[DitV] Path of The Dead: Journeys and Trials

[Thanqol]

You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?


Path of the Dead
A game of Dogs in the Vineyard

OOC Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?404493-OOC-Dogs-in-the-Vineyard-Path-of-the-Dead)

[Thanqol]

Four lives.

One person wants to know if they learned to stand up for themselves.

One person wants to know if they impressed their partner.

One person wants to know if they were really addicted, or if it was actually under control.

And one person just wants to see if they managed to win their parent's affection.

*

Each of you is looking to learn something about yourself. Something that you may or may not have done or accomplished before you died. Let's find out what it is.

Each of you, frame the scene and the starting point. Give me plenty of detail, and not just about yourself and what you're thinking. Tell me where you are in life, when you are, who you're talking to and what their deal is. Frame the conflict so I can take it up like an axe and start cutting with it immediately.

[Anarion]

Let's start young. I'm at school, getting my degree so I can teach. It's late, I've got some paper I need to be writing, something about how humanity's fixed place in Nexcos reflects the Stars' established order as divinely ordained.

My roommate has come by though. He's one of those guys built like a brick, buzz cut high up the side of his head so his ears stick out like a grotesque elephant. He's brought a couple friends too, I don't remember them too well, but they're wearing school jackets and jeans. They all want to go out drinking. Want me to join them too. From the smell of them, they've already gotten a head start.

The room isn't big. Two small wooden desks, lamps, bunk bed on the opposite wall with barely 5 feet between them, and dresser on the far wall from the door. Thick dark green carpets muffle sound, so I don't hear them until my roommate is practically standing at the door.

I may or may not keep a gun in my desk drawer and my roommate may or may not know that.

[Raz_Fox]

School. Why not?

Degree is music. Working just hard enough to get by. Frees up schedule for not working. Favorite pastime.

Sometimes not working involves the local speakeasies. With friends, usually. Sometimes it involves smoking things which make me see things. Sometimes it involves the sweet young slips I'm juggling, flitting between them as our moods change, as they get jealous, or bored, or interesting again.

I'll give you a stake. Job. Might be first steady job. Speakeasy singer. Just show up and work magic. Enough money to get by without bothering Father.

Not working is easier. More fun. Working against myself.

So - an hour before. With Honeybee. (Pet name. All I remembered.) Wetting my throat with something dry, sharp. Listening to pianist: friend of mine.

And she wants more of me than I want to give. Likes me better drunk. Less guarded. Stupider.

That enough?

[Elanorin]

I'm running hell for leather down the littered narrow alleyways that stink of greasy old takeout, trying not to step in any of the questionable substances floating in the puddles. My sole focus is to make up for the headway the skinny little weasel got when he slammed the back door open in my face. I've only been on the job for six months since I got out of the academy but already I've done this exact run 15 times. Different alley, different weasel, same run.

My partner is still inside the dingy hotel dealing with the rest of them. I guess he's counting on me catching this one.

"Stop!" I should be grabbing my gun but I'm worried I'll lose him so I keep running.

[Thanqol]

Let's start young. I'm at school, getting my degree so I can teach. It's late, I've got some paper I need to be writing, something about how humanity's fixed place in Nexcos reflects the Stars' established order as divinely ordained.

My roommate has come by though. He's one of those guys built like a brick, buzz cut high up the side of his head so his ears stick out like a grotesque elephant. He's brought a couple friends too, I don't remember them too well, but they're wearing school jackets and jeans. They all want to go out drinking. Want me to join them too. From the smell of them, they've already gotten a head start.

The room isn't big. Two small wooden desks, lamps, bunk bed on the opposite wall with barely 5 feet between them, and dresser on the far wall from the door. Thick dark green carpets muffle sound, so I don't hear them until my roommate is practically standing at the door.

I may or may not keep a gun in my desk drawer and my roommate may or may not know that.

So Phil was the roommate, Brad and Hawkin are his friends. They're a lot like you'd expect.

"Hey, guys, check this out," said Phil. "You know how, like, cats secretly have teeth? Well this bad boy has a gun."

Brad and Hawkin whooped.

"Come on, dude," said Phil, "Let's go try that bad boy OUT!"

Conflict begins. Sounds like just talking

Roll(4d10)
2,5,4,5
Roll(4d6):
5,6,6,4,


School. Why not?

Degree is music. Working just hard enough to get by. Frees up schedule for not working. Favorite pastime.

Sometimes not working involves the local speakeasies. With friends, usually. Sometimes it involves smoking things which make me see things. Sometimes it involves the sweet young slips I'm juggling, flitting between them as our moods change, as they get jealous, or bored, or interesting again.

I'll give you a stake. Job. Might be first steady job. Speakeasy singer. Just show up and work magic. Enough money to get by without bothering Father.

Not working is easier. More fun. Working against myself.

So - an hour before. With Honeybee. (Pet name. All I remembered.) Wetting my throat with something dry, sharp. Listening to pianist: friend of mine.

And she wants more of me than I want to give. Likes me better drunk. Less guarded. Stupider.

That enough?

Honeybee - (Sandra) - is looking at you and she's got tears in her eyes and a lump in her throat. She looks like she's trying to work up the courage to say something.

Conflict begins. Sounds like just talking.

Roll(4d10):
4,7,2,9,+0

Roll(4d6):
1,2,4,3,+0



I'm running hell for leather down the littered narrow alleyways that stink of greasy old takeout, trying not to step in any of the questionable substances floating in the puddles. My sole focus is to make up for the headway the skinny little weasel got when he slammed the back door open in my face. I've only been on the job for six months since I got out of the academy but already I've done this exact run 15 times. Different alley, different weasel, same run.

My partner is still inside the dingy hotel dealing with the rest of them. I guess he's counting on me catching this one.

"Stop!" I should be grabbing my gun but I'm worried I'll lose him so I keep running.

The weasel knows this alley. Prepared little bastard, he knows which trashcans to knock over and when to jump. Guess when you've got nothing better to do you can do a dress rehersal of your grand getaway. His neon yellow and light purple fur coat is flapping in the breeze behind him.

Conflict begins. Sounds like physical, nonviolent.

Roll(4d10):
3,4,5,8,+0

Roll(4d6)+0:
2,4,6,2,+0

[Balmas]

"I'm telling you, this has to work!"

Eighteen summers. I've been here in this city for eighteen summers. The factories have already done their business, the cruel trick played on all workers, of making you stronger at the same time as they weaken your faith in humanity. See, there, the lines that tease around my too-young eyes, like dogs worrying at a chocolate-brown cow.

"Yes. I'm sure of it. That's what you said the last time, and the time before that."

The voice is that of Nathan Young. He sits, chair tossed back against the wall, feet resting on the cheap folding card table we'd scavenged from behind the old injun-run casino. His beer lays open but as yet untouched next to his scuffed steel-toes.

"This time is different."

"Said that last time too."

"Hmmph." I turned away, and peeked down at the address I'd jotted on the old napkin, before examining myself in the mirror in the corner. I'd done what I could to puff up my shoes with a banana peel, but there was no hiding the worn state of my pants, or the hand-me-down nature of my button-up shirt. "Wish me luck. Skinner's supposed to be a mean interview."

[Anarion]

So Phil was the roommate, Brad and Hawkin are his friends. They're a lot like you'd expect.

"Hey, guys, check this out," said Phil. "You know how, like, cats secretly have teeth? Well this bad boy has a gun."

Brad and Hawkin whooped.

"Come on, dude," said Phil, "Let's go try that bad boy OUT!"

Conflict begins. Sounds like just talking

Roll(4d10)
2,5,4,5
Roll(4d6):
5,6,6,4,


"Yeah, I...I guess we could do that. I'll probably ace the history paper anyway, I know this stuff like the back of my hand." It's late and I let out a little sigh, but better to just go along with these guys, let them have their fun and get back to work. Especially since it's easy work. I don't want to tell them I just got the gun for show and I've never even held it properly. Not even sure I know how, either.

Acuity+Heart 9d6. Scholar trait I think applies since the assignment is so easy, 2d10. The gun thing...not yet.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Thanqol]

"Hmmph." I turned away, and peeked down at the address I'd jotted on the old napkin, before examining myself in the mirror in the corner. I'd done what I could to puff up my shoes with a banana peel, but there was no hiding the worn state of my pants, or the hand-me-down nature of my button-up shirt. "Wish me luck. Skinner's supposed to be a mean interview."

I need more than that, so go on and keep talking. Get up to the part where you're talking to Skinner, tell me about Skinner, let me know about what you're applying for, spell it all out for me. This is to impress your parents, right? How are they involved?

Give me all the context I need 'cause I need to be able to play the other half of this discussion.

[Thanqol]

"Yeah, I...I guess we could do that. I'll probably ace the history paper anyway, I know this stuff like the back of my hand." It's late and I let out a little sigh, but better to just go along with these guys, let them have their fun and get back to work. Especially since it's easy work. I don't want to tell them I just got the gun for show and I've never even held it properly. Not even sure I know how, either.

Acuity+Heart 9d6. Scholar trait I think applies since the assignment is so easy, 2d10. The gun thing...not yet.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Raise: 10

"Woohoo!" yelled Phil, as he grabbed the gun and posed dramatically. "Crime... doesn't pay," he rasped in an imitation of a hard boiled film detective.

"Hey, bet you can't shoot out that streetlight from here," said Brad.

"THE DARE KING IS ON THE CASE!" said Phil, opening the window and taking drunken aim out onto the street.

