'Jenci' nods.  "You're best placed of all of us to do that," he agrees with Nanaret.  "And it wouldn't do to let the people back home worry about us."

"But lets go and get those IDs before the peace corps have us up for malingering," Xurizu agrees.  "After that, to work.  Hopefully, Cairen can explain a little about what happens here."

With this, the Exalts march on to take care of their 'business', and Iron Beak's office.

The Conclave is a quiet place at the moment, and at first it is an almost eerie prospect. One would expect the town square to have more traffic and bustle at this time of day, and that fact it does not gives it a surreal, strange emptiness. But then, as the Exalts in disguise cross the main square, the reason becomes apparent.

A chime echoes across the square, signaling the end of mass in the nearby Immaculate temple. Soon after, the doors to the structure slowly open, revealing a throng of faithfuls now coming out through the courtyard like a river spilling out of a broken dam. Miners, other workers, wives and husbands, children, all come out of the building, chattering quietly among themselves and filling the desperately empty square with welcome background noise. It almost feels like a relief, in the similar manner a sudden rain will be one after a long, heavy and gloomy day.

Walking by gives the Exalt group an unexpected glimpse within the temple itself as well, a rare chance to observe its inside without having to infiltrate it. The walls seem made of white jade, but carry the same spare aesthetics as the outside, making it more of a humble structure than a grand one. From their point passing by, the group can catch sight of an altar on a dais, and several lintels also bearing the mon of Pasiap - between each, a painting representing one virtue of the Immaculate teachings hangs within a simple ebony frame. Several monks are assembled near the doorway, no doubt watching the faithful go. With them, a creamy-skinned women also loosely dressed in Immaculate robes - albeit in a manner that reveal a good deal of skin - stares out at the courtyard as well. There would be no real reason to single our this person, other than the distinct way she wears the Immaculate clothing, if not for a simple detail that none of them can miss.

The beautiful woman wears a tight collar around her graceful neck. The same sort of collar all of them wore only some time ago, while they were still prisoners.

The glimpse almost seems to last longer than it really does. In a moment, the doors close once more after the throng of faithfuls and three Immaculate monks step outside, and the people go about their business as usual. With the added number of people walking into the square, it now seems like a good idea for the group to go about their business, lest they draw unwanted attention.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:37, Thu 05 Mar 2009.

Ironbeak's office could use a good round of cleaning up - the whole place has an air of organized mess. Important-looking documents litter the main desk, as well as two side tables and the top of a rusty file cabinet who seems to have seen much better days. Strangely enough, however, the whole disorganized clutter still manages to emanate with a certain sense of order - almost defying the usual definition of the term, the chaos within the small office seems to make sense, when one lets go of one's preconceived notions. And that is something one definitely needs to do when laying eyes upon the room's owner, Ironbeak.

"Forgive the added mess. New checkpoint gives me a damn lot more paperwork than I usually have. Takes all my efforts to keep the tidal wave under control." The man's voice sounds almost like a man talking within a hollow metal tube - it echoes and distorts in a way a voice should not, and yet it has a certain soothing quality to it, once one gets past its surprising nature.

Ironbeak himself might, at one point, have been human. That much can be hypothesized from the dark flesh of his face and neck, his exposed right shoulder and the black dreadlock-like strands of hair that he keeps tied back in a ponytail. Many parts of him, however, look much more like machinery than human limbs. His right arm is an amalgam of metal and tubes shaped to resemble a normal man's arm, with dull iron-colored metals plates and copper wiring showing underneath. The hand at the end of the powerful appendage is bulky and powerful-looking, despite being seemingly capable of precise motor movement. One of the plates seems to join his shoulder with his chest, where the metal disappears beneath a fitted black coat trimmed in silver. The man's other arm is covered by the coat's sleeve, but at the end another mechanical hand can be clearly seen, this one much finer and more human-proportioned.

He wears black trousers over his black polished boots - work boots, although they seem to be kept pristine. The heaviness with which the man walks betrays that one or both of his legs might also be crude machine implements, as well as a good part of his torso. At the collar of his coat, an assemblage of wires, copper tendons and tubes form half of his neck, and the leftmost part of his face is the color of polished iron, shaped and curved to match the shape of his otherwise human features. The space where the implants meet skin seem raw and pinkish, adding to the crude appearance of Ironbeak's machine half. The metal man turns slightly, making it apparent that one of his eyes is a glowing blue orb, connected to a plate in the back of his head by two pieces of silver and black tubing. Rifling through the papers at the top of the cabinet while chewing absent-mindedly on an unlit stub that likely used to be a cigar, the mechanical man speaks again.

