Yuu-Jin sat staring intently at the array of small crystals in front of him. His room was completely shrouded in darkness, save for the small sphere of light given off by his nether-tech desk lamp. The one benefit of being grounded was that it surely afforded him plenty of time to consider new projects and revise old ones. Presently his project was a bedside clock, which worked perfectly fine previously as a wind-up, gear driven alarm clock, but which he thought could be improved upon. Without access to the Academy's laboratories and store rooms Yuu was forced to make due with whatever materials he found around the estate, and which he could scavenge from items people 'probably' would not need; the result was laid out before him.

His concept revolved around a gentle, but stern mother... in the form of an alarm clock. Ideally instead of sounding an mind crushingly annoying bell the clock would begin to emit the light of a sunrise, going ever brighter.  Then if the sleeper tried to hit the snooze button it would shock him with a small electrical charge; not really painful, but certainly enough to wake a person up. It was easy enough to put together one or the other and fit it into the small confines of the clock, the trick was to do them both in the same space. The young mage had tried dozens of configurations to no avail; either half of it would not work, or both would work with meager effect, or nothing would happen at all.

Gritting his teeth Yuu went at it once more, nimbly interlocking crystals with conducting filament, adding the right amount of residual nether energy at the the proper points, hooking up the wires, transistors and nether transformers for the electrical system and gently fitting it all into the clock housing. With everything in place he charged the clock and set the alarm.

A few seconds later the mage was blasted with a blinding flash of light followed by a stern arc of static electricity which sent him sprawling back in his chair covering his eyes.  Lying on his back Yuu formed a smile, he was getting closer; with the proper power levels in place he just needed to find a way to  regulate them. Such progress called for a break, and so Yuu excused himself from the project for a stroll in the courtyard.

The night was pleasantly cool for late summer, the humidity clinging like a soft sheet rather than a smothering wool blanket. A quick glance around reminds Yuu that this is not just another summer night as sentries are posted at regular intervals and a roving patrol can be seen on the far side. He had never experienced such tensions in the capital city before, but upon doing some historical investigation he learned this certainly is not the first time. His thoughts drifted to Vanyra and Zelpuz and the information they had uncovered and a pit began to form in the bottom of his stomach, and he searched for the nearest bench to collect himself.

Despite the guards the rest of the household was quite and dark, and judging from the position of the moon it was likely much later than Yuu had thought... not that he had anywhere to go in the morning. As Yuu sat on a bench near a koi pond and fountain fatigue started to take its toll, or so he thought; after rubbing his eyes and shaking his head the area had indeed grown darker. Glancing up the moon was suddenly obscured, not from a cloud as was to be expected. Rather it was simply darkened, as if someone had draped a great cosmic shade over it. Scanning the courtyard Yuu was not the only one to notice the strange lighting as the guards are visibly agitated. Moments later he could hear shouts of alarm from the opposite side of the manor. This was not a good sign.

The positive vibes of progress from Yuu's earlier experimental success drains away, and is replaced with cooling drone of fear.  Not the kind that holds one frozen, but the kind that knows something bad is already happening.  Moons don't simply shade over, and guards don't just cry out alarms.

The budding mage takes to his feet, and purposely makes his way towards the opposite side of the manor.  If you're going to run away from something, it's always better to know what you're running away from, so as to better prepare oneself.  And what better time to learn of that something, then when lots of people better qualified in a fight are around to distract it.

As the intrepid mage traverses the courtyard in a crouched gait he can hear what he imagines to be the sound of battle ahead.  Arriving at a corner pillar he plants his back against it and looks around in trepidation. The scene beyond confirms his fears; a group of five house guards is battling a pair of Gardax. It would be odd enough to see any Gardax in the civilized lands of Ossylia let alone in his family's compound. As he tried to process puzzle his attention was ripped back to the other side of the yard. This time the sounds of more familiar, nether magic could be heard amongst more shouting.  Back in the direction from which he had come he could see a large number of shadowy figures charging through a shadowy hole in the wall.  Each of them carried nether-tech devices, and they moved in the familiar patterns of Ossylian military troops he had observed so often growing up. No matter what the final key to this puzzle was, things were certainly spiraling out of control in a hurry.

Yuu curses under his breath, watching what should have been loyal Ossylian soldiers mounting an offensive on his home.  The mage instinctively reaches down to his hip where his utility belt would be, and realizes too late that it's still up in his room.  Dangit!

Think quick...

'I've got to slow them...' he thinks.

'Okay......' pressed again the pillar in the shadows, he begins to summon friends to assist in just such an endeaver.

A swarm of angry little fiends converge out of the shadows around Yuu Jin. In the darkness of the night their forms appear to shimmer in and out of existence as they dance across the shadowy courtyard towards the invaders. At first the traitor commandos do not seem to notice the oncoming horde, focusing instead on dispatching the house guards. This focus suddenly shatters into cries of alarm and surprise as Yuu's minions stampede into them. The scene quickly devolves into a chaotic melee.

The budding mage cackles delightfully to himself.  A particularly nasty instructor from Yuu's college had nearly failed him when Yuu presented the spell for his final research project.  Words used were "unsophisticated", "mischievous-driven", and "lacking in destructive capacity for war one would expect from one with his family's stature".  Feeling rather indignant, Yuu retorted with a fire ball of a power level over 9000, incinerating the entire field and it's assortment of dummy targets, and causing a two day's delay for the remaining students.  Most of whom were pleased to have two extra days to prepare while repairs were made and new targets could be built.

Yuu left the shadows of his hedge and sprinted to a side door of his home.

With the rear invaders distracted for now Yuu enters the mansion proper; all is quiet inside, as it should be. Despite the effectiveness of his spell the young mage does not give his shadowy friends much chance against the commandoes, but they have certainly bought himself and perhaps some of the house guard a few precious moments to regroup.

Moving further into the house Yuu can now near hushed voices, some in fear and others issuing commands. It would seem that the interior has been made aware of assault as well.

Yuu sprints through the corridors, and up the narrow servant steps to the third floor, where his and his sister's bedrooms are.  Staying hidden, he peaks into the hallway.

The corridor is largely cloaked in darkness broken with islands of light provided by the wall lamps. A couple of the house servants can be seen at the end of the hall, hurriedly banging on doors to awake the occupants. They have not arrived at Qwe's room, but a faint spill of light can be seen from the bottom of her door.

Yuu crosses the corridor, content to stick to the shadows, and stops at the door of his sister.  He leans an ear against the door.

Though light may be filtering out from the door there is nothing but silence reaching Yuu's ears.

The young mage pulls quietly on the door handle.

Inside the chamber Yuu spots his sister crouched near the window, her attention glued to the violent scene unfolding outside. Without seeing the mage can tell the battle continues due to the occasional flash of light, and shout from the soldiers below.

Keeping crouched himself, Yuu takes half a step into the room.  "Psst, Qwe...."

Qwe spins around from the window, her jet black hair fanning out like a living shadow. Her expression belies her anxiety and excitement, "We're really being attacked!" she replies in a barely contained whisper.

"Yeah, I know.  Some kind of Ossylian military force is invading.  Come... we're going to grab stuff from my room, then see where Mom and Dad are."

Yuu waves for his sister to follow, then leans back into the hallway.  Seeing nothing threatening, he leaps across the hallway to his own door, and checks back for Qwe.

Qwe following diligently after her brother, the sheen of her silk robe reflecting the moon's light filtering through the sky lights. "Why would they be attacking us; Mother is a general after all?"

Yuu cracks open the door to his own room, and let's his sister slip in behind him before clicking it shut.  He straightens, and begins rummaging through the various piles of artifacts, clothes, and gizmos.  Qwe trades looks between her brother's random pickings, and the door.

"Yeah, I know.  I think it had to do with that thing they were talking about at dinner.  Someone is trying to get control, and Mother and Father were obstacles.  Those soldiers... they're traitors."  Yuu growls out the words with anger he didn't fully feel until now.  They were traitors.  They were betraying the trust of the king, his mother, and the city they were supposed to protect.

Satisfied with arrangement of gizmos and utilities, Yuu tightens up his utility belt, and walks quickly back to his door, face still flush with anger.  "Come, let's find Mother and Father."

The young mage crouches at the door, pops the handle and peaks back out.  Seeing it clear, he motions his sister and steps quietly along the shadows of the corridor towards the stairs to his parents floor.

Yuu and Qwe move down the hallway towards their parent's chamber. The sounds of the conflict outside have grown more intense. Just as they near the door their mother emerges, dressed hastily in light armor. A stern, uncompromising look in her eyes as she immediately spies her children.

"Do not think of questioning one thing I have to say, just listen and obey," she says quickly and clearly; a voice they have heard her use before when speaking to soldiers. "Yuu, take your sister to the lower levels and use one of the escape tunnels. Be wary that they may know of them and have planned an ambush... I trust you will be able to deal with the situation. Once outside stay as hidden as possible and find shelter for the time being; trust no one. I cannot tell you where to go with the extent of this coup being so clouded, so trust your training and instincts."

Suddenly their father appears, dressed less militaristic but apparently ready for what is coming, he tosses Yuu a pouch of coins. "Some emergency funds, use them wisely," he explains. As if sensing the question before it starts he continues, "They are after us for the positions we hold at court and in the military, but they would only be able pressure us so far. If they had you two they have much greater leverage over us, so you cannot allow yourselves to be captured... by anyone. Outsiders are likely your only hope now, people who have not been here long enough to get wrapped in this... but be wary of mercenary types. Dress well below your station at all times, and mind your language too... nothing must give you away."

"Now hurry and go. We will come for you when this is all over, but until then do not attempt to return as it could well be a trap," their mother continues before reaching over and tightly embracing each of them. Their father then follows suit.

Yuu had come to his parent's floor with a slew of things to say, questions to ask.  He'd been rolling his words carefully around in his head, preparing them in such a way to produce confidence and a sterness in their delivery.  He had it planned, as a meeting of equals.

The young mage's balloon didn't so much pop, as fart itself into a flat mess.  And all he could croak out was a philosophically deep: "Don't die."

Holding back tears, he grabbed his sister's hand and headed towards a hidden servant's stairwell.  Past paintings of long dead relatives, who'd held the family's name proudly in decades removed.  Past awards and honors received for services rendered.  Arms and armours, both ceremonial and practical, displayed as a historical reminder of the tools of the family's trade.

These things blurred along, and as the siblings were reaching the stairwell, Qwe broke the emotional stalemate, "I love you!" she called out, looking back behind her.

"And we love you."  They're mother called after.  And with that the two siblings vanished into the shadows of the stairwell.  And their mother became General Lok Jin, and their father War-Magi Jin.  And they left the hallway to rain vengeance upon the attackers of their home and family.

The servant's passage was remarkably dark and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Using a simple flashlight device Yuu guided his sister down the stairs a full 3 stories, past the main floor, down into the lower hall. Here he paused to observe the corridor beyond; like a tomb. The two quickly and quietly moved over to a nondescript shelf of stores, Yuu then cast a simple but obscure cantrip and the shelf slid to the left to reveal a narrow stairwell leading down.

Confirming once more that no one was near Yuu motioned for Qwe to lead, passing her the torch, while he followed suite and then insured the shelf was put back into place. Another couple of stories they descended before a long, straight passage emerged.  Neither of them had actually been to the end of it, they only knew where it was. Luckily it would seem that the invaders had no such knowledge.

As they progressed along the passage the torch unveiled a number of vermin and other unsavory items that must have accumulated here over time, but otherwise it was empty. After what seemed like a few hundred meters the corridor came to an abrupt halt and a line of simple rusted iron rungs lead up.

Yuu took the torch and held it into the vertical shaft.  He could see a ledge about 20 feet above, hidden in shadow.  He gave the torch back to his sister, and pulled out a pair of goggles, awkwardly soldered with wires, gears and crystals.  The young mage pulled them over his head and slid the eyepieces over his eyes.  He tapped on a crystal, and told his sister to wait there.  And he began to climb, carefully and with as much stealth as an athletically challenged growing teenager could manage.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Tue 03 Sept 2013.

