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General => Play-By-Forum => Topic started by: Silhar on May 25, 2012, 15:57

Title: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on May 25, 2012, 15:57
Prologue: Path to hell, path to glory.


The sun flares from behind the armored glass, casting its light on the dark, ashen globe.

After two weeks of warp travel, enough to get any man sick, here it is. Malfi.
Vast mines, foundries, gun manufactures at least Hive Gunmetal big, if not bigger. Heavy machinery grinding all day, all night, producing goods, supplying three dozens of worlds.
Palaces of noblemen high in the sky, full of glamour and splendor. Crimson skies darkened with ash and fog.
Fifteen billion inhabitants, labouring every day in the name of God-Emperor, Him On Earth, The Savior of Man.

Malfi. The planet that could be the Calixis Sector capital.

But it is not.

And will never be.

The wasetland shimmers with the light of a dead lightbulb, while you gaze through the window.
"The Vigilant", gothic-class Black Ship Battlecruiser, slowly circles around the globe at its high orbit with you on board.

You find yourselves within a rectangular meeting room, the one that somehow resembles a shrine of sorts. Its walls are of polished steel, carved with many holy symbols - The Aquila, Two-Headed Eagle, the sign of the Holy Inquisition, the skull and the hammer...
The ceiling lies on four pillars of black marble, five metres high, one metre per one metre horizontally. The stone is polished and dark, flashes with the light of lamps, the ones hanging on the ceiling.
In the front, there is an altar. Behind it, on the wall - a small, square icon made in silver, the face of Saint Uthur The Cataplast, Thousand Times Wounded.
Hate to be that guy. You know, they say no statue of Saint Uthur is the same. Every single one has a thousand wounds on it. And not a single one is the same.

Funny.

Funny how many ways are there to make a man bleed.

In front of an altar there are several - four on the left, four on the right - benches, with these wooden planks to kneel on. Not polished like black marble, not polished at all. Makes every faithful a martyr of some kind. Like Uthur.

You both find yourselves here, waiting. Waiting for someone.
Waiting for the Inquisitor himself, as he comes and tells you - what does he want.
Waiting for him to tell you that if you don't obey, they shall have you praying to Uthur.

Minutes pass in dead silence as Malfi spins around, breathing smoke and dust.
Three or four of small spacecraft cross the screen, flying in the delta pattern.

Before we start, it is time for you to describe and introduce yourselves. Take your time and take it good. After all, we want you to be your characters, don't we?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 26, 2012, 01:06
Let's start with the description, since naturally first impressions heavily influence the way you deal with other.

What you see is Abhuman beyond all doubt; althought humanoid in shape and human in size [about 1.70m tall] its leathery skin has just slightly too many folds, and the pale dark blue and gray hue does nothing to compensate for this. This is only of secondary importance compared to the head though: there's nothing human about that. The forehead simply passes into a snout the shape of a lizard's, with the same elongated jaws and inconspicuous nostrils. The only non-reptilian aspect are it's eyes, that are set more or less together like a human's, and have the same retinae and pupils, although the former are of a deep and warm yellow shade.

It's hard to read such an impassive face to begin with, but its whole body language exudes a lack of emotion, which could easily be mistaken for tranquility. Those familiar with them would tell you it reminds them of a coiled snake, waiting to strike. For the moment though, all it does it sit there and stare out into the void.

Regardless of its physical shape, or maybe because of it, the Emperor seems to have dealt this creature a poor hand. Quite a number of scars are visible on its legs, arms, neck and face, enough to make you wonder how many more are hidden underneath the shabby clothes it wears. There's no mistaking one thing though, it definitely wasn't on its own: the clothes clearly bear the colours and symbols of one belonging to a gang. They slightly resemble priestly robes, with a wide hood on its back and ragged cloth hanging from its waist down. The faded colours can still be distinguished as having once been something off-white, ivory most likely, and a deep blue shade of purple. Over the left breast, on the back and on the cloth, a stylized seven-pointed star can be seen, in a shade dark enough to once have been black.

The same star has also been tattooed on its right hand. Surprisingly, it wears no jewellery or other adornments that are unfailingly popular amongst gangers.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 26, 2012, 08:48
Heeeeeere we go...

At first glance, the red haired man who is sitting on the bench appears to be sleeping. But looking at him for a minute or two will tell you that he is not sleeping at all. He watches everything what happens around with his eyes.

Eyes of solid purple.

While he appears to be completely human, his eyes are different from typical human eyes. Dramatically different. The whole eye is deep purple, iris consist of two half-circles that are a lighter shade of purple and do not connect with each other, neither they connect to the black, small pupil.

The rest of the face seems to be completely human - but that is all tha can be seen. His whole humanoid body is completely covered with black and dark brown clothes, heavy boots and gauntlets. A black robe or cloak would probably finish the picture - but none of theese are present. Instead, a dark green scarf is worn.

A smile is seen on the man's face almost all the time, but every so often, it gets replaced by a mark of sorrow. But whenever it will happen, it is not going to stay for more than a several seconds.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 02:45
You've seen the likes of him a thousand times before. Every imperial world is full of them - the lowest ganger scum doing their best to stay alive in these dark and grim days of the Imperium of Man. If you look closely though, you'll notice that his pale skin has been marked by many different gang markings and scars suggesting that many more markings have been removed over time. The most prominent (and it seems the oldest) tattoo is made in blue ink and as far as can be seen covers his whole body.

It seems as though he was in fact trying to blend in with others and disappear and there is precious little to distinguish him from the untold billions people living in the galaxy - his eyes give away hints of a strong personality and his hand is always playing with old splintered wooden dice.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 02:55
@Silhar, I guess it's safe to assume that we do not currently have any weapons equipped?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 03:19
MkLear finally puts his dice back into his pocket and looks cautiously around the room. "So, what do you think we're waiting here for? A job? More like purification, muties. They say the Emperor protects, but not the likes of you and I."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 03:43
The.. thing gives you a blank look. Just as you think no response will be forthcoming, it speaks calmly in a low, deep voice: "If they wanted us purified, we'd be dead already." It then resumes staring into space.

For reference, its voice sounds like a cross between Mr. Smith (The Matrix) and Cornfed (Duckman).
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 04:01
"Ah... yes. Of course." replies MkLear with a laugh. "Then again, there are fates worse than death."
His hand once again finds his old dice and starts to play with them, almost as if he isn't even aware of it.
"Assuming everything I've heard about the Inquisition isn't true and this is in fact a..." he pauses before he can think of a suitable word, "a job interview, we might be spending a lot of time together from now on, so I suppose we should get to know each other. I'm Lijah MkLear."
Despite his friendly chatter, he makes no attempt to extend his hand to his new acquaintance, keeping it busy playing with the dice instead.

Edit: BTW, I'm assuming HexaDoken's character is present as well, despite the intro saying "You both find yourselves here", since he joined the game later.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 05:08
Edit: BTW, I'm assuming HexaDoken's character is present as well, despite the intro saying "You both find yourselves here", since he joined the game later.

Agreed.

Again, the same slightly unnerving look, as if you're being measured up. "Lazerus." The thing redirects its glance at the red-haired man, as if expecting a response.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 05:22
"Alright. I can see you guys aren't the talking types," says MkLear with a sigh, when the third figure present in the room doesn't answer. "I guess I'll just get back to quiet brooding then."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 06:46
While the two were speaking, the red haired man finally stopped pretend to be a sleepy man and changed sitting position. Completely ignoring MkLear and Lazerus, he casted his gaze upon the nothingness. After a minute of not moving, he finally turned his face to his new "partners". After a few seconds of studying them, a rather stupid smile appeared on his face.

"I am sorry. Got carried away thinking about stuff and missed the start of conversation. I suppose you two will be my partners from now on... You can call me HexaDoken".

The man seems to have trouble picking words. Horever, it doesn't bother him much. Nothing seems to bother him - even knowing that they are waiting to get a mission they won't probably be able to survive, and knowing that he is most probably talking to dangerous criminals, he is acting like if them all just came to drink tea and have a friendly chatter.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 06:49
I personally assume that I DO have weapon equipped. But I have no intent to draw one and start shooting randomly. Just have them in case something will go screwy.

Under normal circumstances, I would as well. Needless to say these circumstances are far from normal.

@Silhar: do any of us recognize anything about the others? Gang colours MkLear or I are wearing, or the uniform(?) on HexaDoken?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 06:56
"Oh look! He's awake. Nice to meet you HexaDoken... do you mind if I call you Hex? Not that I'm implying you are a witch, of course."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 06:57
"I'd be more glad if you call me Hexa, if that won't be difficult for you.
And yeah, nice to meet you too."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 07:02
The thing just sits there, watching the conversation.

Lazerus is simply sizing up the competition, trying to get an impression of what the other two are like, how sincere they seem to be, etc.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 07:07
Red haired guy takes a look at what is around again.

"Three of us, I guess... So. Any ideas what kind of 'job' our dear Inquisition will give to us?"

The tone in which theese words were said obviously tell that HexaDoken doesn't think about Inquisition very well. Rather, not well at all.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 07:11
The tone in which theese words were said obviously tell that HexaDoken doesn't think about Inquisition very well. Rather, not well at all.

I wanted to ask this as a general request: please be as descriptive as possible, just like this example - all information that comes from body language and tone of voice is totally lost in this medium...
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on May 27, 2012, 07:18
Yes, you *do* have your guns with you. Bear in mind, however, that you are not the only guys with guns on this city-sized battleship.

I doubt that any of you would recognize uniforms of each other - these are two points in galaxy pretty far from each other.

Also, I would be grateful if you posted such out-of-game stuff in an OOC thread, not here.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 07:21
Also, I would be grateful if you posted such out-of-game stuff in an OOC thread, not here.

Fixed.

How did we get here by the way? Arrested? Press-ganged? We don't know?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 07:24
"You know how it is with them, Hex." replies MkLear cheerfully. "Kill the heretics. Kill the xenos. Kill the mutants. That sort of thing."

He glances as Lazerus while mentioning mutants. Then he continues in a more serious tone, his hand gripping the wooden dice firmly.

"A fething suicide mission, sure as sure. I'm not sure which of the three we'll stand against, but I know it won't be pretty."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 07:28
He glances as Lazerus while mentioning mutants.

Again, the same blank stare. Either no offence was taken, or this quip gets stored somewhere for future reference.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 07:34
"Hexa, damnit, not He... altho, I guess that doesn't matter much. Call me whatever you like to."

Red haired guy takes out a can of some liquid(cola?), drinks a bit, and then says: "We will have to shoot people... that was kinda obvious, wasn't it? If that wasn't true... would they ever choose someone like us?
Anyway, I guess no one has got any details on what's going to happen." - HexaDoken drinks another bit from his can. - "I guess we have to wait."

Meanwhile, he casts a gaze at Lazerus. If one would look at his eyes, he would find a nice amount of interest there. Seconds later, HexaDoken whispered something to himself and resumed staring at the ceiling...
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 07:38
"Shooting someone sounds good at this point." As if wanting to be prepared should the possibility present itself, Lazerus takes out his autogun and goes through the routine of cleaning the thing. For a ganger's gun, it looks surprisingly well-kept.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 07:49
"Well, this waiting is getting unbearable." MkLear turns back to HexaDoken.
"By the way, did I call you Hex? I'm sorry. Won't happen again." MkLear puts the dice away again and lights a lho-stick instead. He continues after inhaling a couple of times.
"I'm sure there will be plenty shooting, killing and other heartbreaking stuff like that. But the two of you look like you can handle yourself in a fight, am I right, Hex? Sure as sure."

BTW, I forgot to "buy" lho-sticks when creating my character. In fact, I think I completely neglected to get anything but starting gear. I guess I'll just deduct the 10 thrones they cost and... oops. That leaves me with 1 throne. Hope this job pays well.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 07:59
"Heh." - HexaDoken takes the bag from his shoulder, looks what's there, and shortly after puts in back on place. - "And of course, when the shooting part starts, I find myself quite low on ammo. Marvelous!"

It is noticeable that the man doesn't feel anywhere incomfortable sitting near a strange ganger-looking guy who just took out a gun for no reason and started cleaning it. Normal people should find themselves quite nervious now...

Upon hearing himself called as Hex twice in a row by MkLear, HexaDoken turns to MkLear and looks at him with a rather stupid smile. This time though, he decided to not say anything about it.
"Sure I am able to handle myself in a fight..." - he responded, and then continued, slightly more quitely - "Sure I am..."

Meh, I quite forgot to buy anything. Being a guardsman, I have good 77 thrones! But not sure what I'm going to spend them on.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 08:01
Finishing the check-up, Lazerus puts the gun's stock to his shoulder and stares along the barrel to a random point in space. With a slow swing, he directs his aim at MkLear's forehead and says, in the same calm, even voice "Can you?", after which he puts the gun away again, and starts the same procedure on his pistol.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 08:03
Do any of you two noticably carry any weapons?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 08:07
A laser pistol and a charge pack can be seen on my belt, altho both are as black as the clothing and they blend very well, thus they can't be noticed from a first glance. A belt of shotgun shells in attached to the bag, indicating that I probably have a shotgun. The bag itself seems to be the only place where it can be located.

EDIT: oh, lol, totally forgot. Add a sword attached to the bag. Sword is short, and is in black sheath, so it isn't very noticeable, but spotting it is apparently easier than spotting a lazgun.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 08:17
I've got (apparently - had to check my char. sheet) a knife, an autopistol and an autogun. All concealed (if it is possible to conceal an autogun, that is. Not sure how big it is).

"I've seen my share of combat, Laz," MkLear replies, calmly looking into the barrel of Lazarus' weapon, "and I've got scars to prove it. In any case, this planet is no war zone. Not yet, anyway. There might be a need for some diplomacy and when that time comes, leave the talking on me, OK? When that fails, blast away."

Incidentally, even though such a thing is not required (I hope) and you have to take my word for it anyway, I rolled a 100 die (online) for a willpower test to see if I can calmly stare into the barrel and made it (rolled 29). Just for fun =)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 08:21
Without glancing up: "Sure. You'll never know what hit you." It's hard to make out whether this is an attempt at some dark form of humour or threat - it sounds like neither.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 27, 2012, 08:27
"Oh great," MkLear says to nobody in particular. "Muties, psychos, feth-heads. I should have stayed on Tanith," he adds under his breath, though not so silently that he can't be heard. He takes a long breath from his lho-stick while his left hand searches for his wooden dice again.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 09:26
"Heh, wonder which category I fit." - HexaDoken replied with a smile. Then he looked at the ceiling once more, but this time he was much more serious than during the whole conversation, if it can be named as one. - "For a happier life, we should all stay on our planets... but that isn't very interesting, is it? When you travel, you encounter many interesting places... many interesting people..." - he takes a knife from the sheathe that he wears on his left arm - "...that you can shoot or rip trough... " - sheathes the knife back - "...or not, if you would like. Ain't that all just fun?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 12:01
Ain't that all just fun?

This elicits another stare from Lazerus. "You'll take to this like a fish to water, I'll bet."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 12:19
"You mean? Like I am used to it? Well..."
HexaDoken slowly turns away and starts staring into nothingness once more. Looks like he got carried away again.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 27, 2012, 12:25
Having finished with the pistol as well, Lazerus rises to his feet for the first time. "Where I come from, there's nothing funny about killing. When everyone is after your turf, your thrones, your stuff, even the Arbites, you kill to live. So that your family may live. And anyone who tells you otherwise will learn the error of their ways soon enough."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on May 27, 2012, 16:36
Every time it looks the same, even though it's not always as obvious.

"I am Inquisitor Mordecai Van Bohr and I would be flattered if you worked for me from this moment."

Words sound softly and gently, but there is something in them - something you can feel. Something that makes you know that it's an offer you cannot refuse.

Because if you do, you are dead and gone, on your way straight to hell.

A great chance to kick off your career, to leave the place where you learned to hate life, to... die another way?
Let's face it. You're all mutants. You lived your lives in shadows, where nobody could find you. Because if they did, they would kill.
But they found you anyway. They didn't kill, no.

After all, there are fates worse than death.

There is a loud screech and then rumble. Steel door shatter in two and hide in the walls.
The immense light fills the dark shrine - as though there was only light behind these door. It flows inside, but it is cold and strange.

And in the middle - a dark figure. A man. A short yet athletic man clad in robes. His head is bald.
The only thing visible at his silhouette's background is a blaze of red light where his left eye should be. Also, he has an additional arm, hulking and ending with a gun's barrel, hanging motionlessly over his right shoulder.
He steps inside, as the silence falls. His steps echoe in that silence, making it even more intense.

The door seal again, yet the screech is the same.
Here he is. Inquisitor Van Bohr came to read the charges.

"Good evening to you, gentlemen.", he speaks and his deep voice has some artifical humming in the background. After a while you can see a small object in his neck - flashing with three diodes. A voice synthesiser.
His long, handsome face is covered with a short, blonde goatee. His left eye is missing, substituted with a bionic one. His robes are crimson-red. Adeptus Mechanicus member, perhaps?
"I am glad to see you all gathering here", he announces, his voice not containing emotions at all. "Forgive me being late. Matters that couldn't be left by themselves."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 27, 2012, 23:30
After hearing what Lazerus said, HexaDoken glances at him once more. He certainly wanted to say something... however, Inquisitor entered the room before red haired sleepyhead got a chance to speak his words.

He stands up, and looks at the bald man. "Mordecai Van Bohr... where have I heard this name?" - speaks he loud enough for Lazerus and MkLear to hear, but too quiet for Inquisitor to hear. That is, unless he has some more hidden bionics that allow him to hear better.

