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Log: The Tax Man Cometh Part II

Page history last edited by wastevens@... 14 years, 5 months ago

 

PCs: Illuminant, Div (Ohnjay)

NPCs: Run by Ledaal Kurnaz (3xp)

 

Summary:  After the incident in the teahouse Longinus hires Ohnjay and Illuminant to sort the matter out.  Words are exchanged on the duties of the returned princes of the earth and a disagreement about the best course of action leads to a parting of ways.  Still the job is done, Red Springs has a new Lord Mayor, and the red silt is once again available to the East.

 

Illuminant has Durability of Oak Meditation up

 

 

         Longinus looks at the man closely, "And what kind of world would you have her live in?" he asks quietly. "Take us to the lord mayor." he remarks simply as he straightens up.

 

 

         Illuminant decides to let the other two interrogate the prisoner, and walks over towards the servant girl, asking her with a smile, "Who are these men?"

 

 

         The man seems slightly pacified at your reassurance buts still seems terrified of all of you. "I...he Aro lives in his manor house on the other side of town. You can't miss it, its only one like it in this place."

 

 

         The serving girl seems wary but willingly answers your question "They're part of a mercenary army that the lord mayor hired to enact his new policies. The old constulbary said they wouldn't aid in extortion, but..." she sniffs a little as if looking back on fond memories that can never be relived, "they're all dead now..."

 

 

         Ohnjay just nods at the man. "Alright, then. I'm going to let you go. You are going to leave here and if I ever, /ever/ hear that you've been doing anything immoral like this again, I will not show you this mercy. You will not deserve it. I hope that is very clear to you."

         At that, Ohnjay steps back and away, still holding that sword -- what, you think he's going to hand the guy a weapon now?

 

 

         Illuminant says, "Hmmm. It would be mose efficient for us to simply get rid of the Lord Mayor, but that might simply prompt one of our friends here to declare themselves the new mayor and nothing would change. We shall have to be careful.

 

 

Longinus studies the two men standing before him, and then looks at the wrecked mortal forms laying on the floor. He points at his forehead and a glittering golden caste mark, a half filled in circle appears on his forehead. "I'm pretty sure I'm amongst friends here?" he says. The serving girl's eyes stare at the mark in a mixture of awe and worry.

Illuminant folds his hands behind his back and remarks, "Obviously. Let's finish this up before we draw a crowd, yes? The mayor's house is nearby."

 

 

          Ohnjay glances at that Caste Mark...and just grins. "My, but Fate always does have interesting things in store for me. Aye, I am a friend." Ohnjay stretches a little, glancing warily between Illuminant and Longinus; he's still a little...worried about how they dealt with this situation.

 

 

Longinus pulls out his ledger and checks a schedule in it. "Right then," he says, "Ok look. I've got a college to run and this is already screwing up my schedule enough as is. I would have sent Nine Willows Wiser to deal with this, she's a bureaucrat and good with this taxation garbage, but well she's disappeared. So I'm going to hire you too to go sort this whole mess out. My college needs the red silt, we're willing to pay what we were which was more than fair but I want my suppliers to stop being harassed. Come to college after you've gotten this sorted out and I'll give you payment." He reaches into his pouch and pulls out some Dinaari script from the local area along with a few of obols and sets them on the table. "That should cover expenses. Anything you don't use is a bonus, I really don't have time to count yen over this."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "How much money do you want? Longinus can make gold by the ton"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "that would be a problem for an itinerant wanderer. He could also make you an item with the value for something more portable but less liquidatable"

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "well, he could if he was still around :)"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "like a flawlessly cut gem or a perfume that nobles would literally kill for"

-= OOC =- Illuminant doesn't think he can build me artifacts from ban-land though!

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "right, he's NPCed now though I think

 

 

Illuminant says, "Oh, what's on the table will be fine, monetarily. I might, uh, drop by the college and ask for lessons or maybe you could make me something nice."

 

 

          Ohnjay glances at the money on the table...and then smiles, looking back to Longinus. "Actually, if you could leave enough for a decent drink so I can get something when I come back, that's enough for me! A hero's work is it's own reward!" And, without any further warning, Ohnjay...darts for the exit, grinning mischievously at the idea of what's to come. A reckoning, but hopefully a non-lethal one!

 

 

Illuminant picks up the money on the table, so as he won't have to come back for it if it needs spending, and follows the archer out, fastidiously stepping around the corpses.

 

 

-= OOC =- Div says, "I have the awful, awful feeling that given how it looks this all might go? After all this is done, Ohnjay will return to this little tavern, the town saved, local girls fighting for his attention as he enjoys some heavy boozing...just as a man stumbles into the tavern. e.e"

-= OOC =- Div says, "The only problem being that, for it to work, time would have to have been warped pretty badly (or that guy took a /long/ time coming for Jorosco)"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "yeah, thats true Div...this might be a little too temporally seperated for it to be the same tavern/tea house"

-= OOC =- Div says, "...maybe I took a /really long time/ staggering back from my victory! XD"

 

 

Longinus squints at Illuminant for a moment, but his keen investigative mind decides quickly that the man, whether god or exalt, seems upright enough that trading unnamed favors with him is not *too* risky a business.

         When Ohnjay bolts, he looks after him somewhat startled and then at Illuminant with a confused look on his face. "Okaaay...I can honestly say I wasn't expecting that." He walks up to the serving girl as Illuminant collects his money and drops a few obols on the table. "That should cover everything, including their tabs when they get back." He hands her his card, "I can be reached here if there’s any more problems."

         The two of you find yourselves standing in the middle of the dark road, in one direction it stretches off into the wilderness and creation beyond, in the other it goes further into town.

 

 

Illuminant walks easily, toting his travel bag as he moves towards the town, leading the way. "So. How should we deal with this? Destroy the entire mercenary gang, or just take out a few choice leaders? The problem with number two is that the mercenaries will probably just become bandits."