Yuu reaches the top of the vertical shaft and finds himself impeded by a metal grate. Not taking any chances the young mage cranes his neck to survey the surroundings with his magically enhanced vision. As usual the street is thankfully devoid of any life he can see. With a little effort Yuu tests the grate and find that is moves with relative ease for an iron structure.

Yuu pushes up and slides the iron grate aside, then hoists himself up onto the street. After a quick scan of his surroundings he motions for Qwe to wait another minute. The simple residential street is flanked on either end by perpendicular lanes. Yuu is fairly certain they are about 400m west of their household compound, still within the Jade district though, and that could be dangerous. Trusting in his parents' wisdom no one in this part of town could be relied upon, and that includes the house staff as well.

The mage quietly jogs down to the south side of the street and looks about; nothing but a cat atop of house wall; hopefully not a familiar. He turns around and moves to the north intersection; while the west lane appears clear there is a small group of men stationed about 20m down the east way. At first glance the men appear ordinary enough, but they are just milling about in the street in the middle of night, and not the casual, half-drunk milling one would expect. Whoever they are Yuu decides that they are to avoided.

Yuu considers his options, and decides the best bet is to move towards the coast, and follow it out of the city walls.  With the docks awash with foreign faces, they would simply be just two more faces in a sea of strangers.  Perhaps they could book passage on a vessel, and hold up somewhere safe.  Something to be considered.

The young mage dashes back down the street to his waiting sister.  "Let's head towards the docks," he whispers in a low voice.  "I'll move, and wave you forward.  Just... follow my signal.  Stick to the shadows."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Tue 17 Sept 2013.

The young noble duo move further away from the family compound and the assorted groups of potential assailants. The streets appear as quiet as one would expect at this hour, save now and then shouts of alarm or possibly battle can be heard echoing off the walls of the various compounds that line the streets in the district.

Yuu is careful to stop often and survey their surroundings, more so as they move further out of their neighbourhood. The high walled compounds eventually give way to simple large estate homes as they begin moving down towards the seaside. Further down still they would expect to find more common houses of mid-level merchants and finally the docks themselves. As they move further towards the docks the intermittent cacophonies they heard become fewer and fewer; whether that is a good thing or not Yuu was not certain. If nothing else the noise at least dictated where they should not go.

Yuu and Qwe exit out onto a main thoroughfare, steeling their nerves, they continue to make their way down the meandering path to the shore as fast as their strides will allow. Just then their luck ran out; from behind them comes a call, stern but not aggressive, "You there, stop."

Hazarding a quick look behind, Yuu finds two men on the road behind them about 15 yards away. Instantly the presence of their weapons is noted, but as a wave of anxiety and fear began to loom over the young mage he also noted that they were neither guards nor soldiers. One of the men bore the sigil of the Freelancers upon leather breastplate. At that instant any grudge Yuu had over the years for having to learn about all the useless crests, symbols and seals for the various companies and houses of the land evaporated.

Yuu had no idea who, if anyone, was on which side, but the Freelancers at least were outsiders. The organization steered well clear of politics as a course of business. They may have been dragged into fighting in some battles in the occasional war, but this was almost always out of a sense of defense... or so Yuu's studies had lead him to believe. And while he knew these men appeared to be surely they would have no knowledge of him or his sister.

Gathering himself, Yuu halts, and turns slowly, scanning the alleys and rooftops for hidden lurkers as he does.  His gaze falls to the men.

Yuu may be young, but years of training under eye of the nations greatest magi and being the child of nobility, he keeps his nerves in check... at least temporarily... and speaks in a steady voice:

"How can we help you, Freelancers?"

Yuu's eyes detect no additional soldiers or persons at all in the shadows or upon the rooftops. The two Freelancers look calm enough, but their hands rest on their weapons and they too are scanning the area as if expecting trouble. "Just offering some advice; this is no evening for a stroll, especially with so young a lady," the one on the right, marked by a shortbow and quiver strapped to his back and a pair of very long daggers at his sides, states in cool tones.

"Indeed, you'd best get home or find some other shelter. If you've haven't noticed there is an air of violence tonight, things are likely to get quite hairy before the dawn," the older one states, a greatsword across his back, while a buckler is strapped to one hand and odd sai-like shortsword is held in the other.

"Normally the docks aren't the best place to be at night, but it may be you're headed in the right direction tonight. Keep your heads low," the man continues and ends with a note of finality.

"We bid you a goodnight, so make the most of it." the younger Freelancer says and they turn to head up where Yuu and Qwe had come from. They move with purpose, as one would expect of such men out in a night such as this. Whether or how the Freelancers are involved Yuu did not know, but that was a question to another day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:54, Thu 05 Dec 2013.

"Um... Freelancers!"  Yuu suddenly calls out.

The two men halt in their tracks and turn their attention back to the young Ossylians. Their expressions invite explanation for the sudden address.

"Are you hired for the evening?  Are you... interested in work?"  Yuu stumbles, a bit of a plan forming in his head.

The older man smirks, "I'm afraid we're on guild business tonight I'm afraid. If you need any assistance head to the guild HQ; someone there will be sure to help you."

"Best stick to the side streets for now until you closer the shore. And a friendly tip; avoid any patrols you may encounter tonight," the younger, short bow weildign man adds.

"Thank you, sirs.  Stars guide you."

He turns back, looking down at his sister.  Shrugs.  "Was worth a shot."

The two siblings continue towards the docks, adding to their earlier cautions the freelancer's advice.  They keep more to the shadows, and ears open for patrols.  It is not a hard navigation, even without a back of hand knowledge of the side streets, the growing taste of salt and smell of waste and industry guide them just the same.

As Yuu and Qwe begin moving away from the pair of Freelancers the sound of some commotion, like the beating of many feet against stone, echoes down from a side street behind them. Suddenly, with barely any time to react a dark skinned man bursts out of the shadows and continues running for a few meters past the young nobles, after which he makes an abrupt, skidding halt, frantically surveys the scene and then takes off up the street towards where the Freelancers went.

Pushing Qwe behind him, Yuu watches the long seconds of the scene tick by before his attention is brought back to the cacophony of rushing boots from the same dark side street.

Suddenly, seemingly out of the sky, a figure crashes down onto the dark-skinned man running up the street with vicious force; enough to make Yuu cringe in imagined pain. Unsurprisingly the crumpled man is not moving and his assailant, while rolling out of the attack with exceptional skill must have been jarred by the force of the impact. She regains her footing slowly as if trying to re-establish her bearings. After a few moments of taking in the situation Yuu realizes that the airborne assailant is Vanyra.

The two Freelancers up the street quickly draw their weapons and appear ready for combat, just as a group of five armed guards burst out into the street. By Yuu's reckoning they belong to some sort of merchant company or guild, as their attire is not in the typical fashion of the noble houses of Ossylia nor any military uniform of which he is aware.

As Vanyra leap through the air she quickly ascertained that she was a little higher than anticipated... this was going to hurt.  Her predator's muscles carried her true though and she clenched her muscled taught for the initial impact into Lasrane's back.  But in the moment before she hit, he spun around as if sensing the impending danger, though unluckily for him the airborne momentum of the Freyan was too much to overcome.

With her leg leading Vanyra slammed into Lasrane's chest like a ballista bolt, dropping him to the cobblestone streets with the force of a bolder, just as she attempted to leap and roll out of the landing. She could her some crunching from Lansrane's ground impact just before the same incredible force that took down her prey came for her next. Absorbing the landing took every ounce of strength and agility Vanyra could muster, and still her muscles screamed in agony before giving out at the last moment. A sharp white pain rolled through her head as the huntress struggled to stand.

Quickly ascertaining the gravity of the situation Yuu Jin's begins to draw the nether energy through is body from its extra-dimensional source while his mind focuses to weave that raw energy into a complex form. With practiced assurance the mage creates a slightly luminescent cloud around the recently arrived Shen Zue guards. For a moment they all halt in their tracks as if try to focus on something. The next moment the formerly cohesive group splinters; the lead guard spins around to face Yuu and advances with weapon drawn.

The next guard suddenly spins around to face the companion on this right, and without pausing runs his sword through the unsuspecting fool's gut, collapsing him in a bleeding heap. The last two guards ready begin to stride off to confront Vanyra, but upon seeing their comrade run through their fellow they spin around to confront him in confusion, weapons at the ready.

Meanwhile the first guard, hellbent on turning the young mage into pig feed, leaps forward to skewer Yuu with a direct thrust. Unfortunately in his haste the man failed to see the narrow sewage channel cutting down the side of the street, resulting in him landing his lead foot on the edge and subsequently tumbling forward in a heap.

A ways up the street the two Freelancers remain tense and ready for action, but unmoving; no doubt they are trying to make sense of the chaotic scene unfolding before them.

Zelpuz asesses the situation from his position, he has a reasonable shot at all targets he sees at the moment. He gets ready to shoot. He resumes his communication with Vanrya: "Are you OK? Do you need help moving Lasrane?"

"Just need to get rid of these guys after Lasrane and then he's ours," Vanyra thinks quickly.

Without missing a beat Vanyra then springs over to Yuu and his fumbling attack, and with a swift strike to the back of his head with the handle of her Culay drops him to the ground for a more sustained period.  All the while Zelpuz keeps his aim nearby to pick-off any would-be attackers.

Fortunately for Yuu, it was not he who was the target of Vanyra's assault, but the mercenary who'd given him an earlier evil eye.  Very fortunate.  Especially for his sister, who Yuu now reaches over to and grabs hold of a sleeve and pulls her over to the corner of the building out of harms way.

"Wait here." he says quickly, and gathering his robes, leaps over to Lasrane's prone body, sweeping gaze across the street then down, checking for signs of life.

While Yuu crouches down to inspect the crumpled form of Lasrane, the three remaining Shen Zue guards square off against each other.  As if realizing what he has done the guard who ran-through his companion stops and stares in horror, but only a moment before the guard behind swings his sword at him. With a quickly raised blade he parries the attack and feebly counters. As these two face each other down, the last guard looks on in utter confusion as his morale waivers.

The two Freelancers are taking the opportunity to back away from the mess unfolding in front of them.

Zelpuz decides that his aim is not needed any longer and joins Yuu at Lasrane.

Zelpuz materializes next to Yuu, facing the guards to keep one eye on the action, and with a brief nod says: "Hi Yuu, odd place to meet, heh? How is he?"

Vanyra quickly moves back to Lasrane and says to Yuu and Zelpuz, "Lets get him out of here."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Tue 03 Dec 2013.

As Yuu was examining the body, Zelpuz' phasing beside him does lend itself to surprise, as the young mage leaps back, and throws his hands into a karate-chop defensive stance, one skinny leg raised.  His flexed body relaxes once brain catches up with vision, and he lowers his wildly threatening posture.  His eyes sink to Lasrane.

"Very broken." answers Yuu, interrupted from further explanation by Vanyra's quick return.

His eyebrows furrow with sudden worry.  "Um... not that I like the idea of standing around here, but... if you move him much, he's going to die."  He looks up quizzically, curious suddenly if maybe that's the plan.

Whilst the trio of amateur medical examiners discusses the condition of Lasrane the Shen Zue guards are continuing their bizarre standoff. The shortest guard, whose back was facing the group, and who has been engaged in melee with his companion lashes out with a powerful swing once more.  The sword is parried in haste, but the attack seems to have shaken his resolve and he turns to flee.  The other guard, who until now has been standing away staring on in confusion, has decided flight is also the best course of action and follows his comrade.  Only the one angry guard now remains.

Keeping the guards in the corner of his eye, Zelpuz looks at Lasrane, then Yuu, "How much is much? Could we lift him shortly and put him down again a little bit later without killing him? Or can you make him more stable? I would like to question him and then turn him over to the Order." Zelpuz looks concerned, "I agree that this is not the best place to be standing around, we should keep it as short as possible."

As the discussion over what to do with Lasrane continues the remaining guard has apparently determined that the best course of action is to follow his fleeing comrades.

Zelpuz looks at Yuu: "It seems we have a few moments time. Can you stabilize him enough to pick him up so we can get somewhere quieter?"

