Oswyn mini

[22:12] <Nemi> Oswyn has his own preparations to make. He's pretty decent with people- a born leader *should* be, after all!- so he hits the teahouses, pubs and like such places where drinks are plentiful and words are free. Time to ask around and see who knows what's what about this Barnamaug and his territory.
01[22:17] <SpaceThor> Oswyn's prying doesn't get him very far in the bars, but people begin to point him to a specific spot in an alley a few blocks from Black Row. There, kneeling in meditation, is an Angel. Stone armor adorns his broad body, and he looks up as you approach. "Well met, traveler. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
[22:27] <Nemi> An Angel. That's a shock- to find one in an alleyway, just *praying*. Nevermind being known enough to pointed *to* Oswyn. The youth shifts, casting cowl back and offering a nervous smile. "Oswyn. Student to Turning Wheel." If he knew his master's full name, he couldn't articulate it.
01[22:29] <SpaceThor> His smile remains, but it's clear there's a bit of recognition. "I am 24 Gentle Hand Guides The Flock Away From Wolves, though you may call me Gentle Hand. What brings you to me today?"
[22:31] <Nemi> "It's good meeting you, Gentle Hand," the lad bows deeply, greatsword on his back rattling slightly on its strap. It ever griped at being contained. "I'm hunting a devil- a gilded devil by name of Barnamaug Alabaster, and I'm told you know some few things about him."
01[22:31] <SpaceThor> "I do. Barnamaug has vexed me for some time. He's a hard one to track down. What do you wish to know?"
[22:38] <Nemi> "A group of Marked told me that he has a hold here in Black Alley, and that they don't want to be bonded to him anymore. While I don't much care about people reaping the consequence of their own mistakes, he has a war devil and Aesma-knows what else with him. The *where* is the mystery."
01[22:40] <SpaceThor> "I know of the fortress. It is beyond my skills to get to him inside of it, especially with his cultists and the crimson devil at his side. I can show you where it is."
[22:41] <Nemi> "Please do. And I'm not going at it alone- it's a favour to a- Aesma, I can't call her a friend because she's a devil, but she's *useful*- anyroad, I've some talented people with me." Oswyn tucks his hands behind his back and bows again. "If you're after him, too, perhaps we could join forces?"
01[22:42] <SpaceThor> He thinks a moment, but shakes his head. "I cannot, unfortunately. I'd love to drive my fist through his mask, but I have another battle to attend to."
[22:44] <Nemi> "You do?" Oswyn already feels the possibility of an angelic ally slipping away. Having one of the lawmen of creation on his side- a proper angel of the Root, that is- would be a *great boon*. "Is it a personal battle, or one I could assist with?"
01[22:45] <SpaceThor> "Personal, I'm afraid. I'll tell you what I know and finish my meditation before I depart."
01[22:46] <SpaceThor> "Perhaps you can help me in the future, though."
[22:47] <Nemi> ".. Understood. Thank you, Gentle Hand." Oswyn settles to lean against the nearby wall, heedless of whatever filth and grime might be covering it. It *is* Black Row. That the angel even considers it sets the lad to smiling faintly.
01[22:50] <SpaceThor> "Barnamaug Alabaster is a creature of excess, like all of his kind. He is not much in a fight himself, though. It's most likely that he would choose some other form of conflict should you come to blows. The real concern is Pudding Niraal Benedict. I have tracked that creature for too long. He is nearly thirty hands tall, all muscle and born in fierce battle. A siege weapon would be preferable to face him in battle."
01[22:51] <SpaceThor> "Pudding is the only real defense of that fortress though, beyond poorly armed and trained cultists."
[22:51] <Nemi> ".. And Turning Wheel wants me to face that thing directly? Flames take me." There's a pause. "How did Barnamaug get .. uh, Pudding's service?"
01[22:52] <SpaceThor> "The way all gilded devils do. A promise that turned into a threat."
[22:55] <Nemi> "I'm wondering if there's some way to get him to turn against Barnamaug- Turning Wheel won't be happy if I don't stand against it for a few exchanges of blows, but I'm rather attached to being *alive*, so.." Oswyn folds his arms across his chest, frowning. "Cultists aren't too hard to handle so if I could do something about Pudding.."
01[22:55] <SpaceThor> "Perhaps I should say it another way. Let's say, young student, that I offer you something. Something tempting, due to its wrongness as much as its desirability. You accept my offer and take it. Now what do I know about you?"
[22:57] <Nemi> ".. You know that I'd want something both *wrong* and *desirable*. So, both blackmail AND something exclusive that only you could provide." Oswyn frowns. "And reds are usually too stupid to think on how to wriggle out of that. If he's getting stuff to kill, too, I imagine he's happy as anything."
01[22:57] <SpaceThor> "Precisely, you are an apt student. This is why we must all endeavor to stay above The Law. Blackmail finds no purchase on a man who walks in the light. Remember that."
[22:59] <Nemi> "I will. Thank you, Gentle Hand." And inwardly, Oswyn is grateful that his father, domineering and distant as he could be, never permitted Oswyn dig into anything dubious or deviant. He was about as on the straight and narrow as a teenager who was taught by a Gilded Devil could be. So, a direct assault. No wonder Gentle Hand was having trouble- who'd want to take on a twelve-foot war devil?
01[23:00] <SpaceThor> Gentle hand stands. "I have tarried enough. May the Law guide you, Student Oswyn."
[23:01] <Nemi> "Before you go- where *is* this hold of his?"
01[23:02] <SpaceThor> "On the north end of Black Row, there is a decaying block sunken into the land. The fortress is there, buried beneath the ancient buildings of Throne. You will know it when you see it."
[23:02] <Nemi> Oswyn rises from the alley wall and bows, deeply. "Thank you, Gentle Hand. I hope I'll survive for us to meet again."
01[23:03] <SpaceThor> Gentle Hand bows in return. "I am confident that we will." And then the angel departs.