Broken Promises and Stolen Dreams
Session 1: The Party Assembles
The Meeting
Erlea Aoz, a nasfaqgian Kapu-min
Sun started to set over the bustling city of Sabatangan, last rays of sunshine gently caressing the large trees growing at the edge of the town. Mere two decades ago, it was just a fishing village, renowned for its skilled workforce, but due to foreign influence and growing importance of trade it has blossomed into a sprawling harbour. From the shore, homes, business, and warehouses radiated out, introducing brick structures onto the predominantly wooden city-scape; richer merchants made their homes on the western half of the harbour, with businesses belonging to them spread further to the east, alongside the port area, filled with taverns and warehouses. A small canal ran perpendicular to the shoreline, towards the heart of the city – the main market.
Coyotl made his way to the designated meeting point for the job – a tiny merchant sloop belonging to one Erlea Aoz. He was to arrive there at sunset, catching the wind of this assignment relatively late.
Making his way down the docks, he’d spot the ship his colleague detailed to him. It apparently took a recommendation from his former comrade-in-arms to strong-arm the information needed to get to the meeting place.
Along the way, two burly sailors played some type of a dice game, keeping an eye on the pier leading to the ship's entrance. Hired goons, without a doubt. Seeing him enter, they measured Coyotl for about half a second before returning back to their game of chance.
'Big arms, small boat', thought Coyotl.
The road to the deck was clear. The ship, lacking a forecastle, had an easily identifiable quarters in the back of it, without a doubt leading to Erlea's office.
Coyotl heads toward the captain's quarters, keeping an eye on those dice players
They would exit his line of sight as he stepped down the stairs and through the door to the office.
Erlea's office smelled like tobacco, warm root spices, and ink. The small, roughly three by five meters squared area was illuminated by two oil lamps chained to the ceiling, shedding light on the meticulously organized cabinets full of papers, clean mahogany desk, and four figures residing within - one behind said desk, and three seated before it.
Ivan is cleaning his rifle, all of his tools laid on the desk, while his Owl, Hoots is playing with its chains
Coyotl takes note of the Rosebuta 'Speaking about big arms, fuck me'. He looks like an adult man sitting in a child's chair.
Palustris is a large Sunwalker, even for his own kind. He is more on par with that of an average Tunnelhog, standing at 7'4"/223.5 cm in height. He wears thick hides over his body, which drape over his shoulders and cover much of his torso and legs. His fur is short, curly, and rugged. Both his hair and the skin underneath is a light grey. The snout bears multiple scars from battle and while one of his tusks protrudes out of his mouth to a respectable 4 cm, the other is chipped off at the top which reduces it to 2 cm. He stands to the side quietly, a serious expression on his face as he does his best to process the ongoing conversation.
Julian sits slumped forward on his chair, fiddling with his pipe whilst listening to the others. As Coyotl enters, he gives the Matiyotl a single glance with a slightly surprised, or perhaps amused, raised eyebrow, before turning his eyes back to his pipe.
Coyotl is greeted by a short "hrumph" from the man, who mutters soemthing in Kat Nol under his breath.
[Kat Nol]: "A cannibal as well eh?"
Ivan took a glance at the new arrival, and looked back down again without saying a word
The Varangian takes note of the two more... Human individuals, and looks to who he presumes to be the client, behind the desk.
A woman in her late 20's fixed his gaze upon the newcomer. Her golden eyes contrasted to the well-maintained shoulder-length raven-black hair, which in turn complimented her predominantly dark dress. Seated on an exotic-looking chair that seemed to be able to rotate alongside its vertical axis, she crossed her legs. She'd wave her hand, beckoning the Varangian Guard closer with her fingerless arm sleeves, then pointing at the empty chair that has been waiting for him.
Coyotl took the seat, glancing at the Rosebuta to see what its face looks like from the front.
Julian puts his pipe in his pocket, and extends his arm over the Hooman sitting between them, to Coyotl, offering a handshake.
[Holodhennet]: "Julian. Pleasure to meet you, [Kat Nol]Mister...?"
[Holodhennet]:"Coyotl. Well met." Coyotl grip is firm, but not crushing.