HexaDoken wanted to say something once more, but did not. His smile that constantly occupied his face dissapeared for a while - looks like he finally started to take the situation seriously. His look was filled with suspiciousness.

He then turned back to his partners for a second. His face more than clearly expressed the words: "This is not good."

...Not that anyone expected anything good in the long run.

Awareness roll. Per 40, roll 35, pass.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 28, 2012, 00:19
Anybody looking carefully at the newcomer may do an Awareness roll. Not a necessary thing, though.

Done, and failed miserably (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3538884/).

Looking at Van Bohr's equipment and based on any experience I might have: what are my odds of taking him down with the autogun?


He then turned back to his partners for a second. His face more than clearly expressed the words: "This is not good."

Lazerus glances at you, seemingly taking a mental note of the sense of foreboding your look conveys, then shifts his gaze to MkLear, as if expecting to see him in mild distress as well...
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 28, 2012, 01:21
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on May 28, 2012, 04:34
Done, and failed miserably (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3538884/).

Looking at Van Bohr's equipment and based on any experience I might have: what are my odds of taking him down with the autogun?


This man has got a gun mechadendrite equipped with a storm bolter. He's the member of Priesthood of Mars, which means he is half-machine at least, which leads us to things like repairing nanomachines, subdermal armor, impossible reflex...

Betcha you don't want to try it.

Also, this is the man who recruited you in the past. Your current boss, as we might assume.


Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The Inquisitor crossed the room, not saying anything anymore. He walked carelessly, slowly, as though he didn't pay attention to you at all. His mechadendrite, however, leaned into your general direction, not unlike a guard dog spotting an intruder.
He stood behind the altar and let his hands rest on the black marble.
"Does any of you have any questions of importance before we begin your briefing?", he asked.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 28, 2012, 04:56
MkLear nervously clears his throat, trying not to sound too intimidated.

"I think I speak for all of us when I ask the obvious question. Why us? I'm sure the Inquisition has plenty of agents that are better... equipped to deal with.. whatever it is you want us to deal with. By the way, do you mind if I smoke? It helps me... concentrate," he adds.

He then takes out another lho-stick, glad to have a reason to break eye-contact with the Inquisitor.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on May 28, 2012, 05:44
"None of my agents is better suited to this task than you, gentlemen. You've got your past and made it to survive this long in environments said to be... unpleasant at least. You know your ways around shady people and where the winds come from in the Underhive. This is why you and not somebody else - because we need the job done quick and solid", he responds after a while of consideration. "As long as you don't choke and die on us here, whatever floats your boat", he Inquisitor adds.

So there will be shady people and hostile environments. Nice way to begin your career.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 28, 2012, 05:53
Edit: I just thought of something else to say, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to change what I already posted (and have no idea is somebody already read it), but since I won't be here in the evening, I'd hate to miss on this opportunity. I'll archive my original post under a spoiler just in case.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"I can assure you I have no intention to die if it can be helped," MkLear replies, relieved that his worst fears have not yet come to pass.
The details of the assignment might change that, though. Without waiting to find out if his colleagues have any questions of their own, he bows slightly, makes the sign of the aquilla while holding the lho-stick in his mouth and continues:
"We are ready to serve the Emperor. I have no doubt you ask nothing less of us than to proceed with maximum cautiousness and professionalism. Therefore, if I'm not imposing, could we see your Inquisitorial Rosette before you give us our task?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 28, 2012, 06:54
Darn you... missed the thing again.

During the conversation, HexaDoken mostly stared at the inquisitor. This didn't go unnoticed - Van Bohr eventually casted a gaze at HexaDoken's eyes.

This gaze... was surprisingly heavy. Keeping eye-contact with this kind of man for this long would probably drive anyone nuts... but HexaDoken wasn't this easy.
Horewer, even he couldn't hold it long. Finally, he sat at the bench, admitting his defeat in this little battle of will.
He took his can of cola, made a deep drink, looked at it, found it empty, stomped it and accurately threw it in the nearest dustbin. Then, he started thinking.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 28, 2012, 12:32
Betcha you don't want to try it.

Already thought so. The fact that he's my current boss is no reason to hold back, but if I don't survive, it's pretty useless. Regardless, this is the first thing that crosses Lazerus' mind.

I let MkLear do the talking, smiling inwardly at the request for the Rosette. I keep observing Van Bohr, trying to find a weakness.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on May 28, 2012, 13:23
I guess finding information over the Internet is an Int test... If so, congratulate me on my fail. Rolled 39, while my Int is 34.

Mate, we're on a spaceship. There's no internet here. Also, the Dark Age of Technology, so there is no Internet at all.
How do you think the Inquisitor's Facebook profile would look like, eh? :P


Van Bohr nodded.
"How silly of me. Of course.", he said, reaching for the badge and showing it to everyone in the room. "This is very careful of you, young man. Almost to a degree of paranoia. And very couragerous to actually demand something from your current position. Impressive, yet I must advise you to be more careful on how do you adress people. Many in my place would have you shot for that.  But how did you know about rosettes?"

Wild step here, Klear. Keep it up and maybe you'll survive. That's 50 xp for you.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on May 29, 2012, 02:27
MkLear feels something like relief, although that is a relative term, especially when facing an Inquisitor.
"Every Imperial citizen knows about the Rosettes," he replies carefully, unable to shake the feeling that the Inquisitor is testing him.
"Otherwise they would be quite useless. I have to admit I've never seen any with my own eyes. Quite a sight."
MkLear knows he's beginning to babble which is not a good sign. The words come out almost automatically, while he recalls the design of the Rosette.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

He abruptly stops speaking and makes a half-step backward into the bench.
"I'm sorry if i spoke out of turn, but a little paranoia might come in useful on our assignment. We don't have any more questions," he looks at Lazerus and HexaDoken, as if looking for help. "Do we? I think we can move onto the briefing now."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 29, 2012, 02:54
A simple nod is all Lazerus has to add.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 29, 2012, 03:18
"Sure." - HexaDoken replies, while still looking at the nothing. Looks like he is stuck in some semi-thinking state. - "The briefing is the only thing we now need."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on May 31, 2012, 16:28
Van Bohr stands idly for a while, measuring you with his cold, unemotional gaze.

"Good", he exclaims. "Very good."

The air echoes with the sound of his footsteps, as he starts walking around the room. Slowly.

"The globe you can witness through the glass at the wall to your left is Malfi. It is the capital of Malfian subsector of Sector Calixis. The Hive world containing just one city, the Malfi. Five billion inhabitants. Local heavy duty equipment manufactures are not devoid of meaning to local produce. In fact, these are the most of local produce. It is a place of great importance. Perhaps this being the only reason we hadn't razed it yet."

He bolts a spit, then proceeds on.

"At the top of this great, dark tower there is nobility - a legend around our kind. Malfi is a political warzone. Lord Sector Marius Hax used to look at their plotting right through his fingers, because this is what keeps this place running effectively. This might sound not unlike a paradox, but it is true. If any one family grasped the supremacy over all the planet, it would become unsound..."

A slow shake of the head.

"Of course, there are borders nobody - even Throne-blind-them Malfians - should cross. About two months ago we were forced to send two whole companies of Grey Knights to Thyss due to local unrest. Our agents collected enough proof for us to suppose that Marik DeLark, head of the House DeLark, had his share in supporting the rebellion that forced us to raze a profitable mining site."

The Inquisitor takes a look at you before he goes on - as though he wanted to know if you catch his drift.

"Unfortunately, the same proof that leads us here is inadequate for us to issue a direct charge against the count DeLark. In order to bring the foul traitor to the light alongside with all his crimes, we need something more... obvious. This is where you kick in."

You would promise that a faint smile came across the man's face.

"Of course we are far from sending folks of your kind to a nobleman's hold. Or, at least, not oficially."

The smile is gone.

"Our informants on Malfi rarely get to hear anything interesting, but not this time. One of our sleeper agents depeched us about a large criminal group occupying The Underhive. Stray Hounds, as the call themselves, are said to plan on a large heist... Right where we want to get in. You have three objectives: the first one being finding our man that will guide you to where the group is believed to gather. The second one involves blending with it, perhaps gaining their leader or leaders' trust enough to let you in their action. The third one... Once you get, Emperor protect you, inside the DeLark Estate, you are to find any suitable proof that would speak against the traitors. Once you are done, I'll have my men collecting you and bringing back here. Provided you survive. Throne protect you so that you did."

Once again he looks at you, his face expressing absolutely nothing.

"Now, on the reward, because everybody has to eat and drink."

He claps his hands. Suddenly, a segment of wall slides away, revealing a small compartment. From the inside, a servitor - a cyborg lacking free will - stumbles, carrying a leather briefcase. Van Bohr takes it, then sends the robot back to where he turns off. The door shut behind him.
With a loud click, the case opens, revealing three medals made of black steel - Inquisitorial rosettes.

"Each one of you takes one, so that people would know that you work for me and they are obliged to give you any help you would desire. Do not overuse it, though. Remember that they may open many doors before you - but might shut some dead as well. Some of these doors might also squish you to death."

He walks towards every single one of you and waits until you grab your rosette.

"Of course - if any of thieves realizes that you work for me, the mission is failed and we will have to terminate you. Do bear this in mind. If you succeed, you will be given anything you want. Who knows? Maybe some of you even become ones of us someday?"

After you are done with officials, he returns behind the altar.

"Do you have any questions? Of course you do. It is the matter of your lives."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on May 31, 2012, 23:24
"Whoa."
Upon receiving the black medal, HexaDoken's look pauses at it... in awe. No, seriously, Inquisitorial Rosette just at the first serious mission for Inquisition? That obviously is much more than this mercerenary expected.

He quickly hides it somewhere under the jacket.
"This mission sounds easy enough... but the 'everything you want' kind of reward obviously points that it is not. Neither you would just give rosettes to someone like us, right?

Stray Hounds... I would like to have more information about them, if possible. Namely, how powerful are they. I can already guess that they are powerful as hell, but a bit of specifications wouldn't hurt. Generally, I'd just like to know who I'm going to deal with.

Other than that, no questions probably...
"

Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on May 31, 2012, 23:36
With an aversion that probably shows as  - for the first time -  his expression changes for a few seconds, Lazerus takes the rosette from the box and examines it. Without looking up, he responds to Van Bohr's question: "We won't get anywhere with these Stray Hounds as long as any of us are still obivously wearing other gang's colours, or any other outfit that marks us as obvious outsiders."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 02, 2012, 04:07
MkLear palms the rosette, a look of slight disbelief in his eyes. This is going to be serious business, his look says for a fleeting moment. Then he gets a hold of himself and joins the conversation.

"We just need a likely story why the three of us wish to join their outfit, Laz. We are all newcomers here on Malfi, right? Maybe we pulled a heist and it didn't work out. We had to find a place to hole up and Malfi is as good as anywhere to do just that. And just in case the authorities are following us, we're in a desperate need to allies. If we can show the Stray Hounds we are dependable, pull a few jobs for them, they might be willing to have us join sooner than you'd expect, sure as sure. As for the guardsman," MkLear turns to the Inquisitor, "would it be possible to have the official records say he is AWOL? I'm not sure if these gangers have the means to check that, but it would be a nice touch if they did."

A slight frown crosses his face, while his head is busy considering different plans and schemes - most if not all of which will probably have to be abandoned when faced with more facts.

"How much time do we have for this? Do you know when they are planning to do this heist? I think we can infiltrate them, but not if we're on too tight schedule."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 02, 2012, 06:43
"We just need a likely story why the three of us wish to join their outfit, Laz. We are all newcomers here on Malfi, right? Maybe we pulled a heist and it didn't work out. We had to find a place to hole up and Malfi is as good as anywhere to do just that.

Lazerus slowly shakes his head, and speaks, still in the same calm, flat voice:

"Requires too many lies to make a shaky story at best. We'd be better off looking like drones and having a simpler scheme going."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 02, 2012, 06:51
MkLear frowns at Lazerus for interrupting his train of thought.

"Well then you two can be drones, if that's what you do best. I intend to make a good impression. And how can you be sure I'm lying about my history?" he adds with a mischievous smile.

"Anyway, like I was saying..."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 02, 2012, 11:37
Lazerus has no more to contribute; all he can do is cast a glance at HexaDoken, wondering what he'll make of this blatant display of ignorance.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 02, 2012, 23:08
"Drones, meh..." - replies HexaDoken with yet another stupid smile. - "Whatever..."

Looks like he finally returned in his "I don't take anything around anywhere seriously" state. But it might only look so.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 03, 2012, 03:51
Without any further comment or gesture, Lazerus resumes staring into space again, this time focusing on Malfi.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 04, 2012, 14:10
Van Bohr awaits until everybody falls silent.
"As for Stray Hounds, as they call themselves, you shall be told more about them by my informant you are going to meet after you land.", he explains. "But as for now, I can tell you they are a large gang of about three hundred souls, engaged in quite a few turf wars at the moment and mostly dominating the local scene. They are led by the man of nickname >>One-Eyed Fennec<<. Which is surprising, we completely lack any data concerning him. He has no name and no criminal record at all. It is more than possible that he's an off-worlder."

You peek at the rosette.
The medal of polished black steel is round, around five centimetres in radius and resembles a small octagonal sun with a round hole in the middle. Inside it there's a three-dimensional miniature model of human skull. The sculpture is pretty complex - you can actually see every single detail of the artifical bone.
There are a few words inscribed on the wheel, but you can't understand them.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 04, 2012, 14:21
Lazerus proceeds to pull some strands of cloth from his robe-like clothing, making small incisions with his knife and then carefully tearing of three strings. These strings are then twined into a braid, which he pulls through the rosette. As he hangs it round his neck, he takes another look at it and says, without taking his eyes off the badge: "Tell us what words we will be fighting for."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 05, 2012, 07:29
MkLear looks at Lazerus with disapproval. "You'd better keep that thing well hidden. There's a lot of people who wouldn't hesitate to kill all of us if they caught glimpse of the rosette on your neck, sure as sure. And I have a feeling it's exactly the kind of people we'll be dealing with soon."

He puts his hand into his pocket, as if making sure the rosette given to him is still there, but when he takes it out, his wooden dice are in his palm instead.

"I've got a technical question," he turns to Van Bohr. "Could we maybe get some thrones up front? I'm a little low on money right now, and I need to pick up some supplies." He crushes the lho-stick butt under his boot and mutters with a faint hint of irony: "I was going to ask for half in advance, but seeing as you are offering us *anything we want*,"  halving that could prove difficult."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 05, 2012, 09:36
MkLear looks at Lazerus with disapproval. "You'd better keep that thing well hidden. There's a lot of people who wouldn't hesitate to kill all of us if they caught glimpse of the rosette on your neck, sure as sure. And I have a feeling it's exactly the kind of people we'll be dealing with soon."

He puts his hand into his pocket, as if making sure the rosette given to him is still there, but when he takes it out, his wooden dice are in his palm instead.

You are greeted with the same blank stare again, but this time you'd swear you saw a muscle twitch beneath Lazerus' right eye. Taking a moment as if to regain his composure, he replies: "And of course, as any hivewise person knows, your jacket pocket will be the last place any of the hundreds of urchins we'll be running into over the next couple of days will be digging for treasure in..."

Having said that, the necklace disappears beneath his clothing.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 06, 2012, 04:51
"Well, they are welcome to try to pickpocket me," MkLear replies with a sneer. "I've lived on hive worlds most of my life, so I can take care of myself. Can you?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 06, 2012, 05:39
While Lazerus slowly starts walking towards you, again the same calm voice replies, "Of course you have, sweetheart, which explains why your stupid face betrays the fact that you needed me to point out your ignorance. Now, you have taken me for a mutie, you have taken me for a fool and you have taken me for a juve; if you want to insult me again, you had better make it count," - by this time he's standing face to face with you, a little too close to be comfortable with, slightly looking up at you so you can see yourself reflected in his shiny yellow eyes - "because it will be the last remark you'll ever make."

With that, you feel what can only be the barrel of an autogun suddenly but very unmistakably being pressed into your groin.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 06, 2012, 06:19
"Whoa there! We're supposed to be a team, right? You can't take everything so fething personally, Laz."

MkLear leans closer to Lazerus' ear, so that he's the only one to hear him.

"Also we should focus on making a good impression on the gentleman from the Inquisition. You know, the one holding our lives in his hands? If we start fighting among ourselves, he will reconsider his proposal, sure as sure. None of us wants that, right?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 06, 2012, 06:55
Lazerus utters a short laugh, a harsh, raspy sound, but sounding genuinely amused nonetheless. Not following your lead, he replies in his normal tone of voice: "Trust me, you don't want to find out how much I care."

With that, you feel the pressure on your genitals being withdrawn, as Lazerus turns his back to you and leisurely walks back to the spot he was standing in before.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 06, 2012, 07:04
"Done with your baby fighting, lads?" - speaks HexaDoken in a rather sarcastic tone. - "We have more serious buisness to attend."

This guy was watching the clash all this time, with interest shining in his eyes. Whatever they'd did, red haired merc didn't moved even a tiny bit. He seems to not care about losing any of his newly aqquired comrades, neither he seems to care about meeting a gun barrel, which, considering what he just said, is quite probable.

But his look is not a look of someone who suspects nothing from you.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 06, 2012, 07:35
MkLear lights another lho-stick and waits.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 06, 2012, 11:44
"Done with your baby fighting, lads?" - speaks HexaDoken in a rather sarcastic tone. - "We have more serious buisness to attend."

