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Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair.

Posted by DJShirowFor group 0
DJShirow
GM, 563 posts
Sun 4 Dec 2016
at 22:04
  • msg #1

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

Having prepared as much as they could the sojourned trio spent the remaining time aboard the Sunset's Reach developing plausible scenarios for when they arrived at Ossylia, based on the discordant rumors and stories they had acquired on the way.

The final leg of the journey took them around the Dragon's Maw, a pair of large cape-like landmasses with jagged coastlines and dotted with islands that gave it the appearance from orbit of a dragon in the midst of devouring something or breathing fire. The Dragon's Maw was well known for its beauty and it surely did not disappoint with high cliffs crowned with luscious rain forest, waterfalls spilling into the sea, and aquamarine waters, which could be dangerous to navigate due to all the coral reefs according to the crew. The relaxing setting contrasted sharply with the atmosphere on the ship, as everyone was at least a little anxious to see what type of reception they would encounter at the capital in a few hours.

About three hours out from the harbor the first signs of naval blockade was spotted; a light cruiser was travelling quickly eastward, obviously under power of a nether-drive. After another 30 minutes the target of the cruiser as spotted, a merchant vessel by the looks of it, but after a short pause and the dispatching of a smaller vessel towards the merchant the cruiser turned about and headed for the Sunset's Reach. Shortly thereafter the captain's voice could be heard over the ship's internal comms announcing that a preliminary inspection party was enroute to survey the ship and interview the passengers, and that everyone should have their papers ready for review.
Zelpuz
player, 469 posts
Mon 5 Dec 2016
at 04:32
  • msg #2

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

Zelpuz feels the tension increasing, not just for himself, but for all the passengers. He scans the area trying to estimate if one could swim to shore here, possibly escaping ships in the reefs, but that seems like a silly idea. "Let's see what they bring, I wonder how many inspections we'll have to undergo before we finally get into the city" he says to Vanyra and Yuu who are standing next to him at the railing.
DJShirow
GM, 566 posts
Tue 6 Dec 2016
at 19:04
  • msg #3

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

The minutes drag on like the endless horizon of the sea beyond as the cruiser makes its way, almost, leisurely towards the Sunset's Reach. Zelpuz, Vanyra and Yuu all find seats in the common area away from each other but within earshot. As the cruiser draws near it's lean, low hull marks it as a coastal ship, but the lines and weapon turrets present the image of a predator nonetheless.

Rather than rafting the ships together and all the complications that entails the Ossylian naval ship launched a small skiff with a half dozen uniforms aboard. Yuu is quick to point out that one of them is a nether adept after seeing her channel a small amount of energy into the small motor device affixed to the stern. His initial observation is confirmed as the group climbs onto their ship and the all-too-familiar insignia of the Mages of the Royal Armed Forces is evident on her sleeves. Once aboard, and after a brief discussion with the Captain, which Vanyra can hear is their intent to search the vessel for contraband and interview all passengers, they break into pairs and fan out.

Being in the middle section of the common seating area provides the trio with the chance to listen to a couple of question sessions prior to their turn. The questioning seems to be preliminary, as if they are screening people rather than a full interrogation, given the lack of thorough follow-up questions. In short order a pair of naval marines steps up to your seat, neither of them is the mage, and proceed with the following question series in a stern but somewhat disinterested manner:
"Your name and identify papers please."
"Where do you currently reside?"
"From where you have traveled?"
"What is your purpose for visiting Ossylia, and how long are you planning on staying?"
"Are you carrying any commercial goods you plan on trading while here?"
"Are you carrying any weapons with you?"

Following the questions and answers one of the marines quickly scribes a note on a yellow slip of paper and passes it to the interviewee, instructing them to give to the officer on the dock upon disembarking from the ship, and from there additional instructions will be provided.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:02, Fri 09 Dec 2016.
Zelpuz
player, 471 posts
Wed 7 Dec 2016
at 03:56
  • msg #4

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

Zelpuz listens to the answers of other passengers, everything seems to go smoothly, so far. He tries to discern if any of the answers makes the guards pause or ask more questions than standard.
Yuu Jin
player, 315 posts
Sat 10 Dec 2016
at 16:49
  • msg #5

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

After pointing out the insignias, Yuu quietens himself and tries to steady his nerves. Returning to his home city is definitely playing emotional havoc, like an avalanche, everything just kind of tumbling everywhere in his guts. Nearly breaking into uncontrolled shakes, all he can do is wrap his mind into casting routines developed over the years for executing spells. Focused mind games that force his mind clear and opens his senses to the present. The past... future... intangible moments, with only the now, slowed to a hum, a vibration of light and sound.

He watches the vessel approach. He watches the officers board. And when they approach him, he answers.

"Um, hi." Yuu stutters. "Sarcen Thulm, just returning to the Academy, sir."
"I'm a student, I live in the Academy residence, and I was just visiting my family in Hasheli, sir"
"Just heading back to school, I'm in my last year, sir."
"I'm not planning any trade, and um, I don't have weapons, sir."
His answers are casually nervous.
Zelpuz
player, 473 posts
Sun 11 Dec 2016
at 05:30
  • msg #6

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

The guards move on, finally arriving at Zelpuz. He answers:
"Zelpuz, here you go."
"I am with the Order, I was sent to this city a few weeks ago, so I reside with the Order here."
"From X"
"As I said, I am to report to the local chapter, it is up to them to decide how long I will stay here, I do not know."
"No."
"Yes."
Vanyra
Player, 282 posts
Freyan
Natural
Mon 12 Dec 2016
at 17:15
  • msg #7

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

Vanyra smiles and presents her papers to the official, leaning in while she pronounces her name, "Van-eer-a", for them.

