to properly recover after about an hour, and is up and about. This may well be a good thing, as HU-4E wastes little time in putting the group to work straightening up her home, then running a few errands to obtain a few things; Kelne finds himself given the honor of making a run with HU-4E-A to visit a patient. This patient turns out to be a goat having a difficult pregnancy; apparently the HU are expected to deal with a number of species. Luckily for him, his task is mostly to hold it down, while HU-4E-A does the actual delivering. The odor, however, will haunt him for some time to come.

The group learns a few things about Thalsian life during this experience. In particular, it seems that purchases and exchanges are overseen by the AD of the community, who have to personally approve transactions. Settlement Four has several AD people at the market, or Repository as they call it, whose job seems to be to oversee transactions. Even then, there are some lines to stand in. It all seems to be inefficient. Then one recalls the stark desert that they had flown over, against how many people are in this city.

Equally curious is HU-4E and HU-4E-A. It is quickly found that the latter is the former's assistant and apprentice, though they both seem to be about the same age. It is difficult to tell if they have a personal relationship or not, but they do seem to have the air of a settled couple about them, and do share the house. Now that Jeridan's emergency has passed, they relax a bit, becoming less emotionless and more subdued. It's hard to miss HU-4E's small grin upon supper being completed by those put to the task; it seems she dislikes cooking and dislike's HU-4E-A's cooking moreso.

Jeridan eventually finds himself being interrogated about Garou-jin life and society by HU-4E. Curiously, she takes notes. While she frowns occasionally at some of the things he says, those that fly in the face of that the Thalsians seem to value, she seems content to keep it to herself.

Jak, upon finding himself with some free time, takes to roving Settlement 4 a bit. He notices that the golems seem to be less common here, but he does find a few searching though the dirt and sand along the outskirts of town. Whilst walking, he comes upon an older Thalsian who seems to be setting clay bricks, and actually whistling a bit whilst working. When asked, he answers that it helps him focus upon his work. Curious about Jak, a conversation quickly arises between them. He asks little things about Igala, taking answers with the stoicness of someone who believes he is being told a fish story. Soon, though, Jak is able to guide the conversation toward a subject of interest.

"I don't know much about the Belu. Never worried about them getting to the coast. They're an uncontrolled group, from what I hear. Interestingly, I've heard LU-4ASGE was a Belu who left his people behind. It's just a story, but he did have problems keeping necessary control sometimes. Came from Settlement Eleven, which is by the badlands. People are moved when needed, you understand. What happened to him? He died last year."

****

The next day, the party is presented with the clothing that HU-4E promised. It is not very impressive, light and loose-fitting white robes that cover almost all of the body. Matching this are close-fitting headcloths, which are held flat against one's head with a snugly-fit band. Their Provisional records are given updates for a quantity of dates and grains, as well as extra water rations. Curiously, they've seen no real signs of water rationing yet; though the people seem to be fairly sparing in its use, and try not to waste it.

Taking off, they find that not long after Settlement Four is beyond the horizon, it is hard to believe that there is much life here. The desert is much as before, inhospitable, but oddly compelling in its own sense. It is a bit cooler today, while those who try out their new garb find they are more comfortable with the sun bearing down on them than before.

Around noon, the outskirts of what must be Settlement Ten come into view. Soon, the city proper comes into view, as Kelne lands. As he does, some may note a curious site nearby, namely that of a farm house which appears to have been caught in a fire recently.

Landing near the edge of the city, it does not take long for a party of what are presumably the EF Guards coming to meet them. The burnt-out farm is not far from their position.

by **Jak Snide** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:18 am

Jak had chosen to retain his regular clothing, seeing as it'd served him well enough in the heat, watching the guards come to question them from under the brim of his hat. He'd spotted the torched farmstead on the way in and was already considering the possibilities. On the one hand it could have been an accident. Or it could have been caused by design, and taking the fact these guards seemed to be investigating the area into account he guessed it was the latter.

He took another look at the farm, waiting for Kelne to handle the initial bit of diplomacy as he'd done the day before.

by **Besyanteo** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:30 pm

Jeridam prudently chose to wear the clothes they had been given over those he'd brought with him. He was surprised by how much cooler the outfit kept him. The headband interfered with his horn slightly, but it was preferable to having another one of those episodes... He never commented on being drugged, as as far as he knew he never realy had been. He had been rather ill at the time, the strange calm that came afterward was probably a side effect of the medication, right? Or maybe just part of recovery...

In any event, at present he makes no attempt to greet the local guard. Experience had taught him that they didn't like being greeted by people who looked so different from them.

by **Kelne** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:28 pm

Once again, it seemed Kelne had been elected spokesman by default. By this point, he was becoming resigned to it. It was slightly ironic, in that he was probably the person in the group most inclined to strangle somebody, but then, he had ample practice at not strangling aggravating people.

