Dark Heresy -- Purge the Xenos

[InquisitorChris]

(You have no problems acquiring those items, and they exchange your money. There are already maps in the slate Sholmes gave you.)

<ooc> Do you want an update to the character sheet? Kara will also lose the axe and staff as they don't see mparticularly low profile or useful here. </ooc>

(I'll add the equipment later. I assume you're leaving the staff and axe at the Arb HQ rather then junking them.)

[helvorn]

(I'll add the equipment later. I assume you're leaving the staff and axe at the Arb HQ rather then junking them.)

<ooc> I will leave the axe and staff at the HQ </ooc>

[InquisitorChris]

The rain, the rain, the rain it pours.

[Jak Snide]

Jim was glad he'd managed to hang onto his hat and duster after all these years, serving him as well as they'd done in Sinophia Magna. The rain took him back to that blighted city and, while Famine lacked the gothic grandeur of that place, he was noticing other similarities beyond the prevailing weather.

"Whelp, let's get moving."

(I'm ready to move on to a good night's sleep and whatever events the following day's investigations bring.)

[ChristianC]

(Sorry guys, I've found myself avoiding to look at this thread because I know I should be posting. But I can't get into the feeling of it. I know it's shitty of me to drop out so soon after another player did, but I think I'm just slowing down the rest of yous. Go ahead and use Chani as an NPC / Disposable meat-wall, it's quite alright with me. I hope things proceed more smoothly from now on. :[ Sorry)

[helvorn]

<ooc> sorry to see you go Christian; I've greatly enjoyed your play and you will be missed </ooc>

[helvorn]

Jim was glad he'd managed to hang onto his hat and duster after all these years, serving him as well as they'd done in Sinophia Magna. The rain took him back to that blighted city and, while Famine lacked the gothic grandeur of that place, he was noticing other similarities beyond the prevailing weather.

"Whelp, let's get moving."

(I'm ready to move on to a good night's sleep and whatever events the following day's investigations bring.)

Kara nods to Jim and pulls the hood up over her head; "How about that way?" She points down toward the more active part of town and starts walking.

<ooc> I'd assume we got recommendations for lodging from the Arbites? </ooc>

[gsteelwraith]

Sorry guys, I've found myself avoiding to look at this thread because I know I should be posting. But I can't get into the feeling of it. I know it's shitty of me to drop out so soon after another player did, but I think I'm just slowing down the rest of yous. Go ahead and use Chani as an NPC / Disposable meat-wall, it's quite alright with me. I hope things proceed more smoothly from now on. :[ Sorry)

OOC: Sorry to see you go. Chani was a neat character design, sorry to see her go, or be used as a 'meatwall'.

OOC: If folks would rather crash that night and proceed after a good night's sleep and a good breakfast, that will work with Leveticus. If Chani suddenly suffers existence failure, the party dynamic will chnage radically, and we'll need to reconsider parallel lines of investigation.

[InquisitorChris]

(Is something wrong with my gming?)

[helvorn]

<ooc> I'm vastly enjoying the game. I think the pace could move a bit faster but that is more a side effect that all of us have real lives that come first.

I like the balance between the letter of the rules and ignoring or modifying the stuff that makes no sense. The plot and NPC's are intriguing. I think the other players are doing a fabulous job of roleplaying </ooc>

[InquisitorChris]

(Thank you. If the player doesn't mind I'll keep Chani around as an NPC. Three players is a bit low, but I think it'll work out. I'm waiting for Jim before I go on.)

[InquisitorChris]

OK, it's only 3 in the afternoon, so you have plenty of time to do whatever you want today (somehow I missed Jim's post up above).

[ChristianC]

OOC: See the OOC-thread for more, but I can stick around a bit longer to see if I can get into the proper feel of the game. Right now I just don't think I, as Chani, have anything to contribute.

[helvorn]

OK, it's only 3 in the afternoon, so you have plenty of time to do whatever you want today (somehow I missed Jim's post up above).

