"Excellent. Allow the rumors to spread unabated. If you are approached I would like you to affirm any rumors, no matter how hyperbolic, so long as they positive. Assess if any of the interested possess noteworthy skills: scholars, intellectuals, professions, craftspeople. Tell them that their is work to be had, wealth to be made, and boons to reaped within my service."

Increase continued to walk as he spoke to Argent.

"Assuming that you are willing to do so. I do not wish to enter the habit of simply dictating orders to you. We are allies, you and I, not master and servant."

Argent was perhaps one of the few people he considered equal to himself, outside of his zenith counterparts.

There was a look of surprise on his face, which he hid after a moment.

"I'll make a list and gather some people on the dock they are providing. And if they want to view you a god in the making, I will not dissuade them.

I should be able to string them along for a while, but it's you they'll want to see and talk to you, at least once, fairly soon. And of course, you'll have to be the one to get the boat project building.

Counting coin and navigating politics is one thing, but boats are not my specialty."

After a few minutes, he stopped, reflecting.

"What a bizarre past few weeks it's been." He shook his head in disbelief.

Increase nodded his assent.

"You are correct. I will see to meeting with any you are able to find. I should be able to impress upon them the opportunity that they find themselves faced with."

With that Increase went to attend to his business. He would need to examine the dock and take stock of its condition. He would then need to arrange for construction materials to be brought to the docks, see to the formalization of construction contracts with the Lorenzi House, and begin preparing for the education of the shipwrights. From there he would dedicate himself to his new craft.

We can do a time-skip for this since a lot of it is just administrative stuff. Ultimately just want to start spreading my name, growing my cult of specialists, and using that Dominion to make the shipwrights.

[OOC - Fair enough. This is basically done]

Plaga makes her way inside the walls. Amazingly, the guards barely challenge her at all, charging only the nominal fee for a day pass with bored expression.pass. The cash is meaingless to you- your profits more than cover the fee.

You can't tell if the guards weren't paying attention, or if they are just being very non-chalant about your new status as Bella Donna.

As you step under the walls, the pure weight of the gigantic stones become apparent to you. It is as though the gigantic towering walls entomb you. While you are in here, you will not be able to escape the feeling of weight upon your soul. Perhaps you can find a way around them, in time.

In fact, the entire city feels massively claustrophobic, particularly once you enter the city's actual blocks, with countless stacked blocks of apartmentswith low patios awnings and roofs on multiple levels. It's utterly insane to navigate. You can see numerous young men, fell running across the rooftops, rapidly making ground but risking falls of upwards of 100 feet at times.

For a pittance, a beggar boy guides you to The Medicinal College. It takes up a whole city block, which is rather exhorbent given how most buildings are jammed together. More realistically, this should be called a medicinal district: you see apothecaries, mechanic shops, and funerary arrangers seem to be very common in the surrounding blocks as well.

A question comes to you from your guide. "Hey, lady. There's the poor section and the rich one. The poor one takes forever to talk to anyone. The rich entrance is normally for citizens and the like. There's also a few doors for deliveries and the like, but it's hard to get in that way." He'd probably tried to nab a few items or knew someone who had. "Which one should I take you to?"

The hospital itself seems to have two sides.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:14, Fri 12 June 2020.

The bluntness and innocense of the boy make Plaga briefly remember a time long ago, when the possibility of finding a husband and startin a family was in her mind. She was uncomfortable thinking about her old self, but she would need to bring that woman back for the next part of her plans, even if only as a facade to infiltrate the city. It was funny, in a way, how she would have little trouble bringing back the dead, but reviving her old persona was such a difficult task. When she spoke to the boy, she did so in a warm, yet playful voice.

"The rich entrance sounds like the most boring one, don't you think? Either way, that is where I'll be heading for now. Lead the way, my guide"

The city weight heavily on Plaga's shoulders, but she felt her powers latent inside her. It was unlikely that she would be able to use her abilities to the fullest extent, but the flame inside her was too strong to be completely blocked by the wards. She was confident enough that she could still surpass any of the other doctors in terms of skill.

