Evervigilant 15

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
<Vigilant_GM> The Fayne Mortuarium is the scene of a violent confrontation between the Acolyte cell, and what appear to be members of a vile cult now known to the acolytes as "the Blessed Flesh".
<Vigilant_GM> Pressing a lead to the town of Gantry, you approach the grand bastion known as the Purity Gate. It is a massive, imposing blockhouse, with a grand heavy gate staddling the main route down. For kilometers in every direction, all other passages are sealed off. Here, Oath-Captain Nils and her garrison are based.
<Vigilant_GM> This is the very limit of anything like law and justice reaching to these depths.
<Vigilant_GM> Your approach is seen by a sentry stop one of the vigilant towers. A coded on-off pattern on a torch signals to the bastion, as two sanctionaries approach on a motorbike and its stubber-armed side car.
<Vigilant_GM> Disembarking, they approach. They recognize you almost immediately - these were part of the patrol on Charnel House 17 - and they escort you in. Insisting on keeping a distance, the sanctionaries come with you into the blockhouse where Captain Nils has just arrived after responding to a Hive-quake.
<Vigilant_GM> "We don't have the resources. Tell him to make do with what he has, and evacuate. That's all we can do," she replies sternly to a vox specialist relaying comms.
<Baird> "How's the Hive-quake situation progressing Oath-Captain Nils?"
<Vigilant_GM> Seeing you, she nods. Her expression quickly turns into one of disgust.
<Velam> "Oath-Captain, if I may, we urgently need use of your showering facilities."
<Vigilant_GM> She shakes her head, "A mess, officer Daroshevik," she adds after a pause, "but I see your day has gone no better than mine."
<Nitrous> "Yarp."
<Vigilant_GM> She nods. "I agree. Blythe, show them to the facilities."
<Baird> "And if possible some spare clothes Captain Nils would be greatly appreciated. I recommend these..go in an incinerator. Yes..pardoning the joke it has been a shitty day."
<Shiv> "I saw things, I never want to see again."
<Vigilant_GM> You think you see something like a smile begin to form on the corner of her mouth, but she quells the expression before you can be certain. "I will have it arranged. Please follow Blythe and make yourselves... clean."
<Velam> "Thank you kindly, Oath-Captain." Velam says, covered from head to toe in blood, and filth.
<Baird> "Greatly appreciated Captain Nils." Baird turns and follows Blythe to the shower area eager to be free of the filth caked clothes.
* Shiv follows Blythe while cursing under his breath.
<Vigilant_GM> The hygiene facilities are fairly regimented. Large rooms with nozzles every three feet along the walls. They do the job well enough, though the cleaning agent you are provided with has a strong, lasting chemical smell to it. Still, better than the death and rot with which you came in.
<Velam> "A shame they don't have my preferred soap down here." He laments, but he's still gald to be clean.
* Shiv scrubs himself clean and notices all the color is washing away.
<Vigilant_GM> On an adjacent dry room, your clothes are laid out. They are simple civilian garb, no variety between them, save for the duster coats granted to the "officers" among you.
* Karpath finished cleaning himself off feeling refreshed and cleaned
<Shiv> "Well, FECK."
* Nitrous wiped away the shit
* Velam like the duster coat, thinking it goes very well with his size.
* Baird Baird scrubs himself down thoroughly happy to be rid of the filth and grim of the Mortuarious. Pulling on the cloths and one of the dusters Baird moves back out into the area the group was lead from.
* Shiv puts on his set of cloths and gets his equipment after dying himself off.
<Vigilant_GM> An attending junior santionary emerges, asking you to join Nils in her officio.
* Karpath gathers his clothing and suits back up.
* Baird thanks the junior sanctionary and heads towards Nils office.
* Nitrous suits up and follows
<Velam> Once everything is squared away, and he's done cleaning the small amounts of filth off his servo skulls he joins everyone in Nils' officio.
<Vigilant_GM> The Captain's office is on the third level, at the end of a long hallway. The doors are open as you approach, and you see her dismiss a team of her men as she sees you close the distance.
