CoT: Bastards of Erebus - Don't be Late

[Duniagdra]

On the note that each of you have received you have the location, Vizio's Tavern, and a time, for an early dinner (generally 4 PM), and a day, today.

You each inquired here and there and learn that the tavern was once prosperous, but that its owner, for family reasons, closed up and moved. It had recently been acquired by a human female and a male half-elf and that its slowly getting a new start. The food is good, but nothing that allows it to stand out yet.

Nani is the first one to arrive, getting there earlier than even she intended.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    I'd like a post from LinusMundane first please. Then, once he's posted, each of you may post up. As each of you enter, please describe your character, appearance-wise. Thank you.

[LinusMundane]

The tavern door opens and in walks a petite non-assuming teenage girl. Nani is fair-skinned with bleach blonde hair and gleaming blue eyes. Her custom fit leather armor, subtle in its display of skin, alluring men to take a closer peek, which often results in a dagger pressed to their throat and their purse falling from their waist into her hand. She sees a familiar face making repairs to the bar and offers a cheerful hello and takes a seat.

“Nice to see you again, you never gave me your name.”

[Twiglet]

In walks Anna Conda. She is tall, blond, blue rather attractive in her early 20s and dressed conservatively as a cleric of Iomedae. She carries a long sword with a small shield slung over her back. “Greetings friend. I am here. How is the ale?”

[Duniagdra]

The tavern door opens and in walks a petite non-assuming teenage girl. Nani is fair-skinned with bleach blonde hair and gleaming blue eyes. Her custom fit leather armor, subtle in its display of skin, alluring men to take a closer peek, which often results in a dagger pressed to their throat and their purse falling from their waist into her hand. She sees a familiar face making repairs to the bar and offers a cheerful hello and takes a seat.

“Nice to see you again, you never gave me your name.”

a Calm Voice: “Ah good. You're early though. Come have a seat here.” The woman guides you to the table already set. an Awkward Voice: “Well, yes. We'll get to that in a moment. Please, enjoy the stew. It's not the best mind you, but it will warm the body and fill the appetite.”

In walks Anna Conda. She is tall, blond, blue rather attractive in her early 20s and dressed conservatively as a cleric of Iomedae. She carries a long sword with a small shield slung over her back. “Greetings friend. I am here. How is the ale?”

a Calm Voice: “Good, you did come. I figured you would. Ale? Well... We're not well stocked on that. This place is still just getting up and running. I'll get you a pint, but in the mean time...” The woman guides you to the only table with someone seated. She's young and very cute. a Calm Voice: “Anna Conda, this is Nani. Nani, Anna Conda. Ladies, make yourself at home and enjoy the stew. It's not yet time to start.” The woman then places a bowl of stew in front of you. She soon returns with two pints of house Ale.

[LinusMundane]

Nani looks over Anna and says an excited voice: “Hello Anna, or do you prefer Anna Conda? Did they promise you what you are looking for as well?”

[Twiglet]

“Nani. hail and well met. I wonder what brings us here.”

[Twiglet]

“Anna is fine. Yes she did promise me that. I wonder what makes her think she knows what I seek.”THINKING: Especially when I am not too sure myself.

[Phoenik]

On his own foraging mission, Tanda walks in oblivious to the conversation at hand. All of 5'9" and 155 lbs, his slender build and clean yet obviously worn clothes makes him rather average looking. His tone physique, though easily overlooked, is the only thing that separates him from the other "20-somethings" his age. With an air about him just south of smug, just north of modest and a wrapped spear in hand, Tanda walks in with every step firm, sure, and balanced (especially with nothing but ladies in the room). He asks the least armed woman (assuming she's the owner or a barmaid) in a somewhat soft voice “Excuse me, is there a table available? I'd like to get some food.”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Lolz, I didn't exactly get a letter so I figured I'd have a bit of fun : ) Unless you want me to play along as if I did; I know how these things can go sometimes.