"You might wanna get more colorful clothes though if you've got that kind of money.

All the rich people wear that fancy stuff.

Your money though!"

The scamp brought Plaga to a five arched gate into a garden that surrounded the main part of the building. Two guards waited outside to make sure no riff-raff came in, and strong orderlies were ready with stretchers and mechanical chairs to wheel potential patrons inside the hospital. Through the gate, Plaga also saw several convalescing patients, all fairly well to do, were enjoying a leisurely convalescence in the garden. Each wore a clean cloth gown of high quality.

"Here you go lady! Sorry, I can't wait for when you leave. I'd wait for the return trip, but if I'm around here for too long alone, I'll get my ass beat. Gotta go!" He vanished into the throng as they reached their destination.

As Plaga approached the gate,

A nurse with a demenor closer to valet, approached Plaga. He took in her clothes and general mysterious demenor. She was not limping or in any obvious distress. She didn't appear improvished, but her clothes didn't mark her as a citizen of the city or a noble either. She did not seem lost though. He smiled politely at the potential customer.

He went into a polite routine. "Ma'am? Do you need treatment? You do not appear to be a regular citizen, but the Memorial accepts walk-ins and emergency appointments." If they can pay the fees. "Would you like to see our menu of services? Or do you have a specific complaint?"

He showed her a book containing estimated prices from baby delivery to clockwork enhancement. The prices were VERY far from cheap. The clockwork installation's prices were utterly ruinous (unless perhaps your name was Vasati).

Half out of politeness and half out of curiosity, Plaga had a read at the offered book before explaining the situation to the nurse.

"In fact, I don't come here for treatment. I wished to speak to the authorities of the hospital to offer my medical skills to this establishment. I apologize if this is not the correct way to go about it, I would ask you if you were so kind to indicate how I should proceed."

"Ah! I see."

He looked at her again. She did not seem like riffraff, but was certainly an outsider to the city. Best be on good behavior. If she had a visitor's pass, she'd paid for it.

"I will save you some time. Before they agree to an interview, you would have to supply references. We can't just have people randomly practicing medicine in the hospital, after all.

We would have to ensure via a written introduction that you were sufficiently skilled to work in such a capacity.

"The Church Outreach, The Physicians, Alchemical and Barbers Guilds and the Collegium could vouch for your skills. If you are a qualified physician in another Vissian city, a letter from them would suffice.

To work in this branch, you would have to have some truly exceptional skills, however. May I inquire as to your specialty?"

"I see, that is as much as I expected. Yes, you may. If I'm being honest, it's hard to point at something that stands out. It's been quite some time since I worked in a proper hospital, so while my skills remain developed, I lack the... career sense, you could say, that other doctors may have. I've been working as a traveling doctor for quite a few years now, and while my original job was specialized in the treatment of infections, I had to learn how to diganostic and treat all kinds of wounds and ailments, while limited in resources."

He took a look at Plaga, and decided he liked her.

"Sorry, but chances are you will not be hired in this wing of the hospital. You'd need some exceptional connections, as we serve only the top end of the city.

The student section on the other side of the building where you could conceivably get hired. You'd still need someone to vouch for you, but it's substantially easier if you can show you know what you are doing.

Outside the walls, particularly around shantytown, no one is likely to care. If you just want to practice, talk to Dr. Brokenblade at Limbfisher's Pier"

(OOC - If you ask your contacts in the guild, they would also be happy to put you down as one of the doctors who will treat people without asking too many questions.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:53, Sat 13 June 2020.

"Ah, I think I'm starting to see the big picture. I'll follow your advice and get my resumé to the other wing, once the proper documentation is in order. And I'll make sure to pay a visit to Dr Brokenblade if I'm nearby the pier. Thank you for your help, young man"

During the rest of the day, Plaga would try and contact Vasati to speed up a document from the collegium that certified her skills as a doctor. She didn't particularly care if that was in the form of a forgery or if she had to do some kind of test at the collegium itself to get an original one. If Vasati asked, she simply would tell him that she was willing to do "whatever he judged easier".