Lazerus casts another patented blank stare in your direction as he walks by. Whatever emotions he might have previously been experiencing, there appears to be nothing left of them.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 06, 2012, 14:18
The Inquisitor watches you arguing and threatening each other and slowly shakes his head with a loud sigh.
"This makes the thing a lot harder, now", he drawls through his teeth, then claps his hands once again.
Then once again, a section of wall opens up, spitting away three servitors, the same as before, yet even more rotten in flesh. Which is surprising, one of them appears to be a dead little girl - now with bionic wings attached. She flaps them gracefully as her torn old dress dances in the air, the sight both marvelous and grotesque.
With a silent whirring sound, they advance towards you - two towards Lazerus and the girl towards MkLear.

"Luckily, I've foreseen this kind of scenario", the headsman adds, his voice silent and somewhat disappointed.

One servitor catches Lazerus by the hands and contorts them painfully behind his back. The grasp is so sudden and forceful that it is almost impossible to stand against it.
The other servitor from a pair slides in front of the mutant, his hands attaching something to his neck.

The little girl-servitor floats before MkLear, pressing something right into his hands.
A kind of remote control that has two buttons - a red one and a green one.

"The red one detonates the collar. The green one releases it", the man in red robes explains. "Use it in case he tries this again."

The ring clasps around lizardman's neck, then he becomes released - just as violently as he got caught before. He can feel his hands aching.
Two servitors roll back into their hiding place.

"This leaves us with just one matter to settle. Funds. I am afraid we cannot supply you with weapons from our ship's armory - just because these are too easy to recognize, in your case would act as rosettes would if someone found them. But still, we can give you money. I am pretty sure you will be able to find at least a thousand black market weapon traders down there."
Once again, Van Bohr opens his briefcase, putting out the red material rosettes were situated in. You realize that the case had a compartment under the bottom.
The Inquisitor pulls out some papers, then puts some back in the case, then slides the bag on the floor - in your general direction.
"Here we have... one thousand thrones. I believe it to be about enough to satisfy your armament needs. What else?"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 06, 2012, 14:27
Lazerus rises to his knees, taking a moment to catch his breath. He then rises to his feet, and gives the collar an experimental tug. And grinning as he looks at MkLear, he says: "There - now we have something to base your rediculous story on..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 06, 2012, 21:05
MkLear examines the remote control in his right hand, evidently relishing the power - if only over one soul - it gives him. He grins slightly as he eyes the two buttons, and with a theatrical gesture he raises a single digit of his free hand and...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 06, 2012, 23:21
The purple-eyed man suddenly bursts into laughter. Short-lived, this laughter does not show any emotions - it's a type of laughter which you can hear after telling a good joke. - "Ooh boy... For some reason, I now feel that I'll end up with a single colleague pretty soon."

He follows the servitors with a mask of disgust stuck on his face.

HexaDoken then walks towards the case, completely ignoring MkLear, who is quite looking like going to end lizardman's life right now. Upon reaching the bag, mercerenary crouches before it, and inspects the money for several seconds. He then starts to take some in his hands.

"Thousand thrones... that cannot be divided by three. Oh well. One throne left for the charity, I guess?"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 07, 2012, 02:07
...presses the green button. The collar jerks open, falling to the floor with a clang.

"Or lives will likely depend on each other. There's gotta be trust between us if we are to work with each other. No hard feelings, eh, Laz?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 07, 2012, 04:16
Lazerus stands stock still for a second or two after the clatter has stopped, and does something you now realize you haven't seen him do up until now: he blinks.

He bends over to pick up the collar, examines and then closes it as he steps towards MkLear. Then, offering him this mechanical shackle, he says: "You bastard. I owe you."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 07, 2012, 05:41
"If that's how you see it... Of course, you will have plenty of opportunities to return the favour, sure as sure."

MkLear takes the collar and looks at it.

"I think I'll keep it," he smiles. "As a memento."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 07, 2012, 06:50
Van Bohr carefully observes the situation.
"I suppose we are done here", he says after a while, as if nothing at all happened and this spectacular act of ganger's mercy was nothing but a work of fiction. "You shall depart to dock A3 and tell the guards I have sent you. They shall know what to do. May the Omnissiah's wisdom shine upon each single one of you and Throne preserve you so that you returned victorious. Dismissed."
The door behind you open up again, blazing light filling the shrine. For a moment you barely can see anything.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 07, 2012, 08:45
Lazerus gives Van Bohr another stare as well. Then he looks at HexaDoken and MkLear; with a nod, as if to confirm to himself that both of them look ready, he turns and starts walking towards the exit.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 07, 2012, 09:09
HexaDoken finally stands up. Approximately one third of money dissapeared from the briefcase. It all has vanished in the depths of his bag, with exception of a single throne, which is currently located in HexaDoken's hand.

"666 thrones, damnit." - HexaDoken looks at the exit, closes the case with his leg, and slides the portfolio towards MkLear. Mercerenary then starts moving toward the exit.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 07, 2012, 09:24
"At least the pay is good," MkLear mutters as he takes the remaining money and, after a moment of hesitation, the briefcase as well. Then he follows the rest of the group, spinning the explosive collar on his hand.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 08, 2012, 00:43
Walking through the corridor, without looking around Lazerus starts: "About the money, I don't care about splitting it in three equal parts, since we won't be taking this cash home whichever way you look at it. I suggest we spend it on our mission, so we'll all benefit. That leads me to the following question - why us? What does each of us have to contribute to this mission?"

It seems that the collar incident has loosened his tongue somewhat - there's certainly a subtle change in his attitude to be perceived. "The only reason they would have picked me is because I'm a good shot who knows how to obtain and handle intel. What have your sins been?"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 08, 2012, 06:05
"Me? It must have been my charming personality," MkLear replies. "It wouldn't be the first time it got me into trouble and this is trouble with capital T, sure as sure," he adds with a bitter smile.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 08, 2012, 06:21
"I am good at many things, but my best side is brute force. If it will come down to firefights, you can count on me."

Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 08, 2012, 06:25
"I am good at many things, but my best side is brute force. If it will come down to firefights, you can count on me."

"You're a grunt, right? What sort of outfit were you with?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 08, 2012, 06:37
"Scouts."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 08, 2012, 06:39
"Good, we might be able to teach each other a few tricks then. Have you ever worked within a Hive environment?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 08, 2012, 06:45
"Not really."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 08, 2012, 06:52
"Okay."

Lazerus pauses for a second, seeming to gather his thoughts, and then continues "Well, Mak was right about one thing: if we want to have any chance of coming out of this alive, we're going to have to rely on each other. You can count on me to give you all the information I can give you regarding our line work, but then I need to be able to count on you to do as I say when the shit hits the fan. I assume you're used to taking orders anyway..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 08, 2012, 06:58
"Pretty much. As said - if all else fails, just say. I'll try to take things under control my way."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 08, 2012, 07:00
"Wait, Mak? Is that supposed to be me? I'm sorry, but that's the weirdest shortening of my name I ever heard," MkLear chuckles. "But then again, I suppose it's not the best of names. You know what? Call me Lijah.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 08, 2012, 07:08
"Oh, sure, I'll call you as you wish, my dear friend Ljaih."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 08, 2012, 07:09
"Okay, Lijah, before you got here, what did your charming personality do for you besides not making friends?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 08, 2012, 07:16
"Hey, I've made a lot of friends in the past," he answer somewhat defensively. "Quite a few enemies as well, I'll admit. But that's just how it goes when you live on the underside of the society.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 08, 2012, 07:18
"No argument there. But seeing as you were obviously in some kind of gang, you must have proven your worth on more than one occasion, other than just being nice to people..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 08, 2012, 13:04
As you were walking past another corridor in the twisted metal maze, talking, someone bumped at Doken, almost making him trip and fall over. Almost.

The man was apparently tired, breathless. His face was long and delicate, yet beaten beyond recognition, his bloodshot eyes were a little slant, pupils almost covering them all. He was clad in some exotic clothing, now bloodied and tattered.
"You've got to help me, stranger...", he whispered with a strangely soft voice, pushing something into the mercenary's free hand. "Take it... Take it away, don't let them... Take it to someone similar to me, I beg you!"
Afterwards, he pushed the soldier over out of his way and tried to run forward, yet a sudden burst of las impaled and scorched his chest.

He fell to the ground, lifeless.

Two guards took him by his arms, dragging body further, then behind some turn. Apparently they didn't notice what the fugitive did.

Inside his palm, Doken noticed a small jewel of deep blue color. It was oval, polished clean and somewhat heavy for an item of this size. For a moment it also seemed to flash a bit with some inner light as the prisoner collapsed to the ground.

Above all, it looked strange. As in "stranger".
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 08, 2012, 13:17
Lazerus fights back the instinct to react, deciding to see how HexaDoken is going to handle this situation. In the meantime, he carefully takes stock of the possible assailant.

Looking after the retreating soldiers, seemingly unimpressed he tells HexaDoken: "Check your possessions. I've seen stranger pickpocketing scams."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 09, 2012, 00:27
HexaDoken's gaze is stuck at the jewel he was given a few seconds ago. An empty look, like if he was hypnotized by the jewel. After Lazerus tells him to check pockets, mercerenary says - "What the hell is this?" - as if he didn't hear lizardman's words.

Several seconds later though, he returns to reality. Red haired man looks around, then hides the jewel in the clothes, like he did with Rosette. Then he gives a late response to Lazerus words - "Yeah, thanks captain... Rosette is intact, and I don't actually think he stole anything from me."

He still takes his bag and carefully inspects what's inside.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 09, 2012, 00:37
"What the hell is this?"

As HexaDoken is clearly mesmerized by something, Lazerus more or less sneaks up behind him to have a look at what's in his hand.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 09, 2012, 07:11
Apparently, nothing disappeared when the fugitive had collided with you.

The stone... so beautiful...
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 09, 2012, 07:43
"Yep, everything is in place." - HexaDoken returns his bag on his shoulder where it belongs. He then casts his gaze at nothingness.

"Whatever this thing is, it totally doesn't look like an ordinary sapphire or something. I have a strange feeling about this whole incident..."

"..."

"Yet again, I have too much strange feelings lately."

Said that, HexaDoken proceeds to move past the corridor as if nothing ever happened.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 09, 2012, 07:45
"What is he talking about, Laz? Did he say sapphire?" asks MkLear, who has been trailing behind a little, so he didn't see clearly what happened.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 09, 2012, 07:51
"Some sort of gem. Makes you wonder what his scheme is. And you,", calling after HexaDoken, "what do you make of this?"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 10, 2012, 17:30
Since the group passed the first corridor I have been shadowing you guys. As you were all real busy talking, bumping into people and looking at stones, I didn't have to work real hard to stay unnoticed. Just making sure I kept my distance and falling in with the march of your boots seemed to do the trick. From time to time looking over my shoulder as if I expected someone to be watching me. Because one of you trailed behind a bit I didn't get to see exactly what happened with the prisoner and the stone. As the group moves on after the incident I follow silently, getting a bit closer, wanting to hear the conversation.  Taking in every move and reading your body language with an amused smile....ready for anything
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 10, 2012, 23:27
HexaDoken stops again. "Dunno." - he responds a few seconds later. - "A shiny gem. I'd probably sell it... but before that, I'd like to get a general idea what the hell is this thing."

"That man..." - he continues after a slight pause, - "...he totally looked like his life was depending purely on this gemstone. Heh, it might have a curse placed on it," - says HexaDoken as if it was a joke. Then he continues in a much more serious tone - "or it might be some artifact with arcane powers, which is actively sought by some cult or organization. We'd better be careful with this thing.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 11, 2012, 03:53
"Sounds like the gem is quite valuable. Somebody might pay a nice sum for it," MkLear grins. "Then again, they might kill you just as well for it, sure as sure. It seems to be trouble in any case. You should get rid of it as soon as you can. It's probably more trouble that it's worth and we have trouble enough with the inquisition job..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 11, 2012, 04:09
HexaDoken gives MkLear a rather puzzled look.

"You say 'trouble' too much." - says he after several seconds of silence.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 11, 2012, 04:21
"Do I? Strange. I tend to do that from time to time, usually when I'm in deep trouble. Aren't you a at least a little nervous?"

MkLear looks around to see if anybody might hear them. Thinking there might be someone in the corridor behind them, he gets closer to HexaDoken and lowers his voice.

"We are on a secret mission from the fething Inquisition, failing it will have grave consequences. It fact, even just following the mission will probably have grave consequences and I do mean grave. And now you're in possession of some stone which we know nothing of, except that somebody was killed because of it. I don't like it and if you have any self-preservation in you, you shouldn't like it either. Under these circumstances me saying "trouble" too much is the least of your worries, I assure you.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 11, 2012, 04:39
"...Which of the facts that you just told me you assume are new to me?" - answers HexaDoken in a rather sarcastic tone.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 11, 2012, 05:05
"Well, I just wanted you to know that whatever the stone is, I don't want to have anything to do with it. The inquisition job? Yeah, we're in that together, but this is your thing so don't drag me into... whatever it is."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 11, 2012, 05:10
"Sure."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 11, 2012, 05:19
"My gut says any trouble we can endure for this is going to be worth our while. You can count on my support."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 11, 2012, 05:29
Just out there observing and learning......
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 11, 2012, 05:32
"So being promised anything you want isn't enough for you two? Fine," MkLear sighs with resignation. "But be careful to whom you shot that thing and remember that the inquisition job takes precedence."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 11, 2012, 09:45
"And what good is being promised the world if you won't be alive to walk it?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 11, 2012, 10:03
"My point exactly, MkLear responds. "Holding onto this stone - which we know nothing of - is not going to improve your chances of staying alive. More likely the opposite."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 11, 2012, 12:00
"The odds are against us either way."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 11, 2012, 12:17
"Then we should be looking for ways to make the odds better, not worse."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 11, 2012, 12:19
"Why you two are arguing about something we all agree at? It's not like I'm going to keep this..." - HexaDoken pauses and looks around, as if seeking for potential watchers. - "...thing. It's no use for me, other than something I can sell. And that's what I'm going to do."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 11, 2012, 12:30
"Glad to hear that," replies MkLear. "Just be careful. Somebody might be looking for it."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 11, 2012, 12:38
"You're going to sell this thing without having the slightest clue of what it is?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 12, 2012, 16:22
Puzzled by the lack of progress Xilla steps out of the shadows. Slowly she starts walking towards the group until all eyes are on her. Showing her hands are empty, she gets closer until she is close enough to have a conversation.

She looks more like a young boy then a woman, being so small and bony. Her skin is like white marble and her eyes a pale blue. They return every stare without fear. She's wearing a grey leather bodyglove with a grey cloak and black boots. A hard shell backpack and a sword are strapped to her back. The bodyglove has a belly pocket, much as a sweater/hoodie does, she can put her hands in from both sides. Over the bodyglove she's wearing a grey cloak. Her white hair is concealed by the hood. It’s cut almost like a Japanese Warrior:  bald on top, real short on the sides and a ponytail in the back. The top of her head, forehead, behind her ears and the back of her neck are covered with light brown tribal tattoos. But for now only the ones on her forehead are visible. 

She smiles, filed teeth are showing, and says softly:
"Don't you guys have a job to do, or did you forget already? Mordechai Van Bohr wasn't to impressed by the show you gave."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 13, 2012, 01:45
"If gathering information about this thing will prove difficult, yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do." - says HexaDoken while cloaked woman closes in. He seemingly ignores her, yet he lowered his tone.

He listens to what Xilla says, and then replies - "Mordecai Vah Bohr? Who is that?"
Mercerenary is clearly surprised by woman's words. Something tells you that this is a false surprise.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 13, 2012, 03:27
Looking at the new arrival, but replying to HexaDoken: "In that case, I hope the dead rest easy..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 13, 2012, 04:58
As Hexadoken speaks, Xilla looks at his face. A look of surprise shows on her face. In Tribal Dialect she mumbles something, takes a step back, spits on the floor and with her left foot draws a line of spit between her and Hexadoken.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 13, 2012, 05:46
"...huh?"

HexaDoken looks at Xilla, with his face now expressing real surprise. He then looks at his friends, then back at Xilla.

"Umm... something's wrong?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 13, 2012, 06:07
"What did I say? Leave the talking to me," MkLear grins at HexaDoken and then faces the newcomer.

"It would seem that making a good first impression won't be our strong suit, miss. May I know who I'm addressing? Are you here to keep an eye on us?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 13, 2012, 06:19
"Heey, I didn't even say an-" - tries to say HexaDoken but stops when MkLear starts speaking to Xilla. "Bah." - He just shrugs.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 13, 2012, 07:01
"The name is Xilla and I'm here to make sure the job gets done" After a quick look around she continues: "If we need to talk, there are much safer places. If not, lets go and do some shopping." There is a big grin on her face.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 13, 2012, 07:18
"Nice to meet you Xilla, but..." MkLear looks around carefully, making sure there isn't anybody else around. "...your word isn't enough. Is there any way you can prove you're on our side?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 13, 2012, 07:27
After a long stride you finally arrive in the desired hangar - a high and wide hall, coloured with rust and dust.
The place is loud, cramped and crowded. Dozens of servitors in many shapes and forms move, catalogue, load and unload various packages - both coming from the planetside and meant to planetfall. Stacks of boxes everywhere.
There are about eight capsule slots on each wall, such vehicles both arriving and departing.
A few guards, apparently each of them bored with standing idly, wander around - checking if nothing is looking suspicious. Also, quite a few men in crimson robes are present too.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 13, 2012, 07:43
"On your side.....nope...can't prove that, sorry." Xilla says shrugging her shoulders. She pauses to think of something else to say, then with a big grin she adds;"But all of you are still alive, that should tell you something." Then she reaches into the belly pocket and pulls out a rosette.  "This does prove we have the same employer, doesn't it?" Casually she sticks it back into the pocket.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 13, 2012, 07:45
Anything else to do/see here besides loading and unloading of ships?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 13, 2012, 07:51
And any interesting cargoes to be seen?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 13, 2012, 07:54
MkLear heads toward's the nearest guard.

