Please read any new messages on this thread, but post any replies to Market Circle Altogether

Your progress from the docks is a bit slow, since you do not wish to be seen hurring away after talking to the guards. Nevertheless, you do not run into any more patrols until you get to Tallon Circle. Much like the Forum of classical Rome, this is a large open area flanked by great public buildings. Huge edifices rise on all sides, most of them sheathed in the green marble popular in Tallon.
On the near left stands a large building with a sweeping roofline. It bears the inscription "Turik's Theater" underneath which is written, "Life Mirrors Art".
Beyond that working clockwise around the great circle is the severe and solid Palace of Justice, its tall columns topped with blind and sword-wielding caryatids.
Next is the great Savok Arena. Those of you from the area (mostly Riccoco) can remember tales of when the blood ran red and often upon her deep sands. Now it is but a venue for staged combat, a charade of ancient blood-sports.
Finally to your right is the opulent Merchant Hall, with its many windows like jewels glittering in the sun, but darkened now by night.
The Circle itself is oddly lit by lanterns of lumina on stands or suspended from trees and cornices, which cast a multicolored glow upon the scene.
There is always some activity here, no matter the time of day. Merchants do late-night deals, workers clean, polish and remove the damage of the day, tradesmen and crafters carry on guild business, and errand runners take messages to those whose policies control so many. One thing that stands out above all others is the activity at the Palace of Justice. Constables are entering and leaving at a more than causal pace, sometimes at a run. Most have swords drawn, though none are shouting or blowing whistles.

[EDITED on Mon September 30, 2002 @9:29 AM (PDT)]

.oO(Look at the watch scurry around like angry insects! Must be careful, angry insects sting anything in sight...)

"Here we are. Market Circle is over there, while the Merchant Hall looks pretty quiet. I should check around back just in case. How you holding up, Riccoco?"

I give a friendly pat on the back to Riccoco and lean in closer.

Whispering to Riccoco, "A little advice, my friend. Don't try to hide from the watch right now. Too many eyes. If they see you jump in the shadows, it may make them suspicious."

Riccoco nods to Faliol as he whipsers, a knowing grin splitting his hairy features. "Ol' Riccoco know that, Friend Fox. Does he look like some sort of murderer to you?" His nose twitches sending his long whiskers into waving spasms His mouth moves slightly as he speaks his voice audible only to the nearby Beast.

"We be going in wielding knowledge now, Faliol. It be a powerful weapon. Jumpin' at the shadows not be Riccoco's way, but, strange voices be whispering on the night."

.oO(Damn, I didn't mean to offend Riccoco!)

Still whispering, "I am sorry, Riccoco. No, I do not think you are a murderer. I am a gypsy and we gypsies have little love for the watch of any town. Something turns up missing, they point fingers at us. Some chickens are stolen, the gypsies must be responsible. I understand your desire to avoid the watch. But just a little while ago, you hid from the watch at the docks. Then there were only two, now there are many more. I merely wanted to suggest that what worked earlier, may not work now. And the consequences of failure are steep..."

.oO(The ladies are probably looking at us with narrowed eyes...)

Louder, to all three assembled, "I need to go into the Palace of Justice soon, to make sure Jareek hasn't gotten into any trouble. But first, why don't we go to the Market Circle, since there is more activity?"

I'm going to pause to drink in my surroundings.

.oO(I be wonderin' if that Dobe be finished with his little errand yet.)

Perception 15-
3d6: 8 Fri September 27, 2002 @11:16 AM (CDT)

.oO(If the fox be headin' into the Hall, I might get a moment to fatten my purse with this dreamleaf.)

Noticing Cas move off in another direction, I say to Riccoco and Celeste, "I will be right back, I need to make sure my father isn't being held in the Palace of Justice. Wish me luck." I give them a nervous smile as I depart.

I move with a purpose to the PoJ, careful not to bump into any of the watch.

.oO(Damn it, Jareek! The last place on earth I want to be in is the Palace of Justice!)

I enter the building (if allowed) and move to desk of the person in charge of dealing with the public. While waiting my turn to speak, I look and listen for an idea of what the heck is going on.

perception roll (12-)

3d6: 3, 2, 5 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Sat September 28, 2002 @7:10 AM (CDT)

You are stopped at the great double doors of the Palace of Justice. There are four guards stationed here. The most noticeable feature is huge necks and arms like sacks of softballs. They look at you with stern faces and clouded expressions.
"What are you doing here at this time of night, fox?" Their tone indicates a general suspicion of all who breathe.

Looking up at the mountain of flesh, I reply, "Sorry to bother you at this time, but I was looking for my foster father - a fox named Jareek. He has been know to get into a few barfights, every now and then, after consuming alcohol. He has some gray in his pelt and a scar on his nose. Have you seen him enter, good sir?"

The guards look at each other a moment. Finally one of them decides o be spokesman for the group. "Nah, Ain't seen no foxes young or old pass these doors. Any reason he'd be nosin' about someplace that'd land him here? My advice is if he's the sort what'd be arrested, yer better of not knowin' him. But if ya think he's committed a crime, yer best off lookin' in the precint house of wherever he done it. If it's just a barfight he's guilty of, that is.
"Now clear out and push off. Got better things to do than keep track o' drunks, and beasts at that."