2,4,5,6,6,4

[Elanorin]

The weasel knows this alley. Prepared little bastard, he knows which trashcans to knock over and when to jump. Guess when you've got nothing better to do you can do a dress rehersal of your grand getaway. His neon yellow and light purple fur coat is flapping in the breeze behind him.

Conflict begins. Sounds like physical, nonviolent.

Roll(4d10):
3,4,5,8,+0

Roll(4d6)+0:
2,4,6,2,+0

Still running, and I can do this for a fair while longer. Perhaps that's why I always get sent to cover the alleys. My partner is fast but not for long. Too many bake-sales in the office.

It's afternoon and the sun's low enough for the alley to be shrouded in dank shade. At least the bright coat made him easier to keep sight of.

[Body+Heart=10d6: 5, 1, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6, 5, 5, 1]

[Thanqol]

Still running, and I can do this for a fair while longer. Perhaps that's why I always get sent to cover the alleys. My partner is fast but not for long. Too many bake-sales in the office.

It's afternoon and the sun's low enough for the alley to be shrouded in dank shade. At least the bright coat made him easier to keep sight of.

[Body+Heart=10d6: 5, 1, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6, 5, 5, 1]

Raise: 7

This particular weasel's name was Kogne Cash. He was from the White Continent - a desolate land of scorching deserts and malarial rainforests, subjugated by Nexcos colonial forces and cracked open for its natural wealth by Nexcos industry. Kogne himself was an extraordinarily tall, fit and handsome man with a smile like salt in milk. Whenever he took one of his absurdly long strides his whole body jingled with hundreds of silver and gemstone trinkets from the White Church.

Kogne rounded a corner, bounded up to grab the dangling ladder of a fire escape, and started climbing rapidly for the roof. He turned and flashed her a smile before continuing his flight.

5,8,2,4,6,2,

[Anarion]

If I'd just stood up and told them to stop, nobody would have been hurt. They might have been mad, but it was my gun and these guys weren't so far gone that they'd turn and shoot me. I didn't though. I sat there and gave Phil a weak grin and quietly told him "go ahead."

See 10 dodge.

"Maybe you guys want to go outside, after this too?" I suggested hesitantly. I didn't really want to encourage them, but I didn't know what else to say back then.

Raise 7

2, 2, 2, 5, 3, 4, 2

[Thanqol]

If I'd just stood up and told them to stop, nobody would have been hurt. They might have been mad, but it was my gun and these guys weren't so far gone that they'd turn and shoot me. I didn't though. I sat there and gave Phil a weak grin and quietly told him "go ahead."

See 10 dodge.

"Maybe you guys want to go outside, after this too?" I suggested hesitantly. I didn't really want to encourage them, but I didn't know what else to say back then.

Raise 7

2, 2, 2, 5, 3, 4, 2

See 7 block (5, 2)

"Naw dude, we like it here," said Brad.

"Heck yeah," said Phil, firing wildly out the window. He missed the streetlight. Then he pulls you into a headlock and gives you a noogie with the gun. "You're our man, man."

"Crap, he's got no more ammo in here," said Brad, going through your draws.

"Really? Man, I'm disappointed. Come on, let's go down to the shops, the night's not over yet!"

Raise: 10 (6, 4)
6,4

[Anarion]

"Sure, that's genius. Set off the sound of gunfire, then immediately take the weapon and head outside so the police can find us more easily. That's why they let you fellows into University, that knack for logical deduction." Now see, that would have been a great lead-in to telling them to put the gun away and leave, but that's not where I was going. I still didn't want to offend them or push them, so I made it like I was joking, just having some fun with them too. "Yeah, let's go out the back instead."
Penchant for sarcasm 2d6: [roll0]

See 10 dodge

Raise 7

2, 2, 2, 2, 2

[Thanqol]

"Sure, that's genius. Set off the sound of gunfire, then immediately take the weapon and head outside so the police can find us more easily. That's why they let you fellows into University, that knack for logical deduction." Now see, that would have been a great lead-in to telling them to put the gun away and leave, but that's not where I was going. I still didn't want to offend them or push them, so I made it like I was joking, just having some fun with them too. "Yeah, let's go out the back instead."
Penchant for sarcasm 2d6: [roll0]

See 10 dodge

Raise 7

2, 2, 2, 2, 2

Stuff: Gun (1d6+1d4) 6,2 See 8 (6, 2)

"Hey, shut the hell up -" said Brad.

"No, dude. Little braniac has a point," said Phil, patting your head and shoving you away. He span the gun around his finger, rattle rattle went the chamber. "If we go out the back all quiet like then we can swing by the girls dorm while we're there."

Raise: 10 (6, 4)

No dice remaining.

[Anarion]

I'm watching this scene and imaging that I could just let them leave. They could have the gun for all I care, I never even used it. I could just tell them to get out, they've got my idea, after all, and without me they'd probably just have been picked up by the cops. I'd explain they overpowered me, took my gun, it only had 1 bullet, so I thought it best to let them leave. Everyone would have understood. Pathetic maybe, but still, they'd have understood and I'd have gotten everyone out without any harm.

What I did was say "yeah, sounds like fun." Then I kept on smiling, nodding along with them, and heading down the stairs to go out the back.

See 10 Take the blow 5d4.


Edit 2: Cutting out everything past this. I'll figure out some way to raise in another post. If I use never held a gun before, it's a 1, otherwise I might just roll something else.

[Raz_Fox]

"Problem, Honeybee?"

I mean it. Wasn't heartless. Careless. Not heartless.

I'd listen. Say nice words. Most like do nothing.

[Acuity + Heart: 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6.]

[Elanorin]

Raise: 7

This particular weasel's name was Kogne Cash. He was from the White Continent - a desolate land of scorching deserts and malarial rainforests, subjugated by Nexcos colonial forces and cracked open for its natural wealth by Nexcos industry. Kogne himself was an extraordinarily tall, fit and handsome man with a smile like salt in milk. Whenever he took one of his absurdly long strides his whole body jingled with hundreds of silver and gemstone trinkets from the White Church.

Kogne rounded a corner, bounded up to grab the dangling ladder of a fire escape, and started climbing rapidly for the roof. He turned and flashed her a smile before continuing his flight.

5,8,2,4,6,2,

See 7 (6+1) Block

That smile annoyed me more than it should have. Despite what I told myself then, I was still pretty green. The trash he'd knocked over gave me a good enough footing to leap up on the ladder and pursue without losing any ground.

Three floors up I spotted the loose end of a washing line full of clothes which I yanked loose to come cascading down over him, wet clothes and all.

Raise: 7 (6+1)

5, 4, 6, 4, 5, 5,

[Thanqol]

"Problem, Honeybee?"

I mean it. Wasn't heartless. Careless. Not heartless.

I'd listen. Say nice words. Most like do nothing.

[Acuity + Heart: 1, 1, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6.]

She hesitated in the words, and was cut off by the music. Someone had scrounged up a Pappenheim Pound, which was the only currency that the old jukebox accepted. The beautiful, sweet music (https://youtu.be/D6TxoDoOmO4) of the cold country filled the bar and for a moment everything was quiet and romantic.

Raise: 7 (4,3)

4,7,2,9,1,2


See 7 (6+1) Block

That smile annoyed me more than it should have. Despite what I told myself then, I was still pretty green. The trash he'd knocked over gave me a good enough footing to leap up on the ladder and pursue without losing any ground.

Three floors up I spotted the loose end of a washing line full of clothes which I yanked loose to come cascading down over him, wet clothes and all.

Raise: 7 (6+1)

5, 4, 6, 4, 5, 5,

Reversal: 8

The washing line full of clothes came cascading down, along with a shrieking Mendozan woman who fell off the fire escape and crashed down on top of you like a pile of ugly bricks. You were knocked flat while she cussed you out in Mendish and hit you with her shoe.

Cash got away that day. You'd meet him later, staking out his home - a tasteless McMansion which seemed to be like 90% aquariums. It's a rainy night and stiflingly humid and you're stuck hanging out in some miserable phone booth waiting for this guy to show up - impossible, right?

Raise: 10 8,2

5,2,4,6,

[Raz_Fox]

See: [4,3]. Block.

"On that you can rely, no matter what the future brings..."

Harmonize with the jukebox. Got an ear for it.

"Dance with me?" Already have her hand. Knock back the glass.

"Woman needs man, man must have his mate: that no one can deny..."

Little tipsy. Hold it damn well for my size. Easy to be careless when you hold it well.

Just want to dance her cares away. Then I'll be up on stage, I'll sing my heart out.

And I'll forget.

Raise: [6,4] = 10.

[Balmas]

"And what makes you qualified for this position?"

Panic. No, keep it together. I could do this. I had to do it.

Sitting before me was the manager of the engineering firm my father worked at. I had very little chance to get in--No, I had every chance to get in. Had to stay positive. Getting this job would bring in tons of money for the family. They'd have to love me then.

[Anarion]

After that, I pretty much just let Phil do what he wanted with my stuff. I gave him the gun. No bow on it or anything, he just kept it after that night, never gave it back to me. Even though I paid for the ammo.

I lost touch with him after that, but the next time I saw him, I was in the middle of lecturing a massive hall filled with nearly 500 students on the intricacies of the Stars plans for the original architecture of Nexcos and the environmental advantages that it had enjoyed as a result.

