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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 15, 2019 10:26:00 GMT -5
He shrugs as if his position is of no real consequence to him, "By myself? Hardly my dear." The Guild Master makes an off handed gesture to his right. Abruptly there is a hulking seven foot tall man standing beside the guildmaster, staring angrily at your scowling face. Shirtless, this man appears to be made of corded steel instead of muscle. The Guildmaster turns back then, "Do you frighten easily my dear? This is Keth'tathaaz, I have him travel invisibly and cloaked in illusion so that I don't frighten the locals. If you dare, focus on how the light plays out around his silhouette and you should be able to see through the illusion." Your curiosity peaked, and possibly wanting to know just how much trouble you are in you shift your eyes and the illusion of a well muscled man fades to translucence. You almost wish you could go back to believing the illusion once more. Standing there in place of the well muscled man is a fourteen foot tall, rotund humanoid boarman. A double set of tusks jut out from it's massive jaws, and a comically small set of wings sprout from it's back. It's tail lashes back and forth like an angry cat, and it's cloven hooves grind into the ground as it shifts it's stance. Although no longer looking like corded steel, one of this creature's biceps alone is larger by half than your entire torso. Guildmaster's Bodyguard
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 15, 2019 10:38:02 GMT -5
Dahlia hides her panic well as his bodyguard suddenly appears and she takes a step away from him.
"Oh- What a surprise!" She chuckles softly but she's cursing to herself on the inside. She keeps a close eye on the creature, not making an sudden movements.
"I suppose I should applaud you for being prepared, sir"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 15, 2019 10:48:24 GMT -5
The Guild Master shrugs again, giving you his undivided attention, “I have business to attend to at the moment, but you have the look of an entertainer about you. Where are you performing?” The wagon driver from before is dutifully cleaning his nails with a sprig of wood, seemingly with no place else he would rather be than blocking up most of a street with his wagon and team. A steady stream of people flow past, most ignoring the pair conversing in the street. Others that look like they want to say something look away once they see who is blocking traffic. The bodyguard vanished once again, but you can still hear the sound of his cloven hoof grinding into the cobblestone.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 15, 2019 11:00:09 GMT -5
She gives him a little smile, but she keeps focusing on where the beast's hooves are at. She's trying to make sure it doesn't move anywhere.
"Good guess, sir, I am an entertainer. Tonight I'm actually performing a few songs at the Wayfarer's Rest, just down that way" She points in the building's location as she talks to him, acting smooth and casual.
"If you would like to come watch me, I'm sure my employer would have no agruement about it" She giggles a bit, giving him a little wink.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 15, 2019 11:11:48 GMT -5
The Guild Master nods, "Old Borris keeps an excellent establishment. You will do quite well there if you have the skill." You drop the wink, and the Guild Master takes your hands in his own, gently kissing your knuckles once more. "I look forward to it. I will be there if my business concludes with enough time." His hand subconsciously drops to one of his pouches, the one directly beside the empty space where the pouch you have in your possession used to hang. The grinding of stone suddenly intensifies, and then is gone. The faint sound of comically small wings fades quickly. Glancing about now, you have no idea where the bodyguard could be. "Until then my dear." He nods once more, and brushes past you almost close enough to touch.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 15, 2019 15:48:02 GMT -5
Dahlia keeps her eyes forward, not even daring to look down at the empty spot. She tries to keep an ear out for the sound of the creature's wings, still feeling it's presence in the area.
She pinches the sides of her skirt and does a polite little bow before he leaves.
"I hope to see you there, sir"
As he disappears out of sight, she's going to mingle into the crowd until she can get somewhere secluded to look into the pouch. After that, she's going to see if she can find any sleeping potion to coat her weapons with and a mask she can wear.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 15, 2019 20:39:51 GMT -5
(+25 exp for the Guild Master encounter.)
You merge into the crowd and make your way into an alley. Once you're sure that you're not being observed, you pull out the pouch and look inside. The pouch contains a single metal ball about two inches in diameter. The ball is completely composed of whirling gears, and there is a purple glow emanating from within. The closer to the center of the ball, the smaller the gears and the faster they whirl. The outside gears click steadily along, but it's easy enough to avoid binding them if you're careful.
