CM nodded. &I'll take a look right now.&
With that he recast Detect Magic and turned his gaze towards the piece of paper.
"Does this guy even need us, CM?" Carthrat asks, bluntly.
"Everyone needs cannonfodder from time to time." Cy smirked at Rat.
"Heh. I guess. Ever commanded an army, CM? They're all just numbers until you meet the soldiers. Then, when you leave, they're just numbers again."
Carthrat stretched. "Guess I'm just kinda sick of being a number, eh? I dunno anymore. Maybe I should retire and sell of my arms collection."
He chuckled.
"Ever thought of just settlin' down, CM?"
"If you mean retire and settle down in one spot, then not yet. Starting the company could be considered settling down for me." Cy reminisced for a moment. "I've always been a drifter. Never had a place at all that I could return to."
"The company? I can't recall the last time you even talked to someone from the company."
Carthrat yawned. "Dammit.. Ukyo's gonna skin me alive."
A half hour passes in a mist of idle chatter and memories. Richter is nowhere to be found during this, likely staying in the cockpit.
Your conversation is interrupted by a rumble and rocking of the craft, as if some force shook it. A moment later it happens again.
Cy - The dweomers are getting think enough in here to choke you, increasing as the shaking starts.
"Turbulence?" Carthrat grabs his scanner and does a scan..
Carthrat - You get a solid block reading of 'Anomaly detected' over the plane. The relative energy level is at an obscenely high level and is quickly rising.
Looking up from the scanner, you notice symbols are materilizing on the walls.
Carthrat starts making his way towards the cockpit, with the intent of asking, "What's going on?"
CM didn't even bother detecting for magic. At best he would have been blinded for only a short time. He did stand up and took a look at a couple of the closer symbols, trying to determine what they were.
CyMage -
The few runes you quickly take in are from the Rune Set of Space/Time and Alteration. In other words, someone or something is about to fuck around with stuff that shouldn't be fucked around with.
Especially if you're in range of it.
Carthrat - Despite a few more rumbles, you make it to the door leading to the cockpit. It's locked...
Moving towards the cockpit, Cy looked at a few more of the symbols trying to determine what they all did together.
Carthrat curses. "Oi, CM! Now might be a good time to requisition some parachutes. If only."
Fiddling with a scanner, he sets it to ignore anomalies and figure out the structural integrity of the aircraft, i.e. how long it's likely to stay in the air given what's acting on it right now.
He also looks through any windows handy to see if he can see anything..
CyMage -
As you stumble forward, the rumbles continue...The next few runes you see are in the same schools as the others. Time/Space and Alteration.
Carthrat - There is so much raw magical energy in the air that your filtering attempt is not fully successful.
Your scan's initial results show that the plane's integrity is fine. It's is in no danger at all.
You turn to make it to a window, but the worst shaking yet sends you to your knees.
At this point, a low pitched ripping sound can be heard...soft, yet audible and somehow disturbing.
CyMage - The sound reminds you of the hmm that a Dimension Door spell makes in the caster's ears.
With few options left open, Carthrat braces himself against whatever's handy..
"RICHTER! I hope to all the hells you can get this thing under control!"
Cy's eyes got wide as an inkling of what was happening finaly came to him. Grabbing onto the nearest bolted piece of furniture, he held on.
Both -
The rumbling continues for a few more second, the discordant sound reaching a fever pitch. The air starts to shimmer and stretch...and a vortex quickly forms in the middle of the room. As you stare at it...It twists and swirls...
Just as this sight sinks in, something that will haunt your dreams for years to come happens. A floating sword appears above the vortex and slices straight down...Is it Render? It can't be...The air cuts apart...hole...falling, floating, rushing...
*TBC in the next post*
CyMage -
You slowly return to awareness by the smell of moss and the sound of a rushing brook. Your body feels worn and tired, and as you try to sit up you notice many a new bruise and bump.
To your left, Carthrat is laying face up. He seems to be unconcious. All around you is light forest, tall trees blotting out the sky, except for the small ribbon a river cuts to your left.
Shaking his head to clear it a bit, CM wondered outloud. "Didn't we just do this recently?"
Moving towards Carthrat, he checked if his partner was alive.
Cy -
Carthrat is breathing and his pulse is fine.
Cy reached into his pocket and rooted for the smelling salts again.
Cy -
You find and use the salts on Carthrat...He stirs, coughs and wakes up.
"Morning, Sleeping Beauty. Having fun?"
Carthrat -
The attention grabbing scent of smelling salts drag you from the abyss. Groaning, you open yours eyes to see CyMage and those damned smelling salts.
You shift automatically, and promptly notice a few new briuses. Joy. You are in a forest of some sort by the looks of things.
"At least I'm- no, I won't say it."
Carthrat sits up and gingerly rubs a few bruises.
"This.. is.. deja vu, no?"
Carthrat checks the trees around them, the sky, and the general area, trying to discern what time it is, and perhaps where they are. After that, he does a spot-check on all his equipment.
Carthrat - It's hard to get a lay on the exact time, as the trees block out a good deal of the sun. You'd guess it's afternoonish, but beyond that, you can't tell.
You are in a forest. You have no clue other than that.
All your equipment is present, barring any prevoius losses, of course.
/me tries to stand up.
Carthrat -
You manage to stand, noticing yet a few more lumps as you stand.