It was nearly 20 years later, but he was still the same brick of a man, with those huge ears and that high military haircut. He didn't have much for decorum. Barged right into my lecture hall and began dragging me outside by the arm. It was a travesty, an utter travesty, but I was a skillful lecturer and I was able to play it off as an unexpected faculty issue to try and save face. I still couldn't just say no to the man.

Raise from well-trained lecturer [roll0]

[Thanqol]

See: [4,3]. Block.

"On that you can rely, no matter what the future brings..."

Harmonize with the jukebox. Got an ear for it.

"Dance with me?" Already have her hand. Knock back the glass.

"Woman needs man, man must have his mate: that no one can deny..."

Little tipsy. Hold it damn well for my size. Easy to be careless when you hold it well.

Just want to dance her cares away. Then I'll be up on stage, I'll sing my heart out.

And I'll forget.

Raise: [6,4] = 10.

See: 10 (9,1)

Five years later you find in your desk drawer a photograph. You and Honeybee, dancing together, in some nowhere bar in the ass end of nowhere.

The photograph is damaged by damp and neglect but on the back there's still a phone number.

Raise: 11 (7,4)

2,2


"And what makes you qualified for this position?"

Panic. No, keep it together. I could do this. I had to do it.

Sitting before me was the manager of the engineering firm my father worked at. I had very little chance to get in--No, I had every chance to get in. Had to stay positive. Getting this job would bring in tons of money for the family. They'd have to love me then.

Mister Skinner was a tall and eerie man in a typical suit and a typical frown. He looked up over his pince-nez glasses at you and said, "Now, it has come to my attention that you have a blood releation working with us already," he said, reproach dripping from his voice.

10,3,9,2,3,1,6,4,


After that, I pretty much just let Phil do what he wanted with my stuff. I gave him the gun. No bow on it or anything, he just kept it after that night, never gave it back to me. Even though I paid for the ammo.

I lost touch with him after that, but the next time I saw him, I was in the middle of lecturing a massive hall filled with nearly 500 students on the intricacies of the Stars plans for the original architecture of Nexcos and the environmental advantages that it had enjoyed as a result.

It was nearly 20 years later, but he was still the same brick of a man, with those huge ears and that high military haircut. He didn't have much for decorum. Barged right into my lecture hall and began dragging me outside by the arm. It was a travesty, an utter travesty, but I was a skillful lecturer and I was able to play it off as an unexpected faculty issue to try and save face. I still couldn't just say no to the man.

Raise from well-trained lecturer [roll0]

I give. Guess you really couldn't.

[Raz_Fox]

See: [6,5].

Could have called her. Seen how she was. Asked her to forgive my youth. My stupidity. My carelessness.

Didn't.

Money was loose. Never seemed to have enough. Always ended up in someone else's hands.

But I had drink and a girl. Bills hadn't caught up yet. Could afford it.

Just couldn't afford much else.

Raise: [4,1 = 5]

[Pool: 1, 3, 4.]

[Elanorin]

Reversal: 8

The washing line full of clothes came cascading down, along with a shrieking Mendozan woman who fell off the fire escape and crashed down on top of you like a pile of ugly bricks. You were knocked flat while she cussed you out in Mendish and hit you with her shoe.

Cash got away that day. You'd meet him later, staking out his home - a tasteless McMansion which seemed to be like 90% aquariums. It's a rainy night and stiflingly humid and you're stuck hanging out in some miserable phone booth waiting for this guy to show up - impossible, right?

Raise: 10 8,2

5,2,4,6,

See 10 (5+5) Block

You'd think this was the nightmare shift in a nightmare stakeout but I asked for it, I want it to be me who brings this creep in and I know he, like rats, tend to be most active at night.

And right on queue, here he comes, jangling his keys. I have the perfect drop on him as I sneak up in the dark. I'm not making the mistake of giving him a head start again, I'm getting as close as I can which is always easier in the dark.

Raise: 10 (5+5)

I favour the dark 2d4: 3, 2

5, 4, 6, 4, 3, 2

[Thanqol]

See: [6,5].

Could have called her. Seen how she was. Asked her to forgive my youth. My stupidity. My carelessness.

Didn't.

Money was loose. Never seemed to have enough. Always ended up in someone else's hands.

But I had drink and a girl. Bills hadn't caught up yet. Could afford it.

Just couldn't afford much else.

Raise: [4,1 = 5]

[Pool: 1, 3, 4.]

I Give. Ain't music or temptation that could have roused you.


See 10 (5+5) Block

You'd think this was the nightmare shift in a nightmare stakeout but I asked for it, I want it to be me who brings this creep in and I know he, like rats, tend to be most active at night.

And right on queue, here he comes, jangling his keys. I have the perfect drop on him as I sneak up in the dark. I'm not making the mistake of giving him a head start again, I'm getting as close as I can which is always easier in the dark.

Raise: 10 (5+5)

I favour the dark 2d4: 3, 2

5, 4, 6, 4, 3, 2

See 10 (6,4)

Lights come on behind you, big and heavy. Three bastards on horses, grinning like jackals and packing guns and torches. Awful teeth, and probably high outta their minds on whatever Cash had sold 'em.

"Little copper's lost!" yelled one. He spurred his horse forwards, galloping at her, whooping and laughing, followed by his buddies. They were riding around her, trying to spook her, hoping she'd run.

Group of 3: +2d6 per NPC. 4,5,4,6,2,3

Raise 7 (5,2)

4,5,4,6,2,3

[Balmas]

"That's correct, sir. My father has been a valued member of this firm for nearly twenty-five years, now. And he's been teaching me his craft, so I can follow in his footsteps."

Heart, Acuity. Reputation as a good and kind man. Would I be able to use my relation with my father, or is that just when I'm talking with him?

3,3,3,6,3,1,3,3

Skinner is the manager of the local engineering firm. Dour, austere. He employs many people, in lots of different positions. The job I'm here for is more of an entry level position--you know, fetch coffee, take notes, be a good little gofer. However, with time it's one that will allow me to advance in the company, learn more, on the job training, the whole nine yards. Skinner's a family friend. Lots of connections. I'm sure that right now, he's trying to avoid any affection from leaking through. Gotta be fair. I respect that in a man, even if it's damned inconvenient for me.

[Elanorin]

See 10 (6,4)

Lights come on behind you, big and heavy. Three bastards on horses, grinning like jackals and packing guns and torches. Awful teeth, and probably high outta their minds on whatever Cash had sold 'em.

"Little copper's lost!" yelled one. He spurred his horse forwards, galloping at her, whooping and laughing, followed by his buddies. They were riding around her, trying to spook her, hoping she'd run.

Group of 3: +2d6 per NPC. 4,5,4,6,2,3

Raise 7 (5,2)

4,5,4,6,2,3

See 7 (5+2) Dodge

I'm not much for clever lines and retorts, but I do like horses and if there is one thing that spooks them it's sudden movements so I run straight up in the face of the first one getting it to back off enough to break the circle and give me a clear path to Cash and I head straight for him.

"This is my warning, Cash, let's not make this any uglier."

I would normally be tempted to draw by now but something about him keeps me from doing so. Perhaps because he too is an outlander and I'm still too new to this job to think the worst of someone like him even after pissing me off.

"Give yourself in and I will do everything I can to reduce your sentence."

Compassionate soul 2d6: 1, 1

Raise: 8 (4+4)

6, 3, 1, 1

[Thanqol]

"That's correct, sir. My father has been a valued member of this firm for nearly twenty-five years, now. And he's been teaching me his craft, so I can follow in his footsteps."

Heart, Acuity. Reputation as a good and kind man. Would I be able to use my relation with my father, or is that just when I'm talking with him?

3,3,3,6,3,1,3,3

You can use relationships when either you're opposing that person or that person is what is at stake.


Skinner is the manager of the local engineering firm. Dour, austere. He employs many people, in lots of different positions. The job I'm here for is more of an entry level position--you know, fetch coffee, take notes, be a good little gofer. However, with time it's one that will allow me to advance in the company, learn more, on the job training, the whole nine yards. Skinner's a family friend. Lots of connections. I'm sure that right now, he's trying to avoid any affection from leaking through. Gotta be fair. I respect that in a man, even if it's damned inconvenient for me.

Raise: 16 (10,6)

"I see. Well, he clearly didn't teach you the company rules on nepotism, which are a requirement for all prospective staff members to read before they apply, so this interview seems to be over. Have a good day," said Skinner.

3,9,2,3,1,4


See 7 (5+2) Dodge

I'm not much for clever lines and retorts, but I do like horses and if there is one thing that spooks them it's sudden movements so I run straight up in the face of the first one getting it to back off enough to break the circle and give me a clear path to Cash and I head straight for him.

"This is my warning, Cash, let's not make this any uglier."

I would normally be tempted to draw by now but something about him keeps me from doing so. Perhaps because he too is an outlander and I'm still too new to this job to think the worst of someone like him even after pissing me off.

"Give yourself in and I will do everything I can to reduce your sentence."

Compassionate soul 2d6: 1, 1

Raise: 8 (4+4)

6, 3, 1, 1

See: 8 (4,4)

"I don't know who you're talking about ma'am," said Cash. "I do not know this 'cash' and I've never met these gentlemen before in my life." He gave an airy salute and went inside.

The men on horseback started whooping and circling - and horses were big scary creatures and they were coming in around her on all sides, stomping their hooves and champing their bits.

Raise: 11 (5,6)

2,3

[Elanorin]

See: 8 (4,4)

"I don't know who you're talking about ma'am," said Cash. "I do not know this 'cash' and I've never met these gentlemen before in my life." He gave an airy salute and went inside.