"I can move him without much effort as long as I can lift him up without killing him and he doesn't die without help before we get somewhere better"

Yuu turns back to Zelpuz, "What's your plan?  We could use something around here to cradle him in..."

While the discussion takes place, Vanyra drags the unconscious guard that attacked Yuu Jin over towards Yuu, Zelpuz, and Lasrane and lays him back on the ground.

"Well, I have a large magical pocket that could hold him, no need for us to carry him." Zelpuz kneels down, puts his hand on Lasrane's head, concentrates shortly and Lasrane disappears.
"OK, let's go somewhere where we can take care of him."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:17, Fri 13 Dec 2013.

"What about this one?," Vanyra queries while pointing at the unconscious guard/soldier who was chasing Lasrane.

"You said you wanted to know what was going on, this one may provide insight."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Fri 13 Dec 2013.

Yuu blinks at the suddenly vanished Lasrane, mouth dropping open.

"Woah..." is all he can manage.  That'll be something worth investigating later.  Mental noted.

As Vanyra and Zelpuz sort out what to do, the young mage stands quietly.  He's completely outside of anything related to a comfort zone.  This night is proving more emotionally taxing than he'd admit, and the realization he's out of his element is starting to bite deep.  He didn't even know why he chose the docks, in fact... should he just take a boat instead?  Destination?  And did he really just kill someone?? And what the hell are the chances he'd bump into the two foreigners?  And... what, really, are the odds it would be at an intersection with Lasrane??  Could the two Freelancers from before have knowledge about the powers at play?  Are their evenings duties...

While the conversation continues inside his head, and out, Qwe has quietly moved up to her brothers side, and taken his hand in hers.  She has noticed his distant expression, so says nothing.  Having learned it's just better.

Zelpuz shrinks: "Sure, it's worth a try." He touches the unconscious soldier and he vanishes too. "They may re-appear any time when they wake up again, so let's get somewhere quiet and not waste too much time"

"Where do you want to go?  Unless you know of any safe houses, we could go back to my place; it's not big, but its quiet and out of the way."

"Sounds good, I would suggest the Order, but since I was told to stay out of things that is probably not the best first choice." Zelpuz looks around, "where is your place? And is it safe?"

"Not far, we should hurry."  Vanyra looks over Yuu and the girl before saying in Zelpuz's direction, "Make sure we can keep Lasrane from doing mind things."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Tue 17 Dec 2013.

Zelpuz nods, "As long as he does not show up next to us again, we should be fine. If he does, we have to act fast."

With that the group follows Vanyra back to a main road just to the south so she could re-orientate herself amongst the maze of shacks populating the docks. The group heads off to the West skirting the north side of the actual harbor ward.

Zelpuz looks over to Yuu and his sister, "Nice surprise running into you, but what brings you down to the docks?"

Qwe wasn't sure about following the Mespah and Freyan, but with her brother consumed by his own thoughts, she felt it safer than remaining on the street.  She tugged on his arm, and he instinctually followed, the two kind of dangling along.  She feels uncertain, but tries to remain strong.  Her brother had protected them, they couldn't secretly be the bad guys, could they?

At the sound of Zelpuz' voice, her spine tightens with nerves, "Ah... we... I mean, my brother had to... he'll tell you, when he's ready."  She wills her brother to be ready.

Zelpuz walks for a several seconds alongside the two, glancing at Yuu every few steps. It didn't seem like he was really present and his sister seemed to be concerned about the question. Zelpuz took a few more steps, then decided that he'd probably better continue talking to Yuu's companion, or at least try. "Well, that seems to be some time later." He looks at her: "How about you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Wed 25 Dec 2013.

Qwe has noticed the Mespah's attention on her brother.  Don't they have mental powers?  Was he doing mind magic right now?  She remembers Nan's tale of Mespah stalking the night to melt the minds of children who were naughty... she didn't really believe it, though.  Did she?

Then his attention turns to her.  Maybe he's reading her mind!!

"Um... 'about me', what, sir?" the girl manages with minimum squeak.  Nervous though she may be, she was still the daughter of a Jin.

Zelpuz remembers that his communications with Yuu have actually never been very straightforward and starts to wonder if he should just wait with this conversation for another time, maybe with tea and cookies. So he continues with Yuu's companion:
"Well, you could start by telling me who you are? I am Zelpuz, I've met Yuu some years ago when I was looking for some special help, and his skills and" he pauses briefly, "open mind" he nods to himself, "made him the perfect match. And we got along well."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Wed 25 Dec 2013.

Vanyra continues leading the group, paying close attention to anyone out on the streets and grateful for the time of night making it relatively easy to avoid them and stick to what shadows as much as possible. She remains highly alert to the surroundings, and peers back at the young girl and Yuu occasionally.

"I'm Qwe.  I remember my brother doing that; he built your gun."  She tries to say that last part matter-of-factly, but the currents of an emotional conflict on that fact bubble upwards quite visibly.

Zelpuz looks a bit puzzled. "Actually, it's technically not a gun. I didn't know it was common knowledge ... you must be close." He pauses for a moment trying to put things together. "Ah, so you must be Yuu's sister, right? Nice to meet you, although I would have preferred to meet you with tea and biscquits."

A tiny sparkle lights up in the eyes of the child at the thought of tea and biscuits.  She tries to hide it, but... she's a kid.

"Yep."  She answers, a nod to his question.  "I remember him working on it, and he was very excited to meet a Mespah.  Talked about it all the time."  Seems she's slowly opening up.

"Nice to meet you both, too."  She adds.

"All right, now let's try to get to a more comfortable place, maybe Vanyra actually has some tea and biscuits at her place and we can talk about the details of how we all ended up running into each other." He smiles at Qwe, then looks at Yuu again who still seems to be lost in his thoughts, or wherever it his mind was at the moment. Zelpuz takes another look around the street. "So, Vanyra, how much further is it?"

Qwe merely purses her lips, an uncommitted smile, and looks to Vanyra, who has a bit of scariness about her.

"Not far now," Vanyra replies, "but we should deal with our 'friends' before we do anything else. Its a small place, so I think these two," nodding to Yuu and Qwe, "should wait on the roof while we secure their bindings and question them. I don't want Lasrane or the other guy knowing they are with us."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Sun 05 Jan 2014.

"Good idea. Although if we blind-fold them and they keep quiet, it should be OK, but better to be safe." He thinks for a moment. "Do you know some first aid, I think Lasrane might need some to survive questioning."

"Even with a sack over their head, they still listen. And no, I don't"

The siblings continue following the pair as they're led through the winding city streets, Qwe clutching her brother's hand as she guides him along.

Eventually they arrive at Vanyra's domicile, an nondescript 4-story structure made with stained, white plaster walls with wooden accents from the roof and balconies.  There appear to be quite a few apartments in the building, likely sixteen to twenty if one were to guess.

The front door is of heavy oak with metal hinges and reinforcing braces. Vanyra produces a key, opens the door and heads up a stairwell to the immediate right. After climbing 4 flights of stairs the group finds themselves in front of the Freyan's abode.

"All right, seems like the guard and Lasrane are still unconscious. Maybe Yuu can take a look at them before we wake them up for questioning."

"Fine, but one at a time. We need to bind them and there's only one room."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Wed 15 Jan 2014.

Zelpuz walks along for a couple of steps obviously considering the situation.
"OK, let's have Qwe wait on the roof, then we take a look at the guard and tie him up. Depending on his condition, we then take a look at Lasrane and you can take the guard and Yuu up to the roof before I wake Lasrane up." He looks at the small group as they are walking. "Does anyone have any question they would like me to ask Lasrane? Or the guard?"

Entering the small, spartan apartment Vanyra replies, "Lets get this other guy out of the way like you suggested and question Lasrane first. Pop him out and we'll secure him and move him to the roof so he's out of the way."

Zelpuz nods, grabs into the air and pulls the guard out of no-where onto the floor. They quickly tie him up. Zelpuz says: "Yuu, is he still OK?"

"I have a story to tell you."  Yuu speaks softly, the first since the crossroads.  Life has returned to eyes.

His sister looks up at him, relieved.

The young mage steps over to the guard, checking his vitals.  "The guards are called the Shen Zue..." he points to an emblazoned crest on the uniform."...they're a merchant guild of sorts, one of the few that have been commissioned by the royal seat to manufacture and trade in chlornetherium.  The stuff that blew up the warehouse.  I do not believe them to be enemies... in the larger scope.  But I've been unable to define an exact position."  Satisfied with his check, he steps back, and regards his companions, slightly ashamed.

"I know your interest in Lasrane is personal, or guild related.  But his involvement, and the timing of events, cannot be coincidence.  If you listen to my story, it may give added clarity to the situation."

Vanyra gives Yuu's finished exposition an odd look as she squats by the man on the floor with an improvised sack in her hand.  "So... is he OK?" Vanyra asks.

Zelpuz nods. "For the personal part I don't need more information, but any information you can give me will help me understand his involvement and the role of the Order. I will gladly listen to your story, but should we make sure he's still alive first?"

The young mage bites a corner of his lip, "Er... yeah, he's fine."  Sensing a bit of awkwardness, he shrugs. "It doesn't matter, we can talk about it later."

"If we tie them back to back.  Blindfold the both or them, and cover the mouth of the guard.... would you be able to question Lasrane, and read the reactive thoughts of the guard?"

Vanyra gags the Shen Zue and blindfolds him with a large multi-layered makeshift blindfold while making sure he is secure.

"I don't want to give Lasrane any possible pawns, and I don't want this Shen Zue to know we have Lasrane or learn anything else we may not want him to know. I also don't want Lasrane to know we have this Shen Zue. This one's going elsewhere until we need him. We can question him on anything Lasrane says anyway."

"I'm thinking he can go on the roof with you guys to keep an eye on him," Vanyra says while looking at Yuu and Qwe, "Its better than the bathroom."

"I probably could, if he's awake. What do you hope to find out?"
Zelpuz looks at the guard. "Well, if he is not going to wake up by himself soon, I can just put him back in the bag, but let's gag and tie him before anyways, just to make sure." He picks up one of the ropes that Vanyra took out. "So why don't you tell us your story while we tie him up? I guess a few moments won't kill Lasrane."

"Let's take a moment to look at the assumptions these two are going to make."

Yuu ticks a finger, "One... Lasrane was being chased by the Shen Zue.  He knows this and will probably assume that is who have him.  Why would he possibly think anything different?  Having him believe you are Shen Zue for as long as possible may provide information that you wouldn't otherwise get if he thinks you are someone else."

And another. "Two.... the moment Lasrane realizes we are not Shen Zue, I suspect he'll know who has him.  Maybe the same people who've been chasing him for months, now...??"

And another again, "Three... the Shen Zue already knows we have Lasrane.  He saw us.  He'll assume whoever has him also still has Lasrane.  And he'll already know things about Lasrane we don't.  When he hears Lasrane answer, he may have thoughts regarding those answers.  Those regardings may direct our next question."

"Let me inquire... what questions are you going to ask?  What's your strategy?  Is there one?"

"You need to relax a bit." Vanyra says while picking the guy up.  "Wait until this guy is out of hearing, he could wake up at any time, so lets put him in the bag."

After Vanyra motions to Zelpuz to quickly put him in the 'bag' she adds, "And yes, Lasrane might easily recognize him," indicating Zelpuz, "and he'll see through pretending. Its a bad idea to let either learn information we don't want them to have. We will handle them separately and can ask as many questions as we want."

"Let's make sure Lasrane is ok. While you do that, I'm taking Qwe up to the roof.  She shouldn't be here for this and you," indicating Yuu, "should go next to watch after your sister."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Thu 23 Jan 2014.

Zelpuz touches "All right. First things first. Just in case he's awake already, is there anything quick and urgent I should know or questions you would like asked?" He looks at Yuu. "Then I suggest that we quickly check if he is even still alive and not going to die on us now, then put him back and Yuu can finish his story."

Yuu blinks.  Now that was just insulting.

"Vanyra, you cannonballed 50 feet out of the sky, nearly liquifying the very person you spent a week trying to capture.... his still beating heart an utter miracle... perhaps taking up your own advice, and a moment of thought, would serve you well."  Yuu's hand gestures animate the very scene.

