All intial posts for the time being will visible all characters. This is so I can easily add or subtract charcaters should someone change location. Unless you are addressed in a sub-thread, assume you are not there.
The City of Adala

[EDITED on Tue August 19, 2003 @9:57 AM (PDT)]

A map of the Throne Mansion.

Long before anyone gets to the door, the two barbarians are standing in front of it, axes quietly at the ready.
(They have been holding for this for some time).
Throne says, "Are you sure you don't want to re-think this? You obviously have some liking for the f-- fellow. Otherwise you wouldn't have bought him such a nice shirt.
"Of course, Adala does have a nice colony for such people. He could become a productive riven.
"In any case, there are members of the city guard waiting at my gate to take him away, if you really insist on leaving."

[EDITED on Mon August 4, 2003 @6:14 PM (PDT)]

"Thorne between the three of us there is an Adept, a Riven, and a man who weilds weapons so strong, you're willing to kill for, we're already going to be arrested for me being a Riven, we won't get much worse if we kill you first."

OOC: Nice response! Since you're the tough guy, I'll let you handle them

Nuyok will glance toward the front the mansion, to see if there are indeed more people present than initially were on guard at the front gate area.

And Nuyok will prepare to Fast Draw his weapon if need be, as well as shift his powers to Spirit Sense (base) and Find Weakness (closest opponent, Pakkard(?) since Throne seems less dangerous).

Find Weakness, 11- when necessary.

Vagrant slows and glances around at Throne, "I think that you have completely unveiled your true colors now. Less of a merchant more of a bully and a thief. Be that as it may, you win. You can have what you think you so desparately need but let the others go. They have no bond to me other then wanting a little profit here today. I want them gone."

Vagrant looks over at the others with a snear and then back to the merchant, "What do you say Throne?"

Nuyok gives Vagrant a look like he isn't planning to leave him.

Rath's eyes open in surprise at Vagrant's words and look. He looks hurt, then his eyes narrow as he catches on to Vagrant's plan.

"I don't think so Vagrant, we leave together, we've already seen what this man is like no way I'm leaving you here with him."

"Jesus Christ, what does it take with the pair of you? The lot of you seem to have brought out some long buried morality that does nothing but stifle my chosen profession. I can't have this. Go! I want you gone. You can go away in disgust and tell the rest of your ragtag band that I have tossed you by the wayside for more profit just for me. Whatever you want, but go. Yeah, you tell them that I have cheated you out of your share and that I don't have the money to pay for the goods I have been given. You tell them that I left you high and dry right here. What are you and those fools going to do...come and get me? Riiiiight. You wouldn't dare!You tell them that I have screwed them over once again. When will they learn? Christ!"

Calming down, Vagrant turns to Throne, "Merchant Throne, get these bozos out of here so I don't have to feel guilty another minute for their well being and I'll cut the deal you want. Just get them out of my sight. I can't stand another moment of their puppy dog eyes and blazing morality. Traders like us can't succumb to it. I was just fooling myself. I promise you've seen the last of it."

"Vagrant, if I'm leaving I'm carrying you with me. Look at it however you want, either I'm not going to let you have my share, or I won't leave a friend in trouble whatever makes you feel better works for me."

"Fine, I've had enough of you as it is, and apparently there's no wealth to be gained from the posters here anyway." Nuyok will give a conspiratorial wink toward Vagrant only if in a position for it to not be noticed.

Putting his hand on Rath's arm, "come on Rath, Vagrant's clear on this, and he'll get his soon enough."

Assuming Rath catches Nuyok's drift, The two depart with intentions of doing exactly what Vagrant told them not to do. Excuse me if I am assuming too much, but I am pressed for on-line time and need to advance you.
The guards part and escort the Adept and the Riven from the room.

Click on the map link in the second thread for an update. You have each received a post from your own Points of View.

The axemen are charging Rath. Nuyok is behind the (naked) screaming girl.

Actions?

[EDITED on Mon August 25, 2003 @8:52 PM (PDT)]

Realizing stopping the screaming won't help, Nuyok takes a (zero-phase) glance at the naked woman, and quietly rushes the second axeman from behind.