The men on horseback started whooping and circling - and horses were big scary creatures and they were coming in around her on all sides, stomping their hooves and champing their bits.

Raise: 11 (5,6)

2,3

I'm really quite claustrophobic and I feel I've kept it under control quite well until now but these horses were getting too close and this stifling humid air was getting harder to breathe. It's on pure instinct that I suddenly draw both my guns. I fire one straight up in the air, to once more scare the horses enough to back off, the other I aim straight at Cash.

"Then I hope, for your sake, these gentlemen are goodhearted enough to heed the words of a stranger when you ask them to back the hell off, because it's you I will shoot if they do not."

Escalate.
Will+Acuity: 5d6= 5, 6, 2, 1, 6
Very claustrophobic: 2d4= 4, 3
Excellent marksman: 1d10= 7
Guns: 1d8+1d4= 3, 7
See: 11 (5+6) Block
Raise: 14 (7+7)

6, 3, 1, 1, 2, 1, 6, 4, 3, 3

[Thanqol]

I'm really quite claustrophobic and I feel I've kept it under control quite well until now but these horses were getting too close and this stifling humid air was getting harder to breathe. It's on pure instinct that I suddenly draw both my guns. I fire one straight up in the air, to once more scare the horses enough to back off, the other I aim straight at Cash.

"Then I hope, for your sake, these gentlemen are goodhearted enough to heed the words of a stranger when you ask them to back the hell off, because it's you I will shoot if they do not."

Escalate.
Will+Acuity: 5d6= 5, 6, 2, 1, 6
Very claustrophobic: 2d4= 4, 3
Excellent marksman: 1d10= 7
Guns: 1d8+1d4= 3, 7
See: 11 (5+6) Block
Raise: 14 (7+7)

6, 3, 1, 1, 2, 1, 6, 4, 3, 3

Ain't no one here willing to take a bullet over this. I Give. The horses scatter, and Cash backs up, hands where you can see 'em.

[Balmas]

Raise: 16 (10,6)

"I see. Well, he clearly didn't teach you the company rules on nepotism, which are a requirement for all prospective staff members to read before they apply, so this interview seems to be over. Have a good day," said Skinner.

3,9,2,3,1,4

"'No person shall gain an advantage over another employee based on familial relations,'" I counter. I'd spent enough time reading the damn thing to pretty much sear it into my eyeballs. "Which, I should point out, I have not asked for, and never will do. In the future, I would ask you to avoid insulting my character in such a fashion. No, Mr. Skinner, I am interviewing for this position because I genuinely believe that I am one of the most highly qualified to fill it.


See. (3,3,3,6,1)
Raise 6

3

[Thanqol]

"'No person shall gain an advantage over another employee based on familial relations,'" I counter. I'd spent enough time reading the damn thing to pretty much sear it into my eyeballs. "Which, I should point out, I have not asked for, and never will do. In the future, I would ask you to avoid insulting my character in such a fashion. No, Mr. Skinner, I am interviewing for this position because I genuinely believe that I am one of the most highly qualified to fill it.


See. (3,3,3,6,1)
Raise 6

3

Reversal: 9

It was just for a moment, but Skinner's eyes flicked over to a stack of other resumes on his desk - the top one of which had a series of green ticks.

"It seems we have nothing left to discuss then," said Skinner. "If your qualifications stand on their own then that is how I will make my decision. Thank you for your time."

Raise: 10 (9,1)

3,2,3,4

[Balmas]

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Skinner." It hurts to stand up. "I hope you're still coming to dinner on Thursday? Mother says she's planning on curry."

Give.

[Thanqol]

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Skinner." It hurts to stand up. "I hope you're still coming to dinner on Thursday? Mother says she's planning on curry."

Give.

"That would be lovely, thank you," he said. He shook your hand once and his assistant closed the door behind you as you left.

[Thanqol]

It's raining. It usually is.

Unusually for Nexcos it's windy too. Maybe it's just because they're below the GrainCo building. It's tall and it's connected to the huge, wide open Victory Parade street that goes all the way down to the ocean. The street is so wide that the light from the streetlamps doesn't seem to reach the centre. Either way, such a huge, flat space which then goes and hits a huge tower sends the wind crazy, furrowing down between the buildings, destroying open umbrellas and sending unsecured hairs vertical.

This is the old Victory Parade, from back when Nexcos was just getting started. The new one is much bigger.

The Hounds of Vogolos are heading down to Haywain Station. Like most stations in Nexcos it's connected to a museum and war memorial and named after the site of an important victory. You might have been here before; if you have you know it commemorates a victory over the warlike people of Pappenehim. An entire Pappenheimer cathedral was disassembled, stone by stone, and shipped across the sea to Nexcos where it was rebuilt as a train station. The ceiling is immense and vaulted, the windows filled with purple, blue and black stained glass, and the statues scattered about without any regard for their original positions or meanings.

There's the sound of shuffling and gnawing ahead. Then there's a loud yip of pain and a mangy stray runs out of an alley in fear. Moving closer, the Hounds can see piles of garbage within the darkened space, and the sound of movement. Someone is talking, muttering, ranting but their specific words are too quiet to be heard over the howling wind.

If the Hounds could see as I see, they'd know that inside that alleyway is a man and a dead body. They have not seen either yet, though they might soon.

What do you do?

[Anarion]

I creep closer. I'm not in front, that's for my friend who's a police officer, she's the one who should be in front. But still, closer, trying to listen, trying to understand before revealing any of us. If we understand, we might be able to intrigue, and if we catch the man's curiosity, no matter what he's doing, this could be a chance to talk instead of a chance to run a man down through a garbage-strewn alley in the middle of the night.

[Raz_Fox]

Song was free, high, soft, wordless paean to the wind. Tosses everything about. Litter. Paper. Thoughts. Hounds.

Hits discordant note, changes. Worry hissed between the teeth in E Sharp.

Follow Alastar. Don't know what's wrong. He does.

Mmm.

Dog knows better, maybe. Brother of sorts.

Still.

Follow Alastar.

[Elanorin]

Yes, I'm up front. It's not something I'm used to yet but I appreciate the confidence of having the others behind me.

I pause briefly when a dog suddenly scuttles past right in front of me, I watch it run for a moment before turning to look where it came from. It would have to be quite something to make a stray dog abandon a meal.

I steer my steps straight towards the alley where I hear something that sounds like a voice, treading carefully, keeping to the dak night shadows. This situation is far too familiar to me and if I can avoid another alley chase I'm more than happy to do so, I just want to have a look at what's going on.

The moment I see the body though I continue forwards with no further regard for subtlety; a body on the ground demands my action.

"What's happened here?" I ask without accusation as I approach.

[Thanqol]

The body was a girl. Young, short, a little bit fat but with a glimmer of brightly coloured energy that carried even in death. No mask. Covered with garbage and grime head to high heels. Over her was hunched a filthy creature, perhaps once a man. You can't see almost anything from the distant lamplight but there is a riot of tangled fur and hair and the glint of metal that might be a knife.

"Dog came at me," muttered the man. "Tried to take what's mine. Tried to take what's mine. No one to hold the dogs off any more," he swore and spat and clawed his fingernails down the brick wall.

[Balmas]

That's a problem. I'm towards the back of the group, standing under my troll-umbrella. Somebody--literal body, in this case--is missing their mask. That means it's up to us to find it, deliver it back.

"Did you kill the girl?" Blunt, to the point. "If not, can you point us to who did?"

[Anarion]

"Do you know who she was?" We need to know it, though I'm not hopeful since her mask is gone. "And how long have you and she been here?" I'm stepping forward at this point. The man looks to be a wretched soul, not a dangerous one, though why he would be here, with a corpse and inflicting such torment on himself, I can't yet imagine.

[Elanorin]

The others are asking all the questions that immediately surfaced in my mind and so I instead turn my focus to the body. I kneel beside the dead girl and study her clothes, any obvious injuries and her face.

Then another question reveals itself to me and I look up at the rambling man;

"What does she mean to you?"

[Thanqol]

"She's got a lot of meat on her," said the homeless man. "Dog was trying to fight me for her. Normally Humphrey watches my back for the dogs. But Humphrey isn't right. The Hateful Sun ate him," he hunched down over the body protectively. "He's not him and he's lying to me and now I'm all alone and I'm hungry and you are not taking my dinner away."

[Anarion]

I sigh. Long and low. The commandments given to the Hounds are few, but they are clear. "Draw people out of isolation and into the community." "Bless the passing of those who have moved on." And of course, find the damnable missing mask. Yes, I know where this is heading well enough and I walk up to the man and put my hand firmly on his shoulder.

"Come with us." I say, my voice calm, a little tired, harmless. "I'll buy you a meal, and we'll find you a place to warm yourself for the night. This is not fit for a man to break his fast with."

[Raz_Fox]

Murmur: "Strange meat. Bad for the soul." Weary. Alleyway is dark, wet; bad place.

Focus. Focus. She deserves it.

"Know the right place. Guelli's Gyros, twenty-four-seven rolling meat and cream and green grass. Fill you up. Then HallAway Inn."

Look him over. Feel the taut cheeks in my own. The trembling hands, dirty fingernails, broken broken broken eyes.

"I'm sorry. About Humphrey. And the loneliness. Bad for the soul. Mmmm." Look down at her face. Was sweet. Didn't deserve this. Not down here. "Siento, señorita."

