Author Topic: Cities from the Sky  (Read 125000 times)

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #80 on: May 14, 2014, 07:10:10 AM »
"Transportation, for yourself? We may not be as strong as we once were, but we can certainly manage that. We'll open a teleport gate to the edge of the glacier, or as near as the gate can get us. One never quite knows with a teleport gate, after all. And we'll give you a scroll of distant speech. It's keyed to me, and gives me a location to open the gate to, but I can't guarantee it works over a distance greater than where the gate will drop you off. So you should make it back there before using it, unless you want to risk a long road south."

He stood, stretching with an audible pop. "Unless there's more I can do for you, I'd like to get some rest. It has been a rather trying day. I'm sure you'll want as much information as possible about the conditions you might be facing. I'm sure one of the men here can take you to what passes for our library. It's in the mage school, of course. And on the way he can point you towards the commissary. I doubt they'll have much selection available, but there should be some gear you can use."

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #81 on: May 14, 2014, 08:22:44 AM »
The Hegwyd nodded. It seemed like a fair deal. Perhaps even a good deal. But still... no haggling. Who did they think he was, some opportunist who would bleed the community dry of all its' wealth? Of course he wouldn't do something so unethical! You need to leave the people some wealth so that they can prosper a bit in the future and be able to buy from you then.

He nods at the mention of gear. "Yes, I'm sure we can find something suitable in the commissary."
Hmm.

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #82 on: May 14, 2014, 09:16:57 AM »
Tomas stands with the mageguard and says "Thank you, Sir. Sleep well."
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #83 on: May 14, 2014, 10:26:01 AM »
Fritjof can't contain himself anymore.  He will not be threatened, he will not be cowed, and he might not be a particularly religious Hastro but the god of his forebears will not be insulted so. 

Standing up after Tomas, he sneers down at the mageguard and says with a caustic tone.  "Oh yes, I'm sure that your day has been very trying.  Your city falls apart and instead of working to find a cause and thus a solution to the problem you blame it on worshipers of Drancedigaeth like some superstitious yokel looking for a boogeyman.  I can see why you would be tired after recruiting a random group on the street to meet you and then bullying them into accepting your offer of 'Go into a frozen city, face unknown horrors and death, and maybe find something that will keep this city floating.  Oh, you want a reward for all of that trouble?  What horrible selfish people you must be.' "  His voice drops into a low growl at the end.

Fritjof pauses, then takes a haughty, condescending tone.  "We will take your job at the reward offered, no haggling as you 'requested'.  After all, I'm sure that there are some people worth saving in this godforsaken city."

The large hastro then turns and leaves the room, waiting outside for the rest of his group.  He permits himself a small smile as he waits outside.  This has been exactly what he's been looking for, a chance to find some real magic and take its power for himself.

Offline Gazzien

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #84 on: May 14, 2014, 11:10:41 AM »
Fritjof can't contain himself anymore.  He will not be threatened, he will not be cowed, and he might not be a particularly religious Hastro but the god of his forebears will not be insulted so. 

Standing up after Tomas, he sneers down at the mageguard and says with a caustic tone.  "Oh yes, I'm sure that your day has been very trying.  Your city falls apart and instead of working to find a cause and thus a solution to the problem you blame it on worshipers of Drancedigaeth like some superstitious yokel looking for a boogeyman.  I can see why you would be tired after recruiting a random group on the street to meet you and then bullying them into accepting your offer of 'Go into a frozen city, face unknown horrors and death, and maybe find something that will keep this city floating.  Oh, you want a reward for all of that trouble?  What horrible selfish people you must be.' "  His voice drops into a low growl at the end.

Fritjof pauses, then takes a haughty, condescending tone.  "We will take your job at the reward offered, no haggling as you 'requested'.  After all, I'm sure that there are some people worth saving in this godforsaken city."

The large hastro then turns and leaves the room, waiting outside for the rest of his group.  He permits himself a small smile as he waits outside.  This has been exactly what he's been looking for, a chance to find some real magic and take its power for himself.
Aodhan listens to the - rather justified - tirade, and then, upon the Hastro leaving, stands up silently and practically skitters outside to smile at the big man. "A follower of Drancedigaeth?" he asked simply, in muted tones; he wouldn't spread such information without Fritjof's will, but he would certainly collect it.

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #85 on: May 14, 2014, 12:30:51 PM »
Tomas hurries out as well, and wonders for a moment if he should remain with the Hastro, or try to immediately distance himself from it to avoid being caught in whatever fallout came from his words... He'd only known these people for a day, but he was already tired of having to try to smooth things over every time they opened their mouths...
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #86 on: May 14, 2014, 08:51:25 PM »
Ignoring completely what just happened, Brennus speaks with the mageguard once more before leaving.

"I am very sorry for this... He is quite hot headed, you see... Now, let's go friends. We have an important mission on our hands." Says the human to the remaining people on the room

On his way to the door, he thinks Damn... Totally ruined my chance to ask him about the details of how the procedure is done. Well... Might as well try asking when we return.