"Here it is. Can't even figure out where I put my new forms anymore. Just got asked to change the format, and because I didn't have had time to convert all the old ones to the new specs, I can't get rid of the whole template yet. Long story short, I can't navigate my office properly. It's a pain, I tell ya." Despite his almost fearsome appearance, Ironbeak seems to be a laid back fellow, much more pleasant than the checkpoint guards that they have just met.

"Allright." The man say, picking up a pain with his more agile left hand. The pen clicks as the metallic hand touches it. "Let's take it again from the top. I believe you folks have some papers and a request for me?"

Nanaret, catching a glimpse of the collared woman, immediately averts her gaze and enters the office without comment. Her mind, though, considers the implications: another of the Celestials, imprisoned so close to her companions' base? The woman could well be used against them, but what if they attempt to free her instead?

It would be easier just to leave the woman behind -- even temporarily -- but Nanaret is sure that she and any one of her companions would wish to be freed, if in the collared one's place. The idea of just leaving her there bothers Nanaret deeply.

But, how to help her with low risk to the others? Perhaps a single infiltrator, then...

Still, there are entirely too many leads to look up on, and Nanaret has more immediate considerations to think about -- such as dealing with the machine-man behind the desk. Ironbeak reminds her very much of Tycho, but even more mismatched, with the machine-parts so disfiguring the parts of him still recognizably human. It seems strange to her that a man with such a powerful body would be employed in a bureaucratic manner. Perhaps an intimidation tactic of sorts.

Well, in that case... "Um, yes sir," Nanaret replies to Ironbeak, in a tentative voice. Gingerly, she stretches out the hand holding the checkpoint paper, as if almost expecting the man's large machine-hand to crush it. "I'm Bryn, this here is Freidr and Jenci. We just went through the checkpoint... we've just been reassigned for work here, and need some new IDs, if it's not too much trouble." She scratches her head sheepishly with her free hand in a nervous affectation. "I mean, I guess it is trouble, but... you know. We transferred at a bad time, but we didn't have much control over that. We just go where we're told."

Dashu, for the most part, took Nanaret's lead when it came to seeing the collared Celestial.  "I don't want to just leave her there," Dashu thinks to himself.  While he can be difficult to approach sometimes, Dashu has very strong feelings against slavery and particularly the slavery of other Celestials.  However, he realizes that first things come first.  They needed their ID's.

When Dashu first sees the foreman, he is somewhat amazed.  He never expected to see someone so similar to Tyco running around.  Secretly he wondered if Ironbeak was a mortal version of Tyco, or perhaps even the Exalt's prototype.

Keeping with the facade that he used earlier with the guards, Dashu tried to act as respectful and deferential as possible towards the foreman.  He did however feel more comfortable in addressing him than he did the guards so he tried asking a few questions while remaining in character.  "Sir, if ya don't mind me asking, when we were told about our transfer, no one mentioned all tha security.  We didn' find out 'till tha last second.  What's go'n on?  Is there somethin' we need to be worried about?"

[Private to GM: Activating judge's ear technique.

Peleps Dashu rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,5,9,7,5,3,2,10. Chr + Invest. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:21, Fri 06 Mar 2009.

"Oh, not a problem on you folks' side." The mechanical man says, grabbing the paper from Nanaret's hand and watching it carefully. He switches it to his bulkier hand, switching his cigar with his free limb as he reads. "It's from upper management. Foreman's being an overbearing ass about it too, as you can imagine. He's got his orders too, of course. All comes from the top." Immediately, he starts off writing on one of his forms. It is unknown whether or not it is due to him having filled so many, or because of his machine parts, but he somehow manages to fill in all the information while continuing to speak, lifting his head once to meet Dashu's gaze.

"What's that? Oh, you mean the Checkpoint and the IDs and all that jumbled business. That's kinda new." He pauses in his form filling, and starts to jerk the pen violently three or four times. "Damn pen keeps jamming just when it's important business. Anyways, that's because something went down some days ago in the Water District. Place is closed down now, apparently. They've tightened security out in all the other Districts, but especially ours. Mostly since we're sitting right on top of Water's head. Just our bloody luck, right?" He grins, chewing on the stub in his mouth.

"Supposedly some guards saw someone snooping around these parts, too. That half of the rumor gets everyone excited, as you can imagine. They don't know how that will affect them, if the person was just a vagrant or some slasher or whatnot. The rumors go wild." He shakes his head, then signs the document, pausing momentarily while examining it. "Don't have to tell you what it's like here - toiling day in and day out, the slightest bit of unconventional happenings gets people all caught up in it. Makes up for having to focus on their boring lives. Er, no offense of course, since you're gearing up for that lifestyle too, huh?"

