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SKJAM Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#1: Dec 2nd 2011 at 8:39:01 PM

It is a mild and sunny morning in early Fire Season (summer), and it is a market day here in New Pavis. The large market square is filled with booths and mats. Some are occupied with strange-looking merchants from foreign lands selling exotic spices and cloth. Others are local farmers with early vegetables and berries to sell. Still more are the local merchants of all sorts.

Humans predominate, but there are a sprinkling of elves and dwarves, a few clusters of peacebonded orcs, a durulz or two, and if you look very carefully, you can glimpse goblins in the shadows, performing their cleaning tasks, or stealing, or avoiding work.

A tented shrine to Issaries, the god of trade, has been set up in the middle of the square, and almost everyone here will visit it during the course of the day. Several other minor deities have temporary shrines as well, but only ones the Red Moon Empire allows.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the market to the aspiring adventurer is the notice board, a large board of black rock that messages in white chalk are scribbled on.

Among the notices this morning....

"Join the Imperial Army and serve the Red Moon! See the world!"

"Lost Cat: gray fur, patchy, large fangs, answers to Fluffykins. Generous reward if returned to Goodwife Grandon."

"Rubble Trekkers looking for new adventuring party with sudden horrible death of Randol's Raiders. Usual meeting place."

"Become a sacred prostitute and earn $$$$! Health care provided. See the temple of Uleria in the street of Scarlet Lamps."

"Pharnastes Rugbagian seeking brave adventurers for dangerous expedition. Top wages for success. No Orlanth-worshippers."

"Desorty Tainted Monstars! 10 gold a head. No orks allowed. Satin Morninstar."

"Puzzle Canal expedition requested—must be or have experienced boatmen. Durulz not prohibited, but must have human leader."

"Rat has cheese. Want bite? Bucket of Blood."

"Easy expedition to Devil's Playground. Inquire Temple of Pavis."

"Zola Fel needs adventurers for short fetch journey. Come to Dock B on Waterday."

"B-5. R-19 (someone has erased the middle of the note) e-18. Urgent!"

"Big reward for capture/death of Wolfhead and partner Griselda. Licensed bounty hunters only."

"Madame Zonga sees all, tells some. Cross her palm with silver to learn the future."

To either side of the notice board are booths with scribes who double as information sellers. The one to the left is clad in all grey and sports a considerable length of beard. The one to the left wears grey robes with a red surplice, and is both clean-shaven and bald. From the glares they sometimes aim at each other, you're pretty sure they're not friends.

What are you doing?

SaintDraze Merry Present Cycle Clone from within a white lie Since: Oct, 2011
Merry Present Cycle Clone
#2: Dec 2nd 2011 at 9:05:10 PM

Mono'a steadfastly walks up to the noticeboard, and spends a moment studying it.

There was no way he was going to join some pointless war for this backwater land for some inbreed nobles.

He raises his eyebrow as he sees the notice advertising for sacred prostitutes and the misspelled request for daemon heads.He Wondered if the No Orks rule meant that they wouldn't accept ork heads, or ork workers.

He was quite tempted to answer the notice for finding a cat, but the "big fangs" bit sounded a tad ominous. The Request that was obviously written by a goblin also intrigued his attention But sadly he had no money to buy a bucket with.

His Eye was finally caught by a notice about the rubble trekkers... This had piqued his curiosity considerably, driving him to find out where the usual spot was located.

He walked toward the bearded scribe and quietly asked him where the location of the rubble trekker usual spot is, just out of hearing of the other scribe.

edited 2nd Dec '11 9:32:53 PM by SaintDraze

Sparks Make horrible santas... This one is no different!
Hevchenko Mr. from Perth, Australia Since: Oct, 2011
Mr.
#3: Dec 2nd 2011 at 9:35:07 PM

Elail wondered around the marketplace trying to remain inconspicuos, still going over the events of the past week in his head. He'd left Trixip to his own devices as soon as they'd entered New Pavis. Elail headed straight for the message boards, if Jothus' brother managed to post a bounty on his head it would be there, sliding himself in between disgruntled dwarf and a rotund man who looked like more like a baker than an adventurer Elail managed to reach the board.

