Maliki Archipelago (IC)

[Maxymiuk]

It is the height of summer in the Maliki Archipelago, which means that the sun beats down mercilessly onto Axiom, subjecting the city to temperatures that become nothing short of oppressive around midday. During that time, traffic in the city dies down, as the population seeks shelter in the shade. Sales of chilled drinks soar -- particularly in taverns prosperous enough to afford having cooling enchantments woven into their walls.

And yet, for some reason, midday is precisely the time when Olvar Gheed, one of the deputies of Axiom's Concerned Citizens and your assigned handler decided to call you into his office to discuss your first assignment. So, like it or not, you're forced to trek through largely deserted streets, stepping on cobblestones hot enough to fry an egg.

According to directions you were provided, Gheed's cantor is located on the waterfront, near the harbormaster's office -- here, at least, the cool breeze coming in from the cove provides some small measure of relief. Relief which quickly disappears as you enter the building you were pointed to and realize that cooling enchantments, so prevalent in the city at large, are not present here -- the air that greets you as you step inside is stale, stifling, and seemingly even hotter than direct sunlight.

Inside, you find a tall desk. Behind it, a kobold in a white turban snores quietly, leaning back in a tall-legged chair.

"Whzza?" he startles awake as you approach him. "Up," he points you to a set of stairs behind him after you explain you're here to see Gheed. By the time you climb the first step, he's back asleep.

Upstairs you find yourself in a small waiting room, holding several uncomfortable chairs, a low table holding a vase of wilted flowers, and a window that's been thrown wide open -- to no effect. Including you, there are four people present here, -- a sylph, a tengu, a hobgoblin, and a goblin -- a collection of races that would seem eclectic in any city other than Axiom. Here, it would not even raise an eyebrow. These, presumably, will be your companions for whatever mission the Citizens intend to send you on.


[OOC: An opportunity to describe and perhaps even introduce yourselves to your fellows before the meeting begins[

[aturtledoesbite]

The sylvan woman is barely noticeable, standing off to a corner of the room, fanning herself. Winds seem to swirl around her...not that it's doing much good against this heat, but she can try anyway. She eyes each of the others in the room in turn before turning her attention back to the fact that it's hot in here.

At least none of them were dwarves.

[Hella Lugosi]

The hobgoblin sits on a creaking wooden chair, one elbow resting firmly on the table, idly flicking the cap of his hip flask. He begins to raise it to his lips, then reconsiders, returning it to his belt.

He checks a series of glass vials one by one, studying their contents intently, before returning them to his bandoliers. Upon finishing checking the last one, he folds his arms and softly grumbles to himself. "I knew I should have prepared Endure Elements." he mutters.

[TheFamilarRaven]

Kra-Mak strides into the small room, slightly bobbing his head. The heat bothered the jet black tengu, but he was not about to let anyone know that. He slowly moves to the edge of the window, placing his back to the wall so that he could lean. Kra-Mak's long rifle clamored against the equally tall blade resting on his back.

His dusty, grey tricorn hat tilts slightly down his black beak, but it did not block his gaze. Without sweeping his head, the privateer scans the room, making note of the company he's in.

Goblin ... hobgoblin ... umm ... sylph? All mammals, eh? Maybe I oughtta say something. Impress them. The scoundrel searched deep within his thoughts for the perfect ice-breaker. Something so cool and suave it was sure to be a legend in and of itself. Something that he could tell stories of in taverns over and over without it ever being stale.

Kra-Mak casually brushes the sleeve of his long grey coat, and with the tip of his wing he lifts his hat above his eyes.

"Lovely weather, aye?" He says with a click of his beak. If the beak allowed him to, Kra-Mak would be smirking.

[AngryCyc]

Binky scuttles into the room with a bit of a clamor. She looks around a tiny bit ashamedly as she notices she was definitely the last one to show up. Judging by the postures and positions of the others, they've been there for a while.

"Oops. Binky sorry for being late... Binky had little problem but fine now. Sorry. All here? Binky miss anything?"
Binky says, with a noticeable drip of ocean water that she, on second look, is soaked in.