With that, he puts the filled in forms in one drawer of his file cabinet, then pulls out three blank cards bearing the seal of the B25 Miner's Conclave, and fills in each of their information in turn. He hands the cards over, along with some pens. "Sign these please." He says, still busying himself organizing various papers around the office. Once signed, he checks out each signature in turn, apposes his on each of the cards, then puts a transparent laminate layer on top of all of them. He observes his handiwork carefully, then grins, revealing some silver teeth dispersed among his human-like ivory ones. "There, that should do it." He hands the cards over, making certain to give the right one to each individual. "That wasn't as painful as it was gearing up to be, was it?" He grins again, and leans back slightly, grabbing the cigar stump from his mouth with his smaller mechanical hand.

"If that's all you need from me, fellows... Then you're free to head out in and be good little worker bees."

[Private to Peleps Dashu: Dashu doesn't detect any outright lying from Ironbeak, but he does detect that he might be concealing things about the Water District situation. Although there is no lie, he seems to be vague on purpose on that topic,  and Dashu gets the feeling he knows more than he lets on.]

Xurizu had been silent after they'd spotted the woman, presumably a Celestial like themselves, within the temple.  He'd stared a bit, but then a scribe like himself probably would.  Her presence here worried him though.  How long had she been here?  Was she here before this trouble or was she a trap for them?  It is with thoughts such as these that he follows the pair into the office of Ironbeak.

He accepts the papers with a grateful smile, and a "Thanks," before he listens to what he tells them of the conclave and the events happening around here.  It's as they're being shown out that he speaks up a little more, blushing slightly.  "Erm, as we were walking in here I saw ... someone in the temple.  She ... she was be-... I mean, who is she? Um."

Nanaret puts down her signature when asked for, signing for a 'Bryn Freiwald.' A throwaway identity -- a name she'd heard from somewhere -- but one that would hopefully buy them some time. She can only hope that records are not nearly so well kept track of so far down the Coils.

"Not so painful, sir," Nanaret says with a hesitant, though mostly relieved smile upon receiving her ID. "And no offense taken. It's a tough way to make a living, but it puts food on the table and a roof over my head."

The disguised Lunar affixes her ID card to the breast of her worksuit. While 'Jenci' professes his interest in the collared woman (who really was beautiful, though scantily clad to be kept in a temple) Nanaret decides it's best that not all of them linger, in case it is seen as suspicious. In particular, she does not want to appear as if she has any interest in the enslaved woman at all. Later -- after she's returned with her report -- she could give a shot at casing the temple for an infiltration. But not a moment before. Being too hasty could endanger all of them, collared or not.

"S-sorry, one more thing..." Nanaret apologetically interrupts Jenci's question, if only for a moment. "We've got some lodgings with this job, right? I'd like to go and check 'em out, get myself settled a bit before the next work shift." This is not a lie: she believes her best chance would be to wait until tomorrow to risk sneaking back to her allies' camp. Leaving too soon would be too suspicious -- it would make more sense to slip the visit sometime before or after the next shift, and rest in the meantime.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Sat 07 Mar 2009.

Dashu, under the guise of borrowing the pen from 'his sister', glaces looks at her ID card to see the last name she wrote down.  It would not do for them to wreck their story by getting their names wrong.  After he scrawled out his own alias, he placed his ID on his clothing, he decided to follow Nanarett's lead.  He was anxious to find people to talk to.  They should probably make a quick stop by the outpost to do their trading before Nanaret left.  This way they could make two trips with the goods and get more things back to the base camp.  "Thank you, very much," Dashu said to the foreman.  "Err, are we assigned shifts down here or do we sign up for whatever shift we want?"

"She?" Ironbeak answers, removing the blackened stump from his mouth as he speaks. "You're sure she wasn't just someone going to mass?" He says, watching Xurizu intently as he asks. "Oh wait, you must mean the woman that's hanging out with the monks. Beats me, honestly. If she's with them, she might be either with them or working for them. Either, way, she doesn't come out much. I don't even really know her name. 'Course, I don't really spend much time on holy grounds, so I'm probably not the best person to ask." He grins, then puts the cigar back in his mouth.