Reading and double checking every post under the wanted section Elail was soon content Canno had not put a price on his head, yet. As soon as Elail garnered absolution from the guild he could wander the streets freely, until then it was best to keep a low profile and avoid populated areas.

One of the posts "Rubble Trekkers looking..." seemed like an answer to the problem; get out of town and earn some cash. Usual place... a Tavern?

Elail scanned the crowd for a gnome, where ever the rendevous, Trixip would not be pleased if he missed out on an adventure and Elail needed him to ask one of the scribes for the Usual place. Elail was wary of a trap and he had spoken with both information vendors in the past, they'd recognise him, either way seems this board post was just the turn of luck Elail needed.

edited 2nd Dec '11 9:41:04 PM by Hevchenko

"Insert philisophical/funny rambling here"
Pyrite Until further notice from Right. Beneath. You. Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Hiding
Until further notice
#4: Dec 2nd 2011 at 11:53:52 PM

"Tinar, watch the place. I'm going out." Francis opened the double doors to the shrine, stepping out into the daylight.

"What's up, boss?"

"Funds are low. The usual."

"...Of course. May St. Cuthbert be with you, and try not to get yourself killed, okay?" Even members of the Order had to earn their own wages - it was unseemly to sponge off the donations of the faithful. For Francis, that meant that it was time to look for another mission.

Francis nodded, and with a curt wave of the hand, he was off.


The marketplace was bustling with activity, as usual. Francis focused his attention on the chalkboard, going over the list of available jobs and trying to find one appropriate for his vocation.

Clearly, soldiering was out of the question - he'd left that life behind a long, long time ago. He knew Goodwife Grandon well enough to predict that Fluffykins - By the gods, what was she thinking? - would be back within the week with a rotting chunk of roadkill in between its fangs. Hardly worrying. As for Pharnastes's advertised mission, he knew the man, and while the "dangerous" part of the mission description was probably accurate, the "top wages" probably wasn't. Adventurers were better off signing up for the temple prostitute job if they wanted to get screwed that badly.

The "Rubble Trekkers" notice caught his eye.

...sudden horrible death of Randol's Raiders...

It took a lot to surprise Francis, but this was news. The party had come by his way just last week to seek a blessing before heading off on a "high-risk quest for incredible loot", as their leader had called it. Francis had given the blessing of St. Cuthbert reluctantly, along with a free lecture on living simply, or just simply living as the case was. Still, Randol's Raiders had been one of the better explorers in the business - emphasis on the "had". Whatever had taken them out would certainly be a danger to anyone venturing to the Rubble.

Benderii, what did you get these people into?

He headed towards the scribes, hoping to get more information.


OOC time: Francis has a KS 11- in General Religion. Do I need to roll to find out which religion these scribes are affiliated to, if it should be apparent from their vestments? (I assume that the one in the red surplice is a member of the Red Moon religion.)

Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
SKJAM Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#5: Dec 3rd 2011 at 7:11:04 AM

@Mono'a: The bearded scribe looked Mono'a over and said, "One copper."

When the coin was proffered, the sage nodded and said, "The Rubble Trekkers guildhall is near the People's Gate to the southeast of here. Look for the building with the sign of a boot on a rock. Fastest street to get there is the one by the stall with green and white striped awning selling fish."

@Francis: The bearded scribe belonged to the Lankhor Mhy order of sages, while the bald one was affiliated with the Irripi Ontor order. The Lankhor Mhy order was known for their emphasis on accuracy and stubborn neutrality when it came to government or (other) religion. They were also known for being highly mercenary when it came to sharing their information.

The Irripi Ontor sages, by contrast, were a wholly absorbed part of the Red Moon religion. They were slightly freer with their knowledge, especially to other Red Moon adherents, but were known to tailor their information according to official Red Moon dogma. And, so it was rumored, anything you told them, no matter how secret, would find its way into the hands of Red Moon Imperial Security.

