Machines of War

[madtinker]

Early in the morning, Vicciano bursts into headquarters. He's obviously been riding all night. Short and stocky, he gives off the distinctive odor of sweat and horse dung one only accumulates after two many days on the road. He is balding rapidly, and his eyes are bloodshot, presumably from his apparently rapid journey.

"Scruff, this had better be good!"

Scruff jerks to his feet. "Of course Vicciano. You said to summon you immediately if anyone came asking for you."

"Well?"

"Here they are. This man ... indicating Jaster ... came in asking for information concerning Vicciano and how to set up a bounty. All three of them might be out to kill you."

Vicciano starts to say something, eyes on Jaster. His mouth opens but no sound comes out. He can manage only a whisper, barely audible. "The ghost rider of Bushton."

After another minute he composes himself. What of these others? Who are they?

This one is a former employee. We'll deal with him ourselves. I don't know about this last. I gather he's not from around here.

I'll decide who deals with whom.

And what do you say for yourselves? Should I gut you now or leave you to be torn apart by these dogs?

OOC:

Spoiler

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INWRanger is out for a week, so Viccano will ignore Jaster for now.

[madtinker]

OOC:sprry I dropped for a couple days

[Manwhoisthisman]

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[Manwhoisthisman]

Keiji frowns sternly and says "If all that is offered is death, why should I care who offers?"

[madtinker]

The bald man looks up at Keiji. "If you have no wish to die, give me a reason to not kill you."

[Manwhoisthisman]

OOC

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There are moments such as these that I wish very much to say "Because I'm holding a thermal detonator."

[Manwhoisthisman]

Keiji continues his stern gaze as he says "You have none."

[curf06]

"I don't know who you are, and I don't really care."

[madtinker]

Ah, the brave and the ignorant. My two favorite kinds of idiot. Well, since you don't have any compelling reasons to not die... In a rapid motion he draws a dagger, but Scruff, cat-like, grabs his wrist.

At least let's get something useful out of them. And besides, they already acknowledged they owe me a debt. You won't cheat me out of their services that easily.

Such as?

How about the Sirius job?

Are you insane?

Something else then. I don't care what, but it's more entertaining if we send them to their deaths rather than slaughter them here. And less messy.

Vicciano rubs his chin. You have a point about the entertainment value. Alright.

How do you two feel about espionage?

[Manwhoisthisman]

"Espionage, hmm..." Keiji grins and explains, "I'm good at observing, but you may have noticed I possess a certain conspicuousness."

[curf06]

"I'll do it if it'll get you guys off my back."

[madtinker]

We have one condition: Absolute obedience and silence, ensured by your accepting an oath of servitude. Any violation of your oath will mean swift death.

[INWranger]

Love espionage, but not a fan of dying, thus the deal I am making. Personally, if I can't kill someone myself, then I let someone else take them out for their own reasons. You have my word that I will not tell anyone of the assignment and that I will fill all objectives to the full extent of my abilities.i think Vicciano is at least familiar in passing with my ability to work behind the scenes and leave no trail to follow backwards.

[curf06]

"You have my word."

OOC
Just to give you a heads up I am leaving today to go on a 4 day camping/hiking trip with my family. Then we are going to Canada for a couple of days. I won't be able to post anything until Saturday.
So do what you will with my character.

[madtinker]

Vicciano grins cunningly. Oh, it isn't so simple. Words mean but little. While he's talking, he circles around behind Jaster. The scrape of steel on leather is almost imperceptible against the noise of his speech. He suddenly makes a swift motion, stabbing at Jaster. (1d20+5)[16], (1d4+3)[5]. The dagger slips through a gap in Jaster's armor, and is buried to the hilt. While the pain is excruciating, it does not chill the air as much as what Vicciano says next. "I know who you are. I will not forget. I will exact payment."

Scruff chuckles at the display, and Vicciano extracts his dagger.

Scruff announces that he is off to beg an audience with the Lady, and leaves Vicciano to guard you with several men.

[INWranger]

If this about trying to kill you in your sleep, that was nothing personal. I had a job to do and you were in the way of it. You tried to have me shot in order to accomplish your own job, and those arrows sure smarted. I consider the blood payments even. Fate with her twisted sense of humor has decreed that we both live.

[Manwhoisthisman]

"As for myself, I cannot swear an oath: your actions if unchecked will drown this land in chaos."

[madtinker]

To Jaster: You may consider things even. I do not.

To Keij, Vicciano furrows his brows at being condemned, then laughs. I hope you never plan to enter politics, what a tongue you have in that head. No matter. You may not have to swear. We shall see what the Lady says. She has a myriad of ways to change minds.

[INWranger]

I have already given my word for this assignment, and my word is the only law I consider myself bound by.

[madtinker]

In an hour or so Scruff returns, trailing behind a beautiful black haired woman. Dressed all in red dyed leather and moving with an easy grace, she saunters into the office where you are being held. You notice intricate tattoos on her hands and neck peeking out of her long sleeves and high collar, then realize they are one continuous tattoo that must be very large. She looks you up and down, and you get an idea of what it must be like to be sold at a livestock auction.

I'm Raven. She says. Perhaps you've heard of me.

[INWranger]

Not you specifically. Your organization I have heard plenty about. Are your people always this careful about people that ask questions? You must have some high caliber stuff going if they are going to lock me up for trying to buy certain information instead of asking for more than I could afford. Meeting their leader was well worth it.
diplomacy (1d20+3)[22]

[madtinker]

Well, Vic here is a bit of an exception. He has, let's say, a particular combination of skills and scruples that make him particularly valuable.

But we don't have a lot of time for chit chat. The authorities have scheduled a raid on our facilities here. Something about complaints of disappearances. Scruff, round 'em up and follow me.

Scruff motions to a couple guards in plain clothes, without any open weapons. He has long since removed his armor, and they guide you out the back door in a loose group, with Raven hanging back away from the group. The guards move around you loosely. You could be a bunch of working buddies on your way to a construction site, some out of work dockhands on the way to a bar, or just a group of men on the same street.

[madtinker]

As you are subtly herded through the streets, an early drunk stumbles into your midst. As your guard cuffs him over the head and swears, there is a moment of distraction.

[curf06]

I follow the group down the street.

[madtinker]

I'll be out camping until Wednesday. Just FYI.

[Manwhoisthisman]

Keiji attempts to take advantage of the distraction by tumbling past the guard and fleeing.
Tumble (1d20+12)[23]

[madtinker]

Keiji's leap takes him beyond the thug's reach, but with a shout the guard gives chase. "Stop thief!" But the crowd pays you both little mind, other than clearing a path.

[INWranger]

Could I have collected my swords before we left? My bow too.
Stay with the group for there is much that I can learn.

[Manwhoisthisman]

I will keep running until I can get some distance between us, find another alley to get onto a roof and head of out of town.
OOC

Spoiler

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Let me know what you'd like me to roll, and I'll roll em.

[madtinker]

Another guard joins the chase, and the rest of them tighten up their formation around Jaster and Curf. Thanks to Keiji's superior speed, he is soon out of sight.

You have your weapons about you.

@Keiji

Spoiler

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It takes several minutes, but you are able to lose your pursuers, slow and undisciplined as they are.