"As for lodgings, you're correct - they're part of the deal when you sign up for this job. We've got enough of a tough time getting more workers for the expanding operation, so we just give them a roof to rest under as part of the bargain, to try to sugar the deal a little." He pauses, then nods. "Check the directions once you get back to the square, that will clear that out. Present your ID and they'll realize you're not roomed yet and clear that out for you. If you run in any trouble, let me know and I'll help with fixing it."

"You'll get assigned shifts, though I'd say you're looking at a 1 to 2 days wait before you get your actual assignment. Boss and I are tearing our hair out keeping the roster up to date and cleaned out, what with the new changes and such. On top of the people requesting temporarily leave, injured workers, people taken away for questioning, and new arrivals, it's a mess to keep an accurate depiction of our mining teams. But in a day, two at most, we'll have your schedules and assignment well and ready. Just get acclimated with the scenery and the people until then."

He checks some of his forms and documents, then lifts his head once more. "Well, not that I'm bored, or that you're not pleasant fellows to chat with, but if you'll excuse me... I've got a mountain of paperwork I need to get done before the end of the day, so I've got to get to it. Hope you enjoy your new settlement, fellows. If anything crops up you're not sure how to handle, come back in and if I can spare the time, I'll help you out." With that, he salutes them with his smaller hand, and immediately gets back to work. One can immediately tell that his examination of the situation was no exaggeration - the pile of papers he seems to be starting to work on is stacked at least a foot and a half high, and two more similar piles rest right next to it.

Once past the door and back in the square, the Exalts can get a better look at how the square usually looks like - the bustle is definitely more prominent now that mass is over. People come and go, chat and argue with one another, and the settlement seems much more lively overall. The amalgam of people does not only bring comfort, however.

From at least two different spots in the square, the group can point out guards wearing the same uniforms as those manning the Checkpoint. The sentries are evidently not making any efforts to stay hidden, nor do they try to conceal the fact that they are watching the newly arrived folks - it becomes rather clear that they are carrying both a warning and a threat. We are watching you. The realization dawns that the peace force probably has detachments observing new arrivals for a time, to ascertain that they act appropriately and do not engage in suspect behavior, as well as provide a deterrent for those who would have considered such actions. [Private to Ledaal Xurizu: If you glance up at the rooftops again your scenelong charm will still allow you to see the invisible sentry/snipers waiting where you saw them before.]

Whether they are using this method as an intimidation tactic or because they have suspicions concerning the concealed Exalts, they cannot determine. One thing is certain, however: whether they like it or not, they will have to lie low and play their roles for a short while, until initial caution about them starts to fade. Until then, they will have to do their best to mingle with the population, and try to keep up their act to the best of their ability...

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu; Peleps Dashu; Saina Nanaret: Ok, here's the deal: you'll be spending 3 days in the Conclave under observation, while the main thread moves on to next week. You can detail your actions for those 3 days in your next post (while keeping in mind that you are being observed in the meantime). Once you've described how you'll spend those three days, we'll skip ahead, let Nanaret leave, and handle the core of your investigation/information gathering.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:43, Sun 08 Mar 2009.

Dashu had spent the last 3 days trying to do nothing out of the ordinary.  He went to the store to try and sell the items they had brought with them, a perfectly normal act for someone who just moved and needed money.  Past that he tried to fit in as much as possible.  However, he didn't try to stay out of sight.  He figured sneaking around and ditching his tail were the quickest ways to draw attention to himself.  It would scream out that he did not want to be seen.  He had taken the time to ask some questions though.  He kept his eye on the man named Vergon.  He didn't want to be seen with him just yet as he was obviously someone who the authorities would find suspicious.  However, Dashu did want to know how to find the man when he thought it was safe to do so.  Dashu did, however, ask question around town.  Aimed to get information.  He noted who some of the frequent visitors to the temple were and questioned them on some simple things such as the time of mass, who the local monks were, and most importantly, who the collared woman was.  When he was certain that he and his friends were out of ear shot of anyone else, he asked his friends, "Does either of you have any idea how to remove the woman's collar?  I think... I think we should try and free her."

Nanaret thinks that she would be able to avoid notice or misdirect the guards' attention should she wish to move around freely, but the point of her and Dashu and Xurizu coming into the Conclave is not just to sneak about, but to gather information. Establishing their new identities as regulars in the area would make that task plenty easier than having to constantly remain hidden.

