RPGWW

by **gsteelwraith** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:35 am

"Local constabulary," she says, "what do you mean?"

Leveticus will answer, "A group of them attempted to make us out to be Obscura smugglers, or have it seem such if certain renumerations were not provided. As it stands they now believe us to be members of Adeptus Arbites. A pilgrim's lot is fraught with perils enough without adding graft and blackmail to the obstacles."

"I assure you that the Emperor's light burns brightly on Famine," she adds, clutching her hand pendant. "It was the Saint's sacrifice that brought us to Him."

The Brother-Initiate will respond soothingly, "I cast no aspertions upon the Saint and her sacrifice, far from it, indeed. All should venerate the Saints and their acts. I merely suggest there are corners where the roaches yet hide. It is to hold high another lantern which brings us here. After all, we, like you, are watchmen in the night."

by **helvorn** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:23 pm

InquisitorChris wrote:
She looks alarmed.

"Local constabulary," she says, "what do you mean?"

"I assure you that the Emperor's light burns brightly on Famine," she adds, clutching her hand pendant. "It was the Saint's sacrifice that brought us to Him."

<ooc> for some reason I've not been getting alerts on updates to this thread... </ooc>

Kara gazes at the wood across from the building with longing. It's certainly not the haunted woods of her homeworld but far more vivid than the steel caves of Terra or the claustrophobic passageways of the starship. She climbed quietly into the back of the vehicle and listened as Leveticus and Jim discussed the situation with the Arbites. Kara gazed outside as the city and countryside unfolded past them, her senses alert to the subtle patterns of the Warp on this new planet.

by **InquisitorChris** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:37 pm

ChristianC wrote:Chani smiled, rather pleased with the turn of events, as they got into the vehicle and away from the rain. During most of the passage she remains silent, listening to Jim and Crelama until she turns to one of the men who came with her.

"What are the local forms of entertainment? I'm sure, once we are done with all the paperwork, and all the serious discussions, we could all use some relaxation from the crampness of this ride, non?" She smiled at the others.

The arbitrator -- a short, stocky man who looks distinctly uncomfortable in his civilian clothes -- looks at you with a puzzled expression for a few seconds, and then says, "you mean places where you might look for culprits? Bars I suppose."

by **InquisitorChris** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:48 pm

gsteelwraith wrote:
"Local constabulary," she says, "what do you mean?"

Leveticus will answer, "A group of them attempted to make us out to be Obscura smugglers, or have it seem such if certain renumerations were not provided. As it stands they now believe us to be members of Adeptus Arbites. A pilgrim's lot is fraught with perils enough without adding graft and blackmail to the obstacles."

The Brother-Initiate will respond soothingly, "I cast no aspertions upon the Saint and her sacrifice, far from it, indeed. All should venerate the Saints and their acts. I merely suggest there are corners where the roaches yet hide. It is to hold high another lantern which brings us here. After all, we, like you, are watchmen in the night."

She nods, rage burning in her eyes. "Our Enforcers are hopelessly in league with our world's baser elements and their own poverty leads them to many a sin. If it were in our mandate and power, I for one would have cracked down on them long ago. They chew the flesh but do not swallow.

"If you have their names and you want me to, I can have the Emperor's justice done to these betrayers of their uniform.

"But that might cause a stir."

She pauses a moment.

"Roaches are what the Holy Ordos are here to find, no? And squash?"

During this time, you have been driving along the road, passed by a very few civilian ground vehicles and a few trucks, one laden with bleating livestock. You have also remarked a couple of horse-drawn carriages by the side of the road keeping their distance from the vehicular traffic.

Buildings begin to spring up around you as you move into the city. Out here, they are mostly ramshackle huts made from wood and sheet metal lining the sides of the road. Flashes of lightning illuminate them periodically. People, in shabby clothing, mostly women and children, putter about them. It looks like most have gardens, where is which they are doing their puttering.

(Will roll for Jim's Inquiry check when you get to your destination.)

