Heroica RPG - Quest #40: The Strivvian Job

[Sandy]

"Blackhood, my name is Elpis, remember? Anyway, I don't think we should divide our forces - this is a foreign city to all of us and who knows what we'll find here. This is a matter of politics, I don't think it's possible to please everyone no matter what we choose. So splitting up will only make us weaker in my opinion. And to which side would Purple and his companions go, in that case?

But before we choose our side, can't these two gentlemen explain themselves a bit more. We just touched ground here, we don't even know their names or what we're getting ourselves into. So maybe introductions are in order?"

Ellaria Elpis hopes that the two men are reasonable enough to give them a short explanation about the nature of their quarrel, and what their opinions are, before making them choose.

[Scubacarrot]

"Outsiders and first time visitors of Strivvi at that, eh? Figured, people usually don't need to do that much discussion to figure out what political side they have chosen. Know you stand before the true ruler of Strivvi, Macros, and his brother, Maxis. Myself? I am Knossos, representative of the Trader's Guild here in town. There are no consequences related to this question, don't worry. I must ask that you follow all directions of the guards during your stay, keep those weapons sheathed and don't make any trouble. Enjoy your stay."

The minotaur then turns to the man holding the sword and helmet, and says to him:

"We should be off, you can argue with your brother in the palace every day of the week."

The man then nods, and without saying anything else, he and the Minotaur head off to the right, the man the party identified as Macros, purposely bumping into his brother, who recatches his balance. An angry glare in the direction of the walking man later, he himself and the nervous man in pink head off in the other direction. Staying behind are the robed man in black, and the Anubian, the first looking in the window of the shop, the second just standing against a building.

Purple leans in towards the party and says:

"That was a bit more high profile than I would have liked. Have you made a decision on who gets the Keystone? Remember I can keep it safe if needed as well. If you don't want to talk to either of those gentlemen, tell me what you want to do next."

Edited October 14, 2012 by Scubacarrot

[CMP]

"Hey, not all pirates are lowly..."

Atramor shakes his head, and turns to Purple.

"I'll carry the Keystone. Again, if worst comes to worst, I'll be able to use ya'll as human shields to cover my escape with it. Though hopefully we won't need that..."

"I can already tell how pointless this all is. Squabbles over leadership fracture cities, no matter who succeeds." suggested McCafferey silently to the witch. He merely shrugged at her advice, and turned to the Anubian. He'd not seen such a creature before, and more than likely his view on the ruler issue was skewed, but it was better than no information at all.

"What was that all about? I'm kinda surprised a city such as this has fallen into disputes over who owns what street. I've heard about how the rulers are tryin' to gain the throne - do they both have different views on rulin' this place? I doubt it'd be a matter as simple as red guys versus blue guys."

[Zepher]

"Atramor will indeed hold the Keystone. Can't say I'm unhappy we didn't split our numbers, either."

Boomingham approaches the the Anubian. As always, his diplomatic charm shines. "Hello there, chappo. How are you today? My name is Blackhood, Blackhood the Slayer, and this is my merry band. Lyssa, Ratabor, Elpis-" Boomingham finds himself unable to remember the codenames given to Skrall and Rufindel, but continues without missing a beat so as to not appear suspect, "-Garlin the Horrible, and Sir Trout. Perhaps you could tell us a little of your city. I see that the brother in red... Marcus, I believe, is no friend of your's. Why is that?"

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall nods at the Anubite at the mention of his name, Strivvi was turning out to be a more divided city then he had earlier thought.

[Rufus]

'Sir Trout, indeed,' grumbles Rufindel under his breath. 'Oh well, I've been called worse.' He flashes a smile at the dog-headed figure, and turns to the man in pink. 'Well met, friend,' he says. 'You look worried. What is troubling you?'

[Sandy]

Ellaria tries to address the men of his group. They seem to eager to rush into any situation without thinking ahead much.

"I know it must be tempting for you guys to side with the rebellious brother, but considering our task here, I don't think we should upset the current status quo in any way. Just think about having the city officials on our heels while we try to finish our mission. So if you ask me, we should keep up our appearances and side with Macros. Uh, if he's the guy in red, that is."

[CMP]

Atramor quickly mutters to Ellaria.

"Remember what Ignacio said, neither of these guys are the rulers yet. We can't take anythin' anyone says for granted, that bull guy went with the blue guy, of course he's gonna make him out to be the 'true ruler'."

[Scubacarrot]

The Anubian stands against the building, seemingly waiting on someone or something. He is holding a large sword with a hook in it, it is made of bone, but it looks sharp as any. When the party moved in, he looked up when the party stepped into his sun. His speech had an exotic ring to it, common was obviously not his first language.