[Thanqol]

At another time he might have put up a fight but right now he didn't have the heart. He followed, shuffling, as he was lead towards Guelli's.

He did have a knife, and he'd been using it to cut on his arm, and the patterns were something that looked like a Siriva. Not a proper one but more like a man from another land might cover himself with crosses or dolls to ward against evil. And he was afraid, so very afraid - but not of you. Seeing that you were Hounds, and perhaps just because you were strangers, he was relieved to be in your presence.

[Balmas]

I take my coat and tear a small strip off the side. It's a coat, and like all things in life, its transitory nature can only be used to help or harm others. I offer it to the man, and make motions as to bind his arm. "What do you fear? We are here to protect you."

[Elanorin]

I glance up as Alastar and Allejandro lead the man away towards a hot meal. Good, he sure seems in need of one. I feel more than a little nauseated by him referring to this poor woman as dinner.

I remain by the dead girl and clear away the garbage covering her. I decide I think she deserves better than this, whoever she was. Having cleared away the worst of the rubbish I have a look around to see if there is any sign of her mask, I highly doubt it would be here but I'd feel remiss not to at least look.

[Thanqol]

I take my coat and tear a small strip off the side. It's a coat, and like all things in life, its transitory nature can only be used to help or harm others. I offer it to the man, and make motions as to bind his arm. "What do you fear? We are here to protect you."

"Humphrey is evil," hissed the man. "He got sick, coughing and coughing until he was dying and - and then he came back, whole and healthy and when I look in his eyes I can see the Hateful Sun. He made a deal with it to save his life, he did, and now the Sun will descend riding the he-goat and our flesh will stick in its teeth as it laughs."


I glance up as Alastar and Allejandro lead the man away towards a hot meal. Good, he sure seems in need of one. I feel more than a little nauseated by him referring to this poor woman as dinner.

I remain by the dead girl and clear away the garbage covering her. I decide I think she deserves better than this, whoever she was. Having cleared away the worst of the rubbish I have a look around to see if there is any sign of her mask, I highly doubt it would be here but I'd feel remiss not to at least look.

No mask. No trace. As far as wounds go you'd wage a single crushing blow to the head - a sudden fall or a blunt weapon. If it's a crime that probably means it was a crime of passion. Is there anything else you look for?

[Anarion]

"Hmm, Hmm" I put my hand around the man's back for support and consider gently, my other hand stroking the thin blond hairs on my chin, though I barely notice I'm doing it, the habit is so strongly ingrained. "Was it Humphrey who did that...back in the alley to the young girl?"

[Thanqol]

"Hmm, Hmm" I put my hand around the man's back for support and consider gently, my other hand stroking the thin blond hairs on my chin, though I barely notice I'm doing it, the habit is so strongly ingrained. "Was it Humphrey who did that...back in the alley to the young girl?"

"It was the demons," he muttered. "I can feel them everywhere. I can feel them even through the clouds."

[Anarion]

"It was the demons," he muttered. "I can feel them everywhere. I can feel them even through the clouds."

"Is that so?" We were getting close to Guelli's now. You could smell the delicious scent of frying steak in the air, mixed with the sweat and dirt of this region of town. "Where are they now, these demons? Perhaps we can assist in dealing with them?"

[Elanorin]

No mask. No trace. As far as wounds go you'd wage a single crushing blow to the head - a sudden fall or a blunt weapon. If it's a crime that probably means it was a crime of passion. Is there anything else you look for?

Yes, I am looking for any evidence of who she was, her name, identity or any clue of where she lived or who she knew. If I can avoid giving yet another generic nameless eulogy and yet another nameless grave, I will.

Other than that I'm looking for the nearest phone to call this in for the body to be taken to the nearest morgue; she sure can't stay here.

[Balmas]

"If there are demons here, you can rest easy. It is our duty to deal with them, not yours. That said, I welcome any help you can give us in pointing them out."

[Thanqol]

"Is that so?" We were getting close to Guelli's now. You could smell the delicious scent of frying steak in the air, mixed with the sweat and dirt of this region of town. "Where are they now, these demons? Perhaps we can assist in dealing with them?"


"If there are demons here, you can rest easy. It is our duty to deal with them, not yours. That said, I welcome any help you can give us in pointing them out."

"The bars," moaned the homeless man. "They live in the bars. The worst of them cluster under the sign of the king, and they will pretend to be your friends."


Yes, I am looking for any evidence of who she was, her name, identity or any clue of where she lived or who she knew. If I can avoid giving yet another generic nameless eulogy and yet another nameless grave, I will.

Other than that I'm looking for the nearest phone to call this in for the body to be taken to the nearest morgue; she sure can't stay here.

You'd say middle class, office worker. No ID but there is a faded stamp on her hand from King O'Donnels - sounds like a local pub. You also note that, despite the strange way bodies decay or don't here, she might have been here for a few weeks or longer.

The voice on the landline promises to send out a wagon.

[Anarion]

First thing was to get this man in some sort of shape. We step into Guelli's and I order him some food, some for us too. The night isn't likely to be a short one, and best handled on a full stomach I'd say. Then I turn to the man. "We'll check you into the inn for the night, but is there anyone here that you know? Anyone who would give you shelter?"

[Elanorin]

You'd say middle class, office worker. No ID but there is a faded stamp on her hand from King O'Donnels - sounds like a local pub. You also note that, despite the strange way bodies decay or don't here, she might have been here for a few weeks or longer.

The voice on the landline promises to send out a wagon.

It's a fair bet that dog, or one like it, would be back so I wait by the body until the wagon arrives to allow her remains what little peace can be had after what she has already been through.

It would allow me to note down which morgue she will be taken to as well when I see the driver, so I know where I can find her. After that I will go after the others.

[Raz_Fox]

"Demons." Word tastes bitter, fire in the mouth.

"Or men turned to deception." Perhaps just as wicked.

"Or both." Concerning.

"Sun shouldn't be here. Shouldn't have hurt you. Will stop others from being hurt."

Don't want to go to the bars. Will tell Rian when she arrives. Sit with him while Alastar orders.

"If you have no place to stay, tell me. I will see to it."

[Thanqol]

First thing was to get this man in some sort of shape. We step into Guelli's and I order him some food, some for us too. The night isn't likely to be a short one, and best handled on a full stomach I'd say. Then I turn to the man. "We'll check you into the inn for the night, but U.S. There anyone here that you know? Anyone who would give you shelter?"

"Julius Fleming is meant to be the Guide," he moaned. "He's twisted too. It's all caught up in him like fire and spice and he's trying to help but it doesn't work."

He then set into his food ravenously and without shame.


It's a fair bet that dog, or one like it, would be back so I wait by the body until the wagon arrives to allow her remains what little peace can be had after what she has already been through.

It would allow me to note down which morgue she will be taken to as well when I see the driver, so I know where I can find her. After that I will go after the others.

It's a short jog to catch up with the others at the restaurant, you make it in no time.


"Demons." Word tastes bitter, fire in the mouth.

"Or men turned to deception." Perhaps just as wicked.

"Or both." Concerning.

"Sun shouldn't be here. Shouldn't have hurt you. Will stop others from being hurt."

Don't want to go to the bars. Will tell Rian when she arrives. Sit with him while Alastar orders.

"If you have no place to stay, tell me. I will see to it."

"Mmph. Your services will be rewarded," he mutters - a Pappenheim expression, their culture didn't have a word for 'thank you' and that was the closest they got. It made him sound a little imperious, even desperate as he was.

[Elanorin]

I peer through the windows to find the others and when I spot them I head on inside. I shake the damp air out of my coat and point at their table with a polite smile in the generic silent communication of 'I'm with them' should a waitress approach.

I try not to disturb the conversation as I gently pull out a chair and settle down.

[Anarion]

"We'll have to speak with Mr. Fleming then. Perhaps that would be a good place to start." I dig into my own food and turn to my companions. "I suspect that we're not going to wait until a proper hour to approach him. There's something deeply wrong here, not to mention a missing mask, and that's justification enough to pull Fleming out of his bed."

[Elanorin]

"We'll have to speak with Mr. Fleming then. Perhaps that would be a good place to start." I dig into my own food and turn to my companions. "I suspect that we're not going to wait until a proper hour to approach him. There's something deeply wrong here, not to mention a missing mask, and that's justification enough to pull Fleming out of his bed."

I am unsure who this Fleming is but I trust Alastar's judgment enough to nod quietly in agreement.

"Not much luck on leads," I admit regretfully in a soft voice to the others, not wanting to upset the man by talking about the girl.

[Thanqol]

They had a map to Julius' Fleming's place, he was the man they were meant to meet here. He was the local Guide of the Dead, by accounts he was a personal trainer and fitness fiend who tried to convince anyone he met that the highest good was a strong body. Being able to bench press two hundred kilos hadn't helped him against the weedy teenager with the gun though. The place was pretty close to here, tucked above a fishing supply shop.

[Anarion]

Okay, so if the meal is done and everyone is ready, we take the man we found and check him into a room for the night, then head to Fleming's. Before we go I ask the man we found "what's your name, son?" I want to know, and I want to remember that mask and the person behind it. We might run into him again, or we might need him. One last thing "stay here for the night. We'll come back to check on you tomorrow, and perhaps come meet your friend. Do you feel safe doing that?"

[Elanorin]

I was starving but there wasn't really enough time for me to eat and I didn't want to hold anything up so as we get up to leave I nab a couple of handfuls of leftovers from the others' plates and munch as we go.