"Hi there. We've been sent by a Mr Van Bohr. I believe he told you we were coming?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 13, 2012, 08:21
On cargos - not really. Mostly ammo supplies for the ship's weaponry, some large mechanical parts, sealed containers of steel. The place doesn't seem to have anything else going on than what you can see on the first glance.

The guard looks at MkLear with a shrug.
"You should go and see Enginseer D3lt4. It's the augmented guy slightly to my right, operating the pod three", he points with his hand.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 13, 2012, 10:04
Lazerus, seemingly no more or less impressed with the situation than is rapidly becoming usual, looks at HexaDoken and says: "We'll get you information. Remember what he said."

And, turning to Xilla, with a short nod: "Welcome." You're unsure if this is sarcastic or not.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 13, 2012, 12:19
On cargos - not really. Mostly ammo supplies for the ship's weaponry, some large mechanical parts, sealed containers of steel.

Anything we might be able to use on our mission? Guns, ammo, armor, explosives, valuables, drugs?

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 13, 2012, 12:26
"Thanks," replies MkLear simply and walks towards the indicated enginseer.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 13, 2012, 12:53
Xilla is happy to let MkLear do the talking. Like before she's mainly observing the actions of the others, hoping to learn more about them. She's also keeping an eye out for anything unusual, be it a threat or an opportunity. As she's been here before she knows what to expect.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 13, 2012, 14:58
The enginseer... was not much of a human, actually. One could describe him as a bloated pile of junk hidden beneath a pile of red material. The heavily augmented man was sitting idly on something appearing to be a corpse - or, more accurately, remains of some badly programmed servitor, who apparently got neutralized a moment ago and didn't get cleaned up yet. The priest was immobile - perhaps deeply meditating, as he probably didn't even manage to realize someone's closing in.
One might have wondered if there was any biological part left underneath these robes.

As for the cargo - nothing of interest, unless you have a gun shooting human-sized bullets.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 14, 2012, 00:20
Feeling he has said enough, with MkLear asking for directions and HexaDoken recovering from his first encounter with Xilla, Lazerus straightens himself up and strides purposefully to where one of the ships is being loaded. He pulls the necklace with the rosette on it from underneath his clothing, and when some...thing comes to pick up the next crate of ammo, he stops it, showing the badge and saying (in still the same flat voice): "These crates are hereby requisitioned. Load them at A3."

And as an afterthought: "Now."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 14, 2012, 03:24
The servitor seems puzzled for a moment, his bionic eye shutting down and lighting up a several times. Then, with a silent beep, it extends a scanning ray, flinging it at the rosette being waved at him.

"Clearance confirmed."

Then about fifteen human-and-a-half-sized tank-stopper shells are being loaded inside the pod, next to the unexpecting enginseer sitting right there and just meditating.

This makes the landing pod even less comfortable to travel in, since not much place is left for you to sit inside, so somebody will have to take Xilla on his laps. The shells, not the enginseer.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 14, 2012, 10:23
Xilla slowly walks up to the pod, shakes her head and says: "Brilliant, I guess the blue idiot is walking to Malfi"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 14, 2012, 11:02
Without noticing the commotion, MkLear approaches the enginseer.

"I was sent by a Mr Van Bohr. You should have some instructions for me and my group."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 14, 2012, 12:24
Lazerus walks up to HexaDoken and, when Xilla's out of earshot, points at the crates: "You want to make money? Sell those. I'll trade them for the stone."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 15, 2012, 00:49
Xilla throws a glance at Lazerus walking over to Hexadoken, then heads for MkLear who is talking to the Enginseer.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 15, 2012, 06:33
It takes a while or two until enginseer D3lt4 realizes that somebody is talking to him. His eyes flicker with red light as he gets up with a silent whirr of servomotors.
"I have been told about your arrival", he responds with an apparently synthethised voice. He looks at the landing pod, then gives away a sigh of disappointment. "I recall ordering my technographers to program these servitors to unload pods without anybody asking them to do so. Someone shall be recycled. Now, if you accept my apologies and give me a while..."
Then, the machine-man gives away something not unlike a screech of torn steel plate. Three servitors freeze momentally, and after a while (probably after rebooting) they get on with unloading boxes you just loaded into the pod.
"I can not send you down with such a fragile load. Landers tend to malfunction very oftenly and that would result in a mass explosion, then death and injury."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 15, 2012, 06:40
"I'm glad to hear you're so concerned with our safety, but..." MkLear starts, but then his voice trailed off, confused by the impossibility of reading any kind of expression on the enginseer. "Uhm, there's supposed to be a contact waiting for us planetside."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 15, 2012, 07:22
"I know nothing about the matter you mentioned.", replied the tech-priest. "I am here to send you there. I suggest you got in and braced yourself. The sooner, the better."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 15, 2012, 07:32
"Great. Seems we'll have to take it one... step.. at a time," MkLear mutters to himself as he climbs into the tiny craft. Once he's seated he shouts towards Lazerus and HexaDoken. "Come on! You don't want to miss this trip. It's going to be fun!"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 15, 2012, 07:49
"Oh. It appears you are too late. Pity."

With that, Lazerus walks towards the pod and has a seat next to MkLear.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 15, 2012, 08:38
HexaDoken gives Lazerus a puzzled look.

"I, honestly, doubt that this will be of any use for me. Of course, they should be costful, but it's not like I'm a primarch and can lift them with ease. Or rather, at all. Neither I have a heavy-duty crane in my pocket."

After shells are unloaded and MkLear calls us to the plane, HexaDoken smiles - "Yeah, lotsa fun.". He then takes a seat in the pod.

"Since we are intending to have fun, care to stop at a luna-park during our journey?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 15, 2012, 11:52
Xilla gets into the pod and takes a seat, she makes sure to keep as far away from Hexadoken as possible. Then she looks at Lazerus and hisses between her teeth:"If you keep flashing that thing and wasting my precious time, I'll have to do something about it." She takes of her backpack and starts assembling her crossbow pistol.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 15, 2012, 12:05
"I'm afraid it's gonna be another kind of fun, Hex" replies MkLear, once again taking out his wooden dice. "The kind that isn't fun at all..."

As the doors of the shuttle transport close, he turns to Xilla.

"This place seems safe enough to talk openly. May I ask what exactly is your task, Xilla? Are you one of us, or are you here just to keep an eye on us? I assumed the eyes of the inquisition will be upon us, but I imagined them to be quite invisible."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 15, 2012, 12:17
"If you keep flashing that thing and wasting my precious time, I'll have to do something about it."

Yet another blank stare is the answer.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 15, 2012, 12:35
Xilla looks at MkLear as she replies. However her hands keep assembling the crossbow without so much as an hesitation. "One of you....? She then looks at Hexadoken and Lazerus. "I do not even know their names" "Like I said before, I'm here to get the job done. Anyone working with me stays alive, anyone who gets in my way dies" She looks back at MkLear, the crossbow is now loaded and aimed at Lazerus head. "The question is who wants to live and who wants to die"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 15, 2012, 12:44
Lazerus calmly looks at the tip of the crossbow bolt pointed at his face, then shifts his gaze to the back of Xilla's head, waiting for her to turn it.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 15, 2012, 12:48
"Well you can count me in the wants-to-live category, sure as sure. But could you maybe not point your gun at anybody? We've already done that and it was really quite pointless. We're on the same team here, right?"

Despite his words, MkLear seems pleased that for once it isn't him that's being aimed at.

"Which reminds me that I forgot to introduce myself," he continues Jovially. "My name's Lijah MkLear. That guardsman over there is Hex - nice fellow, you should stop looking at him as if he was demonspawn. And the quiet one is Lazerus, though I can see you've already got to know each other a little."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 15, 2012, 13:14
Xilla looks at Lazerus and says: "Lazerus sounds a lot better then blue idiot, but your life still depends on the choice you're gonna make"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 15, 2012, 13:16
"And this is where I beg for my life? "
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 15, 2012, 13:24
"That would be fun, not that it would make a difference" Xilla is now smiling and you can tell by the way she looks at Lazerus, she would not hesitate a second to kill someone, begging or not. "Just convince me that you are as dedicated to getting the job done and getting out alive as I am"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 15, 2012, 13:32
"I hate to interrupt your... special moment here," MkLear interjects with an uneasy laugh, his hand still playing with the dice , "but surely getting the job done and keeping our lives is the same thing, and not just because of you. Now the four of us don't have to be friends, but each of us has been chosen for a reason and our odds will be much better if we get along."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 15, 2012, 13:34
Lazerus looks at the bolt's tip again, and then back at Xilla. "No one is as dedicated as you are."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 15, 2012, 13:54
"True." The grin on Xilla's face disappears, for a second there is almost sadness there. Then her face hardens again as she looks Lazerus in the eyes. "I do think the odds are better with four. But if you f*ck around again and waste my time I might change my mind." She then lowers the crossbow onto her lap.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 15, 2012, 14:39
Once you are done with arguing, the speakers crack with a loud noise.
"Brace yourself, Acolytes. Take off in five... four... three... two... one..."

Then the lander's hull starts to shake. Air becomes filled with some loud wailing only engines can make. Then...

Then you realize that the ship is left far away, getting even farther with each second. And you...

You find yourselves in a small capsule, drifting aimlessly towards Malfi.

In space, no one can hear you scream...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 16, 2012, 02:54
During the conversation, HexaDoken has seemingly fallen asleep. Or got carried away with his thoughts again. Either way, blasting off has returned him to reality. He casted a gaze in the darkness of deep space, and whispered something to himself. Noone could hear it.

"Xilla... right?" - red haired man speaks, while still looking in the nothingness. - "My full alias is HexaDoken, if you ever care. And I agree with MkLear that we should stop pointing pointy things at each other. This does not work well."

Once again, HexaDoken's words sound like we are not in a capsule drifting in the deep space, and what awaits us is not a suicide mission. More like we are peacefully drinking tea at our homes. And if like Xilla was holding not a deadly crossbow which shoots bolts perfectly capable of piercing a man's skull, but rather a toy pistol which shoots completely harmless pellets.

But HexaDoken's face expressed different feelings. It looked much like his mind was split, with minor part peacefully speaking with his colleagues, while major part was busy looking in the void... as if searching something there. Something very valuable, something what could dramatically change the flow of the things if it was found.

But what could he find there, in the infinite darkness?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 16, 2012, 04:07
Xilla disassembles her crossbow and starts cleaning it. When she's done, she puts it back into the backpack. Then she takes out a wetting stone, spits on it and starts sharpening her sword.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 16, 2012, 08:09
"This might be our last chance for some time to talk openly," MkLear suggests looking at the team, but then he reconsiders. "You know what? Feth this. I'm gonna have a nap. Wake me up when we get there."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 16, 2012, 15:11
And so you drift through the eternal night.
Each second draws you nearer the black globe. The beast reaches for you with its invisible tentacles. About to feed. About to gnaw your bones, tear your flesh, swallow your soul...

Suddenly, you realize how hot is inside. One couldn't feel it right away, but it is there. Growing slowly yet unstoppably. A gentle nudge turns into warmth. Warmth turns into heat. Heat turns into flames.

The light is also here. The night turns into a day. For scant seconds you can see sunlight dancing atop bright, white clouds. The vision is strange. Strange, and yet beautiful. The sunbeams flicker with endless colours.

And then, the fall. The heat slowly fades out.

Suddenly you cross the line, find yourselves underneath the soft layer of cloud.

It's unbelievably dark. The sky is part crimson red, as if raining blood, part purple, part deeply violet. There is no sunlight anymore and what you can see right under you looks like some sea of ash and ember.
And you keep drifting, keep drifting into this sea, swirling ocean of shadow.
It's cold now. So cold...

You can't really feel the moment when the lander blasts against the surface. It is like complete silence until you realize how loud is it.
Thrill, tremble, shake.
The earth drags you down, yet belts are holding.
And then, the cascade of noise. Immense roar of dust, scream of torn steel, you can even hear belts stretching and twiddling. Or is it your bone?

After a split-second, everything is gone.
Loud hissing. The door blasts open, letting this cold air in. It chills you deeply, right to the heart.

Suddenly, you find yourselves...

Act one: Longing for heat.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 16, 2012, 17:51
Lazerus elbows MkLear - fully knowing he could have never slept through this: "Wake up. We're there."

He wields his autogun and steps out of the pod, surveying the surroundings.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 16, 2012, 23:53
During the whole flight, HexaDoken was staring out of the window, no matter what happened. No matter what. No matter how much the pod was shaking and how loud the noise was. No matter what.

And when they landed, he said silently, still looking at the window - "Yikes..."

He then stood up rather suddenly, said "Welp" without any readable feelings. Then HexaDoken jumped out of the pod, took a look at surroundings, and yawned.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 17, 2012, 03:01
"Thanks Laz," MkLear grunts with irony. "So are we dead yet? And if not, where are we?"

He starts to unstrap himself slowly, clearly in no hurry to get outside.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 17, 2012, 09:40
When the pod hits the clouds Xilla puts away her wetting stone and sword. She checks the inside of her backpack quickly and then braces herself for the landing.
When the door blasts open and the cold air comes in, Xilla unstraps herself. She sniffs the air as if she is searching for something familiar. She then steps out of the pod and checks her surrounding.

Then she takes the stone knife out of it's pocket, kneels and starts scratching some markings into the surface as she mutters some sentences in Tribal Dialect. She then rolls up her sleeve, cuts her arm (many more scars become visible), spills some blood on the ground, mixes it with dirt on the ground and then rubs it back into the wound. She pulls down her sleeve as she gets up. Then puts the knife back into the pocket on her thigh. The hole thing took her less then 30 seconds in which she kept on edge the hole time. 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 17, 2012, 13:12
What you see upon stepping out of the battered pod is both monumental and unnerving.
It's not unlike a huge mountain of black steel, its top touching the clouds you even touched a moment before. Low-orbit crafts hover around it like flies around some pile of rubbish. All in a background of black ash and crimson sky. Nothing else, not even a tree, can be seen on the horizon. You're not far from the city wall - or rather, a mountain wall. About five hundred metres apart...
It's also cold. And the chemical stench of soil and air is nigh on unbearable, as though nitrogenium and chlorine were the only ingredients of the planet's atmosphere. The air is also filled with constant humming.
After a while, Doken catches a glimpse of probable source of the toxic smell.
It's a huge, averagely ten metres wide round pipe straying visibly from the construction. It probably leads into the sewers. There used to be bars protecting the inside from unwelcome guests, but now they are bent and it can be accessed, yet not without some fatigue.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 17, 2012, 13:21
MkLear walks out of the lander and breathes the rancid air with disgust.

"For some reason I thought we'll land somewhere in the city," he says at last, surveying the surroundings. "I should have known the inquisition won't be making this easy for us, sure as sure."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 17, 2012, 13:50
"'Easy' isn't in doubt," Lazerus says, nodding towards the sewer pipe. He then walks over to Xilla, and has a look at the markings Xilla has been making.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 17, 2012, 14:54
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 17, 2012, 14:57
"It seems we don't have a choice but to go that way," MkLear notes, nodding towards the pipe in the distance, then turning to Xilla. "Ladies first?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 17, 2012, 23:30
HexaDoken takes a distant look at Xilla's markings as well. However, he does not seem to be very interested.

He walks towards the pipe and crouches before it.

"Woo, what a wonderful smell I've discovered..." - says mercerenary as if quoting someone. He then turns to MkLear. "Gentlemen, are we, like, thrice as sure that this is the ONLY way to get in?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 18, 2012, 02:12
Xilla checks the pod door to see if they could still use it if they needed shelter. After that she uses her tracking skills to see if there has been any recent activity on the ground between the pod and the gate. When she arrives at the gate, she looks at Hexadoken. "Dirty is a lot better then dead." After looking into the tunnel through the bars, she continues: "I fit through easily. I'll go in and check if this is the easy access it seems to be. Things are hardly ever what they seem" She then takes her crossbow pistol out of her backpack and loads it. Slides through the gate and puts her backpack back on, then whispers with a grin: "If i'm not back in minutes, this way is trouble"

Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 02:24
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"I've got your back", Lazerus says as he steps in after Xilla.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 18, 2012, 04:47
HexaDoken's look follows Lazerus and Xilla as they go deeper in the tube. Mercerenary thinks a second, then stands up. Walks a few feet away from the tube, then looks around himself several times.

"Welp."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 18, 2012, 04:55
"Oh, Feth. Wait for me!" MkLear says entering the pipe, leaving HexaDoken outside.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 18, 2012, 05:07
"Aren't we supposed to wai-" - tries to say HexaDoken, looking back. But seems nobody is going to listen.

Mercerenary shrugs, says "Blaergh", and quikcly follows MkLear. While moving, he places his scarf on the face so it protects his nose more than the neck.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 18, 2012, 09:40
Curious to see how far light and smell will permit her to go, Xilla proceeds into the pipe. Carefully choosing each step, checking the grip before putting her weight upon it. She searches for marks or tracks that would tell her if the pipe is being used.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 10:44
Lazerrus follows, gun barrel pointed alongside Xilla, and into any side-tunnel we happen to be passing.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 18, 2012, 11:12
You squeeze past the bars and make a few steps inside the pipe until you can't see anything. The stench grows even more, but that's the least of your worries, sure as sure.

What Xilla managed to realize is that right in front of you is a hole, and apparently one wide and long enough for you to be unable to cross it. A filigree stream of water drips inside it from the other side of the pipe, the sound of it falling drop by drop is echoing upwards.

As far as you can tell, the hole is deep enough to fall in and don't crawl out.