[Duniagdra]

On his own foraging mission, Tanda walks in oblivious to the conversation at hand. All of 5'9" and 155 lbs, his slender build and clean yet obviously worn clothes makes him rather average looking. His tone physique, though easily overlooked, is the only thing that separates him from the other "20-somethings" his age. With an air about him just south of smug, just north of modest and a wrapped spear in hand, Tanda walks in with every step firm, sure, and balanced (especially with nothing but ladies in the room). He asks the least armed woman (assuming she's the owner or a barmaid) in a somewhat soft voice “Excuse me, is there a table available? I'd like to get some food.”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Lolz, I didn't exactly get a letter so I figured I'd have a bit of fun : ) Unless you want me to play along as if I did; I know how these things can go sometimes.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Did I forget to point that out in your thread? Yes, everyone is here because they were each given a note to be here.

a Warm Greeting: “Ah good. You're here. By all means, come here and have a seat.” The woman then escorts you to the table at the hearth with the other two women seated. You take the seat she pulls out for you and soon slides a bowl of stew in front of you. She gets a pint of ale from the back and returns to her work. The three of you look to each other.
an Embarrassed Voice: “Oh my! Please forgive me. Ladies, this gentleman is Tanda. As with you, I was expecting him too. Tanda, you're seated with Anna, and Nani.”

[LinusMundane]

Eyeing Tanda up, in what some might mistake as potential interest, in reality she is sizing him up in her mind as to his capabilities in a fight. She stands as he sits and waits to be introduced. Nani will extend her hand in greeting to the stranger.

“Hello Tanda and well met. As told, I am Nani and this is Anna. It is my pleasure to meet you.”

[nydders]

Arantxa quietly and privately read the note and spent some time meditating her decision whether to meet with the woman or not. After some time she decided to meet the woman, after all she did know everything about her and that attracted her more and more to meeting her.

Standing 5'9", armored fairly heavily she quickly commanded attention, walking into the tavern tall and strong with her femininity not lost. She continued to walk noticing that the place was somewhat empty. Looking over she noticed a table with somewhat of a crowd. Immediately, Arantxa recognized the woman that gave her the note and walked over.
In a hesitant tone: “Hello, my name is Arantxa (Ar-on-saw)”, she says while looking around the table. “Well, what is this meeting about?”

[Phoenik]

Eyeing Tanda up, in what some might mistake as potential interest, in reality she is sizing him up in her mind as to his capabilities in a fight. She stands as he sits and waits to be introduced. Nani will extend her hand in greeting to the stranger.

“Hello Tanda and well met. As told, I am Nani and this is Anna. It is my pleasure to meet you.”

Tanda takes Nani's hand gently with no demonstration of strength, and nods, “Thank you”. Releasing Nani's hand he presses his together, bows to Anna as he takes a seat, turning as he hears the door opening and watches another woman approach the table.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    TIME WARP!!!! Figured I'd insert before Nydder's post.

[Duniagdra]

Arantxa quietly and privately read the note and spent some time meditating her decision whether to meet with the woman or not. After some time she decided to meet the woman, after all she did know everything about her and that attracted her more and more to meeting her.

Standing 5'9", armored fairly heavily she quickly commanded attention, walking into the tavern tall and strong with her femininity not lost. She continued to walk noticing that the place was somewhat empty. Looking over she noticed a table with somewhat of a crowd. Immediately, Arantxa recognized the woman that gave her the note and walked over.
In a hesitant tone: “Hello, my name is Arantxa (Ar-on-saw)”, she says while looking around the table. “Well, what is this meeting about?”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Thanks for showing pronunciation. LOL I gave up trying to figure it out on my own.

a Calm Tone: “Very good.” The woman seems please to see you. a Calm Tone: “Here, I have a seat for you. In case you may not have guessed, none of you were the only one's I contacted. What's a meeting without a group? Arantxa, please meet Nani, Anna, and Tanda.” She looks out the window a moment and then fetches a bowl of stew and pint of bear for Arantxa. a Calming voice: “Please be patient. It's getting close to time.” And, as with the others, she returns to her work before any any questions can be asked.