Kara glances up at the rain. "Let's go find an inn and a tavern and get a room, a meal and a drink. We can get a feel for the locals and plot our next move."

[gsteelwraith]

OK, it's only 3 in the afternoon, so you have plenty of time to do whatever you want today (somehow I missed Jim's post up above).

OOC: For some reason I thought it was later.

Kara glances up at the rain. "Let's go find an inn and a tavern and get a room, a meal and a drink. We can get a feel for the locals and plot our next move."

Leveticus will nod, and say, "Agreed. The sooner we get started the better."

[InquisitorChris]

So where do you go? (Tyring to speed things up...)

[helvorn]

<ooc> assume that we check in to an inn or such. You could play that out or just describe the place and then move us on to the cathedral. I'd say get us to the cathedral so we can do some investigation. </ooc>

[Jak Snide]

Jim strode off, keen to get out of the rain and get some decent food in front of him. The last decent meal he'd had was back on Spectoris and the prospect of something tasty was highly motivating.

(Works for me. Wind down, secure some sort of lodging and discuss our next move. Then we can jump to the Cathedral and look into these heretical artefacts. If we need I presume that we can secure an unmarked vehicle through the Arbites.)

[helvorn]

Jim strode off, keen to get out of the rain and get some decent food in front of him. The last decent meal he'd had was back on Spectoris and the prospect of something tasty was highly motivating.

(Works for me. Wind down, secure some sort of lodging and discuss our next move. Then we can jump to the Cathedral and look into these heretical artefacts. If we need I presume that we can secure an unmarked vehicle through the Arbites.)

Kara followed along with Jim and the others. "Maybe we can get a cab of some sort?"

[InquisitorChris]

You are given a nondescript electrically powered automobile by the Astartes (which Jim can drive), and also book you into four rooms a midrange hotel about a klom away from both the headquarters and the cathedral. The hotel staff look at you with curiousity, but ask no questions.

And now... onward! It is late afternoon (about 5 pm). So you can progress on to wherever you want.

[Jak Snide]

Jim had taken the opportunity to feed and wash himself before meeting with the others again. A glance at his chrono told him it wasn't as late as he thought it was; he'd always had trouble adjusting after a voyage between worlds. He'd stashed his shotgun in his room, deciding that he probably wouldn't need it and that being caught with it would prompt to many questions, even for their secondary cover. He took some time to ask the hotel staff about a number of things; recent events, sites of religious significance and a few questions about the local businesses. With any lack he'd learn something useful. If not then he'd at least keep up appearances, posing questions about subjects both layers of their cover stories would be interested in.

(Inquiry test to get some civilian-grade intelligence on what's going on, throwing a few other questions out there to help maintain cover. Also, I think you meant Arbites in the post above, chief.)

[helvorn]

Kara will pull Leveticus aside at the hotel; "How early do the priests go home normally? I think we should pay our respects at the local cathedral even if we can't arrange a covert interview."

[InquisitorChris]

Jim had taken the opportunity to feed and wash himself before meeting with the others again. A glance at his chrono told him it wasn't as late as he thought it was; he'd always had trouble adjusting after a voyage between worlds. He'd stashed his shotgun in his room, deciding that he probably wouldn't need it and that being caught with it would prompt to many questions, even for their secondary cover. He took some time to ask the hotel staff about a number of things; recent events, sites of religious significance and a few questions about the local businesses. With any lack he'd learn something useful. If not then he'd at least keep up appearances, posing questions about subjects both layers of their cover stories would be interested in.

(Inquiry test to get some civilian-grade intelligence on what's going on, throwing a few other questions out there to help maintain cover. Also, I think you meant Arbites in the post above, chief.)

JIm has a Fellowship of 36 and Inquiry as an Advanced Skill. He rolls a... 48. Nothing special.

Jim gets a long list of recommendations of where to shop and stories about what somebody's brother once saw when serving in the PDF Ork-hunting on the southern continent. When people discover he is from offworld, he gets pestered with questions about what it's like. The location of religious significance everybody points out is the nearby Cathedral of the Emperor and Saint Altheria, which they say is located on the very spot where the saint worked her Miracle of the Feast (and by the way is where the artifacts are being housed).

