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New World 65 | Stories and Subterfuge

trapinnosuke
Apr 21st, 2018
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  1. [5:06:14 PM CDT] <[Cy]> ======---ACT VI---======
  2. [5:09:49 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The sun has set over the Basha valley as the night watch begins their vigil. A drink-worn Glanari had made her way back to Meadow just after sunset.]
  3. [5:15:39 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow looks away from the book she's holding to gaze at Glanari down on the ground.
  4. [5:15:45 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Back for another lesson?
  5. [5:16:39 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Maybe... tomorrow.
  6. [5:17:18 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari yawns.]
  7. [5:18:08 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Then what have you come back here for?
  8. [5:21:26 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: A student stays with their master, duh.
  9. [5:23:12 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow looks at Glanari with her eyes half-lidded. She bites her lip for a moment.
  10. [5:23:16 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> ...I see.
  11. [5:23:37 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> And do you intend to sleep by my side, as well?
  12. [5:25:48 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Oooonly if the master chooses. Have you never had a master yourself? How do you not know this?
  13. [5:26:49 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> I have never been a slave, if that's what you mean.
  14. [5:27:56 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Not every student is a slave, or is that how it is where yur from? How does anyone grow if everyone who learns is a slave?
  15. [5:29:47 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> I've had teachers and tutors before, but perhaps it's true I've never had a master. I've never been apprenticed.
  16. [5:31:10 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne sits in the common lounge of HQ just outside the bunkrooms. Her gamebeson in her lap, Hanne works a needle and thread through the fabric; taking care to make even stitches.
  17. [5:32:40 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Weird.
  18. [5:35:06 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow closes her book.
  19. [5:35:12 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Where are you from, Glanari?
  20. [5:36:53 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: From Whagibi, the Heartlands.
  21. [5:37:26 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [She waves her hands slowly through the air.]
  22. [5:39:06 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne lets out a pleased sigh as she completes the section. Looking up from her work, she scans around the room around her. It is empty, save for another Associate on the far side quietly reading a book. As Hanne mentally debates whether to strike up a conversation with them, another Associate walks in through the door.
  23. [5:39:27 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow climbs down through the branches and drops to the ground with all the ease of descending a staircase. She takes a seat cross-legged at the bas of the tree.
  24. [5:40:00 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> And what stories do they tell in Whagibi? What's your favorite tale they tell?
  25. [5:40:29 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: What stories they told, or what stories they tell now?
  26. [5:42:57 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Have they changed much?
  27. [5:48:17 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: They've changed from the last great Magister from Whagibi, as validation of the primacy of the Heartlands; to tales about me, as validation of the primacy of the Heartlands; to tales about me, as validation of the primacy of the Heartlands because I became "uncultured" after leaving the Heartlands. You get the idea.
  28. [5:48:17 PM CDT] <[Co]> [The newly arrived associate brings with him a rug, which he proceeds find a place to hang with careful measure.]
  29. [5:48:58 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne watches the Associate with the rug and attempts to remember his name.
  30. [5:49:48 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> You're a legend unto yourself, then?
  31. [5:50:06 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> !roll 1d8 + 1d8 [WLL INT] Memory
  32. [5:50:07 PM CDT] <FeistyKaka> [110]_Hanne rolled: {3}=> 3 + {1}=> 1 = 4 "[WLL INT] Memory"
  33. [5:50:51 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne can't seem to recall.
  34. [5:50:54 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: O~bviously, there has never been a thrice certified physic mage. I never go back. It's better for everyone that way.
  35. [5:51:51 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne examines the rug.
  36. [5:52:41 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Yes, they say you can't be certified more than once. Why do you say you're certified thrice, then?
  37. [5:53:36 PM CDT] <[Co]> [The rug being hung with considerable care and precision, isn't exactly the finest you've seen. But given that everyone arrived with nothing more than a pack on their backs, you surmise that the rug was made in the month this assignment was active. In that regard, it's not too shabby. The meaning of the pattern is lost on you, however.]