The young mage considers adding: With great purrrr, comes great responsibility.  But decides better of it for now.

He looks to Zelpuz.  "I'll check their vitals. If they're stable, I'll finish my story.  You'll better understand my interest in these two, and why my immediate concerns outweigh your own."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

As Yuu makes his comments, Vanyra's skin becomes deep red. She reengages his gaze and strongly states through a clenched mouth "For the sake of your sister, I will be brief.  You don't know everything and are being an arrogant brat.  I am making sure we stay safe, and that includes your little sister.  Listen for once if you want to stay safe."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Sun 02 Feb 2014.

Zelpuz seems to either ignore the obvious dispute between the two or just not notice that there is any tension. He finishes tying up the guard, puts him back 'away' and pulls out Lasrane, puts him on the floor and steps back to make space for Yuu.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:45, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

Yuu meets the Freyan's gaze. He opens his mouth, the first words of a retort beginning to take form... but they go no further than his throat.  Frozen and unreleased.  After a moment his mouth closes, and his head cocks curiously.  "I know you are."  He says, with the hint of exhaustion. "We are in danger, your instincts are correct and your heart is in an honourable place.  But the threat to us is far greater than the fools we picked up.  Or the fools who fooled them.  The foolers of the fooled fools on the other hand... those are the people I wish to know, as those are the ones who threaten and take action against my home.  We will interrogate, but unless you've acquired an academic's worth of political and cultural knowledge of Ossylia this past week, you may not be in the best position to declare it's conduct."

He turns to address where Zelpuz has placed Lasrane, is just kneeling down, when the blur of movement catches his surprise as Qwe pulls behind him for cover.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Sat 01 Feb 2014.

With Vanyra's skin shade remaining a deep shade of red, she states sternly, "I want us alive and safe an hour from now. The big picture doesn't matter right now." Without pausing she points at Lasrane, "He can hurt you by looking at you or touching you, so do you what you are going to do fast, get your sister out of this room, and let us restrain him."

Zelpuz nods. Looking at Yuu he adds: "Vanyra is right. As long as he is unconscious, we are OK, but we should try to move quickly. How is he? Will he survive another while and will he stay unconscious? I would like to get all the information I can before questioning him, but I don't want to get any of you in danger."

"Agreed.  He is a threat.  But let's not rush around like panicked chickens with no heads."  The young mage kneels over the broken Mespah on the floor, and begins dong a quick body check, removing the man's coat and shirt in the process, the shirt getting tucked under his head.  Lasrange's chest is a coastal mess of bruises and odd protrusions.

Yuu feels across the man's body, then moves up to his mouth, checking for breathing and blood in the saliva.  He checks the pupils and any head trauma.  Satisfied, he pulls out a bandage from his belt pouch, and carefully covers Lasranges eyes and head.  Then straightens.  "He appears stable.  Probably a concussion.  His lungs do not appear punctured, so no immediate threat there.  He'll live given attention and serious recovery time."

"Great" Zelpuz makes sure Lasrane is tied up and blindfolded, then puts him back in the bag. He puts his gun away again, his body seems to relax visibly. Zelpuz sits down on the next available piece of furniture, looks around the group and says "OK Yuu, tell us your story."

Before Lasrane was put away, Vanyra made sure he was redressed and secured with the materials she spent time preparing earlier.

Yes, he was only 'repacked' well-bundled.

Yuu sits on one of the chairs, and tells his story, filling in what he knows and what might help the two understand his insistence on certain questions.  He starts his tale, explaining that his parents had forbidden him and his sister from leaving the premises due to threats from a political push for power.  He weaves his way through, with the attack on his home, and subsequent departure.  And shares what information he has learned since last seeing the pair.  He keeps things brief, adding only the details needed for context.

"I'm the son of a Jin, and a Royal battle-mage of Ossylia.... at least, I will be in two months." he adds quickly.

"I... it's left to me to protect my family, and defend my nation.  And it starts here."

Zelpuz listens carefully, throwing in a question here and there trying to understand more about the factions in the city and how Yuu is involved in everything.
After Yuu's story, Zelpuz looks at Yuu, nods thoughtfully and says: "Although it may not help too much, you might also want to hear the events that brought us to the harbor where we met." And with that he briefly describes how they followed Vernus to the tunnel and followed him down. Zelpuz describes as many details about the people that met as he knows and repeats the brief discussion they overheard word by word.
After he finished he looks at Vanyra: "Did I miss anything?", then looks at Yuu: "And did that give you any more information? Otherwise, let's start questioning the guard, I'll start with the list of questions that Yuu gave us, then we can see what else we want to ask."
He looks to wait for an answer and directed at Yuu, he sais "Do you think your sister should wait outside?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Thu 27 Feb 2014.

While the discussion continues between the trio, Vanyra spends some time moving around the sparse room packing up some things into a bag.

Once Vanyra escorts Qwe out of the room and to a position of safety, Yuu summons forth a rather convincing illusory interrogator for him to speak through while Zelpuz offers support telepathically.

After some time and considerable verbal gymnastics the pair managed to lower the captured guards defenses, at least to the point where it is unlikely he will immediate try to kill them if given the chance.

When asked about Lasrane the man simply states that he is a person of interest in connection to a number of incidents the Shen Zue have had of late. He is supposedly a rogue Mespah, but this man has no admitted knowledge of Bloodrunners or their connection to Lasrane.

As for Lasrane's connection to the 'secret' stash of chlornetherium that guard cannot offer much, only that it must be why he is wanted by the Shen Zue. But he is quick to explain that there are no 'secret' stashes of chlornetherium that belong to the Shen Zue, they are all documented and the inventories filed with the appropriate government officials.

Vanyra opened the window a bit and then took Qwe and her bag to the roof above her room.  She offered Qwe some food (what she thought might be liked) and did her best to listen in on the questioning coming from the room below.

After some additional questioning Yuu and Zelpuz learn what they largely already know; that forces are at work between the political factions to cease control.  Part of the reason he and his comrades were out this evening was to safeguard some of Shen Zue's properties.  Running into Lasrane was just chance.

Feeling as though they expended the limits of the guards knowledge, or willingness to offer details, Yuu summarily renders the guard unconscious with a sleep spell followed by an application of yet-to-be-patented Forget-me-now potion.  Zelpuz then grabs the man and within a few seconds has teleported him to a nondescript side street several blocks away in the direction from which they came.

The duo could now turn their attention to the big haul, Lasrane himself; knowing full well that this interrogation would likely not be anywhere near as easy.

After depositing the Shen Zue guard in a random alleyway near the original alteration location, Zelpuz removes Lasrane from the dimensional void prison. After blindfolding him, and securing him in a chair, Yuu then uses some minor healing magicks and first aid to bring him about.

"You ran." states the arrogant, disembodied voice of Yuu's illusion; a perfect match for a native Ossylian from the docks district.

Grunting through obvious pain Lasrane is slow to respond, "Aggh, yes... well done on your part.  I really thought I would give you the slip... I do not take kindly to interrogations like this."

"Something you want to tell us?"

"Not particularly, aside from assuring you that you've certainly broken more than a few of my bones it feels like." Lasrane replies curtly. "Perhaps you would like to tell or ask me something?"

"We are disappointed you ran from us.  Why would you do such a thing, Lasrane?"

"Seriously? I cannot recall anyone I know that would subject themselves to assault and interrogation by a merchant militia in the middle of the night... so like all sensible people I ran."

"Like all sensible smugglers and their affiliates, you mean?"

Lasrane bursts out in a short-lived fit of laughter before it transforms into a fit of coughing. "Please, I'm in no state for such jokes... isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? I make no assertion that I do not associate myself with smugglers and other undesirables, but t'was not I that filled a warehouse officially manifested for Lu'Zan silk, Daedalum alloys and Dallonian grains with Chlornetherium. Begs one to wonder what the purpose of all that chlornetherium was, indeed I imagine a great number of those in government have asked themselves that over the last few days... some may even be acting on it."

"Ah, yes, the chlornetherium.  Tell me... exactly... what happened with the little warehouse and how it came to be no more.  Your side, of course, Lasrane.  We've heard several sides over the last few days but I feel yours may be particularly telling..."

"You have only yourselves to thank for that; after all it was your lackey who dispatched those Order of Ashes agents to hunt me down, who in their zeal did not realize that firing nether energy bolts at Chlornetherium was a bad idea. I was simply going to steal it away and keep it safe for a while... and then decide what to do with it.  Admittedly, I promised some to my smuggler friends as payment for services rendered... but that deal went up in smoke as it were." Lasrane elaborates with a hint of regret in his voice.

"Steal it away and keep it safe for a while...?"

"Yes." Lasrane answers simply.

"Tut tut... stealing chlornetherium.  And you thought this would be a clever plan, because...?"

"Because then you would not have it, which you were not supposed to have in the first place. I debated reporting it to the authorities first, but thought discretion would be better," Lasrane explains quickly.

Laughs.  "But Chlornetherium is *our* trade."

"Only under the auspices of the government, and specifically the Ossylian military.  Failure to declare any amount of Chlornetherium to the government is a crime," Lasrane explains, somewhat condescendingly.

"Precisely, Lasrane." *stick poke in ribs for emphasis*  "It is good we do not have to lecture you on the rules of our system.  A system that;s been operating successfully for decades.  So, pray tell,  which authority in any right mind would take the conspiratorial ramblings of a broken and ostracised Mespah, over an official trading partner of the Ossylian military and government?"

Lasrane grimaces from the poke to his broken rib cage. "Ostracised? Hm, that's interesting... I wonder from what have I been ostracised?  Though it does not really matter; likely no one would care about the ramblings of some random person and so I suspect nothing official would have been done.  But the very idea that you may be secretly importing vast amounts of Chlornetherium could very well pique the interest of any number of parties.  Though in hindsight perhaps I should have just blown the stuff up in the first place; it certainly made an impact."  He pauses for a moment then, whether in an attempt to recall something or choose his next words you are uncertain.

"Actually the only people I was going to tell about theft was you; trade it back to you in exchange for some information. Frankly the politics of this kingdom do not overly concern me, it just so happens that I found myself entangled in them. It is unfortunate that your colleague at the local chapter of the Order dispatched those two to hunt me down; if he hadn't we may well be discussing where I should deliver the chlornetherium instead of... this."

"Your name is ill regarded among circles of your kind."  Let a pause float there.
"But that is neither here nor there.  What information did you want to exchange, and didn't just feel like asking for?"

"Ah yes... my 'kind.'" Lasrane response with a smile before pausing. "I wasn't offering information, rather I was going to trade the Chlornetherium for information that you possess. But since I have nothing worth trading any more, and I have no idea who you are, I see no reason to further divulge any information."

"And if we were to give you a reason?"

"Then, by all means, I would like to hear it." Lasrane counters simply.

Yuu shakes a vial of his Elixir of Forgetfulness, letting the sloshing sound of the liquid content reverberate.

"A couple reasons.  We are going to heal you up. Lasrane.  We will nurture you back to reasonable health.  And then we will release you.  You will be free to go about your day.  The memories you carry with you, however, will depend on your continued willingness to share information.  You see, we have with us a chemical liquid... still in the testing phases, truth be told... but its effects have been proven quite potent even on sentient beings.  It erases memories... the more we feed into you, the further in arrears your memories fade.  An hour... a day... a week.... After dosing you with it, we will release the great Lasrane back into the world... short of a few key contemporary memories.

"We may do little to harm you, but we are not so sure others won't do the same... some far more grim than we would conceive.

"We are not the Shen Zue you think we are.  There are cells within, and we have questions of our own to be asking guild members.

"What information of ours did you want, in exchange for the Chlornetherium you were so bold as to think you could steal?"

Lasrane is quiet for a time, as if lost in thought, before he offers his response, "I have already lost quite a bit over the last few days, and I really do not wish to lose any more. Truthfully, I do not care about you or your Novian allies, nor do I care about the Reforgers or the Fundamnetalists; any one could win the day. Ossylia may change to some degree, but that also is none of my concern." Lasrane's serious countenance breaks slightly then, betraying a resigned smirk, "You must be under the gun if you are willing to sacrifice the very answers you seek to get me to divulge them, or you don't really care about the answers after all."