So she lays low for a couple days, awaiting her assignment while exploring the Conclave to get used to the layout and the area. During her exploration she tries to figure out the rhythm of the guards' shifts and the logistics of their assignments, both the stationary ones at the checkpoint and the ones watching the grounds. She is also careful to attempt her observations in a casual manner, or disguised as another purpose entirely. Therefore she rarely walks about without a specific destination in mind, whether it is to her lodgings, to the distributors for gear or food, to check on schedules at the information office or to one of the Conclave's taverns. Even better if she can persuade someone join her to chat, either a local or Dashu, who of course is playing her brother so it wouldn't at all be unusual for them to be seen together.

Nanaret also keeps an eye out for signs of criminal activity of any sort: pilfering, gambling, shady deals, back-alley beatings. The monkey-Lunar does not intervene, or give an impression that she notices the activities should they exist. Instead, she builds an impression of how constraining the laws in the Conclave are, what sort of crimes people feel they can get away with there. Her hope is that the Celestials may eventually find allies among the underworld of Coils -- as they would be the best suited to help them 'beat the system'.

Most of all, Nanaret does her best not to appear like a loner, establishing some credibility with the locals. 'Bryn' is almost boisterously friendly, always in a good mood and as motor-mouthed as she presented herself at the checkpoint. She is the type to quickly make acquaintances and greet people by name, without a care for whether they are clerks, off-duty guards or fellow laborers. Hilde is the first she actively attempts to befriend, asking the older woman questions about the job she'll likely be doing and pointers about how to survive in the Conclave without stepping on any toes. She mostly sticks with newbie-friendly questions for now, gauging Hilde's reactions.

[Private to Loremaster: I think there may be several rolls involved in what I'm doing. I suppose a couple of Perception rolls, one to try to figure out the guards' shifts, patterns of patrol, etc. and another to notice crime elements. And another roll (or more?) to basically hide that she's trying to look... I guess Stealth of some sort? If any of my Excellencies apply (1st Dexterity, 2nd Manip. or 1st Perception Excellency), I'll spend the maximum I can spend, unless it means I'll run out of Personal Essence. I should be rested with full Essence each morning, though, or so I hope.

The harder part will be trying to gauge Hilde, since motivation sense is either Perception+Intelligence or Socialize and I have neither! :O so I'll spend a WP along with Perception Excellency.]

When Nanaret manages to meet with her 'brother' again, she nods at his assertion while making sure to keep an eye out for eavesdroppers. "I also would like to help her. But not sure about collars, we only removed after deactivated. Maybe works like other such devices, requires Dragon's touch..."

"Mmm... has been much too long to wait to return, so do not want to attempt too risky action before I go to report. Maybe in meantime, should look into examining the temple. See who guards it, entrances and exits." The disguised Lunar rubs her grimy chin thoughtfully. "Or we can actually attend mass. It be good way to see some of the interior."

She realize that could be risky, too, but it would be a test of whether their identities are solid, and besides, they'd stand out more if they didn't attend mass at all.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Sun 08 Mar 2009.

Dashu thought for a minute and agreed.  "It would be a good way to possibly get close to her.  It's not like they keep things in the temple which single out 'Anathema'.  Besides, it'll give us more contacts to ask questions of."

Nanaret smiles at Dashu. "Am glad you agree. Is discouraging to wait and do nothing for so long."

"But they will notice should we succeed and she is gone. When we do the job--has to be as completely other identity. Quick, get inside and out, get her away from here. Create distraction, so less chance for interruption."

Her lips quirk again slightly at her next idea. "Perhaps can attempt it as ourselves. None here have seen us as we are, after all... But maybe thinking too far yet."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Sun 08 Mar 2009.

Jenci spent his 'settling' days away from Dashu and Nanaret in the main.  Whilst it was obvious he shared some feelings for them, thanks to their common travel and arrival, they were miners and he was a clerk and so he kept away from them to a degree.  Instead he spent what time he could with Cairen and the other clerks and scribes.  Mostly he listened, rather than spoke up, the better to keep his ignorance of current events to himself.  By the end of the three days, of course, he's able to converse about a variety of current subjects, just having absorbed the information.  He makes no real attempt to push any for more information yet, just making sure he is known, and known as being friendly to the administrative staff of the mines.

When he does get to talk to the other two, he's glad that they too are talking of freeing the woman.

"As ourselves might be best.  We're not risking any new identities that way, and when it's worked out who we are ... well, they'll figure out we escaped soon enough anyway."

"As for the collar, I might be able to," he says, not entirely sure.  "I never figured out how to do mine, but I imagine it's easier from the other side, or they'dve let us talk more amongst ourselves.  Worst comes to the worst, we can probably get her back without that though.  I'm sure Danae can do something about them."