 

 

          Ohnjay replies quite cheerfully as he follows after Illuminant, "No need to /destroy/. We just need to show them the error of their ways; i'm sure these people have a reason for being how they are, and a 'lethal' answer isn't really appropriate for them." Ohnjay nods sagely at his words of wisdom. "So, i'd say we just need to make clear to them that they shouldn't do that sort of thing, and that people like us -- heroes, that is! -- will step up to deal with things if they do!"

          Ohnjay smiles wide. You can /almost/ hear a little 'ping' noise as he does so.

 

 

Illuminant says, "Hmm, threats? Well, that might work, I suppose, but you'll have to back it up with force, so that means oh, probably five or ten of the soldiers at once."

 

 

          "Weeeeell, if it comes to force, I /can/ do things without killing or crippling people. I don't like to just murder people who don't stand a chance, you know?" Ohnjay's smile is...maybe a /little/ bit more forced for a moment, but then that moment passes as he continues on.

 

 

Illuminant says, "Weren't you paying attention? That is what these fellows did to the town folk. Observe, then judge, then implement."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "I'm enjoying the conversation, its good character development. Tell me when you guys are done and I have the next post ready :)"

 

 

          A shake of the head from the Westerner. "We can't judge everyone by the actions of a few. We should see what these people are like, and if they can be put down a better path. Only the irredeemable should be dealt with so..." Ohnjay frowns a little, looking away as he walks. "...harshly."

 

 

Illuminant says, "The right to live under the protection of the law is granted by being willing to defend that law with your blood. These criminals have not earned that right, and so they are not entitled justice, merely punishment for their infractions."

          Ohnjay glances back for a moment to Illuminant...and then away again. He doesn't say a word.

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "moving on then"

The two men make their way slowly through town before a night patrol, four men and a sergeant, stops them. "Oy! What are you two doing about after dark?!" They eye Ohnjay's weapons wearily and you see hands tightening on the hafts their polearms.

 

 

Illuminant smiles politely, "Hello there! We are here to see the Lord Mayor! There's been some troubles with trade, you see, and we are representing this town's trading partners in an effort to resolve the matter amicably."

 

 

          Ohnjay just glances at Illuminant, his expression stony, and then glances at the patrolmen. He doesn't say a word, but he clearly isn't readying his weapons or himself for a fight.

 

 

"Lord mayor Aro you say? Do you know what time it is? Good gods man wait for the morrow, he doesn't just wait up all night waiting to entertain trade delegations and their body guards!" It seems these men have not heard about the commotion in the tea house, either because the man Ohnjay sent packing is not spreading the news or you've moved faster than the word yourselves.

Illuminant says, "I'm afraid this isn't the kind of thing that can wait. We really must see him immediately. Can you escort us there, perhaps?"

 

 

          Ohnjay seems to be...fidgeting a little, for some reason. He looks eager to just continue onwards, glancing past the patrolmen every few seconds as he mulls something over.

 

 

"Well we can escort you to the courthouse and let you wait there while we send a runner, but its up to mayor whether this is the sort of thing that can wait or not. If he's supping or ah...indisposed then you're not likely to get an audience with the boss."

         The sergeant eyes Ohnjay wearily and glances over his shoulder. Not seeing anything he cocks an eyebrow but continues on. "Righto then follow us gentlemen. We can also deal with you getting licensed to carry those things if you haven't already, he gestures at the weapons. Shouldn't be a problem though, but you're lucky its me who found you. Sergeant Kahgen probably wouldn't have been so... forgiving. Theres a slight chuckle from his men and then a grumbled "Yeah we'd probably be able to buy a round of drinks"

         "Oy! Shut yer traps! You're not paid for your opinions!" He begins leading the way down a different street, perpendicular to the direction you were crossing town. "Follow me please."

 

 

From afar, Illuminant presumes that the directions he's taking us don't match the ones the girl gave us for the mayor's house.

You paged Illuminant with 'correct'.

 

 

Illuminant glances at Ohnjay, and then starts to move along with the troops, "Are you certain this is the right direction, gentlemen? The directions we got said the other way.."

"You got directions for the court house?" the sergeant asks slightly confused

 

 

 

 

          Ohnjay stiffens a little, then...shakes his head. "Actually, I think i'll head back to the tavern for a bit. I suppose i'll meet up with you all again later if the Mayor has decided to hold audience." And, with that...he promptly walks, with confidence, straight down a small side-alley.

          Huh.

 

 

"Don't worry gentlemen, we know our way around town, we live here you know! This is the correct way to the court house. Once we get there we'll send a runner to Lord mayor Aro's manor

 

 

Div pages: Assuming Ohnjay isn't stopped, he's going to use Easily Overlooked Presence Method as soon as he's out of sight and then shadow the group. :D

 

 

Illuminant says, "Why don't we just proceed directly to Lord Mayor Aro's manor? Surely he can meet with us there, there is no need to make him leave his comfortable environs for a cold courthouse."

 

 

You paged Div with 'they're keeping an eye on you, especially since you have weapons. make a stealth check to sneak away'.

(Judge) Div rolls Dexterity + Stealth: [ -1- 2 2 3 4 7 8 9 ]

         Resulting in 3 successes.

 

 

 (Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls: 4 [ 2 2 7 10 ]

          Successes: 2

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls: 4 [ 1 2 3 8 ]

          Successes: 1

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls: 4 [ 1 8 9 10 ]

          Successes: 3

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls: 4 [ 4 5 6 8 ]

          Successes: 1

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls 6: [ 3 3 5 5 8 <10> ]

         Resulting in 3 successes.

 

 

-= OOC =- Div says, "Monkey jesus these are alert guards."

-= OOC =- Div says, "I mean...come on, 3 successes on 4 die! e.e"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "lol, you do get a bonus since its night, so I think you beat them, I just need to check"

-= OOC =- Div sneaks off in the night. Like a stiletto.