Francis, as a native of the city, knew where the Rubble Trekkers' Guildhall was.

ShadowBender A Sadist RP-er from a world of my own. Since: Jun, 2011
A Sadist RP-er
#6: Dec 3rd 2011 at 11:52:33 AM

Trixip Ravenhide sat in the tavern, observing his surroundings. Having been momentarily separated from Elail for the moment, he had decided to take a look around the town. He had seen a board filled with jobs and quests, but the only thing that caught his eye was the bit about Rubble Trekkers. "Sounds interesting. Elail would probably like to see this.", he had said to himself.

Knowing that that particular job would catch Elail's interest the most and that persons looking to go on such quests usually met in a tavern, he had decided to head to the nearest tavern, tried to be as inconspicuous as possible and just waited and listened.

"Hey, bartender!" he said, brandishing a coin. "What can you tell me about the Rubble Trekkers?"


OOC:How many taverns are there in that particular area?

Sanity? Why would I need a useless thing like that? Now posting as Motor-Runner.
MaskedAndDangerous Since: Oct, 2010
#7: Dec 3rd 2011 at 1:51:15 PM

Anara'wara Cei'pukssi'wara stood amongst the throng of life that was the marketplace and breathed deep. The smell of corrupt merchants seperating adventurers from their hard earned gold for things worth far less then they were sold for (Dibbler's at it again with the "dragon" oil she thought guarenteed not to get you roasted or your money back) was one of the things she lived for. In a thriving city such as this, which depended on the income of adventurers and the inevitable hangers on that they surround themselves with, it meant things were going well.

After all, she had a hand in making things this way.

Every merchant has a supplier, someone to get the things they needed to sell. For every hedge-witch with an apothecary there was someone who had to get the rare plants that one couldn't find just anywhere. For every master blacksmith, there was someone who sold the the meteoric iron or what-have-you to make is magical sword. For every historian there is a supplier of ancient scrolls.

In most towns, it might have been odd to see a dark elf, but in New Pavis it was common to see Ana walking the city. She kept a hand on the pulse of the town, because knowledge is power, and power is money.

Speaking of which, her own little chest of gold back home was beginning to look empty. The damn Imps were beginning to cut into her profits, trade restrictions and the like making her job much harder then it should be. Crackdowns up north had forced her (or rather the guild's) caravans to take detours which made journeys that should take two weeks last double that. That meant her 10% was worth that much less, and that much slower in coming.

Which is why she was on her way to the Rubble Trekker's guild hall, a small job to pay the bills until the next shipment came in.

SaintDraze Merry Present Cycle Clone from within a white lie Since: Oct, 2011
Merry Present Cycle Clone
#8: Dec 3rd 2011 at 5:33:14 PM

Mono'a scolded himself for his stupidity, of course the usual place would be a tavern!

He Slowly walked to the meeting place, His scowl very apparent, Until he encountered a certain Dark elf that is.

"Hello Ana." Mono'a said, bursting with a smile.

Sparks Make horrible santas... This one is no different!
SKJAM Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#9: Dec 3rd 2011 at 6:05:44 PM

@Trixip: Of the three taverns near the brightly-lit market square, Trixip had wandered into Gimpy's, the one with the most diverse-looking clientele. It also had the least amount of windows letting in the sun, or as Trixip's people called it, "the Pain-giver."

The bartender, who from his limp was the eponymous "Gimpy", looked over the counter at Trixip. "What's a wee fellow like you lookin' for the Rubble Trekkers for?" He took a more careful look. "Oh, I see now, ye're a gnome. Haven't seen one of you in an elf's age."

He pocketed the coin. "Rubble Trekkers are the biggest organization of adventurers in this town, my wee lad. They organize expeditions, settle disputes, recognize territory, that sort o' thing. Come to try your luck in the Big Rubble, eh? You could do worse than to join up with the Rubble Trekkers, if they'll have you."