At least it's not that cold anymore.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 18, 2012, 11:17
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 18, 2012, 11:23
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 18, 2012, 11:28
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 11:37
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 11:42
Did we see anything outside that would help us bridge the gap? Or any side tunnels worth investigating?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 18, 2012, 11:45
"There's a big hole here, it seems like this is not the easy way in." Xilla slowly starts walking back. "You guys could have waited outside like I suggested, but thanks for the support" It sounds quite ironic.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 18, 2012, 11:50
No problem at all! Right, MkLear? - HexaDoken says nearly laughing. He puts his hand on MkLear's shoulder and takes a look at the hole.

"Soooo.... what now?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 18, 2012, 11:51
"Not easy or impossible?" MkLear asks. "Did anybody bring anything that could be used as a rope? Or at least a fething glow-globe?"

MkLear shakes HexaDoken off and heads back outside.

"We should search the lander. There might be some supplies."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 11:57
Lazerus simply joins the exodus, still walking after his gun barrel.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 18, 2012, 12:02
HexaDoken's laughter echoed deeply inside the tube. Now you were pretty sure there were skittering noises coming from the inside. You crawled back out from the sewer pipe and proceeded with investigating the lander.

Luckily for you, MkLear was right. Under the seats there was a hidden compartment. Normally locked with keys, the door got damaged with the impact, so it could be opened without worries.

Inside - five lamp-packs, three lengths of rope and a multitool.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 12:03
I'll take a lamp and one of the ropes. "Any mechanics among us?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 18, 2012, 12:05
"Not bad." - HexaDoken simply says looking over the groceries. He takes a lamp as well and answers to Lazerus - "If yes, then that's not me."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 12:05
And, any other materials to be found?
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 18, 2012, 12:06
"Well, I CAN use these," MkLear replies, grabbing a lamp as well and examining the combi-tool, "though I wouldn't call myself a mechanic. If there is nobody else..."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 18, 2012, 12:38
Xilla grabs a lamp, then pulls the grapnel and line out of her backpack. Now we've got some light, I'll go back to see if throwing this across is possible
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 12:42
Lazerus keeps his self-inflicted guard duties up.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 18, 2012, 12:44
"Wait a second," MkLear stops her, noticing the grapnel. "What's that? Could we use it to scale the walls?"

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 18, 2012, 12:46
Xilla goes back into the pipe holding up the light this time.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 18, 2012, 12:57
HexaDoken starts to go to the pipe, but stops. He turns back quickly and grabs some rope. Then he returns to the pipe, following Xilla.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 18, 2012, 13:14
MkLear shrugs. He's not used to being ignored like that, but scaling the outer hive wall wouldn't be an easy endeavor anyway. Not that a trip through a sewer pipe is going to be any better. With a sigh, MkLear checks the lander once more to see if there's anything else before grabbing all that's left and walking all the way back to the pipe entrance.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 18, 2012, 15:12
And, any other materials to be found?

Nothing of interest, for sure. Unless you are interested in rugged remains of a pod.

You delve into the pipe again. Thanks to the lamp-packs you managed to obtain, things are visible enough for you to know that the hole is about ten meters deep, ending with another pipe you can land on. Then there are about three meters down to the ground from there. By "the ground" i mean solid rock unlikely to collapse underneath your feet.
Outside the pipe it's cold again. The weird clicking doesn't cease at all. If you listen closely, you can hear it.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 18, 2012, 15:14
Lazerus tells Xilla "Keep an eye out.". He ties his lamp-pack to the rope, and lowers it into the pit, trying to spot an exit.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 18, 2012, 15:19
MkLear watches their experiment without too much interest. His hand is once again playing with the wooden dice, as if it had will of its own. The other hand is holding a freshly lit lho-stick.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 18, 2012, 15:23
The lamp-pack hanging on the rope revealed that the room right under you is a kind of a broad corridor leading between countless pipes. There is probably a way through. Probably even a better one than trying to cross the hole and head through the pipe all along.

But then, something else catches Klear's glimpse.
Looks like a spider's web. An enormous one.

Skittering noises keep echoing in the distance...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 19, 2012, 06:19
Following MkLear's gaze, Xilla spots the web. "Uh, spiders, we used to eat them back home but they taste like shit" She pauses and listens to the skittering noises. "Looking at the web this could either be a really big one, or a loads of small ones. Nope, sure not an easy way in"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 19, 2012, 06:37
MkLear stands completely still, staring at the web. If it wasn't for his hand with the dice still moving, it would seem as if he's completely paralyzed. Only Xilla's words wake him up. "As long as it is you who does the eating," he says at last, nervously. "I don't like the noise. Are you sure we can't find another way inside?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 19, 2012, 06:44
HexaDoken looks down in the hole. He stays still for a few seconds, and then takes a double barreled shotgun out of his bag. Checks if it is loaded.

Weeeelll... Who moves first?

Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 19, 2012, 06:45
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 19, 2012, 08:10
"Well, you get their attention by moving the web, like there's something caught in there." Xilla closes her eyes as she tries to remember. "But when you do make sure you are prepared. Spiders don't die easy. Wish we had a flamethrower, roasted they taste best."
While Xilla is talking she takes her crossbow pistol out of the backpack and starts loading it again.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 19, 2012, 09:20
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Lazerus steps onto the rope, holding it in place, and readies his autogun. "Assuming we have nothing to make a fire with, I can use the lamp as bait, if you're ready... "
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 19, 2012, 09:43
"Need a light? Just tell me," MkLear says to Lazerus, puffing on his lho-stick. "We should wait a bit and examine this place carefully, before you do something rash."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 19, 2012, 11:08
Crouched, HexaDoken looks at his friends. He then sidesteps a bit to the right, places his shotgun on his shoulder, and takes another weapon from the bag - a laser rifle. Weapon emits a tiny dull light. Little gauge indicates that weapon is fully charged and ready. Mercerenary then aims weapon down the hole.

"In case of something, I'm covering ya."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 19, 2012, 13:30
"
"We should wait a bit and examine this place carefully, before you do something rash."
[/i]

"You're right", Lazerus says as he hauls the lamp back up. "We should make torches of some kind, if at all possible. Maybe the seats from the lander will burn. Fire's the one thing any of these crawling bastards can't stand."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 19, 2012, 13:33
"Feth, I'm not going back to the lander again," MkLear protests, annoyed at the prospect of making the journey again. "Besides, we don't even know if it's spiders that's making the noise, nor do we know if they are really a threat." That last part doesn't come out too convincing.

Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 19, 2012, 13:42
Xilla looks at MkLear and laughs
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 19, 2012, 13:44
"What's so funny?" he snaps back. "If you have any suggestion, say it. I'm sick of standing in this reeking pipe."

He throws his lho-stick into the hole and immediately lights another one.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 19, 2012, 13:50
"You're scared" Xilla is now looking at MkLear as if he's a freak.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 19, 2012, 13:57
Lazerus heads back out again, trying to clear his head and find some more tools. Preferably flammable ones.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 19, 2012, 14:05
"Am I sacred?" MkLear replies defensively. "Of course I'm scared. This is no place for me, anybody in their right mind would be scared in a place like this, but you don't see me backing out."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 19, 2012, 14:13
Xilla smiles at MkLear and says. "Let's go back to the pod and see what we can come up with". She then turns to Hexadoken. "Are you coming?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 19, 2012, 23:42
HexaDoken sits near the nearest wall, putting his las rifle on the ground and saying "Oh hell no. I'm sorry but I think I'm sick of running around already. I'll just wait for you here. But try to not forget anything this time."

He then starts looking down the hole with a rather empty look.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 20, 2012, 04:16
"I'm with Hex on this one. Lazerus can handle it, we can start fastening the ropes and deciding who's going first while we wait."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 20, 2012, 07:03
Laz's trip back to the lander doesn't seem to give much profit. The only flammable thing inside the wreckage is the fuel - but as far as you can tell, it's radioactive. Lighting it on fire might result in large amounts of fireworks.

MkLear lights another lho and you are quite surprised to see the blaze at the end of the stick turning deeply red instead of a normal, fiery tone.

As you trade opinions, you get to realize that the distant sound ceased. Also, the stench is more tolerable.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 20, 2012, 07:07
"I wonder what you're lighting your lho-sticks with" - says HexaDoken to MkLear trough his scarf. He then drops another look down the hole.

"Sooo... let's finally do something?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 20, 2012, 07:27
"Who's going first?" Xilla looks at MkLear in surprise. "Don't you think throwing something down into the web and shooting them from up here sounds a lot better?" "But hey, if one of you is into self sacrifice be my guest. I'm staying for the spectacle"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 20, 2012, 07:39
HexaDoken takes the shotgun from the shoulder and opens it's chamber once more.

"For some reason I think they won't come... but yeah, throwing something down and waiting sounds like a plan. However, someone will still have to get down there first at some point of time..." - mercerenary turns to his colleagues - "...who will be that lucky one?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 20, 2012, 09:42
"Lucky...mmmm...then I guess it won't be you" Xilla looks Hexadoken in the eyes. "He's scared" she says nodding towards MkLear "So it's Lazerus or me"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 20, 2012, 09:45
"How good are you with that sword?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 20, 2012, 09:55
"I know how to kill you with it in 41 ways" Xilla draws her sword
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 20, 2012, 10:52
"Why so?" - responses HexaDoken to what Xilla said. - "I can be pretty damn lucky. I'm just asking if someone else feels like going there."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 20, 2012, 11:14
"I know how to kill you with it in 41 ways"

"Do you also know how to kills 41 things in just one way? A fast one preferably? If we get overrun, that sword'll do us more good then any gun we have."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 20, 2012, 12:15
"Yes, I do" Xilla replies to Lazerus. Then she looks at Hexadoken. "Do you have a blade?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 20, 2012, 12:18
HexaDoken closes his shotgun.

"Yep"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 20, 2012, 13:16
"Looks like we're going to have to do it the hard way in any case." Lazerus takes another good look around, assessing the situation they're in.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 21, 2012, 03:37
One could tie the rope to the shards of twisted metal straying from the hole's borders, but there is always the risk that it won't hold - that the rope will slide down or tear. The fall may not be deadly, but sure as hell that it will result in broken bone.
The pipe below you is located roughly about ten meters from the hole. It is broad enough for one person to stand on it, but it is all covered in rust and looks not very reliable.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 21, 2012, 03:56
"Okay." - HexaDoken stands up, grabbing all his weaponry. - "We have wasted enough time discussing. Let's already do something. I suggest for one to get down there on the rope and scout a bit, while other three stay here and hold the rope. I am ready to be the scout, but if anyone else wants my role I'll gladly give it."

HexaDoken pauses, looking at his team. Most of his face is still hidden behind the scarf, so you can't really read any emotions. The tone of mercerenary's voice however clearly indicates that he is serious.

"This plan is open to revision. Bear in mind that I am pretty sick of it and I'm not going wait for long."

You think that it is surprisingly weird to see someone like him being serious.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 21, 2012, 04:00
"Now you're talking," MkLear laughs. "When you get down, give us a shout. We'll be right behind you."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 21, 2012, 04:05
"If MkLear and Xilla can handle your weight, I can give you cover."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 21, 2012, 04:12
"Hold on," MkLear objects. "Ignoring the fact that if we are to hold the rope here, someone will have to stay behind - and as dangerous as this climb seems, I'd rather not stay here for the rest of my life - why don't we simply use Xilla's grapnel?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 21, 2012, 04:18
"It makes sense to send someone ahead to have a look. If there's trouble, he'll be out sooner if he gets some help."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 21, 2012, 04:29
"...Grapnel? What grapne-" - HexaDoken throws a rather puzzled look at Xilla. - "Oh, that one. Umm... well shiznit. I'll stick with Lazerus, unless our dear friend happens to have a powered winch as well. Once I'm down there and it's safe, I think you can just stick the grapnel somewhere and get down on your own..."

"And yes, my friend, yes." - that is certainly adressed towards MkLear. - "I can always thrust on my friends, can I?" - says mercerenary in a rather sarcastic tone.

Red-haired man seems to return to his usual state of not really taking anything seriously, however.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 21, 2012, 07:17
"No need for a grapnel. Just tie up one of the ropes as best as we can. When you guys go down we'll hold it so it won't slip. When I go last, my weight won't be a problem." Xilla puts away her sword, takes one of the ropes and does a pretty solid job fastening it.  "Let's go" She  holds the rope as she gestures to MkLear to help her.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 21, 2012, 08:44
"Well it can still slip off or something accidently, but if you wish to do it that way then fine."

HexaDoken grabs the rope and throws one end of it down the hole.

"Well, ready, lads?" - he says readying himself to climb down.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 21, 2012, 09:04
Lazerus readies his autogun and kneels down beside the hole, choosing a position that has the best view of the pit's exit. He nods to HexaDoken, and stares into the pit along his gun barrel, focused.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 21, 2012, 09:57
"You'll be okay," says MkLear as he grabs the rope. "I'm sure whatever's down there will run away as soon as it sees you."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 21, 2012, 10:01
"Of course it will." - says HexaDoken, sarcastically again. He looks down the hole, hesitating for a second.

"Ashenzari!"

You have really no idea what have mercerenary just said. But he started climbing the hole down.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 21, 2012, 13:21
Xilla holds the rope, waiting for the weight to shift and tell her Hexadoken is on the ground. She's also waiting for the clicking noises to come back.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 21, 2012, 14:17
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

For a moment, Xilla manages to hold the rope as Doken slides down with no effort at all. But right before he reaches the surface, the rope slides from MkLear's hands and the woman suddenly loses her balance, falling down, missing the prependicular pipe by narrow centimeters.
Luckily enough, the landing is soft because of dense webs, yet something cracks under the mercenary's solid boot...
"Something" appears to be a ribcage of the long-dead spelunker. His leather armor bears marks of a short combat - in the place where the stomach should be there's a huge, bloody hole. He died with an autogun in his hand.
The hall they find themselves in is large - forty meters long, twenty meters broad at least. On the other side there is a great breach in the steel wall, leading into some dark cave.
Also, the ceiling is invisible through the dense fog. The air smells with rot.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The rest remains inside the tube, waiting for a signal to come over, when suddenly Lazerus starts feeling a bit... nauseous. His chest is in slight pain and he feels like he'd vomit anytime. Unfortunately, MkLear gets the same feeling after a moment.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 21, 2012, 14:30
"Are you alright?" MkLear shouts into the hole, coughing.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 21, 2012, 14:59
"#^^$@*><!" Xilla is swearing in her tribal dialect, like a dockworker on a bad day. Much like a cat she landed on all fours. But this time even she is amazed she got away with it without being hurt. "Fine, landed on webbing" She yells back at MkLear, looking around as she reaches for her sword. "We are standing right in front of some cave, could very well be the bloody lair."  "By the look and smell of it, I think you and Lazerus should come down in a hurry"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 21, 2012, 15:13
These words are barely out of Xilla's mouth when the noise is back...
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 21, 2012, 15:19
"Wanna go first, Laz, or should I? You don't look so good. Feth, I'm getting a little dizzy myself."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 21, 2012, 15:22
Lazerus, having been looking down the entire time, has seen where Xilla landed. He says, between a couple of coughs that have a really inhuman sound to them, "Something's rotten here.", then shouts down "I'm coming in!". Amazingly, the sound of his voice changes completely when the volume goes up; it comes closer to a hissing screech.

Giving Xilla 2 seconds to get out of the way, Lazerus jumps down, hoping to hit the webbing she landed in.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 21, 2012, 15:26
"Sure... spend an hour finding a rope and then jump down," MkLear mutters and starts to climb down the fastened rope, wheezing.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 21, 2012, 23:50
"WELL SHIZNIT" - shouts HexaDoken from bottom of the hole. "Thanks, buddies! Besides, I think I'm alri-" - says HexaDoken but stops, as he realizes the return of the noise. - "-ght. . . . . Something however tells me that I won't be this alright soon enough" - he says in a lowered tone, so only Xilla could probably hear him. Mercerenary quickly takes a lasgun from his shoulder, then looks up at his teammates.

"On other thought, are YOU guys alright? Something tells me that not really."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 22, 2012, 00:47
Xilla had already taken a few steps, but Lazerus coming down unexpected makes her jump out of the way. "That was quick alright" She says, then looking at him a bit closer. "Are you going to be sick?" A glance at MkLear tells her he's not feeling to good either. She then turns around to Hexadoken and whispers "Guess it's you and me Lucky One" The last bit sounds ironic.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 23, 2012, 07:40
Lazerus' landing is far less lucky... Enough to say that he somehow managed to scratch against the prependicular pipe on his way down and landed on his back.
The results might be painful, as he tries to catch his breath for a moment...
Luckily, your spine broke your fall. The scales on your right elbow, though, are slightly torn.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

There is a loud, loud clang as he proceeds downwards, the noise echoing in the distance. Just as if responding, the shriek gets louder...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

HexaDoken notices some enormous shadow on the wall at the other side of the hall - forty meters apart. The shadow is spider-shaped and drooling with venom. The instinct tells you that it also hungers for warm blood...
It crawls downwards, its eight monstrous legs holding impressively against the worn bricks.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 23, 2012, 11:49
HexaDoken looks at the shadow and readies his lasgun.

"Guys, I'm not sure but it seems we have g-"

And then he sees the creature.

Mercerenary quickly aims down the sights of his weapon and shoots a burst of 3 shots.