Once again he pauses, choosing his words, "I may have lost the day, but if I divulge 'excess' information to whoever you are, given the current situation, I may also lose the grander battle... and I cannot take that chance. My duty lies elsewhere. So do what you will."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We do not take kindly to those treading on our market."

"I can understand that, though I'm not sure how this applies to me. I'm not in the business of trading, certainly nothing that the Shen Zue deal with at the very least." Lasrane counters.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:00, Thu 08 May 2014.

Zelpuz stands at the ready next to Lasrane, with enough distance to avoid direct contact. For every question Lasrane doesn't answer fast enough or too arrogant or uncooperative, Zelpuz uses a stick pressing on Lasrane's rips.

With each press of the stick Lasrane winces and grunts, or occasionally violently coughs, through the pain. "You can stick me all you want, it's not going to change anything. No one is getting in on your market; rather hard when it is strictly regulated by the government. I imagine you have more important and immediate issues to deal with tonight, hence why you were patrolling in the middle of the night..."

"Others do, but I have all the time for you, Lasrane."

"I suppose that is true, and hence why we are here... for now," Lasrane follows with a nod before trailing with the baited suggestion.
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:11, Wed 07 May 2014.

Carried on from Message #113, before the dotted line:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We are." To his do what we will.

"And we are all under the gun.  A civil war boils and bubbles.  But you are not so important a player as your typical Mespah arrogance assumes.  You are but a piece in a rather large puzzle, a picture which can be seen with... or without... you.

"Again, what information did you require from the Shen Zue?  What we planned to do with the Chlornetherium, perhaps?"

"Everyone presumes to know what you were going to do with the Chlornetherium, now that its existence is in the open; same thing everyone uses Chlornetherium for. And that has tipped their hands and yours.  For myself I really don't care what you use it for," Lasrane answers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:17, Thu 08 May 2014.

"If Ossylian troubles weren't your concern, you certainly haven't done well keeping out of them.  Lots of presumptions, yes, and what did you presume we were doing with the chlornetherium?"

"Well, what everyone presumes you were going to do is to make an arsenal of weapons and bombs with it, with which you can beat the Reforgers at their own game," Lasrane explains, but then pauses and smiles before elucidating further, "But that is not what you were really going to do with it, was it? Why bother fighting a war in the streets of Ossylia where the potential for loss is so high?  Better to simply convert others to your side without all that bloodshed, and there was a lot of potential in all that Chlornetherium... and not in bribes of course, as that would cut into your profits."

"You disapprove our methods of... converting?"

"I said I was not interested in what you are doing with the Chlornetherium, and I am not. I do not approve nor disapprove." Lasrane retorts.

"But you do know?"

"I pretty much said as much, no? I have been privy to a number of things that do not interest me, but that doesn't stop me from knowing them.  For example, there is a frequent patron of the Coral Cave tavern in the docks that only drinks with his left hand due to a childhood illness that partially paralysed his right? Not very interesting, but I know it." Lasrane answers.

"We were worried the knock may have dulled you, we are pleased to see your memories have remained intact.  Can't say as much about your rib cage... the grinding of bone with each breath must be something awful.  So, what were our trivial intentions, not worth your time or interest, which had us quietly stockpiling chlornethrium?  That you suspected, of course.  And what do you know of our plans to convert?"

"Your concern for my mental health is touching," Lasrane quips before starting his explanation of the conversion plan. "Rumor has it that you secured the services of a Mespah mage adept at magic item engineering. This mage was working on a miniature item that would render a person open to certain, pre-programmed instructions, if exposed to it over time.  You would then take these devices and covertly install them in a number of items ordered by neutral parties in the government, or any other appropriate target.  Eventually these persons would come over to your way of thinking and the Novians would have a majority voting block... Or something like that."

Zelpuz waves his hand slightly to gesture to Yuu to get more information on this topic.

The interrogator sighs, "Rumours are nasty little things.   As things go, eventually an interrogator circles about until they eventually draw near the point of the whole affair.  Some of us feel you purposely drew the hunter team to the warehouse, to destroy our supply, or as cover to destroy it yourself.  Thereby undermining our plans.  Your admission to leveraging the supply against us doesn't bode well, but neither does it suggest a direct challenge.  I'm here to decide the truth of this matter."

"You've said you care nothing for our politics.  I hope for your sake, you are right."

"Mm, reminds me... what services did the Blood Runners render?  And please be upfront, your friend Vernus certainly has."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Wed 14 May 2014.

"A means to an end. They are as everyone knows them to be; traders and smugglers. If you need to get illicit goods somewhere they are a good bet, though they typically specialize in living material. That is part and parcel why I chose them; one would not expect them to be transporting a cargo like Chlornetherium. In the end though there only service was to sacrifice several men in an explosion... more's the pity of it all." Lasrane explains.

"So you contrive to steal our Chlornetherium, hide it with smugglers, who you pay with a bit of the stuff in kind, only to then turn around use that Chlornetherium to leverage information from us?"

"That was the plan in a nutshell, yes." Lasrane confirms.

"What information of ours did you need, that led you on this most incredulous scheme?"

"As I mentioned earlier, I do wish to discuss that in any detail at this time, suffice to say it was of a financial nature," Lasrane informs.

"You don't wish to discuss it further?  Right.... my mistake.  And here I thought we were conducting an interrogation.  Where you give us answers we seek, or we do bad things to you.  Shall I untie your bonds as well?  Maybe bring in a pillow and a dockgirl to suck your cock?"

"Fine, I propose a compromise then; you tell me what financial records I was looking for and I will confirm if you are correct or not. After all I have already said and what you already know it should be none to hard a task... alternatively, you could go ahead and call a prostitute for me as a bribe." Lasrane counters.

"I have something better than a prostitute.  And it's the second reason you'll be wanting to divulge information."

"You have my full attention."

"You mentioned a Mespah working on our conversion project.  Are they someone you would know?"

Yuu gives Zelpuz the signal to attempt a mind read if he wishes.

"Get out of my mind, NOW!" Zelpuz says, putting his riffle on Lasrane's chest.

"As you wish," Lasrane responds and his grip on Zelpuz's mind vanishes, "But you started it."

"In answer to your question though, I do not know, but I do know his name is not Zelpuz," Lasrane continues after shifting his attention towards the illusory voice. "I am not familiar with a Zelpuz in this chapter of the Order, so I can only surmise that it was you and your partner that were chasing me several days back when... this mess began. I must admit I had my doubts about my present situation as it was presented, but the reality is even more of an enigma. You are a member of the Order, Zelpuz, and yet you have not returned me to their custody... which begs the question on whose authority you are operating?  You needn't answer of course. But I will propose a deal; we dispense with the facade and you tell me why you are after me, and in return I'll show you everything I know about this whole affair... you can read my thoughts on the matter.  What say you?"

At the edge of the roof above Vanyra's open loft window, Vanyra tenses suddenly but then relaxes her muscles again, though not as much as they were previously.

Zelpuz takes a step back and lowers his riffle.
"You are right, I started it, but given my information so far, it was justified ... in my eyes."
Zelpuz pauses.
"You are full of surprises, Lasrane. You have yourself a deal. Let's play with open cards."
He looks at Yuu.
"I'll take his blindfolds off, what do you think?" the words form in Yuu's mind.

Yuu's eyes glaze over a moment in thought, then refocus on Zelpuz.

"Can you read my thoughts?" he asks in his own mind.

"Yes" Yuu hears inside his head.

"Is it possible for him to take over your mind?"

"Possible yes, but not likely, maybe we stay on the safe side for now."

In response to Zelpuz Lasrane speaks up, "Very well.  Before we begin though I would recommend you stay on the surface and not try to dig too beep; it would be safer for everyone involved.  I, for my part, will concentrate on everything I know about our current predicament."

OK, let's start.

Zelpuz moves away from Lasrane. He looks at Yuu and gestures him to follow him outside, leaving Lasrane tied up and blind folded. They walk up to the roof where Vanyra is waiting. When they get there, Zelpuz starts to explain what happened.
"As far as I can tell, things are not what they seem." He pauses. "Lasrane may only be a figure in a larger play, but one that seems to do the right thing, at least as much as he revealed." Zelpuz looks at Yuu and Vanyra.
"This is what happened. Lasrane let me scan his mind, surface thoughts only, keep that in mind. I did not probe deeper, he seems to be very skilled with his mind, he turned my first attempt of trying to scan him around, starting to read my thoughts." Zelpuz pauses again for a moment. "It seems that the local Order is not following our regulations, leading members of this chapter seem to be involved in the current political chaos. While I am sure he hid many parts of the story, the things I did see suggest that he may actually be the good guy, and the local Order, or at least the Chapter Master, are not." Zelpuz considers his own words, trying to think about their implications. "It seems he obtain the Chlornetherium by a great slight of hands, it was meant for the Shen Zue and Lasrane stole it with the help of the Bloodrunners. All considered, I think it would be good to work with him, I don't want the Order to be implicated in whatever happens here."
He stops and looks up.

Yuu has followed the dark figure onto the roof, where the two join Vanyra and Qwe.  The mage silently gestures for Vanyra to close the window below and check on their prisoner, then motions for her to come over to confab. He then listens intently as Zelpuz shares his insight.

After some thought, the young mage speaks.

"We make pretty shitty interrogators... we still do not know why he is here, and what he is after."  He laughs, a note of relief that interrogation isn't his strong suit.

"He's only shared passing information relevant to the Chlornetherium case and a bit of politics.  Nothing substantial and nothing we didn't already suspect.  He may not be here to harm Ossylia, but neither is he here to help.  I'm sure he's equally as confused what the heck we're up to, but... he's the one tied up.  Until we know his purpose, I'd rather him remain tied and out of the way.  Though... the thing about the Order's involvement was a bit of a surprise... what were your orders before you left to hunt Lasrane down?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:41, Tue 12 Aug 2014.

"I don't have any other orders, I was just here to apprehend Lasrane." He pauses. "He did shine a new light on the things that concern me most here. It may not be the whole truth, but it is at least part of the truth as far as he knows." He chuckles ironically "Yes, we really are a fine group of interrogators."

"He's a piece in a rather strange puzzle.  And we still don't know what he's actually doing here.  Blackmailing the Shen Zue with their own Chlornetherium... isn't exactly winning charity awards. "

The young mage leans against the ledge, looking out across the dark cityscape.

"He's your fish though, as it seems his usefulness to my immediate cause is used up."

"As far as I can tell, he is just a member of the Order. I doubt he is winning charity awards, but he may actually have acted in the best interest of the Order, and it seems like the local chapter needs some fixing. Figuring out more about what is going on and preventing their involvement in whatever happens here is my duty as a Mespah" Zelpuz looks at Yuu, "And what are your immediate needs other than not being caught?"

"If I'm caught, I can't help my home.  But... if I run, I can't help my home, either."  Yuu's shoulders sink.

"I don't know what to do.  I was hoping that guy would give us something... just... a face... something we could hit back at, you know?"

"Well, as far as I am concerned, there is a target. Or at least a potential one. My local chapter master and his surroundings. They may be more involved and it may be helping your family too, not directly right now, but in the bigger picture." He pauses, "At least if we believe Lasrane so far."

"There are still others we can question," Vanyra interjects.  "The rest of that secretive group are out there, and we know where one of them is for the next little bit.  This 'Captain' probably has loose lips as Lasrane was quite concerned about him getting captured and questioned."

"Also, if Lasrane is a member of the Order, then who in your Order sent you to hunt him down?  And I wouldn't go thinking he's a good guy quite yet, smuggling is the least of the bad things we've heard about these Blood Runners."

"From the snippets of memory I saw, it would make sense that the local chapter's master asks for someone to 'take care' of Lasrane if he got too dangerous for him. There are most likely a lot of information missing from his story, if you have good idea in which direction to continue the questions, we can try to find out more. Lasrane is not a white knight for sure, but he does not seem to be the evil guy we thought."

