~~~IC~~~

::The next day after your meeting with the Baron looks to be just as nice as the previous... The temperature is already enough to make you want to shed clothing, and the sun is... :clearing away the morning fogs very quickly...

Ah, glory to the pancreator. ::Goes and sits in the sun to meditate::

::The scent of fresh greenery is on the air, undercut by the stench of the city wafting in..

::Gets up and begins his exercises and katas::

::The cobblestones on the street glisten with moisture, and you hear the bustle of carts... and servants going about the nobles' morning chores

::sleeps in late:: Oh, my head.

MMMmmmm

::once finished, takes a shower and dreses; then moves to Ric's door::

::After about an hour of prayer and meditation, Tien begins his work out and katas::

::the staff brings you all fresh fruits and juices to your rooms::

Hello, Lord? ::waiting patiently at Ric's door::

MMffph. Who.. izzit?

It is I, Lord.. Isfahan.. I need to speak with you.. May I enter?

::sits up in his bed rubbing his temples:: It is open.

::opening door slowly, bowing when entering room:: My Lord, may I speak freely?

::waves one hand in a circle and then slowly nods::

::straight face, in a icy tone:: This cause may be harrowful, Lord.

::squints at Ruiz and then silently mouths the word, "Harrowful?"::

Dangerous. Very much so. I just want to ask you one question, Lord...

::nods head slowly again and moves to rise from the bed::

::leans in close, eyes staring right into Ric's, straight and true::

::eyes red and listing::

Do you believe, with all of your heart, that the cause is worth the risk?

If the House deems it so, then it is so.

((Tien and Ruiz, roll me Perception+Psi.... Ruiz at a 2 penalty since you're talking))

##Perception + Psi - 2 = 8##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 12

((Perc + Psi = 9))

rolled 1 20-sided die: 15

((so given you guys' success rates, when are you going to start accenting?))

OK.

((LOL I thought it wasn't so.. lol))

::an errant thought tickles your fancies, then is gone before being fully formed::

::Continues Katas::

::stands up:: well, then, Lord, if you deem it so, I will accompany you.. And protect you. ::wry smile::

::nods slowly and rises from the bed::

So, when do we leave?

What time izzit?

((what time is it, Stephen?))

((hmmm ... about 2 hours past dawn))

'Tis but two hours from Dawn, Lord.

((Past time for prayers))

((lol))

::Grunts and moves over to the fruit and juices. Grimmaces::

::moves to wash basin and splashes cold water on face::

::Finish Katas and goes to shower and get dressed::

I will wash up and dress and then we shall find our ... ::face sickens:: Charioteer.

::wry grin again:: Maybe he stayed out of trouble this time.

::Ricardo actually laughs this time:: Now if you will excuse me?

::Laughs along with Ric:: We should find him, and.. Where is the little priest? Yes, yes.. I will go. ::bowing, then leaves::

::shrugs and shakes head::

::bathes and then dresses in his normal outfit::

::walking down the hallway, sees Ruiz:: Morning

::moves to the courtyard:: Morning, Holy One. ::slight bow:: And how are you this lovely day?

Bow. MAy the Pancrator bless you and keep you. When do we go to confession?

::quizzical look:: I do not know, my friend priest.

I am well. Ihope to be back in the holy light of the sun by noon. And I do not know the pentence required on this world.

Ah, neither do I, Tien. However, if I find out then I will inform you. ::smiles::

How is our lord?

He is well.. I have just conversed with him. He seems to be a little listless, though.

::Face goes blank"|::

::quizzical look:: Brother?

Excuse me. I must find pen and paper. ::hurrys away to my room::

::concerned look:: Yes, Brother Tien.. Until later..

::Records vision and then begins to mediiate on the vision::

::thinks about Obelia as he continues his walk to the courtyard::

::The final touch of dressing involves arming himself with his main gauche and rapier. Before sheathing his rapier, he pauses to examine it closely and ponders on what it means to be of the Hazat::

::sits in courtyard, thinks about Obelia and my career::

::exits the room and heads downstairs::

::looks for anyone other than servants::

::gets up after a while, moves to the main room:: Hail, my Lord Ric!

::Comes running down the stairs, looking for everyone. Sheet of paper in hand.::

::Bows to the lord and Ruiz::

Why so frantic, little brother? ::slight bow in return::

::turns towards the clatter Tien makes coming downstairs::