[PowerRongeur]

In walks an elf. While he's got high cheekbone, almost white skin and short blond hair, he's definitively not the best looking specimen of his race. He's dressed in a leather armor, two sword at his waist. He's got an haughty air about him and looks around in disdain. Upon seeing the waitress he says, with a snarl “You!” He then notices the rest of the gang.

With a cautious look, he takes a seat at the table. Not bothering with introductions, he looks at his bowl of stew with disdain. After tasting it, he looks back to the waitress. THINKING: Thinking: Let's hope your explanations will be better than your stew.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    I'm on vacation this week. I'll try to come here often but don't wait for me to move the story along. Assume I agree with what is proposed I have the table manners of a boor.

[Duniagdra]

Seeing the elf enter, and recognize her, make himself a bowl of stew and take a seat, the woman takes care of introducing him. a Calm Voice: “Everyone, this is Ricky. Ricky, we have Anna, Nani, Tanda, and Arantxa.” Having apparently finished repairs of the bar, the woman gets to doing something else.
You know it should be time to start, but she hasn't yet. From time to time she seems to be glancing out one of the windows.

a Calm Voice: “We'll begin shortly. There's just one other I'm waiting on.”

[gondolin1]

Rundorig stands in an allley near Vizio's tavern holding a note in his hand. It is dark. Dark fot dark things. '' I know this place' he whispers to himself, 'but how'. It is cold and damp. He feels his belt pouch. Yes there some coin left for a meal. He crumples the note, throws it in the gutter and rushes accross the street from the alley to the tavern.

Greetings all. An evening not fit to stay outside.

he says in a low soft voice. In the dim light of the tavern, Rundorigl ooks like a man in his late 30's.

Tavern keeper would you perchance have venison and mulled wine? I shall be closest to the fire smoking a pipe while I wait.

[Duniagdra]

Rundorig stands in an allley near Vizio's tavern holding a note in his hand. It is dark. Dark fot dark things. '' I know this place' he whispers to himself, 'but how'. It is cold and damp. He feels his belt pouch. Yes there some coin left for a meal. He crumples the note, throws it in the gutter and rushes accross the street from the alley to the tavern.

Greetings all. An evening not fit to stay outside.

he says in a low soft voice. In the dim light of the tavern, Rundorigl ooks like a man in his late 30's.

Tavern keeper would you perchance have venison and mulled wine? I shall be closest to the fire smoking a pipe while I wait.

The woman sees Run enter and announce himself. She greets him and bring him to the table with the others. a welcoming tone: “Ladies and gent, this here is Rundorig. Rundorig, I'd like to introduce you to the others of a team I've assembled. Meet Nani, Anna, Tanda, Arantxa (Ar-on-saw), and Ricky. Please have a seat. I'm sorry that I do not have exactly what you ask for, but the stew will warm your core and the ale will wash it down well enough. Besides, it's on the house. Please, eat and drink, I will return in a moment.” She then exits the room at the back of the tavern.
You continue eating and drinking, helping yourselves from the kettle in the hearth and the open tap on the table beside you. After a while, and you all have had your fill, and maybe even some talk trying to figure out how she knows so much about you, she once again returns. This time she takes a seat.
a calm tone: “Well, sorry for the late start, I guess I'll get this started. My name is Janiven.”
a Passionate and Enthusiastic tone: “Again, thank you for meeting with me here. I have chosen each of you for a singular reason—everyone here, myself included, has suffered, whether we realize it or not. I have lived in Westcrown my whole life, and although I love this city, I must admit, as must you, that despite our peace and prosperity, we continue to suffer. Fear should not be an expected part of life, and yet each night brings fear to our doorsteps. Yes, Westcrown has been safe from war and famine for nearly seventy years, and yes, our businesses has prospered—but this safety and prosperity has been bought in the coinage of fear and prayers to Hell. Other lands live free from tyranny. Other cities do not fear the night. Other governments do not cede the streets to monsters of the infernal shadows. Westcrown was once such a place, and she wants to be such a place again. Westcrown is not only her buildings and canals and docks and history—she is also her people. Westcrown is our friends and neighbors, our mothers and fathers, our siblings and cousins, our sons and daughters! With but a small group of supporters and dedicated brothers and sisters, we can earn the trust and admiration of those people. A Westcrown free of these shadowy beasts that stalk our streets is one step closer to a Westcrown free of the devil that is the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune!”
You all know full well, the words this woman just spoke to you are treason. Each of you, as well as anyone in Westcrown, knows at least someone taken by by a Hellknight or executed after a swift trial for speaking less treasonous words than what Janiven has just uttered. Hell, just hearing her speech could be enough to implicate any of you just the same as her. But you also know her words are true.