[EDITED on Mon August 25, 2003 @8:52 PM (PDT)]

- deleted -

[EDITED on Mon August 25, 2003 @8:51 PM (PDT)]

I just found the post I was looking for. By responding to the second post in the line (to save time in clicking all the visibility settings, I ddin't realize this thread was buried in the upper third of the page. I have Nuyok's actions and can presume Rath's.
I will run combat accordingly ASAP. (probably still tonight )

After the others have left and the door has closed, Pakkard turns to Throne. "Vagrant has just given a very effective display, Merchant. By the way, the spirit cloak hides whatever he may be carrying, but I doubt it's a gun, he doesn't seem to be planning an attack, just making a show."

Throne leans forward and says, "Do you have a gun, Vagrant? I'd like to see it." Pakkard seems about to speak, but Throne silences him with a curt hand gesture. "Oh don't worry about warnings. Officer Kramer is an intelligent fellow, a soldier. He knows when to fight and when not to.
"Don't you?" As he utters these last two words, you suddenly become aware that the two 'serving girls' are very well-defined and have lost all pretense of innocent harmlessness. They flank Throne like expert bodyguards. Which they are.

"Now, it seems to me Pakkard, you need a quiet place to work. The second floor has some very secure rooms.
"Don't worry, Soldier. As long as you cooperate, there's a lot of advantages to be had. Any number of... comforts you may desire. It's only when people are pig-headed and violent that I lose my temper. Why don't you let Cassie and Pakkard show you to your new quarters?"

[Do I still have the shattered gun fragments?]

If you gathered them at Fort Lizard, then yes. I think that this is the case.

Vagrant lets his head hang low and gives it a shake answering no to the question of the gun, "nothing but pieces and parts I am afraid. I was half attempting to put together something like what I carried long ago. A keepsake more then anything really. I have no intention of causing any more of a scene...it was a show for my business associates. No need for that now."

Vagrant looks to those chosen as his guides for help in make his way out of the room.

We on a break for awhile since I am alone?

Just a momentary lapse due to RL activities. I will post tomorrow.

The "messenger girl" Cassie and the Psychist Pakkard lead you from the room. You walk through a number of short corridors, through a large ballroom and up a broad set of stairs. Occasionally you see servants (human).
Once upstairs you are shown to an interior room where you are asked to lie down and make yourself comfortable upon a low leather divan.
Pakkard is about to start working his talents, when Cassie interrupts, "He could be carrying something dangerous under all those rags. I wish to search him."
Pakkard replies, "Officer Kramer has no intentions of intiating violence. [Tell me if this is not true--Keith]
"I hardly think this necessary. His mind is enough of a labyrinth as it is. Oh, very well."
Cassie will make to rifle trhough your clothing. Do you ofer any resistance?

[crap, looks like HC lost my post]

"It's enough that I am allowing my mind to be defiled, I will not allow my body to be molested as well."

Vagrant recoils away from the girl's grasp and if she is persistent Vagrant will attempt to grab her hands to keep her at bay.

"Cassie" moves to open your robes. Your hands shoot out and knock hers away with the reflexes of a trained soldier. She frowns and suddenly ducks, coming up under your arms behind your left shoulder. Her arms snake around to attempt some kind of wrestling lock, but again, you twist and fend before she can grapple. You face each other warily, slowly circling.
Pakkard interrupts, "Please, please. This is all so tedious. Officer Kramer is at least smart enough to realize he is in a poor tactical position. It would be suicidal for him to attack."
Casie snarls, "Look closer! He has a crossbow at least under those robes. You can tell by the way they hang if you weren't so dependant on witch-sight." Her distaste for the adept is obvious.
She faces you with a formal martial pose. "You are a worthy opponent, Vagrant. Will you surrender your weapons to me without bloodshed? So long as my Lord Throne is willing, they will be returned to you."
She seems sincere, but Pakkard is of course rolling his eyes at the silliness of warrior-folk.

Vagrant hands over his weapons. He takes an obnoxious amount of time to locate every item in his rags that could only be used as weapons on the worst day. Then finally he gives up his real weapons.

Cassie raises an eyebrow at some of Vagrant's "weapons", but receives them all and rolls them up in a bedcloth.
Pakkard looks annoyed. "If we are all through with the hair-pulling and shouting, can we get this over with? I've been in there before and this may take days." He glances sharply at Vagrant. "Especially if there is resistance."
He gestures at the couch. Assuming Vagrant complies, Pakkard will pull a chair up behind the divan and place his hands upon Vagrant's head. Again, he looks annoyed. "Officer Kramer, I know of your execrable vanity. You may leave your visage swathed in rags and bandages, but at least pull back the hood of the spirit cloak.
"That's better."