And so, for the first few days, the infiltrated group lays the groundwork of their impersonation work, interacting their locals and establishing their own personae.

Now that the new arrivals actually have their identification and paperwork out of the way, the general population seems much more open towards them. Dashu's efforts to mingle end up paying off in the end, with a group of miners taking him 'under their wing' so to speak, and showing his the ropes of life in the conclave. By the time the Investigator moves in with his questions, the rest of the group have had their tongues loosened enough to speak of what they know, and reveal information without much fear that Dashu is 'the enemy'.

He quickly learns that the monks are, like he suspected, representative of the Immaculate Faith in the Conclave, and that gatherings like he had witnessed upon his arrival was actually mass. Dashu also learns that most people attend mass at various times (depending on their schedules), even though not everyone is necessarily a strong believer or devout faithful. Most people have at least some belief in the teachings, but those who don't for various reasons usually wish not to rock the boat and keep their thoughts and beliefs quiet.

Finally, he hears that rumors are circulating concerning the woman he saw at the church. The rumors confirm that she indeed is an anathema, kept by the Immaculates for her skills as a healer. In hushed tones, some whisper that they have witnessed proof of her being mistreated - mostly in the form of marks suggesting corporeal punishment - something that spans polarized comments within the worker base. Some believe that the Anathema do not deserve respect and should be treated as the demons the teachings paint them to be, but a lot of the workers are much more ambivalent about this occurrence. Whispers of mistreatment are scattered here and there, and Dashu can see that the sight of the scarred woman has had a profound effect on a lot of them.

Nanaret has also been busy, and her observations have borne their fruits. Unfortunately, however, her observation of the guards have not managed to bring in the results she has hoped. It seems that because of the recent raising of the checkpoint, and the recent mobilization of the peace force, the guards find themselves almost in the same situation as the workers - namely, their scheduling is erratic and irregular. It becomes difficult for her to figure out shifts and patterns in the guards' schedules, mainly because there are countless minute changes and switches pulled that throw off any pattern recognition she might have. With that much chaos, she cannot get much useful information out of her watches, other than their organization seems a bit strained.

She gets much more success trying to find out about the criminal element within the Conclave do produce more interesting results. She manages to spot several clandestine occurrences, and she can immediately spot that petty crimes are, on the whole, rather rare. The proximity of the checkpoint and the constant looming presence of the Immaculates seem to act as a deterrent for most people, keeping isolated cases of crime a rarer affair. All this means, however, is that those who wish to partake in criminal endeavor have to be cleverer, better organized, and/or having better resources or networks than others. And it is that sort of organization that Nanaret becomes aware of.

Through her observation, she gets acquainted with a name: Mockingbird. Whispers have it that he or she is someone based within the Conclave that holds sway over an extended smuggling operation. Word on the street is that Mockingbird can, through means unknown, smuggle goods not only between floors, but between districts as well. Nanaret hears tall tales of this organization, but the core she can observe and verify is that this 'Mockingbird' is evidently a very prudent and methodical person. Although she thinks she can spot warehouses where smuggled goods might be stashed, the actual merchandise never seems to be where she expects. She never manages to see the supply lines, or how the exchanges are conducted. All she knows is that various contacts and 'enforcers' work within the Conclave, most likely miners working for Mockingbird along their work in the mines. She can identify a few ways they seem to pass messages between one another, and she is rather confident she could enter communication with them with a little preparation and fieldwork. She even manages to flag a few key individuals she is certain work for this group.

Speaking with Hilde proves a pleasant enough affair, although it is a harsh one. The older woman does not try to cushion Bryn nor does she tries to sugarcoat how life in the Conclave is. She portrays it as the harsh and difficult thing it is, but through it all, Bryn can perceive that Hilde has a genuine desire to help out. Not only with getting established either, but rather just... helping out in general. Her gruff exterior hides a caring and helpful core, and Bryn catches glimpse of it between powerful back claps and intense work sessions. Hilde proves a solid and helpful contact, and one that Bryn believes she can count on.

Meanwhile, Xurizu spends some time among Cairen and the scribe, who seem pretty friendly and willing to help the new 'fledgling' learn the ropes of the more bureaucratic work in the Coils. Through them, he actually learns more about the Immaculate temple also, and about the woman supposedly held within. Through his listening, he can hear tales of her mistreatment just as Dashu did, and the overall tone among the bureaucrat seems to be a lot more sympathetic towards her. They are not trusting her per se, but still seem to believe the marks they have witnessed represent excessive behavior. Xurizu can extrapolate that many of them are unfavorable to it.