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Feel free to post your reactions, and questions, which I'm sure you'll have.

[gondolin1]

Rundorig watches the reactions of the rest of the group. He takes a long drag from his long-stemmed pipe and serves those who want tea from the kettle on the fire. He then steps back to the hearth and stares into the fire.

We all know the consequences of those words. We also know how we had to endure the night. It is time to take back the night ant make it ours again. So let us drink, smoke and talk awhile and see what mus be done...

[PowerRongeur]

“Well, there's hope for your lot yet. It's high time someone stands against this corrupt system.” Ricky leans back in his chair, crosses his finger behind his head and adds: “Surely you have a better plan than to appeal to the good will of the populace?”

[Twiglet]

Anna waits a bit. She stares hard at Janiven. “Iomedae knows what I think of these things but what makes you think you do?”

[Duniagdra]

Rundorig watches the reactions of the rest of the group. He takes a long drag from his long-stemmed pipe and serves those who want tea from the kettle on the fire. He then steps back to the hearth and stares into the fire.

We all know the consequences of those words. We also know how we had to endure the night. It is time to take back the night ant make it ours again. So let us drink, smoke and talk awhile and see what mus be done...

a calm tone: “We must gain the trust of the people.”

“Well, there's hope for your lot yet. It's high time someone stands against this corrupt system.” Ricky leans back in his chair, crosses his finger behind his head and adds: “Surely you have a better plan than to appeal to the good will of the populace?”

a calm polite tone: “And just how do you propose our current state took control? They had the support of the people. Granted, at the time, all may have seemed a good idea, but then most things are in desperate times. Again we are in desperate times, but now it's much different. For us to act out, in the open, that would only alienate us. But if we start by handling the little thing first, cleaning up local crime and such. That will give the local people hope and not really draw attention to what we are really up to.”

Anna waits a bit. She stares hard at Janiven. “Iomedae knows what I think of these things but what makes you think you do?”

Jan gets up and walks over to Anna and gently leans into her, Jan's lips close enough to Anna's ear that she can feel the warmth of Jan's breath as she speaks.
For Anna Only

Spoiler: show

a sultry tone: “You did get the compass?”

Jan then returns back to her chair and sits, glancing again out the window briefly. a calm tone: “We all have a common interest to some degree, but more so, we all have a more particular reason for wanting to see an end to the current state of things. Maybe justice for a death covered up. We all have our reasons, and I know enough about them to feel I've chosen the right people.”

OUT-OF-CHARACTER:    Well, silly me went to dig up another example of an underlying reason from one of you when I just now found why Phoenik mentioned he never got a note. I failed to start a thread for his character. Sorry about that oversight.

[LinusMundane]

“Sounds good to me, if you've got a plan, I am all ears! It is time for a change!”

THINKING: With me at the top...

[Phoenik]

Spoiler: show

Perception roll against these mugs (1d20+7=26)

a calm tone: “We all have a common interest to some degree, but more so, we all have a more particular reason for wanting to see an end to the current state of things. Maybe justice for a death covered up. We all have our reasons, and I know enough about them to feel I've chosen the right people.”

“I agree, this has gone on long enough and this is no environment for people or their families to thrive. But I see many walks of life at the table... and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with my chances of being turned in as a traitor for a bounty. No offense of course...” he finishes, looking at the two at the table whom he believes to be thieves.