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "I actually don't know who wins on a tie or how the penalty/bonus is imposed. It says bright light is an external penalty (which I know how to impose) whereas darkness is a bonus, but a bonus die is not the opposite of an external penalty which removes a success I think. So I'm just going to say the darkness applies an external penalty to the watchers and move on"

 

 

 

 

The sergeant chuckles, "No no my friend you misunderstand me. We're going to the courthouse, from there we'll send a runner to the mayors residence. The runner will then return with a response, of whether the mayor will see you now or not. I'm sorry to tell you but my money's on not. After that we'll either escort you to his house, or more likely, to an inn."

         He stops suddenly and looks around. "Wait a second. Where the hell did your friend go..." He seems to be very agitated that he can't see Ohnjay, and the rest of the men circle up facing outwards, peering into the dark corners, and particularly keeping an eye out for the glint of moonlight on bronze.

 

 

You paged Div with 'I think they don't fail automatically with easily overlooked presence thing, since you're a westerner, carrying weapons, one of two people out on the street, and they're guards. However they don't get to make any more checks unless you do something different that warrants a new roll, so they can't see you.'.

From afar, Div nodnods.

 

 

Illuminant looks about, "Hmm, he seemed a little antsy. He's probably relieving himself in an alley. It seems like a lot less trouble for everyone involved if we just proceed directly to the manor house. I really was told by my employer to take care of this directly, despite the late hour."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "you can make a perception alertness check illuminant if you care to try to keep track of Ohnjay"

(Judge) Illuminant rolls Perception + Awareness: [ -1- -1- 5 6 7 7 8 ]

         Resulting in 3 successes.

 

 

          Ohnjay, out of sight, just smiles a little as he walks into the darkness. He pays attention to details. 'Buy a round of drinks'. These sound like the same kind of men as the others. He doesn't feel like walking into some kind of ambush, but neither does he feel like trying to beat the men unconscious only to find out they're good people.

          Instead, he focuses a little, his caste mark glittering faintly on his forehead as a hollow, golden circle, and heads off down the alleyways, intending to get some distance and head towards the supposed direction of the manor house. He wants to find out exactly what's going on, and if this mayor really is a true villain and his people really /are/ terrible, then...well, he can start dealing with things as well.

 

 

(OOC) Div just spent 3 motes of Essence from his Peripheral Essence pool

-= OOC =- Div says, "Happily, 3 motes worth of anima isn't enough to affect stealth/stealth charms."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "nooooo! Why gods! Why are you splitting up?!"

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "I don't know, because Div is dumb."

-= OOC =- Illuminant fist-shakes.

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "lol"

-= OOC =- Div starts to cackle madly. "Don't you realize, Ledaal...you're in ST hell!" >:|

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "It's like Rule #1 - Never Split The Party!"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "lol"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "I hate you so much Div...so much!

 

 

"Whats his name then? Give a shout for him please. Look I know you want to talk to the mayor directly, and I'd really like to let you but its my job and all that on the line. I'm sure you're very nice people and your business is very very important, much more important than anyone elses and it really does warrant going to his house at this hour, but we've got rules and protocols and all that.

            It really won't take very long to get an answer, and since the answer will probably be 'no, he's not going to see you tonight, wait for the morning, you're much closer to inns if your over here. You can get a room and get up bright and early and actually, the mayor does all his business in the courthouse so you'll be in the right neighborhood anyways."

 

 

Illuminant obligingly calls out, "Ohnjay?!" And then he says, "Well, yes, but, you see, it's my job on the line, too. I mean, I really have to leave by tomorrow morning if I am going to make my report on time, and so ideally I'd like to get this taken care of now, sleep a bit, and be on my way in the morning..." Hmm, "You know, maybe you can go ahead of me to the inn, and have them set up for us? Maybe have a few drinks while you are there. My treat, of course."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "Ohnjay you can hear the entire conversation from your vantage point"

 

 

From afar, Illuminant more or less figures that fighting these guys in the streets won't really help me accomplish what I'm setting out to do, and might call more guards, which could slow it down!

Illuminant pages: and I have bribe money provided by Longi, so, why not use it.

You paged Illuminant with 'good thinking :)'.

 

 

          Ohnjay, it seems, doesn't intend to head back just yet...until he hears that call of his name. He pauses, then stops where he is, slowly peeking just enough of his head around a corner to see the men on the main street and hear what's being said. Tch. He wants to get going, but...well, even this man might have trouble handling five men at once if they decide to 'deal' with him, even if they do seem reasonable enough. He just can't quite trust them, and he can't quite abandon Illuminant at the drop of a hat.

          He remains motionless, waiting to see just what may happen.

 

 

Illuminant flashes some of the silver scrip that Longinius so helpfully provided.

He smiles a sympathetic smile as he understands your plight of just trying to do your job, "Well I appreciate the offer. We'll grab the drinks on the way to court house and I'll definitely put in a good word for you. Hopefully that'll help, but I mean honestly the mayors kind of dick (off the record of course) so I can't make any promises. Hopefully though the word of a sergeant will get him to see you gents tonight."

         He seems somewhat perturbed by the lack of response from Ohnjay, and calls out "Ohnjay! Seriously! This is a civilized town! We have an outhouse at the courthouse, don't do that in the street!"

 

 

Illuminant pages: so he's taking the bribe and going to get drunk, leaving me to "go to the courthouse" on my own?

You paged Illuminant with 'right now he wants to take you to the court house still, but he'll put in a good word for you there with the runner and with enough drinks for everyone he thinks you can *probably* see the mayor tonight. The guards are all for it, but their sergeant seems to be less corrupt'.

 

 

Illuminant wonders, "Kind of a dick, you say? Can you tell me more of what I can expect about the meeting? We can discuss it over those drinks, maybe. The Courthouse can wait just a little bit."