<Vigilant_GM> She gets up and walks around her desk to greet you.
<Vigilant_GM> "Officers, come in. I am glad to see you were able to make good use of our facilities."
* Karpath makes his way in, "We appreciate it Oath-Captain.
<Baird> "It was certainly appreciated Oath-Captain. Much preferable to walking around caked in the awful combination of whatever that was."
<Vigilant_GM> She gives a nod, and walks back behind her desk. Activating a small rune-panel, small gears on either door begin to close them behind you.
<Velam> "And we thank you in letting us use them." He replies.
<Vigilant_GM> "Indeed, officer..?" she asks the open-ended question probingly.
<Baird> "Logan your skin shade seems to have changed."
<Vigilant_GM> She reaches behind her desk for something, in preparation for your answer.
<Velam> "Logan Nyne." He gives her a questioning look. "I believe I introduced myself last time we met, no?"
<Vigilant_GM> She places a note on the desk.
<Vigilant_GM> Her hand covers it.
<Velam> "I'd prefer you not point that out Raolin, it's a sore spot of mine." He says in an annoyed tone.
<Vigilant_GM> "Yes. Officer Nyne."
<Baird> "I merely meant that it seems to have caught Oath-Captain Nils off guard is all."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will not pretend to know how the Desoleum Special Concern operates internally," she begins, removing her palm off the note.
<Baird> "Is there an issue we are unaware of Oath-Captain?
<Vigilant_GM> "As this is a cross-jurisdictional matter, I have the right to inquire into this matter. A matter which no-doubt would distress you, as one of your colleagues has failed to report in to my garrison as this advance-notice report notified me this morning."
<Vigilant_GM> "Interestingly," she pushes the note to your end of the desk, "it identifies Special Concern Officer Erahn as the first-response liaison."
<Baird> "I was unaware DSC had assigned a separate Special Concern Officer to this case." Baird reaches down and lifts the note to examine it.
<Baird> "Has something happened to this other Officer?"
* Velam folds his arms behind his back amd keeps quiet, this was more Baird's speciality than his after all.
<Vigilant_GM> The note bears the iconography of the very organization you claim to represent. It was issued as a matter of procedure to alert the sanctionaries that the Special Concern had been made aware of the crime-scene, and would be dispatching a liaison officer to work alongside Nils.
<Vigilant_GM> "Tell me why my cross-referencing of your service oath-cogs didn't find the discrepancy this obviously is."
<Vigilant_GM> "In my line of work," she explains, "it is not a matter of finding if something is wrong. But to what degree."
* Baird tucks the note into the duster. " Oath-Captain. I'm going to tell you what's going on here as I believe you are trustworthy enough to handle the information. Now before telling you, you must swear the information doesn't leave this office."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will swear no such thing."  She grabs her oath-cog.  "The honor of my word exsits here. I am who this says I am. And I serve as my oaths are recorded herein."
<Baird> "Well. I'm confident you'll swear any oath once you hear..or rather see the truth." Baird reaches into the inside pocket of the duster and pulls forth the Rosette slowly placing it on the desk between us.
<Baird> Only leaving the Rosette on the desk briefly Baird picks it back up and tucks it back into the duster pocket.
<Vigilant_GM> She maintains control of her facial expressions, but she lets out a long sigh.
<Vigilant_GM> "How bad is it?" is all she manages to say in reply.
<Nitrous> "Bad."
<Shiv> "Bad. Very, VERY bad."
<Karpath> "What they said."
<Velam> "We wouldn't be here otherwise, Oath-Captain. But your vigilance and faith to your post is noted."
<Vigilant_GM> She makes the sign of the Aquila.
<Baird> "We're not here to make your life harder. In fact I'd prefer open cooperation. Which is why I've let you in on the secret. Think of this Oath-Captain Nils. We operate in the shadows. So whom do you think the credit for the case will go to.
<Baird> "This is not only a chance for you to do your Emperor's work but also an opportunity to advance your career.
<Vigilant_GM> "Mine is a life of service, Inquisitors. Not one of self-interest."