"I don't know a whole lot, if you want a detailled history, talk to that man." The Anubian points at the robed man a few meters away. "He has been at the viscount's court for a long time. All I know is, is this. Macros has treated my people fairly, and I don't mean the Anubians, but the people that live in the deserts outside this city's walls. He knows that the Strivvians and the desertfolk need to depend on each other. They rely on us for food, and relations with the tribes deeper in the sands, and in turn we get protection and we get to trade in the city's markets. It's how it has been for a long time." Suddenly, the Anubian's tone lowers. "Maxis believes differently. He thinks Strivvi can do without us, and thinks us all thieves and freeloaders, and would keep the gates closed. So yes, Maxis is no friend of mine. Priest with the funny name, what troubling me is this city, almost fifteen years have passed since the viscount died, that there is no new ruler, is a travesty. Matters remain unresolved. For years, a village not three miles north from here is plagued by bandits, yet I can't get a small regiment of Strivvi's forces to deal with them, it's time this got settled. For better or worse."

[CMP]

Atramor nods.

"Makes sense to support the heir that'll help out your people. Are these bandits all in one place, or do ya' just need the troops to stick around and keep them at bay? If the former, we might be able to help. If the latter...not much we can do."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Don't ferget Ratabor, we've got our own business to take care of as well. No need in gettin' to be all heroic."

[CMP]

Atramor shrugs, and glances at the robed man. "I suppose so...Blackhood, mind seein' if that fellow'll give us a crash course on Strivvian history?"

[Zepher]

Boomingham nods.

"Makes sense to me. That's how politics end up working anyway, my friend. The person who does the most people the most good should and does win out. Makes sense to me. The numbers work out that way. Fear not. And young Ratabor is right, if you need any immediate help... well, we are a band of sell swords. Hunting down bandits is very much in line with our profession. Garlin is right, however, we do have a job here, so you'd need to make the detour worth our while. Speaking of which, I've got a question for you if you don't mind. Lyssa here got us a job hunting down some escaped slaves. Some sort of soldier transported from over on the Free Isles. Uland, I think it might have been? Or Moone? I don't recall. Is Moone even a free Isle? I'm terrible with geography, but mighty good with a sword. Anyway, haven't heard word of them, have you? You'd be doing us a favor if you had."

Boomingham turns to the other man and waves him over.

"And you, fellow, care to oblige my young apprentice Ratabor and tell him a bit of the history of Strivvi. He's a smart lad, he'll remember it. That's why I took him on as an apprentice, you know. It's strange, most people seem unaware that sell swording is a profession passed down through apprenticeship, but it's a fact. Ratabor here is still learning to use a blade, but after that, he may almost be ready to graduate, assuming I can teach him to read and write."

[CMP]

One of Atramor's eyes twitched, but he remained silent.

[Scubacarrot]

The Anubian shakes his head slowly.

"It is kindhearted of you to offer, but in vain, you would not be able to catch these fiends, you don't know the sands, and you are severely outnumbered. I have not seen any escaped slaves. Why would your escaped slaves flee to Strivvi, anyway?"

Boomingham approaches the man in the robes, the cloth is of high quality, and different colours can be seen in the thread from different angles. His voice is serious, but with a kind ring to it. He answers Boomingham.

"Well met, outsiders, I am Edward the Free, former court mage to the late viscount, and currently I try to help Maxis as best I can. It's always good to see new people in Strivvi. Your.. Apprentice looks more dangerous than yourself, if you don't mind me saying, I don't think he needs your training... I can tell you a bit about the history, although I don't have all day, so I'll tell you the recent events. As you probably are aware, around fifteen years ago, the viscount was assassinated. Some blame Eubric's guild of sellswords, Heroica, other blame a serial killer that was active around that time, and there are even some that say it was an inside job. I don't know who did it, and it does not matter. Immediately, there was trouble over who should succeed him, which of the twins? Maxis was born slightly earlier, but Macros was more mature for his age, the Captain's Conclave was divided, and written in the ancient stones that at least three quarters need to agree, no viscount was chosen. In the meantime, the Captain's Conclave rules, every season, a new vote takes place, but so far, no decision has been reached yet."

[Zepher]

OoC: Damn NPCs and their ability to see level .

Boomingham scoffs at hearing that Atramor may be more talented than him, but his eyes flick to the Witch quickly with confusion before he continues his discussion with the man.