I'm licking the last of the grease off my fingertips, stood in the doorframe of the unfortunate man's rooms as Alastar checks on him. It wasn't exactly the height of luxury but it was dry and safe. I watch how the man seems to react to the place and I wonder if he'll still be here in the morning; it wouldn't be the first time someone like him runs back to the wet streets simply because it's what they know.

"I'll bring you some clean clothes in the morning," I offer, feeling I ought to say something to mask my distaste for the man.

[Raz_Fox]

"Will make sure no one else hurt." Troubled. Julius Fleming meant to be man who can be trusted. Connected to bars? Worrying.

"Mentioned bars. Would prefer to pursue alternative avenues."

[Thanqol]

Okay, so if the meal is done and everyone is ready, we take the man we found and check him into a room for the night, then head to Fleming's. Before we go I ask the man we found "what's your name, son?" I want to know, and I want to remember that mask and the person behind it. We might run into him again, or we might need him. One last thing "stay here for the night. We'll come back to check on you tomorrow, and perhaps come meet your friend. Do you feel safe doing that?"

"I'm Oldenberg. Like from the old country," said the man. "Yes. Don't think he'll find me here," he muttered.


I was starving but there wasn't really enough time for me to eat and I didn't want to hold anything up so as we get up to leave I nab a couple of handfuls of leftovers from the others' plates and munch as we go.

I'm licking the last of the grease off my fingertips, stood in the doorframe of the unfortunate man's rooms as Alastar checks on him. It wasn't exactly the height of luxury but it was dry and safe. I watch how the man seems to react to the place and I wonder if he'll still be here in the morning; it wouldn't be the first time someone like him runs back to the wet streets simply because it's what they know.

"I'll bring you some clean clothes in the morning," I offer, feeling I ought to say something to mask my distaste for the man.

"Don't have to," he muttered, the sheer amount of charity was seeming to overwhelm him.

[Anarion]

Alright then. We left him. We probably shouldn't have, but we couldn't afford to sit with him all night, just the three of us, and there was something deeply wrong here. This wasn't how Nexcos was supposed to be. Wasn't how we had been charged to make it. And of course, that meant we were stuck here until whatever it was got fixed.

I sigh and open my umbrella as we trudge back out into the rain. It was getting late and I suspect Fleming wouldn't like being woken up. That was his problem though, as we arrived at his home and pounded on the door.

[Elanorin]

As usual I am not using my umbrella; I much prefer to feel the rain on my shoulders, in my hair and to let it drip from the tip of my nose. I am leaning on the door frame as Alastar pounds the door, ready to wedge a foot in as soon as it opens. Old habit. Effective.

My hand instinctively comes to rest on one of the guns at my side. Again, habit. I'm expecting resistance here.

[Thanqol]

Alright then. We left him. We probably shouldn't have, but we couldn't afford to sit with him all night, just the three of us, and there was something deeply wrong here. This wasn't how Nexcos was supposed to be. Wasn't how we had been charged to make it. And of course, that meant we were stuck here until whatever it was got fixed.

I sigh and open my umbrella as we trudge back out into the rain. It was getting late and I suspect Fleming wouldn't like being woken up. That was his problem though, as we arrived at his home and pounded on the door.


As usual I am not using my umbrella; I much prefer to feel the rain on my shoulders, in my hair and to let it drip from the tip of my nose. I am leaning on the door frame as Alastar pounds the door, ready to wedge a foot in as soon as it opens. Old habit. Effective.

My hand instinctively comes to rest on one of the guns at my side. Again, habit. I'm expecting resistance here.

This place smelt off. Too dry.

"Julius? Did you forget your keys again?" yelled an unpleasant female voice. There was the sound of someone loudly clunking down the stairs and then the door was opened to reveal a late middle age lady who looked quite surprised to see the Hounds there.

[Raz_Fox]

Dry. After rain? The tang of heat. Press bare palm against the wall. Tattooed hand.

"The storm cleared, the clouds rolled back, and everything appeared..."

"Thank you for letting us in." Courteous bow of the head. Not a request, just a statement. An offer to make the motive retroactive. Always allow others to be good, even if they have to be guided.

[Thanqol]

Dry. After rain? The tang of heat. Press bare palm against the wall. Tattooed hand.

"The storm cleared, the clouds rolled back, and everything appeared..."

"Thank you for letting us in." Courteous bow of the head. Not a request, just a statement. An offer to make the motive retroactive. Always allow others to be good, even if they have to be guided.

"Oh," she said, stepping back, too surprised to challenge it. "Is this about Julius? Is he in trouble?" she looked genuinely worried. Then she saw the Siriva - "Oh! You're Hounds!" it sunk in "Oh. This really is serious."

[Anarion]

"Oh," she said, stepping back, too surprised to challenge it. "Is this about Julius? Is he in trouble?" she looked genuinely worried. Then she saw the Siriva - "Oh! You're Hounds!" it sunk in "Oh. This really is serious."

"It may well be, Ma'am. If he is in trouble, we will assist him if we are able. We were expecting Julius to be home though. Do you know where we might find him?"

[Raz_Fox]

"Is he often out on business?" Would be good sign. Want to hope things are still right in his heart.

[Thanqol]

"It may well be, Ma'am. If he is in trouble, we will assist him if we are able. We were expecting Julius to be home though. Do you know where we might find him?"


"Is he often out on business?" Would be good sign. Want to hope things are still right in his heart.

"Not normally, but recently..." she stomped her foot. "It's those Doggrel boys! Rhys and Wheeler and Jamestown! They've been acting all high and mighty like saviours of all. They kept bothering Julius, insisting that he come along to their meetings, saying that they were the only people who had figured it out. Figured what out, living out of a pub, drunk half the time? Talking philosophy and rubbish? It's those Doggrel boys, I tell you!"

[Anarion]

"We're recently arrived. Perhaps you could give us direction to their...meeting place." A slight hesitation there. I'd been about to say pub as she had, but that would have been indiscrete to her husband.

[Elanorin]

"Does he not want to go to those meetings?" I wonder out loud. Could be this Julius was simply in over his head here. "Have you been to any of them?"

I feel myself relaxing; without having made any decision to, I realise I believe her. I feel her frustration.

[Raz_Fox]

Stiffen; the discordant note. Drinking, wantonness, the old pub: remember those places. The Hound goes where the Hound is needed, but in that place... not of the place. Stand out. Stiff, uncomfortable, staccato beats at the back of the throat which is dry in even in the places where the rain follows the opening of the front door.

Even so. Will follow. Right thing to do.

[Thanqol]

"We're recently arrived. Perhaps you could give us direction to their...meeting place." A slight hesitation there. I'd been about to say pub as she had, but that would have been indiscrete to her husband.

"Down the road, you want the Learned Idiot," she said.


"Does he not want to go to those meetings?" I wonder out loud. Could be this Julius was simply in over his head here. "Have you been to any of them?"

I feel myself relaxing; without having made any decision to, I realise I believe her. I feel her frustration.

"He didn't want to go at first but now he keeps urging me to go," she said. "I haven't been, of course not! It's horrid and irreligious!"

[Anarion]

"Down the road, you want the Learned Idiot," she said.



"He didn't want to go at first but now he keeps urging me to go," she said. "I haven't been, of course not! It's horrid and irreligious!"

"Thank you Madam." I bow and doff my hat to her. It's overly formal, I'm sure, but she seems a kind soul and in need of reassurance. This is a night for chasing wild geese it seems. 4 establishments in the better part of an hour, not even counting the train station or that back alley.

"Anything else we should know, Madam? Or any other questions?" I turn to my two fellow hounds. I don't want to rush them, but I am hopeful that the Learned Idiot will hold some answers, ominous as the title may sound.

[Elanorin]

I nod to her with a small reassuring smile. I believe her and I want her to know.

"Do you know if Mr Fleming frequents King O'Donnel's? And forgive me but is Julius Fleming your... husband?" I hope the question won't offend her but not enough to refrain me from voicing it.

[Thanqol]

"Thank you Madam." I bow and doff my hat to her. It's overly formal, I'm sure, but she seems a kind soul and in need of reassurance. This is a night for chasing wild geese it seems. 4 establishments in the better part of an hour, not even counting the train station or that back alley.

"Anything else we should know, Madam? Or any other questions?" I turn to my two fellow hounds. I don't want to rush them, but I am hopeful that the Learned Idiot will hold some answers, ominous as the title may sound.

"Well, if you need a place to stay, you can stay here," she said. "It's a Guide-ly duty to put up the Hounds and all that."


I nod to her with a small reassuring smile. I believe her and I want her to know.

"Do you know if Mr Fleming frequents King O'Donnel's? And forgive me but is Julius Fleming your... husband?" I hope the question won't offend her but not enough to refrain me from voicing it.

"My son," she said snappily, but then paused to wonder if she was being insulted or not.

[Raz_Fox]

Bow my head to her in turn. Something's still off, discordant, but she rings true.

"Well. We will return if all goes well. Would appreciate rooms. Thank you."

[Anarion]

"Thank you for your generous offer Ma'am." I give her another formal bow and then turn crisply on my heels and begin making my way downstairs, reopening the umbrella to block the constant pitter-patter of the rain. Hopefully the learned idiot would have something other than wild geese.

[Elanorin]

I too offer a polite nod before taking my leave.

"Nice enough." I comment once we have left the house by some way.