Having stood up, Carthrat dusts himself off, and takes a swig of his Mystery Drink.
Wincing at the taste, he opts to go get some water from the stream, both for drinking and to splash over his face and hair.
Carthrat - The stream is clear and cold. You gingerly taste the water and are very plesantly surprised. It is totally pure and cold, filling your body with pleasant shivers. You splash and drink without further incident.
Sating his thirst, Carthrat heads back to CM.. "We may as well pick a direction and walk, after we've recovered.. I guess I'm ready to go, after that nap."
Cy nodded. "But if you wait a few, I might be able to make our travel easier."
With that said, CM checked his spell reserves.
CyMage -
You feel very magically invigorated. In fact, you feel more full of mana than you have in a very long while.
"I got some juice left. A couple Fly spells should make our travel easier. How about it?" Cy started digging through his pockets for the components.
"Please do! Might wanna cast some Invisbility, too. People tend to freak at seeing a couple other people flying through the sky. For all we know, we could be in some city park."
Carthrat chuckled.
"Reminds me of when we were in Moscow.."
CyMage -
You begin to cast Fly on yourself...
Carthrat -
You see thin, blue ribbons of light begin to swirl around CyMage...
CyMage - As you cast, you feel energy gushing out of yourself and meeting with the ambient enegry of the forest. Surprised, yet you find that you continue the chant...The strings of power seem to move your words.
Carthrat - The strings of power swell around CyMage. Bluish energy peaks around him for a moment...And then ethereal wings are seen at his back.
"Hey. That hasn't happened before."
Carthrat shrugs. "Some weird magic thing I'll never understand. Natch."
CM gave the wings a strange look... "Please don't tell me that this is one of those annoying wild magic areas. Who did I piss off to get me in this place?"
"Do you want my honest answer?"
OOC: Maintaining on one-liners..
Cy turned to Carthrat. "Yeah, I do."
"Probably that chick you fucked back in Hicksville. She had.. well.. powerful friends."
Carthrat unconciously cradles a knife in his hand.
"Well, may as well get going. Up. Go up, and look around."
"Well, you're coming with me. Now hold still, this won't hurt a bit." CM begun casting another Fly spell, this time on Carthrat.
/me reflexively punches CyMage.
"Don't cast that shit on me! If you're paranoid about this place.."
Cy glared at Rat as his concentration failed and the spell was lost. "Why for did you do that?"
"Cos you said something 'bout wild magic. Isn't that that thing which makes fireballs turn to ice and antigravity spells crush everyone with the force of a black hole?"
Carthrat shrugs.
"As it is, I'll feel much better on the ground. While you're up there, do try getting a clue what this place is, will 'ya?"
***Bookkeeping post***
Arc 2...is cleared. Well, it was cleared as soon as the plane shenanigans ended. Anyway...game on!
Cy glared at Rat some more then shrugged. "Fine."
Looking up, he quoted an old line and rose into the air. "Up, up and away."
CyMage -
You zoom up, far faster than you had anticipated. Only a reflexive muscle and mental contraction prevents you from bursting through the canopy. As is, you made it a hundred or so feet up in a few seconds.
Far, far better than your normal fly spell performance.
In fact, there is a strange buzzing in your backhead, and you can almost see transparent, blue dots of magical energy floating around you.
Making a note of the further change in his spell, Cy looked around trying to find any signs of civilisation.
CyMage -
You look around...You can't see much except for forest under the canopy. You soar upwards through the leafy roof, taking in the sunlight and blue sky.
You see that you are in a mid sized patch of forest, perhaps a few miles in circumconference. You can see the forest changing to tree dotted plains in the distance.
Pulling out a pair of high power binoculars, he took a look around again.
CyMage -
The plains look fairly non descript, really. You can see what looks to be a fairly well established dirt road leading from a opening in the forest into the plains.
Cy made a note of the road and flew back down to Rat.
"Oi, Rat. Not much of civilisation. All I could find was a dirt road. You ready to fly?"
"Guess so. What's with the whole spell-business thing, anyway?"
Carthrat rubs the back of his head. "You shot off like a rocket."
"I was excited and went faster then I wanted." Cy lied through his teeth.
"Now don't try and distrupt the spell again. I'll make you walk if you do." He began casting the spell once again on his partner.
"Don't lie to me, CM. Please. You suck at it. 'sides, since when were you excited when a woman wasn't involved?"
Carthrat snorts.
"Anyway, it's obvious you're lying. What's with those things?" Carthrat continues, indicating CM's wings..
"You forget that I find magic exciting too. And the wings seem to be a harmless addition to the spell."
Finishing the spell, Cy touched Rat's arm.
Carthrat chuckles. "Yeah. Right. Whatever."
Wings burst into existance from Carthrat's back, just as ethereal and unexplained as CyMage's.
Carthrat rises into the air.. "How long this gonna last, pardner?"
Carthrat - You go quite a bit higher than you anticipated...Instead of gently rising up, you zoom a good fit up high.
"Longer then we probably will need it for."
Cy rose into the air and punched through the canopy before heading towards the road.
The forest passes by quickly enough, and you soar above the dirt road. After several more miles and a handful of minutes, the road begins to thicken and widen. Soon, it connectes to a cobblestone highway. You do not see anyone around, but it looks frequently travelled.
"Cobblestones? Oh dear."