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 4:57 am

"Every man, woman and child who sets foot on Famine has to go through that lot." Jim tilted his head back, gesturing over one shoulder and the way they came. "What're they going to think when the first people they meet are a pack of faithless scum trying to extort them? Men like them worship thrones, not the Throne. Could be that they're mixed up in more than just bullying gelt out of pilgrims." He gave Leveticus a sideways glance. "Might be that we'll need to have a little chat with them again."

He paused, trying to recollect any details from their confrontation with the enforcers. "Ain't got no names though, they were smart enough to leave them unspoken. They reckon they're off the hook though, so maybe they'll slip up and give themselves away."

by **helvorn** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:25 am

Jak Snide wrote:He paused, trying to recollect any details from their confrontation with the enforcers. "Ain't got no names though, they were smart enough to leave them unspoken. They reckon they're off the hook though, so maybe they'll slip up and give themselves away."

"We know who is on duty, no? It should be simple enough to track them down later if we need. If there is an off world involvement in this case the best place to start digging may be with corrupt enforcers. Otherwise 'tis best to allow the scum to continue operating and not draw further attention to ourselves."

Kara addressed Investigator Felia; "Do you get may off world visitors?"

by **helvorn** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:27 am

InquisitorChris wrote:The arbitrator -- a short, stocky man who looks distinctly uncomfortable in his civilian clothes -- looks at you with a puzzled expression for a few seconds, and then says, "you mean places where you might look for culprits? Bars I suppose."

Kara smiled over at Chani and then back at the arbitrator; "It sounds like we will have to examine several of the local bars."

by **gsteelwraith** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:25 pm

She nods, rage burning in her eyes. "Our Enforcers are hopelessly in league with our world's baser elements and their own poverty leads them to many a sin. If it were in our mandate and power, I for one would have cracked down on them long ago. They chew the flesh but do not swallow.

"If you have their names and you want me to, I can have the Emperor's justice done to these betrayers of their uniform.

"But that might cause a stir."

"If I had my druthers," Leveticus will say, "I would have the lot of them drafted into one of the Punishment Legions, so they can spend what they might laughingly call 'the remainder of their days' hunting Xenos on some Emperor-forsaken world. Regretably, they took care to never mention names."

"Every man, woman and child who sets foot on Famine has to go through that lot." Jim tilted his head back, gesturing over one shoulder and the way they came. "What're they going to think when the first people they meet are a pack of faithless scum trying to extort them? Men like them worship thrones, not the Throne. Could be that they're mixed up in more than just bullying gelt out of pilgrims." He gave Leveticus a sideways glance. "Might be that we'll need to have a little chat with them again."

Leveticus will nod in agreement. "Oh, I think before we leave we shall renew our acquaintence with these faithless scum. I believe shaking down pilgrims is the least of the sins, just as I believe we may need to administer the Emperor's Mercy upon the lot of them."

by **ChristianC** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:08 pm

"Indeed, bars." Chani said with a polite nod. She had only a faint idea of what a bar on this planet might entail, but somehow she doubted it was anything like the drinking lodges back home, where people would burst out singing at the moments' notice and generally have a good time... If anything, Famine-people seemed somewhat understocked on good-times in general.

"One shouldn't be too quick with the lash and the Great Composer's Justice," she added, feeling she'd been somewhat absent from the discussion, "they ultimately caused us nothing but a short delay, I believe the scare they got was sufficient punishment, do you not think?" She let her gloved hand slide along the scabbard of her decorated sword.

by **gsteelwraith** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:02 pm

One shouldn't be too quick with the lash and the Great Composer's Justice," she added, feeling she'd been somewhat absent from the discussion, "they ultimately caused us nothing but a short delay, I believe the scare they got was sufficient punishment, do you not think?" She let her gloved hand slide along the scabbard of her decorated sword.