"This bar sounds like it has the potential to be quite the hornet's nest," I comment to my fellow Hounds. "Any thoughts before we go in?"

[Thanqol]

The Learned Fool was a university pub for a unprestigious local university. The gimmick was that the floor was uneven - some tables were raised up above the others, and some sank into depressions in the floor. Getting around involved a lot of climbing.

The place blazed like the desert. It was hot with the heat of the Hateful Sun, the drinks were warm, the people sweating and taking off their clothes. On the highest point of the bar, crammed in against the ceiling, a strong young man with a mask of gold and sapphire, slightly molten, was reading aloud from the Book of the Dead, particularly the passages about moving on to the next life. Despite the holy words the entire place stank of pride, sweat and argument and the touch of demonic power was strong.

[Anarion]

I too offer a polite nod before taking my leave.

"Nice enough." I comment once we have left the house by some way.

"This bar sounds like it has the potential to be quite the hornet's nest," I comment to my fellow Hounds. "Any thoughts before we go in?"

"The plan is to find Fleming, then we-"

I cut off as we pull the door open and a wave of heat rocks me nearly onto my heels. I had spent my whole life avoiding places like this, save when I was dragged. Now it was my solemn duty to enter by choice.

"Then we banish the demonic presence from this tainted place" I mutter under my breath. I walk in, scanning for a young man that might be Fleming and I make the sign of the stars, patrons of Nexcos with my hands as I enter.

[Elanorin]

I blow the dripping water off the tip of my nose as I scan the inside of the pub. My eyes linger on the man standing on the bar and I squint as my eyes take in his mask. It was too bright and it tore at me.

"I got the bar." I mutter to the Hounds and without hesitating I head inside and straight towards the bar and the man stood on in. I listen to his words, but more how he says them. I wonder if he is merely reciting or if he feels the words he speaks, if he believes them.

[Thanqol]

So this is a tense and loaded scene. You don't know who's who, the drinks are coming fast and thick, and the influence of the demons of the Hateful Sun runs through this place. This is a contest, the stakes are do you find Fleming this evening? If you Give you might find him later, just not until tomorrow or later.

Currently the escalation level is social, so Acuity+Heart if you want to engage.

[Anarion]

I take the direct approach and walk up to the barkeep. I order a drink, trying to avoid putting any of the wince on my face, and ask him straight up "could you direct me to Julius Fleming, my good sir?"

Acuity+Heart: [roll0]

[Elanorin]

I am not quite as subtle as my friend and head straight up to the bar where the golden mask stood and read. I stand below and infront of him, close and look straight up at him, silently telling him to come down to me with a beckoning twitch of my fingers on a raised tattooed hand.

[Acuity + Heart: 3, 1, 4, 2, 6, 3, 4]

[Raz_Fox]

Listen. Listen listen listen. That's what you're here for.

"Then he says to me- after all I did for him, can you believe-"

Everything spooling out like a song, and me, on the outskirts, stiff and uncomfortable. Just listen. Don't be yourself. Listen.

"No, you've got it all backwards, common sense clearly dictates-"

The voice of a Guide has its own note to it, doesn't it? Doesn't it. Listen, let the ebb and flow draw you to him.

Acuity+Heart: [roll0]

[Thanqol]

[3,1,3,5,4,10,1,4]

I've left the majority of my notes at work so I may roll more dice later]

As they walk into the bar, each of the Dogs feels their tongue dry out, their lips turn shrivelled and scabbed, their throat scorch like sand. Each breath comes out slow and rasping and they are all so thirsty.

Stop asking questions, the thought comes into your minds. Stop being nosy. Just sit down and have a nice, cool drink instead.

Raise: 7

[3,1,5,4,10,1,]

[Anarion]

Demons

The feeling was utterly distinct. This place was infested with demons of the hateful sun. Trying to twist our thoughts, manipulate our bodies. They knew where men were vulnerable: hunger, thirst, lust, and pleasure. It would be so easy to give in to that. I hated this part. Only the knowledge that giving in would mean that my charge from the King would never end sustained me at such moments. The thought of eternal servitude was far more unbearable than a parched throat.

I gripped the ratty teddy-bear that I kept in my pack. A memento of my service as a Hound. As I gripped it with one hand, I made the sign of the stars of Nexcos with the other and drew that sign upon my mask, then spoke once again to the bartender. "Julius Fleming. Tell me where he is, this instant."

See 7 dodge
and raise: 12
[4][5][1][1][1][4]
Use of the Teddy-bear: [roll0]
Use of my mask: [roll1]
edit: oops. Random.org selects that as a 3 and a 4. So [3][4][4][4][5][1][1][1][1]

[Raz_Fox]

Catch myself reaching for a generously proffered drink. Like waking up from dream; note turns sour. Fingers brush against it, the dampness of the glass, and then push it gently back. "Sorry," say, soft. "Still on the wagon. Will pay for next round, though."

A laugh, a clap on the back, awkward. Paper bags turned up to my cracked face.

Mmmm.

"New in town. Looking for the Guide. Pay my respects."

Dodge 7, raise 10.
Adding still can't trust himself with drinking: [roll0]
Acuity+Heart: [1][1][3][2][1][3][5]+[3]

[Elanorin]

Mmmmm. A drink wouldn't hurt, would it? Just a little something, perhaps one of those that- no.

I shake my head a little, sending raindrops flying around me and force the thought out of my mind.

I look back up at the man on the bar in front and above me.

"Step down or I will bring you down," I demand; this place has me unsettled.

Dodge: 7 [4, 3]
Raise: 10
[Acuity + Heart: 3, 1, 4, 2, 6, 3, 4]

[Thanqol]

[3,1,5,4,10,1 - this was demonic influence
1,4,4,1,3,4,4 - Acuity+Heart]


Demons

The feeling was utterly distinct. This place was infested with demons of the hateful sun. Trying to twist our thoughts, manipulate our bodies. They knew where men were vulnerable: hunger, thirst, lust, and pleasure. It would be so easy to give in to that. I hated this part. Only the knowledge that giving in would mean that my charge from the King would never end sustained me at such moments. The thought of eternal servitude was far more unbearable than a parched throat.

I gripped the ratty teddy-bear that I kept in my pack. A memento of my service as a Hound. As I gripped it with one hand, I made the sign of the stars of Nexcos with the other and drew that sign upon my mask, then spoke once again to the bartender. "Julius Fleming. Tell me where he is, this instant."

See 7 dodge
and raise: 12
[4][5][1][1][1][4]
Use of the Teddy-bear: [roll0]
Use of my mask: [roll1]
edit: oops. Random.org selects that as a 3 and a 4. So [3][4][4][4][5][1][1][1][1]

Take the Blow: 12 (4,4,4)

For a moment, the strength of your conviction rings into the bartender's head and his eyes clear. He puts down the glass in his hand, wipes the misted condensation off the side of it, raises his fingers to his lips. For the first time in some time he tastes water.

"You want Wheeler. He's over there," he said, pointing to a man with a mask with a hooked, avian nose of blue steel and bright golden eyes.

[3,1,5,4,10,1,1,1,3,4]


Catch myself reaching for a generously proffered drink. Like waking up from dream; note turns sour. Fingers brush against it, the dampness of the glass, and then push it gently back. "Sorry," say, soft. "Still on the wagon. Will pay for next round, though."

A laugh, a clap on the back, awkward. Paper bags turned up to my cracked face.

Mmmm.

"New in town. Looking for the Guide. Pay my respects."

Dodge 7, raise 10.
Adding still can't trust himself with drinking: [roll0]
Acuity+Heart: [1][1][3][2][1][3][5]+[3]

Reversal: 10

You don't push the glass back. Your fingers lock around it, as comfortable and familiar as a lady's glove. You're staring down into that amber water and your attempts at justification feel weak and meaningless, and your mouth it so dry.

It's a social aid, right? These people aren't responding to you because you're stuck up, formal, stiff. A few drinks. Loosen up. They'll be your friends, everyone will be your friend.

[3,1,5,4,1,1,1,3,4]



Mmmmm. A drink wouldn't hurt, would it? Just a little something, perhaps one of those that- no.

I shake my head a little, sending raindrops flying around me and force the thought out of my mind.

I look back up at the man on the bar in front and above me.

"Step down or I will bring you down," I demand; this place has me unsettled.

Dodge: 7 [4, 3]
Raise: 10
[Acuity + Heart: 3, 1, 4, 2, 6, 3, 4]

Escalate: GUNFIRE
Raise +Will, +Experienced Killer [5,2,4,2,6,5,5,4,1,6,2]
Block: 5,5 10

"Back off, dog," hissed a voice in your ear, and you can feel something small and cold pressing into the small of your back. "Go back the way you came. Take your friends."

She'd heard that tone of voice before. The terrible conviction of someone motivated by hate and pride. The voice of someone who wasn't bluffing.

Raise: 16

[3,1,5,4,1,1,1,3,4,5,2,4,2,6,5,5,4,1,6,2]

[Anarion]

"Thank you, my good sir." I turn and step over to Wheeler, but at that moment I hear Rian shout and I whip around, faster than an old man like me has any right to be moving. I see someone, indistinct as yet pressed into Rian. The room shimmers in the heat. And before us stood men who would not accept the truth. Yet it would come to them, whether they would or no.

I raise my voice to the room. That part is easy, I've got years of practice projecting to classes of students more concerned with the pretty lady seated next to them than the great insights of history to be found in such vaunted halls. "Men of Nexcos, of Haywain, will you see blood spilled tonight? Are we so lost that a traveler, come to seek the health of the community, to find but one man would be met with hatred and threats?"