She explains that she currently resides in Ossylia as her papers show and that she has been traveling all over the kingdom of Osslyia.  To support this, she names off various locations in the kingdom she has been to recently, and states things she liked in some of them.  She doesn't mention the Hesheli region in her statement.

Vanyra says that she is returning to the capital to look for new leads and that she is unsure how long she will stay.  She hopes that the city still has "fun stuff" to do despite whatever is going on.

She has no commercial goods, but she does have two knives.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Mon 12 Dec 2016.
DJShirow
GM, 570 posts
Mon 12 Dec 2016
at 22:04
  • msg #8

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

The marines process each of your answers with little if any response. At the conclusion of the questioning each of you is handed a slip of paper with some basic information written on it; where you're from, destination and reason for coming to Ossylia and then some administrative codes that don't make any sense to you. Finally, they instruct you to give that slip to the officer on shore when they disembark, and with that they continue on through the ship to process the other passengers.

In total the investigation on the ship takes about 30 minutes and then the navy ship leaves to rendezvous with the smaller craft that separated earlier. The Sunset's Reach moves on toward the harbor gate and within the hour is lined up with several other ships awaiting entry. A crewman announces that they are waiting for permission to enter from the harbor patrol, but it should be within the next hour or two. A quick survey out the windows shows about 6 or 7 other ships anchored about within 200~400m of each other, all on the northern side of the water way leading to the gates.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:08, Mon 12 Dec 2016.
Zelpuz
player, 475 posts
Tue 13 Dec 2016
at 03:30
  • msg #9

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

After the inspection team left, Vanyra, Yuu and Zelpuz gather at the starboard railing. "That was strange, what was that supposed to accomplish? Just a count of weapons or scanning of incoming merchandise? I doubt they were even cared if someone said the truth, and what was the magician there for?"
Vanyra
Player, 285 posts
Freyan
Natural
Thu 15 Dec 2016
at 04:50
  • msg #10

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

Vanyra shrugs and looks at Yuu.
DJShirow
GM, 574 posts
Tue 20 Dec 2016
at 18:11
  • msg #11

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

Yuu provides an unnecessary in depth explanation of the philosophy and execution of Ossylian military use of Nether and hence mages, and by way of that ultimately states that almost all military units at the squad level and higher have a minimum of one mage. Thus the presence of a mage should not be alarming, in fact the opposite would have been more unusual.

Within the next hour and a half the Sunset's Reach enters the harbor proper and is directed to a pier. As the ship approaches the dock quite a few changes are visible, the most visible being a large fence or wall that encircles the entire harbor front. There are two distinct sections, one for passenger traffic and one for cargo. As expect their ship pulls into the passenger side where 5 other ships are berthed and a sizable crowd is lined up. As the crew finish the mooring preparations the group collects their things and prepares to disembark.

Upon exiting the ship's cabin a pair of Ossylian city guards are visible at the end of the gangplank, and are checking the slip of paper everyone was given for each passenger. As Vanyra, Yuu and Zelpuz reach the guards the slips are reviewed quickly and then directions are given to report to a particular counter number for further processing. Zelpuz is told to go to counter 9, Vanyra counter 3 and Yuu to Counter 2.

As they set off down the pier towards land they take note of the number of guards posted in the area and the few exits, only two exits actually, both of which are behind the counters ahead. There are a couple of tents set up on the far right of the counters that appear to be the guard posts for this area. As each of them find their particular lie and get into queue the level of awareness of the guards becomes evident; in stark contrast to the usual lackadaisical patrolling most guards do, these guards are keeping a close eye on the crowd.
Zelpuz
player, 476 posts
Wed 21 Dec 2016
at 05:09
  • msg #12

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

"See you on the other side" Zelpuz murmurs to the other two before heading off to counter 9. He scans the area for possible escape routes should they become necessary. He walks as slowly towards the counter as possible without looking like he's obviously stalling while he scans the area and tries to listen to the guards at the counter.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Wed 21 Dec 2016.
DJShirow
GM, 577 posts
Wed 21 Dec 2016
at 18:07
  • msg #13

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

While passing time in line Zelpuz notices that all of the people ahead of him have the same colored slip of paper, which didn't really come as a surprise. People do seem to processed in a relatively quickly, with about three quarters of them moving on without issue and the others being lead away by another guard, though not in shackles. The area is crowded and sight lines are few, and escape routes even fewer; whoever designed this did so with the intent of keeping people in. In a pinch he figures a teleport to a nearby rooftop would suffice, but it would leave him quite exposed should anyone bother to look up.

Yuu and Vanyra find the situation similar in their respective lines, though they've yet to notice anyone being lead away by a guard and the conversations at the counter are only lasting about a minute following the exchange of some papers. It is probably a safe assumption that they are asking for some sort of ID.
Yuu Jin
player, 319 posts
Sun 25 Dec 2016
at 04:29
  • msg #14

Chapter 7: The Spider's Lair

Yuu steps up to the officer, and can be seen answering questions.
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