She has a bright smile on her face and a torch in her hands that she is currently running over the length of her body and belongings, drying them out faster.

"Not as warm as I'd like" she replies about the weather, allowing the torch to actually make contact with her skin in several places.

[TheFamilarRaven]

Kra-Mak stares at the goblin with a heat fetish. He makes no change in posture and keeps his tricorn hat elegantly propped up. Welp, another one of Axiom's many oddballs.

"I take it the water is not warm enough to your liking either? Y'know there's a few volcanic islands around. Or maybe there's a wizard around who'll send you to Hell." Kra-Mak jests.

[aturtledoesbite]

Procella watched the goblin as well, pretty sure he was insane. She knew goblins tended to be...off in a number of ways, but this was just ridiculous. Hell, she knew ifrits who'd be looking for shelter in this heat.

"Why stop there? I hear the Elemental Plane of Fire's nice and toasty this time of year. And every other time of year."

[AngryCyc]

Binky gets an extremely contemplative look on her face as she makes mental notes of the places being described. Her eyes kind of narrow and she looks off dreamily as if what is on her mind has now taken all her attention. She's even stopped paying attention to trying to dry her clothes.

[TheFamilarRaven]

True, but there you don't get the pleasure of having an oppressive feeling of guilt and remorse ... unless you burn to death. Then I'd imagine you'd have quite a bit of regrets, Chief among them being sent to the plane in the first place.." Kra-Mak says turning to the sylph. He speaks with his hands just as much as he does with his beak.

[aturtledoesbite]

"Maybe so, but think of the positives! You'd only have those regrets for about an instant until they, too, burned up."

The banter was keeping Procella's mind off the sweltering heat, ironically, considering the topic.

[TheFamilarRaven]

"Well madame, I do believe you've convinced me." Kra-Mak gives a small, factitious bow. "If our employer makes no appearance and decides to let us bake in this heat, then I do believe I shall find myself a wizard and request a one way trip to the realm of fire!"

[aturtledoesbite]

"Don't forget to leave anything valuable you have here. Wouldn't want any of it to get scorched, right?" There are absolutely no ulterior motives to this statement at all, you're sure!

"In any case, while we're waiting, might as well tell each other our names. I'm Procella Wynn." She puts a slight emphasis on the 'ch' sound as she pronounces her name.

[TheFamilarRaven]

"A pleasure, Madame Wynn." Kra-Mak tips his hat. I'm Blacktalon. Kra-mak, Blacktalon. At your service. Don't worry about pronouncing it, mammals can't seem to get the squawk quite right."

[AngryCyc]

"Binky" says Binky, before sliding back into deep thought. The topic has clearly struck a chords within her.

[Hella Lugosi]

"Hmm? Oh, I guess that's just me left." The Hobgoblin shifts in his seat, leaning forward to address the group. "Argus. Argus Mercer. Alchemical weapons and accessories." Finishing his sales pitch, he slumps back into his chair before retrieving a thick leather bound journal from his backpack and begins scanning it absent-mindedly.

[TheFamilarRaven]

"Alchemy you say? So you make things explode?" Kra-Mak's interest peaks. 'Well, you and the crazy fire goblin ... uh, Binky, over there should get along splendidly. He says with no trace of sarcasm. "But now I'm curious as to what kind of job will need our ... erm... talents."

[Hella Lugosi]

"Not exactly. Gave up the explosions business a long time ago, now I'm more of a... well, doctor's probably a bit too fancy. I make people better, let's put it that way." He doesn't look up from his book as he talks. "As for the job, I can't say." He gestures to the musket on the Tengu's back. "But it looks like they're in the need for some pretty serious fire-power, whatever it is."

[AngryCyc]

Binky perks up again and says "Binky has lots of powerful fire! If job need firepower, Binky can power the fire! Binky also work with alchemy but... Never had master and never learned much. Binky just know how make body do things right and make fire be more fireful!" Binky waves the torch around excitedly again.