"I'm kind of tired listening to him talk... just spins round and round, without saying much.  Can't imagine he's having a great time from us either, though.  Also... many instigators of evil actually believe themselves to be the good guys, and their views are warped to that end... effecting his shallow thoughts.  Could this be one of those cases, because Vanyra's right... the guy was bedding the Blood Runners for his own ends, and those are nasty people."

"I don't think he is a pure good guy, but no matter what his actions are, it seems the local chapter of the Order is getting involved in politics and that can not be allowed. I will try to contact members of the Order outside, but since things in the city are moving very fast I may not have any response in time. I will have to investigate what's happening in the Order, with or without Lasrane."

"So what do you want to do with Lasrane?"

"Not sure, I would like to question him some more, depending on what we decide here. After that, I am open to suggestions, we can work together with him, although with caution, or just let him go at some point, maybe not yet, or try to use your magic potion."

"What is the goal in all of this now?", Vanyra questions.  "First we were simply looking for a bad guy Mespah who was dealing in dangerous goods and getting people hurt.  If the real bad guys really are the various factions that run the city, do you really plan to take them all down?  What about Myyria?  What about Qwe?  And I'll also remind you that if you want to question the only other person we have a lead on from Lasrane's secret group, the clock is ticking.  We wait much longer and he'll be long gone."

"I don't have a plan yet. I don't want to take on the whole city. What I am concerned about is the involvement of the Order, but I don't even know how to start the investigation yet. And things have to go fast. But if what Lasrane says is true and the Order is involved, and if people find out, Mespah everywhere will be in trouble." Zelpuz pauses. "I am open to any suggestions, what would you do?"

The young mage nods to everything said.  "I like the idea of clarifying goals.  Maybe that can give us clarity.  My goal is protect my family."  He shares a look with his sister. "That includes Qwe.  My family asked me to take my sister away from the city.  Stumbling into you both... I had hoped Lasrane would give focus to my emotions, a target to strike at, but he didn't.  And... now...." he sighs deeply, the hint of something resigned, "...the best plan for me and Qwe may be to leave the city, and find a safe place.  And then organize from there.  This is just... so complicated."

"I fully understand your desperation. I am even more lost. This group right here is the only people I know in this city and the only people I feel like I can trust in this city, other than Myrria. I assume you have some place to go and regroup, how about you Vanyra? I don't think I can take the Order on by myself, not that I have to, i just need to stop their involvement in the city affairs, or alternatively, have their supported group fail, in which case noone will hear of their involvement, at least that is my hope." He sighs. "I fully understand if we go separate ways from here, but maybe we are more effective in a group. We all seem to have some capabilities that our opponents won't expect, that may be our biggest advantage if we want to get involved. The only problem is, as you said, Yuu, it's just so complicated."

"I think the priorities should be to get Myrria to a safer place and to capture Captain Westling for questioning.  If you really don't trust the Order here, then maybe we should get Myrria out of their care as soon as possible if she's strong enough."

"More pressing is that Captain Westling will be gone by morning, so we don't have much time.  Lasrane's little group was very grateful he was getting out of town.  If you really want information or confirmation about what Lasrane told us, and if you really want to know whether Lasrane can be trusted or really is the scoundrel he appears to be, he is our best option."

"This place will be safe for a little while I hope, unless bringing Lasrane here comprimised it.  If so, we can get out of town if we need to for safety.  Its easy for Zelpuz and I to re-enter town anytime we want without drawing attention to ourselves."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Sat 13 Sept 2014.

"Why don't you both chase down this Captain guy, and get what you need from him.  I'll stay back with Qwe, and watch over Lasrane.  Depending on what you learn, we can move forward from that.  And maybe get your friend Myrria."

"Otherwise, if we haven't heard back from you by sunrise, we'll assume something happened, and I'll take my sister out of the city.  There's a small river running inland, just west of here, called The Krev.  Follow it northward, and the second waterfall... we'll camp nearby.  We'll wait there a week, and if we still haven't heard from you, we'll set off on our own path."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Mon 08 Dec 2014.

"That sounds like a plan. Let's catch the captain. Even if I suspect the Order of interpreting our regulations to their liking, I don't think Myrria is in any danger. She was injured on a mission assigned by them, they should take good care of her."
He considers the suggested options, "This sounds like a good strategy. We can try to verify what Lasrane said without having to set him free. We can confront him afterwards. But be careful, he is very skilled at reading minds, and I mean VERY skilled. It may be wise to keep him by himself with you just making sure that he doesn't escape. Maybe you can watch him remotely from here?"

The young mage nods, "I will be careful.  I don't really have anything, but as long as we keep him blindfolded... I'll keep away from him, that should be fine?  Maybe put him facing the corner at the end of the room from the doorway."

Vanyra suddenly jerks tensely and lets out a small cry as the skin over her entire body briefly changes to a mottled green and brown camoflauge pattern before she blends completely into the surroundings.  A second later, she become visible again, looking visibly shaken and worried.

"Ahh...." Yuu looks at Vanyra with questioned confusion, before scanning across their surroundings for unannounced danger.

Zelpuz is between alarmed and confused. He looks around for any danger.
"Did my suggestion scare you?" he finally asks.

Not seeing any immediate threat, the mage turns back to Vanyra, "Err... are you okay?"

"I, I don't know," Vanyra stammers putting her hand to her head while looking up at the sky and out over the city as if looking for something.  "We should.. we should get out of town.  We should get Myyria, we should get out of here."

"What happened?" Zelpuz asks.

Vanyra looks at Zelpuz, "I think the city is going to burn."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:09, Thu 02 Oct 2014.

Yuu stares, like he didn't quite hear.

"You mean right now or soon?"

"I.. don't know.  Soon.  Myyria is still hurt, everyone's fighting, meteors," Vanyra trails off, looking more like a young girl then a mercenary.

"Can we stop it?"

"How do you stop meteors?"  Vanyra pauses, "Sorry, I don't know."

Zelpuz looks confused. "OK, well, that is what we expect, right? So if we want to do something, we may need to act fast. For my part, the question then is, do we work with Lasrane or without, and do you want to help me get Myyria and question the local master of the Order or get somewhere safe?"

"I don't know... if you saw something, maybe you saw what we could do to stop the fighting and destruction."  Yuu frowns with worry.  He looks at Qwe.  "I'm going to leave with my sister at dawn then.  For the waterfall.  Maybe leave Lasrane for now, and go corroborate his story.  Also get your friend, as she might be in danger if she stays and the city falls apart."

"OK, so let's get started. Vanyra and I will get Myrria and I will confront the chapter master if I can get to him. Yuu, do you want to wait here till dusk for your travel? In that case you could watch Lasrane. We should be back before, if not, you can leave him and head to safety. Or do you want to move now?"

Vanyra steels herself a bit.  "I want to find out from Zelpuz what the Captain's ship looks like.  Can you get that from his mind?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Wed 15 Oct 2014.

"You mean from Lasrane? No, not unless I do a lot better than last time or Lasrane agrees to tell me. But good point, I nearly forgot about the Captain, we should investigate him first, that is closest and we can hopefully finish questioning him quickly." Zelpuz scratches his head. "OK, so let me ask him, then we go to the ship, then get Myrria." He looks at Yuu. "Will you wait here?"

The young mage nods at Zelpuz. "We'll wait here, and watch Lasrane until dawn. But then I've got to take my sister and I away from here."

"OK, we have a plan, do you agree Vanyra?"

"Yes. We will try and get this Captain or stop him from leaving. Then we can get out of town for safety and come back for Myrria at our next opportunity. Between Zelpuz and I, we should be back long before dawn, but if we aren't you are welcome to take anything in here with you. I will leave some food and water in case you need it."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Mon 20 Oct 2014.

"Sounds good to me, but I hope we return with Myrria before dusk.

Yuu nods to the pair, 'That should work. We can keep Lasrane tied up below, maybe drag him to the far corner. I'll keep watch through the doorway. And thanks Vanyra, I'll take food as priority, so at least we'll have something when you meet back up with us.'

"OK, so we have a plan. See you soon Yuu." Zelpuz turns to Vanyra. "Let's go ask Lasrane some questions and then look for the captain." Zelpuz, Vanyra and Yuu go back to Vanrya's room.
"I am back, Lasrane." Zelpuz announces. "I have a few more questions for you. Let's do the same procedure as before." Zelpuz starts scanning Lasrane's surface thoughts.
"Your story is very convincing and disturbing. The implications are dire for the Order. Are you hiding information related to the story you told me?"
"We followed you for a while, who is the Captain and what is the name of his ship? Do you know the dock he is on and what his ship looks like?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Sun 30 Nov 2014.

After a short while, Zelpuz returns:."He doesn't know the ship or where it is, but I think we can find it anyways. Let's deal with the Captain first, then we can see what else we have time for. He should be cooperative, if not, do as you think necessary, Yuu."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Sun 30 Nov 2014.

Yuu nods gravely to the Mespah.

"Good speed, and we'll see you here either by sunrise... or by the second waterfall on the Krev."

"Yes, we should be back before sunrise." Zelpuz nods. "Good luck with Lasrane, be watchful and best stay away." He turns to Vanyra, "Let's go the same way we followed Lasrane."

Yuu watches as the two depart, before settling himself down by the open door opposite Lasrane. He's asked his sister to get some sleep in another room, while he takes guard. He takes a sip from a water flask, and begins his long watch.

Vanyra and Zelpuz move quickly to the rooftop and begin their aerial advance towards the docks, the Freyan running and leaping from roof to chimney to wall, while the Mespah phases in and out of this realm, moving several hundred meters each time.  On their journey to the harbor they notice the occasional drunken reveler either searching for more booze or stumbling home, and a few times guard patrols, but so far nothing out of the ordinary.

After several minutes of house leaping the docks and its myriad of vessels comes into view. While a fair amount of late night activity can be seen up and down the harbor front, with its host of taverns, both savory and unsavory, catering to all sorts, the marina itself is largely devoid of life.  Small lanterns, powered by nethercells, provide a regular line of glowing dots throughout, like fireflies on parade.  As the pair draw near, pausing to survey the scene from the top of an adjacent warehouse, the typical ship only has, at most, one watchmen strolling the upper decks.  Likely, their comrades are enjoying themselves elsewhere or sleeping off a days work, on the ship or at local house of ill repute.  If Captain Westing's ship is preparing for a late night getaway then it should not be too difficult to find it, assuming the crew will be busy on deck. Of course with hundreds of ships moored-up, it could be a long search still.

With the night hours ticking away, the two hunters descend from their perch and begin their search amongst the vessels. After surveying a couple of wharfs worth of ships they realize they must be in the fishing port of the harbor, as everyone is some sort of seafood catching boat, and the smell verifies this fact. While it may be a bit of a gamble, the two deduce that it is unlikely that the Blood Runners would have a ship designed to move disguised Chlornetherium in the fishing port. Moving further south down the harbor, while taking note of the names of taverns and pubs along the route, they feel as if they may have entered the commercial port.

The characters here are no less drunk, but certainly more colorful, with traders and sailors from all corners of Kah'Luyn. After an hour of searching and coming up with nothing save an amazing new vocabulary of ship names Vanyra spots a potential problem. Marching down the harborfront lane a squad of 10 guards or soldiers, Shen Zue, judging from their uniforms, appears to be in search of something. This may be coincidence, but fate is usually more cruel than that.

"What should we do, jump ahead and see if we can grab the captain before they arrive?" Vanyra hears in her head.

Vanyra 'thinks' "Yes, lets hope we get to him first."

Zelpuz nods at Vanyra. "I'll see you at those crates over there" he replies and phases from high ground to high ground forward eventually positioning himself as far ahead of the search party as possible without missing a boat. He waits at the indicated crates for Vanyra to show up.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Thu 29 Jan 2015.

Vanyra and Zelpuz move into their respective positions.  The Shen Zue contingent moves a little ways down the harbor-side before stopping at stairway that descends down to the docks. The main group continues on while two stay back to apparently guard the exit way.

Continuing their observation the pair watches the main host pause at the bottom of the stairs, obviously engaged in impromptu strategy session for how to commence their search. Utilising the distraction the pair slink between crates and shore tackle to gain a better observation position. Listening intently Vanyra is able to make out the name of the vessel they are looking for, The Corsair's Gamble; an apt name if any.