 

 

He says to Illuminant in a speaking voice, "We've got running water toilets there too, but staff only. They're finicky bastards if you give them too much shit." He chuckles at his own joke, and then responds to Illuminants question, "Well this is off the record of course," he glares at his guards who seem to all have somewhere else to look right then "I can tell you on the way to pick up drinks when your friend is done with defiling this city..."

         "But yeah, he's not a very nice guy. Inherited position. His mum died and left him the job, didn't exactly earn it through his progressive public policy proposals..."

Illuminant says, "Aha, and this new tax policy was all his idea? I suppose it's very expensive to run a city of this size... hrm. What would happen, you think, if I offered him a lucrative position with my employer, and he left town? What would you say would happen?"

 

 

"Would probably depend on if he had to do any work. And of course it takes money to run a town, but things were going fine from what I hear under the Lady Mayor. She skimmed a little off the top I understand, but thats part of the natural order of things. Aro got the position though, and while he's upped taxes and tariffs he's not exactly putting them towards the public good if you get my drift. Unless you count the employment given staffing the new wing of his house."

         "I don't really know the history of it and I don't pry because prying makes people get disappeared," he gives you a meaningful look, "but apparently the old constabulary didn't really want to enforce the new policy. They disappeared and whoever did the disappearing wasn't retained, probably a good PR move on Aro's part and new comers were brought in. We're mostly the remains of mercenary companies that broke up in the wake of Nexus." He shudders as he remembers what happened to the city.

 

 

 

 

(Judge) Div rolls Athletics + Strength: [ -1- 6 7 8 8 <10> ]

         Resulting in 5 successes.

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "ok Ohnjay you're on the roof succesfully"

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "They're 2 story clay tiled roofs, its a sizable town because of the red silt business"

 

 

Illuminant says, "Hmmm. I meant, who would replace the Lord Mayor if he left town? Someone more reasonable, do you think? I don't really know the lay of local politics, you see."

 

 

"Oh! Well lets see, I mean his kids are too young, so some relative or another might step in as a regent. How permanent an affair that is depends on the personalities. The towns folk might decide to switch to an electoral process and appoint a city council, or if one of the soldiers could get enough backing from the other men they might stage a coup.   Honestly I don't really see any of these as much worse than the current situation. If whoever took charge was less corrupt, it'd probably be better for business"

"That is of course depending on how he left office. If he left peaceably to go "work" for your boss then he might leave instructions."

 

 

Illuminant considers, "I think I know just the guy. Let's skip the courthouse, I think the Mayor will want to hear my proposal immediately. Your fellows can take some of this money and have those beers I promised."

 

 

          A voice. Ohnjay's voice, booming in the night with all the grandeur he can put into it. "Then will you stand idly by as the greed of a villain sucks your fair town clean?"

 

 

The sergeant facepalms, "Gods dammit. And this started out as such a quiet night..." He calls out, "Alright Ohnjay you've had your fun! Come down here and we can discuss this on the way to picking up the drinks your boss here has so generously offered to provide."

Illuminant grumbles, "He likes the theatrics. I just like to get stuff done." he says,

 

 

"Ohnjay! Let's just go to the manor and handle this dispute."

 

 

The sergeant clears his throat politely "You of course mean the courthouse first..."

 

 

          It seems Ohnjay has been planning this little speech out, and such things as 'it being totally unnecessary' aren't going to stop him getting it all out now! "Are you men of justice? Will you live under a man who takes from those who have little to spare, all for his own greed? Will you stand idly by as evil continues? Or will you take a stand!"

          Ohnjay steps forward on a nearby rooftop, looking down upon the men in the street. There is a red, tattered scarf fluttering around his neck now in a breeze. Was that there before? "You uphold justice here? Then you should not let the Mayor and his men continue their wicked ways! What will you do, men of Red Springs?"

 

          So heroic! But more importantly, if those men look closely, even at this distance...

 

 

-= OOC =- Div still has the Caste mark. :D

-= OOC =- Div says, "It's only a standard difficulty roll to see it."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "external penalty from darkness and distance

 

 

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls 4: [ -1- 3 5 9 ]

         Resulting in 1 successes.

 

 

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls 4: [ 5 5 6 10 ]

         Resulting in 1 successes.

 

 

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls 4: [ 2 3 5 10 ]

         Resulting in 1 successes.

 

 

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls 4: [ -1- 2 4 7 ]

         Resulting in 1 successes.

 

 

(Judge) Ledaal Kurnaz rolls 6: [ 3 3 7 9 <10> <10> ]

         Resulting in 6 successes.

 

 

-= OOC =- Div says, "Well, it does help that it's sort of glowy and glittery in the night. :D"

-= OOC =- Div says, "-i swear to christ you're messing with those rolls somehow"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "its actually good thing that he rolled that well because you're like at least 30 feet away, and he's seeing noticing something pretty tiny. Not everyone has awesome awareness charms :) Mortals are still bound by the limits of human sight"

 

 

The sergeant is a native of Nexus and is no stranger to the princes of the earth and he recognizes the faintly glittering something on Ohnjay's head for what it is. "Oh for the love of..." He looks suspiciously at Illuminant and takes a step back, his hand going to rest not so lightly on the pommel of his sword. "Look, we don't want any trouble here. Please come down, I'll bring you guys to the manor house! But stop yelling for the gods sake, its late and we have noise ordinances!"

 

 

Illuminant doesn't seem to have any divine aura, but he does smile, and say, "Terrific! Let's go."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "and realize that you are sitting on a roof top yelling to mayors men. No one else is outside that you can see"

 

 

          Ohnjay grins, nodding. "Good! I knew that your heroic spirit would come through, good sir!" And, with that, Ohnjay hops down the side of the building, his hand briefly grabbing at little handholds on the way down to slow him just enough to not land face-first and with a lot of pain.

          Hopefully.

