Day 3 - Laying Down the Laws

[Iron Dragoon]

Session Start: Tue Oct 07 11:42:53 2014
Session Ident: #dunes
* Now talking in #dunes
* Topic is 'Moore(29)>Ice Para-Elemental(25)>Veren(22)>Pepo(15) '
* Set by Kotono on Thu Sep 25 12:15:16
<Kotono> The world becomes brighter as you approach Rossalund. The gates of the city are made of polished, white painted iron that gleams with the light of the nearby sea. Everything here is bright, like a noontime day taken to the maximum. The gates are currently open, revealing the tall, gleaming city ahead. It's hard to see much - so bright, your eyes still adjusting. But polished stone buildings
<Kotono> dominate and rise high, amid many smaller buildings of red brick. The gates have about a half dozen soldiers in armor there, helmets as well to keep them relatively anonymous. OOC: Go ahead and describe what you're doing and the like here, y'all, or ask for clarification.
* Lucy takes her time observing the way people seem to be let into and out of the city during her slow approach.
* Veren observes the buildings around the group, watching for any of interest, as well as observing the guards.
<Pepo> He's a cat and he doesn't expect to be barred from entry. But just in case he makes sure to skulk just out of view lest he be mistaken for someone's familiar as they draw nearer.
<Pepo> roll 1d20+33 stealthing it up
* Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-68-203-15-105.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
<Pepo> roll 1d20+33 stealthing it up
* Hatbot --> "Pepo rolls 1d20+33 stealthing it up and gets 39." 12 [1d20=6]
<Moore> Moore just flutters along. He has no reason to be invisible right now to his knowledge!
<Kotono> OOC: Perception checks, Lucy'n'Veren.
<Veren> roll 1d20+12 Perception
* Hatbot --> "Veren rolls 1d20+12 Perception and gets 25." 12 [1d20=13]
<Lucy> roll 1d20+20
* Hatbot --> "Lucy rolls 1d20+20 and gets 37." 12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> Lucy can there's fairly quick go around. People present an amulet of some sort, which is examined by the guard and they're allowed in. Her superior eye-sight lets her see that the amulets are snake-styled and painted green. Veren can see the guards look on the ball and attentive. No napping guards here. It's hard to see much of the buildings from the outside, but they look reasonably well made
<Kotono> and well maintained. Clean, even, speaking of brand new construction or efforts to prevent the normal malaise. Also, the normally miserable scents of the city aren't there. The air, while not as clean as normal, lacks the scent of trash and many bodies other cities might have.
* Veren makes a point to try and memorize the face and uniform of one of the guards, one that seems to have rank of a sort.
<Lucy_> With that in mind, Lucy tries to stop the first person heading out of the city and towards her, smiling all the while.
<Kotono> The uniform is full armor and helmet, so faces are out. Most don't have any insignia save for a green snake pattern on the breastplate, but the one in the back has two. As you approach, one calls in polite voice, "Present proof of citizenship or reason for visiting if a non-citizen," he announces.
<Veren> "We are new arrivals."
<Kotono> The guardsman inclines his head forward, "Newborns?" he asks, "You've appeared here and don't know what's going on, or something else?" Meanwhile, the one in the back with two snake insignias begins to walk up. He's a bit shorter but broader, a short human or the like, perhaps.
<Kotono> Meanwhile, Pepo can smell something rather obvious - there's no scent of vermin or other pests here. Unnaturally so. Not even a mouse.
<Lucy_> "Would it be possible to hear what it means to become a citizen?" Lucy inquires politely.
<Pepo> That presents a dour prospect for an independent minded cat. The Breachen sounds better and better all the time.
<Kotono> "I'll take it from here," the advancing man in armor says. His voice is lighter than you'd expect, confident in spite of being rather reedy and weak. "To become a citizen means you are guaranteed a safe shelter, food and water. In exchange you'll be given a job matching your talents. You agree to serve the Coven and be a loyal citizen. More details depend on what talents you three bring."
<Lucy_> "Could you give me an example of a job for a mage?"
<Veren> "And how much of our time will be taken up for this job?"
<Kotono> "Spellcasting, helping with city duties and the like." he explains, "Fixing things with magic, tilling hard land, creating magical things. Mages are above our pay, you'd be taken to take to them directly." Clearing his throat, "Which of you are spellcasters and how do you cast magic?"