His thin fingers move carefully over Vagrant's head. The tips barely brush the surface as he dips his head in intense concentration.
What follows is without words, only feelings and concepts:

Think of yesterday. Now of the day before, and before that. Back back along an endless precession of years. Before the rags, before the city, before the sleep.
The long darkness. The long darkness. The long dark--"
Pakkard sighs. This will take a long time.

Unless you offer resistance, you will be here a long time. Others are aware of your plight, but they may not get here immediately. You can either take this as a time off, or better, retell your history. It has been a bit vague, but Pakkard is pulling out a lot of repressed stuff. If I can, I will work your tale into the current story.

Vagrant snaps awake to the blaring of a car horn. Reacting with his soldier-like instincts he dodges to his left barely being missed by a 2001 Honda Civic. Jerking his head about he takes in the familair settings of his real home...the streets of New York City. Daring to take a step forward, he moves to the safer confinds of the sidewalk. He notices that he is also dressed as a police officer complete with his old faithful police-issue firearm. He removes it briefly and handles it. His fingers move across the cold metal and feels the rough pattern that makes up the handle. Murmuring of a number of individuals watching his carressing of the weapon brings him back to some sense of reality and he holsters the magnum.

He begins to walk and take in the smells of the New York City life. Some are good, some bad, but each one is a memory, a familarality. He instinctively checks his watch to see that it is 9:37pm. This was during his regular shift. Suddenly, loudly, he hears, "All cars, all cars in the New York diamond district, we have a robbery in progress at the New York Diamond Exchange. Please respond...please respond."

Looking around, Vagrant tries to discover the source of this voice so close to him, It takes a second to realise that it is coming form the walkie-talkie speaker attached to his breast. Without missing another beat he picks up the handset and presses the gray button, "Dispatch, this is Car 5150, I am 3 blocks from the Exchange. I will be approaching...by foot. Out."

He takes two steps and feels the hard pull of someone grabbing his shoulder stopping him from making his way to the scene of the crime. He reals around to assault his captor. Using the energy from his turn he brings around a strong roundhouse blow. His eyes take in the dark figure behind him and chase up the thin frame to the face of Sal Forroca--his partner. He reigns in the punch just in time but not without need to continue the power of the punch elsewhere. This causes an old stumbling act to occur.

Sal says with a laugh, "Christ, James, what's gotten into you? Are you paranoid or drunk? If you are done with your soft shoe, there's something going down at the D.E. Let's go."

Vagrant fails in step behind Sal and the pair run off to the D.E.

[More to come...]

Sal and James hoof it to the Diamond Exchange. They enter the lobby to see that glass has been blown out of two of the front windows and inside a guard lies on the red carpet seemingly unconscious or dead.

Instantly, Sal and James pull their weapons and begin to artfully search the establishment. The pair split up and move through each of the rooms full of endless cases of diamonds of all shapes and sizes--all untouched. They both arrive at a middle room from complete searches of the left and right "wings" of the store. Then a crash is heard and the sound of numerous objects scattering across the floor. Diamonds!

James, the senior officer, gives a slight head jerk and then the pair stealthily move into the back confines of the building. Sal backs up James giving an occasion look behind them to make sure they didn't miss anyone during their brisk search of the ajoining rooms.

James rounds a corner and spots light coming from a door ten paces down the corridor and off to the left. The hallway is clean so he moves out into the space to be met with two gunshots from the end of the passage. He flattens against the way and shifts back to the safety of the hallway leading up to this new danger zone.

James motions to Sal with two fingers pointed up, two down and then they take their spots. With precision the pair jut their firearms and enough of their heads into the opening from a high and low position. They spot their assailant and see he is joined by another from the lit doorway. The partners fire and Sal drops the man at the end of the hallway. James misses the man at the entranceway and the enemy returns fire forcing the pair back behind the wall.

Sal shouts to the perpetrators, "We've just put down one of your men and we called in backup long before we entered the building. The place will be swarming with cops in minutes. Toss out your gun and drop to the floor in the hallway and this will all be over."

