Skyside 4

[Ashen Lilies]

Current Events: A Chimera Syndicate Trade Platform has appeared close to Skyside

A bustling trade city famously situated atop a high-tech array of anti-gravity generators that give the flying city its name, Skyside has seen better days. Once a booming, futuristic metropolis with a strict legal system and formidable state-supported economy, the collapse of Skyside's monarchy has blown the city's political system into a state of literal anarchy. A plague of change and opportunity has infected the city at all levels, from the nobles and other persons of substance jockeying to to fill the political void left by the collapse of the old system, to new immigrants attracted by Skyside's new lack of taxes or restriction. The markets of Skyside's Tempest Row, once tightly regulated, are now open to all kinds of vice and debauchery unseen in the more stable cities of the Nexus, including a growing slave market.

While the forces of the remaining nobility and the presence of the Royal Guard generally stops widespread fighting in the streets before it gets too out of hand, violence on a smaller scale is still common, and people who cannot protect themselves (or hire others to protect them) are often beaten, killed or kidnapped to be used in experiments or sold into slavery for those with lower standards.

In general, visitors and residents of Skyside learn to stay on their toes pretty quickly. Even the safest and most affluent areas of Skyside are vulnerable to some amateur mad scientist's latest giant robot or genetic abomination running loose and causing havoc, or a temporal anomaly rolling through and causing a street full of people to suddenly age several weeks in the space of a few seconds. The city can be chaotic, and often times dangerous, but there is potential for great wealth here, if someone has a talent for spotting opportunity and grabbing it. Whether with their own hands or the remotely controlled mecha hands that they designed in their attic is highly dependent on the person, of course.

History

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Coming soon!

Factions

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With no ruler or central government in Skyside to maintain order and uphold the laws, political power in Skyside has broken down into dozens of individual political factions with differing goals and operations. Some seriously look to the palace, seeking to claim Skyside's throne and restore the city to its former position. Others are factions merely of convenience, providing certain protections and services in exchange for loyalty or money. Others may have their own goals entirely.

Any player can make any number of factions, with any form of political goal in competition with the other factions. Weaker factions might slip under the radar, but more powerful factions might be the target of other player based factions, who might seek to sabotage or undermine other factions in order to achieve an advantage. Of course, that's not to say that the target faction can't fight back...

Please remember to be courteous to other players though, and don't force conflict if it's clear that it's not wanted. On the other hand, please don't create a faction if your plan is to make them untouchable and stonewall everyone's attempts to try and interact with or compete with your faction. This is a collaborative thread, everyone have fun!

Please PM if you want a faction added to this OP.

House Sky (player: Kris on a Stick)

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Formerly the rulers of Skyside, the royal lineage is now held hostage within their own palace, barred from entering politics by the Royal Guard for their own safety. A king or queen of Skyside hasn't been crowned for almost a century, however the most recent and last remaining Skyside heir, Princess YoonJi, has been a little unusual in her seeming immunity to assassination plots. Countless attempts have been made on the life of the princess (scarcely into her teens) and yet all assassins have either been caught, died under mysterious circumstances, or been involved in sudden romances with palace servants, eventually settling down to become simple farmers.

Skyside Royal Guard (player: Kris on a Stick)

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The chief line of defense for the city and the crown, the Skyside Royal Guard remains a formidable fighting force, despite their reduced numbers and seeming lack of political involvement. The primary duty of the Skyside Royal Guard is to protect the Sky family, and as such they are rarely seen outside the immediate surroundings of the Sky Palace Tower, unless something happens in the city to attract their notice - or incur their wrath.

House Han (player: Kris on a Stick)

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An old family with a high place in Skyside’s traditional aristocracy, House Han is a ruthless, cutthroat family with eyes on the throne. Despite their wealth and prestigious heritage, however, House Han faces a crisis as the health of their patriarch, the 93-year old Han Feizi, is beginning, leaving the family with a potential gulf in leadership as his granddaughter, Ziyi, seems a natural replacement as the head of the house, yet must contend with challenges from her aunt, Wangmu, who wishes to secure the position for one of her sons. Han Feizi himself has chosen no successor, expressing public contempt and disappointment for a family seemingly rife with corruption, vice, and other failings.

BrightStar Corporation (player: Kris on a Stick)

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An old company name dating from the monarchy days of Skyside, BrightStar Corporation seems to have taken full advantage of the chaos in Skyside to emerge as one of the largest corporate powers. Their flourishing in this new lawless environment has led to rumors of them actively working to maintain the status quo, including murdering promising Skyside heirs, or sabotaging any noble house or political force that looks like it may become too powerful and restore order back to the city.