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "you land fine"

-= OOC =- Div haha, okay. :D

 

 

From afar, Gaia is just watching your scene dark, fyi. :) Just bored otherwise. :)

You paged Gaia with 'Dammit! My next pose was about how much I hated Gaia! Give me a sec to think of something else :)'.

Gaia pages: lulz

 

 

Once you get closer the guards see the faintly glittering marking and give you wide berth. They escort you through town towards the manor house. En route the sergeant says to Illuminant "I hope your offer for drinks still stands because dear gods I already feel like I need one, and I can't imagine this night is going to get better"

         Upon arriving at manor house you see couple of guards, sitting idly at the front gate. The sergeant waves them aside and you pass through without incident. Unfortunately the door man is less friendly. "What are *you* doing here at this hour Maxus?" His voice is snide and arrogant.

         "Thats sergeant to you while I'm on duty, even if you work in the lord mayor's household I still represent the law in this town. These men are here to see his lordship."

         "He's busy, they can make an appointment at the courthouse. I think his next opening is in two weeks."

Illuminant steps up, "I have a /very/ lucrative proposal for the Lord Mayor. I am sure he'll want to see me immediately. It's only good until sunrise, though, so he'll be extremely upset with you if you don't run and get him right now."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "your mark has faded by now Ohnjay in the time it took to walk across town"

 

 

          Ohnjay, now looking positively joyful, just stands there looking like a blue-haired bodyguard again. It should not be possible to look so happy at this time of night after a day's work but, by gods, he's doing a good job of it anyway.

 

 

The doorman gives Illuminant the once over. His lip curls only marginally though as Illuminant is fairly well dressed, and, he glances at Ohnjay, apparently travels with armed escort which says something. "I'll send word. He grabs a small intricately carved silver bell and rings it. The tinkling notes spill out into the air, and soon a young boy arrives. He's dressed in upper class servants clothes and is rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The doorman glares at him and then sends him with your words to the lord mayor.

         He seems to ignore you after this and the silence becomes uncomfortable as you wait outside the front door. He hasn't even invited you in

 

 

Illuminant spends the idle moments explaining why trade is important to the very fabric of creation, "It's the little prayers on the coins, you see. They reinforce the boundaries of Creation and help keep the wyld out."

 

 

          Ohnjay seems quite content to just stand his ground, enjoying the cool night air. He glances at the sergeant. "So...Sergeant Maxus, yes? How's life in this town, then, since this Lord Mayor came to power?"

 

 

The sergeant is much more pleasant with Ohnjay, though given his earlier words patently dishonest, "Oh just fabulous. A thousand times better than the previous lady mayor of Red Springs.”

         The boy returns and whispers something in the doorman's ear. You think you catch hints of "naked" and "concubines." The doorman raises back up, "The mayor is indisposed right now. He will probably be a while. You may wait here until he’s done.

         Sergeant Maxus spins on his heel, seemingly eager to get the hell out of the area before the disaster that seems to follow the princes of the earth lands in his lap. "Well, my work here is done, I've got patrols to run and all that! Best of luck with your trade agreements gentlemen!" He starts beating a hasty exit with his men right behind him

 

 

Illuminant considers, "Ohnjay, I do believe that we have waited quite long enough, don't you? It is time we present our offer to the Lord Mayor, indisposition or not."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "are you being nice to the sergeant and letting him leave before you say that? :)"

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "Yes!"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "he is deeply DEEPLY grateful"

 

 

          Ohnjay chuckles, watching Maxus and his men go, then looks back to Illuminant. "I suppose so. Just promise me this won't go like the tavern did." Yes, he's saying this in full view of the doorman and the servant boy. And then he strides forward for the door, head held high and proud, like a true hero of the dawn. He isn't one who likes all this subterfuge and lies stuff!

          He is Ohnjay Ithsmay, hero of justice, and he knows how things should go!

 

 

The doorman shrieks as you push him out of the way, ignoring his ineffectual grabbing "What?! You can't just barge in here! Guards guards!" The two guards at the front gate come running at the sound of his voice, they're blowing whistles, but apparenty Maxus is already out of earshot. Or at least he has the good sense to pretend he is.

Illuminant shoulders past the doorman, saying, "Kindly get out of my way before something unpleasant happens. And call off the men."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "yeah...thats not going to happen without some sort of display which means...Join Battle!"

-= OOC =- Div says, "Actually."

-= OOC =- Div says, "I was about to do one little thing. :D"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "ah ok... go ahead then"

 

 

          Ohnjay glances back at the incoming guards...and suddenly sweeps around, crossing his arms over his chest and planting his feet apart, looking as grand as he can. And then his caste mark burns brightly on his forehead, clear for all to see.

          "I am Ohnjay Ithsmay, hero of justice, Solar of the Exalted! Consider your next moves wisely if you don't want to feel the punishment of the righteous!"

 

 

-= OOC =- Div spending 6 motes on Infinite Archery Mastery to get it nice and glowing, hurr.

(OOC) Div just spent 6 motes of Essence from his Peripheral Essence pool

-= OOC =- Div says, "(And, you know, make shooting people easier if they decide they can take a Solar)"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "right"

 

 

The two guards stop short upon seeing the glowing mark. Like Maxus, they're from Nexus and recognize a Solar for what it is. They quickly decide they're not payed enough and slowly back off despite the doorman's constant shrieking. You find yourselves in a large ostentatious lobby. The building is opulently decorated with many obviously new additions.

 

 

Illuminant strolls forward, looking around, "Hmmm, very nice. Perhaps a touch overdone, though. I think the lady had better taste." He says, to the page, "Say, could you please lead us to the Lord Mayor? Naked or not."

 

 

The pageboy looks awestruck at Ohnjay and nods silently. Everyone seems to be ignoring the doorman as he yells himself horse. The interior guards likewise stop short upon seeing Ohnjay's mark. Apparently Lord Mayor Aro reserved only the best for his personal security force, but unfortunately for him part of being the best is knowing when to quit in the face of superior fire power.