Traveling around the district you manage to find a mask easily enough at a cost of two silver. The mask is a fancy one that would actually go with your current attire. Tracking down any sort of poison to apply to a weapons is much more difficult since such things tend to be illegal. What is your plan to try and track such things down?
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 15, 2019 21:10:04 GMT -5
Dahlia squints down at the little ball, leaning closer to get a better look at the object.
11 + 0 investigation check
She slides two sliver towards the sales person to pay for the mask, tucking it away into her bag before moving on. She's going to try to find a shady area to see if she can find any potions that she can use.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 15, 2019 21:13:45 GMT -5
You stare into the device, but have no bloody idea what it does. The clockwork is amazingly detailed, especially closer to where the glow emanates from.
You spend a good hour wandering around carefully asking people about sleeping drought or poisons, but everyone either doesn’t know where to find such things or isn’t willing to share what they know.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 15, 2019 21:18:46 GMT -5
Dahlia just huffs annoyedly, finding this thing utterly useless for her, but she decides to keep it just in case it will sell for some good coin.
She also gives up on her quest for any kind of that potion, guessing she needs to get into someone's good graces for that. She decides to check out the high district before it's time to perform tonight.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 16, 2019 6:56:46 GMT -5
You make your way through the hustle and bustle of the city of Clifton. As soon as you step foot into the flow of people on the main street you are swept away. From time to time you're jostled back and forth, and a few times you actually miss a turn as the press of bodies prevents you from getting to where you needed to be. You make your way South to toward the High District, the docks, and the Duchess' Palace. Each of those districts is separated from Commercial District by one long wall. To the South-West and up on the cliffs bordering the sea, the Duchess' Palace towers over all other buildings. A monument to her power and influence in the Empire. Also up on the cliffs, but this time to the South-East the roofs of the guild-houses, the splendor of the Pelorian Temple, and the spherical tower of the Mages Guild can be seen over the walls. Splitting those two districts is the docks, with the long road you ascended when coming into the city descending back down to the sea.
As you approach the gates to the High District the crowd thins somewhat, and you're no longer jostled. It gives you the chance to take note of two pairs of guards on either side of the portcullis at ground level, and another pair of faces looking on attentively from the arrow slits above. The men all wear a tabbard bearing the Imperial insignia paired with the Duchess' personal crest over their chainmail armour. The men watch the steady stream of humanity pass through between them.
As you approach the gates to the High District one of the chainmail clad guardsmen steps in front of you. He holds up his hand, palm forward in a stopping motion, "Just where do you think you're going vile-blood? The dock gate is that way." He gestures toward the docks, "Judging by the look of you, you would fit right in at The Winking Beaver." He laughs then, a harsh single bark. The guard behind him rolls his eyes, making a here we go again face. He looks uncomfortable, but remains quiet. The other two guards on this side of the portcullis, but on the other side of the steady stream of Humans passing by continue passively looking over the crowd. They have taken note of their companion stopping you, but either don't care or think that he has it well in hand. Two guard faces watch you carefully through arrow slits in the barbican above.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 16, 2019 13:23:23 GMT -5
When she finally makes her way out of the crowd, she brushes herself off with a huff. She takes a moment to fix her bun before making her way to the guards.
As she gets stopped, an immediate look of unimpressed crosses her face. She huffs again before stepping towards him.
"Vile blood? Oh how original..." She rolls her eyes at that, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She doesn't seem scared of him, clearly used to this kind of treatment.
"If you think of me as a common whore, you are going to be very embarrassed to learn that I'm not. Do you make an effort to stop all people who look like me? Because your job must be very boring. So why don't we make this easy for both the of us and you let me pass?"
She then peers over at the other guards who are watching.