I shake my head. "Shame be upon your heads. This place commemorates our victory over Pappenheim, the glory of the great stars above. If your fathers and your fathers' fathers had been as you were, more concerned with drink and pleasure than with the good of their community, they would not have stood firm at the battle of Parepia, nor withstood the assault at the walls of Tehuachin. No songs would be sung of them, nor stories told of them. They would not have built the great victory parade, nor brought relics from the Pappenheim cathedral to honor their sacred dead.

I call upon you now. Show them, step forward. Do not allow any among your number to do violence in your homes! That is the first step towards your destruction. And Julius, Julius Fleming, guide of your community, if you are a man, step forward and proclaim yourself, the Hounds of Vogolos call you!"

[invoking the hounds, great orator, and history scholar, and can't let them walk all over us. ]
2d8=6, 1
2d10=10, 8
1d6=4

Block: 16 (10+6)
Raise: 13 (8+5)

[3][4][4][4][4][1][1][1][1][1]

[Elanorin]

Escalate: GUNFIRE
Raise +Will, +Experienced Killer [5,2,4,2,6,5,5,4,1,6,2]
Block: 5,5 10

"Back off, dog," hissed a voice in your ear, and you can feel something small and cold pressing into the small of your back. "Go back the way you came. Take your friends."

She'd heard that tone of voice before. The terrible conviction of someone motivated by hate and pride. The voice of someone who wasn't bluffing.

Raise: 16

[3,1,5,4,1,1,1,3,4,5,2,4,2,6,5,5,4,1,6,2]


"Thank you, my good sir." I turn and step over to Wheeler, but at that moment I hear Rian shout and I whip around, faster than an old man like me has any right to be moving. I see someone, indistinct as yet pressed into Rian. The room shimmers in the heat. And before us stood men who would not accept the truth. Yet it would come to them, whether they would or no.

I raise my voice to the room. That part is easy, I've got years of practice projecting to classes of students more concerned with the pretty lady seated next to them than the great insights of history to be found in such vaunted halls. "Men of Nexcos, of Haywain, will you see blood spilled tonight? Are we so lost that a traveler, come to seek the health of the community, to find but one man would be met with hatred and threats?"

I shake my head. "Shame be upon your heads. This place commemorates our victory over Pappenheim, the glory of the great stars above. If your fathers and your fathers' fathers had been as you were, more concerned with drink and pleasure than with the good of their community, they would not have stood firm at the battle of Parepia, nor withstood the assault at the walls of Tehuachin. No songs would be sung of them, nor stories told of them. They would not have built the great victory parade, nor brought relics from the Pappenheim cathedral to honor their sacred dead.

I call upon you now. Show them, step forward. Do not allow any among your number to do violence in your homes! That is the first step towards your destruction. And Julius, Julius Fleming, guide of your community, if you are a man, step forward and proclaim yourself, the Hounds of Vogolos call you!"


2d8=6, 1
2d10=10, 8
1d6=4

Block: 16 (10+6)
Raise: 13 (8+5)

[3][4][4][4][4][1][1][1][1][1]

Give.

The heat in here is just too much, the metal against my back and the radiating hate from behind is the final straw. What the hell are we doing here? I can't think in this heat, I am so thirsty and I just need some damn air. Hands raised I back away, but not before taking a good look at the owner of that gun.

I try to catch the eye of my fellow Hounds to motion retreat but whether or not they see or follow I am soon outside gasping deep gulps of wet air. Washing the heat off me with soothing rain which soaks my hair once more that had nearly dried in the heat inside.

So... that's the sun. Now I know. I will not be caught off guard again.

My hand is instinctively on metal that is reassuringly cool in this oppressive heat. This heat that seems to come from everywhere at once, pressing against you like closing walls and making the air too thick to breathe properly. The cool silver of my mask is precious armour against it and the moon within it gleams in defiance. But he has me at gunpoint, I won't do anyone much good shot.

I move away slowly, hands where he can see them.

Quite the public speaker, our Alastar, and it has served us well more than once. I would never know how to formulate myself like that but I do know well-spoken words when I hear them.

I glance at the one having drawn weapon on me as I move away.

"I'll be [I]right outside. Until Julius Fleming comes out to see me, that is." I smile and draw my gun. I do not aim it, I just hold it, make it clear I am not going anywhere.

"Alejandro, perhaps you wouldn't mind waiting out the back? We wouldn't want to accidentally miss Mr Fleming when he leaves."

I draw my second gun and continue back towards the entrance where I'd come in.

See: 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3 - Take the blow

Raise: 11 (6, 5)

Devoted Hound: 5
Claustrophobic: 1, 2
Favours the dark: 3, 2
Excellent guns: 1, 2
Mask: 3, 2
+Will: 6, 1, 4

[3, 1, 2, 5, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 2, 6, 1, 4]

[Raz_Fox]

Raise +Hound of Vogolos, [roll0]
DODGE: [6][5] = 11

Putting glass down is hardest damn thing since... since last time glass was put down. Fingers tremble. Make the sign of the King.

"Sworn off. You understand."

So many paper masks. Me, cracked carnival funeral-mask. Can't blend in.

Sorry.

Wish I could make you all happy.

Sigh, air whistling between the mask-lips, run a hand through my hair. "Sorry. Still willing to pay for next round, if you catch me."

Slip between the tables.

"My darling, my darling, don't let me go- it's just another bad hand, you know..."

Voice drips regret. Fingerprints still on glass.

And who follows?

RAISE: [3][3] = 6
Acuity+Heart: [1][1][2][1]+[3][1]

[Thanqol]

"Thank you, my good sir." I turn and step over to Wheeler, but at that moment I hear Rian shout and I whip around, faster than an old man like me has any right to be moving. I see someone, indistinct as yet pressed into Rian. The room shimmers in the heat. And before us stood men who would not accept the truth. Yet it would come to them, whether they would or no.

I raise my voice to the room. That part is easy, I've got years of practice projecting to classes of students more concerned with the pretty lady seated next to them than the great insights of history to be found in such vaunted halls. "Men of Nexcos, of Haywain, will you see blood spilled tonight? Are we so lost that a traveler, come to seek the health of the community, to find but one man would be met with hatred and threats?"

I shake my head. "Shame be upon your heads. This place commemorates our victory over Pappenheim, the glory of the great stars above. If your fathers and your fathers' fathers had been as you were, more concerned with drink and pleasure than with the good of their community, they would not have stood firm at the battle of Parepia, nor withstood the assault at the walls of Tehuachin. No songs would be sung of them, nor stories told of them. They would not have built the great victory parade, nor brought relics from the Pappenheim cathedral to honor their sacred dead.

I call upon you now. Show them, step forward. Do not allow any among your number to do violence in your homes! That is the first step towards your destruction. And Julius, Julius Fleming, guide of your community, if you are a man, step forward and proclaim yourself, the Hounds of Vogolos call you!"


2d8=6, 1
2d10=10, 8
1d6=4

Block: 16 (10+6)
Raise: 13 (8+5)

[3][4][4][4][4][1][1][1][1][1]

[Take the Blow: 1,1,1,1,1,3,5 13]

A big guy with a military tattoo nearby says, "Yeah!" and goes to stand up.

The man with the gun blows his f*cking brains out before he even gets off his stool.

The bar goes dead quiet, and now the gun is straight on you.

[5,4,3,4,5,2,4,2,6,5,5,4,6,2] .


Give.

The heat in here is just too much, the metal against my back and the radiating hate from behind is the final straw. What the hell are we doing here? I can't think in this heat, I am so thirsty and I just need some damn [I]air. Hands raised I back away, but not before taking a good look at the owner of that gun.

I try to catch the eye of my fellow Hounds to motion retreat but whether or not they see or follow I am soon outside gasping deep gulps of wet air. Washing the heat off me with soothing rain which soaks my hair once more that had nearly dried in the heat inside.

So... that's the sun. Now I know. I will not be caught off guard again.

It'd be lying to say it wasn't a huge relief to be out of that place. The rain-water, warm and humid though it is, tastes sweet and clean and even the chemical tang is reassuring after the threatening desert that was growing inside that place.


Raise +Hound of Vogolos, [roll0]
DODGE: [6][5] = 11

Putting glass down is hardest damn thing since... since last time glass was put down. Fingers tremble. Make the sign of the King.

"Sworn off. You understand."

So many paper masks. Me, cracked carnival funeral-mask. Can't blend in.

Sorry.

Wish I could make you all happy.

Sigh, air whistling between the mask-lips, run a hand through my hair. "Sorry. Still willing to pay for next round, if you catch me."

Slip between the tables.

"My darling, my darling, don't let me go- it's just another bad hand, you know..."

Voice drips regret. Fingerprints still on glass.

And who follows?

RAISE: [3][3] = 6
Acuity+Heart: [1][1][2][1]+[3][1]

Reversal: 6

Stepping away from the glass doesn't put it behind you. It wants you to go back to it. Go back and sit down at the bar. Go back and sit down and turn around so that you don't see that murderous gun, still smoking from its most recent act of violence, as it comes to bear on your head.

Do it, the whole room seems to sing through the shocked silence. Give him cause to kill you. Give him offense. We promise that you will never be as happy as the moment when you die with golden whiskey pouring down your throat.

Raise: 8 (6,2)

[5,4,3,4,5,2,4,5,5,4,6,2]