This could mean anything from ending up in some rural European villiage to being sent back in time. Either was about as bad, to Carthrats estimation.
Cy shrugged lightly as not to veer off course. He wasn't a stranger to backwater worlds. Only problem would be getting more ammo.
"Oi, CM. Let us be Unseen. People flying around with great bloody wings can't be common.. unless this is one of those weird-as-hell magic worlds."
Carthrat gave an involuntary groan.
"God, I love my experiances."
"Sometimes I wonder WHY I brought you with me... Feels like I'm doing all the work. Now just stop for a second so I can cast the spell."
After they both stop, Cy added. "I'll go one better and recast the Stoneskins too."
He begun casting first the Stoneskin then Invisibility on Carthrat. Then repeated the process on himself and added Detect Invisible so at least one of them could see the other.
"Because, of the rare chance we actually get attacked by something, I can kill it and you don't need to waste your valuable spells.
Not to mention you were bored and wanted company for what sounded like a bloody easy job."
Carthrat continues to fly..
CyMage -
When you cast the first stoneskin, Carthrat shimmers for a second. When that has passed, Carthrat has slate grey skin and white hair. The Inivisibilty spell has no out of the ordinary effect. The second Stoneskin has the same effect on you as it did Carthrat, if your arms are any indication.
You fly onward...
Over the next few miles, the road ambles on, taking a somewhat steep uphill road. You pass one lone person on your way. He is a lone traveler, dressed in a brown tunic and brown pants. Nothing of note is gained from further study.
You finally crest the peak of the road, and are greeted by a vast town on the downslope. You see that you were taking a side road up a rather high hill, a hill that has a vast underground river breaking out at the start of the other side. No less than four distinct, wide enough for shipping waterways grace the hill. A city of boats and oddly crystalline metal has grown along it, sprawling far and wide.
"For the record, this is all your fault."
Carthrat holds his head in his hands..
"Stranded.. again.. why me?"
"We're not stranded. We're just... Delayed." Rubbing his chin for a moment, he continued. "Though I need to be more careful about what spells I cast. Especialy if this place isn't used to magic. Don't want to scare the locals with our strange apperance. More then necessary at the moment."
Carthrat shrugged. "Those buildings look 'magical' to me, if you take my meaning. I doubt they wouldn't have magic of their own.. but we wouldn't want to tip our hand, would we?
We have to assume that someone is currently looking for us, regardless. This is not gonna be fun."
Carthrat sighed. "Nope, no fun at all. Well, let's go scope out the city. May as well land inside.."
"Well, wheter they got magic or not, we're still strangers in a strange land."
Slowing down, Cy brought out the binoculars again. "Let's find a semi-secluded spot to land in. I don't think they would take it too kindly if we landed in the middle of their mayor's tea party."
Finaly stoping, he brought the binocs up to his eyes and scanned the city. His main targets were any visible air defences and parks. He did take note of any possible military or civil services.
CyMage -
Your scans of the city indicates a few things of note:
There seems to be a uniformed police/military force around. They wear breastplates, greaves and gloves of blue water, defying logic as it stays in armor shape. They also possess blades of the same watery material.
The layout of the city(Build on the downside of a tall hill with waterways) provides excellent natural defense from the bottom. A force coming from your direction could massacre this aquatic burg, however.
The stone of the buildings appears to be a 'rockier' variant on dark blue quartz. It looks fairly sturdy.
There are few roads beyond foot paths in the city. From the large number of boats, it looks as if water provides public transportation.
The general citizens of this city wear little - A few wear full pants and shirt, but most of both sexes wear nothing but shorts. As you progress through the city, you begin to understand why: The water gushing from the underground is quite warm, and it the sun beats on this town with a surprising fierceness. The people of the town are tanned, any skin tone below nut tan brown is a rarity. Hair colors range the spectrum, but watery shades of blue and green are prevalent.
You finally land at a small, secluded, grassy lot away from the water.
"Well, this place is definately full of magic. Not exactly any type I'm familiar with, but magic none the less."
Adjusting his clothes after the flight he stood relaxed. "Do we try to blend in or just look for someone in charge?"
"I think we might want to find out a little before we go looking for leaders. I say we blend in.."
Carthrat nods to himself..
Cy sighed. "So what you mean is that I blend in and you go invisible again?"
Carthrat snorts. "As I recall, blending in was more fun for you than staying invisible was for me."
Cy shrugged. "And more dangerous too. Though I could let you fit in... Problem is, you might fit in too well."
"Define 'too well'."
"Oh, you just become one of them physically and mentaly. Though I think you could fight off the mental changes for a while." Looking at Rat, he asked. "So, want to do it?"
Carthrat blinked.
"What, exactly, are you about to do? Laymans terms, hmm?"
"You will think that you are one of them. You will think that you always have been one of them. Your previous life might seem like a strange dream, if you even remember it."
Carthrat winced. "Great plan. Do I need you to reverse the change or will I turn back through time?"
"It's rather permament. You would need me to change you back. And that's not a guaranteed thing if you change mentaly." Cy smirked. "Want to try it anyways?"
"Yeeaaa...
or not. How 'bout you just find me some clothes? I tan, so I'll be right."
"Yeah, that could work. Though you realise most of their clothing consists of shorts, right?"