Leveticus will say to Chani, "My concern is not for what happened to us. The delay was but a trifling, as you have said. They will no doubt be more careful for the short term at least. No, my concern is for what else they may be up to. After all the iceberg we see above the water is but a harbinger of the dangers beneath. It is even possible they may be involved in some tangential way with the reasons for our visit. Looking into their activities may be prudent, but not immediately, and trust me, I won't sanction their termination without due cause."

OOC: It should be pretty obvious, Leveticus doesn't like bullies.

by **InquisitorChris** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:22 pm

As you progress, the shacks by the side of the road give way to hab blocks of the sort familiar on many Imperial worlds. Traffic increases; there are no more animal-drawn transports, but many more private ground vehicles (that is, electric automobiles). You pass a small shrine; in front of it stands a life-size statue of St. Drusus, and next to it a statue of, again, the woman with outstretched arms.

Your liaison bites her lower lip.

"These men," she says, "how did you get past them? Did you pay them?"

helvorn wrote:
Kara addressed Investigator Felia; "Do you get may off world visitors?"

"Other than the ship crews that come to pick up our tithe, virtually none. I think I could name all the offworlders who live in Harvest."

by **helvorn** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:35 pm

InquisitorChris wrote:
helvorn wrote:
Kara addressed Investigator Felia; "Do you get may off world visitors?"

"Other than the ship crews that come to pick up our tithe, virtually none. I think I could name all the offworlders who live in Harvest."

Kara taps her chin with a pensive look; "If we are to hunt 'tis best we fit in. Perhaps local clothing and a briefing on your customs you could provide?"

by **InquisitorChris** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:46 pm

helvorn wrote:
InquisitorChris wrote:
helvorn wrote:
Kara addressed Investigator Felia; "Do you get may off world visitors?"

"Other than the ship crews that come to pick up our tithe, virtually none. I think I could name all the offworlders who live in Harvest."

Kara taps her chin with a pensive look; "If we are to hunt 'tis best we fit in. Perhaps local clothing and a briefing on your customs you could provide?"

"I will tell you everything I can, and we can clothe you at headquarters -- although you do not look so out of place, except for her." She nods at the tattooed swordswoman Chani.

(Remember that you have that data-slate on Famine that Sholmes gave you -- many of your questions might be answered there. Just tell me what you want to know. I assume that the slate is in the possession of Leveticus.)

by **Jak Snide** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:49 am

"This." Jim said, taking out his Arbitrator ID. "Reckoned it was either that, getting robbed or beaten."

by **ChristianC** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:03 am

Chani smiles calmly at the woman, touching the brim of her hat with a chuckle.

"Indeed, but I am after all hired help. Of course, should the occasion arise when I am not here to intimidate or kill," she let the pause hang in the air for a second, "I will dress differently. At the moment, I believe the make-up I have applied should be sufficient to hide what world I heir from."

by **InquisitorChris** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:19 am

Jak Snide wrote:"This." Jim said, taking out his Arbitrator ID. "Reckoned it was either that, getting robbed or beaten."

"The spaceport is part of Varius' mob's turf and it is unthinkable that they would be running their operation without the mob's knowledge. That means that it is likely that Varius' men now know, or will know very soon, that there is an Arbitrator from offworld running around with a group of pilgrims.

"They might find that interesting."

ChristianC wrote:
"Indeed, but I am after all hired help. Of course, should the occasion arise when I am not here to intimidate or kill," she let the pause hang in the air for a second, "I will dress differently. At the moment, I believe the make-up I have applied should be sufficient to hide what world I heir from."

"Depends on how close you get."

by **Jak Snide** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:05 am

"The mob?" Jim scowled, shoving the ID back in his pocket. "Shit, this is just like Sinophia all over again. You better tell me more this Varius and his boys."

by **ChristianC** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:18 am

Chani leaned back in her seat, giving a polite smile to the woman before Jim spoke up.

"Ah, such a fine play, this, a small band of faithful, course set straight, death to those who would come between. Are we to follow the path of the Avenger, even when we have not suffered a crime?"