 

 

          Ohnjay follows Illuminant and the pageboy, grinning. He's glad, really, to see that no-one seems keen on fighting them; he really doesn't want to have to end up with any more people dead, and even if he'd be careful about that he seriously doubts Illuminant would feel the same way.

          "So, boy, is your master a...fat man?"

 

 

"Umm...no sir. He keeps fairly fit. Rides horses in the country side, and fences regularly. He's actually quite good I'm told, though I have no eye for such things. The pageboy leads you to a large well carved door. You'd guess its made of treated ironwood Illuminant and was probably outrageously expensive. While it makes for a solid defense, ironwood is no better than regular wood at stopping sound and you hear muffled grunting and cooing coming from the other side.

 

 

Illuminant pages: door locked?

You paged Illuminant with 'yes'.

 

 

Illuminant asks the boy, "I don't suppose you have the key? I'd hate to ruin such a nice door."

 

 

          Ohnjay nods...and, as they reach the door, suddenly sweeps around again to face the other way. "Well, if we are to enter, I will wait for he and his companions to be fully dressed. I will not be so rude as to spy upon a vulnerable man, and especially a woman, in such a way!" With that he gives a firm nod and crosses his arms over his chest, waiting.

 

 

 

 

The pageboy shakes his head vigorously from side to side. "I think only his lordship does. He doesn't want people barging in when he's busy. Er..if you don't mind my asking...what are you going to do with him?  Am I going to lose my job?"

 

 

Gaia pages: t'was fun watching, I'm out. :) Refreshing to see low-level rp. :)

Away message from Gaia: Am I here...or aren't I? Mwahahahahaha...

No one to page.

 

 

Illuminant replies, "Oh, well, that really depends on him. I'm sure that they will still need pageboys, though, so don't worry too much." He pounds on the door with his fist, shouting, "Lord Mayor! I need to speak with you immediately! Open this door!"

You here cursing from the other side of the door and a muffled "Go away you idiots! I'm busy!" The grunting resumes

 

 

Illuminant says, "Lord Mayor, if you do not come out, I will break down the door. And it is a /very/ splendid door, and I would rather not damage it."

 

 

-= OOC =- Div can be skipped for now. For anything short of combat suddenly breaking out, he'll remain resolutely facing the other way until he's sure they're all clothed! He is too much of a gentleman to do otherwise!

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "how polite!"

-= OOC =- Illuminant agrees! I would rather just stab someone than be impolite to them.

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "If you have Abyssals read the description under Exquisite Etiquette Style, the first socialize charm"

 

 

Once again the (what you can only presume to be) carnal activity on the other side of the door is replaced by a long stream of curses. The curses continue apparently unabated as the man moves about the room. Shortly the lock clicks and the doors swing open rather violently propelled by the Lord Mayor's gross displeasure. "What the hell do...what the? Who the hell are you?!"

            He is a young man, probably too handsome for his own good, his looks only slightly marred by an arrogant sneer seemingly permanently etched into his face. His robe looks like its made of a fine silk, but to your thaumaturgically trained eye Illuminant you recognize it as treated essence spider silk. Over his shoulder you don't see the concubine(s?), but the man's living suite seems rather extensive and you see a number of exits to other rooms from the foyer.

 

 

Illuminant pushes past into the room, saying, "Lord Mayor! Finally! We have a problem, you see. There have been difficulties with trade. So, as I see it, you have precisely two options. The first option is that you undertake a life of more modest means and become a devoted civil servant. The second option is that we replace you and find someone else who isn't quite so corrupt." He takes a broad stance, hands folded crisply behind his back, and asks, "Which would you prefer?"

 

 

Illuminant adds, "He's fully dressed, Ohnjay."

 

 

The lord mayor sputters angrily as you push past him, "Just who in Malfeus do you think you are?! Guards! Arrest this man!" He glances out into the hall way and see's only Ohnjay's weapon clad back and his pageboy scurrying away. "Guard?!" He sounds slightly more worried, but he is an excellent orator and keeps most of the quaver out of his voice.

 

 

          Ohnjay grins. "He's dressed? Good!" Ohnjay spins smoothly on one foot to face the Lord Mayor. "Your Lordship! My name is Ohnjay Ithsmay, hero of justice, Night Caste of the Solar Exalted!" He keeps his arms folded over his chest as he continues, "You, and your men, have been comitting acts of villainy in this fair town, and we are here to put an end to it! We are at least willing to give you the option to renounce your wicked ways, so I hope you shall take it!"

 

 

Illuminant eyes the furnishings in the apartment dubiously, "Yes, indeed. I think a solemn oath of poverty, enforced by Heaven, would be appropriate. Perhaps we could make it a condition of the office of Lord Mayor, that would likely be helpful."

 

 

His face sinks as he recognizes the mark on Ohnjay's forehead. Apparently an education is one of the many trappings of wealth. "The Wretched" he whispers, though the word is not meant as anything hate filled it is simply what he has learned to call the Night caste Solars. The meaning of the Immaculate texts may not be strong here, but the vocabulary stretches across the face of creation, carried by missionaries.

         "Um...if you would be kind enough to meet me in my study, I will just take a moment to get dressed gentlemen. He watches both of you worriedly, and visibly flinches at Illuminant’s mention of enforced poverty

 

 

Illuminant smiles, "Certainly. I'm sure you won't do anything foolish. Whatever you have heard about the powers of the Solar Exalted, they are likely an underestimation." He starts to proceed to the study, bravely leading the way.

 

 

          Ohnjay glances at Illuminant. "Well, /poverty/ might not be required. Just the fair distribution of the wealth of this fair city rather than hoarding it, yes?" Ohnjay, then, moves into the room as well, but he looks...alert. He narrows his eyes, just watching all around him. He knows how these things go! This is the bit where the bad guy suddenly reveals a fiendish trap to stop the plucky heroes, and he won't be caught out so easily!