<Vigilant_GM> "How may I serve?"
<Baird> "I'm merely saying this an opportunity to serve both The Imperium and yourself." Just continue as if you didn't know the truth Oath-Captain. As far as your men are concerned we are still from the DSC."\
<Vigilant_GM> She nods.
<Vigilant_GM> "And what of the missive I received from the Special Concern?"
<Vigilant_GM> "No doubt they will want a response."
<Baird> "Simply tell them that the Agent hasn't made contact yet. The underhive is quite a dangerous place."
<Vigilant_GM> "I will do so."
<Vigilant_GM> She takes note of this.
<Vigilant_GM> "I must return to the site of the hive-quake, Inquisitors. May the light you bring uncover whatever vile threat risks the Hive."
<Baird> "Understandable Oath-Captain. Emperor be with you."
<Velam> Velam nods at the Oath-Captain.
<Vigilant_GM> Many hours after climging through the mostly ruined Underhive, you come out of the cramped corridors and into a vast chamber out of which a constant echoing hum fills the void. Before you is a battered sign pointing towards Gantry.
<Vigilant_GM> Ahead, the ceiling is lost in the darkness above. From far below, you hear the sluggish flow of a sump river. Up ahead in the gloom, you make out the metallic structure suspended over a huge chasm which crosses the cavern, flickering with feeble light.
<Vigilant_GM> The principle ramp running all the way down from the tangle of wires holding the Gantry in suspension to the outer hive portion form whence you come is a patchwork of metal scraps. Ahead, a gate is crossed by those wishing to make the cautious walk across the bridge. Many carry lanterns of some variet to aid them against lethal missteps on the way to the town.
<Velam> The savant can't help himself and pulls his data-slate out and begins to record everything he sees with a renewed vigor. "Fascinating, yes fascinating, I wonder how it is suspended? One solid piece of plasteel? No maybe millions of corded cables instead. No or maybe..." and on and on he mutters and drones as he records.
<Vigilant_GM> A cadre of guards stand guard at this gate, under a large crude sign saying, "NO GUNS" above. You can see them collect the firearms of those who approach before allowing them to proceed.
<Baird> "This should be an interesting start."
<Vigilant_GM> Above the gate, a large twin-linked heavy stubber is mounted, enforcing this collection policy.
<Shiv> "Ain't no way we are leaving our weapons here, not in this place."
<Baird> "Alright lets go ahead and try to cross the bridge." Baird begins approaching the gate
* Karpath follows along next to Baird.
* Shiv follows and says "This might go south very quickly."
<Vigilant_GM> A group of travellers ahead of you is permitted through, and you are waved forward for inspection.
<Vigilant_GM> "Hurry it up, we ain't got all week. You know the drill!"
<Vigilant_GM> An open lock-box is brought forward by another of the gangers.
* Baird continues forward introducing himself to the guards. "Special Concern Officer Daroshevik. These men are with me. We cannot relinquish our weapons. Against regulations I'm afraid. I'm sure we can..grease the wheels so let us continue onward with no issues."
* Velam follows behind Baird, trying his best to look relaxed and at ease and not afraid of the barrels of that stubber pointing down at him.
<Vigilant_GM> The man with the lockbox turns to the man on the heavy stubber above.
<Vigilant_GM> "Rikk! Rikk, come here!"
<Vigilant_GM> The heavy man, with large muscular arms climbs down, pushing another ganger on the weapon mount.
<Vigilant_GM> He stands over eight feet tall.
<Vigilant_GM> "Yeah, what is it?"
<Vigilant_GM> "These fine gentlemen," the first gesticulates drammatically to you, "are officers of some description on *very* important business."
<Vigilant_GM> Rikk looks menacingly at you.
<Vigilant_GM> "That so?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Mhm. Leaving their weapons with us would be against regulation!"
<Vigilant_GM> The giant gives a low grunt.
<Vigilant_GM> "But they are willing to grease wheels, Rikk."
<Vigilant_GM> The large man now looks down at his fellow ganger.