"I'll wear them. Just this once. But I'll.. er.. reward you handsomly if you find me some pants or robes or something. Oh, and grab a backpack while you're at it."
"Let's go looking then. We're still invisible so we can 'borrow' something without problems... Though it might be a problem if nobody hands their laundry out to dry."
Cy started towards the closest set of buildings before he stopped. "How about you lead and I follow. You can't see me to follow."
"And away we go!"
Carthrat swoops down into the city..
You hover and pass over the city streets.
You seem to be in a quiet residential area. Simple houses crafted out of the blue quartzstone are the norm, housing what looks to be the middle/trades class.
Between houses are connected lines where laundry hangs. It is a simple matter to get Carthrat a pair of tan shorts and a rough hewn white tunic.
Carthrat sighs.
Hell. Shorts. Shorts suck. No style.
Unless I'm a chick. Bleh. I cannot decide!
I'll decide... LATER. Maybe I can find some robes..
Carthrat continues his bold search for leg-covering clothing.. for a little while, taking in the general scenery as he floats around, stowing his new acquisitions in his Cloak..
You find...nothing besides shorts, a few shirts and a blanket or two.
A few people are around, mostly mothers with children. They speak in English, albiet with a accent. They are dressed in shorts and nothing else.
The quartzstone houses are two story with many windows. They look well enough maintained, but not spectacular. The blue stone glitters in the sun, giving you the impression of sapphires laying in the green grass. The houses are fairly close together, with very small yards. A paved street handles all the foot traffic, as this is a bit away from the water. There is a relaxing sense of living tranquility here...Peaceful, if you let yourself enjoy it.
Carthrat starts searching for some out-of-the-way place to get changed in..
Shorts! Lots of water! Magic-type world!
God hates me, yes he does.
A semi secluded backyard gives your invisible ass a nice place to change.
OOC: What exactly are you wearing and not? What are you doing with the rest of your stuff?
Carthrat begrudgingly puts on the shorts, stashing most of his stuff in his cloak. He puts a shirt over his Orichalcon vest, and puts on his light jacket over this shirt. He keeps a pair of handguns and a pair of knives inside it, along with a single fragmentation grenade.
Then he stashes all his other gear into his cloak and tosses it to CM..
Catching it, Cy folds it then stuffs it in one of the bigger pockets. "Ready?"
Not really waiting for an answer, he began once again to cast Alter Self making himself appear as an average person on the streat in this place.
CyMage dives through the window, giving Carthrat an inadvertant boot to the shoulder as he jumps through.
You stay quiet...A few minutes pass, which you hear a bit of a commotion outside. It soon passes, though.
The room you are in is a simple bedroom, with a futon and a fairly well made dresser. Nothing of note is in sight.
Carthrat starts poking about the house, looking for CashMoney and anything that looks like it's valuable..
The bedroom has little of note. You do find a stash of 41 silvery coins at the bottom drawer of the dresser, but otherwise you strike out.
"Allright, let's go and poke around the town."
With that, Carthrat heads towards the supposed front door of the house..
Grabbing Rat by the shoulder to stop him he pointed to himself... "I need to recast my disguise."
Quickly he began with the spell again.
The spell casts without any huge beams of OMGLIGHTWTFLOL, and you shift into the desired shape.
You find the front door in short order and exit out. There is a bit more foot traffic than you recalled, and the sun is starting to sink just a bit in the sky.
You'd guess you have...four hours of daylight left, at least. Maybe more.
"Well.. Sai. Guess we'd better find a motel or something and plan our next moves. As best we can, anyway. Anything we should pick up first?"
Carthrat glances at the sky, checking if it's clear or not..
There are a few clouds, but otherwise the mid afternoon sky is clear.
"We could crash here. Sure, it might be occupied, but I'd rather deal with one or two locals then a group of them at a motel."
Looking out again at the street, he nodded. "though we could look around while it's still light."
With that he stepped out of the house.
"Hmm. We'll grab some decent food, and then come back and see if it's occupied."
Carthrat reached over to CM and plucked out one of his hairs, then carefully closed the door so the hair was sticking out.
"Your contribution to our cause earns you my greatest thanks."
You follow the stone road into the more active parts of town.
The pleasant backwater of quasi medieval suburbia soon fades to shopes and stalls. All sorts of goods are being hawked, from common household items to battle axes said to 'rend even a Giga Wyrm in twain'.
"Shopping!"
Carthrat looks out for a Cloud-style sword, or, barring that, a really big club.
Though he also looks out for a well-made staff..
You lumber around, until you finally find a smallish blacksmithery. Inside you find bladed weapons, made of simple steel.
There are two weapons that catch your eye inside. The first is a extra long broad sword. It is plain and undecorated. The second is a thinnish two handed sword. It looks like it may be serviceable. It is decorated with blue shards of stone, likely the same stone the buildings are made of.
Carthrat wanders over to the blacksmith..
"How much for that sword?" he questions, indicating the broadsword.
The blacksmith, a lean man with surprisingly small arms for one of his trade, absently glances up from the dagger he is polishing.
"5 Gold Rivers" he says.
"Er, how much is that in silvers?"
Carthrat rubs the back of his head sheepishly.
He gently puts his dagger down and looks up at you.
"You a traveler? How many silvers do you have?"
"Fortyone. I was hoping to purchase a weapon and get a meal, then start looking for work. Unfortunately, I don't know much of the reigon.. you could say I came here blindfolded."