I have had a vision. No two. ANd I must seek soemone to answer them for me. I fear that they spell trouble in the near future.

::listening intently::

There was a beetle which limped.

A beetle?

It moved toward another beetle, which became a serpent. and the Serpent ate the frst beetle. and returned to the form of a beetle

Did the beetles look the same?

Yes, same... Then a mouse lead two hawks to the beetle and

What,exactly, did they look like? Can you remember?

the beetle became the snake once more... They were beetles. Bugs

Large with bent wings... The second looked normal. healthy... The mouse lead the hawks to the healthy beetle. ::Looks extremely serious::

Two hawks... My Lord, the sigil for the Hazat are talons, correct?

the second beetle became the snake once more and

::nods curtly:: And then?

the Hawks rendered the snake powerless. There is a serpent in hidding and we must make it reveal itself and make it powerless. But I do not know who is the injured beetle.

Beetles... beetles... servants maybe?

Servants, yes... Or friends...

The beetle were of the same species.

((make me a wits+introvert tien))

##Wits+Introvert=11## OnlineHost: Bro Tien rolled 1 20-sided die: 2

((good enough... the beetles didnt move like normal beetles, but more like mechanical things))

::Crosses himself::

Yes, brother? Something troubling you?

The beetles are not natural. ::Closes his eyes:: They are machines.

((<g> i love making this more confusing than it needs to be))

I see that now ::Opens eyes:: Machines

So... Technology is going to undermine us in some way?

:;Paces the floor, looking at the writting in his hands:: We three are the mouse and the hawks.

Was that the first of the visions?

What. ::snaps attention back to the don::

You said you had two visions...

::nods crisply in concurrence::

Yes. I think. I was distracted during my prayer this morning. Perhaps I have missed a part. The first vision was of the two beetles, and the healthy one eating the wounded one.

((everyone roll perception+psi unmodified.. even ric))

##Perc + PSI = 9##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 7

##Perception + Psi = 5, Ha!##

## per. + psi = 10, accenting -2##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 3

((see, adam learns))

((LOL))

((bows))

((lol))

rolled 1 20-sided die: 4

((No freaking way!!))

((LMAO omg..!)))

::everyone is awash by a feeling of sadness and despair, ric less than the psychics....Tien is able to realize that it originates not from within, but from outside....from... the south... from the city::

::Eyes begin to tear:: Someone is assulting us. To the south.

We must go to the city, my friends.

What? Machines... from the city?

Tien, I have a question..

::lead the way out of the room and to the south of the estate.::

Maybe this does not mean anything, but.. In your first vision..

Yes. yes. Follow

::following Ric::

::Ric shrugs, shakes his head at Ruiz and begins following Tien::

What time of day was it?

Thre hours pass dawn

((this is what is known as the heavy handed GM approach))

((LOL no, really? :))

((i love Tien.. he's such a good prophet... his vision doesnt give him a piece of info you.. want, he makes it up))

((Whast ring in my nose?))

((If only we could Heavy Hand a certain Charioteer.))

((lmao all of us at once.. lol))

::you hurry down the cobblestone street towards the gates, barely prepared::

((Hazat call it "laying on hands"))

((Dervishes call it "beating some tail" lol))

::you pass the gates into the city and immediately hear a commotion coming from a few blocks

((Tien calls it Mouse leading hawks to beetle.))

over... reverbing off of the tightly packed buildings::

((lol))

What in the Darkness is going on here?!

:standing to the side of Ric::

:;climbing to get a better view::

((Is there a crowd?))

::you climb up a wall, then realize that you could just walk a few blocks over::

::Leap down and hurry off in that direction:: I can not see anything yet.

::the buildings fly by, then you skip around a corner and see a small crowd gathered in an alleyway::

((Is this town part of my Father's holdings?))

:;Press closer (Nosy)::

::staying close to Lord Ric, keeping alert::

((New Barcelona is territory of the local count, partitioned out to the barons as summer homes))

((Is the crowd mostly serfs? Freemen? Others?))

::you hear a shout of "Outta tha Way!" and you see the crowd in front of you shoved aside as five men, four bearing a stretcher, one leading nearly run into you::

