Evervigilant 37

<Vigilant_GM> IT IS THE 41ST MILLENNIUM...
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<Vigilant_GM> On board The Oath Unspoken, far from Interrogator Kurst or the established resources of your Master, hymns are played for the tens of thousands of pilgrims as they travel through the perilous warp.
* Karpath takes some time to patch up the wounds of Baird, Tony and himself after the last day of fighting.
* Karpath thinks for a moment, "Raolin, we might be able to get some good information from this one place called the Drunnels in the mid section of the ship. Its a large open market that takes up an entire hold of that section of the ship."
<Baird> "Sounds good Darrell. Let's head there now."
<Nitrous> "Yup."
* Tony slowly gets up after being treated as he stands up
* Nitrous follows along
<Tony> "So what about the Sister? I am sure she might need to be brought up to speed."
* Karpath moves along with Baird.
<Baird> "She knows who we are hunting and why. She knows enough for now."
<Tony> "I was on about names Raolin, but very well."
* Tony as he follows behind them
<Baird> "Ah, I see what you mean. Introductions are needed I suppose. Everyone feel free to introduce yourselves to the sister."
<Nitrous> "Jack."
<Karpath> "Darrell."
<Tony> "My name is Tony, Tony Murphy, but most people call me Tony."
<Vigilant_GM> For Karpath, a feeling of nostalgia fills the halls and corridors. This, until the fateful day of his inception into Inquisitor Mortem's service, was home. Following the pilot's lead through the ship, the Acolytes find themselves traveling through this storied vessel's many chambers, chapels, and halls for some 20 minutes.
<Vigilant_GM> At last, ahead of you, the corridor opens up into a massive chamber, its ceiling lost amidst shadow, mist, and tangles of steel wire and heavy cablings. The chamber is given over to a huge, open market. The roar of voices echoes across the vast hold hosting the Drunnels, as thousands of individuals push past one another in a huge crowd, surveying the goods offered at stalls and
<Vigilant_GM> haphazard shop fronts.
* Karpath feels almost at home being back on board the ship, if it weren't for the ship being apart of some sort of heretical trade.
<Vigilant_GM> A tangle of freestanding structures erected form scrap metal and flak board are built atop one another, rising almost to the ceiling. Gantries, ladders, and rope -or cable- bridges connect the many entrances and platforms, and a number of acrobats perform their art amidst the ropes and beams that hold the upper levels aloft, to the entertainment of the crowds below.
* Tony he looks at the act for a moment then he glares away remembering something
<Tony> "I suppose we should start getting our hands dirty."
<Karpath> "Here we are, it is quite impressive isn't it?"
<Thesse> "But where do we start?"
<Nitrous> "I see."
<Baird> "It's certainly something Darrell, so you have an idea of where we can start for information in this...area?"
<Tony> "Not what I expect for a vessel, almost feels like I am back home."
* Karpath thinks for a moment about where they could start asking around."
<Thesse> "This is all new to me, Inquis... err my children."
<Baird> "Just use our names, it'll avoid any...slip ups."
<Nitrous> "Yup."
<Thesse> "Yes, Of Course, Raolin."
<Vigilant_GM> The Acolytes spend time making their inquiries to people along the Drunnels, with mixed, but increasingly better results. "Smugglers are everywhere, you just have to know what to look for. Why are you looking to buy something?"
<Vigilant_GM> After the merchant, a man of the cloth: "They say the Sable smugglers deal in the forbidden and blasphemous. I hear they move their wares about unseen, in the darkness. Who knows - could be they're here on the Oath, even..."
<Vigilant_GM> From the preacher, the Acolytes hear from a nervous young armsman, "This trip to Thaur feels ill-omened; I heard the hullfrost formed sour patterns on departure. I swear to you, after the last trip, some of the dead refused to rest."
<Vigilant_GM> An old Bosun's mate eventually speaks to the Cell after recognizing Karpath: "I heard soft whispers of some outfit that did wrong back on the last stop on Desoleum, part of something called the Mournful Song? Keep it low, not many live saying that name aloud. They say they are a bunch of madmen and twisted medicae that do all sorts o' horrible things."