[LinusMundane]

Spoiler: show

Perception to notice if Tanda is looking at me like a theif: (1d20+5=25) That was a natural 20. If you will even allow me to notice something like this, though Nani is very observant about being looked down on.

[LinusMundane]

Glaring intently at Tanda a raised voice: “Do not look down your nose at me! You are not better than me, though you seem to think it and if you should like I will prove this to you” On that she stands up, knocking over her chair in the process, but does not draw a weapon, merely continues the glare.

Intimidation against Tanda: (1d20+1=4)

She is trying very hard but it seems her small frame is hard to take serious, though she maintains her poise and growls angrily at Tanda.

a raised voice: “And here I thought we would be fast friends!”

[Phoenik]

Glaring intently at Tanda a raised voice: “Do not look down your nose at me! You are not better than me, though you seem to think it and if you should like I will prove this to you” On that she stands up, knocking over her chair in the process, but does not draw a weapon, merely continues the glare.

Intimidation against Tanda: (1d20+1=4)

She is trying very hard but it seems her small frame is hard to take serious, though she maintains her poise and growls angrily at Tanda.

a raised voice: “And here I thought we would be fast friends!”

Glaring intently at Tanda a raised voice: “Do not look down your nose at me! You are not better than me, though you seem to think it and if you should like I will prove this to you” On that she stands up, knocking over her chair in the process, but does not draw a weapon, merely continues the glare.

Intimidation against Tanda: (1d20+1=4)

She is trying very hard but it seems her small frame is hard to take serious, though she maintains her poise and growls angrily at Tanda.

a raised voice: “And here I thought we would be fast friends!”

Attempting a comforting smile, “I'm... sorry... perhaps I came off a bit strong. No, I don't see anyone as better than me, nor I better than anyone else. It's just from where I'm sitting I see a cleric and a paladin from their clothes and armor. He over there, is probably smoking something he found in the forest... ranger maybe? Too many clothes to be a druid. Now... you two have lots of small weapons. Only one profession I know prefers such weapons. I recognize that we all learned skills to get by, but I need to know that if we're all entering this pact then we're all safe at least from each other. Please take your seat and let's get to know each other.”

[Duniagdra]

a more lethal tone: “There will be no condescending here.” a more calming tone: “Each of you have something to contribute to the group. We have our healers, our fighters, our sneaks. You're all sufficiently skilled in fighting. But each of you has something that the other does not. Even those of you who share a similar trade. Now...” With sudden alarm, the door flings open and in stumbles an out-of-breath and frightened-looking teenager. exhausted breaths: “They’ve got Arael!” he calls out, then immediately doubles over in a fit of coughing brought on by a long run. Janiven’s face grows grim as she comforts the teenager and asks him to explain himself; in a moment the lad recovers enough to spurt out, an excited tone: “The dottari nabbed Arael, and the Hellknights of the Rack are trying to get custody of him! There’s a bunch of Hellknights on their way here now! I only just made it in here; they’ve already surrounded us!” Janiven locks the door.

At that point, the sound of clanking armor advancing on the tavern becomes apparent. Anyone who glances out the window sees a large group of heavily armed and armored Hellknights advancing down the street, yet Janiven
remains calm. a calm tone: “I apologize for involving you in this matter,” and as the Hellknights start hammering on the locked doors of the place and demanding in booming voices for those within to come out and give themselves up, an insistent tone: “Please follow me. You won't want to be at their mercy.”. She and the boy swiftly move behind the tavern’s decrepit bar, where they lift up a heavy trap door in the floor. As the pounding on the door increases, she breathlessly says that this shaft drops down into the Westcrown sewers. By fleeing along this route, they should be able to lose the Hellknights quickly. She urges them to follow.

[Phoenik]

With both hands, Tanda motions Nani to follow Janiven, “after you! it seems that we have bigger issues at hand and I see no better reason for us to put ours aside.”

[LinusMundane]

to Tanda quickly “Don't let it happen again”

Nani will quickly follow to the trap door and descend when possible.

[gondolin1]

Yes, let us take varisian leave. Time to fight each other at a later time. Where to now?