::allow them room::

I said Outta Tha... oh.. excuse me milord

::moves to the side:: What happened to him?

::Press in to see who is in the stretcher::

::on the stretcher is a mansized form covered completely in a black sheet::

What happened here Constable?

::the crowd is mostly turned to look at you all now::

A man died milord, we're hurrying him to the mortuary before these vultures and beetles can pick at him anymore

::perks up:: Beetles?

##Subtle Sight Intro+ Obs = 13##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 17

Yeah ::casts a look at the crowd:: these vermin who have nothing better to do than to look at dead men

What happened here?

Who was the poor soul?

::Tien with his head poking about::

If'n you'd like to follow me milord i can tell you away from the rabble

Of course, lead the way.

Move IT! ::the policemen start moving again::

::Follow, looking back at the crowd.:: (( Anyone stand out?))

::the crowd looks unhappy, then starts to disperse, serfs and freemen going back to their various tasks::

::following Ric::

::in a higher voice to Ruiz:: I told you that the Beetles were lower class? Did I not?

::nodding:: Yes, you did Lord.

::very pleased with himself::

::thinking there's more to that part of the vision::

::there a a few guildsmen in the crowd, a large muster man, a scraver woman, and an engineer or two::

::a woman hurries, shoving aside the last of the crowd, her face soaked with tears::

Officer, may i at least see my husband's body to the mortuum?

((what does the woman look like?))

((i'm so very glad you asked))

((LMAO))

::mid height, brown hair, blue eyes, moderately attractive, wears a jumpsuit::

((Have we seen her before?))

((hmmm... not that you can recall))

He was your husband, miss?

I suppose so miss... if'n the lord here dont mind

What happened? ::Hurry to stay close to the stretcher::

::indicates he doesn't mind::

::you all hurry along towards the nearest mortuary::

I found him dead on my doorstep this morning

::turns toward her, face masked with concern:: Did he have any enemies, miss?

Everyone's got enemies ::she starts sobbing again::

::turns toward Tien, talking in low tones:: Brother, she needs some comforting, I think...

Yes. I will pray with her once we reach the site.

::a styalized hammer patch is on her jumpsuit::

::Turns toward Lord Ric:: She's an Engineer, Lord.

And the husband?

::Crosses himself. An engineer!::

::looking at husband's clothing::

::you pick at the cloth covering the moving palatte, and he's wearing a similar jumpsuit... though it seems very worn and dirty::

He is also, Lord.

((Two engineers. One healthy and one badly beaten. Hum..))

((Must be something they were working on.))

((badly beaten?))

((As I said "lower class"))

((Dead and dirty and worn))

((dirty doesnt mean beaten, it just means unkempt))

((Oh. Got ya..))

::you come to the mortuary, a small squat foreboding building::

::to the policeman:: You may want to hold the wife for further questioning.

::nods::

((How are the policemen acting?))

:;taking the woman's hand in his own:: Let us pray. Come my dear. Have a seat.

((like they're pissed that they were pulled from their morning meal))

::they take the body into a side room::

((what is the limiting factor in actenting?))

((what are they doing to the body?))

((your skill))

((they're prolly going to bury it if you dont request an autopsy))

##Calm + Empathy = 7, ACT -1##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 17

My Lord, we should request the body be autopsied.

((Not helping))

Autopsied?

::tien just gets more emotional, picking up the infectious sadness from teh woman::

Yes, Lord. INvestigated.

::Let her cry it out on my shoulder, while crying myself::

::she refuses to... would you wanna touch another woman if your wife died?::

Tien..?

Ughh. A filthy business fit only for the Guild.

YES..,::Sob::

Are you well?

I'll be fine. :;Sniff:: Tell me my dear. What was his name?

::nods, then turns to Ric:: We must, Lord. If only for justice's sake.

::sobs:: Roberto

And your name, sister?

::sobs:: Elena

Lord?

Oh, Pancreator. We pray today for the soul of Roberto. Guide him to thy holy flame and comfort his wife Elena in this time of pain. Remind us that death is a part of the holy gift of life and that we do not end this life to be forgotten, but pass on to your holy presence to spend all eturnity with thy. Amen

::she tries to look comforted::

::looks perplexed:: She does not look like a snake.