<Vigilant_GM> Finally, a man Karpath recognizes as being a notorious rat in the employ of certain ill elements on board speaks up before disappearing into the crowd, "I hear that there's some kind o' war between these Songers and this other group you mentioned... Inheritors, or somesuch you said. Thing is, these Inheritors aren't on Desoleum, but are from Thaur bone-world. You'd think they'd get
<Vigilant_GM> on better, both being obsessed with death... But look, the man you want to see is Sterr. Calvan Sterr."
* Baird speaks quietly to his companions. "We had a tail. Chainblade and some kind of pistol under his heavy leathers. Not sure the reason he was tailing, but as soon as he noticed me watching he fethed off around a corner back there."
* Karpath whispers back to Baird, "Any noticeable symbols on them?"
<Baird> "None that I saw."
<Vigilant_GM> Among the fire-breathers and acrobats, a performer in garishly colored clothing of loose striped breeches, a bright yellow vest and a matching crescent-moon mask with a wickedly pointed nose approaches, bells along his attire jiggling for attention as he moves.
<Baird> "For now everyone just keep your eyes open, no one goes anywhere alone. Especially not for a smoke." Baird cracks a grin while looking at Tony.
* Karpath nods.
<Vigilant_GM> He begins to juggle several objects in front of you while balancing on a unicycle.
<Tony> "Yeah I am not doing that again."
<Tony> "Hey uh Ed, you mentioned you know a bit around here right"
* Tony se speaks in a hushed tone
<Karpath> "Yea I do know a thing or two." he whispers back.
<Tony> "Do you know the normal get up for the Armsmen aboard this ship?"
<Vigilant_GM> As the performance goes on, the entertainer adds razor-edges pieces of carved bone into his juggling as well as skulls wrought with metal studs, and even vials of bright unidentifiable liquid.
<Karpath> "Yea, I would."
<Tony> "Figured it might be easier to move around if we get our hands on some Uniforms."
<Vigilant_GM> Karpath leads the Acolytes to a man by the name, he is sure to impress upon you, of Ghorace Malk.
<Vigilant_GM> "I never forget a customer!" he says, pointing to Karpath.
<Vigilant_GM> "Ghorace Malk, at your service," he bows theatrically to the rest.
<Karpath> "Yea good to see you as well, so I need a few things from you if you got them."
<Vigilant_GM> "I'm sure I do. And if I don't, I will dig through the lower holds myself to see another satisfied customer!"
Vigilant_GM> "Where shall we begin, then?" he leans forward.
<Vigilant_GM> "A most profitable few Market Days, you wouldn't believe it!"
<Karpath> "Yea I could." he says as he finishes bartering with Malk for all the things that the group needed.
<Vigilant_GM> As Malk finishes handing over your purchases he comments, "A most unusual man paid me a king's ransom for a mere trinket. Can you believe what these pilgrims and outsiders will do for their favored icons?" He looks at Thesse, then, apologetically, "Present company exempted, of course."
<Vigilant_GM> "Now, do come back. You and your friends are always welcome here."
<Karpath> "By chance, what was this trinket you speak of?" he says to Malk.
<Vigilant_GM> "Oh, nothing of note. Bought it in the course of usual trade as a souvenir of sorts. Thaur was its origin, the very place we're now headed to, you know. A shard of pottery, but most curiously textured. Cool, and oily to the touch."
<Vigilant_GM> "Neither the man I purchased it from, nor I placed much value in it, but shortly before your arrival. This man, this... pilgrim perhaps, you know the like. Black robes and such. He gives me a bag-full of Thaurian bone-chips. For the trinket!"
<Vigilant_GM> He laughs.
<Karpath> "Ah that is interesting, do you know his name by chance then?"
<Vigilant_GM> He shakes his head. "Couldn't tell you. Man was hard to read; couldn't even tell you his age, really. Clean-shaven, sombre expression, came in here like he was attending a wake."
* Tony he lightly nudges Baird
<Tony> "Got a moment?"
* Baird slightly turns his head to Tony and speaks low. "Sure Tony watcha need?"
* Tony in a low and hushed tone he speak and turns around to show Baird
<Tony> "See those pilgrims passing by the Performers and Merchants?"
<Tony> "They appear agitated for some reason."
<Tony> "They appear agitated for some reason."
<Baird> "May want to ask the Sister and see if she has any insights, they may be part of her flock."