MaskedAndDangerous Since: Oct, 2010
#10: Dec 3rd 2011 at 6:54:31 PM

Ana smirked, as she saw the monk. One of several people she had "helped out" over the years, Mono'a was certainly an interesting person. She had seen him about, and they had talked once or twice since then, but for the most part they had gone their seperate ways.

"Hello, you fake monk. Still living in the sewers, or have you actually found a job yet?" she asked, her voice teasing. Mono'a was one of the few people who could actually make the dark elf laugh (for real, as opposed to just because the client made a joke), and thus could be ribbed.

Just a little anyway.

SavageHeathen Pro-Freedom Fanatic from Somewhere Since: Feb, 2011
Pro-Freedom Fanatic
#11: Dec 3rd 2011 at 7:05:34 PM

Grax was sitting on the stair to his hut, smoking on a pipe and working some numbers on his notepad, with a small pencil. From time to time, he scratched his chin, grumbling: Sure, his investments were profitable: Most goblins he lent money to were paying back (if not in time), and they were paying the 10% interest nicely... But 10% of small amounts was very small amounts, and he didn't have that much money to loan out to begin with.

That part-time gig in improvement loans was paying off all right: He'd loan small amounts, normally no greater than a couple gold pieces. He'd only loan money to craftsmen (or aspiring craftsmen) in order to afford better tools. The loans were affordable to begin with, and the new tools made the debtors more productive (and thus solvent). It created happy and grateful goblins... and his money back. It was a low-effort, low-risk, decent payoff job... But it didn't make more than supplemental income (even considering Grax's status as a 100% lifelong tax evader). He could only live comfortably off it if he expanded drastically, and he didn't have anywhere near the capital for that. He needed to go adventuring again, right now, and he needed to get off the small-time gigs he was getting and do something big: Hit the goddamned jackpot, then he'd wouldn't have to think about lack of funding ever again.

Sighing, he grabbed the crossbow and some bolts, and he packed his bag. Then he unhooked the bat's perch from the ceiling and hooked it on the cloak: It was covered with a rag, so his pet could have some shade during the day. He needed to find a gig fast, and he didn't know any better place to start than the local tavern. So he made his way off to Grimpy's.

edited 4th Dec '11 2:59:31 AM by SavageHeathen

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.
Hevchenko Mr. from Perth, Australia Since: Oct, 2011
Mr.
#12: Dec 3rd 2011 at 9:47:13 PM

After some time of searching around for Trixip in the marketplace, to no avail, Elail decided he might as well look for the "Rubble Treckers" meeting place going to an almost windowless tavern in the hopes that he might even meet Trixip, the gnome having a certain disposition towards light.

Elail entered trying to draw as little attention as possible, as soon as Elail's eyes adjusted he saw Trixip conversing with the barkeep, giving a sigh of relief he headed over. "...join up with the Rubble Trekkers, if they'll have you.", Elail smiled inwardlly at this turn of fate. "Great minds think alike it seems," Elail patted the illusionist on the back, "Looking for the Rubble Treckers aswell? What have you found out?"

"Insert philisophical/funny rambling here"
Pyrite Until further notice from Right. Beneath. You. Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Hiding
Until further notice
#13: Dec 4th 2011 at 12:26:05 AM

Francis reviewed the notice again. The usual meeting place was obviously the Rubble Trekkers' Guildhall, and it seemed to be as good a place as any to start. Still, it wouldn't hurt to get some information first...

The red-robed man would've registered his presence by now, and St. Cuthbert's relations with the Red Moon Goddess were hardly friendly. On the other hand, the sages of Lankhor Mhy were reliable as long as you could pay their fees.

Francis's choice was made. He walked up casually to the bearded scribe, slipped him a copper, and gestured to the noticeboard - ostensibly at the Devil's Playground notice - while whispering under his breath, "What's the story behind Randol's Raiders? Any idea what happened to them?"

Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
ShadowBender A Sadist RP-er from a world of my own. Since: Jun, 2011
A Sadist RP-er
#14: Dec 4th 2011 at 1:06:23 AM

"Might as well...", Trixip began, before he was interrupted by a pat on the back "Great minds think alike it seems, " Elail said. "Good to see you again, my friend!" Trixip replied, then shook one of Elail's hands. "Looking for the Rubble Treckers aswell? What have you found out?" Elail had inquired.