Closer inspection would also reveal that as of yet, Binky has not taken a single breath.

[Hella Lugosi]

"Well, that's... enthusiatic." Argus carefully starts to lift his book out of the vicinity of the torch. "Glad to see that we've got someone else with some experience, at least." Finally looking up, he turns his attention to the Sylph. "What about you? What are you planning on bringing to the table?"

[aturtledoesbite]

Procella takes a wry expression "You know, I've never really liked talking about myself. Too much attention, really. But if you insist...it might be easier to say what I don't bring: murder, magic, and mending."

She helpfully counts off each word on her fingers, drawing attention to the three fingers she's holding up when she finishes. As an afterthought, she adds, "Though, depending on exactly whom we'll be dealing with...that first one might be up for negotiation."

[TheFamilarRaven]

"Murder is a little nondescript, aye?" Kra-Mak jibes. "Murder by sendin' a vessel down to a watr'y grave is a lot different than say, slittin' someone's throat while they sleep."

[aturtledoesbite]

"Hmm. You might be right." Procella gives the appearance of considering this for a moment. "The former would be exceedingly difficult for me to pull off, but the latter..."

She gives a shrug. "Why wait for them to sleep? That usually involves a specific time of day, going through a guarded building...if it's an assassination you want, it's far easier to just get them alone for a second and pop a few holes in their heart from behind."

[TheFamilarRaven]

"I agree, sleeping does involve waiting an' that can be annoying. What I'm wondering is why you'd need to get close." He pauses. "Well aimed shot'll do the trick."

[aturtledoesbite]

"Easier to miss a shot than a stab. Besides, if you're already up close, you can grab their gold before it gets all bloody. So many people these days hate it when gold smells coppery."

[Hella Lugosi]

Argus nods at the sylph's response. He could certainly respect a degree of secrecy. "Glad to see that you'll be able to at least offer some help if push comes to shove. Though if you want to get rid of someone, no better way than to brute force it." He removes his hip flask and idly starts tossing it in his hand. "I've got a lot more accomplished guns blazing than any other way. You'll be surprised at how many people don't expect the least subtle form of elimination possible."

[Maxymiuk]

The distant sound of bells drifts in through the window, announcing the arrival of noon. And, in the wall opposite to it, a door opens.

"Enter," you hear a commanding voice.

----------

Olvar Gheed turns out to be a red-skinned ifrit -- which goes a long way toward explaining his indifference to the murderous temperature inside his office.

What it doesn't explain is the cubes. Cubes serving as tables. Cubes serving as stools. A polished, black cube of wood acting as his desk, with smaller, decorative cubes arranged into neat designs on its surface. Pictures of cubes on the walls. A floor mosaic of multicolored slats arranged into representations of -- yes -- cubes.

Gheed watches you from behind bushy eyebrows as you file into the room, his elbows resting on the desk cube, hands forming a triangle in front of his chin. He seems unimpressed with what he sees.

"So who here knows anything about the island of Morlain?" he begins once the door closes behind the last of you.


An Epyrian colony a few days west of Axiom. It was settled just a few years ago and you haven't heard anything special about it before now.

"Actually, never mind," he raises a hand before anyone can speak. "It will be faster if I explain myself. Morlain's three days west from here by ship. It was colonized by Epyr two years ago. They thought there was mithral on the island -- turned out there wasn't. And that means the Empire sees no reason to be there either. So, a month ago, they pulled out," the ifrit pauses briefly -- seemingly for effect. "Their troops and administrators did, that is. They left all the settlers behind."

He pauses again, letting his words sink in.

"As a result, the colony there has no defenses and nothing to buy supplies with. They'll most likely starve by the end of the year -- if they don't get raided by pirates first. Your job will be to stop either of those things from happening. Within a few days, you will board the schooner Golden Swallow, which will carry you and a cargo of weapons and provisions to Morlain. Once there, you will ensure the security and continued existence of the colony, remaining with the settlers until proper defenses are erected and the population has a functional militia."