As he took the requisite several paces forward and settled in to wait, he cast his eye over the farmhouse. Fired deliberately, unless he missed his guess. Anywhere else, it would have been an ordinary enough, if regrettable event. Here, and so close to a rather major settlement, it could be indicative of something serious.

Kelne would withhold judgement for now.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:16 am

Readied as they are, it is no surprise that the contingent of EF Guards, seven in number, approach them with obvious caution and crossbows readied.

An older woman seems to mark herself as the leader, as she speaks up. "Please relinquish your weapons and keep your hands in plain sight. I will be taking you into custody for questioning."

by **Kelne** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:57 am

Although Kelne's hands remained in plain sight, he showed no inclination to relinquish his weapons. He'd seen Thalsian 'custody', and had no intention of experiencing it himself.

Thankfully, he knew of a time-tested method of confounding people without resorting to violence. Though more often than not, it provoked them to violence. Question everything.

In a tone of sheerest innocence, worthy of Idran or Enlil, Kelne asked, "Questioning regarding what?"

This bought him a margin of time, more than sufficient to order his thoughts and decide just how he'd handle this. Sheer incredulity seemed like the road to go down. After all, he had the facts on his side.

He decided to fire off a quick telepathic message to his companions. No sense several of them attempting to answer the 'charges' at once.

'I've got this one.' He was faintly surprised to realise that he was rather looking forward to the prospect of throwing a spanner in the works of the Thalsian justice process.

by **Jak Snide** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:39 am

Jak sensed the eagerness in Kelne's message and did his best to keep his cool. The female guard had aggravated him as soon as she'd spoken, her demands reeking of the abuse of petty authority. He knew if he were in her circumstances he'd have done just the same, but then he would have used a touch of diplomacy. Or left it to those who wouldn't set off a quartet of dangerous looking outsiders fresh and irritable from a long journey.

by **Besyanteo** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:43 pm

Jeridan simply stood impassive. It was more useful than any emotional response right now. And with the thin mana in the area, he simply didn't feel like being energetic at the moment.

All that considered, he used this time to try to meditate on the farmhouse and it's condition. Since they were stopped, it would be easier to use his finer senses to look for anything in the debris that would point to when and how it had been done. Or possibly even by whom and where they went.

... All that provided that his damn head would stop aching.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 1:36 am

"There has been several deaths over the night, as well as the fire that destroyed the housing to the side," answers the woman. "I am instructed to bring in anyone suspicious for questioning. Being outlanders and strangers to Settlement Ten, you understand that a burden of suspicion falls upon you. Please relinquish your weapons."

by **pd Rydia** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:23 pm

Yesterday? Deaths? Dia looked shocked, an emotion which mirrored over to the lapdragon who had taken to the forefront of the carpet to investigate the newcomers--for those who can read lapdragons. Fluffy scuttled back to Dia as the halfdragon herself settled down--although she took to looking over the burnt structure more carefully, looking for anything to stand out. And, as old habit, she followed up with an astral scan.

by **Kelne** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:20 pm

"That is indeed regrettable," Kelne said, "Though I fail to see why suspicion should instantly fall upon us. After all, coming such great distances solely in order to spread murder and mayhem is hardly sensible."

"At any rate, I see no reason to waste everybody's time, so I shall furnish you with evidence of our whereabouts last night."

Continuing to ignore the peremptory order to surrender his weapons as beneath his notice, Kelne reached into a pocket of his newly acquired outfit and produced his provisional record. He did keep his movements slow and clearly visible, to avoid setting off some trigger-happy idiot.

"You will note," he said, passing it to the ringleader, "That this was used yesterday in settlement 4, and the day before that in settlement 7."

by **PriamNevhausten** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:25 am

The EF Guard looks it over. Kelne can tell he has done a good deal to thwart this woman from the aannoyed sound she tries to stifle. "This is true, but still your method of travel cannot be overlooked, nor can the potential of using methods we do not understand."

Dia looks toward the remains of the farm, and can see that it was indeed gutted by a fire. Something she has had to deal wth herself far too many times for her liking. However, she notices a faint glimmering of magic there. It has decayed to the point where it really can't be read as a type of magic anymore, but some was there. Had she been in a place with normal Astral, it would have been drowned out.

by **pd Rydia** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:40 pm

Dia's brow furrowed as she nudged Jak. "Take a look at the farm on the astral--what can you make of that?"

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:55 pm

Jak bit back a snide comment. He'd expected Dia to know about his problems with reading the astral plane, but then again he'd never actually told her.

He tried to get a feel on the astral around the house, astral vision being something that had never come to him.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:12 pm

Jak finds he is too far away to feel much of anything near the burnt-out farm. Such is the peril of alternate methods of experiencing the influence of other planes.

