Radiance was content to start in the city. Gathering resources would be a challenge, but they would find a way through. She was also content to let Increase deal with the red tape; he would do a better job than she.

She had spent the voyage getting to know the people who traveled with them, that had chosen to start a new life. Mentally compiling skills, or connections that might be beneficial as she did. to build a community would take work, along with the resources and other practicalities.

Marius stood silently back and to the side of Increase, watching and letting the curious man do the talking. It was his vessel, considering the odd ability he'd had to assemble it. He felt something similar though with items. The more he saw around him, the more he felt he could produce them.

He was admittedly glad for the meticulous notes and papers. That would certainly help ease their arrival and he was prepared to help how he could. They needed so much more to build their new home. That meant using this city suited them as a vaulting point to grander matters.

Claire stood behind Increase, her face impassive. She wasn't entirely happy with this but had no better idea, so instead she loomed behind the scene, as if she were the ship's captain.

The singing automaton had handled most of the navigation on the way, thanks to her onboard navigational databases - where she had gotten those, she had no idea, but she was able to almost reflexively chart the course and occasionally give the weather a good push in the right direction.

  "Captain," Gaja acknowledged as she walked by.  She didn't quite laugh when she said it.  She'd apparently stitched together the very roughest of shirt and breeches out of sheeting and oilcloth to cover her tattoos.

  "I will see everyone in the marketplace when you are done here," she called lightly as she stepped around the cluster of people examining whatever curses they were laying on themselves with that parchment.

In the end, you are welcomed to the port.. AFTER a sizable donation is made.

Effectively, the Vissian cities is divided into two sections - the "outer" city, outside the impossibly strong defenses of the inner walls, is relatively open to outsiders. Those going ashore must put up a "refugee deposit" that can be reclaimed once the captains can show their citizens leaving port (with a one month limit). With all of you, it ends up being a roughly wealth three investment, and is designed to discourage vagrancy and infiltration via stowaways.

For most cities, the exteriors are dotted with farms. However, this area is closed to the lands of the howlers, and the lands are more grass land than the lush river - most of this area's secondary city spreads across the beach into a wide series of small marinas and docks. Some are crewed by the endless supply of fishermen - others crewed by an endless series of minor trading families, many of which are spies, privateers, smugglers and pirates - though the majority are legitimate. The area right by the major city is relatively prosperous, safe and defended, but there's little room, and goods and services here are expensive. Further out, things are more wild and wolly. Inland, there are number of small farms and orchards. The near desert conditions have given the city it's own cuisine based on cacti, dates, and goats.

The "inner" city is a little tougher to get into. In the history of Vissio, not one city has ever had it's inner walls breached. Raiders don't even try to assault the inner walls. Most of them were built with pre-sundering construction techniques, or were built using methods shortly after the sundering using technologies lost to time. Getting in is easy - technically one must be invited by a resident, but this is easily accomplished by paying a nominal fee to visit one of the many fine guildhalls in the city. Of course, outsiders are warned that taking "liberties" against the state inside the inner walls will not be tolerated.

The city doesn't quite have the same level of mechanical mastery as other cities, but there are a number of magical guilds here, and a wide variety of services and goods are available.

With Increase having fulfilled his end of the bargain he gives the order to Argent to tell the rest of the "crew" to begin unloading the cargo and begin moving them out. Their residence in this region was temporary at best but likely transient given the arrangements.

The donation given to the customs officials would see that the rescued slaves were permitted within the outer city for a month but eventually such a large population would begin to bring questions and unwanted suspicion. Still it seemed he could not simply decommission the ship until a more formal process could be made for their transfer to someone's responsibility beyond his own.

The downsides to being Captain he supposed.

"Mr. Caligari. I would like to procure 6 day passes for visit into the Inner City. Are you able to arrange that or will I need to go do a different administrator?"

The day passes were only for those of the inner circle. If one or more did not wish to go then he would take Argent and any servants they wished to dispatch on their behalf; they had plenty to select from.

Increase maintains his Influence to keep the arkship seaworthy.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:59, Tue 30 Oct 2018.

He was very curious about the ship. Deckhands and the linesmen were making notes of the ship's design and how it was put together, which, of course, made little to no sense. Plaga and Claire's appearance drew some stares as well.. (as did Gaja, for entirely different reasons).

The boat's crew also stymied the customs official: mostly older slaves, missing arms and eyes and malnourished, but they wore fine silks. The ship carried no cargo, but was laden with gold and jewels.

He nods "Please, call me Vincent.

No, no, my friends. I'm afraid I cannot do you this favor: I am a mere humble servant of the city. However, there are a few stands and small buildings for each of the guilds and families right by the main gate.

Any of the guilds, family holders, or city agencies or the church can issue a day pass if you show you have any business with them. Of course, only the guilds and families are usually open to business with outsiders." He gestured resignation with his hands.

"What can one do in this treacherous world?"