Ivan looked at the Nasfaqian. Greedy merchants and cut throats all of them. But good manners is crucial for building team work. Espically for such a dangerous mission like this. He slowly extends his hand and and shakes it.
To both Coyotl and Ivan: Julian's grip is firm, but less so than Coyotl's. His hand feels rough and slightly cool to the touch.
The Job
After glancing at a small, golden pocket watch she pulled out of an internal pocket in her upper coat, she'd tap her finger at the desk before speaking in fluent Holodhennet.
"It seems we are all here." She said, pocketing the watch again. "None of you worked for me in the past. I also assume none of you have worked with one another before."
She'd briefly pause, to look if any interjections were given.
Coyotl crosses his arms and gives the smallest of nods.
Julian looks around the other four as he leans forward, and turns to look at Erlea.
"Yeah, cant say I have. Quite a colourful team your put together [Kat Nol] (gender neutral Mister equivalent) Aoz"
Ivan finishes his cleaning and puts the rifle away. And asked: "How many are we expecting?"
"Four is more than enough," she responds, giving a hint that she expected more.
"So. Let us set some ground rules before the details of the job the client wishes you to do."
"First and foremost, the payment is per person, so no, coming back with less people than started will not increase your pay." The stressing of certain words, together with the stern tone of her voice insinuated that it was a rather common misunderstanding. "I like working with known qualities. Should you do the job successfully and all return alive, I will throw in a small bonus."
Ivan nods, and the owl on his shoulder also hoots, like it also understands her.
Coyotl hints at a smile "Smart policy."
Palustris gives a small snort to indicate he understands.
Julian nods.
"I like the sound of bonuses."
"You are to behave as if I am not here. I will not reveal the name of the client, but I also expect my name not to make waves throughout the town. Same with your intentions. The amount you were paid for the job, the details of it, and myself, your immediate employer, are not to escape your lips outside of this room." Erlea would stand up, gripping her left hand on the desk to use it as support.
"Are we clear?"
"Clear as day, [Kat Nol] mister/miss Aoz. My lips are sealed."
"Clear." The owl's horns stand as Ivan affirms his loyalty to the written words.
Coyotl crosses his arms. "That's my SOP", with a nod
A smell reminiscent of a sea breeze comes from Palustris for a moment, before he pauses and clears his throat. His voice is rumbly and coarse, like a tunnel collapsing. "Understood."
"Good." She would turn and walk towards a cabinet in the back, displaying signs of an asymmetric gait, likely due to some kind of a limb injury. She retrieved an unmarked file and walked back to the desk with the file in hand.
"Your client has had a certain possession stolen from him," she says, pulling out a piece of paper with a sketch of a chest on it.
A small coffer. It looks ornate, and has a human leg next to it for scale.
'Male leg, late twenties, low fat content', draws Coyotl from the sketched limb.
"Take it he wants it back?"
"Yes. And legal measures would not work here", says Erlea.
Nice looking leg. Ivan thought.
Julian leans forward to see the sketch better.
"I shall be assuming the contents of the chest are not our concern yes?"
"A maple wood chest, decorated with gold. Somewhat weather-worn." She tapped on the sketch once more. "What he's really interested in getting back is precisely the contents," she said, looking at Julian.
"Then i will need you to describe me the contents. In some terms at least. Who knows if we shall find it within or without the chest", says Julian.
"Of them, I have only vague description. A hollowed out bone and a silver ring."
Coyotl: "Common items. Sentimental value?"
She would shrug. "Irrelevant to the task. The client would not divulge much more information about them."
"Not with this level of secrecy Mr. Coyotl. But as the boss says, not our business." Julian says.
"They allegedly have a strong Vitium residue on them. It's safe to assume these are relics of some kind," Erlea continues.
"Couldn't care less for what's in the box. What kind of company are waiting for us?" Ivan shoots out.
"I have done most of the legwork beforehand," she said, reaching underneath the desk to retrieve a rolled-up piece of parchment, setting it on the table. A map of Sabatangan, 50:1 scale.
She'd point to the right part of the map. "The box was last seen handled by the Green Warriors, a ragtag group of mercenaries that have rented out a warehouse in the Cashew Quadrant."