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:14 pm

"Can't tell from here. I'd have to get closer. This place is playing merry hell with my astral senses" he said, scowling at his own lack of ability.

by **Shinigori V2** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:30 pm

"Erm...Excuse me..." Paige said. She had kept quiet until now, seemingly going over something in her head- Over and over and over. She had stuck with her old clothes- Although the tool belt was a bit heavy, it was a nessessary evil. "But...If we did this...Why in the world would we come back to it the next day, rather than finish everything we had done with it all at once and not risk being caught?"

by **Kelne** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:39 pm

Kelne resisted the temptation to smile, "It is a well-known fact that powerful magics are impossible here. The carpet works only because it is a reasonably basic, self-sustaining enchantment created elsewhere. Faster methods of travel are simply impossible."

by **Uncle Pervy** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:38 am

"Such an item would be impossible as well," the woman counters. "I do not think it is unreasonable to suspect that you have other such fantastic things as well."

"The remains did seem to match those of a predator," says another of the EF Guards, giving a look Jeridan's way.

"A much larger predator," a third adds. "I don't think it was him." It seems some are happy to assume gender.

"The provisional record does corellate," says the second, holding the record after the woman gave it a look over and handed it to him.

The woman sighs, giving into what must be a good deal of frustration. Then her voice is neutral once more. "Report to the EF Building at your leisure before the day is out."

She then turns, and begins back toward whence she came. The rest follow, but a couple do linger behind for a moment, either cunfoused or curious. A quick sort might well be able to flag them down.

by **Jak Snide** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 6:21 am

Jak did just that, his curiosity about what Dia had sensed in the ruin of the farm house temporarily suspended.

"This sort of thing happened before around here?" he asked one of the guards, gesturing towards the burned out shell. "You mentioned a predator of some sorts."

by **Kelne** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:19 pm

In Kelne's experience, your average large predator didn't have the necessary equipment to burn farmhouses down. Dragons aside, of course.

Now there was an encouraging thought. One would think that if there were dragons or dragon-like creatures on the continent, the Thalsians would have noticed. But they weren't exactly the adventurous types.

He just knew that they were going to wind up having to do something about this. It was the way of the world. And he rather doubted it was going to be easy.

In the meantime, annoying guards successfully diverted, he turned his own attention towards the burnt-out farmhouse. Going over to take a closer look wouldn't hurt, once the others had gotten done with their questions.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:55 am

The guard, a particularly swarthy man with a sort of pinched face. "We presume it is a predator, but it is a very unusual sort. The body that we found was tore to pieces, in some places the flesh was torn free by a very large mouth, and presumably eaten. The rest were charred beyond recognition; we suspect the fire started from an overturned lamp. There were reports of large footprints, but they have been lost to the other residents, who tried to smother the fire, and the winds. I need not tell you to be cautious."

He wets his lips. "It is wise to be cautious within Settlement Ten, as well. I do not think that you will avoid suspicion."

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:01 pm

"Thanks for the warning" he said in earnest before bidding the guard farewell and going to investigate the farmhouse himself. He needn't have bothered telling Jak that they'd be under constant suspicion, but the gesture was appreciated. As he approached the wreckage he wondered what sort of creature could have done this assuming the guard was mistaken about the cause of the fire being a toppled. A adolescent dragon could have done this sort of damage, but he doubted a magical being could stand to live in such a blasted land.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:49 pm

Those drawing near the burnt-out farmhouse see that the fire has blazed rather thoroughly through it. The walls still stand, but are blackened heavily. The roof has collapsed, presumably due to supports burning away. The earth here has been torn at fairly heavily from numerous feet, as well as the winds. The smells of char and ash hang heavily in the air.

Jak can detect that there was some sort of magic here, but the signiture has decayed far too much to really see what sort it was. Much like Dia, he notes it would probably be lost amidst the background astral were this back home.

A few of the people working the fields seem to be watching the group, while they tend to their tasks.

by **Kelne** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:53 pm

Kelne, having headed over to take a look at the farmhouse himself, set about making a wide circuit of the place. Any tracks closer to the scene might have been obliterated, but there might well be something to be found further out. Even a partial print could give him valuable information on this 'large predator'.

by **Jak Snide** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:34 pm

"There was a spell cast here," he began, turning to Dia, "but the residue has decayed to a point where it's school is unrecognisable. However, I've got a rough idea of how powerful a spell this was." Numbers were already churning in his head as he began to pace to his right, eyes glazing over momentarily as he re-scanned the faint aura.

