The New City

[DM Bob]

You are directed to barracks. Commonplace things, multiple bunks to a room. Mainly old reclaimed wood and bones. Lots of yellowed bone and the stale smell that comes with it. Hawkings is brought to another building and has a room to himself. He catches many a cocked eyebrow at his entrance, but is not questioned. Those that are marked for indentured service? You're part of the House now. One thing bothers all of you.

What would occur if you tried to leave or disobey those above you? Would this pact, sealed with the will of the unliving, cause any true harm if you stray from the path of Maraneth?

The water ration for those in the employ is now only as costly as standard rations. But to to draw more than your lot for the day? That is verboten. Hawkings may pull enough for two others as long as the water is not in short supply. Food is supplied twice a day for those in House employ. Hawkings may pull an additional meal, or perhaps something to take with him if he braves the ruins.

To those not binding their time and life to the house?

You many try your luck in the camps outside...

Try to befriend the Tari...

Or seek out some of the others that might have formed gangs.

You'll have one more day at least to decide.

[ascieszl]

"Now that we have made willing slaves of ourselves, what is next - plumb the ruins?"

[neujack]

(man, we're off to a shining start, aren't we?)

If there are other Tari here, Baxby is already making contact with them to get more information on the situation.

[Attilius]

The halfling puts the extra meal in his pack and fills his water skin plus two extras. When alone with his new acquaintances, he will top off their water skins with his two extra's after they drink several gulps of their own.

"I am small and have extra. Stay hydrated my friends" he says with a smile.

During the next 24 hours of staging, Hawkings will seek out an audience with the house's head psionicist or whomever directs psionic activities.

[ascieszl]

(Ibubesi will ask around about a living berry bush nearby. And care for his animals.)

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Valmera looks around, looking for any of those already agreed to serve for the house, and she gets close to Moktli as she sees him at some point after the ceremony - How are you? How are you feeling? - She asks quite curiously

[Niachi]

Moktli peers up to the heights of Valmera's face, taking in her agile build, 3 different types of blade, and small ranged killing devices with a grunt of approval. In street Elven he moves his hand in respect as to a very very attractive companion, makes a low short whistle he once heard a trio of elf runners signal to eachother.

"Oye, tall one. Now that we are marked property for Maraneth, I guess we got room and board and things to find out, yah? As for me, I am feeling.... (nobody has ever asked him this)

...My usual ways are alone and tough. Always find those in need of these, (patting his belted axes) Now that Moktli has a crew to run with, gonna see how much coin waits out there for me - I mean us. Dunno how many blows you can take, but your height is good for lookout. In battle, let's keep eachother wary of danger, from down low and up high!" He offers his meaty palm to the Relic Hunter, repeating the whistle signal.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- The elven maiden feels a bit out of place in his conversation, maybe because she never had many opportunities to talk with a dwarf, maybe because the things he says, but in any case she feels well - Yes, it is nice to find others to be related with, not sure if with all the disturbances in the city I had time to introduce myself but I'm Valmera, and in relation to your comment, I'll try to watch the best I can - She nicely smiles to Moktli after his sight leaves the sharp of his blades - Yesterday was too crowded and I was able to 'sign' for a year before the end of close down of the event. I never went through something like that and I was curious, didn't you? - as she tries to repeat his palm gestures

[DM Bob]

[Pardon. Between the combat in the other thread and some real life drama, I will form a proper post tomorrow.]

[neujack]

Baxby was just barely coming back (after his conversation with the local tari) to the section of bunks where Valmera and Moktli were talking.

He waves at Moktli nods at Valmera: "Yah, I saw you earlier today innit. Valmera is it? Nice to meet you. I'm called Baxby. And Moktli's right yah. We'll last longer as a pack than on our own."

He sniffs. "And I know what it's like to feel out of place yah."

He opens his pack and takes out a leather roll: "Anyone wanna play dominos?"

[DM Bob]

Dominos? Seems fancy. Common games played are Three Armies - a type of stone mancala game for three players... dice, numerous variants... and a multi-named game popular in the city states where bits are used to form complete coins, much like a bizarre betting mahjong. Anyone can play who passes by. Once a coin is assembled in full it can be removed by the active player. But a random number of turns is determined when they enter. That being the minimal number of plays they need to make before leaving the table. Each City-State has variant rules and differing names, but usually has "gambit" in the title.

***

Those that are not aligned with the House are at a disadvantage on the NEXT day. They will need to pay or attempt to sneak, bribe or find alternate ways into the New (or Old) City.

As you reconvene, a crier offers the following bounties or contracts.

- Wells are known to exist in the Old City. Reclaiming and securing one would add to one's status and add coin to one's bank.

- Only some of the old ruins are currently occupied, perhaps a street deep from where you fought the other night. The House wishes to clear said blocks and populate them with the spread of drifters encamped outside the gates, assuming they were not to suckle off the wells in the New City proper.

- Stop the Greys from attacking the caravans. If these dead were to be stopped, one could see their status rise within the New City.

- Strange beasts are worth their weight in silver! Most lurk beneath the split city in the dry gorge... but others can be found in the ruins as well. Subduing, not killing, these prizes would make one some solid coin.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Valmera looks to the rodent, been as curious as friendly. She nods with the head - I am indeed - Smiling back - Yes, I remember you, we endured together, as it could be quite complicated each one alone. -
The raven haired elf thinks about the game that Baxby named - I don't know it but I would not mind to see you playing to have an idea.

By the way, speaking about not going alone, I am thinking about the bounties and contracts that run around, and perhaps we could try to secure something for ourselves, an unoccupied house nearby a well? That could raise our statuses, have a safe place and the ability to build something from there. What do you think? Do you believe the others that fought together alongside us would like to be part of this? - I think I know someone who would be interested but I don't know everyone one's thoughts about it

[ascieszl]

"Contracts for wells sound good. Do any of you have a way to scan the Old City from above; get a lay of the land?"

[DM Bob]

Perhaps Hawkings has that ability... or one you other psions?

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

While the team is discussing matters, Valmera feels the familiar sense of a mental contact request from Calidane.