As time passes, the three start to be more accepted within the Conclave, and with it, they can also perceive that they are watched less closely than when they first arrived. The opportunity for deeper investigation (and Bryn's possible trip back to camp) is presenting, and with a little planning and preparations, the Exalts start to see their efforts bearing fruit. Using the things they have learned and the contact they have made, the can now get to the core of their plans...

Nanaret has much more to speak about, so decides to invite her 'brother' and 'clerk' friend over to the dormitory lodging. Her individual room is not much larger than a walk-in closet, and probably just as comfortable, but it's still more private than speaking out in the open.

Before entering, she checks the adjacent rooms and the hall outside for anyone who might be listening in. She'd already went through the entire slow process of looking for any sort of device that might be listening in or recording their conversations while there, but one could never be more careful while undercover.

Finally Nanaret invites Dashu and Xurizu in. She lets them sit on the rickety bed while positioning herself in a spot across from the door, her eyes on the crack between door and doorway so she can catch any sight of movement outside. Then she fetches the three bottles of cheap beer she's put away, part of her meager daily stipend, opens them and offers two to her 'guests'. If they ended up caught conferring here, they might as well look like they're just chatting over drinks in private.

"All right. So... this what I find out lately..." Nanaret goes into detail about her discoveries. The guards, she says, are more disorganized than they seem at first glance. She also describes what little she's discovered of the smuggling operation headed by 'Mockingbird', and also of her new friend Hilde. "When I return, perhaps Mockingbird may be willing to ally. Smuggling goods is step away from smuggling people."

"But I should leave here for the outer camp, soon -- maybe after we attend to mass? What you think?"

(OOC: Hope no one minds the change of scenery, I figured if Nana would be reporting ALL of that it'd be too detailed to feign as part of a normal conversation in public. Also, I noticed Loremaster didn't mention whether we got any goods to return, should we assume we succeeded at getting some salt and medicines at least?)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Mon 09 Mar 2009.

After retiring to the dorm, Dashu listened to what Nanaret had said and then related what he had discovered about the mistreatment of the woman.  He concurred that getting this Mocking bird to help when Nanaret returned might be advisable.  In fact he suggested that he and Xurizu make contact with the man prior to her return in order to have everything in order and ready to escape.  Speed would be key in getting out of the compound with their fugitive.  First, initial contact had to be made with the woman.  Dashu figured he would be able to do that easily by entering the temple and leaving a note telling her to be prepared escape.  As he related this back to his friends, he asked "What would be a proper time frame?  How quickly do you think you can get back to camp and return?  You can't be gone too long or the guards will notice."

Xurizu nods unhappily when Dahu speaks of her mistreatment.  "The scribes have been talking of it, too," he confirms, though has little to add in addition to what Dashu has said.

"Won't setting up to smuggle a person out take a lot of time?" Xurizu questions.  "Though I suppose we'll know more once we get in touch with this 'Mockingbird'.  What will we pay though?  I think convincing them to help out of the goodness of their heart is unlikely to work..."  he concludes, a little cynically.

"We also need to consider what will happen if we're chased.  We can't lead them back to the camp."

"Mmm. I do not think it will take more than few hours," Nanaret replies, after a swig of the rather bitter beverage. "Not even a day... unless there are... complications."

"Mockingbird already has facilities in place. I think he would need little setup if we can get the collared one out. I will tell you of the protocols I know to contact his people, if you wish establish contact while I am gone." She spends another several minutes describing their rather esoteric methods. With this sort of clandestine communication, rarely anything is said directly. Intents are implied, and often messages are passed through subtle nuances and unexpected senses. By the time she is done though, Dashu and Xurizu think they can mimic what she has shown them enough to at least get the smugglers' attention. She also describes the few individuals she flagged as part of the organization. (OOC: sorry so vague... I figured Loremaster had an idea of what he wanted these things to be, though I can edit and come up with something myself if I have to!)

"I personally do not think we should take her out during mass. Is only preliminary attempt. We go to get idea of the interior. And then slip inside later time. When fewer people there. Even better, if we arrange disturbance to bring Immaculates away... or if allies can."

Nanaret sighs, rubbing her forehead, getting grime on her palm in the meantime. "I should leave now. Unless you have more to contribute. I will be back soon as I can."

One thing the Lunar will do before leaving is inform Hilde that she will be stepping out for a stroll after work, looking for a valuable item of hers she dropped during one of the previous shifts. A simple charm, she tells her, one her own mother gave her. Priceless in value, and one she would not want the guards to go stomping around looking for. Better she goes to find it personally, and quickly.