Carthrat sighs.
"Hm. I'll give you the sword for 20 silvers. Does that sound fair?" he says in a quiet, polite tone.
Carthrat nods. "I guess. How many silvers makes a gold, anyhow?"
"Uh, ten. I figured I'd give you a break, you seem like a decent sort trying to fit in."
Carthrat nods, counting out a pile of coins and handing them over. "I'm very grateful. Know any decent places to grab some food about the area?"
He smiles as you fork over the silvery coins. "There is an eatery a few blocks down called 'The flowing world'. Fairly cheap and the food isn't toxic."
"Sounds great," replies Carthrat. "I wouldn't mind a swordbelt either, if you've got one."
He nods. "Sure, for another silver. I can't give this stuff away for free."
Looking over the other sword, Cy asked. "How much for this one? I like it."
"Fair enough."
Carthrat grabs the belt and the sword, and ties them and buckles them till it's riding comfotably at his side..
"Thanks, friend. I'll remember this."
The skinny blacksmith tears his view over to CyMage.
"The oversized pointy stick? Eh...How about 10 silver?"
He grins. "Don't worry, I won't forget it either."
Carthrat counts out another 10 silvers.. "Didn't know you could use a sword, Sai."
"I can, but prefer other methods. For some reason I took a liking to this one though."
Grabbing a scrabard and belt, he strapped the sword to his back and tested its draw. Then he tested it's balance and weight.
It is lighter than usual, due to the less bulky blade. It handles well enough. Not bad but not a prizewinner.
Carthrat chuckles. "Heh. I know what you mean. I'll have to slap you around some day and see how good you really are."
Cy nodded. "Sure. But first let's figure out what we're going to do next."
Carthrat struts out the door. "We head to that restraunt, and then we do some mercenary work to keep us alive while we figure out what happened and what we should do next."
Carthrat heads on to the Flowing pool or whatever it was called..
Soon enough, you find yourselves at the Flowing World tavernish restaurant. A simple signpost advertises the place, promising "Excellent food at reasonable prices", along with a weathered painting of a leg of meat. It is constructed in the same manner as all the buildings you have seen thus far, with blue quartzstone and minimal windows.
Inside, you find a large dining area littered with sturdy wooden tables. The smell of various foods waft and swirl around you as an effiecent waiter directs you to a table. After a minimal amount of discussion, you get menus. Oddly, the prices of the dishes are in Golden Rivers, except for the wine...That is in Silver Flows.
Carthrat looks at the menu for a good long minute.
"Oi, CM. I believe that we need to pay another visit to the blacksmith. Tonight."
Cy replied calmly. "Yes. We need to. Once we get there, I will show you a bit of what I know of swordplay. You did say that you wanted a demonstration."
A small glint could be seen in his eyes.
"I was thinking the subtle approach. You know, the one which dosn't bring guard-like people to our door.
'sides, I want his forge. I'm sure I can work out something with him."
Carthrat speaks quietly..
"Oh, fine. Though it's funny hearing you say that. Isn't it usualy me who suggests the subtle approach? Now lets eat."
Cy looked over the menu himself trying to figure out if there was anything he knew there.
CyMage -
You reconize a few vegetables, but most of the meats, cheeses and such have unfamiliar names.
Choosing something substantial but at a resonable price, Cy waited for his partner to decide.
"It is, isn't it? Then again, usually, I'm not stranded with no hope of resupplying. A forge would be most useful."
Carthrat orders something random.
The meal goes without incident. The food is quite good, far better than the relative price would lead you to believe. The final bill is 2 silver, which is paid in full.
When you exit, it is getting closer to dusk.
Pondering for a moment, Sai asked. "Do we visit the blacksmith again or check on our 'quaters' first?"
"Our quarters. We want somewhere to go home to if everything turns out like Berlin."
Carthrat shuddered as he started walking..
It is full dusk by the time you get back to your 'hideout'. A discreet check of it tells you it is still empty.
Carthrat nods, and enters the building..
"We may as well start doing things right. Leave an, er, alarm spell. Preferably the silent one, not the noisy one. With this world, it'll probably bring down half the countries army on our heads."
"You want your stuff for now? Just in case something happens?" Cy reached into his pocket and waited.
"Yeah. I'm sure people here wear warm stuff during cold nights."
Carthrat waits for his cloak..
Pulling out the bundle he passed it to Carthrat before making sure the door was closed and begining to cast the basic Alarm spell.
Carthrat swirled the cloak around himself, cutting a dashing figure in the light...
..and hiding those goddamned shorts.
CyMage -
The spell weaves and forms...
As you deploy it, you briefly see a ethereal bell over the door. It fades away in a few seconds, yet it's transparent bronze image stays in your mind.
Nodding to himself, he looked around for a place to sleep. "The alarm is set. It'll warn me if someone tries to enter."
"Cool. Now.. how to approach this.
I want to leave the forge intact, seeing as I plan to, er, repossess it.
Well, not it in itself, but the equipment. As you well know, being able to make metal stuff for the occasion is very good. Not to mention I can hammer together a few swords and try selling them. I'm not a master swordsmith, but I can make stuff sharp, at least.
Hmm. I was planning to go in and scare the living shit through him, then taking steps to make sure he dosn't cause us further trouble. To this end, one of us has to pull the ol 'invisibility thing again.