Erlea tapped on what looked like a small square with three buildings in them near the harbour. "This information is fresh, which is why I assembled you here in a hurry."
I've heard about them before... Ivan thinks to himself.
Palustris just has no idea who the Green Warriors are. But he's fine to do the job anyways.
'Green warriors? Must be a bunch of tree-huggers', thinks Coyotl.
Julian rolls int+streetwise with specialty bonus. 5, 6, 7, 10, 1, 7, 7; 1 success.
Julian would have heard of them - a small group of notorious raiders who moved to Sabatangan about a month ago, officially merely protecting a local merchant, but unofficially aiding in the smuggling of illicit drugs into /risu/. As far as he understands, it's a handful of people, meaning less than a dozen. Their name stems from their leader, a roaming rogue Lunaito, Sir Candice Peppermint, recognizable by his green-painted plate armour.
Since he remembered who they are, something would click for Julian - the warehouse she's referring to is called "The Zebra", recognizable by its black-and-white striped made by birch and ebony outer planks.
'Doesnt sound too bad then" Julian thinks. If they work smart, 4 well prepared men should be able to take on such a group. He thinks to himself.
Julian does not share what he knows, yet.
"I would expect heavy resistance. My men have spotted at least six different people coming in and out, Sir Candice included," Erlea continued.
Right I remember... They are smallfrys, relatively speaking, shouldn't be too hard to deal with. That Knight from the land of candy though... Might be trouble. Ivan monologues inside his head and he pinches the ram rod of his rifle.
"Armed men? Do you know anything of their funding, or how well they are armed [Kat Nol] Miss/mister Aoz?"
Julian says, and leans backwards on his chair.
"This information is critical for us, as you may understand."
"Hard to say. They are well-equipped, and if they are the original crew of aforementioned Lunaito, they are veterans."
Coyotl scratches his chin, this sounds like a job for this crew. His blade will taste blood under this sun. Another day in the office.
"The Green Warriors have been recruiting recently. It is possible they have something up their sleeves."
Julian glances over the team. He likes the fact that the Matiyotl and the Rosebuta look strong, but he cannot outwardly determine how capable the hooman is. He does like the look of his rifle though. Its good to have weapons.
Palustris has been dead quiet during the discussion, excluding the one word from earlier. His mind processed the numbers and considered the difference in strength. The Sunwalker had little worry for himself, but did wonder how the others would fare.
Ivan can sense the look the Nasfaqqian is giving to him. But he can't for the life of him figure out what he's trying to convey by staring at his direction like this. Slightly shrugging his shoulders, he'd rather not think about it.
"I assume you'll want to also know more about your payment. It's three ounces of gold, each." The measurement of payment in weight rather than amount is not particularly unusual in Risu, due to the nature of their currency, although it could also reasonably be used to conceal the source of said payment.
"What about the small bonus?" Coyotl asks, casually
"We will cross that bridge when we get there." Erlea responded, giving the cannibal a gentle, well-practiced smile. "But you will not be disappointed."
He shrugs at the vague answer, but allows it.
"Now, are there any other questions you have about the job?" The kapu-min asked, sitting back down on the swivel chair, interlocking her hands.
"None, ma'am." Ivan reply clearly.
Palustris held up a finger.
Coyotl looked to the quiet Rosebuta.
"Yes?" She asked expectantly, directing her attention fully to the previously silent Sunwalker.
The boar cleared his throat before speaking, a scent of freshly cooked beef slowly rolling out from his flower. Despite his demeanor, he spoke rather eloquently. "Huntgiver, I do have a small number of questions to ask. Are there any..." He pauses for a second as he attempts to find the word "...Restraints on how we complete this? Do you require a level of subtlety or are there no qualms towards what may be considered excessive violence?"
"I'd rather we do this subtly... But looking at you all..." Ivan looks around the room at his temporary colleagues, "I can also go loud."
Coyotl looked at his bone armor and thought 'I reckon that's what she's paying for'.
"The client did not have any wishes regarding that." The fixer responds, reclining back on her chair.
"But..."
"A quiet job will have less expense for the cleanup"
Julian interjects.
"The less clean-up I have to do, the better," she says, agreeing with the Nasfaqgian. "Whether you use violence or not, I care not. Just don't leave excessive messes."