The Shen Zue split into two squads of 4 at that point; one moving East away from Zelpuz and Vanyra, and the other searching West and towards the interlocutors. They seem to know what they are looking for, but are unsure of exactly where it is.

In the dim light of the evening the mismatched pair easily remain unseen, from both the Shen Zue, who are earnestly looking at ships, and general by standards.  The piers and wharfs are lit only enough to prevent the average drunk from falling, thus providing adequate shadows for move about. Unfortunately from their immediate vantage points the illusive ship, The Corsair's Gamble, is not to be found.  Nor can Vanyra find a familiar scent from here.

"What do you think we should do next? Run ahead? Or watch one of the groups?" Zelpuz whispers to Vanyra. "I could try to see what they are up to, but it may alert them to our presence."

"I can ascend a mast to stay appraised of what all the guards are up to and to look around.  Can you look around but stay in contact?"

I guess as long as I can see you, yes. But that may be tricky in the dark.
This message was undeleted by the GM at 05:16, Fri 24 July 2015.

The pair move out quickly down the dock, outpacing the ShenZue guards, and after 5 minutes of searching find the Corsair's Gamble. From behind a overturned row boat they spy quite a bit of activity on the deck of the vessel, especially for such a late hour. Crew members are hurrying about seemingly preparing to set sail. Looking down the length of the pier a sole lookout stands at the bottom of the gangplank.

Knowing the ShenZue will be here shortly the decision is made to infiltrate the ship and grab Captain Westling quickly. Zelpuz teleports to the lookout perch on the main mast while Vanyra nimbly walks up a taught mooring line and slips over the guard rail at the stern. From his perch Zelpuz does not see the Captain on board and relays as much to Vanyra, who concurs. Zelpuz notes a staircase leading to the lower deck below the pilot's station and suggests entering their to look for the Captains quarters.

Using the chaotic movements of the crew to their advantage, along with their own unique stealth powers, the two manage to descend to the lower deck which is apparently devoid of crew. Listening carefully the sound of rummaging papers can be heard towards the rear. In little time the Captain's Quarters are found, with the door ever so slightly ajar. While unable to see much through the narrow opening Zelpuz produces a small mirror out of his trusy survival kit and has a quick look around the room. As they suspected the Captain is rapidly looking at various maps, charts and documents on his desk, and seems quite engrossed by it all.

"Can you teleport in behind him and knock him down?" Vanyra asks in her head to the listening Zelpuz.

"Probably, a bit tricky at this angle, using this mirror. But there will be noise, we can't afford to be heard," Zelpuz replies in silence.

"Right, I'll move in quickly after you and secure the door; should prevent him from escaping easily as well," Vanyra responds with a door closing motion.

Zelpuz nods his agreement and then focuses his attention on the mirror, a moment later he vanishes only to reappear 2 meters behind the Captain. Expecting to be closer upon rematerializing his strike goes wide; he suddenly something he saw written on a mirror once about objects being closer than they appear or something. Vanyra's stomach drops, but the Captain appears not to notice the sudden appearance of someone behind him, and she seizes the initiative. The Freyan spins in through the open door, leaps up and backflips off of it, shutting it firmly while propelling her forward with a solid jump kick to the Captain's chest.

The surprising blow knocks him off balance, and before he can recover Zelpuz corrects his position and lands a cracking blow with the flat of his sword to the side of the Captain's head. Westling reels from the onslaught and it's all he can do to raise his armoured greaves in defence, which amazingly enough work to deflect the finishing blows from Vanyra and Zelpuz. Regaining his balance and clearing the stars from his vision the Captain makes a bolt for the door, but not before Vanyra manages to catch him with a spinning backhand with her shield. A dull metal clang resonates briefly before the Captain's body collapses in a heap on the ground.

The pair move quickly to secure him the Zelpuz's dimensional pocket bag. A scan of their exit path through the windows of the room reveal the ShenZue are now rapidly approaching down the dock. Biding their time for a few more seconds while the ShenZue pass Zelpuz makes the first move and teleports out behind the same row boat as before. Vanyra contorts herself out of the window, and as she leaps to grab another mooring line, hears the sound of hurried steps down stairs and a man's voice calling out vainly for the Captain.

With their target secured Vanyra and Zelpuz catch their breath for a moment and take in the scene unfolding nearby. The ShenZue are demanding to speak with the Captain and are accusing the ship of holding stolen ShenZue property. The crew try desperately to stall the ShenZue while others run about desperately looking for a man who is no longer there. Eventually the patience of the ShenZue wears out and they force themselves on board. No wishing to push their luck Zelpuz and Vanyra make there way back to the apartment with a new captive.

Vanyra and Zelpuz enter the apartment. "Vanyra, how should we question the captain? I can watch Lasrange, how about you and Yuu take the captain?"

Vanyra grabs a chair from the sparsely furnished apartment.  "Let's bring him up to the roof.  We wouldn't want any interference from Lasrane.  I'll just have to make sure we're not too loud."

The hour or so had ticked by, Yuu spending it in quiet meditation over a deck of cards, playing out runs of Solitary. A game every culture seemed to have independently invented, across the planet. He periodically checked on his patient, but lightly and with due care.

When the door latch flipped and the two entered, the relief on Yuu's face quite visible.  His eyes dart one to the other, as the pair seem in mid-conversation. "'Bring him to...' Oh good, you found him!" he manages to stumble out in a rather non-committal fashion.

"Oh. Hi Yuu. We are back, sorry to startle you." Zelpuz mutters. After a short pause his thoughts return to the situation at hand. "OK so we have the captain held in my bag, but he might wake up any time. Let's get Lasrane to the roof carefully and start the questions. Who should watch Lasrane?"

"Who is going to question the Captain?  If you are there Zelpuz, I might as well be too, since I was introduced as your 'bodyguard' when we met him before."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:48, Mon 17 Aug 2015.

"I think the best way would be for you to question him and for me to scan him. It should work better than last time, I hope." Zelpuz looks at Yuu, "What do you think? And do you think we can move Lasrane or should we question the captain on the roof?" He turns back to Vanyra, "Or do you think that there might be some other 'empty' rooms we could borrow in this building?"

"Let's just get the Captain to the roof before he wakes up."

"Sounds like a plan. Yuu, will Qwe be all right with us questioning the captain or should we send her down? It doesn't look like Lasrane is going to be able to infiltrate her mind much."

Yuu's eyes bounce from one to the other, following the conversation. "Moving Lasrane might be bad, ya. I suggest taking the Captain upstairs instead. And Qwe is still up there, so maybe... send her down is better. I'll ask her to sit just outside the doorway here."

Yuu climbs out onto the roof and beckons for Qwe to join him downstairs. Zelpuz and Vanyra then head up with the Captain Westing secured in the dimensional pocket of the Mespah's cloak. The rooftop is a quiet place and dark place, no doubt making it difficult for the Captain to ascertain his whereabouts, but also presenting the risk of eavesdroppers nearby... though anyone up at this hour is likely to be too intoxicated to care.

Zelpuz nods at Vanyra, "I'll leave the questioning to you, i concentrate on probing his mind. If he lies, I'll let you know."

Yuu points his sister to wait in the hallway at the foot of the stairs, and crouches down just inside the apartment. The young mage half shuts the door so he can watch both Lasrane and Qwe, offering a smile or a word of comfort as his sister loses the fight to stay awake.

Zelpuz and Vanyra move to the rooftop. After they get ready, Zelpuz pulls the Captain out of the bag and props him in the corner of a wall, ties him up and prepares to use his powers. He starts scanning the Captain and faints.

After recovering from the mental feedback shock, Zelpuz stands to the side and back from the secured captain while Vanyra begins her interrogation. While the captain is blindfolded Vanyra's probing questions are parried quite adroitly; evidence that this man is accustomed to such questioning. While not aggressive Captain Westing shows no hint of incriminating himself into any sort of narrative, aside from his base assertion that his a merchant trader that is leaving the city on a rumour that their is some serious civil strife afoot.

Vanyra's empathic scanning of the captain during all this supports what he is saying; he is distrustful but there is a underlying sense of fear. He may be lying but he would be a very skilled liar, inserting enough half-truths that you cannot tell from his emotions what is true and what isn't.

The questioning takes a sharp turn when Vanyra and Zelpuz feel that they are not progressing any further and decide to reveal themselves. The Captain instantly recognizes them from the previous evening and it is obvious he is somewhat surprised. A bit of parley between the three of rooftop interlocutors does much to decrease Westing's distrust in the situation, and Vanyra plays on this by distancing herself and Zelpuz from any connection to the Shen Zue. Furthermore, she insinuates that his ship may be under seizure by the Shen Zue right now, for they may have evidence that he has their cargo on board.

Captain Westing laughs at the story and wishes he truly did have their precious cargo, as that would have paid for some of this mess. He then admits to originally having plans to smuggle some Chlornetherium out of the city, supposedly the Shen Zue had smuggled it into the city in the first place, thus it would have been a case of thieves stealing from thieves. But things went south with the explosion several days before, as that was supposed to be his profitable cargo. He has heard a number of rumours since and his conjecture is that there are various forces in the city moving for a power play, and the chlornetherium was to be a part of that. The last thing he needs is to be caught up in a civil war, thus he was making to get out of the city while he could, though now even that plan appears to have gone up in smoke.

Vanyra follows-up with a few more questions to elicit a narrative from the Captain as to how and why the Shen Zue are still after him. The captain for his part only offers conjectures; they must have found someone or something to linking the warehouse incident or Chlornetherium to him, that perhaps they believe some of the goods escaped the warehouse and are on his vessel, and/or they believe tracking him down will lead them to the instigator of the plot or a mole in their organization. He maintains that the only thing he has to show for the endeavour is a seized vessel at this stage.

Feeling as though they've extracted enough information from the Captain on his own Vanyra and Zelpuz decide to move him downstairs to discuss their next move and possibly cross-examine Lasrane and the Captain together. After all, if they know they are together it may open up a whole new set of surface thoughts that Vanyra or Zelpuz may be able to poach.

The pair blindfold and gag the Captain and then throw him into the ever-convenient dimensional pocket of Zelpuz. A short hop and jump later they re-enter Vanyra's quite crowded apartment, where Yuu and Qwe are enjoying a cup of jasmine tea (Vanyra has no idea where the tea came from, but it seems par the course for Yuu).

Lasrane is slouched over in his chair, apparently unconscious. The Captain is removed from his dimensional prison and secured to a chair in a corner opposite Lasrane, with his gag and blindfold still affixed.

Yuu stands as the two enter, putting down his tea cup. The young mage invites Zelpuz and Vanyra to sit at the chairs. Next to steaming kettle in the center of the table, you notice an odd looking device, shaped like a baton with a disc. Small lights pulse outward indicating it is on and doing.... something.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Mon 28 Sept 2015.

When they enter the room, Zelpuz points to the device and looks at Yuu with a questioning expression and shrug of his shoulders.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:22, Tue 29 Sept 2015.

Yuu blushes slightly, "Er... I was a bit bored. It kind of, makes a... hm, bubble of psionic stimulation, so no one can hear us. It was pretty cool, I just..." the mage spouts off a stream of dry technical babble that would leave a stone twitching in confusion. "... so yeah. Kinda easy once I figured those details out. So... come close, though, the range isn't great yet. I had Qwe do some testing with me. Sorry I moved your table, Vanyra."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:33, Tue 29 Sept 2015.

Zelpuz tries not to look too confused, "Can we hear each other in there? Or just move our guest in it?" He inspects the device going closer.

"You have to be sitting pretty close. Just kind of.. think your thoughts, and we'll be able to hear." He looks down at the device, "I was thinking of making the range bigger, but actually.... by keeping it small, it keeps others from hearing our thoughts as well. I may poke around some more when I have time, see what I can tweak out of it... now that I have the basic platform, at least."

"Are you sure the range is limited to us?" Zelpuz thinks after stepping closer to the device.

Vanyra continues to watch the exchange silently while keeping her senses trained on their captives.

"You can test it if you like." the young inventor offers.

Zelpuz steps even closer to the machine, concentrating on saying "Hello" to Yuu.

