Desire and the Dead IC

koz · Post by **koz** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:55 pm

Alice thinks for a minute, holding her bottom lip with her right hand, before a realisation dawns on her face.

"You make a valid point, Peter. Given this, I propose we follow your plan, then. How should we begin?"

Wandering over to a table with a map of the region, she turns to the rest of the group.

"Anyone here any good with maps? We need to mark everywhere where the graffiti has been found, so we can at least guess at his operational area."

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:52 am

A map is acquired. The testimony from those who reported the graffiti places it all over the area, but there is indeed one spot where it is concentrated.

{The found graffiti is marked with red pixels.

After a few patrols, the party will likely have accumulated information about the various numbered locations on the map.}

{Also, a picture of the Whispered Word

}

koz · Post by **koz** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:23 am

As the party placed red pins in places where the graffiti had been found on the map, Alice looks more and more thoughtful, holding her chin and scratching her head periodically as she gazes intently at the map.

Once all the pins had been placed, Alice runs her finger along some imaginary lines between the pins on the map, before firmly pointing at the cluster in the southeast corner.

"There is an obvious cluster here. Now, this is a telegraphing of something obvious regarding Hassan's location. You don't do this unless you're really stupid... or really smart. I suspect if we go there, we're walking into death itself."

Thinking some more, Alice points to the solitary red pin marking graffiti near Hades Lane in the northwestern corner of the map.

"Anyone know what the significant buildings around there are? We might have some witnesses to question."

ubernoob · Post by **ubernoob** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:28 am

That cluster in the south-east seems like he's starting to claim it his territory. If we investigate that area, we're bound to find him.

koz · Post by **koz** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:34 am

"Find him, yes. Walk out alive or sane? Doubtful. He didn't evade capture as much as he did by being stupid. I propose we probe cautiously, away from a clustered area, gather witness testimonies, and determine where he actually operates from, instead of wandering into a telegraphed trap like a bunch of over-eager Knights-Errant on an off day with a bar wench!"

Alice becomes slightly red, and her voice begins to rise in volume and intensity.

Nicklance · Post by **Nicklance** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:41 am

"If you need a scout Lady, I can volunteer myself. Quick one, in and out, none the wiser. Though I suspect that its not even a decoy, it could be a legitimate gathering place for anyone but himself personally."

koz · Post by **koz** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:46 am

"If you are as capable as you claim, Dana, this may perhaps be a smart idea. Peter, you are the most familiar with your Order's approach to solving things, so I propose you go with Dana as added muscle. The rest of us will go to the location I mentioned earlier, and start questioning witnesses to establish who drew it. Does this seem fair to all present?"

ubernoob · Post by **ubernoob** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:49 am

Lord Peter takes a moment to evaluate the Lady's plan. With a small nod, Lord Peter replies with an affirmative, "That is a fitting course of action. Excellent thinking."

Nicklance · Post by **Nicklance** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 6:54 am

"I shall ride on your shoulder as a kitten Lord Peter. Inconspicuous, besides attention will be on you soon enough, best to make sure I come and go unnoticed so that I can scout better. Does anyone of you have any sending magic or a telepathic bond spell perhaps?"

Dana asks around.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:00 am

Akarchin's head rises from her hands, giving her the appearance of having just woken up in the middle of the discussion. "If we found associates, I could likely pull some information out of them," she says, her hand straying to her bag, "Or something out of them, anyway..."

koz · Post by **koz** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:41 am

"Now now, Akarchin, we'll question them first. You're coming with me on this. And the telepathic connection idea is a good one - any thoughts on that?"

Av, can we buy the services of a mage for a telepathic bond spell? I know it's listed at 6th level, but it's seriously a 2nd or maybe even a 1st.

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:57 am

Wouldn't the caster have to be part of such a bond? And don't we have a telepathic party member or two? They could relay things if the rest stayed within 100'.

Nicklance · Post by **Nicklance** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:17 am

Akula wrote:

Wouldn't the caster have to be part of such a bond? And don't we have a telepathic party member or two? They could relay things if the rest stayed within 100'.

The telepathic bond is to keep Peter & Dana in communication with the rest of the team elsewhere. I don't think 100ft is enough.

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:44 pm

Mister_Sinister wrote:"Now now, Akarchin, we'll question them first. You're coming with me on this. And the telepathic connection idea is a good one - any thoughts on that?"

Av, can we buy the services of a mage for a telepathic bond spell? I know it's listed at 6th level, but it's seriously a 2nd or maybe even a 1st.