<Lucy_> "Two more questions first, if you will," Lucy says, remaining both polite and apologetic. "What if a mage were to get bored with her job for one reason or another, and wished to change it? And how are the citizenship contracts enforced?"
<Kotono> "I'm afraid I don't know that one," The guard says, "Up to the mages, I think. Citizenship is a right. If you fail to uphold your end of it or violate the law, you'll be punished by the Coven." His voice drops a little, "Traitors are not well tolerated. They end up on the beaches."
<Lucy_> Lucy's eyes widen in surprise. "My, treason? Does that happen often?"
<Kotono> "No," A shake of his helmeted head. "Most people are smarter than that."
* Veren attempts to mindscan the apparent officer, looking for information he's hiding... OOC: DC 18, Detect Thoughts.
<Lucy_> "Ah," she says in apparent relief. "Well then. I believe I am ready to meet with the mage assigned to process requests of citizenship? I have-- yes, I have skills in preserving and safekeeping knowledge."
<Kotono> roll 1d20+4
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 15." 12 [1d20=11]
<Kotono> The officer's mainly undressing Lucy with his eyes. Thinks she's hot as hell and is glad his helmet hides his face. Meanwhile, "Very good," he says, "What about the rest of you? Are you also mages applying for citizenship?"
<Kotono> Meanwhile, a wagon slowly approaches from behind. It's laden with vegetables and the like. A human with a large, bent nose sits and guides it along, horses pulling it.
<Veren > "I am not a mage, no."
* Veren eyes the human for a moment, looking for anything of note...
<Moore> Moore considers for a moment. "I'm not sure I'd classify myself as a mage... I can cast some spells, but primarily I focus on motivation! I help people do much better at tasks and improve morale!"
<Kotono> OOC: What are you looking for, Veren?
<Veren > OOC: Anything suspicious. Indications that he's nervous or anything unusual about the wagon. Riding too deep in the dirt, ect.
<Kotono> OOC: Sure, make perception real quick.
<Veren > roll 1d20+12 Perception
* Hatbot --> "Veren rolls 1d20+12 Perception and gets 27." 12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> "Alright, the three of you will go with Mintban over there," he says, one of the soldiers stepping forward. Nothing's really off about the cart or the soldier. This all seems routine enough.
<Lucy> "Please, lead the way!"
* Veren returns his focus to the new escort, shifting his mindscan to this Mintban. OOC: 18 DC
<Kotono> roll 1d20+3
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 12." 12 [1d20=9]
<Pepo> Pepo skulks into the city through the gate while everyone's busy sorting out their employment prospects. Are there any cat-smells at least, if not potential food?
<Kotono> He's bored out of his mind, but happy he gets to get away from the gate awhile. Conversely to the previous, he thinks Veren's pretty hot. There's the scent of other cats here and there. None immediately by the gate, but they're around.
<Pepo> If there are cats then there must be sustenance for cats. Unless they're all pets. Just have to take what he can find for now at least.
* Veren follows the solider, observing the town around him as they pass through it.
<Kotono> OOC: Tagging along or going independent, Pepo?
<Pepo> OOC: tagging along for now
<Kotono> The city inside is clean. Surprisingly so - you pass a few bands of simply dressed people cleaning up trash, the gutters, sweeping or washing down buildings. They were peasant clothes and work steadily. Others on the street tend to be better dressed, with darker colors that contrast with the growing brightness. It's so bright here as you head in, but only a block before you're lead into a stone
<Kotono> building. Some unremarkable back and forth happens between Mintban and a few people within. You're lead to a room eventually, carpeted in a strange, smooth silk like material that stays rigid enough to work. Chairs float just off the ground, deeply padded. A fire crackles in the corner and the walls are bare, save for paintings and a list. It's written in common and titled, "Facts about the Lost
<Kotono> Realm and Rossalund." and with a subtitle of, "For New Arrivals."
* Lucy peruses the list!
* Veren steps next to Lucy and leans in close enough to talk quietly to her.
<Pepo> Pepo doesn't enter the building, but instead climbs up the outside to find a windowsill outside whatever room his companions are in where he can wait and keep an eye out for trouble.
<Veren > "The gate officer had quite the reaction to you. I believe you would have been amused had he not had his helmet on."
<Lucy> "It happens sometimes."