She seemed almost to hope for it. Quite a romantic way to die.

by **InquisitorChris** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:05 am

Jak Snide wrote:"The mob?" Jim scowled, shoving the ID back in his pocket. "Shit, this is just like Sinophia all over again. You better tell me more this Varius and his boys."

It is about noon. The buildings are becoming larger. You seem to be passing through a residential area giving way to a commercial district. A large cathedral looms into view on the right. Before it stands a trio of statues several times the size of a human being: a winged man of handsome visage smiles benevolently. To his left stands a slightly smaller statue, a man in stylized power armor scowling down at the street, brandishing a sword over his head. To the right is again the woman. Her expression is calm and beatific.

A line of people is entering the cathedral, umbrellas held up to ward off the rain.

Spolier for Jim:

Spoiler:

Spoiler for Lucretus:

Spoiler:

Your liaison says, "organized crime on Famine is controlled by two main criminal groups. That of Emil Varius and that of Morgan Tharpe. Between them they own most of the Enforcers.

"Your mission may be related to them. Perhaps. But we will speak of that at headquarters soon."

by **helvorn** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:19 am

InquisitorChris wrote:"The spaceport is part of Varius' mob's turf and it is unthinkable that they would be running their operation without the mob's knowledge. That means that it is likely that Varius' men now know, or will know very soon, that there is an Arbitrator from offworld running around with a group of pilgrims.

"They might find that interesting."

Kara frowned at this last but did not speak up.

by **helvorn** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:22 am

InquisitorChris wrote:It is about noon. The buildings are becoming larger. You seem to be passing through a residential area giving way to a commercial district. A large cathedral looms into view on the right. Before it stands a trio of statues several times the size of a human being: a winged man of handsome visage smiles benevolently. To his left stands a slightly smaller statue, a man in stylized power armor scowling down at the street, brandishing a sword over his head. To the right is again the woman. Her expression is calm and beatific.

Kara looks with interest at the cathedral; "Who is the third saint with the blessed Emperor and Saint Aletheria?"

by **InquisitorChris** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:15 pm

helvorn wrote:
InquisitorChris wrote:It is about noon. The buildings are becoming larger. You seem to be passing through a residential area giving way to a commercial district. A large cathedral looms into view on the right. Before it stands a trio of statues several times the size of a human being: a winged man of handsome visage smiles benevolently. To his left stands a slightly smaller statue, a man in stylized power armor scowling down at the street, brandishing a sword over his head. To the right is again the woman. Her expression is calm and beatific.

Kara looks with interest at the cathedral; "Who is the third saint with the blessed Emperor and Saint Aletheria?"

"The blessed Drusus."

by **Capntastic** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:24 pm

Huw was focused on striding along with the group silently, taking in the conversation, and mostly struggling to keep that horrible water from the sky from driving him insane.

by **helvorn** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 3:08 pm

ChristianC wrote:"Ah, such a fine play, this, a small band of faithful, course set straight, death to those who would come between. Are we to follow the path of the Avenger, even when we have not suffered a crime?"

Kara replied; "Is not the mere existence of heresy a crime not only against the Emperor and his saints but all His loyal servants? If they come between us and our goal then certainly they deserve the wrath of the Avenger."

by **helvorn** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 4:02 pm

InquisitorChris wrote:
"The blessed Drusus."

Kara makes the sign of the aquila and continues to watch the city unfold around them.

by **InquisitorChris** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:38 pm

Capntastic wrote:Huw was focused on striding along with the group silently, taking in the conversation, and mostly struggling to keep that horrible water from the sky from driving him insane.

(Huw is in a van...)

by **gsteelwraith** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:29 pm

It is about noon. The buildings are becoming larger. You seem to be passing through a residential area giving way to a commercial district. A large cathedral looms into view on the right. Before it stands a trio of statues several times the size of a human being: a winged man of handsome visage smiles benevolently. To his left stands a slightly smaller statue, a man in stylized power armor scowling down at the street, brandishing a sword over his head. To the right is again the woman. Her expression is calm and beatific.