Once that was taken care of one way or the other, she would stop by Dr Brokenblade's place, curious as to how the least fortunate habitants outside the walls were treated.

(OOC: You or Vasati should make it clear how he's doing this. He, or even you could ask the guild for forged credentials, or if gifts, miracles or even dominion expenditures are being considered. Sorry for the delay, I think we were all waiting for other people, but I should have communicated stuff better).

As you consider your options, a well dressed man walks up to you. Three well armed flunkies are behind him. They all carry brutal heavy blades not commonly carried by duelists within the city. It is still relatively crowded, and the men remain at a small distance away, their hands not anywhere near their swords.

"Oh my! It is the purveyer of fine powders from outside. I hear you are doing quite well for yourself these days.  I hope your visit to the hospital was fruitful. I understand that this city can be confusing to an outsider, and more than a little expensive.

I am Manno de Falchetto. Perhaps we can have words about some business? I was wondering if you had any powderes that might assist us managing our estates better."

To clarify the timing on this, this event happened after your negotiation, but before the other shoe drops during the Falchetto.  Plaga is probably aware that the Falchetto are looking for Gaja at the moment.

(OOC - Up to you how you want to deal with this guy, Plaga. There are witnesses around, you are in a good section of town, he's a noble, and he hasn't yet pulled his blade, to make it clear).

(OOC: I want to deal with him. I'll make sure to post a response before the day is gone, I set up an alarm to check it as soon as I'm free)

OOC: Alright, been refreshing my memory about who the Falchetto were, and read a bit about what happened in the mansion.

"Greetings, Manno de Falchetto. I am the Signora Plaga. But I believe it is likely you knew that already, given your approach. It is my policty to always discuss the possibility of bussiness. Where do you propose we meet to talk?"

"Oh, you know, I wouldn't want the alchemists to overhear us.

There is a small warehouse nearby where we will not be disturbed. Even if we do not come to an agreement, I am happy to pay your day pass for your time."

"Oh, that won't be necessary, I'm sure we'll have an enjoyable conversation regardless of the outcome. Lead the way."

You are lead to a rather less hospitable area of town. The clothes got shabbier, and the buildings seemed higher and more forbidding. The carts vanished and the houses shrunk till the residential buildings were packed atop one other.

The man knocked at the front door, and a bored looking guard let them in. "warehouse" was a bit of a misnomer: this looked more like an old shop of some kind that had been converted. Marble blocks and ceramics of many varieties were stacked in crates. Everything in here had a think layer of dust.

The doors closed behind.

"Ah it is good that you came. I'm Falchetto, and we don't like dancing around things.

My sources say that you were on the ship with a bunch of odd, powerful people, doing strange things that upset some." He shrugged.

"But there is one who visited our stronghold, a Howler bard with strange powers. She came in on the huge ship that you came in on. We very badly need to speak to her.

If you lead us to her, or can help us find her, we will buy much of your powders. Enough to make you a very wealthy woman and establish yourself in the city.

If this woman is plotting against our house, we will be forced to retaliate. We do not wish to involve anyone who is not involved, so I thought I'd give you this opportunity."

"That seems like a rather insulting proposal. But I'm sure that was not the intent behind it, so I'll take no offense to it. My product is of a quality that goes beyond anything this city has seen before. Buying it is not a favor to me, but a fair transaction. If all your assumptions were correct, then what you are asking me to do is to betray this Howler bard. For that to happen, I'll need something a lot sweeter than a deal. So how about this for a counter-offer: I've heard this city has ancient wards protecting it from outside forces. I wish to know the location of the focus for this wards. Or even better, gain access to it. For that second option, I'm willing to also grant a discount in my product to the Falchetto family and those aligned to it."

