Day 44C: Wizard Exposition and (soft) Interrogation

[Iron Dragoon]

Session Start: Thu Jan 22 12:06:14 2015
Session Ident: #terrorofdunes
* Now talking in #terrorofdunes
* Topic is 'Young Elf(24)>John(23) '
* Set by Kotono on Fri Jul 11 10:18:27
<Koaway> > "I can tell you more about that," The old mage says, "What do you want to know? There are things I can't tell you because it's secret knowledge."
<Koaway> <Moore> Moore considers for a moment. "I suppose the most basic question is why it started in the first place. Did you have a lot of crime here?"
<Koaway> > "Once on a time, yes. But as mages grew in number, we asked ourselves a question. Why not stop problems before they begin. A problem stopped is a problem solved easily." The old wizard explains, "A drunkard husband stopped is a wife left unbeaten and alive."
<Koaway> <Moore> "I worry that it's... well, I'm sure you all had this debate before, but that it's effectively policing the way people think... but I suppose it isn't, right? You only take action when the perpetrator is... well..." Moore sighs. "Sorry, it's really not for me to make commentary on your rules here. You stop evil people from doing evil things."
<Koaway> <Veren> "Regardless, you nearly arrested me for the simple act of trying to gather information, as well."
<Koaway> "It's the best way we have to save people. That woman yesterday would have been beaten and perhaps worse if we hadn't intervened." John leans forward a little now, "I've seen what happens when that sort isn't stopped. If you're lucky, the woman walks out under her own power one day. If you aren't, she's carried out by an undertaker."
<Koaway> After that, he says to Veren, "Then don't gather information about illegal things. If you aren't going to break the law, you likely have no reason to ask about them in the first place."
<Moore> Moore nods. "I understand the situation. I think it's... well, if it can prevent people from being hurt, then it's a good thing. As long as it helps people reform."
<Koaway> "Mmm." John pauses to eat and drink more. The crunch of crispy bacon is followed by, "In any case, you should be able to find a good position here, Veren. Your skill set and shapeshifting will see to that."
* Veren shrugs.
<Veren > "It's the easiest way to make a place here, yes. The gem should help, as well."
<Moore> Moore frowns at the non-response and decides to just let it go. "Actually, I've been wondering since I got here, is there any nearby collection of fey? Or do they tend to just mingle with others?"
<Koaway> "That is the story of the day," The old  wizard agrees. "The fairies tend to mingle. Everything does. The problem is that there's rarely enough of one type of creature to strike out alone. They usually avoid the cities, though. There's a few that live on the farms. I know one - a satyr who helps with the crops."
<Moore> Moore considers for a moment. "I'd guess any of the powerful ones probably just find a place in a forest and stay away from anything." He nods afterwards. "I'll go talk to him after all this pirate business is dealt with."
<Koaway> "His name's Ramoso." John says, "Farm 86 - we keep the farms numbered, but it's known locally as..." he frowns a moment, "As...as...oh, that's it. Reynold's Farm."
<Moore> Moore nods, "Reynold's. Got it. Well, I only have one other question... are Aria and Rocky actually the highest in charge, or is there someone above them? We've never really had a chance to get to know the structure of this place."
<Koaway> "It's complicated. There's no one supreme leader," John explains, "But instead various guilds that work together in an interlocking fashion. There's a council of guild heads that deals with top-level decisions that have to be made, these days."
<Moore> "Ah, then I would guess Aria and Rocky to be part of those guilds." Moore nods again. "Are the guilds named, or is it more of a generic working together for common goals sort of thing?"
<Koaway> "Of course they're named," John snorts in amusement, finishing his breakfast off. "Maid," he calls, "Get me another orange juice," he says, his dishes taken. She lingers a moment in case the other two want anything, and once that's done, "The most obvious is the seers. Officially it's named the Collective of those with the Far Sight. Seers is what everyone calls them."
<Moore> Moore will politely decline anything. "Okay, simple enough."
* Koaway is now known as Kotono
* Veren declines anything as well.
<Kotono> "The next is the Association of Transmuters. They're about what it sounds like and mostly deal with changing things and city construction. Conjuration plays a roll there as well. But transmuters tend to be everywhere a bit, since they're so useful."
* Veren pays attention to the information, but makes a point to try and entertain his lizard, lazily looking over the bar and other patrons.
<Moore> Moore nods. "All right."
<Kotono> The lizard seems content to stare at thinks. Crackles of electricity happen, but nothing else. Meanwhile John goes on, "There's the enchanters, they're a small guild." He scratches at his beard, "The problem is that the signature spells of the study, like charming and domination, means no one ever really trusts you. That or they come warded ahead of time. It tends to dampen their
<Kotono> popularity. Anyway, they're known as the Minders."
<Moore> Moore nods. "I'd imagine illusions and things like that don't get much traction in a city like this."
<Kotono> "That as well. The Illusionary Eye covers them and they mostly work for amusements and defenses. Illusions are powerful, but wizards usually have ways and means to fight against them." John admits, "The Cerulean Wall are the abjurers. They focus, obviously, on defense."
<Kotono> John pauses as his juice is brought. He drinks before going on, "The Shining Way are the evokers. War mages, mostly.  I think I covered all the schools. There's others, such as chaos mages, who have their own guilds as well."
<Moore> Moore nods again. "Hmm... is there anything for bardic music or that sort of... thing? I guess it sort of finds itself in multiple schools..."