Offline VennDygrem

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #87 on: May 14, 2014, 11:57:08 PM »
Unwilling to risk further trouble,  Cadwgan gives a brisk partial-bow,  then leaves as soon as he is dismissed. He mutters to himself, "Friends? I hardly know these people..."

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #88 on: May 15, 2014, 06:16:22 AM »
"Did you say something, Master Cadwgan?" Asks the arcanist politely to the Biyou. Brennus was sure he heard something like friends from the reptilian humanoid's direction... Could be his imagination...

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Offline VennDygrem

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #89 on: May 15, 2014, 10:38:04 AM »
"No, nothing. Let's just get on our way."

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Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #90 on: May 15, 2014, 08:04:27 PM »
The mageguard gestured for one of the other guards to lead the company of ill-mannered creatures away, although not before acknowledging Brennus' statement with a slight bow in his direction.

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #91 on: May 17, 2014, 12:30:45 PM »
After that very delicate moment, Brennus speaks with his company...

"I am going to the library... Anyone coming with me?"

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #92 on: May 17, 2014, 12:36:18 PM »
Fritjof nods.  "Just as long as we get our free gear before we leave."

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #93 on: May 19, 2014, 07:11:36 AM »
The library was the one truly impressive building still occupied in Adeinia, all tall sweeping towers and flying buttresses. Of course, much of those were now showing heavy signs of wear, but still, they retained much of their former elegance. With the age of the building, apparently, came the age of its inhabitants, who were stooped, ancient, crouching along in between racks filled with dust as much as with parchment and scrolls.

The first of these denizens they were able to speak to simply swept his hand in a gesture, pointing somewhat vaguely at a series of stacks, but otherwise being rather unhelpful.

Offline Risada

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #94 on: May 20, 2014, 09:10:19 PM »
Brennus briefly nods showing his thanks and proceeds to the indicated section in order to do his schtick.

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Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #95 on: May 21, 2014, 09:11:59 AM »
Much of what is found in the back of the stacks isn't that useful, speaking as it does about the culture or social aspects of the old skycities. But what it does mention is that the central core, the devices that generated the magical energy, were found in the lower central core of the skycity, and that the other great collection of magical items in a skycity was often found in the quarters of the archmage, the lord responsible for ruling the city.

As for the terrain that lies between here and there, crevasses and other cracks in the earth were mentioned as being quite common on the glacier, as well as blizzards, howling winds, and freezing nights. Creatures, on the other hand, are quite few, with only winter wolves and their prey being mentioned by name.

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #96 on: May 21, 2014, 10:26:10 AM »
Looking over Brennus' shoulder, Tomas says "Cracks and crevasses, huh? As if freezing to death and being eaten by winter wolves wasn't enough... Maybe we should just migrate to another area, and let the city fall..."
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #97 on: May 22, 2014, 09:34:30 AM »
As the group left the collegium, rather downhearted by what they had discovered there, they were accosted by a young woman, one who was a bit frantic and nervous looking. Dressed in little more than the brown and grey outfits of the peasantry that lived within the lesser districts of Adeinia, still she had enough surety of purpose to stand in front of the company, however shaky her hands might be when she wasn't clasping them together.

"Sirs, do you think you might help me? I don't want to seem strange, but I overhead the conversation you had at the skyfall, and have been waiting for a chance to speak with you ever since. My family is..." she paused to snuffle and dab at her nose "was one of the great mage families. Not here, but another skycity. But we lost everything when it fell. So now I sew, and cook meals occasionally at an inn... If you go, could you please please look for anything with my family crest on it? It's the word Áðexe, with a starry arc of sky above it. Anything you could bring back would be so kind!"

Her hands still shaking, she swept into a low, but awkward curtsy, and nervously began backing away from the company, clearly unsure of their company with her pleas made.

All this while, several members of the company had been trying to understand why she felt vaguely familiar. After a quick search through their memory, they recollected that she was one of the inhabitants of the market on that first dreary day in Adeinia. Coincidence is such a strange beast.

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« Last Edit: May 22, 2014, 10:21:16 AM by Stratovarius »

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #98 on: May 22, 2014, 11:45:43 AM »
"Great mage family? I've never heard of them. I can keep my eyes open for them and ask my associates to do the same, sure. For anything non-magical, one hundred gold per item for transportation and hazard, plus market value. Unfortunately, we already have an offer on magical items...but if there is material left after they are drained, I will make note of that in our report and ask that they be donated to you. For the transportation and hazard fee, of course." The Hegwyd offers.

Hmm.

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Cities from the Sky
« Reply #99 on: May 22, 2014, 11:59:24 AM »
An ear-piercing screech meets the Hegwyd's offer as she rounds on the amphibian. "You are the most cruel, unkind, evil, and villainous creature in all creation. You're already being paid, and now you want to charge me too? Clearly, you are nothing more than a self-serving coward!"

She flees, cursing his name, his family, hoping that god of death chooses him as a sacrifice soon. It is all quite dire and vengeful, and not particularly ladylike.