Gheed leans forward slightly, brow furrowing.

"However, let me make some things clear. You are not going to Morlain as ambassadors or diplomats. You are not authorized to speak on behalf of Axiom. You are most certainly not authorized to broker or accept deals on behalf of Axiom. While the goodwill of Morlain's colonists is the desired outcome of your excursion, Axiom is not interested in an alliance, pact, or anything that may be interpreted as an attempt at political or territorial expansion by other colonial powers. Is everyone clear on that?"

The ifrit gives each one of you a hard look before leaning back slightly.

"The primary goal of your mission," he continues in a somewhat softer tone, "is, in fact, to determine the full scope of your skills and abilities, beyond what you've already demonstrated during your recruitment process. Axiom wants to know if it's getting its money's worth, so I hope you won't disappoint. Here is the Swallow's cargo manifest," he pushes a sheet of paper across the desk cube. "You are also being assigned an operational budget of 2,500 gold pieces to purchase anything else you think may help with your mission. Now -- are there any questions?


- 100 tons of provisions
- 30 tons of lumber
- tools, various
- grains, seeds, saplings
- 14 goats
- 10 muskets with ammo, gunpowder
- 10 longbows with ammo
- 20 swords
- 20 halberds
- 2 cannons with ammo, gunpowder

[TheFamilarRaven]

About to say something in response to Argus, Kra-Mak stops when he is interrupted by the sound of the bell. Upon the hearing "enter", he gives a sigh of relief and struts through the door.

After listening to Gheed's speech, Kra-mak speaks. " Yep. That sounds like a very Empyrian thing to do." Kra-Mak says shaking his head. "Besides that. Whatt'a we s'posed to say to the happy colonists? 'Here's some guns, food and ammo, don't get killed by pirates! Oh, and we're not from Axiom'? The tengu continues with a bit of swarm in his tone. Finally he shrugs and and clicks his beak. "I can teach a man to shoot, an' what ta do in the case of a bombardment, I s'pose that'll be enough to keep'em safe from pirates. But I can't teach nary a soul how to farm."

Kra-Mak pauses for a brief moment before standing tall and looking chipper. "Other than that, sounds like a good time, at least I get to ride the ocean waves for awhile! By the by, who's captaining th' Swallow?"


Knowledge Local (axiom) roll

[roll0]

[aturtledoesbite]

Procella could certainly understand the functionality of cubic architecture. No easy hiding spots for thieves, everything's more or less out in the open. She had to admit, though, to a lack of understanding of their decorative features. Oh well, it's not like she'd be here often.

As for the task at hand, it sounded simple enough. But where her security consultations were like plugging a hole in a ship, this was more akin to building that ship from the ground up. She glanced at the cargo manifest, guessing from the number of weapons that the colony likely had a couple hundred settlers or so.

Procella had a couple of questions in her head, but Kra-Mak beat her to asking them. So instead, she leaned back against the wall and waited for the deputy's response.

[AngryCyc]

Binky raises the torch a bit, waiting for attention to fall to her, and then asks "So, if Binky understand correctly, what precisely is measure of Binky's success? For colony to be able to protect? For colony to thrive? To be feared? Or is it up for Binky to determine what makes success and what doesn't?"

[Hella Lugosi]

Argus nods along with Gheed's instructions. He's certainly dealt with supplying weapons before, so this shouldn't be to different. It's just a pity that he charging for them rather than giving them away. "So when do we know when to report back to you? I mean, functional militia's kind of a subjective concept. Sure, we could probably tell if they can shoot straight, but ideally there wouldn't be too many attempts to put them to field practice, if you get what I'm saying. Plus, I don't know about anyone else here, but I'm hardly a carpenter. Erecting defences seems a little... specialist."

[Maxymiuk]

"Whatt'a we s'posed to say to the happy colonists?" Kra-Mak asks. "'Here's some guns, food and ammo, don't get killed by pirates! Oh, and we're not from Axiom'?"