Which job do you want?"
Cy grinned nastily. "There is a third option. We become 'friends' with him."
Carthrat looked at Sai flatly. "Since when did that *ever* work?"
Cy returned the look. "Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure the spell effects him."
"Yeah, but they always.. well.. your choice. Do we wanna go now or later?"
Carthrat waits for CM's answer..
"Later. Let's secure this place first for our use. That will also make the guy relax. He's probably expecting us to return right away. And it would be a waste for me to undo the alarm right now."
Sai continued looking for a place to sleep.
You two soon drift off...
CyMage -
You are awakened in darkness to the silent buzzing of your alarm spell. You can hear someone working the door...
Silently cursing to himself, he stood up and brought his new sword to bear. There wasn't any need for guns. Yet.
Moving behind the door, he waited.
After another moment, the door swings open. Enought light is coming from a latern out of sight to illuminate the door way. A middle aged man, a youngish woman and two small children are coming through the door.
Wincing at the sight of kids, he waited for the door to close.
The crew piles inward, the children running around each other in a game of youth.
Sai puts the sword down and rest his arms across it. "Ah. Good. You're not him."
A moment of confused, shocked silence reigns as the family turns as one to you after you speak. At once, they all react.
One of the children, the younger one, begins to cry.
The second child darts to the woman, hugging her leg and torso.
The woman quickly backpedals, grabbing both the children and getting them back out the door.
The man draws a sword from his back, stepping closer. As he gets closer, his clothing becomes more visible. He wears a blue breastplate...no, a water breastplate. The blade is also of water. His face, now visible, is one of a soldier. Hard lines crease it and a certain battle toned look is present. He looks as if he's about to attack, his body tensing into a ready stance.
"Don't move, thief, or I'll spill your tripes all about." he says in a low voice.
"Peace. I'm not a thief."
Shifting his sword to have it lean against the wall, he opened his arms a bit to relax the man. "I've seen someone enter through the window just a bit earlier. I've followed after, but the person was gone."
Relaxing a bit, he continued. "So I waited in hope that they would return. Unfortunately they didn't."
The man listens to your story without saying anything or changing expressions.
"Cecelia, go get Jackson." he says in a flat tone, not taking his eyes or blade off you for a moment. The woman and the children run off at his behest.
"Raise you hands, lean against the wall hands first and don't move!" he commands in a strong, authorative voice, the sort that a commander uses.
"Easy friend. I mean no harm to you or your family."
Cy spread his hands out to show nothing in them as he continued talking in a friendly tone to the man. "There is no problems between us. Wouldn't it be better to be friends?"
OOC: Attempting a Charm Monster on the man.
"Friends...Friends with you..." The man shakes his head, as if trying to clear it. "The man...The BASTARD who I found breaking into my home..." he speaks as if trying to convince himself...
"I didn't break in. The window was open already by someone else. Why would I lie? What would I gain by it?"
"Yes, what would you gai...BAH!" With a final mental surge, you can feel the man shake off the effects of your spell. He falls to his knees, seemingly stunned by the effort needed to resist your charm.
Sai sighed a bit. "I really don't want to hurt you."
With that said, he quickly pulled out a three-penny nail and cast a diffrent spell on the man. "Don't move."
OOC: Hold Monster on him only. O-o
Iron bars wrap around the man, ensnaring him from head to foot. He looks to be very well held, and his mouth is covered, preventing speech.
Looking at any of the remaining family Sai walked towards where Carthrat was sleeping. "Don't be afraid. I'm leaving and he'll be able to move in a while."
Keeping an eye on the family he lightly nudged his partner from the slumber.
Carthrat stirred in his sleep.
"Wha? WHat's goin' on?"
OOC: Except for the man, there is no one left to hear your goodbye. They all went to get this 'Jackson'.
"Time to leave my friend. We'll find no shelter here."
He started helping Carthrat to his feet.
"Riiight."
Carthrat springs to his feet and heads for the window, assuming trouble at the door from CM's words..
You escape the house...
As you flee, you can hear the stomping of fast moving feet out front.
"Let's split and meet up back at that restraunt. One person hides easier than two, yaddayadda."
Carthrat runs off for the exit from the lot that's furthest from the house..
OOC: If there's only one entrance, then we'll run out and go in opposite directions, right?
Vanishing from sight again, Cy made his way towards another exit from the lot.
Both of you slip away without incident, a backpath from the house leads you safely away.
An hour later, you both arrive at the restaurant. Neither of you ran into anything of note.
Making himself known to Carthrat, Cy mussed. "Well, that place was a waste of time. Want to see if our friend the blacksmith will offer us a place to stay for a few days?"
"Yes. Yes we will," Carthrat says. "You be the spectre, I'll be the medium. Will that work?"
"Sure. Anything specific you want me to do for the act? I'll tell you now though, no sound effects." Cy glared at Carthrat though the effect was kinda lost due to him still not being visible.
"I don't know. Make stuff look like it's levitating. Cast some spell which gives you a tangiable... you know, 'feeling'.
Just give evidence that you're *THERE*. I'll do the rest."
Carthrat looks down at the sword on his belt.
"Been a while since I exercised my training.. who'dve thought it'd be so effective, eh?"
Sai nods, once again a useless gesture. "Ok. Lead the way then."
