Rosenkrantz 27

	Rosenkrantz_GM	IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Your arrival on Footfall has you facing a choice almost immediately - you may return important religious artifacts to the Orders which hold them sacrosanct, or you may take the centerpiece of these to the mysterious Seven Witches, who promise a foretelling that can dramatically alter your fortunes.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Before you can decide on any of this, however, is the matter of actually acquiring these artifacts. You are well aware of how coveted they are - you expect people of means and influence to be arriving soon to take part in the tournament set up by the well known Pitmaster "Spacehulk".
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The artifacts, valuable as they are, have been acquired by this 'organizer', and have been set to be among the top prizes of the various events soon to be hosted here on Footfall.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	More immediately, however, you have been invited to a celebratory meal hosted by the Liege of Footfall, Tanthys Moross.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The House Operatives set up here by Lady Gillam have made their facility fully available to you. You soon realize they are well stocked of all manner of things. From tattered clothing, to the most flashy of robes, all useful in disguising and blending in with any of the multitude crowds on Footfall.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Clothing, yes, and gear. From weapons, to smoke grenades to help Operatives disappear as may be needed. All of it now made available to your needs as you might see fit.
	Josef	"Do we know what are the rules for this competition? The limitations in equipment, etc."
	Baine_Mort	 "Not as of yet, we are going to have to find out about that as soon as possible." Mort says to Josef.
	Rozen	"Quite an impressive stock. I haven't seen such sights before"
	Makh_Chomun	"Think you can whip up a disguise, Josef?"
	Rozen	"Am I to be partaking in this?"
	Josef	"Indeed, so look your best Twistcatcher."
	Baine_Mort	grabs a navy uniform, a Auspex Scanner, a Multikey, and several Photon Flash gernades.
	Josef	takes some basic tools, but curiously also takes some smoke grenades and a grapple.
	Josef	"Hmm... if I remove my robes, no one will recognize me."
	Rozen	"LOOK AT THESE GRENADES. THINK OF THE EXPLOSIONS"
	Josef	"I could do some facial surgery to change your appearance."
	Makh_Chomun	"Not my kinda thing, I'm thinking more of a costume."
	Josef	"Are helmets allowed in the arena?"
	Baine_Mort	"We will just have to find out then."
	Josef	"If not, simple rags and masks to cover the face."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Well chaps, we are headed to dinner, dress up nicely." he says, suiting up in his Armoured bodysuit,before wearing his dress robes over it, beofre adding "And do bring some sidearms."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	motions to several carapace suits waiting "Get suited up, you are playing the role of house guard."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Gillam's Armorer opens up a compartment with the sidearms available to you, giving the Captain a nod.
	Rozen	"Fine by me."
	Josef	"Excellent idea, Lord-Captain."
	Rozen	Suits up
	Baine_Mort	finishes putting on the Navy Uniform for tonight's dinner
	Makh_Chomun	chuckles. "Whatever you say."
	Josef	hides his extra arms from his unnatural origins. Josef MIU connects with his servo-skull. He makes sign of the Omnissiah and pulls his hood up.
	Makh_Chomun	prepares the necessary armor and weapons to disguise himself as House Guard.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Dressed nicely as you are, the House Armorer has large cloaks waiting for you to wrap yourselves with.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"No need to call attention to the cantina entrance, my Lords."
	Makh_Chomun	"Much obliged."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	nods, before taking one and draping it around himself
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He himself is dressed in ragged clothing, presumably to escort you out.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"If you are ready, do follow me and my lads."
	Baine_Mort	nods and grabs on of the cloaks.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He makes for the double doors that open into the 'storage room' that brought you here.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He and his likewise raggidy dressed men enter first, standing along the sides.
	Makh_Chomun	follows after the group, cloak draped heavily over himself.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Choman, I'm surprised anything fits you."
	Rozen	"I'm surprised this fits me as well."
	Josef	attracts the stummer onto his servo-skull Snitches as he follows.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Activating a hidden rune, the doors shut behind you, and the room begins to vibrate as you slowly ascend.
	Makh_Chomun	grunts as an answer.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"If you could make it out to the far cantina exit, that would be best. My lads and I will be distracting the crowd. Drop your cloaks when the attention is away from you."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The hidden lift comes to a halt, and the Armorer opens the small utility door.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Thank you."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Emperor be with you," he says, exiting before you.
	Makh_Chomun	"And also with you," he murmurs back.
	Josef	Techna-lingua] "Praise the Omnissiah."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Then, suddenly, "Oi! Ye pug-faced twat, I bet yer mum could suck a frag through a straw!" he says, aggressively advancing towards a group of inhebriated patrons. He and his men launch themselves at the aggitated drunkards, and soon there are bottles and furniture in the air.
	Makh_Chomun	has to stifle his laughter as he makes his way to the exit.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	smiles as they make their way
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Doesn't take long for you to have to push your way against a current of brawl-happy patrons making their way in the opposite direction, with hoots and howls and the percussive sounds of bones, stools, and bottles alike breaking in the melee behind you.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	By the time you reach the far exit, that rear area has been nearly emptied out, every conscious or semi-conscious man concentrated in the front.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A small escort of House Guard awaits you outside, just a few paces across the main walkway.
