You all make your way through the crowded streets of Hakkonen. Buskers and hawkers are everywhere, and people from all over the Empire roam the streets. You also spot numerous Vuldrok traders and stores. There is always someone scanning the skies for poison clouds, and everyone has their breath masks within easy reach.

Servus guides you to a Vuldrok tavern named the Black Bog and stops to talk to the massive bouncer outside.

OOC: Please note, we are entering a new Scene now, so any unused VPs over 10 will be lost. VPs in coffers will remain, as will any Wyrd Points you've earned.

As they follow Severus, Wolfhard keeps an eye on his surroundings. After a bit, he casually turns to Santiago and quietly says, "It seems we have a tail. Young man with brown hair and a crazy mustache is following us."

Santiago keeps his eyes forward. "Dispatch or capture?"

"Capture. Let's see what he's after and if he's working for somebody."

Sir Santiago looks discretely behind him and spots their follower, a young man with elegantly coiffured brown hair and a rather ostentatious mustache. He is dressed in good quality traveling clothes that have seen some time on the road and a rapier can be seen at his side. He is perhaps 15 yards behind you, pretending to browse the wares of a scrawny Ukari street vendor.



This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:43, Tue 13 Sept 2022.

Santiago will split from the party in such a manner that he will appear to be browsing for something to buy. He will keep he eye on the man and attempt to casually hide. So that the man will pass him while following the rest of the party.

Blend In - Sneak 3 Plus Intuition 5 - Goal of 8, Rolled a 19 Total Fail

The man immediately spots Sir Santiago as he tries to approach unseen. He gives a disarming smile and addresses the Hazat commander.

"It appears you have spotted me. Forgive me for having to approach you in such an covert manner, but I have been instructed to speak with you. I see that you're heading to a tavern. Might I be permitted to join you and your companions?"

OOC: pausing here to allow for catch-up

As Santiago starts peeling off, Wolfhard will become suddenly fascinated with a booth of Vuldrok souvenirs, loudly exclaiming, "Look at those! They're fantastic! Oh! That painting is just what my place needs and I love that shirt!" He holds up the shirt, "Sir Von, what do you think? Is it me?"

Malcolm just follows along, slowly getting his wits back, but still not sure what he can do outside a lab or a church...
His mouth even hangs open at one point, seeing this part of town.

Oddmund is keeping an eye on Servus and totally misses the fact that the group has a shadow.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:31, Tue 13 Sept 2022.

OOC Wolfhard's sudden interest in the booth is intended to serve as a distraction so the guy following might not notice Santiago slipping away. I intend to casually keep an eye on him.

Sir Vongangekan, who seemed to take the question of fashion very seriously, approached and examined the shirt carefully, stroking his facial fringe, single claw visible as he did so. "A pity the illumination here is atrocious." He glanced to the innocuous orb floating over his shoulder and commanded, "Aziz, light!" Immediately, a beam of nearly natural light emanated from the orb, lighting up Wolfhard. "Ah, that is much better, thank you, Aziz," he declared absently to the orb before returning to his examination of the man and garment. After a moment, he nodded solemnly, "yes, I find that it goes well with the color of your eyes and the subtle undertones of your cheeks. You should buy this shirt."

The man who was following you asks that you accompany him into the tavern so that he can have a word with you. The bouncer steps aside and lets you in.

The Black Bog is a rowdy place, with loud Vuldrok music and boisterous drinkers. Most of the clientele are Vuldrok and quite a few eyebrows are raised as you enter. Pushing your way through the crowd, you manage to find a small table near the back and sit down. A waitress with intricate Drenjar tattoos on her face and arms comes over to take your orders. The printed menu (written in both Urthish and Vuldrish) offers many varieties of mead and beer, and quite a few pork and beef dishes, all prepared in traditional Vuldrok style.

The young man waits for the waitress to leave again and then speaks;

“Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Gregory Ashwood-Dale and I am speaking for my lord, Count Fitzroy Blake. I understand that your services have been retained by the Lady Baroness Sarah Keswick, and I must ask that you consider your allegiance with care, for she is a skillful manipulator and has long sought to undermine the authority and legitimacy of my Lord’s rule.

I approach you open handed, that you might recognize the truth of which I speak. My Lord is the rightful successor of his brother’s rule and the Baroness seeks to usurp his lands and title. The Lady has made no secret of her intention to dispatch a mission into Vuldrok space to search for the Count’s signet ring. I wish you every success, but ask that you hand it over to its rightful owner upon your successful return. My Lord is a gracious host and generous benefactor and will see you well compensated for your service!"


This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

Before the man approaches, Wolfhard replies to Sir Von, "I agree!" and tosses a bird at the vendor for the shirt.

He follows the man into the tavern, looks around, and smiles, "I like the look of this place!" When the waitress comes, he orders a mead and a pork dish.

He listens to Greg and says"I  care little about the affairs of nobles" He glances at Santiago and Sir Von, "- with some exceptions, of course. I do like the idea of being well compensated, but I suspect that making an enemy of the Baroness would not be good for my business."

Or my health...
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

"It is not our place to setting scores. We have been hired to do a job and we intend to do it." Santiago states.

Malcolm listens to what Sir Ashwood-Dale says.  It takes all his will not to say, "but the old count still lives," but experience has shown him his companions wouldn't want that stated.  Besides, secrets have power, and best not to just give them up. So he sits, silent, sipping from the glass of juice that the Vuldrok waitress had sneered at when he ordered it.

As you talk with Sir Gregory, you notice a group of young Vuldrok toughs at the next table. One fellow, with a primitive cyber-arm, seems pretty drunk.

"Ég held að ég geti tekið hann. Hann lítur ekki svo sterkur út!" he exclaims, looking at Sir Von.

"Ekki vera heimskur, Kaj! Hann getur rifið báða handleggina af þér og barið þig með blóðugu stubbunum." admonishes another one.

The man with the artificial arm huffs with annoyance and glares at the Vorox.

"I think that fellow wants to arm-wrestle you," says Oddmund to Sir Von, nodding discreetly at the belligerent Vuldrok. "I would ignore him if I was you."

Wolfhard grins at Sir Von, "If you wrestle him, I'm putting 5 birds on you"

Sir Gregory frowns slightly as he realizes the lack of interest in his offer.

"Very well, let it not be said that you were not given a choice. I would caution you against any further rash decisions and remind you that my offer will still stand, should you find the signet ring. Gentlemen, I bid you adieu!"

With that, he stands, bows deeply, and heads towards the tavern door. A few nearby Vuldrok mock his bow with exaggerated flourishes.

The bartender shushes the crowd as a Vuldrok woman takes a seat on a nearby stage, picks up a key harp and starts singing an old Vuldrok folk song.


This message was last edited by the player at 14:02, Thu 15 Sept 2022.

"We might need to start watching out back. Looks like we have multiple players looking for this ring." Santiago states.

"Seems that way," agrees Oddmund as Sir Gregory leaves. "What a weirdo!"

He orders another mead and taps his foot in tune with the music. "So, what are we doing first? If we're talking to the survivors, the lady in the convent seems easiest to get to."

"Arm wrestling? How gauche. I should think not," the Vorox replied. Still, he offered a respectful nod to the man who was trying to challenge him and looked to Oddmund, "would you kindly tell the man that I respectfully decline as I do not wish to dirty my clothes losing to a man of such obvious strength and virility." That said, he turned his attention to the group, "it seems entirely likely that others would have an interest in our quest, gentlemen. We must exercise care not to overextend ourselves, lest those who oppose the Baroness take the opportunity to pounce dishonorably after we have done all of the real work."