Ivan puts his fingers on his right forehead and gestures that he understands the client's concerns.
Palustris thinks for a moment, before nodding. This time the smell is more akin to the smell of a large sea wave as it crashes onto shore. Smells just generally like the ocean, to the less perceptive. "I will attempt to minimize the damages then."
"Very well. I am curious to how all of you will fare," Erlea said, with a sly smile. "Good luck."
To the Rosebuta, her smell did not change at all, it remained constant, almost overwhelmingly powerful compared to the other objects in the room. A warm note of cloves and red fruit, paired with intensely floral Nasfaqgian iris, intermingled with her natural sweet odour. An intoxicating aroma with light silage - one would have to stand right by her to truly experience it, or, well, be a Rosebuta.
Palustris's snout scrunches a little as he smells her scent. He doesn't comment on it, but it's clear that something in the room is putting him off.
Coyotl nods slightly and begins to stand. "We can take that sketch?"
She'd push the piece of paper towards the varangian guard, affirming that they can take it.
Coyotl pockets it and looks to his new colleagues
The Leader
Ivan picks up his hat and slings his rifle. "So who's willing to lead the team? Or are we to decide things democratically?"
Julian nods, performs a small sitting bow towards Erlea before standing up.
" I can take on that job, unless one of you wants to take it upon themselves."
"I'll have you know, my fellow co-workers, I've got some experience with this sort of work"
Palustris looks to Ivan, a more neutral scent of fresh snow coming off of him now. "Whoever the most experienced hunter may be. That is how leadership is done."
"Then, take it away, Julian." Coyotl scratches his nose. "Your orders ain't my law though"
Ivan adjusts his hat. "Uh... One vote for Julian then." He don't trust the criminal enough but he sure don't want to lead the team even with his expereicne as a staff sergeant
The towering Sunwalker shifts his gaze to Julian. "How long have you served as hunter?"
Julian gazes up to he towering sunwalker. He does not show it outwardly, but the rosebuta is likely able to smell a hint of fear in him. His expresion remains calm.
"All my life, big man."
The Kapu-min crosses her legs, watching the scene unfold with interest. Even to the Palustris, the presence she had evaporates as she slides into the role of a simple observer.
Coyotl can't help but smirk at the pale man standing up to creature, who is over a feet taller.
The boar snorts, nodding slightly. "How many seasons is your life? 240 seasons? 280?"
"I stopped count years ago"
He's probably bluffing. Ivan thought to himself. Expected for the seedy type...
"I see. Very unfortunate." Palustris puts a hand on Julian's shoulder. "I can smell the sour scent of fear on you. Do not be afraid, I have no reason to harm you."
Ivan is observing this exchange intently. He might no care much for the banter but it's important to know what his temporary team lead is capable of. A scrawny old criminal might be more of a liability than an asset. Especially a bluffing one...
"How many heists have ya pulled, Pal? I'll take relevant experience over a bazillion seasons of deer catching for this op," Coyotl says.
Palutris looks to Coyotl with a bit of a caramel scent as he tries to process what the hell he just said. "I have hunted much, but I... Do not know what a heist is."
"That's when ya take someone's shit, without breaking said shit. That's what we'll be up to. Any man-hunting is gonna collateral, so to speak." Coyotl illustrates by tapping the coffer's sketch as he speaks.
"I see. Then I am ill equipped for this situation, beyond that of the collateral." A note of dark chocolate comes from him next.
Coyotl nods once more and glances at Julian.
Ivan lets out a whistle. He imagined the brutish plant folks to be, well brutes when it comes to hunting. But maybe there's more to them the he thought. he just read about them being an obscure tribe of hunters to the continent in the faraway south east
Julian rolls Int to determine if he has heard of Rosebuta views on alcohol use. 10, 5, 9; 2 successes.
Rosebutas are not known to drink often. It is something typically done between close friends and with small glasses. However, what they drink always has a very high level of ABV. They would be initially confused towards the offering of alcohol from someone who is not a close friend, but how they react beyond that depends on the Rosebuta.
Julian takes out his pocket flask, and takes a little drink from it. He then offers it towards the huge sunwalker.