<Vigilant_GM> "Maybe the boss wouldn't mind if we---" his windpipe is closed shut in Rikk's hand.
<Vigilant_GM> "No. Guns." he growls.
<Vigilant_GM> Finally being released, the ganger coughs uncontrollably as he falls to his knees.
<Vigilant_GM> Rikk turns to you, and repeats. "No guns."
<Shiv> "My good sirs, we can pay well for this simple over... this situation."
<Vigilant_GM> Rikk stares at Shiv. A monster towering over puny prey.
<Shiv> "*Gulps* I mean we... we need our g-g-g-guns. Too many times have we been attacked..."
<Velam> "Think we should do as the big guy says."
<Vigilant_GM> "Too many words. Show pay."
* Velam pulls out one of the rather huge wads of scrip he keeps on him. The other convienently hidden in one of his servo-skulls.
<Vigilant_GM> "Hah!"
<Vigilant_GM> "Far from home," he waves off your attempt with his massive hand. Turning around, he repeats. "No guns."
<Vigilant_GM> Climbing back atop the gate, he cocks back the twink stubber.
* Velam slips the wad back beneath his duster. Where to? Who can say.
<Baird> "Well thank you for your time gentlemen." Baird turns to walk away from the gate.
<Karpath>  /me turns and follows
<Vigilant_GM> "Next!"
<Vigilant_GM> A small caravan appoaches.
* Velam follows at a worrying pace behind baird.
* Nitrous follows along
<Karpath> "So now what?"
<Nitrous> "Sneak in via delivery?"
<Baird> "We come up with a different plan for getting in. One that doesn't leave us defenseless inside ganger controlled territory on our investigation."
<Velam> "I would imagine such an isolated community would have a black market, with which we could rearm ourselves...although, our currency doesn't seem to help."
* Baird turns and waits to observe how the guards handle the caravan.
* Nitrous follows suit
<Vigilant_GM> You notice the caravan includes two heavily armed guards.
<Shiv> "Going to sneak in as cargo on a Caravan?"
<Velam> "An idea, but until we see how they handle such a thing.
<Vigilant_GM> They surrender carbine-like weapons, but are permitted to continue through despite the massive swords, stilettos, and one-handed maces on their sides.
<Vigilant_GM> A small party passes through the gate from the Gantry, then.
<Vigilant_GM> After some talking, they are given weapons from within the storage locker.
<Velam> "One thing to keep in mind gentlemen," the savant adds after a moment of thought. "The sanctionaries won't easily aid us down here, it's a warzone to them, considering their experience with the gangs."
<Velam> "Oh, is that everyones stuff?" He asks after the mules have tucked their weapons into their prospective hiding points.
<Velam> "I've spotted a place to stash our left over things."
<Shiv> "This is gonna be fun. Being a weapons mule, again."
<Karpath> "I think so." The only things left on him for weapons is his bolt pistol which he intends to hid on him and his shock maul.
* Velam takes the duffle bag of leftover weapons and gear and scurries off to hide them. You see him disappear near a collapsed container. A couple of minutes later he returns, as non-chalantly as possible. "Well that's it then."
<Baird> "Taken care of Velam?"
<Velam> "Yes, yes of course. A rather clever place I stashed, hehehe." He chuckles to himself. "Hopefully the rest will go smoothly."
<Baird> "I guess we'll see"
<Vigilant_GM> You approach the gates again.
<Vigilant_GM> "NO GUNS" now illuminated by a loosely-fixed lumen globe.
<Vigilant_GM> "You know the drill, let's go," an open metal box is set to your side as you are searched one by one.
* Shiv walks forward.
<Vigilant_GM> It's something the rest of you notice even before the Red Walk sentry does... an awkward step forward loosens one of the boltpistols out of place, and it slides out to create an awkward lump on the side of his leg. At that instant, a blade is pressed against his neck by the inspecting ganger while another pats down and removes both the weapons he was attempting to smuggle through.
<Vigilant_GM> "You know the fucking rules. We'll keep these until you've had your fun."