<Tony> "Carry on then, I will ask her."
<Tony> "Hey Sister got a moment?"
<Baird> "I'll come with, I'm curious at this point."
<Thesse> "Of course, Tony. What do you need?"
* Tony going back to a hushed tone
<Tony> "By chance do you know who those Pilgrims are?"
<Baird> "They seem to be a little agitated, any thoughts on that sister?"
* Thesse takes a look at them and says to Tony and Baird "Hmm, I haven't the slightest idea. Though I could have a word with them if you wish."
<Baird> "May be helpful. To diffuse or incite them, depending on what's going on."
<Thesse> "Hmm, I will speak with them. Just a moment."
<Karpath> "Also would you know of a Mr. Sterr and where he would be?" he ask to Malk.
<Tony> "I am going to look around for anything regarding this man you mentioned, More ears and eyes might be a good call here."
<Baird> "Agreed Tony. Take someone with you, no one goes alone."
<Nitrous> "Yo."
* Thesse approaches the pilgrims and greets them with "Ave, Imperator."
<Tony> "Fair, Hey Jack!"
<Nitrous> "I know."
<Vigilant_GM> "Sterr? Sure I do. Made use of his services on our last stop above Desoleum."
* Tony As he and Nitrous begin Inquiring around
<Vigilant_GM> "The stalls just underneath the old servitor pens. Go through the gated passage and down the stairs. You can't miss it," he says with a wink.
<Vigilant_GM> "Sister!" a pilgrim whispers sharply, approaching Thesse. "Sister, have you heard?"
<Karpath> "Ok thank you, I hope you have a good day."
<Thesse> "Heard of what, my child?"
<Vigilant_GM> He looks left and right, and beckons Thesse behind a pillar.
* Karpath he turns back to Baird, "So that went well, where is the sister at?"
<Thesse> "Very well, my child."  She follows the Pilgrim.
<Vigilant_GM> "Blessed Emperor preserve us, Sister Thesse. There are..." he lowers his voice even more, "heretics! Heretics and cultists amongst us!" deep, geuine fear fills his face.
* Baird nods over towards the group of pilgrims. "She's speaking with her flock."
* Thesse whispers "Heretics? This is concerning. Go on my child."
<Vigilant_GM> "They could be anyone!" his eyes go wide, darting from side to side as people pass by.
<Vigilant_GM> "We are determined to find them, Sister. Even if we are martyred!"
<Thesse> "When did you suspect these vermin snuck aboard this ship?"
<Karpath> "Ah ok." he this talks in a low voice to Baird, "Got some info on where we can find Sterr."
<Vigilant_GM> "How could we know? They could be any one of these people! And we are headed directly to the holy world of Thaur!"
<Thesse> +Raolin, you might want to hear this.+
<Vigilant_GM> The pilgrim puts a hand over his mouth, as to avoid his lips being read.
<Baird> "Tat's good to hear, Tony and Jack are also doing some fact finding along that vein. Once they return we'll pay Mr. Sterr a visit."
<Baird> +What's the issue Sister Thesse?+
<Vigilant_GM> "Confessor Graves will be taking action, Sister. It is best you remain in the cloister chapel. We men of the Emperor will do what must be done!"
<Thesse> +We have pilgrims with 'concerns'.+
<Vigilant_GM> Not 30 meters away, you spot a merchant being accosted by a group of pilgrims.
<Nitrous> +Understood.+
<Vigilant_GM> A mob of zealots begins to flood into the Drunnels, merchant stalls begin to close, and performers dispersed.
<Baird> +If this area is about to pop off due to the pilgrims causing issues then we need to be scarce. We don't need to get involved for now. Everyone regroup and we'll move to our next objective+
<Thesse> "I will take care of any heretics. My children. Be safe."
<Baird> +Let's go people. We don't need to be caught up in this shit.+
<Karpath> "Welp this is gonna be fun for the house guard to deal with. Ready to leave."
<Nitrous> +Copy.+
* Thesse heads towards Baird and says +It's one of Confessor Graves' hunts.+
<Tony> +Got it.+
<Tony> "Come on Jack"
* Nitrous follows tony
* Tony as he goes to regroup with Braid
<Baird> Once everyone regroups Baird nods to Karpath. "Alright lead to the way to Mr. Sterr. We need to make ourselves scarce."