Tempest Spaceport Commerce Guild (player: Kris on a Stick, in theory - though anyone is open to play a member of the guild)

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A small conglomerate of mostly Ferengi and Hutt partners that run the Tempest Spaceport. The Commerce Guild provides security to the spaceport and its immediate surroundings, as well as collects a light tax on spaceport business and trade, but are otherwise pretty chill dudes, and uninterested in wider Skyside politics.

City Defense

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Though effectively lawless, some semblance of peace in Skyside is maintained by both the private security forces of the various guilds and factions that operate within the city, as well as through the overwatch of the Syside Royal Guard, who protect the Sky Palace Tower and also the city as a whole from foreign invasion. Oeioke raising too much of a disturbance should expect to draw attention from any number of concerned parties, who may have an interest in keeping their business running smoothly, as tumultuous as the political situation may be.

As a whole city, Skyside's defenses against aerial and ground assault are dedicated and formidable. As uninvolved as they are in local politics, the Royal Guard has no desire to see Skyside fall to any foreign invasion or interference, and does not slack off in its duties when it comes to city defense, even if they are a total non-presence in Skyside's day-to-day order.

Zones

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Old Skyside/"The Raindrop District"

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The historic city nearest to Skyside's Sky Palace Tower, what's come to be known as the "Raindrop District" by newer generations of Skysiders is a place of incredible change.

The older estates, temples and monuments, abandoned by all but the most stubborn of Skyside's old order, are being demolished, replaced by new residential growth of various types, from the absolutely dismal to the actually-pretty-nice. Some of the more novel developments in housing include ad-sponsored houses, and other low-cost developments for moderate quality housing. In between the housing developments come all the small businesses you'd expect from Skyside's fastest-growing residential sector, including corner stores, fast food, laundromats, and all the other handy spots that let people get everything they need without having to travel far.

The Raindrop District is relatively safe by day, especially in the parts of the town still held on to by the old Skyside elites, nearer to the Palace Tower, but generally is more dangerous at night. Especially in the more ramshackle parts of the Raindrop District, the back alleys tend to be frequented by muggers and the like, and break-ins are very common during the day when the occupants are likely out working. The wise Raindrop District inhabitant keeps good locks and a trusty firearm close at hand, at the very least, and some shell out for more, opting to rely on protection from mercenary and security firms that provide added safety... for a price.when the occupants are likely out working. The wise Raindrop District inhabitant keeps good locks and a trusty firearm close at hand, at the very least, and some shell out for more, opting to rely on protection from mercenary and security firms that provide added safety... for a price.

The Cloudtops

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The wealthiest and most glamorous section of Skyside, the Cloudtops form the new fortress of Skyside's new elites: an incredibly tall, shiny fortress, dominated by tall skyscrapers of glass and steel, covered in bright lights and connected by paved roads and elevated walkways galore.

The Cloudtops is home to Skyside's richest residents, and Skyside's biggest businesses and corporations. The Cloudtops is also Skyside's safest district, kept such by the forces of countless taskforces of well-equipped private security teams.

Tempest Row

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Depending on who you ask, Tempest Row is either a vibrant, colorful area full of exotic wares and noisy taverns where ale flows freely, and the barmaids are very accommodating; or a raging, screaming drunk who will drag you into a back alley, beat you over the head with a stick, and run off with your valuables. Or both at once.

Housing the main airship docks and largest spaceport zone, Tempest Row is the nickname for the bustling market and entertainment district of Skyside. With the constant traffic in and out of the city, Tempest Row is home to countless taverns, bars, clubs, and brothels of various sorts, providing boisterous and often debauched entertainment for Skyside's visitors.

With its large crowds and large numbers of shop guards, Tempest Row is relatively safe from violence, though the odd scientific anomaly or experiment-got-loose may amble through occasionally. Visitors in Tempest Row should instead keep a closer watch on their valuables rather than their safety, keeping a close eye out for the pickpockets, scam-artists, and cutpurses of various sorts walking through the crowds, looking for easy money; or the gangs of street toughs roaming the back alleys, waiting for someone too drunk to put up a good fight to stumble along.

Thunderhead

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The constant black smoke belching from the sprawling jumble of towering smokestacks and open smelting furnaces gives this area its name among the locals. Thunderhead is the main industrial area of Skyside, filled with factories, smelteries, warehouseries, and a whole array of other varied monuments to urban squalor. Everything from airship construction to weapons manufacture takes place here, and accidents can sometimes happen, especially with the more unscrupulous employers who care little about what happens to their factory workers, whether they be paid workers, slaves, robots or the mutated fishmen your mad scientist donor kindly granted you.

Thunderhead is among the most dangerous of the districts, with vicious gangs and supervillains hiding out in the mysteriously abandoned warehouses (seriously, Skyside is short on space, why are all there all these abandoned warehouses?), and gangs frequently forming among the poorest of Skyside's communities: the underpaid factory workers and industrial chattel that fill row upon row of unmaintained tenement housing and ruined apartments. Most good factories have guards to protect their workers (or keep them from escaping), but among the houses of the working poor, the streets can turn into a danger zone at any point, with very few people willing to stick around and bear witness.