"Okay, I can ask them questions first. There'll just be a few compelling visual aids... Very compelling visual aids." She smiles, and licks her lips with a thin tongue. "Failing any of us having Telepathic bond, we could get an imp to work for us, though the contract would be a bitch to work out, and might lock us into paying him for a year or more... whether we used him or not."

koz · Post by **koz** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:29 pm

If desired, you may leave yourself out of the telepathic bond forged. This decision must be made at the time of casting. Problem solved.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 4:16 am

{There are 2 mages in the district. The party could approach either or both of them about telepathic magic.}

Mask_De_H · Post by **Mask_De_H** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:43 am

{Uh, I've got nothing to add to this turn of events. What should I do?}

Through the conversation, BT lays his head on the table in obvious pain; shivering slightly. The last night was not a good one, and the current discussion topics do not piqué his interest. Graffiti is the lowest form of art, it only stands to reason that people of taste would feel as ill towards as he does now.

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:51 am

Cartwell removes his head from his hands; his eyes are bloodshot, and have heavy circles around them. He seems to have not slept last night. I think that I'll go and walk the district, we are obligated to patrol after all. Anyone who wants to join me is welcome. Maybe we will look into this 'beast of rattling alley' alone the way. But may I ask, why are we seeking out a caster for a telepathic bond? If it is to reduce the attention we draw, I'm afraid it seems doomed to failure. And if this 'Lord of Fear' has agents in the district, it is more likely that they would have an eye on the spellcasters than on us.

Quantumboost · Post by **Quantumboost** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:33 am

As the others are talking, a youngish Githzerai in silver armor and ragged clothing approaches them. When there seems to be a pause in the conversation he cuts in.

"Pardon."

When noticed:

"I spoke to the Voices, and they made it known to me that you were the peacekeepers. I am Zevras. I seek to assist."

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:32 am

Cartwell blinks and looks up at the newcomer. Well, pull up a seat. The food isn't much but the company is...not much either, come to think of it. Yeah, this pack of barmies, bashers, and beau-nasties are the peacekeepers here. Powers help us all. What brings you out of Darkwell Court to join our merry band? We were just...(Cartwell relates the discussion to this point)...That is where we stand. Anything strike your fancy?

koz · Post by **koz** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 1:52 am

"Cartwell, your position is objectively wrong. We will need to be able to communicate with Dana and Peter very rapidly in order to ensure our mutual safety, and if we cannot do that, no amount of secrecy will mean absolutely anything. If it is of that much concern to you, I propose we take the mage that casts the spell with us... or, perhaps, you wouldn't mind a bit of minding duty? Regardless, the need for a telepathic bond is not under discussion - it's a question of who, not if."

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:06 am

Mister_Sinister wrote:"Cartwell, your position is objectively wrong. We will need to be able to communicate with Dana and Peter very rapidly in order to ensure our mutual safety, and if we cannot do that, no amount of secrecy will mean absolutely anything. If it is of that much concern to you, I propose we take the mage that casts the spell with us... or, perhaps, you wouldn't mind a bit of minding duty? Regardless, the need for a telepathic bond is not under discussion - it's a question of who, not if."

I'm not sure how we will be able to ensure each other's safty when we are going to be scattered to hell and back across the district. Alice, if you can do true teleportation then...I'd love to learn, but rapid communication means nothing without rapid transit to back it up, unless our commentary on events is going to change them. If this Lord of Fear is a master of disinformation, traps, and evading capture, and has choosen to set up here, then he is watching the important people in the district. There are only two casters here that could do what you are talking about. It is more likely that he would be watching them than that he would be watching us, seeing as our group was formed yesterday. If we are dead set on striking at him, I propose that a small group of us go off to patrol the district to draw off any eyes. The rest leave in a staggered order and take random paths of variable lengths to the destination, timed so that they all arrive in short order. Then they move in, in force and as a group. That plan gives us the best chance at surprise and overwhelming force.

koz · Post by **koz** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:19 am

Turning to Akarchin, Alice's face takes on a quizzical expression.

"I don't suppose you know much about disguise, Akarchin?"

Nicklance · Post by **Nicklance** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:21 am

Dana casts a disdainful glance at Cartwell.

"So speaks a summoner who gives not a poop whether his summons die or not. Unfortunately sir, we are not your summons. We value our hide dearly. Telepathic communication, even without a rapid response system in place, is still a very good alarm in case Lord Peter and I were to meet with any unfortunate circumstances, and at the least the rest of you know that something is bad enough to take two of us down so the rest of you can decide then if you want to mount a rescue or simply acknowledge that we failed and move on..."

Dana clears her throat at the thought of failure.

"At the least you know the enemy is worth his reputation and the fear he generates."

Akula · Post by **Akula** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:28 am

Nicklance wrote:We value our hide dearly.

Apparently not, you may value the hides of the people not going deeply. But going alone and almost certainly outnumbered into the lair of the enemy is not something that people that don't want to get scribed do. I suppose I should thank you, because the plan you are going with ensures my survival at the cost of significant risk to yourself and Lord Peter.