The inventor's back stiffens, and his right eye starts twitching, "nyaahhh..." he mumbles out in obvious pain, reaching down and twisting a knob frantically. "Ok." he manages. "You are better at this. All I got from Qwe was a distant voice in an echo chamber." He steals himself for another shot. "Try again." His face pinches in reflexive anxiety. For Science!

"Oh, what's that on your shoulder?" Zelpuz projects at Yuu.

The young mage frowns, looks at one shoulder, then the other... "Nothing." he tries to project in return. "Is that what you asked?" he asks aloud.

It would appear that the telepathic communicator is functioning properly. A simple range test is performed by Zelpuz who discovers that standing a meter or more from the device renders it useless, so he is fairly certain that their prisoners will not benefit from it.

Vanyra tentatively steps forward into range of the contraption.

"Impressive evening activity" Zelpuz projects nodding at Yuu.
"OK, so we have two prisoners, a city that's in turmoil and the four of us. Myria, my college, is still recovering at the Order, Lasrane suggests a heavy involvement of the Order in the happenings of the city, a strict violation of our ways, and Yuu's family is ... under pressure. I would like to check on Myria and see if I can figure out what's going on in the Order. What do you two think we should do next?"

"What did the Captain say?" Yuu communicates with the finesse of a slug.

"Ah, right, nothing much really, confirmed Lasrane's story as far as we know." Zelpuz quickly summarizes the conversation with the Captain. "So I guess if we help him get his ship back, he would possibly be willing to help you or us leave, although I am not sure i would want to be on his ship for too long, he might change his mind and remember being held captive."

Yuu starts getting the hang of this, and graduates from slug to wet leaf. "Would you want to bring Myyra along? Or just keep her here if we were to depart?"

"I'm not leaving Myyria.  We should get her and leave town before anything worse happens."

"Depending on her condition, I would like to get her out. What we do after that depends, I believe she would want to stay and gather evidence for the accusations against the Order. But maybe she knows a better person for the job. As long as she is here, I will stay here, I am not known here, so I believe I can stay low and survive whatever city clashes may happen. But if you want to get out, I will accompany you until you are safe and then return."

"I want to stay and fight, but.... " the mage apprentice looks at Qwe. "I have to take care of my sister first. Once she's safe, I might see about coming back to help where I can. It's my city and home in danger."

"Do you have a safe place somewhere close by? If you want to get her out first, maybe we should go now while it's still dark. I will come with you until you two are safe, we can let the captain go and leave Lasrane here if he is stable enough. Then I would come back to check on Myria. If you come back, let's set up a meeting point. I will be here every day at dawn and we can coordinate from there."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:30, Wed 14 Oct 2015.

"Where I need to take Qwe is far from here. I have some cousins... maybe I'll charter the Captain to take us there."

"Well, if you want to stay for a while, she could stay in my pocket, she should be safe there, although it might get boring and I have never tried to be inside for extended periods of time."

Vanyra interjects, "The captain doesn't have a boat anymore and probably doesn't have a crew either.  Unless something new happens, our only way out is on foot.
Zelpuz and I can very easily get out of town, and with your tricks I imagine you and your sister can get out easily too.  So other than getting Lasrane somewhere for treatment, I personally don't think we should be worrying about getting these two out of town.  We should be worrying about getting ourselves out and anyone we care about.  The Shen Zue seem to be catching up to everyone very quickly, including the criminal elements, and I really don't want us in town when the sky literally starts falling."

"I say we figure out how we're getting out of town, and I vote for getting Myyria out either on the way, or after we get Qwe out.  I personally don't have or know of anyone else that we should focus on getting out at this time."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Thu 15 Oct 2015.

"Good point, I assume we could get the captain his boat back, but it's too much trouble and I still wouldn't trust him. So Let's just drop him at some corner. Yuu, if you want to bring your sister out of town, that's fine, she can also stay in my pocket, that should be safe and she can take a book or two. I want to check on Myria in the morning, Lasrane would be good to keep as potential informant or ally, but if it's too dangerous we can let him go. I am not worried about you, Vanyra, or me in this town, we are nobody as far as city politics is concerned, I doubt anyone would look for us. So I would stay for now."

"Then go get Myyria. Qwe can stay here. I can help if needed, or wait here. I want to head up the coast, where family can offer shelter. Actually, did you want me to find a doctor while you look into Myyria? Do you think she would need one?"

"Do you know a discrete doctor we can drop Lasrane off at? I would like the option of working with him, even though it may end up in  trap of some sort. It may be worth the risk for me and the Order if what he says is right." Zelpuz pauses for a second, "OK, so I'll go to see if we can Myria out first thing in the morning. We can get Lasrane to a doc now or in the morning, depending on your connections. And then we meet back here, does that sound like a plan?"

Yuu considers a moment. "I don't want to give Lasrane to anyone connected to my family. I think it would be dangerous for all parties. There's a monastery on the east end of town, quite out of the way... run by the Sisters of Caleb, they help the sick, among other things. If we drop him off, I can make a donation, and they'll take care of him."

"Also, I really want to get Qwe out. I mentioned my cousins. They have an island, several days off the mainland coast. We'll be safe there."

During a pause in the conversation, Vanyra produces a sort of mental sigh accompanied by an uncharacteristic feeling of worry and fright and contributes, "I really didn't want to talk about this now... but I need to tell you about something. I've been avoiding it because I don't understand it and I actually came here to find Myyria and ask for her help with it."

"All the things I've been worried about... They aren't just worries, I saw them happen already.  I saw Captain Westing's ship, and I saw the Shen Zue attack it.  I've also seen Yuu horribly injured in a hospital.  Things I see actually happen, and I don't want to be here when they do. I think I can show you, so get ready."  Vanyra then concentrates and sends out the following vision through the device:

---
A dot of light exists in an inky blackness, like a single star in the night sky. Her eyes  begin to adjust and the dot expands, and through it, as if looking through a telescope, she can see a well ordered column of soldiers marching on a cobbled road. Quickly glancing about in the limited frame of her sight Vanyra notes numerous ropes tied to shore cleats, suggesting this is one of the city docks.  These men are moving with purpose, marching past various piers, towards an unknown destination. Suddenly they turn right down one pier and break into a run.  Following their now raised Bolt Casters the form of a ship is visible, it is making fast for the harbour breakwater under its own power, a sail-less silhouette departing in the night. The men futilely aim their weapons but do not fire.

The ship's form slips into the darkness and ocean is replaced by a street intersection. Still looking down the barrel of the bolt caster Vanyra spies a small group in the midst of the street, surrounded on all sides. Then the wooden and metal barrel is replaced by her own familiar, night adjusted vision and a heightened sense of panic. She is with Zelpuz, Yuu and Qwe and they are staring down the end of a ambush.

As Vanyra frantically attempts to take account of all the possible assailants, she finds herself and her comrades simply walking away. Somehow though they have acquired some reinforcements, soldiers that she cannot recognize.

When she focuses on one of the shadowy soldiers walking beside her the silhouette slowly transforms and solidifies.  The formless dark coalescing into ebony skin etched by hypnotic white lines. Following the soldier's arm up Vanyra notes a number of bandages wrapped here and there, and a crutch braced under the left arm.  The soldier's gate is irregular and stunted. Glancing up Vanyra spies the somewhat familiar face of Myyria, grimacing under each movement, but with a determined look in her eye.

Just as Vanyra is about to speak to her friend Myyria's gaze jerks towards the night sky and she points in shock.  Following her gaze Vanyra spies two bright meteors falling towards the city. Plumes of white smoke billow behind them as they scream through the heavens. Following the meteors' path down to the earth she realizes a battle has broken out in the city. Arrows and bolts of nether energy fly about and steel clashes on steel. Finding herself in the middle of battle Vanyra quickly dives behind a nearby stack of crates, and the vision abruptly ends.
---
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Sat 24 Oct 2015.

Zelpuz looks at Vanyra for quite some time trying to digest what he had just seen. After a while, he speaks: "So did all your visions come true? If so, it shouldn't matter when we leave the city, right? Judging by what is happening there, we might need the rest we could get now. But it might be advised to get out faster rather than slower."

Vanyra shakes a bit and her skin turns very dark, "Westing's ship got away in my vision but we may have changed that.  I don't know any more than you after that.  I don't want to get caught... I want to get out. I want to get Myyria out. I..." she starts before fading out.

"All right. Let's go get Myria out and leave the city as fast as we can. I guess it doesn't hurt for us to get out and think of how to deal with the Order then." Zelpuz thinks for a moment. "I would offer Lasrane to take him, I could take him in my bag I assume, up to him unless you have any objections."
"How do you want to leave? Do you want to try taking the ship from the Captain? In that case, I'd suggest I go get Myria and you guys try to get the ship back and I'll meet all of you there. Otherwise I'll meet you back here as soon as I can."

"I don't personally care what we do with Lasrane or Westing, but I don't know if the ship is a worthwhile option.  It should be easy to leave over the wall and Yuu probably knows secret ways out if we need them."

"I've never really had a reason to look for secret entrances. I usually leave and come when I please."

The young mage looks at Vanyra. "Also I mentioned a place we can dump Lasrane and get him healed. Maybe... maybe I won't go there, given the whole hospital vision? I'll pay a porter to take him. And I'd say just let the Captain go. I'd like to be on a ship out by tomorrow, doesn't matter whose, as long as it's going in the right direction."

"So you think it's better to go by ship than on land?"

"It's a lot faster, and my cousins govern a chain of islands. So far from the insurrection happening here."

"The question is if we can get out of the harbour. Vanyra, why don't you check out the dock and the Captain's ship while I get Myria?"

"Um, I don't think Westing's boat is going to be available.  It will take over an hour to even check on it, and we're really hoping that the Shen Zue didn't take away the crew or run them off."

"All right, Yuu, how would you want to move then? It will probably take me at least 2 hours to get Myria here, so you will have some time to prepare."

"Any boat heading off for trade towards the island, that can accommodate travellers will do. Actually... his boat would be too conspicuous at this point. Don't think any of us want that." The young mage stifles a yawn, his body running on will power alone.

"Go get Myria, I'll go talk to some captains. Vanyra, did you want to watch the guests?" Yuu flashes a quick glance towards his sister, suggesting who he's more concerned with for protection.

"If that's what we're doing, I think we should let our guests go and meet Zelpuz at the docks after he gets Myyria."

"That's OK with me, but I would like to keep Lasrane until I am back if possible. Myria might have a question for him or two and I would like her opinion on if we should offer him to work with us to investigate the Order or not. She has a better idea how things work."

Sensing a bit of hesitation in the Freyan, "If you would rather travel from the city by land, I'll understand. I can take my sister with me when I get back, and hopefully you will be reunited with your friend Myyria."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Sat 07 Nov 2015.

With a vibe of fear and impatience, Vanyra thinks, "I don't care what we do, I just want to get Myyria and get out as fast as possible.  I don't care about these two crooks, I don't care about where we go, I want out before the city turns into hell."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Sat 07 Nov 2015.

"Ok, I'll go check for boats." The words rush, sensitive to the deep panic in his companion. Yuu steps lightly over, giving a glance down at a sleeping Qwe who seems to have a found a spot against the near wall.

"OK, so to rush things along, I will head out now to get Myria now. I will come back here to meet you, so either leave me a note where you went or wait here. I will drop Lasrane at a hospital on the way, you can either release the captain at any time or we can just untie him when we leave." Zelpuz points at Lasrane,  "I will put him in the bag for transport. I'll be back as fast as I can."

Yuu nods in agreement. "Ok. We will see you back here. How long are you expecting it to take? And what time should we assume something went bad?" He's already halfway through the door.

"If I am not back by morning, something probably went wrong, if I am not back by mid-day, just leave, maybe leave some decrypted message here where you go. Otherwise, if we all survive, I'd show up at your home some day then."

Feeling the tenseness in the air, Zelpuz nods at the others. Vanyra and Zelpuz move Lasrane into the dimensional bag for safe transport, and the Mespah heads out the door. He activates his stealth field and rushes through the streets and on top of rooftops on the fastest route to the Order.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:48, Sat 14 Nov 2015.