Groundtown

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For those who couldn't get onto Skyside proper, one can always live in its shadow. While Skyside once was a mobile city, moving place to place for safety and resources, since its collapse it has remained stationary, allowing secondary development under and around the city. Located directly under and around the floating city, Groundtown is a small, but growing settlement of improvised buildings and pre-fab housing blocks, populated largely by Skyside's poorest and most unfortunate workers, poorer even than Thunderhead's inhabitants, commuting morning and evening to the city above by way of hanging basket-lifts and small flying skiffs.

Located outside even Skyside's limited bubble of security and order, and utterly ignored by the Royal Guard, Groundtown can be truly hellish at times. Fighting on the streets between warring gangs is an all too common sight, and even the heaviest of personal weaponry cannot always guarantee personal safety. Residents of Groundtown lock their valuables up tight and keep their gun under their pillow, and visitors should always keep their eyes peeled for thieves and muggers. What little safety can be had in Groundtown comes from the powerful gangs who do their best to control the disorder within their own territory, and the superpowered and/or costumed vigilantes who can be found patrolling nightly, unwilling to let Groundtown fall apart and be consumed by darkness.

Locations

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Please PM the thread creator with a description if you want a location added to this index!

Sky Palace Tower (Player: Kris on a Stick, Raindrop District)

BrightStar Spaceport (The Cloudtops)

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The second largest spaceport in Skyside, the shiny new BrightStar Spaceport, owned by BrightStar Corporation, is a chief connection between Skyside and the great final frontier. Frequent shuttles and cargo ships make trips between this spaceport and various space-stations close to the Nexus, including Salmagundi station, and there's talk of BrightStar Corporation expanding the spaceport to include a space elevator between the spaceport and Salmagundi station.

Tempest Spaceport (Tempest Row)

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Larger than BrightStar Spaceport, Tempest Spaceport is a little less well adapted for big business and heavy shipping, as Tempest Spaceport is not actually just one spaceport, but a loose connection of spaceports and associated businesses, all run by members of the Tempest Spaceport Commerce Guild. The Tempest Spaceport is a favorite stop for independent spacers and smaller shipping industries, being a cheaper, if less glamorous alternative to the BrightStar Spaceport in the Cloudtops.

Attila's Cantina (Player: Kris on a Stick, Tempest Row)

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Located within the Tempest Spaceport complex, Attila's Cantina is a bar run by an enterprising Hutt named Attila, who caters mostly to the pilots, captains and crew of starships stopping at Skyside. A large variety of food and beverages can be found here, with a special emphasis on items resembling what can be found from Attila's home galaxy, making it especially popular among those who have been sucked into the Nexus from said galaxy. People who know to ask can purchase small quantities of rare Spice from Attila, and he has a wide variety of contacts among Tempest Row traders and dock keepers, making him a good source of information for people looking to know what's what in the area.

The Cantina is relatively clean and bright, though noisy with the constant chatter of alien species. The ubiquitous Bith space-jazz band plays on a raised stage to once side, along with Twi'lek dancers (free and well payed) and vocalists. A few heavily armed guards dot the edges, and Attila himself keeps his powerful blaster shotgun clearly visible above the bar (along with a larger, even more powerful blaster hidden under it) in order to dissuade troublemakers.

Atlas Park (Player: Kris on a Stick, The Cloudtops)

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Located in the midst of the Cloudtops, Atlas Park is a little bit of an anomaly within the urbanized city center. Owned and operated by Dr. Graves, Atlas Park is covered by a transparent dome, keeping out any pollution from the city, while allowing the climate inside to be manipulated to a fine degree. Atlas Park is home to some very attractive landscaping, exotic plants, a small lake, and in general is just a very nice green space for people to relax away from the buildings and bustle of the rest of Skyside. A massive statue of the titan the park is named after stands proudly in the middle of the park, carrying aloft a sphere covered in stars and constellations on his shoulders in reference to the original myth. Oddly enough, though, anyone who manages to get a close look at his face might note an odd expression carved there, which, combined with the slightly odd tilt to his shoulders vaguely suggests an image of Atlas shrugging.

Entrance to Atlas Park requires payment of a moderate fee to keep the park running, though membership cards can be purchased to allow free access over a period of time.