"WELL WE SURE HAVE ONE GUEST HERE!" - he shouts back, while backing off a few steps.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 24, 2012, 03:03
The burst of red light flashes and bathes the place in blinding brightness, followed by loud hissing, as the spider attempts to jump off the wall. It manages to dodge two of incoming rays, but as it lands on the ground, the third one hits it right in the body. The fluorescent blood stains the ground and the creature dashes forward, in an attempt to reach the hand that hit it...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)


A fierce dash meets with an obstacle - the low-hanging pipe - and bends and breaks it with a loud noise. The dirty water starts flowing rapidly from the broken pipe. The force of this desperate rush is adequate to knock the mercenary back a foot or two, but doesn't manage to harm him at all...
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 24, 2012, 03:46
Awed by the things insane speed, Lazerus quickly rises to a knee, taking cover behind the rubble between the spider and himself. He puts the autogun's stock to his shoulder while without conscious thought his thumb flicks the switch next the gun's trigger to full-auto. Barrel pointing roughly into the middle of the hairy mass, he lets go...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 24, 2012, 04:00
The storm of bullets flies around, two of them hitting poor HexaDoken in the back.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 24, 2012, 04:18
"Kso!"

What mercerenary did least expect from the spider is for it to move at THIS high speed.

He points his lasgun on the beast, but then just throws it away. Braces himself for the hit, and takes the shotgun from his shoulder. And then he is hit by Lazerus in the back. HexaDoken groans - seems like the hit was hard - but still fires his shotgun at the spider.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 24, 2012, 04:27
Scream for the cascade of pain.
The spider bleeds a fountain of shiny green blood.
Blinded with pain, the thing jumps at the nearest wall to your right and runs upward as fast as it can, in scant seconds vanishing from sight.
Somehow you've got the feeling that you are far from being safe...

The water flows into your boots already.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 24, 2012, 04:35
It all happened so fast. One moment MkLear was descending the rope and checking if Lazerus was hurt seriously by his fall, the next there was fluorescent blood splashing all around them. As soon as the shock leaves him he aims his autopistol above him after the mangled from of the giant spider scurrying to safety. It's too fast though and soon it disappears in the webbed mess of pipes surrounding them.

"Is anybody hurt?" he asks.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 24, 2012, 04:44
"Yes.", Lazerus replies while exchanging the partially emptied clip for a new one - clearly in a higly pissed off mood.
"But if he can still walk, we'd better step aside before that thing decides to jump back down."

With the clip exchange complete, Lazerus makes a flanking move towards the hole in the wall, staring down his gun's barrel again.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 24, 2012, 04:47
"Are you talking about the spider or Hex?" MkLear asks cynically, noticing a bloody wound in the guardsman's back.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 24, 2012, 05:01
HexaDoken, having no more strength to stand, falls down. He, however, quickly regroups and aims at spider...

...only to realize that it is gone.

Mercerenary sits on place, still aiming at nothing, then puts his shotgun down and sighs. He opens it, ejects the shells, swiftly catches one, puts it back in shotgun, then follows it with another shell from the belt. HexaDoken looks at Lazerus for a few seconds with a rather strange expression - a mixture of sadness and laughter.

"Well..." - another sigh follows. - "Thanks, buddy!" - Mercerenary smiles.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 24, 2012, 05:06
The water level is reaching your knees now.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 24, 2012, 05:09
"Also." - says HexaDoken, who is sitting and therefore almost drinking the water. - "I wonder if anyone did notice something... uhh, wrong with this picture?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 24, 2012, 05:16
"If you are all OK, we should move out. It's getting a too wet in here for my tastes," says MkLear and heads towards the hole in the wall with Lazerus, his autopistol ready.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 24, 2012, 07:11
The rushing water grows even harder to move on, each step coming with more and more effort, but finally, Lear finds himself on the other side of the drowning room. In front of him there's a shady cave of stone. The ceiling is rife with stalactites, the sight not unlike a toothed mouth of some ferocious giant animal.

Then...
Gunshots. A bullet ricochets off the steel wall in a rain of sparks, then drowns in the evergrowing lake of polluted water with a loud plopping noise.

"Halt! Who's there? Lay yer weapons down and come out with yer hands up!", announces the loud, low voice of some male. There's a visible cone of light, now flashing right at the motormouth's eyes.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 24, 2012, 07:20
HexaDoken slowly stands up. He places his shotgun back on the shoulder and wastes several seconds searching for the lasgun underwater. Sounds of gunshots make him instinctively duck.

After hearing the offer, mercerenary wields his lasgun and slowly moves to the hole. Judging by the way he moves you can tell that his wound is pretty painful.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 24, 2012, 07:30
MkLear slowly holsters his autopistol and shields his eyes from the bright light, trying to see past it with little success.

"Take it easy. I don't want any trouble, sure as sure."

Fighting the urge to grab his wooden dice, he keeps his right hand visible and takes slow steps towards the man in the darkness.

"We both surrender," he announces loudly enough for Xilla and HexaDoken to hear it, glancing at Lazerus to see if he'll cooperate.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 24, 2012, 09:59
The moment the spider jumps upon the right wall and starts running upwards, Xilla runs to the pile of webbing  (%) on the right at the front of the hole. She can hear the voices of the others in the back, while she makes another run. This time for the wall on the right side of the hole. Pressing her back against the wall, she silently slides towards the entrance of the hole. One of her throwing knives falls into her hands after a flick of her left wrist, sword still in her right hand.

When she's beside the entrance, there are bullets and a voice calling out. As she was going to check the hole for more spiders, the bullets and the human voice startle Xilla. Standing in the shadows, Xilla then sees a cone of light aimed at MkLear's face. Hearing MkLear's answer, she waits for right the opportunity.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 24, 2012, 16:02
"Who are ye and what tha hell are ye doing 'ere?", the voice asks, still flashing right in MkLear's face. "Ye don't look familiar. And I know everyone in this Throne-forsaken place!"
"Do ye? Well, tell me about your affair with Lord Governor, pardner", another voice points out.
"Shut up!"
"Lower the light, man. He's not a bandit, sure as sure. Look at him - spooked to death, even his trousers are wet...", the other voice continues.
"Oi! Are there more of likes of you out there?", the third voice cuts in. "We mean no harm at all. This place is dangerous, y'know. Spiders - and Throne blind me, huge ones!"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 24, 2012, 23:31
Lazerus nods to MkLear, his head angled in the direction the voices are coming from as if urging him to do something...
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 25, 2012, 02:00
Xilla sees Lazerus nod towards MkLear. She then tries to spot Hexadoken, but can't seem to find him. The pillar and webbing must be in the way.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 25, 2012, 07:41
"You are right we're not exactly from around here," MkLear replies with more confidence. "It's an interesting story. I'd be happy to share it with you, but I'd prefer to do so somewhere else, perhaps over a glass of amasec?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 25, 2012, 10:14
"Ha! Now we're talking!", one of them, not heard before, booms out.
"Hold it. Yer not goin' any further until we know who ye are, what do ye want and how many of ye are thar. I care not fer yer story", cuts in the third voice.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 25, 2012, 11:41
Again, only a short nod from Lazerus, who seems to be concentrating on the voices in the distance.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 26, 2012, 04:58
"Well, my name's Lijah MkLear, that weird looking fellow over threre is Lazerus. We've just arrived on the planet, but our lander malfunctioned and we crash-landed outside the hive. With our communications fried, we tried to get inside the hive this way. Maybe it wasn't the best idea, but I'd really hate to get caught outside in a bad weather." MkLear intentionally ignores the third part of the question posed to him.

"It's a relief to find someone friendly down here, to tell you the truth. I was afraid we might get lost in this maze. Would you mind me asking who I have the pleasure to talk with?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on June 27, 2012, 02:04
Xilla puts her sword in the holder on her back, then slides her throwing knife back into it's sleeve pocket. Meanwhile she yells: "Okay, I'm getting bored with all this chitchat. I don't care who you are or with how many, I'm sick of standing here with my feet getting wet. I'm coming inside. Try not to shoot me." She first shows her empty hands and then steps out of the shadows into the cave.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 27, 2012, 09:51
"The name's Brom, I'm the head of this squad. We're patrolling the place in case of any raiders coming close to our settlement", the voice replies. "The grumpy one is Chaz, the guy with the tentacle where his arm should be goes by the name of Verd. Your lander messed up, ye say. That's too bad... Come, maybe The Seer will know how to help ye."
As Xilla enters the cave, after a short and careful walk through the uneven terrain she can see the three characters clad in hardened leather and waving around with automated weaponry. One is bald and pallid, one hideously bloated, and the third one seems to be completely alright despite his left arm being a meaty tendril.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 27, 2012, 11:55
"Nice to meet you. It's a relief to meet some friendly faces at last. This is Xilla," MkLear says nodding towards her, "and there's one more of us, HexaDoken, still lurking back there. We weren't sure if you weren't bandits yourselves."

MkLear makes a small pause to light a lho-stick.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 27, 2012, 12:06
Lazerus shoulders the autogun and takes a look around at his recent victim, with a look that could almost contain sorrow. Convinced HexaDoken's going to make it, he walks into the cave after Xilla and MkLear, right hand hovering beside the place where his pistol is concealed.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on June 27, 2012, 20:32
HexaDoken steps out of the shadows, putting his lasgun back in the bag. He greets Brom and company with a smile.

"Yeah, hi."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 28, 2012, 05:35
"Yeah, that's the real thing in the Underhive - you can't tell bad guys from good guys at all. Not that it differs from what happens overhead", the gunner responds. "So we gathered all the decent folks we could find and thought it'd be easier to gang up together and strive somehow... It works for two years now. We even managed to get some ol' an' rusty water purifier to work. This is why there are many bad guys around. Ever seen a vulture?"
As HexaDoken shows up, Brom examines him with a brief look.
"You look like you would need something to fix you, mate."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on June 29, 2012, 03:18
"A vulture? Is that one of the gangs or something?" MkLear asks.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on June 29, 2012, 03:50
Lazerus takes a good look around at the new faces before them.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on June 30, 2012, 15:07
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Never mind. The Wise One says it's a kind o'flying animal feedin' on dead bodies. Me, I've never seen one", Brom responds carefully, shaking his autogun carelessly. It seems that the pale man knows his way around this item, giving a strong impression that he's already fed many with lead. "If you wanna get anywhere, you'll be crossin' our hab anyway. Come, we'll introduce ya to people. You'll rest, restock on guns'n'ammo and maybe get a word of wisdom from The Seer herself."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 01, 2012, 02:16
Lazerus tries to make eye contact with the other three, inconspicuously giving a nod that indicates his assent as well as provoking a similar response.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 01, 2012, 05:08
"Sounds good. We could use a little rest. Lead on."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on July 02, 2012, 04:01
"The seer HERself, hmmm....." Xilla smiles and gestures with her hands she's ready to go, nothing inconspicuous about it. 
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 03, 2012, 07:11
In a while, you find yourselves stumbling through the twisted webway of dark, humid tunnels. It's hard to keep the pace with the three sentinels, who apparently know every step the way already.
Each of them moves in perfect silence, not speaking, not even whispering, not giving out a sigh or a sound of steps. The only things you hear are drops of water falling from the ceiling somewhere in the distance.
Your backs nearly freezing from the tension, you would promise that there's that skittering again, lurking at the treshold of hearing.

Finally, you enter some round, enormous cave stuffed with litter of ruined buildings - apparently a settlement that caved in long ago, now abandoned and wasted. In the distance, behind the site, a few lights flash.
"Password!", you hear a voice like thunder, from the top of one of insecure towers overhead.
"Sickness. Response!", Brom barks out.
"Seeping. You may pass, but make it quick. We've noticed some junk-eaters scoutin' around half a cycle ago. Who's it wif ye?"
"Off-world folks, but dey seem decent. Needin' help or stuff.", the patrol leader explains.

So you proceed forward, leaving the wasted buildings behind you. There's silent humming in the air, growing in power as you walk towards two torches - made of malformed human skulls.
Behind it, a few large tents circle a small place with an ominous statue in the middle. It somehow resembles a black knight from old-timer tales... or a battle-ravaged Space Marine? You can see a round rift in the ground barred with wooden bars at the statue's feet.
There also are two wooden huts, one to the left, the other to the right. The left one seems loud and crowded from the inside. Perhaps a tavern of some kind. The right one is more mysterious - the light in only window sheathed in silk is dim and the walls are covered in ivy.
A few shady people wander around uselessly, regarding you with intrigued stares. They all seem dirty, poor and dangerous.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 03, 2012, 08:02
HexaDoken walks with the group, carefully looking at whatever surroundings happen to be around. Looking, but only that - not showing any emotions or saying anything.

When he entered the circle of tents, his look momentarily stops at the tavern, or whatever it actually is. However, mercerenary is quickly reattracted by the statue in the middle. He slowly walks towards it, puts the scarf from his face and refits it around his neck, in it's normal place.

"Wonder, who's this guy?" - he asks, still looking at the statue.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 03, 2012, 08:38
Lazerus takes stock of the people around them, waiting for them to be led to the seerress or for MkLear to do the talking.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 03, 2012, 09:10
Brom stops and turns to you, while the other two are walking away.
"Hey, an' ye two?"
"Canteen time, fella", Vyrd responds. "I'd use some starch'n'stuff. You'll report us at da Boss', alright?"
"Ye, sure. Save ale, though."
"No worries, we'll be keepin' some for yer broad mouth."
After the two guardsmen are gone, Brom looks back at you.
"I'll have ta see you with the boss. 'e's a wise guy, and a holy one too. Used to be Emprah's priest, but den sumthin' happened an' he came here. Helps us folks go along together, keeps this place rollin'.", he explains, then looks again at the statue. "An' this thing? Nobody knows but maybe Boss and The Seer too. Stood here for a long time 'fore we set a town in 'ere. Ask them if you wanna. Come, he wants ta know who comes and leaves. It's all for sake o'safety."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on July 03, 2012, 14:56
During the walk Xilla focused on the strength and weaknesses of three sentinels as they moved. Mostly because it's something she does with everyone she meets. Just thinking about how they would fight and how she would kill them quickest. Not paying much attention to her surroundings. As they enter the cave she snaps out of her hunter and pray game. Curious she looks around, returning every stare with an amused one.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 04, 2012, 15:42
Seeing you walked by Brom, people tend to back away and vanish from sight. They all seem as if they lived under a constant pressure - wary, they keep their heads low all the time, their eyes open broad seem like they knew only a little sleep.

You are led to the hut standing to your right hand. There's no door, just a heavy, tattered blanket hanging in the way, covered in dust and ember. Its cloud raises as the guardsman pushes it off the way.
The inside doesn't seem comfortable at all.
A pile of old blankets and rags in the corner - probably a lair - and a small table in the middle are the only pieces of furniture in the dusty room you enter. There are also some crates and boxes piled under the wall - and the window you've seen from the outside.
Two things you notice - a man in tattered robes kneeling in front of the table - and an open tome on it, really heavy book, judging from its size.
Brom doesn't manage to say anything as the middle-aged man of dark hair and pale complexion rises on his legs.
"Greetings, Brom. You here to report?", he asks.
"Yes, boss. Things are the way they used to be. Also, we met these fellas on our way. Seem decent, an' dey say dey might be needin' some help."
"We, children of Him on Earth, have to help each other in these grave times."
The priest gives you all a short, yet intense, curious glimpse, while the guardsman bows his head in respect and backs out and outside.
"I am father Clem, the founder of this village and a humble servant of the Throne. Who you might be, travellers?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 05, 2012, 07:57
HexaDoken just had opened his mouth, but he shut it up before he could say something. Mercerenary then looked at MkLear, waiting.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on July 05, 2012, 13:14
Xilla also looks at MkLear and waits for him to speak.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 05, 2012, 14:04
The priest raises his brow.
"Well? Are you mute or something?", he asks.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on July 05, 2012, 14:38
"Well....I'm Xilla, these two are Hexadoken and Lazerus"Xilla answers pointing at them. "And this fellow is MkLear who will tell you all about our problems with the pod malfunctioning and stuff" Xilla slaps MkLear on the back, as if he was a candy machine that refused to give out the candy bar she paid for.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 05, 2012, 17:04
MkLear shakes his head rapidly, as if trying to wake himself up, then rubs his forehead with a hint of pain passing over his features.

"Yes, of course. You have to forgive me," he addresses the former priest. "I haven't been feeling too well since we entered the hive. It's been a long day, full of surprises. Anyway, as I explained to... Brom, was it?" MkLear turns towards the guard, though he doesn't give him any time to respond, as his usual talkativeness returns. "The four of us got caught up on the outside of the hive. No means of transportation or communication, not to mention precious little food and drink. Feth, I could use a drink right now."

He says the last sentence half to himself, once again trying in vain to lessen his headache by the touch of his palm.

"It's not like we planned for our lander to break down. Maybe someone else did, but that's another matter entirely. Long story short, we figured that anywhere was better than standing outside, waiting for the weather to turn hostile, so we found a sewer pipe and got inside. There we were quickly proven wrong, but, Throne be praised, we met Brom and his pals who brought us here."

MkLear looks around the room as if judging it's character and then turns his gaze back to father Clem.

"You and your people seem quite friendly, much more than most people I've ever met. And friends is what we really need at this time. Can we stay among you for a while, recuperate and get some much needed supplies?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 06, 2012, 10:19
Father Clem scratches his beard.
"Outlanders... from a broken lander. Depends on who launched the thing...", he ponders, furrowing his brow and gazing at you carefully.
Hearing the last question, he nods slightly.
"You are welcome to stay here as long as you don't cause any disturbance. Do bear in mind, though, that this is not the safest ground in the Imperium."
The priest's expression adds a sad tone to these words.
"Be prepared, for we can be attacked anytime. There are raiders and bandits here. They want our water purifier for themselves. Who has fresh water, has the power..."
He shakes his head, as if trying to force nasty thoughts away from his head.
"But as long as it is silent, be our guests. We have a canteen, we have some people willing to exchange goods like guns and medicine, we have that fickle fortune-teller girl from nowhere... One thing that comes into my mind. What is it you are looking for? It's not that the Underhive is the place somebody would visit without reason - and a damn well one, if you know what I mean."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 06, 2012, 10:44
"We've got some business," MkLear replies vaguely. "Don't take it the wrong way if I don't tell you what it is. It's a delicate situation. In any case, we can't stay too long. Can you tell us more about the raiders, in case we run into them?"