"Do you have to deal with this foolishness every day? Or does he take weekends off?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 16, 2019 13:36:34 GMT -5
When you step toward him, his hand drops to his blade hilt. You get the feeling that it wouldn't take too much provocation for this man to draw that blade. "A feisty one eh?" He asks retorically, leaning down to be almost face to face with you, his breath smells of mint and is actually pretty refreshing for such a garbage person. He continues, his voice cold and hard like steel, "I do think you're a whore." He says it slowly, savouring the viciousness of it, "I just call em like I see em." When you ask if he makes an effort stop all people like you, he smiles. "You're damn right I do." He says with a sneer, "You can take your tail back on through the Harbour Gate, filth. Your kind is not welcome in the High District." The guard that rolled his eyes, nods before he catches himself, but doesn't otherwise say anything. He does make a calming motion with his hands though, subtly trying to deescalate things from behind the other guards back.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 16, 2019 13:51:28 GMT -5
She keeps giving him an unimpressed look, frowning at him deeply. She almost looks bored from this interaction. She peers down at his hand on the hilt before looking back up to his face, her eyes full of fire.
She shakes her head a bit before she starts talking again.
"Threaten me all you want, I'm not scared of pissy little punks like you. Sad, sad men like you don't even deserve my attention, so I don't even know why I'm continuing to stand here and humor you. So... If you'll excuse me."
She goes to walk by him, giving the other guard a polite nod.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 16, 2019 13:58:24 GMT -5
A gauntleted hand grabs your shoulder, spinning you back to face him. “If you want into the High District, you will submit to a search for contraband.” The look on his face is controlled anger mixed with cruelty. You get the feeling that the search he is insisting upon will be very personal.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 16, 2019 15:29:14 GMT -5
As Dahlia gets turned back towards him, she uses thaumaturgy to turn her eyes pitch black, like a starless night. When she starts to talk again, her threatening tone is joined with the sounds of furious whispers.
"I suggest you get your grubby, disgusting hand off of me right now, you foolish man... Do not take my anger lightly, or face the hellfire that crawls through my veins. I am not a woman of heinous acts, but I am /not/ afraid to get my hands dirty when it comes to people like you." She snarls out her words, flashing her teeth at him as she talks. She grabs his wrist and tosses it down.
She turns her head towards the other guards who are watching this go down.
"If you don't report this disgusting waste of air to your superiors, I will... If he values prejudice more than people, he does deserve this position of power"
15 + 3 = 18 intimidation check
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 17, 2019 9:14:41 GMT -5
The guard pauses, looking you over once again. Maybe he thinks you're someone important, or maybe he's had his fun and doesn't want to push it too far. He takes a deep breath, your display putting a hitch in his confidence. “Move along Tiefling.” He growls. You're not sure if he means move along away from the gate, or move along into the High District. You're not left wondering too long, as the guard that remained silent before places a hand in his shoulder, and then steps in front of him, “Good afternoon to you, my name is Guardsman Rupert. To set Guardsman Randell's worries aside I would be happy to accompany you during your visit to the High District.” He gestures into the tunnel through the wall, and when you begin walking he falls in beside you. Once clear of the wall he says, “Sorry about him, he lost a brother in the Hoard Wars. He has never really trusted non-Human's since he got back. How would you like to be addressed Mistress?” He says with a friendly, but all business smile. (+25exp for dealing with Guardsman Rendell)
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 17, 2019 9:50:03 GMT -5
She gives the guard she's been dealing with one final glare before turning to the more polite one. She doesn't seem too pleased about having someone with her, but she doesn't make any protest.
As she walks with Rupert, she lets her eyes fade back to normal and she gives him a polite smile.
"I assure you I've dealt with worse, but coming from a guard, I find that a little unprofessional. At least I'm not afraid to put people like that in their place..."
She gives him another smile as they get past the wall, seeming happy to get away from the arrogance.
