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Post by teodoro on Aug 21, 2013 17:40:05 GMT
While the others are hashing out boring stratagems and routes, Teo approaches the bell-like artifact and attempts to examine it. He attempts to see if he recognizes it's purpose and/or its curious glyphs.
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Post by sternold on Aug 21, 2013 20:01:49 GMT
Orgoth looked at the little man. Of course he didn't understand him. Nobody does. "Orgoth didn't mean he go alone. Orgoth means he no need any of you bossing him around." The little man means well though, realizes Orgoth.
When Alicia is done talking, Orgoth takes a minute to interpret what she's saying and then says: "Orgoth vote we go 'talk' to the pirate-man. Then we will have evidence." Orgoth smirked at his little joke. Heh, talk.
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Post by Admin on Aug 22, 2013 1:55:50 GMT
Teo fails to notice any particular school or variety of magic on the bell. However, he recognizes some of the runes as a type of durability-boosting enchantment, but he also thinks he detects hint of a brimstone in his nostrils, an acrid scent not unlike rotten eggs. ---
Matteo contented leans back in his chair, his round face smiling like a pampered cat. He produces a massive tome from underneath his desk, and begins paging through it before Alicia. "These are records of a previous accusation against him, that he hired brigands to attack rivals' caravans," Matteo continues. "He escaped conviction when the main accusers and witnesses were found floating dead in the canals."
He flips to some other pages. "Here are copies of his associates' ledgers, which continue growing wealthier than anyone else in the city. Should you desire to investigate around Venice, you are welcome to, but the last band I hired to do that ended up in the canals," Matteo continues. "I do not make such accusations lightly for good reason. But his recent behavior is strange, yes. Perhaps he no longer feels the laws of Venice apply to him, or his assets have been seized by someone else. Or some thing."
He runs his finger back to the map. "But something foul is going on near that estate," he taps the peninsula again. "You could charter a ship for Scalo Est or along the peninsula, and then approach from the woods. I do not know what you will encounter, but a ship will be expensive but faster, but overland will be slower but cheaper. Both ways, however, are certainly fraught with peril. If you desire it, I have a contact who can charter a ship, but only to transport you there."
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Post by tengen on Aug 22, 2013 6:27:00 GMT
Alicia leans over to get a better view of the book on the desk, only briefly looking back to give orgoth a small awkward smile before drawing her attention back to the papers. She was unsure If she liked the added inflection of the word talk. "I feel splitting our forces would be counterproductive, serving to lessen our pool of resources and at worst it has the possibility for one group to bring sabotage to the other due to some new variables occuring and a lack of communication regarding new said variable. " She says offhandedly with almost zero affect to her tone as her attention is absorbed into the map. "What kind of terrain are we looking at on the land route? Mostly Forest?" She says seemingly unfazed by her prior comment as she points to the area leading to the estate
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nexus
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by nexus on Aug 22, 2013 6:36:33 GMT
Darian, meanwhile, was watching the group with interest. Obviously, he was inclined to take the leadership role, but only if it was given to him, he wasn't going to volunteer. He began making a mental note of each of his companions' personalities. Teo seemed excitable, the half-orc wary, Alicia seemed sensible. Elgeon seemed to have a good head on him, and Leath and Elgeon he was struggling to get a read on.
"I agree that splitting up would probably be the worst idea, and regardless of the terrain, it seems like there are certain members of our party who would prefer to remain on land. Myself included, given that armour plus water will usually equal death. Of course, if you can come up with a compelling argument for a boat, then that's what we'll do. Also, you say a vote, but how/who are you going to vote? No-one has really expressed a desire to become a leader, so voting someone in who doesn't want it is surely counterproductive? I posit that we each say if we are happy to lead, and then we vote on those people."
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Post by elgeon on Aug 22, 2013 9:17:01 GMT
Shaking his head, Elgeon replies. "What I meant was not to vote for a leader, but rather for the matter at hand, in this case our way of traveling". Then, scratching his chin and with a thoughtful look he adds "I feel that traveling by land might gives us more time and opportunities to investigate this situation, than heading straight on to this guy's residence. Besides, it's probably a good idea to pass through Scalo Est, I feel we might find some information there since the village is much closer to all these events." He then points at the various pins. "How many days of walk is it to Scalo Est, and then to the estate?"