"JoeCorp Rum. Very good. Very strong."
"If you trust me, trust me as an advisor. I know a thing or two about how these sort of gangs operate, I know a thing or two about stealing. We are a team now, my fellow co-workers. We need to work on this together, and rely on our individual strengths"
Julian looks at the Matiyotl. Then the Hooman. Then back to the rosebuta.
"Let me do the talking when necessary, and if I fuck up and we need a killing, I'll trust you to take care of that."
The Matiyotl scratches his butt. "As long as we get this going. Trail's fresh."
"Indeed. My informants have confirmed the location of the chest this morning", says Erlea.
The smell of mint bursts from his rose when he is offered the drink, but it settles quickly. "Whilst I acknowledge your forwardness, I cannot accept you like that as of this moment. Perhaps when we are more accustomed to each other. As for leading... I will concede that to you. If the situation comes to a hunt, then I may take charge."
Ivan takes the flask. He can never refuse a drink. "I agree with the big guy. To the payout and our survival."
Julian nods towards the sunwalker. He then responds to Ivan.
"Aye."
Julian gestures for the Matiyotl to take a swig too.
Wordlessly, Coyotl gives the drink a sniff, and satisfied with the smell, has two swigs.
Palustris picks up on the situation and cheers by slamming his left foot into the ground as hard as he can muster.
Julian seems satisfied. It is important to win some trust and goodwill from your coworkers, he thinks to himself. If a human emits a smell associated with satisfaction and contentment, the sunwalker will be able to pick that up. He smiles, if only slightly.
then he turns towards Erlea.
"The location. Tell us about it."
Her eyebrow rises slightly, exuding borderline psionic control over Julian. It seems that his question is being shut down.
"I thought you had no further questions." She leans forward slightly. "That everything was clear."
Of course the thief would be the least attentive of everyone here... Ivan thinks to himself
"Ah. Sorry [Kat Nol] Miss/mister Aoz. Everything indeed is clear." Julian says apologetically. He turns to bow towards Elrea, before turning around and walking out of the room.
Coyotl follows along, looking forward to getting out of the stuffy rooom, into the sun
Palustris stomps his right foot to Elrea with a smell of oak, before leaving with the rest.
The sharpshooter puts on his cloak. Ivan then whistles and Hoots flew onto his shoulder, the two promptly followed the rest out of the building
An OOC question was asked about the residences of the party members.
The 'Green Warriors' seem to stay inside of the warehouse compound, if the map is accurate. It seems to have a residential building, likely turned into barracks.
As for the group, their residences are likely spread throughout the town as they have not been collectively arranged.
While the sun was setting as the group assembled to learn more about the task they were given, the city was now shrouded in the cowl of twilight, the sun set behind the horizon, giving off faint, purple light as night slowly creeps in.
The Sunwalker visibly perks up and looks a little larger once in the sun. That room had left him a bit hungry.
"Right then, what'll be our first move, "leader"?" Coyotl adds an unclear emphasis to the word.
"First move?" Julian asks with an amused voice. He takes his pipe and pours a little tobacco in it.
"Give me a spark, Friend. I'll think about it for a minute."
Ivan hands him a chuubanite flint.
Palustris goes to take out a raw chunk of rosestone, but promptly puts it back into his pockets when he sees the chuubanite flint.
"Ah. Thank you, Hooman."
Julian fiddles with the flint for a bit before figuring it out. He lights up his pipe, and takes a long drag from it.
"First of all, I think we need to get us a place where we can discreetly talk over the plan. IF possible, we should get something to eat too."
Julian taps the right side of his head.
"The head works better with a full belly you see. "
He offers the pipe to the members of the group.
"But let us not waste time. If we are fast, we can use the veil of night to our advantage."
Coyotl waves off the pipe. "Alright, know a quiet spot?"
Ivan knows a place that's safe but his notoriety is relatively well known in that bar. Might attract unnecessary attention.
"I am currently eating, so I am doing good for the moment." He looks at the pipe, but does not take it as the smell of caramel comes back.
Julian rolls Wits + Streetwise with +1 from contacts. 6, 7, 7, 7, 1, 10, 5, 8; 2 successes.