<Veren > "From your mild reaction, I suspect it is more often than 'sometimes.'"
<Kotono> The list reads as follows: 1. Everyone suffers the same amnesia on appearing. 2. Language skills are retained, with human being the most common language used and used for general communications. 3. Rossalund is the light. The Dim and The Dark are places of savagery and should be avoided. 4. The sea of light is not water and should not be treated as such. 5. Eye protection within 200ft of the
<Kotono> sea of light is essential or your eyes can be damaged. 6. All churches and faithful must be screened and registered with the Coven. 7. Citizenship means safety, food and a good life. Non-citizenship means living in the shadows and having nothing! 8. The local currency is divided into three coins: silver hisses, gold and silver scales and gold statues. 9. Strange creatures are normal. It's impolite
<Kotono> to react to an odd creature. 10. All laws are decided on by the Coven for your own good. Know them and obey them.
<Kotono> OOC: Make a quick acrobatics check, Pepo. This is mostly perfunctory since it should be easy for you.
<Pepo> roll 1d20+19
* Hatbot --> "Pepo rolls 1d20+19 and gets 27." 12 [1d20=8]
<Kotono> Pepo makes it to the window without incident. He can see some cats a few alleys down, napping. Looks comfy.
<Veren > "Hmmm... Quite the 'greater good' list. I like this place less and less. It will be useful for the time being, however."
* Lucy shrugs lightly, and then looks around for instructions on where one should go next.
<Pepo> Assuming they stay here he'll have to stake out a territory of his own, but for now he leaves the other cats to their rest without interruption.
<Kotono> Nothing like that. As the party settles in, "I'll be going now," Mintban speaks up. "Someone will be here soon."
* Veren inspects the area as well, looking for anyone else of note.
<Lucy> "Thank you!" Lucy tells him, taking a seat and settling down to wait.
* Veren watches the soldier leave.
<Veren > "That one was far more interested in me than you. Slightly odd, but of no consequence. What do you plan to do concerning this place?"
<Lucy> "As outlined before, seek out knowledge. About this city and its culture, and about the surrounding lands. Only then can there be an informed reaction, after all."
<Moore> OOC: Is there an actual list of laws or anything in there?
<Kotono> OOC: Nothing so concrete, Moore. Unfortunately. Meanwhile, none of you see anything awry with the room.
* Veren looks for any corners with good cover for hiding.
<Kotono> It's perhaps a 5 to 10 minute wait. The man that comes is short - no more than four feet tall. He's thin and has curly red hair and a pale face. He wears a dark blue cloak and matching clothes, spell pouches hanging from his belt. He walks with the aid of a carved wooden staff, decorated with blue stars and diamonds. He doesn't wear a hat, but it makes to tip one as you enter. "Flanagan Macklen,
<Kotono> at your service," he says as he comes in. Meanwhile, Veren can see it's a simple room. Not much in the way of hiding, unfortunately. "If I don't miss my guess, you're a fey pixie?" he says to Moore. "I'm afraid you two have me at a loss, however."
<Lucy> "I'm Lucy," she introduces herself with a smile, standing up to meet the other mage.
* Veren is a little wary of a mage's mental defenses, but attempts to bring his mind-reading into play again. OOC: DC 18.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+11
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 17." 12 [1d20=6]
<Veren > "I am Veren."
<Moore> OOC: I would remember that sort of thing, correct? About the fey pixie I mean.
* Veren makes a slight bow to the man.
<Kotono> OOC: You'd know that much, yeah.
<Moore> "You got it! I'm Moore, nice to meet you, Sir Macklen!" Moore says with a smile.
<Kotono> The man's mind is sharp. He's supernaturally intelligent (Int 21) and currently...smelling the air? He thinks Lucy smells like some sort of fiend, while Veren has the whiff of a shapeshifter to him. He's also wondering why he smells cat and the subtle tang of psionic energies.  Meanwhile, once greetings are given, "Why don't we all sit down?" he suggests, "There's no need to stand about like a
<Kotono> bunch of hardworking commonfolk." He returns that smile, "So you're new and I assume you have questions?"
* Lucy sits down once more, making herself comfortable. "Far less than you might expect, Mister Macklen," she responds. "May we start with what possible job openings there exist for a mage with a modest talent towards bookkeeping and research?"