::moving to the Commanding Officer:: How do we go around doing an autopsy, sir?

A what?

((note that Ric says that out loud))

A snake.

Sister Elena, I must go now to Roberto and tend to him. :;Begins to rise::

An autopsy. Of the body.

::she leans back, sniffling, and clutches her knees::

Brother Tien, why does she not look like a snake?

::Move to the room where the body is::

Awe-Top-See?

::Sniff:: it was the two hawks who make the beetle become the snake. And render it powerless

::exasperated look:: Can we get a medical expert here?

Medical expert? you're in the wrong neck of the universe if you want an expert in the constables for the serfs and freemen

:;Enter room with body. Cross self and begin a prayer to the dead.::

A doctor? Or nurse..? ::sigh::

Ruiz?

Yes Lord?

::the body lies on a wooden bier, hanging off the wood wall supported by two chains::

How do we make the woman become a snake?

::the sheet is off and it's a pale cold man with sunken features...solid from rigor mortis... quite dead::

That could mean she has something she's hiding from us...

::basic search of the body:: ## Perc+Obs = 10, ACT-5##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 2

::you poke around his clothes and dont find much... maybe a wrench here.... when you get to his hand you find something interesting....

::Begin to remove the clothing::

:;Stop and examine the hand::

::you pry from his cold numb fingers a tiny vial full of a green liquid::

:talking low: Maybe she isn't who she says, Lord.

::a constable glances at you, recognizes you as part of a noble's entourage, and leaves you to your cavity search::

:;Remove the vial and continue to search the body, prep for last rites.::

((make me a per+physick roll))

##Perc + Phy = 5##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 12

Officer, may have a basin of water and a clean rag?

::tien has no idea what this man died of.. but he's definately dead::

::after a few minutes they finally find a semi-clean rag::

My lord? May I see you?

Yes.

:motion for him to enter the room::

::enters room, grimmaces and pulls out handkerchief which he holds at his nose::

::the don walks in to see tien hovering over a naked dead man::

::Hands the vial to the Don:: THis was the only non-guild item that I found.

::moves by the door, watching outside closely::

::does not take the vial:: What is it?

It is ... It is .. Green ::Look of confusion:: I do not know what it is. I had hoped that you would.

::shakes head:: I am not gifted in the art of inquiry.

I have said the last rites and am ready to begin to wash the body for barial. Is ther eother rites which need to be preformed?

((it's too bad nobody but Fizz took well traveled.. yessir))

Ask the wife if there is a priest to preform the funerial. And perhaps the police have seen the liquid before.

((yep... that fizz... i'm going to kick him in his shins))

::peeking in:: Liquid? What liquid..?

((Kick him for all of us!!))

((ROFLMAO))

Yes, Ruiz. THis green liquid.

::Point at the vial

Hmmm...

::no one of you three has seen it before::

:;Take the rag and clean water and begin to wash the body::

::eagerly leaves room::

:;Chanting the virtues of mankind while washing the body::

((as you wash the body, make me another per+physick))

##target 5, not able to act##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 18

((when it rains.. lol))

((you have physick 1, roll again))

((OK))

target 6, act -1

((::shakes his head:: forget your own skills))

rolled 1 20-sided die: 8

((missed it by that much))

((lol))

((I've been seraching my sheey for that skill))

::tien almost gets a clue, but goes right past it::

((it's on the printout i have))

:;Washies it away::

((I have just now found it))

((you guys really ought to work on those detective skills.... this game's likely to need them))

((LMAO point taken. lmao!))

((OK. That is 2 more experience spent.))

((ROFLMAO amen, brother! :))

::the constable walks through, blinks at you guys cleaning the body, and begins to head out::

((if i had done it before the game I would have crit))

((heh))

(9Hind Sight. Is that a power?))

((yeah, sixth sense level 11))

((rofl))

((you guys going to flag down the cop?))

::flagging down cop:: Sir.. What exactly did this man die of?

((that is their job. I'm washing a corpse))

well, i didnt get a chance to look at the body....

Has the crime scene been cordoned off?

We werent sure it was a crime scene.. no apparent foul play

Have you cordoned off the area of his death? ::icy tone::