"Hopefully, he's learned his lesson after that." She gives him a bow before she continues "You can call me Dahlia, good sir. Perhaps I should be more pleased that I have someone like you with me, I'm actually new to the area"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 17, 2019 11:54:00 GMT -5
Rupert seems really uncomfortable, "I doubt it. He's a good man, but he just can't see past the colour of a persons skin. Always assuming the worst from them." He shrugs, and changes the subject, "So what is it that brings you to the High District?" You hear that he has spoken, but didn't actually hear his words. You're distracted because you finally take stock of your surroundings. The High District is amazing, each building you pass seems larger than the last, and more ornate. Most seem like palaces beside the buildings you're used to seeing. Fancifully carved stone gargoyles rest upon the rooftops. Statues stand on pedestals, or spit or pour water in the center of massive stone basins. The buildings have carved stone pillars, or elaborate stonework. Lush gardens and well maintained orchards are on the grounds of every estate you pass. It must take legions of servants and gardeners to keep everything so clean and tidy. Even the cobbles below your feet are tightly linked, and nearly flat. It seems like as soon as one guard patrol passes out of sight, another crosses your path from a different direction. The streets themselves are twice the width as the streets below, and they have half as many people. Nobody here has to jostle another to get where they're going. The alleys you pass would be called streets below. Everything screams wealth, and the prices match. Your eyes nearly pop out of your head when you pass a fancy shop where a dagger cost ten Gold Phoenixs. The prize at the top of the hill in High District is the Pelorian Light Shrine. With it's vaulted golden domes, and towers a dozen stories high it is truly a marvel to behold. The walls surrounding the temple grounds are surrounded by a twenty foot tall wall, pure white, and seemingly made from a single uncut piece of stone. Magic must have been used in the construction of such a wall.
You thought the people below are dressed well, but even the most poorly dressed person up here looks like a noble. Even with your fine attire you almost feel under dressed. Women walk around with gowns that would normally be reserved for an appointment at court, and the men wear formal suits as if they're going to meet the Duchess herself. You do see a few of the common folk up here, some of which follow along behind one of the rich folk. While others carry heavy items or tools, making their way from one job or another. You see one beggar, with bandages wrapped around his head covering one eye. He's walking quickly toward the gate with his hands in his pockets and his eyes cast at the ground. A trio of guardsmen follow the fellow at a distance, but they don't look like they expect trouble. (Or are causing any, based on your last encounter.) Rupert points out a large perfectly round white spherical building. There is a long cylinder sticking out of the roof at an angle. The sphere seems to be made from a single piece of stone, without a seem or join to be had. A few people come and go from the building every few minutes, and by your math if the floors are standard height, it must be really cramped in there. "The Mages Guild." He says, apparently having given up on asking after why you've come to the High District. You're not the first newcomer he has lead around the place to be awestruck by what they've seen.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 17, 2019 14:18:55 GMT -5
Dahlia can't help but to be immediately consumed by the this glittering part of the city, an excited smirk spreading across her face. A little cheery giggle escapes her as she looks around. She can't help but to ogle at all the glamorous dresses she sees, feeling the itch just to grab them all but she restrains herself. She'll have to find a way in here by herself one of these days.
She pauses for a moment as she spots the beggar, keeping an eye on him. Her eyes glance to the guards and she waits just in case they look like they want to bother him.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 17, 2019 20:42:40 GMT -5
The three guards walk a dutiful thirty feet behind the fellow, seemingly unconcerned with his presence at all. The beggar looks uncomfortable to be in this part of town, and just seems like he wants to get out as quickly as possible. You guess from his bandages that he came to the Light Shrine to have his eye taken care of, those Pelorian types do a lot of good works for the poor. You see a troop of six bookish types in fancy scholar's robes, each of them is wearing a plain silver ring, very similar to the one the Guild Master was wearing. Trailing behind them a few paces is another bookish fellow, in even fancier scholar's robes. He wears a plain golden band. Regardless of the distance between them, you get the feeling that they're traveling together.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 17, 2019 20:47:41 GMT -5
Dahlia gives the beggar a small smile, seeming happy that he's being taken care of. She just can't see the sight of someone not getting the help they need and she hopes that pesky guard won't give him trouble on his way out.