The Brother will make the sign of the Aquila in respect upon passing the statues.

by **gsteelwraith** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:32 pm

Remember that you have that data-slate on Famine that Sholmes gave you -- many of your questions might be answered there. Just tell me what you want to know. I assume that the slate is in the possession of Leveticus.)

OOC: I'm assuming so also, as Leveticus made a point of purchasing one as part of his loadout.

by **InquisitorChris** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:36 pm

gsteelwraith wrote:
Remember that you have that data-slate on Famine that Sholmes gave you -- many of your questions might be answered there. Just tell me what you want to know. I assume that the slate is in the possession of Leveticus.)

OOC: I'm assuming so also, as Leveticus made a point of purchasing one as part of his loadout.

(That's a different slate. Remember, Sholmes gave the group a slate full of basic information on the planet.)

by **InquisitorChris** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 6:27 pm

(There will be a one-day delay here due to my getting engaged and moving into my fiancee's place and all. Bear with me -- the scourging of heretics will recommence tomorrow.)

by **helvorn** » Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:01 pm

Well congratulations! It seems that the vacation was productive.

Take your time and keep your finance happy! We can wait.

by **gsteelwraith** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 4:03 pm

OOC: Congradulations, and take your time.

by **InquisitorChris** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:49 pm

(OOC: Thanks guys!)

You pass by a series of ever-larger buildings and finally stop in front of a large building. The engine shuts off, and you can again hear the sound of the rain. A rumble of thunder is heard -- the storm seems to have increased in magnitude after having abated a bit.

You are in the parking area of what is clearly the Arbites building (easy to see, since the words ADEPTUS ARBITES -- FEAR AND OBEY are carved into the building's gray, nondescript plasteel wall near the top). It's three stories high and about 300 meters on a side. Several more cars and two Rhino APCs are parked in the area as well. Two men in carapace armor wielding shotguns and shock mauls stand guard before an imposing plasteel door. Over the door, the barrel of a heavy bolter protrudes intimidatingly through a slit. Away from the building is what appears to be part of the commercial district. A few pedestrians run along under the rain, and a handful of cars putter by.

The van's back doors open. You have arrived. A blast of lightning and thunder and rain in the face greet you.

Making Jim's Inquiry Test. Given the time and friendliness of the liaison, this is a Very Easy Test. Jim has a Fellowship of 36. 36 + 30 = 66. He rolls a... 30. This is a success with three extra degrees of success.

She gives you a rundown on the Arbites' activities on Famine. Which is not much. Famine is a pretty quiet backwater from the point of view of witchcraft, heresy, and mutation, and so they have little to do. They are poorly funded, and there are only about 40 in the entire city of Harvest, maybe 100 on the whole planet, all of whom are Famine-born. The Famine Arbites mainly monitor the balance of power between crime and government, making sure that no conflicts result in an interruption of the planet's paltry tithe. They are totally out of practice and poorly equipped, a fact that she bemoans. The enforcers, the city's law enforcement, are supposed to enforce civil law, but they are both interpenetrated with criminal elements and incompetent. "They chew but do not swallow," she says of them again with anger, holding her hand pendant.

Spoiler for Chani:

Spoiler:

Spoiler for Jim:

Spoiler:

Spoiler for Leveticus:

Spoiler:

by **helvorn** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:13 pm

Kara steps out into the rain again and inhales deeply of the smell of the ozone. After a moment she turns back to the rest of the group and her cheeks are flushed and her eyes dilated.

"We will tread carefully then around these enforcers. Often times during the hunt in the forests of home the incompetent suffered 'accidents'. I am sure our master would not object if such happens to these scum as long as our mission is accomplished."

by **InquisitorChris** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:44 pm

helvorn wrote:Kara steps out into the rain again and inhales deeply of the smell of the ozone. After a moment she turns back to the rest of the group and her cheeks are flushed and her eyes dilated.