  38. [5:54:12 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Because I'm that good. Thrice better than the standard of Certification.
  39. [5:54:51 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> That is a solid rug. Did you craft it?
  40. [5:55:40 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> So you haven't been certified twice again after the first time, your skills simply exceed the bar twice again.
  41. [6:17:12 PM CDT] <[Co]> M: I did indeed, got some help from the others but I built it just like this house!
  42. [6:17:12 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: It's meaningless to go for certification again, since your abilities would already exceed the requirement. I just evaluated that I'm that much better.
  43. [6:19:08 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne smiles.
  44. [6:20:25 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> At any rate, tell me what your favorite tale is from your homeland. Of the previous Magister, of you, or of anyone or thing else.
  45. [6:21:45 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Did the materials come from the local markets? I've been meaning to give them a look-see but haven't gotten the chance. I'm Hanne, by the way.
  46. [6:27:38 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Hrmnnnn, I guess my favourite would be me and the spirit-boar. It was from my younger days, before I left the Heartlands to expand my skills, and there were so many variants by the time I left that the plot went wildly in every direction. But I'm sure it was started by my sister, based on some silliness with the piglets on the ranch when we were small.
  47. [6:29:04 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Tell me the story. Whatever variation you prefer.
  48. [6:30:23 PM CDT] <[Co]> M: Yes, our trading group got the stuff for me because I spent the working hours building. They say that the market here is pretty bare, with the soldiery leeching anything particularly good. By their account, the merchants make sure their wares are mediocre to avoid having things "borrowed".
  49. [6:31:43 PM CDT] <[Co]> M: Oh, and I'm Ivasi, Glehva Ivasi.
  50. [6:37:46 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne nods.
  51. [6:38:29 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> I'll have to take a look myself sometime. I don't suppose you've heard any other news? Any movement on the front?
  52. [6:45:50 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Fine, in memory of Glissa then. When we were young, we'd play with the ranch animals, but we were fickle masters. Some days we would care for them lovingly, others we would terrorize with malice. They'd probably learnt how we were, because the one piglet tried to fight back, and being small, we had a good challenge with it. But I had a stick, so I beat it back to its mother, who then came to the baby's defence. I wasn't big enough to prop
  53. [6:45:50 PM CDT] <[Cy]> erly fight the sow so I got run down a few times. Eventually I threw her with magic through the kitchen window. The landing must have hurt her bad, I had overheard a few days later from our father that the sow was too injured to heal. I didn't feel bad though, I believed that I felt enough pain from mother's whipping that I didn't need to feel any remorse for the pig.
  54. [6:45:53 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari sighs.]
  55. [6:48:03 PM CDT] <[Co]> Ivasi: Nothing. The townsfolk are grumbling more about useless fighters turning their barbarism on the peaceful. But the soldiers themselves like to say that every passing day without a fight is more certainty that there will be a fight.
  56. [6:49:40 PM CDT] <[Co]> [Ivasi adjusts the rug before sticking the next pin.]
  57. [6:51:02 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow keeps her peace, and waits quietly for the continuation.
  58. [6:56:29 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: The variants turn the ranch into some desolate wasteland, the piglet and the sow into two forms of a magical monstrosity, and the kitchen window into the entrance to its inner sanctum. You can come up with your own version right now if you wanted to.
  59. [6:57:05 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: But nobody could have come up with such a series of events that so closely matched the pig incident without having seen it, so it must have been Glissa's doing.
  60. [6:58:09 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> That's the story?
  61. [6:59:51 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: My take on it. Not satisfied, master?
  62. [7:00:09 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow smiles.
  63. [7:00:32 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Waiting is the worst part of soldiering. Do you know of anyone in our company who might be undertaking any martial-oriented actions?
  64. [7:00:38 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne stretches.
  65. [7:01:05 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> It's true, I was expecting something a bit more dramatic, but I suppose that many of our best-loved stories have something so mundane as their forgotten origin.