(OOC - Most people would only have an idea that the old walls protected people inside from 'evil' or 'outsiders'.

It doesn't even interact with low magic, just supernatural creatures spending effort for their powers or theurgy stuff (and humans who can cast theurgy generally don't remain human for very long. Those are pretty rare.)

He gives a low chuckle, which the hired goons joined inon. "I like you. Guts and direct. Though I'm afraid I don't know about these wards.

I will assume your product is very good.

Our households frown on excess and vice, and we are reluctant to use anything but discipline and good treatment on our chattel, so forgive our lack of knowledge of your art.

But we do know this city. And we know that you will have difficulty selling your product inside the city: there are so many competing interests here. A major house on the council can make those interests go away, use our influence to have your product tried at the parties of the major families, and if your product is as good as you say no doubt they will begin beating a path to your door. We can get you that invitation.

If 'becoming a citizen of this city' doesn't interest you, how about, "we will give you a great deal of money or owe you a favor." The Falchetto honor their commitments."

OOC: Figured it wasn't a sure chance they would know, but since they are an important family I thought it wouldn't hurt to try it.

Plaga shrugs as Falchetto shows ignorance towards the wards. "It was worth a shot".

When they elaborate some more about the details of the operation, Plaga thinks on it again.

"Having the customers be influencial people within the walls does sweeten the deal. Of course, noble palates requires more refined products. We can discuss the details of it at a later date if you wish, but I believe that it may be wise to make the exchange in shantytown. Less prying eyes over there. As soon as the product passes from my hand onto yours, I shall begin my efforts to locate your person of interest. Once I see results on your promise, I will deliver the location to you. Is that agreeable?"

He smiled. "Nah, sorry. Not interested in your efforts, just the actual information.

Maybe pass on this info to the others who live on the ship, so they know it's just HER we're looking for, not the ship builder or the war woman. You do that, I'll send someone to pick up some product for testing at least.

You get some actual info, we have a huge presence around the north gate and an embassy inside the city. Till then, thank you for being so reasonable."

He's about to leave when he smacks his forehead.

"Ah, of course. I did say I'd pay for your time, and a little more for your trust."

He ends up paying wealth 2... a little more than double what you paid for the daily pass (not that this is a drain on your finances).

Even when Manno de Falchetto walked out of her sight, Plaga was still wondering what was the real purpose of his visit. He had come, asked about Gaja, then... joked? misunderstood? Plaga wasn't sure what that last response was meant to be. And there was the payment. For absolutely no deal or any sort of loss, Plaga had received an amount that the common man may not see in a lifetime of work. Was there something hiding behind the "gift"? Or was this just Falchetto's way to send a message? If the later, he was indeed a foolish man, and Plaga had met many like that before. Rich people too comfortable in their thrones to see a threat even if it spitted on it's face. Then again, they were after Gaja, so they couldn't be that smart.

After contemplating in solitude for a few moments, Plaga decided to continue on her way to Limbfisher's Pier, to visit Dr Brokenblade. After all, she had time to kill while Vasati did his job.

Plaga was not harassed as she made her way back out the walls.

(OOC- Just for your interest, he interacted with you in that way because...

1) ...Plaga, unlike Scholar, Gaja and Claire, HASN'T done anything too overtly flashy in public. There are stories about Gaja and Claire and Scholar from the fishing stuff (particularly Claire). All he really knows about you is that you make drugs and are selling them in Shanty Town, and that you sometimes hang with Gaja.

2) When Plaga said 'well, if you buy my stuff I'll look into it' he basically took that to mean that she was willing to play ball but didn't actually know where Gaja is.

He's not aware of your powers, so he wasn't willing to buy a shit ton of drugs he doesn't realy want for something that might not pan out, but he doesn't think you are trying to hide her. So, he's quite willing to be polite and let you go but leave the promise of big rewards if you deliver actual vital intel).

Just so you get his reaction OOC.