Julian has stayed in Sabatangan long enough to get to know the local barkeeps, and in most cases, get decently chummy with them. One of them stands out in particular - Richard Nusler, an Alpine Risuner who moved back to Sabatangan from his home in the Kaiserreich. After a night of hard drinking and (carefully selected) loud politics, the man considers Julian a blood-brother, and has offered him a place to stay if he ever were to get in trouble, near the attic. Since it's accessible from the tavern's backdoor, it's surprisingly private and makes it easy to blend into the evening crowds.
That being said, Julian is also correct with his assessment that the veil of the night could be used for the group's advantage, especially if trying to assault a guarded compound.
"I know a place"
Julian says, as he takes another drag from his pipe.
"Decent food. The barkeep loves me. And most importantly, a small and quiet place."
"Let's go, then. I could go for some meat", says Coyotl
"If you are vouching for that place, good. My usual spot might be a bit too noisy at this time", agrees Ivan
Julian looks expectantly at the sunwalker.
The Sunwalker nods in agreement.
The Tavern
The group leaves the ship, and begins traveling to the designated place.
Walking across the harbour, the group can see it bustling with life as the light of the sun is exchanged for the light from the ever-present oil lamps. Sailors and merchants stumble around, heading in and out of taverns. The world's oldest profession is alive and well, considering the nearly-naked squirrels hanging around the port's lanterns, beckoning towards the Rosebuta and the Varangian as they pass near them.
Coyotl doesn't spare them a glance, he compartmentalizes work from pleasure pretty thoroughly.
Palustris's eyes linger on the tails of the squirrels, but he does not go towards them as he continues to walk with the group. He's still a little unused to and made uncomfortable by all the catcalling the Risuners tend to give him at times, however.
Ivan can kind of tell the big plant wants to fluff the tails of these Risuners. Although he can resist the temptation in the red light district easily, it's one thing he still needs to work on.
Ivan ignored the attempts of seduction. He's slowly getting used to the half naked women being a bit handsy after almost a year working in this city. Hoots growls whenever one tries to come near. The Squirrels seems to be comply whenever it turns and look at them.
Whilst he was not the target of attention for the squirrels, Julian still gives them a wave and a smile. However, pleasure would come after the work.
By the Reaper he loved this side of risuner culture.
After roughly five minutes of walking, the group arrives at the tavern - "The Busted Nut". Its sign is, very fittingly, a large sculpture of an acorn with cracks running on its sides. Skipping the crowds, Julian would navigate the group towards a nearby alleyway, passing through the twists and turns of the newly-built buildings.
Wooden passages create a twisted labyrinth that, once navigated through, reveals a simple oak door. All Julian has to do is to ring the bell on its back, which leads to the kitchen.
Ahh... The Tree rrats and their naming scheme... Ivan thought as he reads the smaller subtext written in Holo-dhennet. It does remind him of home somewhat. The almost offensively direct tone to how his people name things is replaced with sheer crassness.
After giving the air wafting from the kitchen a good sniff, Coyotl nods approvingly at the spicy aromas he senses.
[Multilingual: Risuner] "Oi Richard, my brother. You here?" Julian yells, in slightly broken risuner.
A sliding wooden peephole opens up, the eyes peeking behind it nervously glancing around and relaxing once they set their sights on Julian. The door promptly opens.
[Risuner] "Ah, Julian!" The plump barkeep laughs heartily. "You gave me a scare, really!"
"Now, now, come on in!" He says, moving out of the way and opening the door all the way, inviting the group in.
[Broken Risuner] "Richard!" Julian goes in for a hug with the risuner.
"Ive got a couple friends with me this time. We need to talk some business. Can you get us something to eat and a quiet place just to ourselves?"
Julian takes out his coin purse. He takes out a few chestnuts, and hands them to the barkeep. To the others, Julian continues:
[Holodhennet] "Chip in a little bit. Richard is a trustworthy squirrelman, his services are worth a few nuts."
Coyotl pulls a couple acorns from his back pocket and hands 'em to the Risuner.
"You serve any meat with potats?" Ivan inquires. "Also a mug of ale please." He says so while pulling up a couple Imperial marks from his pouch.
"No nuts, sorry. Ate all of them during my last hiking trip."