  66. [7:06:08 PM CDT] <[Co]> Ivasi: All of us is ready for fighting to start, but nobody wants to go squat in a mud hole with the dullards out by the wall, so we are fulfilling the neglectic logistical role here at the Pass. Nishlo told off a bunch of curs last time by reminding them that their rear would be exposed without us here.
  67. [7:07:32 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Ah, master, as you master the world, you will come to understand that this is usually the case.
  68. [7:09:49 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> What, from within our own? Or did you mean troops from another outfit?
  69. [7:10:05 PM CDT] <[Co]> I: Other outfits.
  70. [7:10:12 PM CDT] <[Co]> [He sticks the next pin.]
  71. [7:11:39 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne leans back into her chair.
  72. [7:12:58 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> So why is this the tale of the Spirit Boar? I suppose that must come from some later modification.
  73. [7:14:00 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: That's how Glissa must have told it, for whatever reason. I admit, I never did find out if she had spread the tale, or why she did if it was her.
  74. [7:14:34 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Can you tell me her version?
  75. [7:16:13 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Hrmm. I am itching for a fight. But, you are correct. What we're doing here is important. I-
  76. [7:16:18 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: No, I never learnt it. I had first heard the story about a month or two before I left the Heartlands for my journey, and by then there were already variations. I never got to learn her version.
  77. [7:16:47 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne stops mid-sentence as if she'd just remembered something. She pauses before letting out a soft chuckle.
  78. [7:17:31 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> ...I'm sorry.
  79. [7:18:14 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Why?
  80. [7:18:34 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Come to think of it, we did mostly the same things when I was a soldier.
  81. [7:19:23 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> For the loss of your sister.
  82. [7:23:00 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: She's been dead for about fourty years now. I've met her great-great-grandchildren. I've met my own great-great-grandchildren. I've been to the funerals of my great-great-grandchildren. When you live as long as I have, death isn't as moving. Rather than be sorry, you should remember the true version of events, for very few know it.
  83. [7:25:17 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow takes in a deep, contemplative breath.
  84. [7:26:09 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> The rarity of the knowledge may make it precious, yes, but I can't help but think that the telling of the story, no matter its grounding in fact, can be just as important as whatever facts inspired it.
  85. [7:27:24 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> The story is what will people will tell and retell, what will survive through all your and your sister's generations, not the history. That's the thing that binds together the people of your homeland in your memory.
  86. [7:27:29 PM CDT] <[Co]> I: Soldiers are soldiers, hm? I do think it's true though, the longer it goes, the more certain that the next day will come the fight.
  87. [7:36:34 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne ponders for a moment.
  88. [7:36:44 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Well I don't plan on dying any time soon, so I don't have to rely on stories.
  89. [7:36:53 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Is there a plan for that day? For us, I mean.
  90. [7:37:12 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari sits up, the haze of drunkeness suddenly gone.]
  91. [7:37:49 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: I suggest you don't rely on stories either, so you have motivation to live longer.
  92. [7:38:04 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari stands and closes her eyes.]
  93. [7:38:07 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> What do you mean?
  94. [7:42:15 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Try to know things as they happened, especially with your ability. Leave the fanciful stories to those who do not have the means to know better. You should also file our agreement with the office soon, you may not have much longer.
  95. [7:42:49 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Arm yourself, something moves in the town.
  96. [7:43:42 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow stands.
  97. [7:43:47 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> What sort of thing? Can you tell?
  98. [7:45:25 PM CDT] <[Co]> Ivasi: To fight? We will only deploy as far as the town and fall back to here. The office had let slip to us that the circles militant have about the same lines, so this is suitable for us as a supporting force.
  99. [7:46:04 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Something that is moving quite a few people.
  100. [7:46:39 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Not something physical, though. Arm yourself nonetheless.
  101. [7:48:12 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow begins to walk for a tent.
  102. [7:48:29 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Something magical? Or is it simply the stirring of many people?
  103. [7:48:50 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> I see.
  104. [7:48:59 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: Likely both. Stop dawdling.
  105. [7:49:49 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne looks down back at her sewing work and sighs. She takes a casual look out a nearby window.