Brickstown Free Clinic (Player: Kris on a Stick, The Raindrop District)

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A humble looking brick building in one of the more dismal parts of the Raindrop District, the Brickstown Free Clinic, true to its name, provides free service to any and all patients who visit. The previously red brick of its outer facade has been stained soot black by its proximity to the smoky foundries of Thunderhead, and the inside is somewhat dingy and depressing, with a smell halfway between disinfectant and old vomit. The building and regular staff are payed for entirely through donations, whether it be from the locked steel donation box in the lobby, or more importantly, a set of undisclosed benefactors. Despite this, the clinic continues to be understaffed and overburdened. However, those in the area will know of a mysterious doctor who visits the clinic on occasion, typically at odd hours of the night, to treat the clinic's more critical or chronic patients, before leaving. The identity of this mysterious doctor is a secret kept closely by the clinic's staff and management, as is whether they have any ulterior motives for their aid.

Tinkertown (Player: None, Thunderhead)

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A small sub-district located in between Thunderhead and the Raindrop District, Tinkertown is an odd district full of warehouses that have been mostly rented as labspace for the large cohort of mad scientists and visionaries who call Skyside home. As such, Tinkertown tends to be even more chaotic than Skyside at large, home to a wide variety of technicolored explosions, noxious gas outbreaks, and half-fish abominations wandering the streets, looking for their mummy. The non-Mad Scientist population of Skyside usually knows to stay well away from Tinkertown, though some find themselves drawn to the noise and excitement, or the glamorous (and occasionally lucrative) occupation of being some up-and-coming supervillain's henchman, hunchbacked assistant or attractive mistress.

Temple to Pazuzu (Player: Earl of Purple, Tempest Row)

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One of the buildings here, an overhanging pub with a novelty glass floor that quickly went out of business due to one short gunfight and a very long drop, has been taken over by a new group.

They've put up a sign outside depicting a red vulture with wings and talons outstretched superimposed on a silver cloud. Beneath that is a sign proclaiming this to be the Temple of Pazuzu, and on the other side is a list of the dates of various religious celebrations.

Outside, it still resembles the other taverns, being a three-storey building with a flat roof to dock smaller aircraft. Inside, there's an altar at the far end with a cage suspended over a hole in the floor next to it. There's a central aisle with rows of pews on either side, most suited for winged individuals.

OoC Notes and Rules

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1. For we are not Gods, merely Men. Godmodding is not permissible! As stated in the rules in the FFRP Central Thread,, godmodding is generally not allowed without permission. If you're shaky on what might be, and what might not be godmodding, please follow the above link.
2. An interior decorator is you! Remember the curtain! It is accepted that there will of course be some inter-PC relationships, and that romance and certain physical interactions (commonly known as sex) happen. However, please be courteous to others and curtain any scene that you wouldn't be willing to write with your parents watching. This is so you can stay within forum rules, as well as letting those uninterested in the scene pass by without having to glimpse your poorly written and anatomically impossible erotica. Thank you.
3. It's probably a Nemesis plot.
4. I can save this planet! “My character is an escaped slave who became a paladin and hates slavery! She's going to attack every slaver she sees and singlehandedly tear down Skyside's slave industry!” Since everything is legal in Skyside, it's inevitable that some less well-looked upon industries, such as slavery, will find a foothold there, which more morally upright characters may take affront to. However, always be mindful of the consequences of a random paladin trying to attack slavers in the streets, burn markets down or knock down doors and bash in heads. Even in a lawless city, slavery is still unpopular, and any slavers brave enough to be operating in the open are likely to have lots of guards to protect their interests. Also, Skyside does still have some factions interested in public order, as well as the Royal Guard, who will try to stop any fights that start spreading and disrupting safety and order in a large area. Someone who consistently acts very aggressive and randomly assaults people and property in the open is likely to find themselves in a lot of trouble, very quickly. Also, not everyone wants to have to constantly respond to every Joseph McHero and Sally Superwoman who wants to pick a fight with them. If you plan on having a character take action and take down a specific store or organization, please be courteous and ask the players involved if they're willing to RP it, and remember that there are more subtle ways to take down an industry than kicking them in the teeth.
5. Our words are backed by NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Remnant/Riverside/Orgs hunting down supervillains hiding out in Skyside: Go ahead. In general, it's perfectly alright to carry out retribution against any criminals trying to hide out in Skyside, as long as the force sent is relatively discrete or small scale enough to avoid notice from the powers-that-be. Large numbers of troops or powerful strike forces will generally draw negative attention from the Royal Guard, though, unless they have been informed of the operation beforehand and approve (though they probably won't). Gotta protect that independence, yo.
6. 3 EDGY 5 MEPlease do your best to avoid excessively dark or disturbing roleplay. Skyside can be a den for cruelties and evil of all sorts, however, some situations are simply too dark for this forum. Try to avoid roleplaying or alluding to scenarios that could be disturbing or potentially triggering, even if it may be realistic or showcase how awful your character is.
7. Long Live the Queen! Princess YoonJi is immortal. Period. You can try to kill her and dismantle the Sky dynasty. You will fail.