Only silence comes to James' ears. He figures that this will only end up with more dead. He readies himself for the ordeal and with a nod to his partner they prepare for another jaunt out into the now deadly space. Just as they go they hear the clatter of a gun on the tiling that lines the corridor. The second enemy slowly emerges from the doorway and lies on the floor, fingers laced behind his head, "Don't shoot man, I'm just a stupid college student out for kicks. I don't want to die! Don't shoot me!"

Sal moves into the hallway and just as quickly James move in step with him. James hisses, "You secure that guy and his mouth. I'll go clear the room. Sal moves smoothly down the hall looking for more gunmen. He arrives at the prone man, kicks his gun away and kneels down to cuff the man. Once that is complete, James moves on past Sal and negotiates the open door. With his gun lowered and grasped in two hands at his front, he spins from the safety of the way to level his weapon at the center of the unknown room. The space ends up to be a small office with its desk and other furniture pushed out of the way--almost like a barricade. The centerpiece of the room is a large wall safe torn open by some powerful explosives. The open door is charred and bent from its ordeal.

James eyes immediately go to the danger in the room, lying near the bottom of the safe is another gunman Strun around him are hundreds of diamonds. He is clothed in the same black outfit as the other two but this one wears a dark sky mask. A gun is clasped in his hands pointed directly at James' heart. A slight shake is decernable as the hands hold
the deadly weapon, tipping off the man's fear to the veteran policeman.

Outside the dream, Vagrant jerks. Something in his dream, his nightmare, effects him violently. His eyes open briefly and he takes in his surroundings before closing them once again.

With a soothing and amazingly calm voice James speaks, "Sir, your buddies have all been out of commission and police will be here in
mass. You need to put down your weapon and surrender. I can't guarantee your safety unless you drop that weapon and get down on your chest."

For the first time, James sees the eyes of his adversary. Wet with tears they quiver and reveal with complete detail how panicked this obviously young criminal truly is.

Before James can speak again the gunman finally stammers out a reply, "You don't understand, you don't understand...I can't be caught here. I can't have anything to do with this. It'll ruin my life completely!"

James looks at the distraught figure before him and for a moment feels that pity he often feels when a person makes these mistakes and finally realizes--too late--what is will cost. The thought fades as he concentrates on the weapon still very capable of killing him.

"Son, you just have to drop the gun and we'll get you the help you need. There is nothing we can solve with these weapons that will make today get any better. Please, just drop the weapon to the floor and get your hands up behind your head. Once you do that I assure you you'll be safe and we'll get you help...from whomever you want."

The boy flinches at the cop's words, "Help, bullshit. Once your buddies come I'll be tossed in a cell and my arrest will be all over the papers. My father will disown me. Everything I have will be gone. You just don't understand. You can't understand. He pushed and pushed. I had to do something...bad...wrong...criminal. To show myself I won't be that cardboard man he wants me to be! He made me do this! Oh god, I can't let him find out. No. No. It's too much. No, no, no! It can't happen like this. I have to get out of here!"

In that instant the boy makes up his mind. He wants to run and the only way to do that is through James. He re aims the weapon and pulls at the trigger.

*Bang!*

The gun tumbles out of the boy's hand unfired. The boy slumps completely to the floor and remains unmoving. Smoke from James's firearm fills the air. Two seconds later Sal enters the room weapon waving about taking in the scene.

"It's over Sal. The boy is all out of action...for good."

James holsters his gun, but continues to stand looking at the boy. He knows he should call it in but he just stands there staring.

Sal glances at James and then puts a hand on his shoulder, "It's okay, Jim, I'll check him out. Maybe he'll pull through."

Sal makes his way over to the silent boy.

With a forlore exhale James, says, "No. No, he won't."

Sal kneels down to the boy who still wears his black sky mask. Blood now dots his lips. As delicately as he can, Sal pulls away the mask. As he does so, he lets out a long low groan.

Just as Sal speaks an odd distortion rips through the dreamworld. Vagrant convulses in unison with the violent disruption.

The dream continues as Sal looks up at James, "Oh man, you've killed--"

"Yoda!?", stammers Sal almost not believing his eyes!

It's true. The "camera" of the dream focuses on the mask as it is pulled away to reveal the face, well known to twentieth century movie-goers of every age--yoda. The creature turns its head like a vantrioquest's dummy would to stare into the "dream camera" and speaks, "Tricky, the mind is..hmmm? Difficult, it is to control. Too weak, perhaps you are. Yes, yes, harder, you must try to master it."