  106. [7:50:29 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow contines to the tent, where she recovers her sword and straps it on.
  107. [7:52:15 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> !roll 1d8 + 1d8 [WLL INT] Looking out a window
  108. [7:52:16 PM CDT] <FeistyKaka> [110]_Hanne rolled: {2}=> 2 + {4}=> 4 = 6 "[WLL INT] Looking out a window"
  109. [7:53:44 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Hanne only sees the inky blackness of light.]
  110. [7:57:52 PM CDT] <[Co]> Ivasi: It's fine, we are only here to make sure that the place doesn't fall too fast.
  111. [8:02:36 PM CDT] <[Co]> ???: Ivasi, the weathervane is moving.
  112. [8:02:38 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow pauses for a moment before leaving the tent. Ultimately, she decides upon leaving it to walk into the HQ and find some one well-connected.
  113. [8:02:56 PM CDT] <[Co]> [The reading associate stands and exits the room.]
  114. [8:03:19 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne turns.
  115. [8:03:21 PM CDT] <[Co]> Ivasi: Oho, you might get your fight after all.
  116. [8:04:01 PM CDT] <[Co]> [He aplies the last pin and steps back to check his work, nodding in satisfaction.]
  117. [8:06:53 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [On her way back, Meadow sees that Glanari has gone over to the gate and is watching the road.]
  118. [8:07:27 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne looks at Ivasi and pauses before quickly getting up and stowing her sewing kit and garment into her nearby pack. Grabbing her sword, she briskly jogs into the bunkroom where her armour is stored. With drilled speed, she quickly dons her armour; tightening straps whilst moving from place to place.
  119. [8:08:22 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Hmm hmmm hmmm mmmm hmmm~
  120. [8:10:08 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne hums as she fastens her sword belt. Loosely hanging her bevor around her neck, Hanne dons her gauntlets before grabbing her helmet and running out back into the common room.
  121. [8:16:07 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne moves out of the living area and towards the lobby; her helmet under one arm. Along the way she looks around for other Associates.
  122. [8:16:53 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow enters the HQ and walks quickly through it before comin upon one of the chief organizers. He's walking down a hallway with staring at a sheaf of papers in his hand; Meadow stops him.
  123. [8:17:41 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Excuse me. There's something happening in the town. I don't know what it is yet, but I'm going down to investigate. We may want to ready ourselves for a confrontation.
  124. [8:20:39 PM CDT] <[Cy]> M: Yes yes, the weathervane moved, the word is going out for the home group to hole up. What do you plan to do?
  125. [8:21:52 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> My plan is to go into town to try to discover the nature of the disturbance.
  126. [8:26:27 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne turns the corner whilst fastening the chinstrap of her helmet and comes up upon Meadow speaking with one of the officers in the hallway.
  127. [8:28:04 PM CDT] <[Cy]> M: Fine, check in on the Rusty Bent Glaive to see how the place is faring. Do you have a group with you?
  128. [8:28:41 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Ah.
  129. [8:31:10 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Not as such, no.
  130. [8:33:31 PM CDT] <[Cy]> M: Well obviously you shouldn't go alone. Maybe go with that mage you have around you.
  131. [8:35:09 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> That's a good idea. She ought to be nearby.
  132. [8:35:52 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne looks at Meadow, then the Associate, then back to Meadow.
  133. [8:36:01 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> You're heading into town?
  134. [8:37:30 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow sees Hanne; she lets out a breathm dropping her shoulders, and her eyes narrow slightly.
  135. [8:37:34 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Yes. Something's happening.
  136. [8:38:25 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> I know.
  137. [8:38:47 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne pauses to make a face of slight discomfort at Meadow.
  138. [8:38:58 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Lets get moving then.
  139. [8:39:22 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The man with the papers hurries off to wherever he was going before Meadow had gotten in his way.]
  140. [8:39:31 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne continues down the hallway to the entrance.
  141. [8:40:02 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow walks with her.
  142. [8:40:44 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Be careful. Glanari will be there. I advise you not to try to threaten her.