* Veren sits as well.
<Pepo> Pepo just stretches on the windowsill and relaxes. But he can't help but think something's missing... alas he'll never again luxuriate in a sunbeam.
<Moore> Moore raises an eyebrow at the mention of commonfolk but settles down to sit regardless.
<Kotono> "Of course," He smiles and settles back. "Aaaaah, that's better," he says once he's seated. His thoughts are comfortable to Veren - he seems to really enjoy just sitting back and relaxing. "Oh, we'll find something. There's plenty of need for recordkeeping and quick scribing, plus research can be turned to good ends. At worst, we'll teach you a few other spells if you need to expand your horizons.
<Kotono> It's easy work." he waves a hand vaguely, Veren getting a sense of contentment along with the thought of, 'Got her already." with a flush of smugness. "Help out, do what you're told and you'll have an easy life here. The Coven treats valuable citizens like they should be treated."
<Veren > "And if one is not content with their assigned duties?"
<Kotono> As Pepo waits, a bird comes up to the windowsill. It perches and looks in, only a passing glance at Pepo. It doesn't seem impressed - a blackbird. It gives the cat a look, as if saying to back off somehow. Pepo gets that feeling, anyway, as it turns to watch inside.
<Lucy> "Rather, what if one gets bored with said duty and wishes to contribute in a different way?"
<Kotono> "Oh, we can retrain mages with time. We'll find you a discipline that works out," He waves a hand easily. "Look, you're not some oaf who's pulling crops or sweeping the streets. You'll be taken care of like that." His thoughts are slightly sardonic, wondering if the two thinks they're barbarians.
<Lucy> "That sounds quite agreeable!"
<Pepo> Sitting up, the cat yawns expressively, large white and very sharp teeth contrasting against his pitch fur, before lifting a forepaw up and licking it clean to broadcast his manifest unconcern for the bird's feelings. It's a bit too big to really care for eating, but if he was hungry it would do.
<Veren > "I would like to know what my duties would be, in detail, before agreeing. I am not.. so much a mage."
<Moore> Moore shifts a bit in his seat. Is this really okay?
<Kotono> "Exactly so," A smile to Lucy as he glances at Veren, "I may be wrong here, but I suspect you have your own unusual talents, sir," he says, "Ones that can be employed well." 'Like being a shapeshifter,' his thoughts follow up with, as he glances to the window. 'Damn it, Baras, don't tempt fate and that damn stray!' His thoughts are filled with a flush of annoyance, 'I'll see you after this, you
<Kotono> damned clingy bird.'
<Kotono> Then Flanagan stops and visibly sniffs the air, looking at Pepo. "Hm, a moment. My familiar's outside the window." He rises and starts to go to the window.
<Lucy> "What happens next, then?" Lucy asks curiously. "There are no doubt a few key laws that you must impart upon me, but past that-- hmm?"
<Veren > "I do. I have in my possession a few items of power that help me to... move around as I wish."
<Kotono> The window is opened. The bird flies in immediately, perching on the spellcaster's shoulder. Flanagan reaches up and strokes a wing with his finger, while looking at the cat. "Nice cat. It isn't one of yours, is it?" he asks, slowly reaching a hand out to Pepo.
* Lucy observes curiously.
<Veren > "He is a companion of many uses."
<Moore> Moore looks over at Pepo curiously, not sure how to answer that one...
<Veren > OOC: My previous line was an attempt to bluff him into believing my shapeshifting came from items.
<Pepo> 'Please do not make me out to be more than a simple cat,' Pepo's voice booms insistently in the trio's minds.
<Kotono> OOC: Make a bluff check. His opposed roll is in secret.
<Veren > roll 1d20+16 Bluff
* Hatbot --> "Veren rolls 1d20+16 Bluff and gets 17." 12 [1d20=1]
<Pepo> Meanwhile he looks speculatively at the fleeing bird, paw still held up to his muzzle mid-cleaning.
* Veren locks eyes with Pepo.
<Veren > "I was unsure how much you valued your anonymity."
<Kotono> As Pepo doesn't reply to him, Flanagan reaches out to pet Pepo, stroking the back of his head. "Good cat," he murmurs, "A wise one not to try and catch my bird." he smiles to Pepo just a little bit, "A wise, awakened mind," he murmurs to the feline, just under his breath and barely audible, even to Pepo.