Palustris reaches into his pocket and takes out a rosestone. He chips off a small chunk with his clawed index finger, small sparks shooting off of it from the friction. He hands Richard the small chunk.
Holding the nuts in his hands for a moment, the stubby squirrel immediately stashes them in a fat pouch by his side. These things are not compact, and he's carrying a fair bit of them - likely tips from the night. For the Rosestone, he'd rub it between his fingers before stashing it in another pouch.
[Risuner] "You can take the attic," Richard says, retrieving a key from a crowded keychain and handing it over to the Nasfaqgian. He would then turn to the Hooman.
[Broken Holodhennet] "Beer and stew! I deliver to room, friends of friends only!"
"Thanks boss", says Ivan.
Coyotl looks at the rosestone with some interest.
'Something to investigate later'
Julian takes the key and thanks Richard with a warm smile and a nod. He gestures the others towards the attic, before turning back to Richard.
[Broken Risuner] "Ah Richard, whats the strongest you have at the moment? Ive begun to run out." He says, while shaking his pocket flask, drunken almost empty by the Matiyotl's second swig.
Palustris eyes Coyotl for just a moment, but says nothing as he moves towards the attic.
[Risuner] "Ahh, friend, are you sure? I do have something really strong, but it's... well..." His face suddenly washes away the concern and then replace it with a genuine smile. "It's something I'd serve those filthy [Kat-Nol] Tax-men."
[Risuner] "Brandy will do, surely?"
Ivan takes note of the rose stone's ability to produce sparks. Might be useful as a quick fire starter. Need to read more about it...
[Broken risuner] "I'll let the [Kat Nol] tax-men keep their drinks." Julian answers.
[Broken Risuner Cont. ] "Brandy will do fine."
With that, Julian turns to walk to the attic. He expects Richard to bring the drink with the Hooman's order.
Coyotl joins him up.
The Crib
Indeed, the space is now theirs to use. There are six cots inside, and the area is spacious, if not very tall.
A small coffee table stands in the centre, together with a coffer. It's a little austere, but Julian has seen much worse getaways.
'Anything is better than tha Aggay sewers' Julian ponders, regarding the state of the hideout.
Ivan feeds his owl a dried pemmican, and asks "Really, do none of the bars in this city serve Republican vodka? Seems only 2 place here have it."
"2? I know only one. Do tell me the other, and do tell me if they serve it cheaper than 20 chestnuts a flask"
Julian says as he sits down. He takes out his pipe, and looks expectantly at the hooman again.
"Belly dancer sells it at 13. But long time patrons only." Ivan picks out another piece and feeds his companion.
[Kat Nol] "Ah Fuck".
[Holodhennet] "Thank you for the information, Ivan", says Julian.
"Bar owner sometimes gets in trouble with the local gang though. That's how I got that discount. Place's usually too rowdy for my liking", replies Ivan.
The ambiance of the room is completed by a small candle sitting on the coffee table. Despite the clamour of the evening rush happening underneath the attic, it's reasonably well-isolated. Enough for the group to get to know each other, come up with a plan, or simply have a brief respite.
Coyotl eyes the coffer for a second.
The box looks fairly mundane. Coyotl opens it undramatically.
Inside, there are simple linen sheets and peasant sets of male and female clothing woven from hemp.
Palustris finds a corner to relax in and sits quietly, watching the room.
Julian lets out an amused grunt as he looks at the rosebuta, this titan relaxing in the undersized room.
The Sunwalker looks at Julian and tilts his head a little, the faint smell of caramel once more.
Coyotl lets the lid fall down, now disinterested, and turns to the Palustris. "Say, that a chunk of chuubanite you pulled out earlier?"
Palustris looks to Coyotl. "Chuubanite?" There's a sudden blast of vanilla smell. "Ah, you are referring to rosestone."
"Yeah. I've got the same stuff in me arms." Coyotl points to his elaborate tattoos.
"Handy stuff."
Caramel again. "You have rosestone in your arms? Does it not burn?"
Arms covered in gold. Julian ponders to himself, disappointed that he hasnt yet gotten a spark. Chuubanite is worth its weight in silver in most of the places Julian has visited.
