Vanyra nods in agreement and heads out.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Mon 07 Dec 2015.

Zelpuz calls after Vanyra "Can you wait one second?"
He turns to Qwe, "Qwe, we believe that Yuu is in trouble and we want to go rescue him. I hope you trust us enough, we will head out to get now, can you hide in my secret room?"

Qwe is completely against hiding in any "secret room" of somebody she's just met. She will remain in the apartment until Yuu returns, just as he bade her to do.

"All right. We need to stay together to get out. Vanyra, why don't you go see if you can find Yuu. We'll wait here. If he shows up before you are back, we'll head towards the closest gate of the city. We'll try to travel by the main roads, you'll find us. Or do you prefer if I join you looking for Yuu?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:07, Wed 16 Dec 2015.

"I'll scout around the immediate area and check in every 15 minutes or so," Vanyra states before blending into the the background and climbing out the window.

Zelpuz sits down to rest a bit and pulls out some dried fruits and beef jerky.
"Would you like some food?" He offers Qwe and Myria.
After taking a few bites, he turns to Myria: "So how was it at the Order? Did you notice anything strange? And what do you think of Lasrane's story?"

Myria relays a basic summary of her time at the Order consulate in intensive care; absolutely nothing other than what you would expect. Lasrane's tale is taken with a grain of salt, given the supposed instability in Ossylia it would be difficult to ascertain who is acting in the right. Depending on one's point of view, if Lasrane's accusations are true they may still be interpreted as Mespah influence over others and incite another pogrom; hence why unilateral action is discouraged in the Order. With that said a Chapter Master influencing local politics would certainly have grave consequences if discovered. In any case without firm evidence all of this is little more than hearsay, and it would seem more pressing issues face the capital at this time.

***** Meanwhile, back at the docks;

Yuu surmises that avoiding the blockade of city guards to be the best choice, he reaches into his satchel and spends a few moments tinkering. A short while later he produces a simple-looking belt clip type item, channels some energy into it and fastens it to his belt. Somewhat nonchalantly he strides forward and moves in between the guard pairs alerting the arriving people that there are to be no ships departing in the next 48 hours due to a national security measure. They apologize for the inconvenience, and suggest speaking with their respective travel agents to reschedule their voyage.

Upon hearing the guards relay the military decree Yuu was tempted to pause and reassess his situation, but his mind worked quickly and he continued onwards. That was a fair bit of money lost, but it may also have bought him an exceptional amount of disinformation... if he could devise a plan around it. Once a fair distance from the piers and clear of all onlookers Yuu deactivated the device and strode along the harbor district streets back to Vanyra's apartment.

Zelpuz scratches his head. "Yes, thank you for your calming voice. You are right, we would need firm evidence, and with the situation as it is, that seems rather unlikely. And since we've been relieved of our task, we should probably sit back and observe for now. Let's hope Yuu and Vanyra are coming back soon. How do you feel?"

Myria responds that she's about 75%, still a few bruises here and there, but the worst is over. About 30 minutes later both Vanyra and Yuu enter the apartment. The Freyan bounty hunter spotted Yuu about a block away from her building. After a short round of introductions the group is faced with a few new facts about the city's state of affairs.

As Yuu was meandering his way back he managed to over hear a few conversations near the piers and questioned a few merchants there; aside from a lot of frustration and anger over the closure of the harbour few solid facts emerged. While the official line seemed to be it was a national security concern, others had heard more specific rumours that they military is hunting down some rogue faction, and another suggesting martial law had been declared due to an attempted coup. One more elaborate rumour from a spice merchant suggested a cold war between select guilds and merchant collectives had finally ratcheted up, and the whole exercise was an attempt by one faction to starve out some of the others that depended on the open sea trade. One thing seemed apparent, the people are starting to get nervous and the suspected puppet masters are the guilds, merchant collectives and the government factions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:10, Sat 02 Jan 2016.

"I got us a few tickets for some various destinations, maybe throw people off our track. But... we'll need to be leaving on foot, it seems." Yuu concludes flatly.

Zelpuz stands up, looks around and says  "OK, let's go."

Yuu takes hold of his sisters hand, and steps through the doorway, following the stairs back down.