Increase feigned a smile that didn't quite touch his eyes.

"Of course Vincent. Thank you for the information. I'll see to meeting with these guilds and family holders."

He disembarked from the ship, intent that the others would see to the unloading of the copious amount of wealth they were given. Surprisingly wealth was next to useless outside of buying their way into the city. If anything now it was presenting them with a security issue.

Word would surely spread of the massive arkship, laden with jewels, that arrived at the docks. Best to capitalize on it now while the moment was still fresh.

That much money does draw a few stares. Money talks, and in Vissio, flaunting that much cash was a sermon from the roof tops. Words would spread to the power brokers of the city.. both in high and low places.

Vincent doesn't drool at the cash or anything, but he does raise an eyebrow.

"That is quite a sum of wealth. If you speak to the Alfonzi, they might be able to store that for you. It is likely they will be inclined to let you into the city if you do so.

I trust little in this world, but the Alfonzi's take their banking reputation VERY seriously. Would you like an escort to the gate? You should be safe either way, but sometimes this amount of money makes people... brazen."

  Gaja receives the attention warmly, even playfully.  She even gives a few of the more daring show-offs cryptic invitations to find her later; not that their friends would believe them about a whisper at a hundred yards.  She doesn't go far, though.  The docks are better busking when the tide is going out, but it's not like Gaja knows that.  By the time Increase has finished making arrangements with the dockmaster, she's already starting on one of the songs she learned from the Vissian natives among their refugees, a bawdy piece about Claudius XI and a broad selection of his family members and pets.

---

She's not making personal use of any of that Wealth hoard, for the record.  Nothing that Laiser gave freely after the confrontation on his docks.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Tue 30 Oct 2018.

Increase watched absently as more droves of the treasure was unloaded. Lasier, the cunning bastard, had given them a proverbial death warrant with this amount of wealth. Didn't even have the decency to cover most of it, nearly pouring out of open boxes and coffers.

"Yes Vincent I believe that an escort will be necessary and I will take these items to the Alfonzi."

Increase called to a disembarking pair of crewmen and instructed them to bring a crate of treasure to him. Increase plucked a few gold coins, a short chain of fine gems following them, and placed them tightly within Vincent's hand.

"I reward those who are of use to me Vincent. I look forward to you continuing to do so."

Radiance would observe it all, the unloading of the boat along with the rest. Increase seemed to have it all well in hand.

"Very good, Captain. I suggest your... crew remain at the tavern yonder. Customs ensures this dock is safe, but alas, I cannot say the same for other areas."

The party is escorted to the inner wall carrying a large amount of loot.

The cobblestone streets are quite busy, with small carts of goods being moved to and from the city proper, and countless street vendors hawking everything from good luck talisman to fresh meals to religious symbols. The buildings along the side of this route seem to be well constructed, though there's a share of wooden carts as well, and you see more than your share of observant guards.. who back off respectfully when they see Vincent's expression.

OOC: Feel free to respond here, or buy something if you wish.

As they march, the pantheon draws a large amount of attention. In addition to the hawkers, who offer their wares out of reflex, passersby gawk at the pantheon, particularly Radiance and Claire. Children point, mouth agape, and some more superstitious make signs to Him to ward off evil. Vincent gives an apologetic look over his shoulder at this, and a shrug.

Eventually, you approach the wall, though calling it just the wall did not do it justice: built of solid marble over stone and reaching up, there was no comparison to other structures: it simply towered over all other buildings you'd ever seen (except perhaps Claire and Radiance.. but even in the republic, this place would be impressive). Far above, a number of siege weapons bristled, and guards could be spotted with telescopes, some looking at you, others scanning the horizon for possible threats.

More over, the walls themselves give off an odd feeling of stability and immutability that's difficult to describe. You feel it like a tight corset or too-tight armor as you approach. Already, you can feel the walls presence pushing against your power. As you get close, it becomes oppressive

OOC: Outside the walls, level 2 mundus ward. Inside the walls, level 6 mundus ward, level 3 emperyean ward.

There is a HUGE open gate that serves as a secondary customs check. The walls extend out and inside, creating a fairly long passage the guards use to check visitors (and would be a nightmare to charge through in a siege). This area is huge, and several small houses dot the area, each bearing an odd coat of arms. The area is bustling with tradesmen waiting to get into the city proper, along with a variety of deadly looking guards, some of which who sport clockwork prostesis and carry deadly looking mechanical crossbows with interlocking gears that multiply the force of the bolts they launch.

Vincent leads you to one small building, really no more than a house, marked with a coat of arms consisting of a chest, a fish below to the left, and an italicized letter A above to the right. "This is it." and he knocks at the door.

After a few moments, the door unlocks. A fairly skinny young man in ostentatious clothes in the traditional Vissio style (lace, black brocade complete with a large hat, and colors befitting his family, in this case, purple, black and silver) answers the door. He looks somewhat surprised to see the pantheon there.