[Zefir]

[Arkant's Factory]

"I'm afraid that VIGIL starting to hunt down slavers won't really change anything besides causing more death and misery for the people caught in-between. In the end we might just cause more suffering than we were meant to stop. This is because VIGIL simply isn't well-equipped with dealing with problems more complex than destroying it with overwhelming force which won't work here. We are a paramilitary organization after all which would simply be one of many here in Skyside." Cessie explains.

[Arkant's Factory]

"I think they would appreciate our discretion," Wenomir says. "Their goals were more selfish than yours, in any event. And Cessie is correct. As a group, we are... poorly equipped to police a place like Skyside. The problems here have deep roots. We can't solve them just by fighting the slavers."

[Arkant's Factory]

"Hmm, I see." Arkant says and nods to both of them. A worried expression runs over his face as Wenomir talks about the other party, but he soon get's back to topic.
"I understand your point. I think I set my conditions to high. I did already think about this way of events and I might have another suggestion for you." he makes a short break as he shifts some papers around.
"Since the kidnappings happen regular I set on a few things. You likly saw those guys with guns outside. That way I get informations where they bring some of my employees. I can't sens anyone since those 'men with guns' are nothing more then men with guns. The lost would be even higher then when I buy as many back as possible. If I could call you to get them out we might have less sacrefice AND, a more important fact, it could prevent smaller gangs from taking my employees hostage, since it would cause them to deal with you. That way you wouldn't need to police here, but at least lower the amount of people caught by slavers."

He makes a break and stares blank between cessi and Wenomir. The broadcast can barly be heared in the office, it's prepared to shut out the noise from the factories after all. He shakes his head looking down worried.

"Chimera Syndicate? That sounds like trouble." he turns back to the vigil members. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was informed something called 'Chimera Syndicate Trade Platform' appeared and I was just informed by an employee. What do you think about my suggestion ?"

[Earl of Purple]

Chimera Syndicate Trade Platform

From a warehouse in Groundtown, a small shuttle takes off. It's a clumsy thing, with the hull taken from what appears to be an old cargo plane. The wings were taken from a different plane. Five different propellers push the vessel through the air, two on each wing and a larger, main propeller mounted on the back of the hull, all pointing backwards. It makes a tremendous amount of noise, clattering and sputtering, thick black smoke pushed out of the exhausts. As it approaches the flying tower, the engines slow down and eventually stop, all bar the one in the back of the plane. The shuttle slows down, and briefly drops as an internal anti-gravity generator kicks in as the vehicle's sole form of propulsion, the smoke mixed with green sparks and red flashes, as it drifts around looking for somewhere to land.

The vehicle doesn't seem to be armed, but it is large enough for thirty people. If thirty people can be found willing to ride such a haphazard looking vehicle.

[Cyber Punk]

"My parents were lecturers in the arcane arts at a prestigious university. I... Felt their influence and pressure to follow them grating, so trained in sneaking, survival and hitting things with swords. Really annoyed them, but led to unusual knowledge that didn't fit my chosen path." The ring, when put on, causes the undead plant-creature's clothing to seem fully repaired, into a very nice red silk shirt with blue lace at the cuffs, a pair of nice leather trousers and some well-polished black boots. His frame is no longer dessicated, filling out to a skinny, handsome young elf-man, with bright blue eyes, sun-darkened skin and long brown hair tied back with a green ribbon. He's smiling, and the expression seems comfortable and natural upon his face. "How do I look?"

Groundtown Alley

"Sneaking and survival, eh? There's nothing wrong with unusual knowledge. People with unusual knowledge go places."

It takes all of Yvette's willpower to keep from gawking and staring, and instead nods twice. "Very effective. You look very... err, nice." She combats the urge to smile by trying to look serious. Geri can see through this, however, and just shakes her head.

Yvette however reaches over to grab Tilalle's hand. "Thank--" She is shushed by Geri. "Don't thank me too much." Without another word, she up and flies away. Automatically, Yvette reaches for her weapon before realizing that wasn't a wise choice of action, to show her mistrust. She attempts to pass it off as her scratching her hip.

[ThirdEmperor]

[Three Furies]

The hospital has done remarkably little - his paperwork is mostly the short, uncomfortably clear terms of the payment contract without any mention what was paid for, and no line to sign on. The outpatient desk has a prescription slip for painkillers and his clothes in a plastic bag, the gun sitting on top. The receptionist doesn't seem surprised. They don't seem to have been surprised by anything for a long, long time.


[Triangle Street - Factory]

The brute roars, not in the spellsong but a crude display of magic force. His fingers shatter the vial, crushing the glass and letting liquid fire burst out, expanding into brilliant blue flames as they drink in the oxygen - but it does not burn him. He flings it forward, twisting the fire into a brilliant lance that turns through the air to seek it's target. It moves like a thing alive, carries on with a will of it's own even as the effort brings it's master crashing down.