"Spark, anyone?" he says, while gesturing with his pipe.
"Nah Pal, it's smart chuubanite. It only does work when I want it to."
Coyotl's stomach rumbles.
The caramel grows stronger. "Smart... Ah, I remember now. You must have a different 'chuubanite', as you put it." He looks to Julian and gets up, handing him a chunk of rosestone. "Here."
"Huh. So it just produces heat?" asks Ivan.
"Heat? Yes, rosestone can produce heat if that is what is needed."
"Ah... Guess it's just a weird looking flint then."
"Not quite. Flint is much weaker." To demonstrate, he took out two small chunks of rosestone and held them in each hand. He rubs them against each other and dozens of sparks begin to fly out. He stops, then hits them against each other, causing a small explosion that doesn't actually harm anyone.
Coyotl chuckles briefly, thinking of all the wacky shit they do with the stuff back home, but lets the Hooman be.
Ivan lets out a small whistle. Maybe it's more useful than he thought. These plant folks just keeps dishing out surprises.
Left a man without a spark, Julian curses in frustration
[Kat Nol] "Phoenix Damnit"
He will have to singe his pipe, but a little burn can always be scraped off. He proceeds to light up his pipe using the candle, and then takes a long drag from it. The room fills with the smell of Nasfaqgian tobacco.
Its a good moment. The smoke relaxes him.
"Rosestone is also good for keeping warm and growing plant life." He opens up one side of the fur to show an inner weaving of tiny rosestones that line the inside. "Not as useful here, but vital in my homeland."
Coyotl approaches the small window and opens it. "Good for growing meat too."
"Makes sense. Read it's quite cold after al-.... Wait. but how do you get them?..."
"Rosestones? They come from our birthplants."
"I mean how you extract them... Like mine them. Can you even find them in the odd caves? These are big chucks of... Chuubanite, i think."
"But I won't pry too much"
Coyotl then turns to Julian. "Now then, what do we know about that warehouse?"
Palustris stares at Ivan blankly, before looking to Julian as he explains.
Storyteller interjection.
Ah, an excellent question. What do you know about the warehouse, actually?
It is a fairly recognizable building on the edge of the town. Julian already identified it as The Zebra, so there's a mental connection there, and it's hard to miss.
Julian briefly informs the others about what he knows about the Green Warriors gang. He tells the others not about its history, but he does tell the others that they deal in drugs, that the gang is small in size, with less than a dozen men in sabatangan, and that they are led by a Lunaito who wears a green armor.
He also tells others about the warehouse, and its location, and how to identify it.
"Lunaito, huh. Sweet." Coyotl licks his lips.
Ivan chuckled slightly at the off hand joke made by the Varangian. "Sorry for interrupting, old man. But when are we moving out? What's the plan here?" he then asks the ex-con as he wipes his hand with a handkerchief finishes feeding his Owl.
Coyotl rolls Wits + Streetwise to recall any relevant information about the warehouse. 4, 7, 4, 7, 10, 8; 2 successes
Julian rolls Wits + Streetwise to recall any relevant information about the warehouse. 8, 8, 6, 1, 3, 10, 4; 3 successes
Strangely, yes. While the Varangian has not been in Sabatangan for long, the building is distinctive enough to remember certain features of it; it's surrounded by a brick wall, inside of which three buildings stand. Two look like tenements, while the third is clearly a warehouse decorated with the striped pattern. There are two entrances from the port - one heading towards the front of the warehouse, the larger one through which carts can enter, and one towards the two residential buildings, which is more of a personal gate.
Julian can recall additional details: there is an exit on the back, an iron gate, similar to the one on the front. It leads to a narrow back alley, usually deserted, albeit sometimes drunks stumble around in it (Julian being guilty of it one time). Additionally, the wall can be hopped from the inside by going over a guard's booth.
There is one guard station, next to the big iron gate, just for one person to be able to keep watch on the two busier streets. Sometimes you can see annoyed guards sitting there.
Recently, there was one guard that was quite memorable to Julian. While he never saw a big Lunaito on the top of that station, man wearing a beaked carnival mask with a spiralling pattern sat on it, looming ominously over the street, motionlessly watching people cross the streets at night.
The planning begins...
Curtain call