|
|
Post by henwen88 on May 9, 2014 12:22:03 GMT
Leath orders a pint and sits at the end of the bar, alternately glancing at the comely serving wench (thinking it's odd for a half-orc to be so decent looking), and trying to pick out possible cult members in the tavern. It's been a long time since he's rested, and his mind is wandering, and his bones are weary.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 9, 2014 23:57:48 GMT
The half orc comes over and hands him a pint. "Anything else I can get ye, sir?"
|
|
|
|
Post by jon on May 12, 2014 0:46:09 GMT
Hans nudges Leath and winks. "I think he's too shy to speak, but we should be fine for now thank you, this brew is delightful! Could you tell me though, I've heard some talk of violence in the city. Would you have any advice for a merchant that is trying to stay out of trouble?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 12, 2014 2:54:25 GMT
"Stay away from politics and heretics, good sir," the barmaid says. "Anyone who gets too close to either doesn't live too long."
The barmaid leaves the two behind them as she tends to the other patrons. The group soon becomes tired, and heads to their room. The lodgings are a straw mattress with old pillows, but it hardly matters when they are out.
---
While they are asleep, each of them hears and feels a strange voice speaking directly into their heads. "Alignment with Carcosa approaches. Serve me, and you will be spared."
---
The party is awoken the following morning by a large boot kicking their door opened. A large Norseman, a two handed sword in his hands barrels into the doorframe. His uniform clearly indicates he is a Varangian Guard, and a highly ranked one at that. Shorter men await outside.
"Your toy addressed me as my kinsman Sven One-Eye," he says. He holds up the broken flying construct that Psychlis dispatched earlier. The Viking looks like he could have easily crushed it in his hands. "But did he forget to mention that Erik Redsword leads the Varangian Guard in Miklagaard?"
The party remains in their beds, not moving against the intimidating Norseman.
|
|
|
|
Post by henwen88 on May 12, 2014 3:11:24 GMT
Leath shakes himself free of the dream he was having, something about being ashamed of having missed an opportunity with a woman. There was something, too, about Carcosa buried in there. These things fade quickly from his consciousness as he thinks of what to do with this angry, obstreperous Norseman. He does not appreciate having his sleep interrupted in this manner, and he glares wrathfully at the Norseman.
"What brings you kicking our door open at this hour?" he demands, searching his mind for the most damaging spell he can unleash, if the opportunity arises. Without rising, he pulls his sheathed scimitar from where it has been concealed by the covers that lie upon him. "Speak quickly and clearly, for you have stirred our anger."
|
|
|
|
Post by kooshster on May 12, 2014 14:27:45 GMT
Psychlis groans as he sits up, shaking his head to clear it. Looking up at the angry Varangian with a mix of impatience and irritation, he narrows his eyes. "Apologies, Varangian. We had a most exhausting day, and my mind was weary. I had mistaken your name with your kin, and yet it certainly accomplished the goal of bringing you out to meet us. Leath, there's no need for confrontation. He is kin of our ally, and should be afforded respect as per his station and heritage."
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 12, 2014 20:19:52 GMT
The Varangian calms down after hearing Psychlis, although he does glower at Leath. "I apologize, wizard," he says. "But you're not the only tired one. My Emperor's been concerned about these cults and keeping order in the city."
Erik looks around the party's room, noticing the weapons and armor. In particular, he notices Hans' musket. "Ah, the fat one's got one of those fire-weapons," he notes. "Tell me, where can my men acquire them? Some effete Italian mercenaries start prancing around my city with them, yet refuse to say where they purchased them."
"Captain Redsword!" a messenger runs up behind him. "There's been an incident at Hagia Sophia! The Emperor requests reinforcements immediately!"
"Must be the blasted cultists again!" he roars. "Tell me, half-elf, would you like to make some coin and serve the Empire? Your party seems no strangers to violence. My men need whatever reinforcements we can muster."
|
|
|
|
Post by jon on May 13, 2014 3:44:01 GMT
"Ahh, if you provide me with the components and some coin, I can craft such weapons for you. After this is over I'd be happy to talk a trade for larger numbers of the weapons." Hans says to Erik with a helpful smile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 13, 2014 22:03:20 GMT
"Ah, but I'd like a demonstration of your product, first," Redsword says. "Preferably a live fire one."
|
|
|
|
Post by kooshster on May 14, 2014 0:29:02 GMT
"You may get it yet. What can we do to help the Emperor?" Psychlis asks. "If I can get in touch with my guild, we may be able to call on additional resources."