As to Kara's question to Leveticus, such things vary widely form planet to planet; there is no standard timetable.

By this time it is about 8 in the evening. The rain has stopped for the moment.

PS. unless you suggest otherwise your liaison is staying back at the Arbites HQ.

[ChristianC]

(OOC: Fuck I didn't post it. I actually did write something, a place-holder, but it looks like I didn't post it. That's fucking great. This will be remedied!)

Chani had gotten changed into something far less noticeable, although the sour look on her face clearly showed she didn't much enjoy the "Famine Fashion" that was all the rage. Drab, colorless clothes made her slightly less noticeable, although her white hair she couldn't do much about. She'd gone through the effort of having it straightened and braided like she'd seen some women wear it, however.

"Jim, it would be advisable then that we visit the Cathedral before we deal with the criminal." She remarked calmly as she readjusted the belt the scabbard of her blade was attached to, "once we move to deal with the criminal, unless we are exceptionally good at hiding our intentions, I fear our faces will quickly become known. It is highly likely that the Arbites have spies placed there by the crime lord."

[helvorn]

Kara chimes in; "Even if the officials are not present it would be in keeping with our cover to visit the cathedral. And after the trip through the Warp the holy presence of the Emperor would be welcome."

[gsteelwraith]

Kara will pull Leveticus aside at the hotel; "How early do the priests go home normally? I think we should pay our respects at the local cathedral even if we can't arrange a covert interview."

Leveticus will answer, "Where I was trained, we lived at the seminary. It was customary that at least one of us stood vigil during the night, after all the Ruinous Powers do not punch a clock. I should think if we leave now, we should arrive in time for the supper devotionals. While we might not necessarily be greeted by the Abbot, certainly there will be at least one priest of rank present."

[quoteKara chimes in; "Even if the officials are not present it would be in keeping with our cover to visit the cathedral. And after the trip through the Warp the holy presence of the Emperor would be welcome."][/quote]

"Very much indeed, it would be highly appropriate for pilgrims whom have very recently survived the perils of travel through the Warp to give thanks to the Emperor for safe conduct to their destination."

He'll turn to Jim, and add, "Jim, I have an idea you may wish to consider, when dealing with the ner-do-wells. The fact that those artefacts were found at a pawn shop bespeaks there may have others manufactured. We could plant a bug in their ears we might be interested in finding more, or commissioning the original artist, if they still live, to make new pieces."

[helvorn]

Kara shrugs on her coat and heads for the door. "Then let us be off! I think the idea of being in the market for items such as these has a great deal of merit priest."

[Jak Snide]

Jim had agreed with Chani's assessment of their priorities and made himself ready to depart. His attire didn't change any, save for ruffling his clothes up a bit so he looked slightly dishevelled. As far as he was concerned he looked the part of a pilgrim now.

"Not a half bad idea, though we'd need a show of gelt to make them consider it. There's also the matter of explaining how we know about their work, though that shouldn't be too hard. Far as they know the last item was bought by a collector."

"Still," and he glanced at Kara as he said this, taking note of her warning, "do we really want to bring any more of these things into the world?"

[helvorn]

Kara shuddered a bit at Jim's question; "Emperor no! The only reason to inquire about buying more would be to provide a trail back to where ever these cursed things are made."

"We should also have an explanation ready if some one does question why we were met by the Arbites. Perhaps we can say that they wanted to check our credentials since off worlders are so rare?"

[ChristianC]

"Of course." Chani replied to Kara, "and we were held up in the customs... reason enough to suspect us of foul business... unless, of course, there was a spy amongst the men who confronted us as well." She gave a little smile, "Perhaps we shouldn't start looking for such things until we have information we know is dangerous. There is an old saying on my home world, "The actor is his best when he has nothing to hide." We are mere travelers, the less we think we are, the less we will look like such."