  143. [8:41:10 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne turns to Meadow, her eyes wide with surprise.
  144. [8:41:23 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> What?! What is she doing here?
  145. [8:43:18 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> I brokered a deal with her to get /you/ off the hook. As part of it, I've been demostrating my magic to her.
  146. [8:46:15 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne looks at Meadow with a face full of suspicion.
  147. [8:46:42 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> She'd better not do anything strange to me while we're out there.
  148. [8:47:14 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne lowers her visor and locks it into place as she clears the lobby.
  149. [8:48:40 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> She'll serve us better as an ally than an enemy. Try not to antagonize her.
  150. [8:51:41 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> I've seen her magic. I still don't like her though.
  151. [8:52:41 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> You don't have to like her—I'll forgive you if you don't. Just play nice. And remember: in this place, in front of her, you are my serf. Try at least to act the part.
  152. [8:53:05 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow steers th two of them towards the gate as they pass outside.
  153. [8:53:43 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne quietly curses under her helmet.
  154. [9:09:27 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari is still at the gate, looking into the dark towards the town. The gate lanterns sway gently in the breeze. The sky is mostly clear, and the moonlight is good enough to see by once your eyes accustom to the dimness.]
  155. [9:10:52 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow announces, once Glanari is near enough,
  156. [9:10:53 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Let's go.
  157. [9:12:18 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne follows Meadow; making sure to keep enough space between Glanari and herself.
  158. [9:12:52 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: You have a rather Heart-ish idea of arming yourself, I'll give you that.
  159. [9:13:11 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari opens the gates and hovers through, gliding at walking pace towards town.]
  160. [9:14:40 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne looks in the direction of the town; keen for any signs of trouble.
  161. [9:14:44 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> What's that supposed to mean?
  162. [9:17:12 PM CDT] <[Cy]> G: I'm sure you'll find out on your own.
  163. [9:18:37 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> I admit I feel naked without my shield. I don't know why I've tarried sos long on that account.
  164. [9:18:38 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The trek into town is somewhat ominous in the dark. Vague outlines of houses and fences line both sides of the road. As you draw nearer, you see the lights of the town through the stands of trees along the way and you start to hear the commotion of merrimaking.]
  165. [9:22:23 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow presses on, straining to hear any drifting speech that might explain what the subject of the commotion might be.
  166. [9:26:08 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [At the edge of town, you see the lights, lights floating and twinkling in the air above the streets, suspended by nothing you can see. Below them, in the streets, is a parade of sorts; jolly people progress down the streets, seemingly in celebration of something. The procession on the main road is making its way towards the wall.]
  167. [9:28:04 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow checks the lights, seeing if her magical vision reveals anything about their origin or purpose.
  168. [9:29:30 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The lights are magical of course, and the light they cast is also magical.]
  169. [9:31:44 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> !roll 1d8 + 1d8 [INT WLL] Spotting
  170. [9:31:45 PM CDT] <FeistyKaka> [110]_Hanne rolled: {5}=> 5 + {6}=> 6 = 11 "[INT WLL] Spotting"
  171. [9:32:53 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Hanne sees that some people aren't part of this parade, some are even trying to restrain others from joining.]
  172. [9:35:11 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne moves closer to the procession and calls out to one of the bystanders:
  173. [9:35:16 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> What's going on here?
  174. [9:37:10 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow stays close to Hanne.
  175. [9:37:32 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Your indistinct call is lost in the din of the parade. Many of the people in the parade had brought with them various noisemaking implements.]
  176. [9:40:02 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne curses and moves right up to one of the bystanders; tapping their shoulder to get their attention.
  177. [9:40:18 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> What's all this commotion about?
  178. [9:43:04 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Man: What? Who are you? What are you?
  179. [9:43:55 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari floats into the crowd and examines one of the lights.]
  180. [9:44:06 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> My name is Hanne! I'm a mercenary with Green Shield! We heard there was a commotion in town and came to investigate!