"Well, the Rubble Trekkers are the biggest organization of adventurers in this town, it seems. They organize adventures and things o' the sort. Ask the bartender, he seems to know a lot. How about you, friend?"

Sanity? Why would I need a useless thing like that? Now posting as Motor-Runner.
SaintDraze Merry Present Cycle Clone from within a white lie Since: Oct, 2011
Merry Present Cycle Clone
#15: Dec 4th 2011 at 4:54:13 AM

Mono'a smirked.

"As liberating as it is, being a gutter rat doesn't suit me, Thankfully I think I have found a job to sign up for. I am going to try to join the rubble trekkers.

If I don't get a spot there is always the "venerated" job as a sacred prostitute, which I think I could fill that role quite nicely! He said, flashing a ridiculous smile as he did a stupid little dance.

after a few seconds of this light-hearted foolery He stops to ask Ana what brings here here.

Sparks Make horrible santas... This one is no different!
SavageHeathen Pro-Freedom Fanatic from Somewhere Since: Feb, 2011
Pro-Freedom Fanatic
#16: Dec 4th 2011 at 7:13:08 AM

The goblin walked up to the rest of the group, a beer in hand: "How's the job market doin'?", he asked them.

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.
SKJAM Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#17: Dec 4th 2011 at 8:31:06 AM

@Francis: The bearded sage, one Shem Forsix by name, nods and speaks in a low tone.

"The Raiders were found by hunters in the Griffin Gate area due to the high number of vultures overhead. Their wounds were consistent with spears and clubs. The bodies had been stripped and all valuables were carried away. Also, the bodies had been...desecrated after death."

@Grax: Gimpy turns to you and smiles, a relatively rare reaction from a human. "Grax, you young daredevil. Looking for work again? This wee fellow was just asking about the Rubble Trekkers. You know they have an opening now."

Pyrite Until further notice from Right. Beneath. You. Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Hiding
Until further notice
#18: Dec 4th 2011 at 8:58:27 AM

Things were looking incredibly suspicious. "What do you mean, desecration?" Francis muttered. "And if you can't tell me, any idea who might know?"

Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
MaskedAndDangerous Since: Oct, 2010
#19: Dec 4th 2011 at 8:59:41 AM

Ana snorted, a rather unladylike gesture, before replying. "Ah, what a coincidence, I am too." She looked slightly sheepish. "As it turns out, being a negotiator doesn't pay like it used to. Everything's so civilised now. It's hard to turn a profit these days, especially with the imps and their trade restrictions for non-humans." It really was a sour point for the young (Relatively speaking. Dark elves age half as fast as humans, and weren't considered adults until they were sixty, when they stopped aging completely. Ana was 50, but looked 25), that while the guilds weren't prejudiced, the government most definately wasn't.

"So I thought I'd get back to adventuring, make some profit, maybe find something that someone needs and exploit it for all it's worth." One could never call Ana dishonest. Afterall, most of the time she told the truth. It's just that people generally didn't listen to the fine print.

SavageHeathen Pro-Freedom Fanatic from Somewhere Since: Feb, 2011
Pro-Freedom Fanatic
#20: Dec 4th 2011 at 9:13:16 AM

He gave Gimpy a wide grin in return. "Thank ya!", he said. "'Bout what them's plannin'... Any idea?, he asked, slipping a few coppers to the bartender. If it could be aboided, he'd rather not walk blindly into the gig: In his almost twenty years of life experience, extra intel hadn't hurt a single goddamn time.

edited 4th Dec '11 9:14:40 AM by SavageHeathen

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.
SKJAM Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#21: Dec 4th 2011 at 9:43:18 AM

@Francis: "That will be a silver," said Shem Forsix. After a more reluctant transaction, he continued.

"A mixture of semen and fecal matter was forcibly inserted into the wounds, and the corpses mutilated in such a way as to prevent the use of Raise Dead. This is a ritual usually associated with the followers of Malia."