He stops just before the door, waiting for the others to pile in beside him.

"I'm thinking we should head west, quickest route out of the city. If we can get through, then we're out, and safer. If we can't, then at least we tried, and can explore the longer routes past the merchant and harbour districts."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:42, Thu 07 Jan 2016.

The ensemble of characters exits the apartment with whatever gear they had and set off on the streets, burgeoning with the activity of a typical morning. Zelpuz notes that the patrols of soldiers he and Myria spotted a few hours earlier have subsided and they make good progress up the gradual hillside towards the western interior wall of the city, the first potential obstacle.

A small crowd has formed at the gatehouse the group approaches first. Asking another member of the throng nets a vague answer about some sort of security check, but they don't really know what for, but it certainly is putting a cramp in her day.

Vanyra seizes the moment and moves up adjacent to the line, and through the crowd of persons trying to get around the it, to get within easy viewing distance of the guard post at the gate. After listening for a couple minutes it sounds like a relatively routine guard check; they're asking everyone their business between the inner and outer city, what goods (if any) they're carrying, and any reasonable follow-up questions. She does note that they are informing each person or group that the gates will shut and the city on lock-down effective at the end of aftereve (about 22 hours from now). If any of the goods seem large or expensive the guards take a closer look.

In the few minutes she spends observing she does not see anyone turned away or apprehended.

After a bit of powwow with his fellow adventurers, Yuu and Qwe peel from the line to sort out costumes, some additional props and comprehensive cover story that weaves together everyone's involvement. For his own part, things are no longer safe, and Yuu has been charged to take himself and his sister to his uncles farm several miles outside the city walls. It's close enough to the truth to blend well.

With a few meagre life possessions, and a few folds of food to take them the journey, the two siblings slide back into the line alongside their companions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:29, Mon 18 Jan 2016.

The motley crew of individuals makes to the front of the line after an agonizingly slow 20 minutes. While the guards have appeared somewhat bored with the monotonous task of interrogating all patrons of the gate their attention and mood visibly change as the group six hobbles forward, somewhat slowed by Myria's newly acquired crutch. For the astute observer it is clear that the guards really don't know what to make of this, while eyes linger on Vanyra's form for a bit they suddenly move from one to the other as if attempting some mental arithmetic to confirm the scene before them.

After a short, but noticeable silence, the corporal speaks up, "Let me guess, you're fresh off the boat? Well I have some unfortunate news for you all then, city's about to go into lock down and we're not to let anyone pass without proper business in the outer city. So you may need to find a hotel while you can."

Before the corporal can finish summoning forth the next person in line, Zelpuz interjects and informs the man the he and his companion are members of the Order of Ashes, and on official business. Myria then takes over and explains in an authoritative manner that they are tracking down a rogue Mespah that's been hiding in Ossylia and working with the slaver gang, the Blood Runners. This deviant apparently convinces people to become slaves using his mental abilities.

So well spoken is this account that one of the other guards attests to hearing of this criminal, Harkanz, before. Zelpuz and Myria were able to track him down while in the process of 'acquiring' some people but did not count of the muscle the Blood Runners had mustered and only barely escaped with the two youths, gesturing to Yuu and Qwe, and some injuries. At this point Yuu adds some of his own local flavour and details.

Subsequently the Order approved the hiring of their own muscle and they got in contact with Vanyra, a professional bounty hunter. Vanyra attests as much and flashes the writ by the city guard council testifying that she's a registered bounty hunter. Currently they are bringing the children to some relatives and acquiring some more information from them on the case.

After shutting down the initial probing questions with succinct answers, the tone of the conversation shifts and the guard corporal wishes everyone good luck in catching the bastard. He also informs you that you may have a hard time leaving the city if this criminal has fled beyond the outer walls as the gates are to be shut this evening, but for what it's worth he writes a commendation recommending letting the group pass to pursue this criminal. And with that team moves on.

After a few minutes the group arrives at a train terminal, the green line loops around to the outer wall, or close enough. The ride takes the 45 minutes, but is uneventful. Upon disembarking the top of the wall can be seen through the gaps between buildings, and it should be a short walk to the nearest gate.