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 14, 2014 22:56:49 GMT
"You can kill those Signed bastards whenever you find them," Redsword says. He gestures to his messenger. "Tell him your name and guild, wizard, and pray they turn up. If the Signed tried another demon summoning in a public place-"
The messenger takes the information from Psychlis about the Greater Order of the Empire.
"Worse," the messenger says. "There's reports of undead and demons attacking the public."
"Then get on your horse and tell the damn guild!" Erik orders.
The messenger salutes and runs off.
"The rest of you," he says. "If there's undead and demons, I'll need every bit of help I can find. Those overpaid Italian sellswords are going to dally while the city guard's hard pressed to keep order. I want magic, steel, firearms, anything I can afford to vanquish this scum from Miklagaard!"
He gestures to his men to move out.
"Looks like we found a way into the city," Jiao says to the others. "I'm going with Psychlis and Erik. How about you?" He waits for Hans and Leath to reply.
|
|
|
|
Post by henwen88 on May 15, 2014 4:27:19 GMT
"If this brings us nearer our goal, then I will go," Leath says. He belts his scimitar around him. "Another group of destructive upstarts to put down."
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 16, 2014 2:15:34 GMT
"Ready to move out, Hans?" Jiao asks.
|
|
|
|
Post by jon on May 16, 2014 17:33:46 GMT
"Yes, ready when you are, and I can demonstrate a live round but I would prefer to do it somewhere less populated."
[OOC: sorry about my lack of presence guys am out of town, but I'm going to be away for a few more days atleast, can someone take over Hans?]
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 17, 2014 1:52:40 GMT
"Just shoot out over the plains as we ride to the city," Erik says. "Come, for we have cultists to hunt!"
The group is herded downstairs after gathering their belongings. The half orc bar wench looks out at Leath before leaving. The group are hoisted onto the Varangians' mounts, and Flann follows closely behind. They leave immediately, and the city of Byzantium grows closer.
---
Along the way, Hans fires a shot at a tree while the horses drink.
[Attack roll: 12]
The shot hits the trunk, punching deep into the ancient wood. Erik observes grimly, realizing the implications of such a weapon. "Merchant, if you can offer us such weapons, I will order enough muskets from you to arm a whole regiment."
Hans feels confident there will be lucrative demand for his products. Jiao watches apathetically, but realizes that such weapons would give the Byzantines a significant advantage over their Bulgar and Turkic enemies.
---
The first thing they notice are the massive walls of the city. Ancient and thick walls, massive enough for a chariot to ride upon, greet them. Arcane marks were also added, defensive wards against unwanted spirits and invisible intruders. The city was built to withstand what the ancient world could throw at it, and it has endured quite well. It is little wonder why the Norse call the city Miklagaard, the Grand City. The party can feel a hint of Psychlis' pride for claiming such a city as home. They pass through massive gates, with a squad of soldiers waving them on. Their mounts take them through winding streets that seem nearly deserted as city guards patrol. Some sections of the city have the Italian mercenaries patrolling, immediately identifiable by their ornately etched helments and armor compared to the rust gear used by the city guard. The Italian mercenaries have pikes and very familiar muskets of Newtonian manufacture, as well as a standard of a red bull on a white field. Unlike the city guards, the mercenaries spend more time talking and joking amongst themselves than patrolling.
Eventually, Erik brings them to a hold before a massive church. It is definitely one of the most magnificent religious structures in Europe. The line of city guards surrounding it, though, bodes ill. Some Orthodox priests are helping dispose of dead demons and skeletal remains. Psychlis notices some wizards of the Greater Order of the Empire, his group, casting defensive wards on friendly lines. A city guard officer approaches Erik.
"Thank God you've arrived! They've tried breaking out again, but we cut some of them down..."
"I've brought some assistance. Now, you will tell me what is going on here, and why you have not assaulted this blasted church," Erik growls.
"There's a cultist inside, coordinating the demons and undead with some kind of magical circle. We've seen no one leave alive for hours, but most people escaped safely," the officer says. "I don't know what kind of demons they are, but there's skeletons using squad tactics with fire-weapons they captured from the Italians!"
"Sloppy sellswords," Redsword grumbles. "Now, wizard, go talk with your colleagues and find a way to get inside. I want that cultist's head on a pike, and I'm not waiting for those incompetents to screw up again!"
|
|