"Well, he's unruly. Can't read, write, navigate a map, and while he may be able to hold his own with a dagger or flail, he's still helpless with a sword... and we are sell swords after all. Though nothing like that Heroica lot, calling themselves 'heroes'... elitists if you ask me. Glad to hear you think the other guy is more mature. Though sounds to me that the only folks really benefiting are the Conclave members. We've been hired to track down a group of fugitives, defectors from some soldier group in Charis or something. Wear blue and red. Have you seen them around by chance? Who could we go to to get information of that sort?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Hm, just keep that sword you mentioned sheathed, we don't like trouble, in Strivvi. And for the sake of the gods, you have a mage with you, if you want to hide that fact, do a better job. Miss, you aren't fooling me. But I digress. You misunderstood, that was fifteen years ago. Macros, I believe, is a good man, but he is hotheaded, and he is a soldier, not a ruler. I don't think the Conclave really benefits, most think the same as I, keep in mind that they are all captains of their own ship, and to balance that fact with their expanded duties in the Conclave, with the decisionless nature of the thing without a Viscount, I don't think they benefit much from the position they are in, if that is what you were implying."

The man frowns when Boomingham talks about fugitives, he continues:

"I don't think I know the people you mean. We get a lot of trade from Charis, so they probably got here on a Charis merchant's vessel? You should try the Dockmaster's office, maybe that will help. I don't think I can help in another way, although I will say you will find a lot of people dressed in red and blue here."

[CMP]

Atramor can't help but cackle to himself at Edward's admonishment at his skill.

"Can ya' tell us where this Dockmaster's office is? Might be a decent place to start."

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall shifts his weight impatiently, "This Dockmaster seems like a good place to start, it's been too long since we had a bit of good luck come our way. Perhaps he will have heard mention of the rogues. By the way Edward the Free, I've heard there is a historian of sorts in town by the name of Mortimer, any idea where I could find him? I've got somethin' of a debt ya might say to pay the fella." Skrall rests his hand nonchalantly on the stock of his Hunter's crossbow strapped to his hip.

[Scubacarrot]

"Mortimer? You mean the 'archeologist'? I know the guy, he lives up near the temple of Mercutio, on the other side of town. Now if there's nothing else, I will have to take my leave. It was good to meet you. Good luck with the sellsword business."

The party now has directions to both the Dockmaster's office, and Mortimer's house. Edward then walks off towards the north. The party sees the Anubian has wandered off too. Purple hands the Keystone over to Atramor, and starts talking:

"Right, the Dockmaster's office and this Mortimer's place both seem like good places to start. If you don't mind, I think it's best while you visit them, we look around for a place to set up base. We'll be here for quite a bit, and I'd like a safe place with no ears on the walls. I suggest we meet up back here, preferably before sundown."

[Waterbrick Down]

Ensuring that no one is in ear shot Skrall comments, "Well now yer Majesty, what are yer thoughts. Do we kill two birds in one stone, split up do a bit of investigatin' and regroup at whatever base Purple here sets up?"

[Zepher]

"Sounds fine to me Purple. We'll meet you here when the day is out. Best of luck."

Boomingham turns next to Skrall.

"I say we head off to the Dockmaster. If the guards are in some sort of danger and he may have information... well, it's always best to find missing persons sooner rather than later. I don't understand everyone's insistence on splitting up either. Do you know how real battles are fought? With thousands of men squaring off. There's a reason for that. Strength in numbers is a tried and true phrase. Nyx, Elpis, Trout, you three still with us? You're all oddly silent. Wouldn't hurt to hear how you feel about Strivvi. Perhaps your legs need stretching after that long boat ride. We're off to the Dockmaster's."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Sounds fine to me Purple. We'll meet you here when the day is out. Best of luck."

Boomingham turns next to Skrall.

"I say we head off to the Dockmaster. If the guards are in some sort of danger and he may have information... well, it's always best to find missing persons sooner rather than later. I don't understand everyone's insistence on splitting up either. Do you know how real battles are fought? With thousands of men squaring off. There's a reason for that. Strength in numbers is a tried and true phrase. Nyx, Elpis, Trout, you three still with us? You're all oddly silent. Wouldn't hurt to hear how you feel about Strivvi. Perhaps your legs need stretching after that long boat ride. We're off to the Dockmaster's."

"Maybe in a battle, but if all we're doin' is sniffin' about for information today, a smaller group would attract less attention. I agree we're better off tryin' to find the livin' first, but let's not ferget that we ain't the only ones who are lookin' for the keystone and those associated with it, that includes the archeologist."

[CMP]

Atramor takes the keystone, looks over it briefly, and stuffs it deep into his cloak.

"I say we all head to the dockmaster's as well. That little demonstration is more than enough to make me think there'll be a fight or two here."

[Sandy]

Ellaria shrugs. She hasn't been able to deduce a connection between their mission and what the locals are talking about.

"I still say the wisest choice is to stay away from the local politics. But if we end up getting mixed into them, we might have to choose a side. And I would like that we stick together if it comes down to that. This is a big city, I would hate to get lost here."