If Hilde is to be trusted, she will cover for her. Or so Nanaret hopes.

"Ah. One more thing. We do not need rely on Mockingbird. He may help us but may not. If not we may have to fight our way out or come up with something impromptu. But I do not care. I will fight if needs be. I will not leave her there."

The dark-haired 'miner' shrugs helplessly. "Just means if they see me, I not bring her back to the camp if we escape. That is all. Is up to you whether you follow me in this or not."

"I agree.  The less we have to rely on him, the better for us.  And don't worry, we won't try and break out in mass.  However, it would be foolish of us to try and free her and not try and make sure she's ready.  We're just going to talk," the investigator concurs.  He then looks at Nanaret and says,  "May the Sun turn his gaze from your path that you may return swiftly and quietly."

After Nanaret leaves them to begin her return mission, Dashu confers with Xurizu about Free, the Creeds, and setting about making springing an escape for the woman in the temple.  They have much to do and little time in which to do it.  Fortunately, Dashu has planned to meet with the workers who had taken him under their wing soon.  He fully plans on subtly asking questions inquiring about the town in which the Celestials now resided, the happenings there, and Free.  He also wants to check any missing person adds and public warrants the peace corp. might have published.  Lastly, Dashu wishes to stop by the stores to inquire after a woman fitting the description of Creed's wife.  He figures that is she was in town, she would have eventually tried to buy something.  [Private to GM:

Here are the rolls.  I didn't know how many you wanted for the extended rolls so I just rolled 5 times.

Peleps Dashu rolled 1 success   ... 5,3,6,1,3,8,2,4. Chr + Invest.
Peleps Dashu rolled 7 successes ... 7,3,6,2,9,10,10,9. Chr + Invest.
Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes ... 5,3,8,5,8,7,3,6. Chr + Invest.
Peleps Dashu rolled 3 successes ... 5,7,5,4,2,10,2,5. Chr + Invest.
Peleps Dashu rolled 2 successes ... 7,2,5,2,7,4,1,4. Chr + Invest.
I do plan on using my combo too.
]
Before he leaves to go make his inquiries, Dashu invites the lunar to join him, but if he so declines then he arranges to meet with Xurizu at Dashu's dorm when they are finished.  From there they could make contact with Mockingbird.

After his return from gathering information, Dashu begins thinking about the escape.  "The way I see it, we need to try and get this Mockingbird to allow us unfettered access to a smuggling route.  He might be able to figure out going to smuggle a person out of the conclave, but we can't let him know which person.  Besides, this shouldn't be too hard.  Most criminal types would rather not be caught and if we can convince him he's better off not knowing the dirty details but he'll get paid, then we should be able to get what we want," he says to Xurizu.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Thu 12 Mar 2009.

"Take care out there, Nanaret," Xurizu says softly as the Lunar makes her preparations to depart.  He had been paying careful attention during her talk on the smugglers and had done his best to memorise the signs.  Knowing where Dashu is planning to visit, Xurizu adopts a slightly more complex plan.  Rather than following him around the town--suspicious given their disparate jobs--or asking similar questions, which might be just as bad instead he aims to meet with Dashu at the stores, so that he might hear whatever is said about Creed's wife ... and any reactions to it first hand.  Aside from that, he makes his own enquiries amongst the scribes and bureaucrats of the Conclave, some clandestine and some not.  He's mostly trying to gauge their feelings further, after the encouraging start of the disapproval of the treatment of the woman they are to rescue, especially in the light Cairen's odd comment about sheep.  It suggested to Xurizu he might know more and this is something Xurizu attempted to extract from the man, although subtly.

When they returned to plan, Xurizu looked skeptical.  "Unfettered access to a smuggling route?  That's a lot of trust to gain in only a very few days.  Especially for something so large as a person.  Can't be many ways to get that out of here.  Still, discouraging his questions has got to be a good thing."

"We might need something to sweeten the deal still.  We are asking for a lot."

Dashu talks in a hushed tone to his lunar friend.  "Do you have any ideas on how to sweeten the pot?  We... don't have much to give him.  We could offer to take something of his out of the compound and deliver it when we get free.  And perhaps unfettered is a strong word.  We could tell him we're smuggling someone out, there's no money involved and it's for personal reasons and not money.  We can expect the worst security from the guards and the less he knows the more he's protect.  Basically, we need a coyote out of town.  I doubt if he knew the danger, he would turn us in because the trail would lead back to his crime ring, but we need to present the dangers to him as being as low as possible so we can come to an agreement on price."