<Vigilant_GM> They shove him to one side, and to the other side, allowing him to proceed to the walkway.
<Shiv> "Well, shit."
* Karpath walks forward.
* Shiv continues ahead.
<Vigilant_GM> Karpath is searched. Perhaps it was the raised suspicion, or perhaps these ganger scum are as vigilant as they seem, but a similar procedure follows with him.
<Vigilant_GM> Oddly, the gangers seem to laugh off the attempts at smuggling the weapons in.
<Vigilant_GM> "Next."
* Nitrous walks foward
<Vigilant_GM> "Well, well..."
<Vigilant_GM> Another two metallic thumps follow as more weapons are added into the locker.
* Karpath makes a mental note of these gangers as he makes his way through
<Vigilant_GM> "Come on through and welcome to the Gantry."
<Vigilant_GM> "Next!" another party follows behind yours.
* Baird steps forward
* Velam shuffles along, not wanting to draw any more attention to them.
<Vigilant_GM> "Disappointed. Hah!" he pats Baird through without having found any firearms.
<Vigilant_GM> Velam is similarly searched, and allowed through.
<Vigilant_GM> The party behind you begins their surrender of arms, as you all make it to the rusted, groaning walkway.
* Shiv shrugs.
<Shiv> "This sucks."
<Velam> "Alas, nothing to be done for it."
<Karpath> "No kidding." he says as he makes his ways forward."
<Vigilant_GM> Ahead, the glowing lights of Gantry flicker through the polluted air.
* Shiv puts on his rebreather.
* Karpath ask Shiv for the Respirator he has on him.
* Baird also straps on his rebreather.
<Shiv> "The what? Oh." He gives Karpath the Respirator.
<Karpath> "Thanks Shiv." he hooks the thing on his belt for when he needs it
<Vigilant_GM> The walkway shifts under your feet with the vibration of those crossing. From up close it looks even less like a construct and more like a random grouping of collapsed steel.
<Vigilant_GM> Nonetheless, you are able to make it safely across, and onto the suspended town.
<Vigilant_GM> Up above, something resembling architecture catches your attention.
<Vigilant_GM> "Endish Manor", a street urchin comments, eyeing the lot of you.
<Velam> "Who lives in this Endish Manor?"
<Vigilant_GM> He stretches out an open palm.
* Shiv takes out one Iho stick to hand to the kid.
<Vigilant_GM> He smiles and nods, placing the lho-stick over his ear.
<Vigilant_GM> "Omar Endish!"
<Velam> "Clever little ass aren't you?"
<Vigilant_GM> He rocks from side to side with a smile on his face.
<Velam> "What would be needed as payment to show us around?"
<Vigilant_GM> He shurgs, and out-stretches his hand again.
<Shiv> "I got only two left."
<Vigilant_GM> "Sure," he begins to walk away.
* Velam follows after the kid.
<Vigilant_GM> He stops, and turns.
* Shiv follows Velam "Wait up!"
* Karpath follows
<Vigilant_GM> "Why are you here?" he asks.
<Velam> "investigating a murder of all things. Down here! As if it wasn't a common enough thing, but you know how it is. Boss says jump, you ask how high."
<Vigilant_GM> "Hmm..."
<Vigilant_GM> "A lot of dead people 'ere."
<Velam> "Indeed." Velam says simply covering his fear with disdain. "My lot in life."
<Vigilant_GM> "Okay, I want that one!" he points to one of the servoskulls.
<Velam> Velam stares blankly at the child. "Afraid I don't follow."
<Shiv> "He wants one of your pets."
<Vigilant_GM> "Gimme the skull, and I show you around!"
<Vigilant_GM> He mimicks them with a closed fist he waves around in a floating pattern.
<Velam> "They're my dead sisters. Thank you very much." He looks down at the kid. "Guess we'll find someone else to show us around." He makes to leave, guarding his servo skulls close to him, covering them with the flaps of his duster.
<Vigilant_GM> He waves at the skulls, and skips his way back to the so-called raceway.