Why?

::leaning in, enunciating every word:: Because. There. May. be. some. clues. as. to. how. he. died.

:;Finish washing the body. Pull sheet over him. Exit Room::

were there any on the body?

::noticing Tien outside:: Ah, are you done now?

It is finished. Elena, do you have a robe for him?

::eyes rolling:: Oh Mantius, don't tell me you did not search the body before you oved it!

::Elena starts sobbing again::

if we had, the vermin would have touched it too

Officer, ::Present vial:: do you know what this is?

Perhaps his wife might know.

rolled 1 20-sided die: 19

((I have a very strong suspicion of what the vial is, but Ric would probably not have a clue

Did you at least search the surroundings?

((give me your susp before i tell you))

err... hey jed.. come look at this vial

((out of the Technology book?))

((could be)

::another officer comes up and stares at it::

((in a certain alien section?))

rolled 1 20-sided die: 1

((make your guess, i'm about to tell you))

((Vorox toxin))

::jed takes the vial, uncaps it, sniffs it carefully::

((That weird guys health and longevity drug))

((i dont have the technology book :) ))

((symbiot stuff))

((Um, ric.. wasn't that a pill?))

umm... selk.. selche.. Selchakah.. that's it...

Oh.. well.. that's the case then... guy had too much drug

Holy Pancreator...

What is Selckaka?

A VERY dangerous drug, my brother Tien. Some of the vets used to be... They used it.

::Elena hears this:: Roberto was not on drugs.....

Yes, but what did it do?

we had problems but.. ::she sobs::

::turning to Elena:: Why did he have it in his possession?

::she tries to speak but sobs and just shrugs::

It was firmly held in his hand. Almost a death grip to not lose it.

and that will be the report ::wanders off::

I found no marks on his body. No bruise. How is the drug taken?

It can be injected, if I remember... Officer, do you know where the embassies of the hosues are?

Vets. You mean the great warriors of Psychic? Psychic drug?

No. NO, my friend.. ::shakes head emphatically:: It was used to... Not remember...

Why?

It is a long story, Tien. best to talk about it later.

::practically screams:: Roberto Was Not On Drugs!

Miss, I don't believe he was either.

Why then does he have this drug? Tell me where did he go last night?

::softly:: He might have been cheating on me.. but he wasnt on drugs

Cheating..?

::she whimpers softly::

With who, miss..?

Ah, the sin of the flesh. Fear not my sister. His sin will not taint you.

<q>I thought we'd have time to make it right.... damn the bitch.. whoever she was

Do not curse another. Forgive them for their sins. We all fail.

Lord, a word..?

Yes.

:;try once more to comfort the woman::

::she grabs her knees and pulls into a fetal postion agan::

::moving to the side of the room, talking softly:: Lord, that drug may have been meant for another... if it is a drug at all... I do not trust thee word of these constables.

((<g> at how easily simple plotlines become so twisted))

((Thank you. Thank you.))

((LOL))

((are we near a stopping point?))

(9Is getting late))

((yeah, whenever you guys are ready to leave the station))

((LOL I LOVE California.. 10 here. :))

((you know we can start earlier if you guys want))

::hand the vial over to Ruiz::

((back to 6, Stephen?))

::doesn't wnat it::

((ummm.. ::calculates:: yeah, or 9 est))

::securing the vial:: Little brother, pray that you never taste the kiss of this.

((OK. I can make that ))

I have so much to learn.

Never learn the kiss of selchakah, brother.. For its sweet taste is a deadly one.

Would this kill a normal man?

Too much of anything can kill a man.

Would it make you forget to breath?

((How full is the vial))

It can make you forget to live. ::dread, wistful look::

((completely full.. it's only about a cubic centimeter of liquid))

I donot believe that this vial killed him.

I am in full compliance with you, Brother.

((okay... leaving IC mode, any last stops?))

But what then? And the police are going to falsify the report?

((nope))

((Done))

I believe they fulfilled what they think is their obligation...

((done also))

~~~OOC~~~

tyhis is getting good.

gotta go. see you guys next week

okay.. the adventureres become hopelessly mired in trivialities...

See ya.

will they break free? find out next week!

night all

lmao I'll be there!

Ohh, one thing.. exp?

remind me next week

sure will! Everyone have a greta week, and see you next time! :)

Will do. I have spent two points on Physick.

k

LOl