<<Francis makes his KS rolls at this point>>

Francis was familiar with the name of Malia, goddess of disease. In civilized lands, she was worshiped only to the extent of ritually warding her off. But elsewhere, her evil followers deliberately spread diseases and suffering that only they could treat. The most prominent followers of Malia were the dreaded broo, once human cultists that had accepted Taint into their bodies to better serve their terrible goddess.

@Grax: "Well, I be thinkin' that the Rubble Trekkers will be wantin' someone to follow up where Randol's Raiders, may they rest in peace, left off."

Hevchenko Mr. from Perth, Australia Since: Oct, 2011
Mr.
#22: Dec 4th 2011 at 9:44:27 AM

"Interesting, no I've spent the morning looking for you," Elail chuckled, "It would be good to find where to sign up, no?"

Elail turned to the barkeep for further information but was interrupted by a suspicious looking goblin. Elail soon realised he and Ravenhide were the topic of conversation and quickly butted in not trusting either of them, "Unless you know the location of the Rubble Treckers that's none of your business."

"Insert philisophical/funny rambling here"
ShadowBender A Sadist RP-er from a world of my own. Since: Jun, 2011
A Sadist RP-er
#23: Dec 4th 2011 at 9:57:04 AM

"Relax, friend!" Trixip said to Elail, tugging on his arm. "I'm sure they mean the Rubble Trekkers, not us." Trixip then turned to Gimpy. "Where is their meeting place, then?"

Sanity? Why would I need a useless thing like that? Now posting as Motor-Runner.
Pyrite Until further notice from Right. Beneath. You. Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Hiding
Until further notice
#24: Dec 4th 2011 at 4:39:08 PM

This just gets better and better. Now Francis had cause to investigate the Big Rubble, and he was sure he wasn't going to like what he found. Still, it was his duty...

"Thanks, Shem. Sounds terrible." He added softly, "Copper and Silver I have given you this day, but remember - silence is Golden, and life is priceless." With that, he headed back to the shrine to make arrangements.


Strongly suspect Taint / Malia-worshipper involvement in recent Big Rubble deaths. Will conduct preliminary investigations. Send purification team. The paperwork required by the Red Moon Empire would probably delay the Order's Paladins for weeks, if not months. But it was worth a shot. Francis signed off on the letter, sealed it, and handed it to Tinar. "Got some things for you to do. How many vials of Holy Water do we have?"

"Three. Why?"

"I'll be needing them. Start preparing some healing potions and extra holy water if you can, and mail this message to our brothers and sisters in the capital. You know how to handle the shrine's arrangements in my absence. Hang on to the other letter."

"Sure." Tinar knew Francis's habits well enough: the "other letter" was only to be opened in the event of his death.


His accounts settled, Francis made his way down to the Rubble Trekkers' Guildhall.


OOC: I assume the Guildhall is not Gimpy's tavern? Are Ana and Mono'a at a tavern or at the Guildhall itself?

edited 4th Dec '11 4:43:48 PM by Pyrite

Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
SKJAM Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Baby don't hurt me!
#25: Dec 4th 2011 at 6:15:38 PM

OOC: Correct. The Guildhall is near the Peoples' Gate; Gimpy's is near the Market Square. (As by this point either Gimpy or Grax has told Elail and Trixip.)

IC: Mono'a and Ana arrived at the Rubble Trekkers' Guildhall. As promised by the scribe, it did indeed feature a hanging sign of a boot on a rock. It also was rather distinctive in that it was not built out of evenly hewed stones, but a fascinating jigsaw puzzle of irregularly shaped pieces presumably hauled out of the Big Rubble.

As the monk and agent approached the door, three humans, all well-muscled and with the look of warriors, stepped out. They were scowling, and one said, "Eldest Brother, are you sure this is wise?"

The one addressed, who did look slightly older than the other two, replied, "We'd need double the number of people to handle that job, and you know none of the locals will work with us any more. Let's see if that Red Moon merchant is still hiring. Caravan guard sounds more my meat."


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