<Shiv> "Sisters?" He murmurs "Well, that's a bit morbid."
<Velam> "Well. It's a very common practice. You'd be surprised who the next servo skull might be the next time you see one. Why I knew a man who had inherited the servo skull that was the father of a famous Imperial Guard general..." He pauses. "Anyways, Shiv, Baird, this is more your expertise I think. No offense."
<Baird> "It's just a way for the man to remember his family. It's not like he's dressing them up or anything."
<Vigilant_GM> "You oughta be careful with them urchins," an older man warns you, pushing a cart filled with "goods" - scrap, mostly - past you.
* Shiv looks over to Velam and Baird "Maybe we should leave."
<Baird> "Agreed." I guess let's head towards this...manor and see what we can find."
* Velam sighs but thanks the older man with a nod before letting Baird lead the way.
<Shiv> "Wait, that old man might have something for us."
* Shiv walks up to the old man with the cart.
<Vigilant_GM> He groans as he pushes the cart over a mess of cables that runs across this street.
<Shiv> "Excuse, me."
<Vigilant_GM> "You're excused," he says.
<Shiv> "But my friends and I are of need of some assistance."
<Vigilant_GM> "I just watched you get robbed by kids. I know you do."
<Shiv> "Right... I'll cut to the point, we need weapons."
<Shiv> "Is there someone or someplace where my associates and I could get some guns?"
<Vigilant_GM> "You're going to get robbed and killed with that loud mouth of yours," he groans.
* Shiv whispers "Right."
* Shiv motions Baird over.
<Vigilant_GM> "Get to the Sanctionary Gallows," he points to a fork down the street that takes you to a lower level.
<Vigilant_GM> "You'll know when you're there."
<Shiv> "Thank you, my kind sir."
<Vigilant_GM> "Get lost."
<Shiv> "Ok..."
* Shiv runs up to the rest of the group.
* Shiv whispers to Baird "So we need to get to Sanctionary Gallows. For you know, some weapons."
<Baird> Whispering in return "Alright well I assume you got directions? Also turn that damn voice modulator off."
<Velam> "It is a bit loud."
* Shiv turns off the modulator.
<Shiv> "Better?"
<Baird> "It's less loud. Now lead on to this "Snactionary Gallows area."
<Vigilant_GM> A flow of Underhive travellers use this avenue in and against the direction you were given. It follows the outer Gantry; to your left, you see the vast open chasm, a reminder of the perilous construction of this town.
<Velam> "Now that's a sight."
<Vigilant_GM> Taking you by surprise, a balcony ahead is decorated with badly decayed corpses... in Sanctionary uniforms.
<Vigilant_GM> They hang over the edge, the sump awaiting below for any that may come loose.
<Velam> The savant visibly gulps. "Emperor's teeth," he swears under his breath.
<Vigilant_GM> This area is well-travelled. Many people come in and out of the establishment.
<Vigilant_GM> Doors open and close, inside men and women drink and carouse and gamble.
<Shiv> "Time to acquire some 'items'... I have no idea where to start."
<Nitrous> "I see.."
<Vigilant_GM> A travelling merchant packs and gathers his belongings from within, preparing for a long trip.
<Vigilant_GM> Another enters as you do, and asks for a room for the night.
<Vigilant_GM> Drinking, gambling, whoring, and negotiating. All take place in here, in a chaotic mess.
<Vigilant_GM> Along a hall, merchants sell from their small stands.
<Velam> "Not the worst amalgamation of a business I've seen."
<Vigilant_GM> Trinkets, scrap metals, bone jewelry...
<Vigilant_GM> You search for the less-legitimate side of commerce in the area.
<Vigilant_GM> Yet, what does that look line in a den of scum a villainy run by a gang of outlaws?
<Vigilant_GM> You come into contact with a discerning merchant who suggests you travel lightly.
<Vigilant_GM> The man is able to bring you to a back-room beyond one of the gambling halls.
<Vigilant_GM> "Now, gentlemen. How is it that you wish to protect your assets?"