He takes the first shot in the gut, and with a low groan, crumples inwards. The gun wreaks havoc on the line behind him, sending the closest crashing down and the rest diving for safety, screaming as bullets drive between the armored plates of their uniforms.

[Earl of Purple]

Groundtown Alley

"I can track a spider across its web, though if the spider is large enough, it is far easier to pretend to be caught and let it come to you. If you have a pressing need for a large, venomous arachnid with a taste for mammalian flesh." The undead plant-elf's lips twitch upwards as he fights a wider smile of his own. "May I have a mirror, so I can judge for myself? I was once accounted the best-looking member of the March Guard." March Guard in this case indicates a border-watch, with the marches being an oft-contested border region between two nations, with regular raids and skirmishes. The border between England and Wales was once such an area, with powerful local Marcher Lords on the English side making their own alliances, marriages and feuds with the Welsh Princes on the other, with little official guidance from the crown.

[Orm-Embar]

[Triangle Street - Factory]

Bo's eyes narrow as the fiery strike leaps out, and he gets a shield up barely in time to deflect it - at least partially. It's still like being clipped by an aircar. A tremendous impact against the shield, and an explosive flowering of light. The sorcerer spins halfway around and falls on one side, half stunned for a moment.

[Cyber Punk]

Groundtown Alley

Yvette hands Tilalle a small hand mirror. "With good reason, I see." She mutters back.

"Well! I do have business with AMEN at the moment, and I need to go and familiarize myself with the base. You comin'?" It's a rhetorical question.

[Earl of Purple]

Groundtown Alley

"Oh, yes. I haven't seen myself like this for a very long time. Though... Hmm." Tilalle reaches up and moves the illusory hair so he can get a better look. "Yes, slightly darker. And my eyes were originally green, not blue. Guess that's a product of the vine." With that, he folds the mirror and tries to hand it back, since he no longer has any pockets. "Indeed, let us be off." The amulet doesn't disguise his slightly shambling gait, however, trying to hold itself as close to what is actually occurring as possible.

[Cyber Punk]

Groundtown Alley

Yvette takes the mirror back. "Let's be off, then."

It probably wouldn't be too contrived to say that Yvette got a henchman to drive her here, and so the henchman is currently waiting to pick them both up. If it is too contrived, then a carriage of some sort with a lovestruck rider. Whichever it is, the carriage takes them to AMEN's base.

[Deathkeeper]

Three Furies

Sam will check out of the hospital with plenty of grumbling, taking his clothes and the gun before walking out, hopefully being able to find some way to plan this.

[Darkcomet]

Chimera Syndicate Trade Platform

From a warehouse in Groundtown, a small shuttle takes off. It's a clumsy thing, with the hull taken from what appears to be an old cargo plane. The wings were taken from a different plane. Five different propellers push the vessel through the air, two on each wing and a larger, main propeller mounted on the back of the hull, all pointing backwards. It makes a tremendous amount of noise, clattering and sputtering, thick black smoke pushed out of the exhausts. As it approaches the flying tower, the engines slow down and eventually stop, all bar the one in the back of the plane. The shuttle slows down, and briefly drops as an internal anti-gravity generator kicks in as the vehicle's sole form of propulsion, the smoke mixed with green sparks and red flashes, as it drifts around looking for somewhere to land.

The vehicle doesn't seem to be armed, but it is large enough for thirty people. If thirty people can be found willing to ride such a haphazard looking vehicle.

There are various open landing areas on the station, though the one on the ceiling isn't open for public use, leaving the areas on the platforms that branch out from the central structure. The Chimera guard drones and shuttles present in that area, should the approaching hunk of junk have any method of seeing through their invisibility, cease their regular patrols and float about, as if staring at the haphazardly constructed craft and in some cases, backing away slowly.

It'll be able to land, though, and one of the drones will decloak and hover about, waiting for those aboard to disembark.

[Earl of Purple]

Chimera Syndicate Trading Platform

The mismatched aircraft does not possess technology that enables it to detect cloaked objects or items, and can't even scan the area around it.

After landing, twenty people disembark. They're a rather mismatched bunch, with Great Khans in their leather outfits and bearing 10mm pistols and sub-machineguns disembarking first, followed by six individuals in long, fringed dusters and bowler hats armed with revolvers and two very muscular men in vests armed with short batons. After the escort disembark, a man wearing long red-and-green striped robes and lots of pewter jewellery leaves the plane, followed by a pale bluish-grey woman with pale hair that has black roots, wearing a dull black armour-padded catsuit and red-lensed goggles with a pair of pistols at her hip, an apparently unarmed, frail young man in a stained labcoat and finally an ash-grey Dunmer woman in red robes. The plane does not resist scanning, and all sensors will suggest that there's only one person remaining, sitting in the cockpit. The same scanners will fail to pick up the Nebari in her catsuit, however.

The man in the robes and pewter jewellery will step forward, apparently the leader, and wait for somebody to appear.