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "one sec, I need to determine this guys sexuality"

-= OOC =- Div haha.

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "to the dice roller!"

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "well, concubines are female :P"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "A concubine is generally a woman in an ongoing, matrimonial-like relationships with a man, whom she cannot marry for any reason. [from Wikipedia]"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "I think they can be men, just usually aren't"

 

 

With only one wrong turn into a bed room and three startled looking women, Illuminant finds the well furnished study. Ohnjay and him only wait a few moments before a hastily but well dress Lord Mayor Aro enters the room. He sits behind his desk and indicates the two chairs in front of it. "Now gentlemen," he says almost obsequiously, "what can I do for you? I'm sure we can come to some sort of compromise yes? Favored trading rights?      We musn't jump to any extremes I don't think, especially when business can be lucrative for both of us." He flashes a used car salesman's smile, an unnaturally large grin.

 

 

Illuminant says, "I'm afraid it's not so simple as requiring bribes to be paid out for the proper individuals. You have, honestly, been stealing far too much, and it is disrupting the trade network. Not only does the red silt trade stabalize the region, with it's important magical properties, but trade as a whole is one of the barriers that keep the wyld from destroying all of Creation." He pauses, "Not only that, but your replacement of the local constables with these nexus mercenaries will reduce the productivity of your city, and murdering the fellows who didn't go along with your plan is just plain unacceptable."

 

 

Illuminant says all this easily, sitting in one of the fancy chairs.

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "presumably with feet placed casually/insolently on the man's desk? :)"

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "haha, no, no, it's hard to take a lecture seriously when you are looking at muddy boot soles."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "true true"

 

 

          Slowly, Ohnjay's eyes glaze over as this talk goes on whilst he stands nearby. He...he isn't really up on the intricacies of trade and stuff. When he first agreed to go to Red Springs he was just expecting things to be so much simpler! He wishes he had thought to ask Humberh to come with him to deal with this stuff, but he'll just have to let Illuminant handle it.

 

 

Anger flashes behind the man's eyes but he manages to keep it from his voice...mostly. "We have a product that everyone wants, and we have to right to sell it for whatever we feel like. If your town was the only place that made doilies that everyone was after you could charge what you wanted for and we would be out of line to tell you how to run your business. I'm being very generous in offering a compromise here gentlemen, I don't know how you're used to doing business but around here we don't usually bite the hand thats trying feed us."

 

 

-= OOC =- Div says, "Behold the power of no dots in Bureaucracy."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "lol"

-= OOC =- Illuminant is riding on Lore here!

-= OOC =- Div says, "Behold the power of no dots in Lore."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "you don't need to hammer out the actual trade agreements, that can be left to bureaucrats. You're welcome to dictate terms to this guy though and tell him being a dick won't fly with the returned princes of the earth"

-= OOC =- Div says, "(I can't even /read/)"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "HAHAHA"

 

 

Illuminant smiles, sweetly, "Lord Mayor, I said before you have two options: One - devoted civil servant of modest means handling an efficient government for the good of the city and the region. Two - We find someone else who'll do the job better than you are."

 

 

          Ohnjay nods firmly at Illuminant, glaring at the Lord Mayor. "Yeah, what he said. Don't be unfair and unjust in your rulings and things can continue." He wasn't really listening to how the conversation was going, but he's pretty sure that's a good phrase for any part of this. It fits in anywhere!

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "STs note: because of the lack of a clear monetary policy I'm going to simplify to 1 dot,2 dots, etc. referring to a commensurate standard of living"

Illuminant pages: if he says no, I'm just going to decapitate him and make Sergant Maxus mayor :P

 

 

The lord mayor looks somewhat pissed off, well given the options of your ultimatum then I guess I'll take the former. Actually first lets discuss, what exactly constitutes "modest means?" Are we talking [1 dot] here? [3 dots?] Somewhere in between?

 

 

Illuminant says, "Well, that depends. Just how many constables did you have to murder to get your new job here?"

 

 

He looks completely taken aback! "What you say?! I never killed a single person. Hell the only time I've even injured another human significantly was during a fencing accident. That's obviously beyond my control. I can't believe you'd accuse me of getting blood on my hands! Do you have any idea how to conduct a negotiation?! I mean really, good gods man!"

 

 

Illuminant pages: so should I roll dice to decapitate him, or just pose it?

You paged Illuminant with 'no you can pose it, he's a mortal without a weapon to parry with'.

 

 

          Ohnjay seems to come back to the here and now again. "Can...Can I make a point in this? I think it might help this negotiation."

 

 

 

 

Illuminant turns to the fellow and says, "What would that be, Ohnjay?"

 

 

          Ohnjay nods. He clears his throat, taking a moment to compose himself and get things straight in his head...and then he steps forward suddenly, slamming a fist down onto the desk. "You at the very least employ men willing to steal and kill for their own greed! You line your pockets and make this kind of wealth for yourself without giving anything to the people to whom your DUTY is! Making others do your dirty work isn't the same as INNOCENCE!" With that, Ohnjay suddenly leaps up onto the desk, standing imperiously above the two who more sensibly are sitting at it.

          "Don't try to play the victim here, fiend, and don't think we don't see your actions for what they are! And consider things /very/ wisely or we will find a just ruler for this fair city who will treat it's people, and those who come here, much better than you!"

 

 

 

 

-= OOC =- Div says, "Behold, Ohnjay's total inability to do things in a normal way."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "ahaha"

 

 

Illuminant waits in his chair for the fellow's response.