[gsteelwraith]

[quoteKara shuddered a bit at Jim's question; "Emperor no! The only reason to inquire about buying more would be to provide a trail back to where ever these cursed things are made."
][/quote]

"Precisely the thought," Leveticus will say. "If the artist still lives, we might get a lead on the cult itself. I'm hoping they the lure of possible Gelt can draw them out. After all, they've already sold their souls once, the second time should be easier for them, and even cults have expenses."

[InquisitorChris]

(Shall I assume you are heading to the cathedral -- and by car or on foot? Note that Jim is the only one with Drive Ground Vehicle.)

[helvorn]

"Of course." Chani replied to Kara, "and we were held up in the customs... reason enough to suspect us of foul business... unless, of course, there was a spy amongst the men who confronted us as well." She gave a little smile, "Perhaps we shouldn't start looking for such things until we have information we know is dangerous. There is an old saying on my home world, "The actor is his best when he has nothing to hide." We are mere travelers, the less we think we are, the less we will look like such."

"I think our worlds are more alike that not Chani." Kara smiled in a friendly fashion. "On my world the hunter who comes back alive is the one who leaves behind any illusions about his prowess and focuses on the hunt."

[helvorn]

(Shall I assume you are heading to the cathedral -- and by car or on foot? Note that Jim is the only one with Drive Ground Vehicle.)

<ooc> Unless anyone objects I'd assume we are headed to the cathedral now. I'd think we'd walk if the cathedral is relatively close and we don't have to go through some kind of nasty slums or hevy rain. We can ask about how to get to the cathedral at the inn before we go. </ooc>

[InquisitorChris]

The walk to the cathedral takes a short 20 minutes through a rather dilapidated mostly commercial area. It's pretty dark right now and the rain is down to a cold unpleasant drizzle. Chani's sword attracts a few looks on the street but otherwise nothing untoward occurs.

This is the cathedral you passed in your way into the city. It's fairly large, a gothic stone structure. Before it stand the statues of the Emperor and Saints Drusus and Altheria I described before.

There are few people in the area. A trickle emerge from the cathedral, probably the last to leave the evening's services,

[helvorn]

Kara observes the cathedral for a moment; "It may be less crowded now and easier for us to talk to the priests. We should try to get as high up the hierarchy as possible before we have to show our Inquisitorial credentials."

[gsteelwraith]

This is the cathedral you passed in your way into the city. It's fairly large, a gothic stone structure. Before it stand the statues of the Emperor and Saints Drusus and Altheria I described before.

Brother Leveticus will stop to venerate each of the statues in turn, genuflecting, making the sign of the Aquila, and offering a brief prayer to each in turn.

Kara observes the cathedral for a moment; "It may be less crowded now and easier for us to talk to the priests. We should try to get as high up the hierarchy as possible before we have to show our Inquisitorial credentials."

"it would do us little good presenting them to an altar boy," Leveticus will observe dryly. "I would be surprised if there was nobody of rank present for supper devotionals."

[helvorn]

"it would do us little good presenting them to an altar boy," Leveticus will observe dryly. "I would be surprised if there was nobody of rank present for supper devotionals."

Kara giggled; "If anyone's going to be chasing the altar boys priest it will be me."

She made a deep courtsey to the image of the Emperor Triumphant; "Let us hope that the steel of the servants of the Emperor is of higher purity here and there is some one to talk to."

[gsteelwraith]

Kara giggled; "If anyone's going to be chasing the altar boys priest it will be me."

She made a deep courtsey to the image of the Emperor Triumphant; "Let us hope that the steel of the servants of the Emperor is of higher purity here and there is some one to talk to."

Leveticus will chuckle, and reply, "Let us hope so."

[Jak Snide]

Jim followed after the others, paying his respects to the statues and doing his best to remember who they each were. It had been a long time since he'd seen a church which hadn't been in a dilapidated state. He gave Kara a sideways glance in response to his comment.

"You said it." he muttered in agreement with Leveticus.

(Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Busy weekend, lack of sleep and busy work schedule up until now hasn't left me much energy to sit down and catch up.)