Though it would be difficult to qualify due to your general lack of familiarity with this part of Ossylia, the atmosphere here seems a bit more relaxed. Of course it could be a subconscious compensation knowing you're that much further from the inner city and the machinations there. After a short stroll along the streets, being sure to stay on the sidewalks due to the increase in vehicle travel here, the group finds themselves nearing the Selhaal Gate, named after a merchant prince who originally helped build the outer wall which transformed the old city of Ossylia which was just the current inner city to the metropolis it is now.

Unlike the inner city gate you find no crowd of people waiting transit out here, but there are very clear signs posted about declaring that the gates will be shut immediately following aftereve and re-entry will not be allowed without special permits. A few persons stop and ask some questions to the guards manning the gate, but they are not being searched. A few people upon reading the signs and questioning the guards obviously decided to change their plans and turn away.

When you stop and take it in you realize that despite the lack of crowds this gate is at least twice as busy as the inner city one, only this one is so much larger it can accommodate the extra flow. While exiting seems simple enough you can see quite the line has formed outside of the gate, and most of the guards have their attention focused there. You suspect that the no re-entry policy may extend to no entry at all. Time to make the final call, a few steps and you're out...

"I'd like to know why they're locking the city down. Is it possible to question the guards a bit?" Yuu asks of Zelpuz. "You've got that writ, after all, and our story was pretty darn good."

The group moves up to the gate and waits as the guards wave through a vehicle following a short exchange. As they walk up a pair of guards look them over, and then one speaks up, "You leaving Ossylia?"

Zelpuz responds in the affirmative, which prompts a short exchange in which they are informed that the city gates will be closed at aftereve and no word has been received as to when they shall be re-opened, thus any one journey outside should be adequately prepared. The Mespah explain their mission and the role of their companions, and therefore their intent to journey onwards. Upon inquiring as to the reason of the gate closing they are informed it is a security matter that may not be further discussed, and then wish them luck with their hunt for the miscreant.

A few short steps later and everyone is out of the capital. There are a number of roads, buildings, houses and the like that have been built in the shadow of the outer wall to form a sort of greater-Ossylia area, but they are outside of the city proper now. With the pathways open ahead of them the group must decide where to go; south to the coast, west to the mountains or north into the more civilized countryside of the kingdon?

Yuu blinks out the afternoon sun, rubbing his tired eyes. He looks at the others.

"I don't know what you plan, but I'd like to head north. Maybe catch a craft sailing The Krev... take us far up as it can go. Once the river breaks west, we'll get off and make our way eastward towards the coast. And my cousins. There should be some good roads. I've never taken this route to Hasheli, but I've a pretty good memory for maps."

Vanyra deeply breathes in the air, enjoying the taste of freedom it seems to contain.

"That's fine with me," she replies.

Zelpuz nods, "I don't mind where we go, when the waves settle, I'd like to go back to see what happened with the Order. What do you think Myria, do you have any trusted contacts out here?"

"No, I'm not linked to any particular area, thus no close contacts; part and parcel of the purpose of having wandering Order members. I'll make my way to the coast with you, and from there I'll book passage back to Order headquarters. Not much we can do about Ossylia now, but I fear Lasrane's or the Chapter Master's involvement in some plot is the least of the city's worries at this time," Myria responds.

The group then carries on along a small road meandering through the hamlets that dot the outskirts of the city proper, making their way north to the Krev. It's nearing the end of aftereve when they arrive at a river town by the name of Yuusam, which is primarily a river shipping port addressing the needs outside the city. Unexpectedly it has a seedier atmosphere than you were expecting for a countryside town, but Vanyra and Myria are quick to point out that there would be far fewer prying eyes at a place like this versus the river ports in the city itself. Thus they may need to be on their toes, but this same level of discretion could bode well for making a quiet escape.

Given the number of vessels moored up to the docks it shouldn't be too difficult to find one heading in the right direction, for the right price. Deciding to maximize their efforts the group splits up, with Myria and Qwe going to look for an inn for the night and the rest going to find a ship.

"Never been here before. I'd guess look for a boat that looks in tidy order with a crew that's getting on with it." Yuu offers in the deer-in-headlights kind of way. "A captain with pride."