Desire and the Dead IC

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 3:21 am

After a moment, someone beneath the door speaks, the sound only somewhat muffled.

"Wha? Who dares!? If it's more of you ruffians, I give fair warning that my doors are warded."

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 3:34 am

"Ruffians: yes. You? As in the ones fighting over the privelege of extorting you? nah. We're the would be customer type of ruffians. Akarchin shouts through the trapdoor, "Ain't that right my fellow sex fiends?" she says behind her, "Good to know you're no fool though, sir."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 3:50 am

"Hrrrm. Very well, you may enter in a moment."

The latch clicks open, and once the trapdoor is as well, it reveals a ladder into a closet sized room below. Ak'archin catches a glimpse of blue robes passing out and further into the shop.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:43 am

Baldraxe climbs unto the roof after her (I take 10 which I think is reasonable), and simply rezips his mask, choosing to say nothing.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:16 am

Akarchin carefully climbs down the stairs, and enters the shop proper, "So, what's with those people out there, anyway? The usual gang protection racket?"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:02 am

The blue-robed mage, almost certainly Nymon, smiles at you from the other side of a line of glowing runes across the floor. He has the look of a classic tiefling: handsome, swarthy, small ivory horns rising from the brow and a short, neat, pointed beard that looks recently oiled. His attire is clean, of decent quality and embroidered with geometric designs in a darker azure hue. Copper rings adorn his fingers, a few set with chips of obsidian. A green snake is loosely wound about his neck, flicking its tongue in your direction every few seconds.

"Indeed, esteemed potential customer. I feel that combat is beneath me, as I did not spend years learning from my august peers in Oneir simply to spend my talents tossing fires at hooligans every time I face harassment.

The Greenjackets and I have an understanding. They are the most civilized of the local gangs, and the closest thing to a force of law a denizen of Wailer's Square is likely to have any significant contact with... though I hear that may change soon.

I believe the gang challenging them presently styles itself the Immigrant Protection League. For the most part a disorganized mob, but one that has expressed an interest in hiring specialists to do some of its dirty work. A surprise that they can afford thinking about that when they need base extortion to bring in funds."

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:12 am

"Yeah everyone knows the real money is in magic items sales and looting old tombs..." Akarchin muses. "On the subject of business, however... My companions and I are seeking a way to stay in contact with one another while pursuing different avenues. One possible method we were considering was a mind link spell, but no one within the group can cast it. We were wondering if you would be willing to help us, or even suggest other ways of doing this."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:11 am

"Hmm.. it depends on your budget and how soon you need a means of communication. The highest end of what I could do for you in a reasonable timeframe of several days would be enchanted rings telepathically linked to each other. The price goes up with the effective range, but even something viable a only few dozen yards out can end up costing a few hundred gold pieces for rings. A typical linked set of those contains six rings. They burn out after a few months, usually. Permanent rings that work any distance on the same plane are usually several thousand each. Those I would need to send for."

Nymon strokes his beard, then gestures to a shelf to his right. A case of six bottles flies to his hand.

"This is my most economical stealth communication option presently. The potion uses a variant of the Message spell I am developing. The set establishes a link between those who drink it that lasts about an hour, and works out to around the range a decent archer could put an arrow from a shortbow into a stationary target with some degree of accuracy. When you whisper or subvocalize, everyone linked to you will hear it as if you spoke at a normal volume adjacent to them. Effective for most short-term uses so long as you stick together.

However, your description of your needs seems to imply that you need long effective ranges for a mindlink. The two most important questions I can think of from here would be how long a distance you need to communicate from and whether you can settle for the ability to send messages rather than stay in continual contact with one another. There is a broad spectrum of telepathic links, and the strongest are years out of my grasp. The best thing I could do cheaply would let you send a subvocalized message every few minutes at most, sent to everyone you shared a link with. That could last for weeks to months active, and is the sort of thing I could prepare in a day or less with a sufficient deposit."