<Lucy> 'Would you like to play the part of my familiar after all?' Lucy thinks pleasantly to Pepo, once it seems he is ensnared.
<Pepo> The cat then turns, with tail swishing in agitation before he leaps down into the room and saunters over to Lucy. 'Act as if I am your... familiar, then. I do not wish to be tied to any sort of citizenship,' he requests in her mind alone, before jumping up onto her lap and curling up.
* Lucy runs her hand down Pepo's fur slowly, smiling at the local mage. "I believe we were going over the relevant laws?"
<Pepo> He starts to purr, seemingly quite unconcerned by anything except the stroking of Lucy's hand.
<Kotono> Once Pepo's in, the window is closed. He looks to Lucy and nods, "Of course." He goes back to settle in, "Regardless of the question of your talents a moment, you seem to be a group. That's not uncommon with newborns that arrive together." His thoughts are content again, though he's curious about Pepo and about a familiar with psionic powers. He's making a mental note to investigate this, Veren
<Kotono> can tell. He also doesn't seem to buy Veren's bluff, but is thinking it isn't worth directly addressing yet. "The main law is to be loyal to the Coven. As a mage you'd be a highly valued citizen. While there's no formal stratification of society, informally there's working men, artisans and then magic users, with the Coven above them. Most of the Coven are sorcerers or the like as well. For someone
<Kotono> of our standings, minor laws aren't a problem so long as you're loyal and don't make undue trouble."
<Kotono> *loyal
<Lucy> "It sounds quite lovely," Lucy assures him. "The major laws would be, then...?"
<Veren > "And where would I fall into this? With the mages?"
<Kotono> "Your...talents and the fact that you're in a group with mages would make you an accessory of theirs," he finally says, after a moment's consideration. "Your items would be useful enough." Thereafter he says, "No unlawful killings, which boils down to killing someone useful without a good reason. No betraying Rossalund or leaving. No disobeying the will of the Coven. Really, so long as you don't
<Kotono> draw the wrath of the Coven, you're fine."
<Lucy> "Well then! Shall we discuss the assignment the Coven will have for me in the near future, or proceed towards taking the oath of citizenship?"
<Kotono> A surge of happiness and satisfaction rises in him, felt by Veren. 'Oh yes,' He murmurs in his mind, as he replies, "Next is to take the oath of citizenship. You'll be given a few weeks to adjust, settle in and meet people. We'll figure out how talented you are and how all of your talents can be best used." He reaches into a pocket and withdraws a silk pouch. From it come three snake amulets.
<Kotono> "These are amulets of citizenship. Wear them at all times. As highly valuable citizens, you'll be provided higher quality ones soon. Your oath has to be given to the Coven, so we'll get you up with one of them tonight and get that taken care of. Speaking of, there's no day or night cycle here, but we observe a timed day and night, twelve hours each. Right now it's the 10th hour of the day.
<Kotono> There's time for a meal before meeting one of the Coven for your oaths."
* Veren takes the amulet and inspects it.
<Veren > "These must be displayed at all times, I take it?"
<Kotono> After a beat, "Oh, your familiar doesn't need one, but I'd recommend some sign of ownership. Something obvious so no damned foolish working men make a painful mistake," he adds, "I know a wizard who has a cat familiar and swears by a jeweled collar."
<Pepo> Pepo does have a collar, albeit a simple black affair of some unknown material.
<Kotono> "That's right," Flanagan replies with a broad smile, standing. "Worn at least." he withdraws a pendant from under his tunic, a glittering silver one that glistens with blue light. "Once the guards know you're highly valuable citizens, they'll know to leave you be without even seeing it. Not that many would be so foolish as to make that mistake, but well...guards and the ilk they draw from," he
<Kotono> finishes with a light laugh. Veren can tell he's totally relaxed and happy now, thinking happy thoughts about how this will reflect well on him to his boss.
<Lucy> "I will be sure to make it abundantly clear, thank you," Lucy assures the man, before accepting her amulet. She peers at it with an appraising eye, before asking, "Would you mind a mild demonstration of my magic?" If he has no objections, she would proceed to cast Detect Magic.
<Moore> "Ah... when you say leaving, what does that mean, exactly? I saw people coming and going out of the city, so is there a greater meaning to that...?" Moore asks, but still accepts the amulet for now.