The scene goes black. Vagrant looks at the eyes of Pakkard, looking for some type of reaction, "Sorry. Sorry, that was quite odd, wasn't it? Old times are welling back into my nightmares. Everything is getting scrambled. I'll try to control it. I promise. Shall we try again?"

Nuyok and Rath, you are escorted quickly and quietly from the room. (You can one last verbal post to the old sub-thread, but I have moved Vagrant on.)
Once outside, the heavy doors close with a thump. The barbarian guards are met at the porch by Kar, the crafty guard from before. One of them speaks:
"Merchant Throne has convinced the ragged one to stay. These two are to be held in the basement until Throne is satisfied."
Anticipating your outburst, Kar says quickly, "Now don't make a fuss. We wouldn't want to have to call a city guard, would we-- Freak?" He speaks toward Rath primarily.

A couple of quick clarifications:
- How many barbarians/guards are present or immediately nearby (i.e., in the room or so we passed through)?
- Did we go back through the main room (with the pools) back out the front door to the porch (yet still within the gate), only then to be stopped and redirected to the basement?

Nuyok will give Rath a look, but the particular type will depend on the above...

You are in the open air at the front door, but still about thirty yards from the gate. This area is lightly gardened and ornamented. You can see the wall, but at this distance cannot clearly see beyond the gate. (Unless you are very obviously squinting).
There are three barbarians in arm's reach, the two who escorted you and Kar. You did not pass any guards to speak of on your way out of the building. There are a number of guards in the immediate vicinity (1-3 phases of non-com movement away). Again, without making a big show of counting, you estimate 3-5 additional guards might be able to enter into a combat.

Oh, and yes you went through the room with the pools. You might assume that htere is a separate entrance to the basement.

Nuyok moves to restraint Rath if he responds to the comment by Kar, and coolly says, "fine, lead on then," nodding knowingly toward Rath.

Rath looks like he is ready to resist, even with Nuyok's look, but continues on...for the moment.OOC: I am assuming that no one has tried to take Rath's Ax, if anyone does, he'll try to implant it in their skull

OOC: Excellent, I love it when a plan comes together

While being led, Nuyok will maintain a casual demeanor, but will be observing the location of guards, especially a point in which there are fewer nearby, and if possible keep a spirit eye on Vagrant, due to his differing morphia. If the guard number reduces, e.g., away from front door and gate guards, Nuyok will switch over to Find Weakness on the most armored guard (if equal, then the closest, but preferring to be directed toward the leader).

The three barbarians have made no attempt to take your weapons as of yet, but you feel it can only be amatter of time. Kar gestures for all to start around to the back of the house.

Nuyok, Vagrant is not really visible; there are too many differeing morphias in the way (walls, plants, furniture, etc. If he were standing directly on the other side of the wall it would be easier.)

Kar seems to be getting you all out of sight of the front gate. As he walks, he catches the attention of the other visible barbarians and gestures for them to follow.

If you are going to try any combat, you will have to do so quickly; you will soon be outnumbered. If you feel the odds are too great, let me know and I will just move you into captivity.

Nuyok thinks hard...Vagrant wanted us to go, either to protect us, or because he had a plan...we're really not protected though, and may not be allowed out alive, and if locked up with weapons taken, we'll be even worse off and can't help Vagrant...if he has a plan, it may not even work, and if we're disarmed, we can't help...this looks like our last chance to make a stand, because there's no way Rath will let himself be disarmed, and by then, we'll be really outnumbered...only one option...

As noted before, Nuyok will Detect Weakness, on Kar ideally, make as if to follow, but then draw his blade and strike, hoping his enhanced speed and Rath's strength will be enough. Also, he will activate the Anticipate Movement and assign the CSL to OCV.

Detect Weakness, 11-
3d6: 1, 1, 4 (STUN: 6, BODY: 1) Tue August 12, 2003 @9:23 AM (EDT)

Seeing Nuyok's move Rath will draw and attack the same guy as Nuyok (if in reach), all levels on Offense (+2 HtH 7 OCV). I'm trying to clear a path to go back to Vagrant.

OOC: Hope I didn't bite off more than we can chew Figured I'd at least post up the thought process, though Nuyok's not the half-cocked to act type anyway...

chew schmoo, Rath has a big mouth