He tries to steer the conversation away from the group's true purpose. Showing the inquisitorial rosette would assure complete cooperation of this community, but in the underhive even walls have eyes and ears... it would be best to keep their mission a secret for now.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 06, 2012, 12:58
"There are a few packs of these dirtbags, but the greatest one is led by a guy known as Wolf. They go around as Stray Houds or somethin' and are pretty damn numerous... Like a hundred and a half, maybe. Throne only knows", the priest ponders loudly. "It's an actual miracle that we manage to hold this village so far."
Suddenly, the blanket at the entrance is torn asunder. At the doorstep, Verd breathes heavily.
"Sorry to interrupt, the Seer would be flattered or sumthin' to see our newcomers..."
The priest gives away a loud sigh, then looks at you with some resignation.
"Would you? I don't wanna risk and she seems to have nasty stuff up her sleeve... As you can probably see. I bet ten slugs that nobody ever told her about you. But I believe that you might have other questions until you're gone."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 06, 2012, 13:23
"So she's a psyker? Feth, I'm not overly fond of those."

MkLear's left hand once again finds his worn dice. He continues to speak, but he appears somewhat distracted, his mind racing to find a solution to trouble he's sure to come very, very soon.

"Unless I'm mistaken," he leans towards father Clem, "you're not too fond of her either."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 06, 2012, 15:41
"Yeah, I can't say I like her, but she proved herself useful once. The Inquisition would burn this place to ash already if she hadn't detected their operative in time...", sneers the priest. "People see her as their protector and oftenly seek the guidance of this Throne-blinded witch. But there's something in all the things she says... As long as she doesn't cause unrest, I think it's alright to have her with us. We're all mutants here, after all... and so are you."
His glance focuses mostly on Lazerus.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 06, 2012, 16:06
"Wait, the Inquisition?" Whatever's been going in MkLear's head, it's clear his train of thought has just derailed. Good thing that idiot Lazerus didn't immediately flash his rosette, he thinks to himself.
"I know you said this isn't the safest place, but that's some serious understatement. Raiders? Scary, but I can deal with that. But the Inquisition? Feth..."

MkLear pauses for a moment, not to gather his thoughts, but rather to make it look like he needs to.

"We'll talk to your seer, we'll get some supplies and we'll be on our way. I'd rather take my chances with the bandits than stay here."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 06, 2012, 23:55
During the conversation, HexaDoken has been staring into the nothingness, as usual. Whatever MkLear and Clem were talking about, mercerenary did not seem to show any attention... until Lijah mentions psykers.

An immediate look at MkLear and Clem, full of surprise and a bit of... fear? You cannot tell for sure. However, it is clear that a single mention of psykers has brought HexaDoken back to real world real quick - something that you have never seen yet.

As MkLear says that they are going to visit the seer, mercerenary mumbles something under his breath. You could not hear the whole phrase, but you think you've heard word "goddamn", and it's quite obvious that HexaDoken isn't fond of the idea of seeing the seer.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 07, 2012, 00:04
Lazerus keeps his focus on Clem, trying to establish the value of what he's telling and to read between the lines.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 07, 2012, 14:54
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"Yes. Them, Redemptionists or other fanatic folks eager to cleanse this place with fire", the priest continues. "While our strife is no worse than of those locked up in manufactorae..."
He gives away a loud sigh.
"Accidents happen, sometimes one of these happens to wander around looking for a fight. Not a common occurence, though. And I'm fairly certain that with this... witch... we are safe for the time being. If they come, we give them a good fight. It's possible that we'll have to move on someday, when our scouts find another source of water, but for now..."
The priest raises his brow again.
"What is it you might be trying to hide from the witch hunters?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 07, 2012, 15:21
Upon hearing the word 'Redemptionists' being uttered, Lazerus' ears sharpen - they have their chapters back in Hive Primus, what used to be home, as well. And abhumans and zealots don't mix...

Lazerus answers Clem's last question by clearing his throat. Once he has his attention, he presents Clem his open arms, giving him the opportunity to take another good look at his 'misshapen' skin and head. "They usually don't take kindly to someone looking like me."

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 07, 2012, 16:01
"Everybody in this village is someone looking at they don't take kindly", replies Father Clem. "Beginning with mutated guardsmen, through renegade priests and witches, ending with Skitarii cyborg running rampant. Don't you think you'd stray from the crowd with these easily concealable quirks... We'd all end up against the wall."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 08, 2012, 03:40
"So how did a faithful servant of the Golden Throne end up leading a town full of outcasts?" MkLear asks, lighting a lho-stick.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 08, 2012, 12:35
"That's a long story", Clem says. "But to keep it short: I couldn't bear the sight of poor people toiling to death for barely any prize. Others called me - obviously! - a heretic, a revolutionary, an instigator. And now I'm here, trying to show these misguided folks an another way to live, keep them from damnation everybody else pushes into them. This is why I founded this village... I know that He on Earth would want me to walk this way."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 11, 2012, 12:02
"Speaking as one of the hunters' favourite targets, I can only say I admire your choice. I hope the same goes for your people here. I realize there's little we can offer you, except minimizing the strain on your resources - although both our parties might benefit from a little trading. And in regard to your enemies: is there any way by which to recognize these Hounds, should we run into them?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 14, 2012, 13:27
The priest regards you with a dark smirk on his face.
"As a matter of fact, yes", he says after a short while, shuddering visibly at the memory. "Now that you mention it, they have a kind of emblem. A collared barking dog's head. Not really ingenious, but has the morale effect..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 15, 2012, 02:38
"So are we talking mad dogs, or are they organized? And if so, who's holding their leash?" MkLear asks, hoping to steer the conversation towards more useful topics - and away from its current direction, which is uncomfortable to him for some reason.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 17, 2012, 11:02
"Hard to tell, y'know. If it comes to pillage, they don't look the leashlings part", the Father responds. "I know there's that Wolf character who poses as the headmaster, but as far as I'm concerned these bastards come in smaller packages. You better ask other folks in the town, few share the past with this particular gutter."
The priest sighs, as though even mentioning the problem was burdensome to him.
"There's, for instance, that Jesco guy. We've found him almost dead, with a huge bullet hole through his back. Says one of hounds did it. Betcha he'd know more than I do. Might even be willing to help you. But I'd see with the Seer first. Maybe she is that wicked witch of sorts, but might have some clever insights. Always does."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 18, 2012, 08:39
"If you insist," MkLear draws heavily from his lho-stick and then exhales, leaving the smoke hanging in the air. "Let's get it over with."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 19, 2012, 07:25
So you leave the Priest's lodging as he cheers you with a simple nod and a faint smile, and you head towards the place Verd himself shows you with an extended tentacle.
"There", he says, encouraging you to go in that direction. "Drop in to a canteen later, will ya? We might swap some traveller tales or stuff over some mug or two."
Then he walks away as you roll towards a tiny cave inside the wall of rumbled stone. The cave has some kind of door built in.

Behind a decayed wooden portal there is a really short corridor looking like a hallway. A place to wait for your turn, kinda like at chirurgeon's. There's even a bench to sit on.
Dirty, tattered curtain separating the hallway from rest of the cave is drawn only in half. You barely see anything inside – light from small fireplace is too little to reveal much more than outlines of two people.
“...helped us, so I wanted to pay back for...”, says one of them, a woman. She holds something in her hands, giving it to the other one. But that other, taller one, doesn't let her do it.
“Ah, Tamara. There is no need for you to repay me for this favour. You really need it more than I do.”
The other speaker is also a woman. There is something strange in calming softness of her voice.
“You are filling me with grief by thinking I would take your last thrones in return for such a trifle. You can surely find a better use for them.”

Tamara says nothing. She just nods her head a few times, going to exit backwards until she reaches the curtain. Then she turns around quickly and runs out, not looking at any of the Acolytes.
The Seer throws some wood into a small fire. It gets brighter.
Now she can be seen more clearly - as a slender woman clad in some exotic robes. She somehow seems strange to you, although definitely not in an intimidating manner.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 20, 2012, 04:25
MkLear clears his throat, obviously not too happy to play the role of the speaker on this occasion.

"You wanted to see us?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 20, 2012, 14:45
On the way over, when Verd's not around to hear it, Lazerus asks no one in particular "Finding the Hounds might be easier than expected. Any ideas on how not to get shot, so far?"

Inside the Seer's cave, Lazerus starts by having a good look at her, again letting others do the talking while keeping his eyes and ears peeled.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 20, 2012, 23:20
"Either shoot first or don't shoot at all. That's all I get" - replies HexaDoken to Lazerus.

Mercerenary does not seem interested in Seer. He, actually, tries to keep as much away and shadowed as possible. It is clear that this time he isn't too keen to start a conversation.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 21, 2012, 04:52
As woman kneels before the fireplace to fuel the flame, you can notice a strange band on her face, covering eyes. Kinda like blind people wear - although she seems to see you clearly when she turns around and looks at you. Her smile is like her voice, calm and soothing, but also a little unfamiliar. Robes she wears almost entirely cover her body.
“I cannot recall summoning you here, but I understand guards are a little paranoid about newcomers... or me. Come in. And close the door please, I might live in a cave, but cleaning the dust from the streets is really nothing pleasing.”
You can sense a little allusion as she talks about the dust. About shoes, maybe?
She stands up and turns to few shelves on the wall to take a vial from one of them.
“But you surely want something from me. Looking for someone, right? And your friend will definitely need some help with his wound...”
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 22, 2012, 13:07
Upon being mentioned, HexaDoken gives the Seer a blank stare. He then resumes looking at The Big Nothing.

It is hard to tell mercerenary's feelings, unlike it usually is.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 23, 2012, 01:24
"Or not", she says not so friendly anymore, and the bottle returns to the shelf with a loud clatter. "And one would think that The Bald Man does not hire people whose main trait is arrogance. Feel free to enjoy your backache and ignore my help, just do not ask for it later, if it does not suit you so badly. Maybe others will have a little more courtesy than you, Sixth One."
She crossed her arms, waiting for response. After all, what mercenary shows is quite unusual way of responding to an invitation and an offer of help.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 23, 2012, 12:54
HexaDoken raises an eyebrow, looking at the Seer. Those who saw his eyes could tell that HexaDoken both expected and unexpected such behaviour from the woman, no matter how much contradictory that sounds. Mercerenary then signs and resumes staring in the nothingness once again, this time with a smile on his face.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 23, 2012, 13:26
"..the Bald Man does not hire people whose main trait is arrogance.."

Although his face remains impassive, Lazerus is suddenly rudely jerked out of his examination. If he had any hairs in his neck - which have been bred out of his bloodline many generations ago- they'd be standing on end.

Oblivious of HexaDoken's paradoxal feelings, he asks- calm as ever "Just what do you think you know about us?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 23, 2012, 14:18
She raises her head a little. Gentle smile on her thin lips is almost unnoticeable.
Wood crackles in a fireplace. Warm half-light it gives is really soothing.
"You really do want to have this conversation in a hallway and fully armored, do you not, Lizard?" she asks, making an inviting gesture with her hand. Shadows move on walls along with flames in a hearth.
"I know more than you can think I do, though you need not to fear... Unless I will have to keep speaking so loudly about it. Will you finally come in and draw that curtain or do you enjoy a little risk of people eavesdropping?"
She didn't say it directly, but something in the tone of her voice suggested she didn't like to ask twice. You can notice it's neatly warm in a cave compared to coldness outside.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 23, 2012, 14:26
Hesitantly, Lazerus steps deeper into the cave, taking in the undoubtedly strange interior. His right hand remains hovering in the vicinity of his autopistol the entire time, as if looking for an excuse to draw.

When the last of the group is in and the curtains closed, he takes another good look at the Seer and says "We were told to see you.". It sounds like a question, even though the inflection isn't there.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 24, 2012, 01:25
Hestiantly as well, HexaDoken follows the lizardman in. He stays near the curtain and sighs. Mercerenary then takes a look at his backpack, looking for something, but shortly after he weighs it back on the shoulder and sighs once again.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 24, 2012, 05:42
Woman smiles again and takes a few steps to the fireplace. Now it's clear what was she leaned against - a table. And on the table there is a knife and few already disemboweled fishes.
Waiting for everyone to come in and make themselves comfortable, she puts a grill on top of the fire, then meat on the grill. Her hands are pale and soft, strangely soft. Long, artistic fingers...
It's brighter near the fire, so you can see the band on her eyes more clearly - material it's made of is thick and black. And dull compared to embroiders on in - simple pattern, made of purple and green thread which shimmers in light. It looks expensive and for sure was not made in Underhive. On the other side, Seer's robes fit description of an Hive exile perfectly. They're long and tattered, in a few layers... and dusty. 
As fishes start to roast, an appetizing smell slowly fills the small cave. Not as nice as smell of a clean, healthy fish from a feral world, but still can make a person drool.
There are no stools to sit on. Only the floor. Nearly enough place for five people.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 24, 2012, 05:50
At last MkLear breaks his uncharacteristic silence.

"You're a psyker, right? But unless I'm mistaken, that's not why you say you know about us. I was hoping we will find a..." he hesitates briefly. "A friend here."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 24, 2012, 08:04
"Maybe. Or maybe not" she responds shortly, standing on her toes to take few ceramic mugs from the highest shelf. You can notice she's barefoot. "But first, you have something that feels familiar, although I am not yet sure, what it might be..."
She stops for a while, pouring some clean water into cups. She gives them to you and speaks again while handling the mug to the red-haired mercenary.
"Would you be so nice to enlighten me in that matter?"
Once again she acts like she can perfectly see you and all the surroundings, though the band on her eyes really doesn't look like a transparent one.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 24, 2012, 09:12
"We aren't asking each other for help, right?" - says HexaDoken before taking the cup with one hand and drinking a bit. His other hand takes a gemstone out of the jacket. Mercerenary holds it between himself and the Seer, his look freezed on the jewel.

"If this isn't it," - says he after a few seconds, - "then I'm out of ideas."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 24, 2012, 09:45
It was hard to say what feelings had the woman when mercenary showed her gemstone without seeing her eyes. She froze along with him, her hand stayed hovering in a place it was before man took the mug. The smile was gone.
After a while she nods.
"...Yes. That is it." There's a little sadness in her voice when she speaks. "I... You mind if I take care of it? I think I might know-"
She stops in half of a sentence and shudders, turning her head to the hearth. Fishes on the grill just started to fizzle, reminding of themselves. She goes to take them off and serve them on plates. Plates she must have borrowed from the canteen, because three of them are different. Mugs the same.
Looks like she knew how many of them was coming.
"Please, sit. Make yourself at home."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 24, 2012, 10:23
Lazerus puts his hand on HexaDoken's shoulder, and when the mercenary turns his head to him, says "She's one of the folk he was talking about..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 24, 2012, 10:26
Close to exasperation from the incredibility of it all - the eyeless sight, the jewel, the plates and mugs -  Lazerus seems to give up and sits down, staring into the middle distance, awaiting what will come next.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 25, 2012, 04:01
I decided to award everybody with 100xp, just because I can and I like how the game is slowly developing.

The stone seems to flash with deep blue and violet. As the Seer draws closer towards it, the aura slowly extends, covering the cave interior with dim light.

Lijah MkLear & The Seer:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 25, 2012, 07:17
"D-depends..." - HexaDoken says, as if unsure if he should say that. A few seconds later, however, he returns to his normal state, and lowers the hand with the jewel.

"What is this thing, anyway?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 25, 2012, 08:43
"Feth that. I don't even want to hear what it was. Much better that way, sure as sure," MkLear's voice pierces through the gathered silences. "Was this all you wanted from us?"

There is a hint of impatience, anger and maybe even fear in his voice. Or is that just a calculated performance on his part? His hand clutching his worn nalwood dice is definitely not under his conscious control.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 25, 2012, 10:25
She doesn't answer at first, laying plates on the ground and sitting next to Lazerus. Then she turns her head to Hexa.
"It is the curse of my people, speaking simply. I am afraid you would not understand if I told you any more details."
She pauses for a while, looks at Lijah.
"I also wanted to feed you, Gifted" she points at the plates with a gesture. "Is this what makes you so nervous?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 25, 2012, 12:31
"How would giving you the curse of your people help you?" - asks HexaDoken. It is interesting that he shows absolutely no surprise, like holding stones that might decide destiny of lots of other people is a common practise for him.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 25, 2012, 12:50
The Seer smiles strangely to mercenary.
"It is a little more complicated. As I said, I am afraid you would not understand..." she answers with a little indulgent manner. "But it will not help you either, I can assure you. It will not bring you luck nor wealth, if that is what you are after. You might think of it as the payment for my help with your assignment or just a liberation from this burden, that is your call. But first, sit. Feed yourself and drink, do not think I cannot see you are exhausted after what you have been through."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 25, 2012, 15:11
"Im nervous around psykers, and unsantioned ones, at that," MkLear answers. "Ive seen what warp can do, and I dont want to have anything to do with it, sure as sure."

He then leans a bit forward, staring uncomfortably where the Seers eyes should be.

"Having a portal inside your head, which can at any time allow the demons of the immaterium to manifest in our universe is a dangerous thing. If I was in your place, Id do my best to hide it. You may feel safe here among these outcasts, but there are agents of the Imperium everywhere, and they wouldnt think twice about terminating you."