	Makh_Chomun	"That didn't take long. Knew I trained those boys and girls for a reason.
	Baine_Mort	"Yep you seemed to trained them all well
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	Make's his way to the Ledges Court, losing his cloak after a while
	Baine_Mort	gits rid of his cloak as well.
	Josef	removes the cloak and folds it properly.
	Makh_Chomun	dumps his cloak on the nearest doorstep, he then, with the House Guard's help, dons his disguise.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Nice to see you Corporal Donnahue."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The House Guard don't break their disciplined paces, but you do notice them slowly process the sight of a "new" comrade, only to then come to the conclusion that the Lord-Protector has been demoted for reasons above their pay-grade for the upcoming mission.
	Makh_Chomun	switches his comm-link to the HG's private channel. +Let's play pretend, lads and lasses, should be fun for a while, eh?+
	Makh_Chomun	"At your beck and call, my liege."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	It has now been several hours after you received the invitation, and it takes a walk of some 15 minutes to the Liege's Court.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Aye-aye, Lo-- Corporal+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	One of the oldest structures in Footfall, these regal transepts and pillared, ornate halls are where the Liege receives those of sufficient importance to warrant a formal welcome. When you arrive, armsmen with lasguns meet you and wave you through the large double doors to the Court.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You find yourselves in a large atrium with massive, gothic-arched viewports that provide a stunning -and properly shielded- view of Furibundus, the raging star at the center of the system.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Magnificent."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You appear to be one of the last of several guests invited to arrive. The hall is full of the individuals that make up the elite of Footfall. Several people who carry themselves with an unmistakable air of authority are present and seated to reflect their status, as well as a number of criminals, merchant factors, pirates, fences, and other individuals.
	Baine_Mort	"Yes, yes it is, been wanting to see the inside of this place, never got the chance too before."
	Makh_Chomun	keeps an eye out, doing his new job as competently as possible.
	Rozen	"what do you think Josef?" Rozen whispers
	Josef	"We must keep our disguise for now Twis... I mean Rozen. Just observe for now."
	Baine_Mort	looks around the room at the overall architecture,.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Those of you with a background in nobility will notice that most of the those here attempt to mimic Imperial high fashion and finery... with varying degrees of success. In general, most are unable to disguise that they are dangerous and barbaric, though well-dressed individuals.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	scoffs at some of the more outrageous costumes, and continues to stride with an air of authority
	Baine_Mort	keeps pace with Freidrich.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Some of the more noticeable figures and their retinues are odd reflections of your own party. Similar naval themes to one or two, easily-seen heraldry on some of their companions... you can be nearly certain that they are other Rogue Traders who have come here to try their luck on the tournament for the coveted relics.
	Makh_Chomun	steps in-line with his boys and girls. An easy feat considering he trained almost all of them personally.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Tanthus Moross is holding court at one end of the room, resting on a palanquin carried by four servitors and surrounded by concubines. Somehow more disturbing that the holomessage you saw earlier, in person, his excessively augmetic features make him stand out even among servitors and outlandish guests in the room.
	Rozen	"Get a load of that freak, eh Josef?"
	Josef	"Hmm... Impressive."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Servants pace about the room, making final preparations as the guests make conversation amongst themselves.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Play nice,"
	Makh_Chomun	"Orders, Lord-Captain?"
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Remain alert, I'll be going around making introductions, I want you to keep an eye out for anything I'd need to know."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	after this he makes his way over to Introduce himself to Tanthus Moross
	Baine_Mort	follows Freidrich over to Tanthus Moross.
	Makh_Chomun	nods. Takes his place along with the rest of the House Guard.
	Josef	releases his servo-skull to observe the area and interesting guests.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	As you approach, he appears to be speaking to someone who appears to be a Court advisor.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	She has hollowed eyes of an astropath, and the pale, cracked skin of one who has likely burnt out her abilities, surviving to an age beyon her useful years.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Don't be foolish, Moross. Even I can see their intentions better than your agents. And I'm blind," she addresses the Liege with an undertone of contempt.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Moross seems to notice you, and waves the burnt out astropath away... interestingly, she backs off with the gesture.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Perhaps later, Attar," he adds without even looking at her.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	bows slight "Greetings Lord Moross."
	Baine_Mort	bows as well to Moross.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He smiles. He is almost a vehicle in human form. A strange sight every time you look at him. He warmly welcomes you with whatever passes for a bow as he lay on the raised carried surface.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"A warm welcome to you, Lord Rosenkrantz."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"I very much appreciate the invitation to your gathering, splendid job you did."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"You are very kind to say. I have brought out all manner of refinement for you and your companions, as is deserved when greeting such august company. You all honor us... so many Warrants of Trade represented here all at once. Truly an honor."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"What a lovely place you have, very beautiful." he says smiling
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"We pride ourselves on keeping up with Imperial standards of elevated society," he deftly comments.