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:23 am

(( "the range a decent archer could put an arrow from a shortbow into a stationary target with some degree of accuracy." are we talking one range increment? three? five? technically a decent archer could still hit a person at five increments...))

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:34 am

{ http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/message.htm
~150 feet. Nymon does not seem to be an arms expert, but more detailed questioning can reveal this. If Ak'archin knows much about casters, that might be a tip-off that this guy's caster level is around level 5 or 6. Then again, maybe not. He did say a variant spell, and range might be part of that.}

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:40 pm

"Well, let's approach this from a different angle, shall we?" Akarchin says, "What my friends and I need is a quick, reliable way to alert the others if one gets into trouble, preferably with no more concentration or effort needed than simply speaking. Come to think of it, some way of allowing the others quick teleportation to the one in trouble, or the one in trouble out of it would be good too, what are our options for that?"

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 3:39 am

Baldraxe unzips his mask, "That sounds like it will cost more, mistress. The teleportation part, mostly."

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 3:50 am

"Well, obviously. No harm in asking how much." Akarchin replies, "We're all something of a captive audience to each other here, after all."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:21 pm

"Ha! I must offer my apologies, it seems. Spacial distortion for the purpose of travel lies outside of my arcane portfolio. I could offer you speed boosts of various types, distractions to aid in escapes or avoiding ranged attacks, and perhaps a quick escape potion based off ground vampire bone. Teleports are not something I routinely keep in stock. My suppliers feel that sophisticated travel magic and Sigil are not something they wish to get any fallout from combining.

The most economical option for your communication needs would probably be a type of crystal I acquired from some githzerai trading for supplies for a trip into deep Limbo. By concentrating on a piece in your possession, you can make it glow. Limited utility on its own, but a few dweomers and alchemical formulas later, I've created a sympathetic link. Think "Red" at one shard, and every piece in the set glows red. Not reliable trans-plane, but I can give you a single set that does every primary color or several that do one color each for about the same price as a couple of potions."

As he speaks, Nymon pulls a small barrel out from under a shelf and demonstrates his glowing crystals. After one translucent shard is removed, he causes colored light to spill through the cracks in wood in time with flashes from crystal in his hands. He then rummages around in another cabinet, retrieves some alchemical supplies, and begins to mix several beakers of what looks like greenish slime and lamp oil together in a wooden bowl with a spoon.

"Your pardon, but I just received a rather vexing signal. We may be expecting company shortly.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 3:09 am

Baldraxe felt like asking how many were in a set when the warning came. He zipped up his mask, not knowing why, and unfurled his whip, covered in spike glistening a green so dark to be as black as the whip. He cracked it experimently.

He wished he had his axe.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:48 am

Akarchin subconsciously runs her hands over her bracers, and slings her bag over her shoulder, "Any clue what kind of company?"

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:53 am

{Sorry, posting late. This is a busier weekend than expected. It's about 1:45 AM as I finish this, should have another post after I get back from sleeping and attending my sister's high school graduation}

Come to think of it, the noise outside has died down. Neither Akarchin nor Baldraxe noticed until now because of their conversation and the surprisingly decent sound barrier provided by the walls. A loud knock rattles the barred door. Baldraxe hears a muffled yell, and it sounds like the woman that started the fight with the Greenjacket guards outside. Something about opening the door. He has time to hide someplace out of her immediate line of sight coming through the doorway, and he could probably get the drop on her if she bursts in immediately. Then again, he may or may not want to do that.

"The altercation outside has been resolved, and not in a manner to my liking. Fortunately, one of the key aspects of being a Sigilian man of business such as myself is knowing when to deal. I ha... I don't think I'll find this League entirely unreasonable."

Akarchin notices a significant amount of unease in his tone and body language. He is clearly trying to psyche himself up with his own words, but still looks nervous enough that he might bolt if intimidated. At least part of his "confidant magus" persona is a facade.

Nymon gestures vaguely, and more glowing blue glyphs appear on the floor. He is surrounded by a double circle, and lines block off all of the major shelves near him. A few glyphs slide across the floor, then creep up onto the walls in a few spots.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:22 am

Hide: 5+6=11.