  181. [9:44:46 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Man: I don't know anything, get away from me!
  182. [9:45:11 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The man stumbles over himself as he pushes through the throng to get away.]
  183. [9:46:07 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne groans as she scans the area around her again.
  184. [9:47:32 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow trains her sight on the revelers to see if they're expressing or surrounded by any magic.
  185. [9:51:21 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [It doesn't look like the revellers are magical, but the magical light bathing the area makes it difficult for you to be sure. Even the folks not in the parade, including the ones actively trying to stop others from joining it, are not visually any different.]
  186. [9:52:11 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Hanne, does this look like Dominion magic?
  187. [9:53:20 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Anything is possible, but I've not encountered this before.
  188. [9:53:50 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne approaches one of the folks trying to prevent others from joining.
  189. [9:54:01 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> Hey! What's all this?
  190. [9:55:24 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Man: What's all this? You tell me what this is! If you aren't going to help then get out of here!
  191. [9:55:59 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The man is wrestling with an older man who is pulling towards the parade, babbling incoherent sounds but with an expression of joy.]
  192. [10:01:12 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Hanne, we should get to the pub. The Rusty Bent Glaive. We can check in there to see if there's any intelligence.
  193. [10:04:55 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> I heard there was an issue with that place-that they'd taken our sigil or some such. Why do you want to go there for information?
  194. [10:07:20 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Because they haven't taken our sigil, they're using it by rights. It's a green shield property in the town proper. We should have friends there—they may be able to explain what's happening.
  195. [10:07:58 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> We have a pub now? Well whatever, let's hurry then.
  196. [10:10:21 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow begins to move swiftly to the Rusty Bent Glaive.
  197. [10:10:49 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne follows closely.
  198. [10:13:35 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [You have to push through a few streams of people on your way there while Glanari opts to fly, but you make it without any harassment. The revellers seem completely oblivious to the reality they inhabit. You climb the steps and enter the front of the tavern to see several bodies on the floor and a few folks discussing something over a few tables that's been pushed together.]
  199. [10:14:17 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> What's happening here?
  200. [10:16:53 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The men and women around the table turn to face your entrance.]
  201. [10:17:30 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: Pub's closed is what. Unless you're somebody who should be here, go home.
  202. [10:18:24 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne looks at the people around the table to discern who is in charge.
  203. [10:18:51 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The woman speaking is in charge, near as you can tell.]
  204. [10:19:30 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne looks about at the other faces to see if there is anyone she recognizes.
  205. [10:20:19 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Many of them are masked, the few who aren't you don't recognize.]
  206. [10:22:32 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne examines the bodies on the ground.
  207. [10:23:44 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> !roll 1d8 + 1d8 [INT WLL] Looking
  208. [10:23:45 PM CDT] <FeistyKaka> [110]_Hanne rolled: {8}=> 8 + {6}=> 6 = 14 "[INT WLL] Looking"
  209. [10:24:36 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The bodies look like random village folk from around Basha's Pass. Nobody of note.]
  210. [10:25:02 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: I'm taking your silence as a no. Get out now.
  211. [10:28:04 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> We're from Green Shield, this is our pub. The town is in an uproar, and we jsut came from headquarters to get some idea of what's happening.
  212. [10:29:41 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: Well why didn't you say so? Are you literally dumb or something? Get away from the door, and what's your name?
  213. [10:30:29 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow closes the door and moves in towards the table.
  214. [10:30:43 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> I'm Meadow. This is Hanne.
  215. [10:34:03 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: I heard of you, part of the group that went out to the Lyaran valley last year to go mining.
  216. [10:35:31 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Oh, yes. I was on that mission.
  217. [10:37:30 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: Anyway, this town is under attack. The enemy is sapping the number of bodies that could be used to mount a defence.
  218. [10:40:30 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> So it is a Dominion machination. I'd assume this is coordinated with an advance on the town?
  219. [10:42:33 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: Nope. That's not how they roll. There will be no horde marching on this town tonight, but there has been infiltration.