"We will tread carefully then around these enforcers. Often times during the hunt in the forests of home the incompetent suffered 'accidents'. I am sure our master would not object if such happens to these scum as long as our mission is accomplished."

"Forests?" your liaison asks you as you disembark the van. She looks fascinated and curious. "Tell me about offworld -- if that is within your jurisdiction." The other arbites have left the van and are walking you toward the building.

by **helvorn** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 1:11 am

InquisitorChris wrote:
"Forests?" your liaison asks you as you disembark the van. She looks fascinated and curious. "Tell me about offworld -- if that is within your jurisdiction." The other arbites have left the van and are walking you toward the building.

Kara turned and placed her hands on the shoulders of the Arbites woman; "Before the Emperor took me for his service I lived on the world of Dusk. The forests and swamps on Dusk are haunted with things best left outside the light of the fires at night for fear that they will eat your soul. But I have beheld the spires of Holy Terra rising into the sky as glittering monuments to our Lord. Take what you have here on Famine; the sublime and the corrupt, the petty and the holy and multiply it tenfold, nay a hundred fold and that is what offworld is like."

Releasing her grip Kara relaxed; "Your soul is pure in the service of the Emperor. Someday I can see you serving his grace far from here; and dying in his service under the light of a foreign star."

by **ChristianC** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 3:57 am

"This is a pitiful state, the scene of a Verismo... it saddens me to see reality in such a blunt state." She said with a slight frown and her lips pinched tightly.

Chani listened to Kara's explanation of her homeworld and nodded, "I have heard few things about Dusk, but even less are good... it is a testament to the virtuosa of Mistress Kara that she has succeeded and transcended where so many have not." She gave a slight smile.

"Indeed, my own past is of much less importance, right now we should be focusing on the run-down state of this facility... are things truly so miserable, or is this a farce to catch the criminal elements off their guard?"

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 4:48 am

"If this is all for show then they're doing a damn fine job of it." Sinophia had been a dumping ground for the incompetent, unusual and undesirable. Famine just seemed to be forgotten. A number of derogatory remarks about superiors who acted on the sub-sector scale crossed his mind, words which he quickly decided were better left unvoiced. "What sort of trouble do you usually have? Stuff getting trafficked on and off world?"

by **gsteelwraith** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 3:36 pm

At this point, Leveticus will simply keep quiet, watch and listen to what goes on aropund him. He figures the time has come to let his team do their jobs, and ask the questions he might not think of himself.

by **InquisitorChris** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:52 pm

As the arbitrators lead you from the vehicle and into the building, the liaison responds to your comments (see below).

ChristianC wrote:"This is a pitiful state, the scene of a Verismo... it saddens me to see reality in such a blunt state." She said with a slight frown and her lips pinched tightly.

Chani listened to Kara's explanation of her homeworld and nodded, "I have heard few things about Dusk, but even less are good... it is a testament to the virtuosa of Mistress Kara that she has succeeded and transcended where so many have not." She gave a slight smile.

"Indeed, my own past is of much less importance, right now we should be focusing on the run-down state of this facility... are things truly so miserable, or is this a farce to catch the criminal elements off their guard?"

She grimaces slightly. The other officers show no reaction to your words.

"Sadly, we are an out of the way planet and our economy is not the best. We do the best we can with what we are allocated from the governor's coffers."

Jak Snide wrote:. "What sort of trouble do you usually have? Stuff getting trafficked on and off world?"

"That is for the enforcers to handle. Our job is watching the watchmen."

You are now inside the foyer of the building. There is a large desk before you at which sits a uniformed arbitrator who looks up at you from a pict screen. Stairs spiral up to the right and left of the desk, and there are doors on all sides of the room. (No windows though.)

The arbitrator salutes your liaison. "Inspector Crelama, welcome!" he says smartly.

Cremala turns to you. "Here we are, out of the rain. Brandy and recaf will be on their way shortly. Proctor Hamas is waiting if you wish me to take you to him."

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