* Karpath nods and leads the group in the direction of Mr. Sterr location that Malk told him of.
<Vigilant_GM> With passions rising, and torch-wielding zealots interrogating non-pilgrims throghout the Drunnels, the Acolytes find themselves in from of a slight man with lank, oily hair that hangs over his eyes. He has a perpetual, and slightly unsettling, grin.
<Vigilant_GM> "Outsiders. Or perhaps stowaways?"
<Vigilant_GM> "There is only one reason why you would come to a merchant with no wares to sell. So, let us not waste our time. The Confessor is sure to begin his purge soon," he looks up to the ceiling.
<Nitrous> "Yup."
* Baird looks at the greasy man. "It certainly sounds that way."
<Karpath> "We are looking for information."
<Vigilant_GM> "And a man at a brothel is looking for sex."
* Baird chuckles quietly. "Specifically about a group that recently came on board at Desoleum. They also brought goods aboard. They are called the Inheritors."
<Vigilant_GM> "What do you have for me?"
<Baird> "What does a man such as yourself want?"
<Vigilant_GM> "Traditional forms of payment, though I happen to know you are lacking in that regard, or..."
<Vigilant_GM> "Or, we can trade."
<Baird> "Barter would work the best I'd think. Like you said..not much in the way of traditional payment, scrip and such."
<Vigilant_GM> "You strike me as the sort of people who might know things. Interesting things."
<Baird> "I'm sure a few of us know something interesting. But you'll need to narrow that down. Don't want to set our tongues awagging and give things away for free now."
<Vigilant_GM> "Who do you work for?
The grin on his face remains disturbingly fixed on Baird.
<Baird> "Certainly a complicated question. As for the moment we work for the Hive Desoleum SCO. We're wrapping up what we are working on by following that group we need info on."
<Baird> "Though technically one of the others is just a contractor. But I digress."
* Baird lifts his SCO cog tag into view. "You can verify if you wish."
<Vigilant_GM> "More covert than Special Concerns," his smile somehow widens.
<Vigilant_GM> "Delicious."
<Vigilant_GM> "Only one organization would be able to utilize Special Concerns as a cover."
<Vigilant_GM> "My knowledge could get us both killed."
<Baird> "Yes it could. But The Inheritors won't be an issue after this voyage."
<Vigilant_GM> "Patronizing me will do us no good. Still, I have no way to know why you have been inserted here. Why this vessel would bring attention to your employer; but I have no loyalty to the Ship's Master, so I'll play along."
<Vigilant_GM> "Someone," he begins in a mock-hushed tone, "has been hiring as many mercenaries and gunhands as possible. From both the port, and the freelancers seeking voyage. Virtually all are under a single employer."
<Vigilant_GM> He points to Karpath.
<Vigilant_GM> "You went to see Malk. You noticed the suspicious lack of muscle. That's no coincidence. Ghorace has as many competitors and rivals as ever. There simply wasn't anyone left looking for that sort of work."
<Vigilant_GM> "Now. A name for a name."
<Vigilant_GM> "An informant in your organization. Any one of the plants you undoubtedly have in the Hive's many official posts."
<Baird> "You obviously know I can't give that."
<Vigilant_GM> "Obviously. But a stowaway with a sharp ear can."
<Baird> "I could give a name of an acquaintance. Someone we've worked with in the past."
<Vigilant_GM> "I'm not looking to expand my social circle. Obviously."
<Baird> "Obviously. This acquaintance is obviously the type you're looking for. Just not one that jeopardizes this team."
<Vigilant_GM> "I think you know you don't have the time to play games. So I will hear the name."
<Baird> "Omar Endish."
<Vigilant_GM> "Terance Del. The only mercenary to turn down this elusive employer."
<Baird> "Good doing business with you."
<Vigilant_GM> "With the commotion above, he will likely stay in the shadows until it's all over."
<Baird> "I don't blame him, as overzealous as the Confessor seems to be."
<Vigilant_GM> "Overzealous. And now looking for you," he begins to sink in the ground as gears turn beneath the floorplate below.
<Vigilant_GM> In seconds, he disappears, floor hatch locking above him.