"It wasn't anything astounding, but it was no simple cantrip either. The caster wouldn't need to be as accomplished as I am, but it'd take more skill than, say, a Gunnir graduate could muster."

by **Shinigori V2** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:46 pm

Paige walked towards the building, working things over in her mind. She had seen similar things when she was still with the Dragon's Talon group. Granted, it didn't look like the work of the firebombs Loake's alchemist made, but still...She hoped she could identify whatever had happened.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:04 pm

Paige has a closer look around the house. Pyrotechnics, however, really isn't within her training, so she cannot determine how the fire was started, or what it really did. However, judging from the how much has been blackened, it must have raged for a long while.

Kelne, ranging out a bit further, finds nothing conclusive. There are marks that could have been footprints, but they are faint and mostly ruined; not all in any sort of orde either. But despite the logic of it, he has a nagging suspicion about them. All of them.

by **Besyanteo** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:10 pm

Jeridan moved in to have a look around himself, about where Jak was. He tried not to interfere with the workers or any of the evidence inside, and he continued with his old standby: the very nose and eyes he'd been born with.

(Using Track, to try to find a point where it both looks and smells as though the perpetrators left, using their markings in the sand nearer the farmhouse as a base. 3 TP)

by **Kelne** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:18 pm

Those little suspicions might just be the usual paranoia talking, but he somehow doubted it. There was something important to be found here. Kelne traced the tracks as well as he could, pausing occasionally to crouch down for a closer look at some of the prints.

It was a frustrating process, since those of most interest seemed to have been trampled by careless feet. In the end, he still didn't have anything as conclusive as he'd like to show for his efforts. A few large footprints, suggestive of something a bit larger than any of them. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell if it was a regular four-legged predator or the two-legged variety.

Giving up on learning anything more from the prints, Kelne headed back towards the farmhouse, eyes absently sweeping the ground as he went. The locals seemed to think the fire had been caused by an overturned lantern. Kelne had his doubts about that.

Jak and Dia might be able to find something on the astral side of things. He intended to see if the burning seemed consistent with a fire spreading from a single source. And, while he was at it, whether there was any damage that seemed to have been caused by something other than fire.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:16 am

Sniffing around, Jeridan gets a good deal of smells about. Ash and char overcome just about everything, seeping and blending the odors irritatly. He can detect the smells of a number of people that have bee through here, seeping and mingling together. The omnipresent dust odor remains as well. The smell of old blood can also be found, but it seems that the fire has done well in burning most of that away.

From this mishmash, he can detect something funny. It's impossible to make out; for it has been blended with too many things. But, nonetheless, something curious can be smelt faintly.

Kelne does not notice anything else particualry curious about the ground, as he and Paige examine the insides of the house. Inside, the fallen roof has done well to obscure and crush much of what was inside. It has clearly been sifted though, Kelne notes, by the way that some of of the rubble has been piled. Given that the Thalsian homes he has seen to date weren't very big on possessions, and tended to have a lot of cloth, he images that most of it was burned to cinders. Sadly, the rubble does much to obscure what it is he seeks.

by **Besyanteo** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:27 am

Jeridan moved closer to Jak.

"There's still some scent on these prints, but it's being overpowered by everything else going on here. And there's something strange to them that I can't figure out... have you noticed anything else?"

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:28 am

"Nope, besides what we all suspect. This wasn't some animal attack. Magic was used here and it unlikely that a lone beast would attack a farmstead itself. I'm wondering if the Belu keep attack animals, myself."

by **Kelne** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:29 am

His own investigations essentially concluded, Kelne headed back over to where the group was gathering. He arrived in time to catch the tail end of Jak's comment, and was already shaking his head by the end of it.

"Shouldn't think so. The entire continent seems to be on subsistence rations, so I doubt anyone goes in for keeping creatures whose sole purpose is to be vicious on command." With typical cynicism he continued, "People are, after all, quite capable of being vicious for themselves."

In reality, he suspected that the Belu were a bit better suited for the adverse conditions than the Thalsians. They had, by all accounts, lived in the more barren parts of the continent for quite some time now, and he rather suspected they had less mouths to feed. But that still didn't suggest they kept large attack beasts.

"Doesn't look like there's much to be found here. A couple of trampled prints that belonged to something large and that's about it. Anything on your ends?"

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:50 pm

Jak shrugged in response, having already told him what he'd found.

by **Shinigori V2** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:10 am

Paige began back over, shaking her head. "I couldn't see much...But then again, I'm not good with fire..."

by **Kelne** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 2:36 am

"I suppose that's about it, then," Kelne said, "We're not going to learn much more here." Aside from the possibility of picking up some clues on the astral side of things, he hadn't really expected to. The Thalsians would have spotted anything obvious, after all. No, he rather suspected that the next thing he found out about the whatever-it-was would be after it struck again.

With a bit of luck, this next attack wouldn't be pinned on them, but he wouldn't put any money on it.

"Might as well head into town," he said, "It wouldn't do to keep our gracious hosts waiting, after all." So saying, he set out for the settlement, carpet trailing along behind him.

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