"If that had ever been the plan, it was abandoned immediately," Gheed smiles thinly in response to the tengu. "Hiding your allegiance would be impossible in the long run, so you are not required to do so. As long as you do make it clear to the colonists that this is not an attempt to control them. In fact, this may be exactly what you'll need to convince them of before they accept your help.

"I can teach a man to shoot, an' what ta do in the case of a bombardment, I s'pose that'll be enough to keep'em safe from pirates. But I can't teach nary a soul how to farm," Blacktalon shrugs.

"And you are not required to," comes the reply. "The settlers know how to farm, cook, build, and so forth. What they need is supplies and someone to organize them."

"So when do we know when to report back to you?" Argus asks. "I mean, functional militia's kind of a subjective concept. Sure, we could probably tell if they can shoot straight, but ideally there wouldn't be too many attempts to put them to field practice, if you get what I'm saying. Plus, I don't know about anyone else here, but I'm hardly a carpenter. Erecting defenses seems a little... specialist."

"Oh?" Gheed raises an eyebrow. "I was given to understand that you, specifically, Mr. Mercer, have a fairly broad engineering background. So while no one will ask you to cut boards or hew stone into shape, I'm certain you know what shape to arrange it in to withstand cannon fire."

"So, if Binky understand correctly," the goblin interjects, "what precisely is measure of Binky's success? For colony to be able to protect? For colony to thrive? To be feared? Or is it up for Binky to determine what makes success and what doesn't?"

"A reasonable degree of certainly that the colony will survive the next year, at least, is the ultimate goal. However, I will agree that this is a rather open-ended parameter. If you need a more immediate goal, consider it to be finding a competent leader for the colonists," Gheed smiles again. "This may well become your primary goal -- I'm given to understand that after Epyr withdrew, the settlers began splintering into factions, each one with their own idea for how to run the island. Consider your success at uniting them to be a major parameter of your final evaluation."

"By the by, who's captaining th' Swallow?" Blacktalon pipes up.

"That would be Captain Klessa, I believe. I assure you, she's as competent as they come -- as you may be aware, Axiom does not work with individuals who cannot account for themselves."


From what you've heard, Captain Klessa is a catfolk hailing from one of the distant Epyrean provinces. She is reputed as a solid, dependable sailor with a good weather eye and a knack for avoiding unnecessary trouble -- except when it comes to gambling. She loves dice and dice love her -- so much so that she's been accused of cheating in every gambling den she ever visited -- and, despite none of the accusations ever being proven, she's also been banned from most of them.

"Well then -- any other doubts I can dispel before I send you off?" the ifrit asks.

[aturtledoesbite]

As Gheed answers the group's questions, Procella's interest is caught by the mention of factions. "Just one. Do they still consider themselves part of Epyr, or have they claimed independence?"

[Hella Lugosi]

Somewhat surprised that Gheed knew that about him, Argus is at least pleased that his employer had done his research. He raises his hands in mock defence. "Fair point. But I warn you, you should be putting emphasis on the broad part of that statement. I like to think that I'm pretty damn good at my job, but just don't expect me to draw up the plans for a castle any time soon." Lowering his arms, he crossed them in front of his chest and leans back on his stool. "Know anything about these, uh, factions? I'd ask them myself, but I feel they might not hold the most... unbiased opinions towards each other."

[Maxymiuk]

"Fair point. But I warn you, you should be putting emphasis on the broad part of that statement. I like to think that I'm pretty damn good at my job, but just don't expect me to draw up the plans for a castle any time soon." Lowering his arms, Mercer crosses them in front of his chest and leans back on his stool. "Know anything about these, uh, factions? I'd ask them myself, but I feel they might not hold the most... unbiased opinions towards each other."

"Do they still consider themselves part of Epyr, or have they claimed independence?" Procella adds, speaking for the first time since she entered the room - her remark is greeted by a good-natured snort from the ifrit.