<Kotono> "The music itself is more of an individual study thing, as is mind magic. There's not enough of them handy to really work on it," The old mage explains. "At least at that level."
<Moore> Moore nods. "Maybe I can start something then." He says with a bit of a grin. "I'll talk to Miss Aria about it."
<Veren > "If not for bard magic specific, then perhaps as an appreciation of music and performance, if nothing else?"
<Moore> "I'm sure this city could use a little bit of inspiration." Moore agrees.
<Kotono> "Yes," John agrees, "If nothing else, performance can earn you some coin when you're short."
<Kotono> OOC: Okay, quick query. Do you have any other questions for him of note?
<Veren > OOC: Nope. Just going to go ask Aria for work, personally.
<Moore> OOC: Nope, that about covers it.
<Kotono> OOC: Okay, I'll return y'all to the ship for something.
<Kotono> Ah, back on the ship. The two are sharing a meal with Kamhoff, who explains what happened with Lost Hero, "And then he took off, so all's well that ends well," Kamhoff says. "Except that the damned gargoyle still smells like ass gas."
<Moore> "This Lost Hero person..." Moore starts, "He seems like... I don't know. I'm surprised they tolerate him."
<Veren > "His continual harassment means this isn't going to stop. We need to figure out how to get rid of him. Perhaps we should take the issue up with Aria and Rocky."
<Kotono> "If he's what I think I am, he's powerful enough to get away with it," Kamhoff scoffs, "It's a damned pain is what it is."
<Veren > "Letting him get away with it simply because of his power will only encourage it. It will get to the point where they can't ignore. Best it happen on our terms than his."
<Moore> "What do you think he is, exactly?" Moore asks.
<Kotono> "An angel. I think the exact name is a planetar," Kamhoff grunts after, "Powerful enough to put most people in their place damned quick."
<Moore> Moore rubs his chin. "An angel, huh... I guess that would explain why he has such a problem with Miss Lucy..."
<Kotono> "Probably," Kamhoff admits, "Little too. So step lightly, it's not an easy battle if you have to fight him. Damned good way to end up dead if you aren't careful."
<Moore> Moore nods. "I'd rather avoid any bloodshed if possible."
<Kotono> "That's usually best if boring," Kamhoff admits, "But sometimes you have to know how to sail around the trouble instead of ramming into it. Like that volcano island."
<Veren > "Still, it'll be worth something to bring it up to Aria and Rocky. If nothing it'll give us legitimacy if we are forced to fight him, considering their views on violence inside the city."
<Kotono> "Politics," Kamhoff scoffs again, "But you're right about that."
* Veren shrugs.
<Moore> "We'll figure it out. Maybe I can try and convince him to leave us be." Moore says.
<Kotono> "I suspect that'll be a fucking struggle," Kamhoff idly observes, sighing, "You ask me, you two need to settle it like sailors! Arm-wrestling!"
<Veren > "Indeed. Moore should champion us in such a contest. His victory is assured."
* Veren says this with absolute confidence and a clenched fist.
<Moore> "I'll... see what I can do." Moore says with a smile.
<Kotono> "Hah, that' s the spirit! Armwrestle him down!" Kamhoff exclaims, "That's the spirit all of you need!"
<Kotono> OOC: Make a perception check, you two.
<Moore> roll 1d20+13
<Serith> Moore roll for Serith < 19 > 12 [d20=6]
<Veren > roll 1d20+13 Perception
<Serith> Veren roll for Serith < 23 > 12 [d20=10]
<Kotono> The two of you can hear a strange, zappy sound from below decks.
* Veren cocks his head at the sound.
<Veren > "That's... unusual."
* Veren stands and moves to go below decks to see what's going on.
<Moore> "...Erm, Veren, where is your lizard?" Moore asks.
* Veren pauses, looks around the deck, and then continues below decks, a bit faster this time.
<Kotono> OOC: Make a quick dex check, say.
<Moore> OOC: Me too or just him?
<Kotono> OOC: If you're going, you as well.
<Veren > roll 1d20+5 Dex check
<Serith> Veren roll for Serith < 6 > 12 [d20=1]
<Moore> roll 1d20+5+8
<Serith> Moore roll for Serith < 26 > 12 [d20=13]
<Kotono> The two search - Moore's on the ball, and you soon come to Bolt. Who is currently frozen solid, electricity dancing around it. That's usually fatal - the whole being frozen solid thing.
<Moore> Moore smacks his palm to his forehead. "Do you want me to see if I can.. er... hm..." Moore considers his options. A dispel magic probably wouldn't help, but you never know...
* Veren stares intently at the lizard.. At Bolt. A name he decided on just a little while ago. One he hadn't even uttered yet... and nods somberly to Moore.
<Moore> "Okay, let me try." He will try to Dispel the magic that assumedly had the thing frozen solid.
<Kotono> No good. There's on magic to dispel - whatever did it was instantaneous. Bolt is certainly dead.
<Veren > OOC: I gotta leave.
<Moore> Moore shakes his head. "Sorry, there's... nothing I can actually do here." He decides to try and identify the magic lingering just in case it helps him find the culprit!
<Pepo> Pepo walks in, looking as sorry a sight as he's ever been, with stuck up and charred fur ruining his usual lustrous appearance. 'Your lizard attacked me!' he declares, all wounded dignity!
Session Close: Thu Jan 22 17:55:22 2015