Baldraxe gets the vaguest feeling he could have done better not trying very hard but does an adequate job hiding beside the door in waiting.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:26 pm

{Brief postan window before I head out to the graduation.}

There is a crackling detonation on the other side as a grey-tinted fist and armored forearm punch through the wood.

"Lame-ass glyph. I could take half a dozen more of those without quittin'. I take point here, berks."

Baldraxe is positioned to the woman's left, close enough against the wall that a storage chest gives him some cover. Unless she specifically checks to the sides as she enters, he should be fine. Nymon moved the glyphs out of his way.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:26 am

"'ullo, luv." Akarchin says, "'ave a nice little tiff, out there?" A flickering piller of gnashing teeth shuddering into existance, held by a stylized hilt in her hand. (activate the Bracer of Pain and Fear), "We're just finishing up a bit of business with our friend here. Any more deals to be made master Nymon?" she says, turning to address him.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:53 am

The woman tears her way through what remains of the door and grins toothily once she sees that at least one of the group she saw earlier has made it through first. "So... sneaksier than these alley thugs. Yeah, I had fun. City trash are the best dummies. The name's Shokal." She doesn't seem to notice Baldraxe.

Nymon starts a bit seeing Akarchin's weapon materialize right after Shokal's explosive entrance, not to mention the gang members crowding behind the forced entrance and near the windows (around half the number there before, though, and most seem injured), but keeps his composure enough to give her answer. The glyphs between the two of them do glow a bit brighter, however.

"I'm afraid I will need to postpone my transaction with you for the moment, unless you feel inclined to intervene in the present situation-" "Ah yes, the present situation. That being the fact that you're sunk, Nymon. Toadface is gone, and the Aye Pea League's got my fist and the swords of a number of equally canny bashers hired for commish merc jobs enough to wipe out all the scum that stands in their way. Unless you've got something valuable enough to grease a bolt, or perhaps something dazzle enough to bolt the pack of us, its time for you to think about being someone else's pet mage. And why not the pack waving weapons at your door right now? Everyone else is either weaker, farther away, or doesn't care."

She takes a few steps in and bangs her vambraces together, clearly ready to dodge a lightning bolt if it comes to that, but exuding confidence. The gangers behind her are more hesitant, showing reluctance to step onto Nymon's threshold.

God_of_Awesome · Post by **God_of_Awesome** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 5:52 am

Move Silently 18+6=24

Baldraxe sneaks up on the woman like a fetish ninja, readying his whip like a piano before wrapping it around her throat to choke a bitch.

Grapple 6+3=9

Then he fucks it up at the last moment. Boo, you suck Baldraxe.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:05 am

Baldraxe gets his whip right over Shokal's head, but then the shadow cast by the rune behind him tips her off and she yelps in surprise, throwing an armored forearm back into his side as she stumbles forward, off-balance but with her other vambrace raised like a shield. The first of the Immigrant Protection League shouts something about having her back and moves in, swinging his club at Baldraxe, but the blow is easily dodged.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:29 am

As Shokal stumbles forward, Akarchin slips forward gracefully, thrusting her weight behind the eldritch blade in her hand, the teeth of the effect gnashing and it's mouths gibbering obscenely.

(5+5=10 melee touch. 3+3=6 damage if that manages to hit.)

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 7:55 pm

Shokal parries, but the blade of teeth slides around her vambrace and into her shoulder. Whispering something, Nymon throws a swirling mass of rainbow colors that passes through Akarchin and condenses around Shokal's head. Shokal thrashes around blindly, landing a couple of glancing punches on both Akarchin and Baldraxe, but their flanking position and surprise attack make finishing her off fairly easy with Nymon's spell blinding her.

Once the Immigrant Protection League thugs see Shokal fall, they panic and run away. Their leader now lies in a spreading pool of blood on the floor.

{Akarchin: 7 damage
Baldraxe: 5 damage}