	Josef	whispers "Remarkable. Rosen, his steel is handmade from some Artisan. The quality is outstanding."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"But, please... let us take this conversation to the dinner table... you will be staying, yes?" he motions towards the long table with the servants standing by.
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"Of course, we've been busy all day and I'm famished."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He claps his hands, and announces the beginning of the meal, with all present being summoned into the banquet hall.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	At this point, dutiful bodyguards of all stripes tensely rub shoulders with one another, making their way into the adjoining hall, cautious of eachother, and their surroundings.
	Rozen	whispering "Can you imagine how long it would take? do you think there's ANY meat left?"
	Josef	"I hope so. The flesh still has purpose."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	With the help of the Liege's servants, you are all seated with your respective groups, allowing two guards to stand behind each of the invited guests and their advisers as the dinner progresses.
	Makh_Chomun	+Sergeant, you and I will take place behind the Lord-Captain. Of course, if that's fine with you~+
	Rosenkrantz_GM	In an attempt to demonstrate culture and refinement in a place that knows little of either, the "high born" of Footfall cultivate bizzarre tastes, with the available selection on the menu reflecting this in queasy detail.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	+Excellent suggestion, Corporal.+
	Makh_Chomun	takes his place at the Lord-Captain's back-left.
	Makh_Chomun	He then puts himself at parade-rest.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The bizarre food must be just for show... the stranger the dish, the more 'refined' the individual eating it must be. It's doubtful anyone enjoys eating it, however it is time to select an outlandish meal as the servants come around taking your requests.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The list reads as follows:
	Rosenkrantz_GM	-Voidburned Winterscale Creeper with Rakken Brain Sauce (not too dangerous, just generally disgusting)
	Rosenkrantz_GM	-Live Dolorium Throat Crab (hard to keep down)
	Rosenkrantz_GM	-Shardspider Eggs in Promethium Soup (mind the sharp bits and try not to smoke afterwards)
	Rosenkrantz_GM	-Jerazol Brain-Fluke braised in Ork Spinal Fluid (don't let it get onto your brain stem)
	Rosenkrantz_GM	-Deep Warp Eel (of unknown origins) with Egarian Mummy Extract (one look at this 'eel' will tell anyone something is not quite right about it...)
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	-The Eel please
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	"The Eel Please."
	Makh_Chomun	+Sometimes I don't envy being Lord-Captain.+
	Rozen	"Hey josef, Wanna see me eat all of it?"
	Baine_Mort	"Ill get the Crab"
	Rozen	"I'll get all five please"
	Rozen	"And Can I have them rare? My pallet is a little refined."
	Josef	"Sure, Mr. Rozen."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Sir, I'm afraid we can only offer two portions per guest."
	Josef	sits down and waits to see what the effects of this strange food, if any.
	Rozen	"I'll have the brain-fluke, and I'm unsure, which else would you recommend?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Sir, I can't say I have ever had the pleasure of having any of these dishes."
	Rozen	"aaaaaaand deep warp eel it is!"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Your dishes will be here shortly, my Lords." the servant says as he takes the requests of the next guests.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	All the dishes arrive at once, with varying reactions from those attending.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Moross himself makes conversation with everyone there, and you can't help but notice that he comes across as a figurehead ruler at best, with little authority and even less sense.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The dinner moves on... slowly, many of those seated preferring to make idle conversation to actually consuming the food, but your own bravery seems to have an effect on those around you, who seek to find some courage in your own feats of tenacity.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You can overhear various snippets of information, and of course you can make conversation of your own to find out any information you wish.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	From the table conversation you are able to gather that every one of the people here has fighters ready for the various events. A traditional bare-knuckles bracket is, of course, going to be carried all throughout the tournament. But special events (relevant to some of the relics), have rules regarding weapons. Blunt weapons, mostly. Provided by the arena, in the majority of fights, with
	Rosenkrantz_GM	some levels of protection allowed (even some augmented warriors allowed to enter the competition).
	Rosenkrantz_GM	As with events past, Spacehulk's own champions are going to be placed to fight the finalists for each of the events, inviting to his peronal viewing box the owners and sponsors of the finalists to face his champions.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	As the dinner comes to a close, however, you have a hard time maintaining pleasantries. Your bodies protest the abuse they've been put through, and you have an immediate need to leave the Liege's Court with little in the way of goodbyes.
	Rozen	"What a delightful dinner, right Josef?"
	Makh_Chomun	tries to make the Lord-Captain as comfortable as he can, given the circumstances.
	Josef	"Delightful is a strong word. It was interesting at the least."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	continuously gags, a look of terror and despair on his face
	Baine_Mort	"I think feel like shit at the moment."
	Makh_Chomun	"For once in my life, I'm glad I wasn't included in the festivities."
	Freidrich_Rosenkrantz	responds with another spasms of pain and nausea
	Josef	"The food was... How did you describe it Rozen?"
	Rozen	"Scrumptious, alittle bit of an acquired taste, but enjoyable to say the least."
	Baine_Mort	stomach begins to become increasingly upset, "I don't know if that was the worst food I've eaten ever, but it feels like it."