I barely contain my anger at the rudeness shown to me.

.oO(Stupid pinkie halfwit muscle-bound clod!)

Without saying thank you, I turn and leave, seeking my new friends.

Which have disappeared...

I stand where all of us where last together and spin in a slow circle, looking for the fox, the raccoon, and the barbarian.

Perception roll, 12-
3d6: 5, 2, 2 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Mon September 30, 2002 @5:54 AM (CDT)

As Faliol begins to walk to the Merchant Hall, Cas turns to the group speaking loud enough that he can still hear, "I don't like the look of this. I'm going to find out what is going on here and I'll be right back."

She turns her head to Celeste and seems to have great difficulty speaking the words. After a moment though, she builds enough strength to finally get them out, "Make sure Riccoco is safe until I return."

Not waiting for a response she hustles off to a group of people, hopefully one with at least one beast in it, to find out what is going on.

As Cas quickly moves off, I acknowledge her request with a nod. I step in closer to Riccoco and reach to the hilt of my falchion and release the peacebond knots. It still looks to be well bound into the scabbard, but is 'available'.

Perception Roll 12-
3d6: 5 Sat September 28, 2002 @12:22 AM (PDT)

I look for activity amoung the guards that may indicate iminent action or danger.
[edited byt he GM for roll format]

[EDITED on Sat September 28, 2002 @12:22 AM (PDT)]

Celeste, you notice several things about the guards. Most of them are in a particular livery. Knowing nothing of the city, you don't know from what precint they come. What appears to be going on is reporting. There are teams of constables going forth on specific patrols and sending back an individual to report. They are all looking alert and have weapons drawn, but are still trying to remain quiet.
As you watch, you see Lead Constable Captain Hans issuing some quiet orders to a couple of team leaders.

[EDITED on Sat September 28, 2002 @12:43 AM (PDT)]

Riccoco mutters, "Ol' Riccoco been makin' it this long all by his lonesome. Fool for foxes!" and turns towards the hulking (to him!) barbarian. "Riccoco be thinkin' we be better off at the Market Circle then hangin' about here at Tallon Circle. It be lookin' likethey got their cloak all in a bundle an Riccico don' wanna be stumblin' with them when they go trippin' on the excess!"

OOC: Hey, I got stiffed a perception roll up there. I'd also like to note that I was slightly confused as to where we were. I got the impression the Circle about the Merchant Hall was Market Circle. Sorry.

.oO(By the Toad's Hairy Goat, we need to be makin' tracks outta here!)

.oO(This fellow Riccoco is right! I don't like the feeling of this either!)

Perception roll 12-

3d6: 6, 3, 1 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Sat September 28, 2002 @1:26 PM (PDT)

I look at Riccoco who seems ready to move, as am I. "Let us be off then, is there someplace where we may watch for your friends and be less conspicuous?"

There are many places to hide in Tallon Circle. The problem is, if you are spotted, it will look like you are trying to hide. There are just too few people here for you not to stand out. You can travel a ways down the road to the Market Circle, and keep a general eye back on Tallon Circle. From a distance far enough away to be unnoticed, you would be unable to see detail, but be aware if a fight broke out.

.oO(Friends? I suppose so. I don't know how it happened, though...)

Riccoco nods and begins trundling off towards Market Circle, "We move this-a-way for a bit and watch for trouble. The Guards may not be so hasty to cause we four so much trouble. Maybe."

OOC: I missed your PER roll. Since you and Celeste are in pretty much the same spot, assume you saw the same as her, but in slightly less detail.
As for selling the dreamleaf, the Merchant Hall is not a retail area. It is where guild matters are decided and matetrs of city commerce are conducted. You will have to wait till morning to sell your dreamleaf. Also, remember that the otter at the Singing Turtle said the price was not good in Tallon.

[EDITED on Sat September 28, 2002 @5:19 PM (PDT)]

Great! Thanks Keith. More props for Keith!

No beasts here at this time of night. Nor barbarians neither. Your little group stands out like a deezel in a dress. Besides the occasional lamplighter and messenger, the most likely canddate (other than the guards of course) is an annoyed looking man walking towards the Merchant Hall with a purposeful stride. He appears to be muttering under his breath.
A perception roll...
3d6: 6 Sat September 28, 2002 @12:32 AM (PDT)

...lets you hear what he is muttering about.
His voice is rough, though his manner does not appear cruel.
"Reaves the plan, that's what it does. She's gonna mess up the pickup and who's gonna be the one to take the heat? Me, Karp! That's who. If "daddy" doesn't have my hide for a drumhead, Vance'll have my guts on a griddle. All this nonsense is costing time. The reaving cart is going to be reaving late. Sitting there in the reaving circle while I got people waiting! Call that fair? 'cause I don't"
He gives you look while passing that somehow manages to combine surprise with irritation and cuts off his monolog. He disappears into the Hall.