"Do you get many ill folk come this way? Is there no place in the other districts where they can seek help?" Dahila turns to Rupert as she asked this, looking genuinely concerned and curious.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 17, 2019 21:01:57 GMT -5
Since the beggar is Human, you don't think that he will be harassed by Guardsman Rendell. Who knows though? He might also have a soft spot for the poor too, you wouldn't put it past him at this point.
Wiping the bored expression off his face at being completely ignored by you, Rupert says with a smile, "Oh yes, the Light Shrine attracts quite a few of the downtrodden, sick and injured. There are other smaller temples and shrines that provide medical services, but if you want the radiance of Pelor to cure your ailment in an instant you come to the Light Shrine." He looks up at the Light Shrine, pride radiating off his features, "They send practitioners across the river every day to tend to those less fortunate as well. Anyone that requires the divine gift of Pelor himself is sent up the hill to see the Lightbringer."
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 18, 2019 10:43:25 GMT -5
She nods slowly as she listens to him, feeling relief that the less fortunate are being taken care of.
"That's good to know. During my travels, I've seen far too many cities cast aside those who need help."
Dahlia then let's her eyes stray away from the man, curiously looking around more.
"Is there a theater near by, perchance?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 18, 2019 10:54:25 GMT -5
He looks kind of sad when he hears about people being cast aside, you get the feeling that this man joined the guard to make a difference and help people. "There is a stage that puts on performances every ten-day." He looks up the road some, and you think you can see the building he's looking toward. A massive stone cylinder some four stories high. There are stone pillars all around the outside of the structure, and arches that connect them together at the top. A peak rises above each archway, and on top of each peak is a flag flapping lazily in the cool breeze off the ocean. "I've never been inside it during a performance myself. Could never justify the expense to the wife." He smiles at the mere mention of his wife, and you get the sense from his mannerisms that he is fairly newly wedded. "Maybe I will take her for our anniversary. You think she would like that?"
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 18, 2019 11:08:28 GMT -5
Dahlia can't help but to smile at his enthusiasm, giggling softly to herself as she walks with him.
"Oh I'm sure she'll love it! I know that I'm someone who enjoys a good play every now and then. But a good performance can move anyone, I've learned that from my travels as well" She giggles again, having fond memories of the shows she got to witness while she was growing up.
"Be sure to take her to a love story, I think that would be perfect for an anniversary gift."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 18, 2019 13:10:24 GMT -5
"I will do that, thanks." He says happily, with a goofy little grin, "Look, I don't see you being a bother to anyone up here, but I don't want to be reprimanded for leaving you, and I don't want to have to collect you from the rocks. You see, if you cause any trouble in the High District, you won't have to worry about jail time. Trouble makers here take the high dive..." He trails off, pointing at a tower at the top of the cliffs. "Get what I mean?" Then he mimics a diving motion. Once he's sure that you understand he makes his farewells, and starts to walk back toward the gate.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 18, 2019 17:29:42 GMT -5
Dahlia puts her hands up in an innocent gesture, giving him a sweet smile.
"I assure you that I'm not here to cause any trouble, I'm just here to take a look around" She says that with confidence, trying to reassure him.
As he starts to walk off, she gives him a wave. Once he's out of sight, she smirks to herself and starts to make her way to the theatre.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Apr 18, 2019 20:42:57 GMT -5
The exterior of the building is as described before, but when you get closer you can see that the archways each contain hanging gigantic puppets or massive twenty foot tall statues of actors in dramatic poses. The flags each contain the same symbolism, one side depicts a triangle with a six pointed start at each corner. The other side depicts a fancy mask, half of the mask showing a happy face and the other half showing a sad one. The building has four entrances, one in each of the four main cardinal directions. All four are closed, and locked up tight. While you're trying one of the doors you can hear muffled high cant speech inside. Someone is practicing their lines.
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Post by kitteninaboxx on Apr 19, 2019 10:28:14 GMT -5
For a moment, when no one is looking, she presses her pointed ear to the door to listen in. Her tail slowly moves and curls around itself as she tries to listen in, and she drums her fingers against the large door gently.
12 + 1 = 13 perception check
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