He leans back and lights yet another lho-stick, cursing silently to himself noticing how many he already smoked.

"Or worse," he adds. "There are far worse fates than death for the likes of you."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 25, 2012, 16:22
"Really? Then your life must be pretty stressful, Lijah." You can sense a little amusement in her voice. Looks like she couldn't hide the smirk on her face. Or maybe she just didn't want to hide it?
"I could not imagine how terrible it is to be nervous around yourself. And living with such a burden like being unsanctioned, as you called it? Thanks the Gods it does not apply to me." She smiles friendly - or maybe a little derisively? You can't tell for sure without seeing her eyes. It's incredible how important they are when it comes to emotions, isn't it?
"And, please, if you really need to smoke, go outside. I do not enjoy the smell of lho-sticks at my place."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 25, 2012, 22:55
HexaDoken finally sits. It looks like he was going to do that long time ago, but simply forgot, or something.

"I might not understand... but hey I can try, right?" - asks he looking at the Seer.

He sighs and gives the space around an empty look. Then, suddenly, still looking at the nothing, he throws the gem towards the Seer.

"Catch!"

Mercerenary then takes the plate.

"Any spoons or forks around?"

Once again, HexaDoken seems to act like if everybody around are his old friends gathered to drink some tea.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 26, 2012, 23:22
Lazerus accepts the food and drink the Seer hands him with a submissive nod. And while he starts slowly and methodically devouring his first meal in what seems far too long, he turns back to the Seer once again when the others' still hesitant conversations have died down.

"So tell us... You clearly know more about us than we would expect from any random encounter."

He keeps staring ahead, into nothing, as if his mind is operating on an entirely different level than his mouth.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 27, 2012, 05:03
Since Lazerus was already sitting next to Seer who sat at his side, all he had to do was to turn towards her.

The fish maybe wasn't the most fresh meal ever and mostly tasted like some brand of jellyfish, but was surprisingly satiating - if one could ignore the smell of mud. It was also warm, which was nice compared to the cold outside.

As the Seer catches the stone, its ghastly light turns more dim and fades away slowly. Whispers begin to cease and finally fall silent, calm.

A little something for HexaDoken:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 27, 2012, 12:44
MkLear looks at his lho-stick with some consideration. Then he puts it in his mouth and heads out.

"Well, I don't enjoy the company of psykers," he says heading to the door. He opens it and turns briefly to Lazerus and Hexadoken. "I'll be in the canteen if you need me."

He takes another draw from the lho-stick and leaves the hut, but not before blowing one last lungful of smoke into the interior.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on July 27, 2012, 12:59
As Lijah exhales the smoke inside the hut, he suddenly feels his chest exploding with excruciating pain. It feels like his lungs were made of thousand rusty needles, each one punching deeply at the inside layer of his ribcage. It's hard to draw another breath. He feels blood rushing into his face, sides of his head pulsating as they press painfully at the skull's contents. The feeling has it that his eyes are likely to flow out.
All of a sudden, he can feel every single bruise this journey already caused. And the sickness he caught before.
The outlaw's body suddenly consists of pain and torture as he staggers in a desperate struggle to stand.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on July 27, 2012, 13:20
MkLear tries to say something, but any meaning is lost as the spasms going through his body deny him control of his vocal chords. He struggles against the coming blackness enveloping him for a few seconds, but then he falls limp on the ground.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 27, 2012, 13:28
HexaDoken waves his hand, as if trying to make the smoke go away.

"Hey man, could yo-" - he says, turning his look towards MkLear. When he finally sees him, he stops midsentence.

"Buddy..." - mercerenary almost whispers.

He then quickly stands up and rushes to catch Lijah, but he didn't succeeds to do so in time. He kneels before the uncoscious body.

"Kso..." - says he as silently.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 27, 2012, 13:56
When woman catches the stone, she looks like her heart for a moment stopped from fear she might not succeed. Then she breathes out slowly, with some kind of relief.
Then she lays the stone in front of her, on a robes between her crossed legs.
"Thank you."

She just smiles to Lazerus, when he asks. She might even wanted to answer something, but since she's not the rushing type, Lijah has time to speak again.
Smile goes away, but woman says nothing.
And then - he falls.
She didn't get up too quickly - it simply wasn't her way. Sometimes you might even have impression that time is just going slower around her. But, eventually, she stands up and goes to the man, to check if he got some injuries.
"Lay him there, please", asks she, pointing into the corner, at rags which must have served as bed for her.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on July 28, 2012, 00:13
"Blah, goddamn smoker..." - HexaDoken mumbles under his breath. He pulls him to the rags and lays him there. Then he returns back to the place where he was sitting. After a second or two looking at Lijah, he just shrugs. Not seeing any things to eat food with appearing, he just starts eating using just hands.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on July 28, 2012, 00:23
Lazerus, seeing HexaDoken rush in to support MkLear, only regards the situation with puzzlement at first. Once he's down and out, however, he  gets up to have a closer look and subsequently lend a hand in moving MkLear's limp form. Although his face doesn't give away anything, his posture and movements might betray concern.

While the Seer is performing het examination, he asks: "Any idea what this is?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on July 28, 2012, 12:42
Xilla quickly dusted her clothes before entering the Seers cave, bowed before being the first to sit down and then looked more relaxed then she has been before on this trip. She's been looking at the woman with curiosity and respect. Watching the conversation, but not interfering, not even when MkLear goes down. Just returning the gestures and clearly enjoying the warmth of the fire and the food and drink. She seems completely at ease with the situation and the Seer. While MkLear is put on the bed by the two others she whispers : "I'm sorry, they are idiots to not show respect. But MkLear, he's not so bad normally" She looks up at the Seer and the look on her face shows real discomfort with the situation.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 31, 2012, 09:42
The Seer looks at Lazarus.
"The result of exhaustion, I think" she says soothingly. "Nothing dangerous anyway. He just needs some sleep now and he will be fine."
She stands up and goes back to sit before her plate. The gem HexaDoken gave her is gone, probably hidden somewhere inside her robes. Then, before she starts to eat, she nods to Xilla and smiles with contentment.
"Ah, you. I should have expected at least the member of The Cult knows how to behave."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on July 31, 2012, 10:23
Xilla smiles and performs a quick ceremonial greeting gesture. "Your visions are clearer then most." She sounds impressed. "Would you help us choose the right path, so we may reach our goal"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on July 31, 2012, 11:06
"Thank you. I did not get my name for nothing", answers The Seer while suiting up the band on her eyes to fit better. Simple, probably instinctive gesture, but linked with Xilla's last words - a little strange.
"And I will help you, since my task here is to help. But we need not to hurry, do we? You might want to ask in the canteen about some place to sleep. As you can see, I have not enough room here for you all, although it saddens me."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on August 02, 2012, 12:23
Lazerus watches the interaction between Seer and Assassin, showing his usual lack of emotion - although his posture might betray a hint of impatience.

His response is still completely civil, nonetheless: "Would you then start by enlightening us on what you appear to know about us?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on August 07, 2012, 16:27
    During all that MkLear's eyelids twitch in irregular intervals, while the rest of his form remains limp. The private fortress of his mind is filled with images of scorching purple flame, sensations of his very flesh burning away at the touch of malevolent energy threatening to devour his very soul. Great fears of both his past and present, and perhaps even his future, play out in his private nightmare. Only the telltale movements of his closed eyes betray this, and once it is over, not even him will remember anything but a fleeting feeling of disquiet, which will drown in the sea of uneasiness brought about by the predicament he's in.
    And so his body rests as his mind and soul fight a war against their own imaginary demons with no end in sight.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on August 09, 2012, 02:01
Xilla looks at Lazerus and reply's: "I think she meant that this is enough for today, we'll come back tomorrow" Then she speaks to the Seer: "Thank you for your hospitality. We will call on you again tomorrow. Could we leave our unconscious friend here in your care until we find a place for him to sleep?" She makes a quick gesture towards MkLear.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on August 09, 2012, 23:24
Lazerus, not taking his eyes off the Seer, replies to Xilla's remark: "She might. This question deserves answering though."

Upon which - surprising even himself - he takes a step forward and kneels before the Seer, head down.
"Lady, I understand and respect your position, as I assume you do ours, and thus see the importance of my question. Please do not withhold your enlightenment any longer."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on August 12, 2012, 04:19
The Seer was not interrupting, listening to Xilla and Laz with half an ear. She was eating grilled fish with her hands, carefully taking fishbones out of warm meat with her fingers.
She smiled, when the Moritat girl showed this exaggerated politeness of hers, but said nothing. She also said nothing for a while after Lazerus' question, finishing the meal. Like saying.... "eat. Then we'll talk".

And then, finally, she discreetly licks her fingers and smiles to lizard.
"What if I told you there are more things and powers in this world, than you ever imagined?" She starts with a question. "What if I told you I can read your mind or see you in many more ways you could ever think about?"
She gets up, taking her plate, and turns around to put it on small table.
"Or maybe I am just a spy, able to find any information I would like to?" She turns face to them again, leaning on tabletop with her hip and crossing her arms. "What would you prefer to believe?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on August 12, 2012, 12:13
Remaining as he is, on one knee and head down, in what appears to be true deference, Lazerus responds: "I truly don't care, one way or the other. If you know what you claim to know, we already owe you more than any of the other inhabitants of this village will ever suspect. If you don't, we will thank you for your meal, wish you all the best with your curse and be on our way again."

At which point he raises his head and looks the Seer in... well, what would have been her eyes, carefully reading her expression as he says: "So why not stop messing about and either drop your bluff or tell us what you know you must?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on August 13, 2012, 05:20
All this time, it seemed that HexaDoken calmed down and got used to being near a psyker... but, judging by his reaction to Seers words, you guess he didn't really. Seems that he spaced out when Seer started answering lizardman's question.

One who would carefully look at them would notice that he is whispering something, but so silently, that you're not sure if mercerenary can himself hear what he is saying.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on August 14, 2012, 01:28
Xilla finishes her food and empties her cup, while the Seer speaks. As she wipes her hands on her legs she looks at Lazarus when he speaks again and then sighs and rolls her eyes in frustration.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on August 22, 2012, 09:13
The forehead of the woman frowns, giving the impression, that she must have raised her brows in some kind of astonishment. And again a little smirk appears on her lips.
"I must?" she repeats after Laz, truly amused. "What makes you think I must do something, Lizard? I am offering you help, but it is up to you if you take it. If you need to know something, ask as I might have the answer. I may try to tell you all I know, but I doubt you would live so long to hear all of it..."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on August 22, 2012, 09:27
Lazerus rises to his feet again, closely inspecting the Seer's face with no expression whatsoever passing over his own features. For a moment, he seems undecided...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on August 22, 2012, 11:42
...and without changing his blank expression he still visibly seems to make up his mind, straightening his back fully. He answers:

"If you don't know why you must, then you don't know all that you claim to know. I still thank you for your hospitality - I will impose on it no further."

And with a respectful bow of the head, Lazerus turns his back and walks out, not meeting the others' eyes on the way.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on August 23, 2012, 09:41
The Seer snorts shortly, like in laughter.
"Did herbs hanging around affect your senses, Lizard? I just said there is no thing I must do, only those I might..." She smiles with compassion and turns her head. The smile fades away into sadness, while she whispers, like to herself:
"And there is no imposition in asking for help, but looks like some are too proud to do so..."
Suddenly, she claps her hands and smiles friendly to Xilla an Hexa.
"Now, when we are not starving anymore... Is there anything I might help you with? Find someone, advice on something?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on August 23, 2012, 12:11
Lazerus stops halfway to the door, hearing the Seer's first words. He turns around and looks at the scene before him: MkLear lying out cold, the assassin and the mercenary eating out of the Seer's palm. Thinking to himself it's up to me, I guess he is momentarily visibly struggling for words, then says:
"If there is nothing you must do, then clearly the bald man is treating you better than he does us. Was your kinsmen who bore the curse up until recently the only one who told us to talk to you, or do we see you on the bald man's behalf as well?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on August 23, 2012, 14:18
She just smiled.
"As flattering it is, you must have overestimated me. I cannot tell for sure, who van Bohr told you to meet, as I cannot see the past nor future... or read your mind in such way. All I can is to tell you is that I am here to give you any help you will ask for, as long, as it lies in my power."
She stopped for a moment, looked at Lijah...
"And if you do not mind me imposting with my help, I would first advise you to find a place to sleep, or at least visit the canteen to get in touch with people. If I will be too... helpful to you - some strangers out of nowhere - it might get their attention, and this is not the thing any of us want."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on August 27, 2012, 00:22
The familiar blank look is back on Lazerus' face again as he gazes upon the Seer for a long moment, as if seeing her in a different light. He then simply nods at her and says "Understood."

Upon which he turns around again and walks out of the cave.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on August 27, 2012, 00:28
HexaDoken shakes his head rapidly, as if trying to get rid of something. Then he slowly stands up, and sighs.

"Well, I guess, on this incredibly happy note, we will depart, shall we? Thank you for your hospitality."

Mercerenary then walks out of the cave. However, he suddenly stops on his way, one of his legs still midair. He then turns around and asks: "Can you take care of this guy" - he points at MkLear, - "or will we have to take him as well?"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Sylith on August 27, 2012, 04:57
She nods her head, smiling slightly.
"Yes, I will take care of him. Feel free to come back whenever you would like."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on August 27, 2012, 23:54
"Thank you for your help."

Said that, mercerenary walked out of the cave. Then he took a deep breath, sighed, and looked around him.

"Okay. Let's at least make a half-hearted attempt to get things sorted out."
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on August 28, 2012, 01:22
Xilla bows before the Seer and makes a quick greeting gesture as she backs out of the cave. Outside she turns to Hexa and says: Let's go find the Lizard, right? We have some important things to talk about"
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Silhar on August 29, 2012, 13:46
After a while of strolling between the tents of various sizes and shapes, you manage to see the bar in the distance. There's something in the way, though.

Looks like a well-armored human, ready for battle.

It's two and a half metres high... yet not moving. Doesn't seem lucid, too.
What regular underhive folk take as an ancient statue, you recognize as a malfunctioning light power armor, just sitting there without a pilot, in the centre of this village.

With a shrug, you pass on by. You're too tired to examine the disclosure.

Passing through the wooden walkway gate, you almost choke as some vivid gas hits your nostrils.
The place is pretty clouded with lho-smoke. Looks pretty hospitable, though, resembling in every small detail a typical agri-world bar, with round tables scattered around and the sound of piano resounding in the air.
You hear as the glasses ring when hitting against each other.
The room is crowded with folk of various appearances. There are guardsmen who you've already got to know along with some others, some regulars, some who look like junk scavengers... The bartender, busy with putting bottles in their places at the shelves...
Also, some shady type at the bar. Probably the one the Priest mentioned when you last talked to him - around an hour ago.

dirtnail? you still with us?

It's pretty loud, the atmosphere is nice and relaxing.

Meanwhile, at the Seer's cave, Lijah wakes up, his head still heavy, feeling kinda nauseous and sick.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Klear on August 29, 2012, 14:25
        Waking up in an unfamiliar bed. Extreme headache. Several points on his legs and torso sore from stuff left in his pockets, and that's the good news - he hasn't been robed then. Unwilling to open his eyes just yet, he checks his most important possessions by touch, eventually resting his hand casually on his autogun. How many times has he woken up like this? Well, enough time to know this headache is no hangover. Recollections of recent past began to flow through his mind, and with them came the all too familiar feeling of danger that was the reality of his life, these days more than ever before. He pushed it to the back of his mind as he always did and stretched a bit, pretending to be only just waking up.

        "Feth, my head hurts. Where am I?" he mumbles as his eyes struggle to focus on the ceiling above him, his futile hope that he's waking up in a cheap brothel vanishing as the reality of his situation firmly asserts its place.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: LuckyDee on September 03, 2012, 12:25
Coming across the statue, Lazerus makes a mental note to either inspect the armor for himself, or simply ask around why no one's bothered to take it yet. First things first though.

Lazerus enters the canteen and has a good look around, surprised: somehow he'd expected something more rowdy. Spotting mr Shady at the bar, he crosses the room, looking around to see who's taking notice of his arrival, nodding at whoever meets his eye and raising a hand at the guardsmen should they notice him.

He walks up to the bar and, taking any available stool next to Shady or leaning onto the bar itself should no other furniture be available. He orders something that comes closest to tea, and when the barkeep walks away he says, loud enough for his neighbor to hear but without looking: "Jesco." It almost sounds like a question.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: HexaDoken on September 04, 2012, 04:21
HexaDoken stops before the statue. He looks at it for a few seconds, and when he realises that it's actually a power armor, he snickers. He makes a step closer to it, but noticing that his friends aren't as willing to examine it, he leaves the thing there.

Mercerenary enters the canteen, and goes straight to the bar, ignoring pretty much anything that is around. He takes a stool, puts a throne on the desk and says to the bartender: "I'd like to have a big cup of clean water, if that is even possible."

Not waiting a second for the answer, HexaDoken turns around and examines the surroundings. Most of his attention are drawn towards Lazerus and a guy near him. A slight surprise can be seen on mercerenary's face.
Title: Re: [IC] The Lesser of Two Heresies.
Post by: Esther on September 05, 2012, 03:10
Xilla keeps pace with HexaDoken. She does not give the statue a second glance but heads into the bar to find Lazerus. She quickly walks up to Lazerus and puts her back to the bar close beside him, putting Lazerus between her and Shady. Leaning against the bar beside Lazerusm Xilla scans the canteen, doing a quick bodycount and checking if anyone is eyeing her, Lazerus or Hexa, who entered behind her. Unless she senses the bartender hovering close, she won't place an order.