With the man ducking inside the building providing no information other than some long shotted guesses, Cas has two choices. A messenger, despite working to spread word, is almost always in a hurry. Lamp Lighters have less of an urgent job and are, thus, more likely to know information from gossip. She will pick one, preferably near to the merchant hall.

Cas is still working out the details to her story in her head but at the moment is her plan. Cas is in legitamet need of wood for her newest carving project. Despite the late hour, she is need to get supplies now before setting out just before sunrise.

She is going to go up to the Lamp Lighter. If they react in any manner that indicates a taste of fear, she is going to present herself in a way that indicates she will leave as soon as she gets her answer. If they don't seem fearful of her, she will approach the matter as if it were a trade. Cas has no intention of paying for the information, she just wants to give the Lamp Lighter a minor hint of authority of the situation. After the question has been answered, Cas will ask the Lamp Lighter to point out where the Merchant Hall is. This way, if a guard should be eyeing her, she can claim she was asking for information on where to get wood for her project.

Cas looks around for a Lamp Lighter...

The lamplighter is a young man with a lazy expression. He is wearing a lumina crystal of pale yellow. He looks at you approaching with an unconcerned air (probably because you are so near to the PoJ.) He greets you cordially enough. "Good evening, Miss Vixen."
"Miss Vixen" is not a particularly polite term, but it is accepted in general parlance. Kind of like the use of "boy" for a black man in 1930 Alabama. It's not likely to start a fight and is probably used without intentional malice, just unthinking condescension.

Cas will smile politely at the man as if she wasn't bothered by his phrase. She speaks sweetly, occasionally flicking her hair with a claw, "Hello there young man. My friends and I were moments ago asked if we had seen a man wanted for murder. Now it seems the Merchant Hall is in an uproar. Would you happen to know what is going on? I have several friends near here so I am a bit worried."

OOC: I am going to make two roles here. The first role is Seduction. The second role is Conversation. I swear that if both of these roles fail that I have built in 4 levels of Unlock and will likely smash my head up against a wall.
Seduction (11-):
3d6: 8 Sat September 28, 2002 @8:35 PM (EDT)

Conversation (11-):
3d6: 10 Sat September 28, 2002 @8:35 PM (EDT)

The lamplighter seems to be an amiable enough sort, and replies, "I don't know about the Merchant Hall, that seems wuiet enough. You might have it confused with the Palace of Justice, which is pretty busy tonight. Somebody has probably wronged a Master for that sort of activity. I shouldn't worry about it,. It probably has nothing to do with beasts, or they'd certainly have stopped you from wandering about the circle at this hour.
"By the way, it is an unusual hour of night for such wanderings. Are you new here? Do you need directions to the Beast Quarter?"

Cas smiles politely, "Thank you for the information. No I'm familiar with the location of the beast quarters. I'm currently looking for some supplies at a very late hour. I plan to set out in the early morning and would like to pick up some wood for carving along the road. Would you happen to know a good place?"

.oO( I have enough wood to last me a life time in my pack. But this is a convenient enough story. )

The lamplighter seems thoughful a moment. "I'm not an artisan of that sort, but if you mean wood for carving, I know there are a couple of booths in the Market Circle that sell that sort of thing. Carvings, I mean. They might be able to sell you unshaped wood, or tell you where to buy it. There are also carpenters in the Trades who might be able sell you larger pieces.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have rounds to make. Good luck on your search, Miss Vixen. And beware walking the city this time of night."

Cas nods politely, "Thank you sir." And with that, will head back to the group.

Was anyone hiding in the shadows talking to that guy?

Perception (13-):
3d6: 14 Sat September 28, 2002 @4:59 AM (EDT)

Failed to see anything there, Cas. If he was talking to someone in shadows, though, it would have to besomeone moving pretty quickly. The man had a purposeful stride.

.oO(I thought our city on Devils Island was beautiful,but this.....this shows me just how poor our dwellings were. Sure we had roofs over our heads and were rarely hungry...Everything is so.....green)

I walk into the circle looking at buildings, each different and beautiful, one has letters on it... they are strange in form, but similar enough to ours in the Shattered Isles....the words are strange to my lips..."Teeuricks Te ah tree....T-ricks, T-rix tea tree?" .oO(And they call 'me' a barbarian!)

Faliol and Cas quickly regroup, neither having left the Circle. Casting about, looking down the cross streets reveals...
Perception Rolls
Cas
3d6: 6 Mon September 30, 2002 @9:05 AM (PDT)
Faliol
3d6: 13 Mon September 30, 2002 @9:06 AM (PDT)

[EDITED on Mon September 30, 2002 @9:06 AM (PDT)]

Cas' sharp eyes quickly detect the tall barbarian and your masked companion. They have moved off in the directtion of the market circle, but appear to be moving slowly and often gazing back to check on you. One of them flags you with a quick wave. Joining up, you can compare whatever notes you want, then proceed to Market Circle Altogether
At last...

[EDITED on Mon September 30, 2002 @9:28 AM (PDT)]