Carthrat ponders for a moment, realising that it's actually *quite* late at night.
Shrugging, he pulls his cloak around himself, and heads towards the blacksmith, figuring it's probably shut at this time of night..
As you travel the few blocks to the blacksmith, you note this city is rather well lit. Glass globes embedded into buildings provides good light in the commerce center.
CyMage reconizes this as Continual light cast on glass globes. It's a fairly common practice, even with technology, among mages. One glass globe lasts several years. It's one of those things that pops up in many dimensions.
The blacksmithery is dark and quiet when you get there. No one happens to be around, not street guard or ruffian. The door is made of wood and looks to be solid.
"Do we go in and try to get some sleep in there? I can take care of the lock if we go in."
"You just *know* a guard will come at the wrong moment," Carthrat whispered. "May'swell find an inn or something and wait 'till tomorrow."
Carthrat goes in search of the universal inn, meanwhile trying to work out some kind of plan of what to do next..
Cy followed behind. Making sure nobody was around, he dispelled the Invisibility along the way.
You find an inn three blocks down. It is a simple affair, with a small front area leading directly to the hallways and rooms. Two Silver coins buy your beds for the night, and sleep comes soon after.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Once you have slept, eaten and set up, it is mid/latish morning. It is a partly cloudly day, with mid level cirrus clouds dotting the sky.
"Ok, lets pay a visit to our soon to be haunted blacksmith."
"Oh yeah, forgot about him. We'll do that in a sec, I wanna find out just where we are."
Carthrat goes in search of some kind of information source; newspaper, town crier, young boys, etc.
"Just don't take too long. We can get intel from the smith if needed." Sai waited for his partner to return.
You find no newspaper or town crier...You do see a few boys playing, as well as a few women gossiping as their children scamper.
"Ah, excuse me, ladies," Carthrat says, walking up to the nearest woman and flashing his best smile. "I, uh, got lost during my travels. Where exactly am I?"
The gaggle of women take in your question without words, the glances and expressions neutral.
"You are on Sunnare Street, sir," one of the women, a mid aged, matronly woman says.
"Ah, this may sound silly, but I meant what city, madam."
Another of the women, a slender young things blinks visibly and almost gawks. "That is silly. Did you have far too much ale last night, stranger?" she turns her nose up in a throughly snobbish manner. "I can almost smell it on your breath."
"It is silly, isn't it? But do favor me with an answer, else I shall still be lost."
"Very well, smelly lost traveler. You are in Aquatica." the snobby woman says.
Carthrat nods, still smiling
Bet you're one of those 'I have a bath every year- weather I need it or not!' types-
"Really.. I've travelled so far in so short a time? Astonishing!
Really, I must report my findings at once.. that people here are just as rude as those back home.."
Carthrat walks back to CM..
Rat was greeted with a raised eyebrow. "Got anything useful?"
"Just the name of the city. Aquatica. It fits, don't you think? I wonder if there's a 'Pyromania' out there."
Carthrat shrugs.
"Anyway, I think we should set ourselves up here and see what happens. It's a large city, so I guess rumors'll come through here often enough.. we'll just see if one reaches us about Render or something.. or, barring that, lead a relatively quiet life in nowheresplane.
Heh. Unless you want to try that travelling adventurer gig again, hmm?"
Sai snickered at the city names... "Imaginative locals."
"Setting up a place here doesn't sound too bad." Looking around he continued. "But I would go with the travel after a while. I've never been one to live a quiet life for long. And this place looks quiet."
"Aww. Havn't you ever wanted to meet a nice woman? Settle down? Have a few kids?"
Carthrat elbows CM in the ribs.
"Anyway, let's go see that blacksmith again."
"I meet enough 'nice' women when travelling... And I never was fond of kids."
Cy waved Rat on. "Lead on, Oh Great Medium."
"That's a shame. And I can see you making *such* a good husband.."
Carthrat makes his way to the blacksmith shop, which he scopes out..
OOC: Dune's call, I need a general overview of the shops layout.
Sai blinked. "Good husband? Is that sarcasm I detect in your voice?"
"Hmm? Not at all. In fact, I have the perfect woman for you.. well, I did, anyway."
Carthrat chuckles.. a deep, ominous chuckle..
"Somehow that doesn't reasure me... Especialy that laugh." Cy glared. "Talk."
Carthrat raises his eyes above CM's glare.. "Oh, no! That'll ruin the surprise! Rest assured, you're practically *made* for each other.."
"Have I ever told you that I don't like surprises? They're usualy bad." Giving Carthrat a smile he asked. "Can't tell your buddy?"
Carthrat grinned back. "It'll be a nice surprise, Sai. It'll surprise me if it works, it'll surprise you if you get a permenant girl, and it'll sure as shit surprise her."
CM sweatdropped. "Fine... I'll meet her. But that's all. Though we still have to get back first."
"There is that. Don't worry, Sai. I'm a wonderful matchmaker. Honest. Less than half my supposed pairings end in divorce. Hell, I've only had a couple suicides.. joke. It's a joke, Sai. Really."
Carthrat shrugs.
"Either way, we'll soon have a regular income, as long as all goes to plan."
Releasing the gathering magic, he glared at Carhrat. "Bad joke."
Giving one final glare, he checked the area for any bystanders.
Carthrat -
It is a small shop as you remember, with a simple iron barred wood door. There is a single display window, with a mace, longsword and helmet sitting in public view.