Vincent speaks up, gesturing to scholar. "This Captain and his fine crew wish to bank their money, and have other business in the city. I thought you'd like to meet them, Orfeo Alfonzi." He seemed somewhat bemused by Orfeo's shock.

Orfeo spent a few seconds staring, but then saw the gold. Business mode took over. It was as if he put on a mask. "Ah, yes. There is little room here in the gate. Why don't you come in, and we can introduce ourselves properly?" It was a little cosy, but there was a large table to sit around, as well as some tea and minor refreshments. The entire place didn't look particularly expensive - though none of the buildings in the gate did.

Plaga continued to sheepishly follow, Kanua close behind her. This city was more prepared than he would expect, but if he managed to breach it, he could feast on it from the inside. For now, she was contempt with getting more information.

Claire took the chance to buy a silver Unitary cross-pendant, slipping it around her neck as if it were an impulse purchase. To some of the nearer ones who made signs against her, she turned her trademark warm, calming smile on them before continuing on.

Once inside, she sat at the table, though obviously she consumed nothing once there. Then again, it was likely that nobody expected it from the robot.

Increase entered with a polite inclination of head and allowed Orfeo to escort him and his allies to the table. Once seated he gave them a cursory glance, his eyes lingering for a moment on Claire's cross. He suppressed a tinge of disgust at the symbol but the move was likely a wise one given the prevalence of the religion in Vissio.

Turning his attention to Orfeo he spoke with an artificially pleasant tone.

"Well meet Mr. Alfonzi. I am Increase Scholar, Captain of the Arkship. My colleagues and I are in search of a trustworthy banker with whom we could see our funds placed in the care of. My new acquaintance tells me that you're household is one of the best."

"We treat our reputation very seriously, yes.
We offer a wide range of financial services, indemnity against loss, and a truly staggering supply of fresh and preserved seafoods for all tastes."

Some of the preserved foods on Laiser's islands, and a few of the offered items on the table bore the family mark.

"But, as to banking... I must ask how much you plan on depositing and for how long. If the amount is subatantial, I will grant you a pass and we'll get your money to the vault, safely."

  Gaja had opted not to follow the group into the gate, citing some kind of superstition about high walls.  It was nonsense, but she knew how to play the ignorant savage when it suited her.  Instead, she was organizing quarters for the refugees at the tavern Vincent had pointed out.  And three others, on that note, given the sheer number of warm bodies who needed beds.  The money would certainly talk, but retaining additional security, arranging for sustained food needs... The particulars took work, and additional work always took some persuasion.

Increase considered his response.

"We have a sizable amount of wealth, some of which will need to be converted in suitable currency and some which is tied up in assets, gems and the like, we will need someone to liquidate them. The rest I would like securely stored until such a time that we wish to withdraw it. Let's say 15% of our current wealth to be converted and 25% of our assets to be liquidated. The rest we would like you to store, assuming your prices are reasonable."

"Well, given what you've shown me, that's a very substantial amount, worthy of our banks business.

I'll set you up with a day pass and arrange a someone to escort you. I will warn you that your deposits will be checked at the bank.

Please keep in mind that the longer deposit term, the greater the interest."

It is quickly arrange.

OOC: Descriptions of inside will be forth coming, but it's not going to be a big deal to get money. I'd start planning on how you are going to do what you need)

Increase nodded in agreement and rose from his seat. Moving to the man he shook his hand.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you."

Increase then excuses himself and his allies to make sure that the arrangements are completed. As he does he speaks to those who are still with him.

"I will see to the completion of this task but this is the end of our arrangements. Any further assistance will have to be requested. Since the ex-slaves are only allowed here under the authority of Arkship and myself I will maintain the ship and Captain status."

Since the city is in a Mundus Ward I'll just use my 2 Dominion to solidify the ship since I can't afford the Influence cost

"That aside I do have some matters to attend to while we are here."

Increase's expertise in these realms showed, and it was a benefit for them all.  Watching him was something of a learning experience.

"As you wish," offered with a dip of her head. "We will let you know if we have need of you and you are, of course, free to do the same with us."

Radiance looked towards the others. "We must find those willing to join us in our plans."

Claire looked toward Radiance. "Perhaps recruiting from the poor of this town? Those forced to live outside the walls?" She smiled. "I could hold a concert."

Claire wins a blinding smile from Radiance. "Yes, that will draw people to us. I can speak, perhaps, of our goals and what promises we wish to make. Though that, I think, we should discuss.

"No slavery or indentured servitude is a given. I would like to promise that mouths will be fed and shelter provided, but I do not know yet if that is true. Certainly, none shall dine in splendor while others starve."

"We can offer them land of their own and a chance to make something of it," said Claire after a moment's thought. "No guarantees of survival or food. The kind of people we want will jump at the offer - either because they have nowhere else to go, or because they believe in the romance of the offer. The latter set will be important once they learn better."