[Shadowcaller]

[Arkant's Factory]

"Hmm, I see." Arkant says and nods to both of them. A worried expression runs over his face as Wenomir talks about the other party, but he soon get's back to topic.
"I understand your point. I think I set my conditions to high. I did already think about this way of events and I might have another suggestion for you." he makes a short break as he shifts some papers around.
"Since the kidnappings happen regular I set on a few things. You likly saw those guys with guns outside. That way I get informations where they bring some of my employees. I can't sens anyone since those 'men with guns' are nothing more then men with guns. The lost would be even higher then when I buy as many back as possible. If I could call you to get them out we might have less sacrefice AND, a more important fact, it could prevent smaller gangs from taking my employees hostage, since it would cause them to deal with you. That way you wouldn't need to police here, but at least lower the amount of people caught by slavers."

He makes a break and stares blank between cessi and Wenomir. The broadcast can barly be heared in the office, it's prepared to shut out the noise from the factories after all. He shakes his head looking down worried.

"Chimera Syndicate? That sounds like trouble." he turns back to the vigil members. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was informed something called 'Chimera Syndicate Trade Platform' appeared and I was just informed by an employee. What do you think about my suggestion ?"

[Arkant's Factory]

"Okay, so in exchange of sponsorship we will simply rescue your workers?" Cessie summarizes after hearing Arkant out. "It sounds more reasonable but before we associate with you can we get an guarantee that you have a good reputation? We like to avoid associating with criminals if possible." Jezebel would be an exception, though only since Cessie actually knew her.

[Skyside Streets]

Ambrosia hurries along the streets wearing her spirit armor, it's sparkingly clean obsidian surface and her equally immaculate white robe in sharp contrast with the streets she moves through. Normally she'd stay and look around but frankly she had enough of this so-called city already. Everywhere she looked was more signs of corruption and injustice. Somehow this place was even worse than most cities worth mentioning back home despite being much more advanced. She had figured technological advancement also would bring more wisdom but this was clearly not the case here, these people had even resorted to slavery despite how ineffective it was. It was barbaric.

So she keeps her tome pressed against her chest as she walks, both to move faster and to avoid thievery. There had already been one attempt and she wouldn't be surprised if there were more considering she stuck out like a sore thumb in these wretched streets.

[Deathkeeper]

[Skyside Streets]

Sam walks sullenly on Ambrosia's side of the street, though in the opposite direction. The black-haired youth is not taking his new crippled status very well, and while his clothes were cleaned of the blood, his fresh-from the hospital cleanliness does nothing to hide his despair.
Perhaps Ambrosia feels like doing a good deed?

[Morty]

[Arkant's Factory]

"A mission with a clear goal gives us a much better chance of upholding our end of the deal," Wenomir says in agreement with Cessie.

[Darkcomet]

[Chimera Syndicate Trading Platform]

The visible floating drone, with its three weakly-glowing points of light on its apparent 'front' arranged like a set of eyes, hovers in front of the group. For a drone of this general type, it's rather large, though still not exactly up there with even Chimera's relatively light shuttles, perhaps more similar to a car in mass, if one were to guess. A voice, sounding like a fairly standard human male's, emanates from it, despite the lack of visible speakers.

"Please state your business to be led to the appropriate area."

[Zefir]

[Arkant's Factory]

"Okay, so in exchange of sponsorship we will simply rescue your workers?" Cessie summarizes after hearing Arkant out. "It sounds more reasonable but before we associate with you can we get an guarantee that you have a good reputation? We like to avoid associating with criminals if possible." Jezebel would be an exception, though only since Cessie actually knew her.

[Arkant's Factory]

"A mission with a clear goal gives us a much better chance of upholding our end of the deal," Wenomir says in agreement with Cessie.

[Arkant's Factory]

"You could sum that up this way, yes." Arkant says to Cessie.

"A guarantee? Hmm" Arkant rubs his chin. "I'm sure my word is worth nothing for that case, since I could just lie on you without a proove.
So let's see some other options.
You could check out the factories, but that would be very time consuming, you can also talk to some of the employees and I could give you the books. Does that fit for you?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Skyside Streets]

Ambrosia stops and considers as she sees the boy. Hmm.
"Excuse me young one, but could you tell me how you lost that arm? I might be able to help you." She asks in a gentle voice.

[Deathkeeper]

Skyside Streets

"Poison. So they lopped it off." he says glumly. He doesn't want to talk about it, and he doesn't want false hope from this strange lady.

[Shadowcaller]

Skyside Streets

"How gruesome." Ambrosia replies with distaste. "I believe I could replace it however but it requires you to put a lot of trust into a stranger like me I'm afraid. I swear I can give you a new arm though, one such as young as you shouldn't have to live a cripple the rest of his live." She pauses. "Are you willing to hear me out at least? Since I'm going to need something from you first. Not as payment but... as reagents I guess you could call it. I'm Abrosia by the way." She offers her hand to shake while smiling awkwardly. "Maybe I should have said that first."