You cannot see inside very far from the display.
You recall the inside having a small desk in front, but mostly filled with varoius weapons on racks.
CyMage -
A few people are about, as is expected in a market place. You'd have to go in the shop to see anyone inside, however.
Cursing lightly under his breath, Sai scanned for any spots he could vanish discreetly in. Any alley, stall or doorway that would block him from view for less then a minute.
There is a small back alley that could probably work. It's to your left, it looks to be used for old wood and iron scraps.
Sai smirked at Carthrat. "I'll be right back. I'm going to put on my costume."
Slipping into the alley and making sure that nobody was walking by the entrance at the time, Sai repeated his spell once again before vanishing from sight.
Making his way back to Rat, he gave the go ahead. "Ready to rock and roll."
Carthrat nods, and, folding his arms inside his cloak, walked inside the shop with an Oblivious Smile.
Inside, you find the same man as yesterday. He looks up as you enter, smiling.
"Hello, friend. Do you need something?"
CM followed closely behind for now, making sure the door didn't stay open too long as he slipped in. He then made his way to the side, near any bunch of items.
"Oh, I've just come to browse your fine wares. Say, this isn't all you have, is it? I can think of several friends who may be interested.."
Carthrat, truly, pities the man for having his scam get caught by perhaps two of the worst people ever to catch you scamming. It's not like Carthrat hasn't done this kinda thing before..
His eyes light up. "Really? You must make friends quickly...I cannot say that it surprised me. You have charisma, man." he says all this with a every so slightly too big grin.
Carthrat shrugs modestly. "I try my best."
"So, what will you need?" he says, leaning forward.
"A great deal. Is this all you have, or do you have more? I'd like to discuss our transaction in private, it may take some time."
Carthrat tries to look like a naive warrior..
He outright grins at this.
"Yes, yes we can. How about we go to the back rooms?"
"How about we do just that.."
He smiles and motions to for you follow him. He opens a door in the back of the shop, leading into a room with old weapons, boxes and a few scraps of this and that. It is fairly large, going back further than you thought it would.
Past the rubble and clutter, there is a table with a few wooden chairs and a simple bed.
"Care to sit down," he asks he sits down himself.
"Oh, no, it's quite allright.
My benefactor, you see, is keeping an eye out for a certain kind of individual. He takes a great intrest in this sort of person, as long as the person is loyal to him. Often, the individual is greatly rewarded.
I must admit he is... overly generous. I still feel a little guilty for paying so little for your weapons, but he would doubtless pay at least twice the normal price to ensure your loyalty."
He shows his interest as you speak, by his hands idly rubbing together and the rapt attention he feeds you. His nose twitches just so as well.
"Really, really, really?" he asks. He gets up and walks over the bed and sits on it. His hands stretch back and brace himself over the other edge of the bed, hooking below sight. "So, who is this benefactor?"
"Ahh, you do want to know, don't you?"
Carthrat's voice slowly drops to a whisper as he speaks..
"You see... he's not what you might call.. corporeal?
Indeed, his form is difficult to locate.."
OOC: That's your cue, CM..
Picking up a random small item off the shelf and dropping it to the floor Sai made his way to where he could see the mans hands. He then made another item 'mysteriously' float from one shelf to another.
"Huh?" he eloquently says to Carthrat's declaration of his patron's lack of coprealness. Before he can speak again, he hears the item dropped hit the floor, and he turns and watches, rapt, as another item floated between shelves.
".w..What the hell?"
"He speaks to me even now.. ah, yes.. telling me everything.. mm.. intriguing.. ahh.. my master knows all.. none can lie or trick him and live to tell the tale.."
Carthrat grasps the blacksmiths shoulder.. "You would never lie, would you?"
"No!" he yelps, keeping his eyes glued to where the item that floated settled.
"I hope not. You would never try to trick us, would you? For he knows all, you see, and would look poorly upon any slight, no matter how small.."
Carthrat's voice raises with something of a fanatical fervor as he speaks, towering over the man..
"Of course n-not!" he half yells, half whimpers. He's cringing back into his chair now...
"Intriguing. Never have I seen an innocent man cower so. For, you know, the master knows how the guilty can feel. Like they are being.. consumed!
It only takes an admission of guilt to release the burden of the soul, but since you are innocent, we need not worry about that, hmm?
To business, then. Unless you have something to add, sir blacksmith?"
He takes a deep breath, calmness taking residence on his face.
"No, I'm fine now." he says in a much more normal voice.
Carthrat nods.. and focuses himself for a moment, finding his centre..
...before drawing his sword in a single, fluid motion, focusing his energy through it and unleashing it in a sudden burst of flame..
"I warned you!"
Before the man can respond, Carthrat's hand flashes out to his throat, *hopefully* blocking his windpipe or voicebox so he can't scream.
The blacksmith is so stunned by your display of pyrotechnics that he doesn't even move before you get your hand around his throat. Soon enough, he does try to scream, but it is muffled.
From the way his eyes are bugging out, you can tell you definitly got through to him.
Carthrat- slightly, releases the mans windpipe enough to breath and get a response through.
"Oh, I gave you every chance, too... ah, the folly of men.
Now listen to me very carefully. We still have a use for you.
Some use.
It is in your intrest to go on having a use for us. I hope you understand."