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Post by teodoro on Aug 22, 2013 15:26:26 GMT
Teo continues meddling with the bell while the serious folk arrange the plans.
"Hm, brimmmmstone?" he asks absentmindedly to himself.
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Post by sternold on Aug 22, 2013 15:47:11 GMT
Orgoth, giving up on following the conversation about the plan, walked over to Teo. He tries to stop him from meddling further with the bell. "No touching bell. Might be curse. Magic only bring problems." He tried to dissuade his heavy-handed way of saying by joking. "Unless make gold. Then, give to Orgoth. Har har."
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Post by teodoro on Aug 22, 2013 16:10:35 GMT
Teo runs into this stance on magical items a lot. Especially since he's always poking around in a manner that most people consider "brash".
"Exactly Orgoth! Think of the possibilities! It could make gold. It could summon the undead. It could cure diseases! Or, it could just be a stinky bell. But we won't know unless we investigate!" He smiles with the wide eyes of a curious child.
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Post by tengen on Aug 23, 2013 0:54:24 GMT
She turns around facing Teo seeming like she is trying to choose her words carefully.
"Mr. Teo, would you be so kind as to not experiment with the unknown magical object with in this small space. I would very much not like to be at the epicenter of a contained fireball thank you very much." She says kindly, exhaling briefly as if collecting herself before looking to the others. "I would have to agree, land would be more preferable for collecting information even if it puts us more in range of the brigands and undead on our way" she says clasping her hands together waiting for the other.
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Post by teodoro on Aug 23, 2013 1:44:44 GMT
Teo is slightly taken aback at how similar Alicia sounds to his adoptive parents. "Ok, ok."
Dejected, he puts the bell back.
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Post by Admin on Aug 23, 2013 2:39:19 GMT
Matteo carefully closes the chest with the artifact tucked safety within, and deliberately sets it behind his desk with a relieved sigh. "Scalo Est is about a week away, mostly along forested roads and marshes," he says. "The Estate is another two days or so, and the peninsula is mostly forest."
He stops for a moment, hesitating. "I have sent another towards Scalo Est to see if any in the village could assist me," he stops to explain. "My German associate handled dealings in the Holy Roman Empire, and was no slouch with a blade. However, I have not heard from him for two weeks. I know not if the bandits or undead claimed him, but he likely would have made maps and traveled with a supply caravan. I will throw in a little extra if you bring me details of his fate, so I may know if I should begin arrangements for a memorial service."
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Post by sternold on Aug 23, 2013 18:34:11 GMT
Orgoth is getting anxious. He's been in a small room for too long. He's been outside for all of his life, only going inside to sleep. And even that if it's too cold outside. He grabs his axe and starts tapping the floor. He looks around to each of the group, trying to see what they want to do. Most of them want to plan. "Fuck this!" He then goes outside.
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Post by elgeon on Aug 23, 2013 18:46:02 GMT
Elgeon shakes his head, and then suggests Teo to follow Orgoth and calm him down, since he seems to have a way with him. "We'll be outside with you shortly."
Looking at the rest of the group he adds: "I think we can get going, unless there's anything else you wanna ask our employer here? Anafesto, can you give us a description of your German associate? Anything special that might help us find a lead on him? Characteristic trinkets for example."
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Post by teodoro on Aug 23, 2013 19:40:01 GMT
Teo quickly puts on an air of dignity that doesn't come easily. He agrees to Elgeon's request to assuage Orgoth. Teo wants to impress the serious half-elf, though he's not altogether sure why he's interested in that.
He heads outside, which is where he'd prefer to be in any event; plotting a course is of little interest to him.
He puts himself in a casual mode to deal with the tightly-strung half orc. "Tired of their planning too, eh? Yeah, never was much for strategy and routes." Teo realizes he's sounding like a subdued shepard he knew from his village. Mimicking the mannerisms of the shepard, he looks down at his feet and kicks some pebbles around, "Tend to go on instinct myself. I think we're alike in that way..."
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