[Deathkeeper]

Skyside Streets

Sam takes the hand awkwardly, and judging from the quality of the movement, he's either absolutely terrible at handshakes, or he used to be right-handed.
"Uh, I'll hear you out; I have nothing to lose from it. But forgive me if I don't feel all that comfortable in giving total trust to someone I just met. I've been burned on that too many times already." he says, annoyance in his voice from that last statement but not at Ambrosia herself.

[Shadowcaller]

Skyside Streets

She nods emphatically. "I completely understand and what I'm asking of you won't be a small thing either. I need something you have owned for a long time. Preferably something practical that you've used often, like a pocket knife, a watch or something you depend on a lot. Something which you believe you can trust in." She explains. "See, I work with symbols, concepts and through using something you can rely on I can create a reliable arm for you."

[Deathkeeper]

Skyside Streets

Sam looks down at his watch.
"I...don't think I have anything like that. I've only had this watch for a year or so, and I haven't really had anything besides some clothes and places to stay." he says with a half-shrug.

[Shadowcaller]

Skyside Streets

"Clothes would actually work fine for this. Is there something you've worn a lot for a longer time?" If he was so poor at least he couldn't replace his clothes. That might be the opening she was looking for.

[Deathkeeper]

Skyside Streets

Sam looks down at his clothes.
"I mean...at my age? Not really. I haven't had anything for more than a year or so. They're all hand-me downs or from thrift stores, but I couldn't wear something for very long at all before I outgrew them. Maybe a hat. I wish I had hats." he says sadly.

[ThirdEmperor]

[Triangle Street - Factory]

Bo's eyes narrow as the fiery strike leaps out, and he gets a shield up barely in time to deflect it - at least partially. It's still like being clipped by an aircar. A tremendous impact against the shield, and an explosive flowering of light. The sorcerer spins halfway around and falls on one side, half stunned for a moment.

He lands among the splinters of the table, among a cloud of dusted metals and scrap, vials of fiery light rolling every which way. A chain rasps through the dust as he struggles back up, sliding back as the huddled slaves draw into the shadows. A hand reaches for him, the grasp of a mercenary still standing despite the bloody break spilling down from his left hip.

[Orm-Embar]

He lands among the splinters of the table, among a cloud of dusted metals and scrap, vials of fiery light rolling every which way. A chain rasps through the dust as he struggles back up, sliding back as the huddled slaves draw into the shadows. A hand reaches for him, the grasp of a mercenary still standing despite the bloody break spilling down from his left hip.

It's like being underwater, the feeling of murk and slowed movement as he tries to shake it off. Get up. Focus, he thinks. Somehow he's on his feet. When did that happen? A momentary pang of loss at the thought, If I had my armor and weapons - A memory: pair of enemy tanks, burning, Imperial squad of six advancing across a field banked by forest, also burning. Stop it. Focus. An automatic reflex blocks the reaching hand up and away.

Fist launching forward. An all out attack. Attempting to strike through the middle of the guard's body. Backed by magic, enhanced by magic, black fire distortion around his hand. Don't lose control - It's a blow that could tear steel plate, if it lands. Shockwave to follow.

[Shadowcaller]

[Arkant's Factory]

"You could sum that up this way, yes." Arkant says to Cessie.

"A guarantee? Hmm" Arkant rubs his chin. "I'm sure my word is worth nothing for that case, since I could just lie on you without a proove.
So let's see some other options.
You could check out the factories, but that would be very time consuming, you can also talk to some of the employees and I could give you the books. Does that fit for you?"

[Arkant's Factory]

Cessie looks back at Wenomir for a moment. Even if gave them all that insurance there was no way to tell if he really was a criminal or not. In fact she considered it extremely likely he were considered he had his factories in Skyside which was a big no-no for her. But would they simply accept this aid anyway and plead ignorance when he turned out to have a criminal empire. People would already question Jezebel's contributions though if they knew so would another criminal make a difference? "I'd like to discuss this with Wenomir first." She tells Arkant. "Is there anywhere were we could talk privately?"

Skyside Streets

Ah yes. He must be talking about "puberty". Humans went through that right? They grow awfully quick during that period if she recalled correctly from her books. Especially the males. That would explain why he had to change clothing so often. "Perhaps..." She utters while stroking her chin. "Perhaps a part of yourself? I would lend you something of mine but I'm not sure how loyal it would be to you."

[Deathkeeper]

Skyside Streets

Sam is taken aback.
"Listen Ambrosia,I appreciate the offer but I don't think I want anything alive for one of my limbs. That's just not within my comfort zone, no matter how desperate I am." he says, clearly spooked by the concept.