"It is almost certain that you will encounter loyalists among the settlers - such is the nature of all people that some will always cling to their allegiances, past all logic and reason. Conversely, you're just as likely to run into those who now define themselves by their hatred and rejection of the empire that they were forsaken by," Gheed pauses in thought, his hands absently toying with the arrangement of cubes on his desk. "As for the exact delineations and number of factions - our information on them is less than ideal. The last news we have is from a couple months ago, when Morlain's community was only starting to fracture. At the time, there were four focal points -- four would-be leaders seeking to rally the colonists under their banner. The first two were Borvar Keene and Eleias Corrison - heads of the island's most prominent and respected families. Then there was Ilsa Aurel - the island's religious leader. And finally, Oren Ult - administrator of Morlain's mining settlement." Gheed shrugs elaborately. "However, as I said, that was the state of affairs from months ago. How they have fared and which one - if any - reigned supreme, I simply do not know."

[AngryCyc]

Binky takes in all the information and then stares at Gheed. After a lul in the questions, she asks very inquisitively "... Why are there cubes?"

[TheFamilarRaven]

"Ah, so we're peacekeepers too!" Kra-Mak chimes in. "I guess that gives us an idea of what to do first when we get there." The crowman shrugs. He starts going over the things he'll need to pack for the voyage in his mind. As Binky blurts out her question Kra-Mak perks up, then faces Gheed and turns his head sideways curiously.

[Maxymiuk]

"Why are there cubes..." Gheed echoes the goblin's words, his gaze falling down onto the "desk" he is sitting behind. He studies the objects arranged on it for a long moment, before looking back up toward Binky, a wan, gentle smile creeping onto his lips. "That... that is, quite possibly, the most profound question I ever heard anyone ask," he says in a voice thick with emotion. A tear glistens in his eye before evaporating immediately. "Uh... Binky, right? Please come over here."

Once the goblin approaches his desk, the ifrit leans forward and, with solemnity and ceremony usually reserved for opening the gates to paradise, drops a palm-sized, red-colored cube into Binky's hands.

"The road to enlightenment begins with a single step," he says reverently. "You just took yours."

Then the moment passes and Gheed is back to his precise, slightly impatient self, addressing Kra-Mak's earlier comment:

"Peacekeepers - an astute description. Morlain was abandoned by its authorities after all. And unless a miracle happened and these factions decided to work together for the common good, there will be plenty of peace to keep. Now then!" he raps the top of his desk sharply. "Since you seem to have run out of useful questions, I'll take it that you have other matters to attend to. My clerk downstairs will issue you letters of credit to purchase whatever other supplies you consider necessary. You should also check in with Captain Klessa for the exact departure date - and to let her know about any cargo you'll be bringing on board. Otherwise, you are free to go. I - and the city of Axiom - wish you good luck with your assignment. Do the Citizens proud."

[AngryCyc]

http://static2.paizo.com/image/content/Secondary/PZO3016-Confused_500.jpeg



Binky reverently takes the cube and wields it in her empty hand, palm flat, like someone was just handed a ring egg seconds away from hatching. She is touched by the experience, and says nothing, her mind far too overwhelmed by the overload of new stimuli presented to her worldview.

She stares on straight ahead as she follows the others out of the room. She doesn't even appear to care much where she follows, only focusing on staying close by, as her mind races to understand things she could not possibly be ready to grasp.

Cubes and a world of fire...

[TheFamilarRaven]

"Ummmmm right. Kra-Mak says slowly. "Anyway, I think I'll go meet the captain, introduce myself." He says backing away towards the door. "I shall see you all on th' Swallow soon enough!" He tips his hats and exits.

[Hella Lugosi]

"Got it. Pleasure doing business with you." Argus says with a sliver more courtesy than he usually affords as he rises from his chair. "I'm gonna join Kra-Mak in talking to the captain, see if I can't get a feel for how much cargo the boat can lug. After that, I'm thinking shopping spree." Hoping that Gheed wouldn't be too worried by that last sentence, he leaves before he can find out.

[aturtledoesbite]

Nodding to Gheed's last remarks, Procella walks out without a word. Looks like she's tagging along with everyone else to see the captain. Doesn't look like she has anything of note to add.