<Vigilant_GM> His accent and manner of speaking is striking. That of a learned man.
<Shiv> "I would like some, how do you say, protect ourshelves from distance. Away from gangs using various pointy instruments of death."
<Vigilant_GM> "I see, I see. I have just the solution for you gentlemen."
<Vigilant_GM> He retrieves a small wooden box.
<Vigilant_GM> Opening it, he reveals its contents.
<Vigilant_GM> Three grenades.
<Vigilant_GM> Another, larger box follows.
<Vigilant_GM> A crossbow, of genuinely intricate design rests within.
<Shiv> "Ohhh."
* Velam can't help but chuckle at that.
<Vigilant_GM> The man then reaches for a harness.
<Vigilant_GM> "Observe."
<Vigilant_GM> He straps it around his forearm, tightly.
<Vigilant_GM> A small rail-like mechanism then meets the crossbow, attaching it securely.
<Vigilant_GM> He waves it around, to show its versatility.
<Vigilant_GM> "Easily concealed. And deadly."
<Velam> "Yes, I am aware of how such a weapon works." Primitive as it is, he thinks to himself.
<Shiv> "So my partners and I are about to acquire some 'wealth' soon. We are hoping to acquire this beautiful weapon for a future payment. A debt to you, my good sir."
<Vigilant_GM> He eyes you for a moment.
<Vigilant_GM> "I can see you are discerning men," he nods. "You may find me here to make good on your payment. I will expect it within the week."
<Baird> "Do you happen to have any other ranged weaponry sir?"
<Vigilant_GM> "A much more primitive design of the device, as well as these," he grabs the hanged bolas on the wall and places them on display.
<Vigilant_GM> A moment later, a much larger box comes on the table. In it, a crossbow of simple feudal design rests.
<Baird> "If you would add those to the payment to be delivered we would appreciate it
<Vigilant_GM> "Very well," he nods.
<Vigilant_GM> "Your name, sir?"
<Baird> "Daroshevik."
<Vigilant_GM> "Ah," he says with some surprise, writing the name down.
<Velam> The savant accepts his new bolas and throwing knivees, keeping them concealed beneath his duster.
<Vigilant_GM> "I wish your business here concludes profitably, Mr. Daroshevik, and I would be grateful for your discretion."
<Vigilant_GM> Suddenly, the world around you begins to shift.
<Vigilant_GM> Everything sways from side to side, the entire structure groans.
<Vigilant_GM> A sudden, meters-deep fall is followed by a violent desceleration that knocks items, and Shiv, off balance and onto the floor.
<Vigilant_GM> The merchant holds on to the counter.
<Shiv> "My face!"
<Vigilant_GM> "The Tangle is shifting," he comments.
* Karpath is able to keep himself from falling.
* Nitrous remains stable."
* Baird stumbles slightly before catching himself.
<Baird> "It will be very profitable for the both of us sir."
<Vigilant_GM> "Quakes up-hive are felt ten-fold down here," he chuckles nervously. "Not easy to get used to."
<Vigilant_GM> "Are you staying here at the Gallows?"
<Baird> "We haven't procured lodgings just yet. Why do you ask?"
<Vigilant_GM> "My business parter will be departing today, leaving a room open. Hard enough as it is to find lodgings suitable for men of business."
<Baird> "Perhaps you'd allow us to take over his room and you could always roll the cost of however long we stay into what we owe you, just for ease sakes."
<Velam> "Hmmm might be a good idea?"
<Shiv> "Some rest what be nice."
<Vigilant_GM> "Certainly, I will inform him. Room 210."
<Nitrous> "Sllep time."
<Baird> "Excellent, thank you sir."
<Vigilant_GM> The room on the second level overlooks the chasm. The merchant removes his belongings, and you settle in quickly.
<Vigilant_GM> A small aftershock hits before day-cycle's end.
* Velam doesn't much care for after shocks.
<Vigilant_GM> Despite the merriment on the floors below between the games of change and the drinking, you are able to settle down and rest for the first time in what seems to be ages of active service to the Throne.