  220. [10:45:06 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> As a result of the commotion, or a cause of it?
  221. [10:47:34 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: They must have gotten infils in a few days ago and worked on this hex net since. Pretty clever, we didn't notice until this morning.
  222. [10:48:44 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> How come it only seems affect some and not others?
  223. [10:50:44 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: Not sure, but being aware of what you're doing does have an effect. When the net was sprung, the bargirl here almost got taken by it, but we talked her into realizing something was strange. We had to put the others to sleep though, they were too far lost in their drinks to fight back.
  224. [10:54:59 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> That doesn't seem like a practical defense on this scale, though.
  225. [10:55:19 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> What's our plan moving forward?
  226. [10:58:54 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: We are evaluating whether or not we have to do anything. As much as it may seem like there are many people out there under the sway, most of the combat force is keen enough that they weren't affected. We did float the idea of hunting the infiltrators though, but the Administrator ordered us to minimize interference so we aren't considering that option.
  227. [11:01:26 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> In that case, the best thing to do might be simply to run that communication back to headquarters.
  228. [11:02:34 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: You and GS are free to take action if you want. Our assignments are separate after all.
  229. [11:04:38 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Do you think we should remain in readiness? How high should the alert be?
  230. [11:08:30 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Woman: Probably not that high, but the usual "never go alone", "others know where you went", and "keep a patrol" always apply. We don't expect targeted attacks at this stage, it would depart from Dominion practices.
  231. [11:10:04 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Understood.
  232. [11:12:59 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne turns to Meadow.
  233. [11:13:21 PM CDT] <[110]_Hanne> First thing should be to report this back to HQ.
  234. [11:13:30 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Yes.
  235. [11:17:45 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne opens the door a small ways and peers outside to ensure it is clear of danger.
  236. [11:18:32 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Outside is the same din as before, a line of people heading to the front.]
  237. [11:19:00 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne opens the door fully and motions for Meadow to follow her before stepping outside.
  238. [11:19:12 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow falls in behind Hanne.
  239. [11:20:40 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [The lights, the crowd, the noise is as you had left it. Nobody tries to force their way anywhere. The people watching from the sides keep their distance from the crowd and each other; a few try to fish others from the procession.]
  240. [11:25:59 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne takes a casual look around before moving in the direction of HQ.
  241. [11:26:41 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow stays behind her, watching cautiosly.
  242. [11:27:22 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [It isn't until the edge of town when Glanari returns to your side.]
  243. [11:27:33 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Glanari: Got your drink?
  244. [11:28:21 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne ignores Glanari. Instead, she stops and looks back towards the town and the glow of the lights.
  245. [11:28:26 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> I don't think we'll be worried about being thirsty any time soon.
  246. [11:29:26 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Glanari: Neither will that chunk of town. They're just walking right off the end of the wall. Anyone who didn't die falling would be crushed by the next person. What a waste.
  247. [11:31:36 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> Enough of a waste for you to do something about it?
  248. [11:33:17 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Glanari: It would take more work than I care for. I blocked them a few times, but they just parade their way around obstacles. They're being drawn towards the enemy.
  249. [11:35:20 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> You know where the Enemy is?
  250. [11:36:30 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Glanari: Everyone knows where the enemy is, they're on the other side of the wall. Did you really have to ask?
  251. [11:36:41 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari exaggeratedly shakes her head in disapproval.]
  252. [11:37:21 PM CDT] <[Cy]> Glanari: You going back to let your company know that their tavern's ok?
  253. [11:37:27 PM CDT] * [110]_Hanne adjusts a gauntlet and looks at Meadow before starting down the dark road back towards HQ.
  254. [11:37:43 PM CDT] <[Multi]_Meadow> That's the plan, yes.
  255. [11:39:03 PM CDT] * [Multi]_Meadow follows Hanne.
  256. [11:41:21 PM CDT] <[Cy]> [Glanari floats along with you all the way back to the GS estate as the noise and night fades off behind you.]
  257. [11:41:28 PM CDT] <[Cy]> ======---ACT VI---======
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