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "btw if you guys need to get motes or whatever, all this stuff you're doing is stunt worthy. I'm just not assigning dice because you're not rolling anything :) I think you guys are full though, so it may not be relevant"

 

 

Aro winces at the scuff marks being put on the mahogany desk, but chooses not to say anything. "Okaay... then look, you're accusing me of all this and giving me this ultimatum but what exactly constitutes 'enforced poverty?' Am I giving up my ancestral manor house here? My family heirlooms? Everything is this house has been passed down in the Aro family for generations!" Given your apraisal of the lobby alone you know that last statement is a definitive lie. His rant continues "Are you forcing me to hand it out on a street corner? You people are no better than bandits then! How much are you robbing from me in your mad desire to meddle in my town's private affairs?!"

 

 

Illuminant gives a little sigh. Suddenly, there's a golden daiklaive in his hands, and he's stabbing it perfectly accurately at the Lord Mayor's head. The tip hits him right between the eyes with a crunch, and he's dead before he even realizes it. There's little noise, and not very much blood. A very fastidious and efficient execution. The sword vanishes again, leaving just a hole in the corrupt Mayor's brain. Illuminant carefully removes the symbol of office from the corpse and says, "Well, that went about as well as could be expected." He calls in the page boy and says, "Ah, could you kindly run and get Sergeant Maxus for me please? I would like to have a quick word with him."

 

 

Illuminant pages: That's pretty much my limit break :D

 

 

the boy looks at the mayor leaning back dead in his chair and gives a terrified squeak. He finally manages to peep out a "Yes sir" before taking off as fast as his little legs can carry him.

(OOC) Illuminant just spent -1 points of Willpower from his Willpower pool

 

 

-= OOC =- Div... :|

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "I'm giving you guys pose time if you want to discuss before the sergeant gets here otherwise, he arrives after a tense silence spent with a dead man :)"

 

 

Illuminant occupies his time checking up on the city's bylaws, while the corpse cools in the chair.

 

 

-= OOC =- Div says, "Is it safe to assume there is a window of some kind somewhere in the Lord Mayor's quarters?"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "Giant windows behind the desk"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "actually most of the rooms have windows of some kind"

-= OOC =- Div says, "Perfect."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "though they're second age glass, and not the chiaroscuro kind so individual panes are limited in size and somewhat colored and cloudy"

 

 

There doesn't seem to be a lot in the way of written down laws in town. Some trade agreements and traiff rates (and a noise ordnance!) but the place seems likes its very much despotship

 

 

Illuminant says, "Hm, well, splendid. This looks like it could go very well."

Illuminant folds away the law book, and waits on the arrival of the sergeant.

 

 

          Ohnjay blinks, and then looks down at the daiklave sticking out between his legs. Huh. He looks at the Lord Mayor. It takes him a few seconds to realize what's just happened. He doesn't say a word, his expression stony. For a full minute he stands there. And then he looks back at Illuminant for a moment, commiting the face to memory...and for a moment, a ghostly purple and gold wake seems to sweep out from him, the room seeming to briefly darken and the noises muffle, before he hops down from the desk and opens the windows, hopping out. The odd sensory impressions fade as soon as he does.

 

 

(OOC) Div just spent 11 motes of Essence from his Essence Peripheral pool

-= OOC =- Div says, "Activating my anima effect. :D"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "summary of mechanics?"

-= OOC =- Div says, "Don't worry, nothing important. Mutes the senses of anyone attempting to percieve me -- shadows are darker, soudns are muffled, scent and footprints are much lighter than normal -- and makes it just as hard to find evidence of my passing as well. Mechanically it's just increasing any rolls to notice/track me by half. Ohnjay doesn't want anyone following him away from here. :|"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "Well presumably Illuminant is sticking around to install a military junta and the guards I doubt can track you anyways so thats probably not going to be problem. We'll do a pose (maybe two more) and then call this complete?"

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "righto"

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "and who doesn't love a good junta? :)"

 

 

There's a light knocking at the door, and sergeant Maxus steps in. He sees the body and says, "So its true then..." He looks around, I see your friend disappeared again. He flashes a weak smile before sighing. "Look we both know I can't take out even one Solar, and I STRONGLY suspect you've got some sort of trick up your sleeve even if you're not one of them. I know when I'm outclassed and I'm not going to fight you, just please don't hurt anyone else before you leave town." His hands are as far away from his weapons as they can get without appearing totally awkward.

 

 

Illuminant chuckles, "Oh, no no. That's not what I wanted to talk to you about. You are now the new Lord Mayor. There are pretty much no laws on the books, and since you run a fairly tight ship, I'd say you are qualified enough." He tosses the sergeant the medallion, "Your first job is to see the ex-Lord Mayor gets a proper burial. Your second job is to fix the trade relations and reign in the mercenaries he hired. Remember: a happy populace is a productive populace. Don't steal too much, keep the trade flowing, or I'll just have to come back and replace you. Congratulations."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "one more pose Div as you sneak away?"

-= OOC =- Div nods.

 

 

          Ohnjay is walking away from the town, his head low.

          o O (That...was no hero. Not another man of justice. I can't trust the other people of power of this land to have the same ideals as myself. I just hope I don't have to meet a truly evil Solar.) He raises his head, staring up at the stars as he walks. o O (I'm not sure I could handle that.)

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "wow meeting Set Qaan Ra is gonna be awesome!"

-= OOC =- Illuminant says, "man, stab one evil tyrannical despot in the head and you're a dirtbag."

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "lol its good though I really liked this run a lot. Tons of character development and it was very interesting seeing the interplay of the two characters’ ethics/morals"

 

 

The pageboy, the now blanched doorman, and three terrified but now dressed concubines are peaking in from around the corner to witness the appointment. Sergeant, no, Lord Mayor Maxus, catches the medallion with his hands. He holds it as if bears more weight than just the physical mass of the metal. "I'll um...do my best? So yeah...uh...thanks..." he finishes lamely.

 

 

Illuminant strolls out, "Great! Don't make me come back."

 

 

-= OOC =- Ledaal Kurnaz says, "aaaand thats a wrap"

 

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