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Post by kooshster on Jun 2, 2014 9:36:27 GMT
"I will go in with Olaf," Psychlis says. "This scum defiled the Hagia Sophia, and I will eradicate every last one of them."
The prospect of other tempting artifacts like the spellbook may have played a factor in his decision as well.
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2014 0:50:14 GMT
"While I understand your urge to hunt down these scum, we have some other affairs first," Jiao notes. "Erik, do you have any lodgings we could use? We have brought our supplies here, and a safe place to rest would be important in this city."
"Aye. You can stay in the Varangian barracks," Erik says. "You'll find no safer part of this city."
"Say, did anyone find a spell book or journal here? Before we go blundering into the crypts, maybe it would shed more light on the cultist's plans?" Jiao recalls. "What about that ship we heard about in Newton, the Justinian, wasn't it? Do you know about that one, Erik? These muskets look like they were manufactured in Newton."
"There are too many ships for me to know," Erik says. "But a naval officer or portmaster could be more help."
"The guns, the muskets, that those skeletons used are similar to the ones Cesare's men had. We've seen the place those weapons were made in, a small island near Britain."
"Cesare said the cult stole some of his weapons," Erik says. "But how did they get down here to Byzantium?"
"We had evidence that a rogue Byzantine vessel was taking prisoners from the dungeons in exchange for smuggling guns and other weapons here," Jiao explains. "Someone would need money and connections for an operation like that. But I think it's strange that Cesare is the only man in Byzantium with those firearms."
"If you're accusing him, I wouldn't mind seeing his head on a pike," Erik says. "But he's a worthless worm, and if he's involved with the Signed, I will send him to the High Hall in pieces-"
"Ahem," says a new voice that echoes in the cathedral. A man in blue robes, flanked by two veiled women in similar garb, approach. He seems young, with parted hair and ruddy skin. "I've overheard your conversation, and I fear you may be correct."
"Who's that?" Jiao asks.
"Julio, the leader of the Olympians," Erik says. "Another Italian with strange followers."
"Says the Norseman," Julio says. "You know, I once considered being a priest once, but politics and military service called. I would like to offer my condolences for the recent events. I sent my followers to assist the city guard, but they were rebuffed by Cesare's men."
"Rather useful to show up after the vermin were crushed," Erik glowers. "Why have you come?"
"I am merely here to offer my support as a Roman and out of a desire to see this city thrive," Julio says. "I was confused when I first came to Byzantium from Rome, but I realize this is all that remains of my city's empire. I see you've hired mercenaries, Erik, since you need to operate outside regular boundaries. These Signed prefer to remain in the shadows. I have eyes and ears there, and will do my utmost to help. You can torture me, jail me, put me under any magical geass or oath you desire, but you will find I know no more than you."
"Now, what demands would you make? No one gives help freely in this city."
"I merely want religious freedom for my followers, to ensure the traditional Roman gods are honored alongside the Christian one. I've grown weary of politics and war, and simply desire to be left alone," Julio says. "Now, my Vestals here are specialists in clearing crypts of undead. You need but say the word, and we will help you scour the crypts. You can have your men or mercenaries watch us if you do not trust us."
Erik turns to the party. "What say you? I have no desire to trust another cult, but the Olympians have proven benign and harmless. I am unsure of their long term goals, but I want your opinion if you'd prefer to work alongside them."
Julio overhears them whispering and confidently walks up to the party. "I will happily answer any questions you have."
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Post by henwen88 on Jun 3, 2014 2:40:35 GMT
"Ah," Leath sniffs, amused, "Romans. Their gods knew wildness--of course, they were secondhand from the Greek. Faunus and his brethren still roamed their woods, and groves were venerated. I welcome any opposition to the one-godders who persecuted my race...well, any opposition that doesn't come in the form of a murderous cult. If you say these Olympians are harmless and benign, then I say we let them scour the crypts." He gives a wry smile at Julio's robes. "I won't say it saddens me to see your empire reduced to this, Julio. Our lore speaks of your incursions in the isle of Britain, and I am glad you cannot reach so far these days. But come, let us let go of the pains of the past. I too am weary of war, and seek brotherhood wherever possible."
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2014 20:47:36 GMT
"The Celtic druids were worthy foes to the Romans, at least," Julio says. "Even Caesar was humbled by them, they say. But I am eager to assist in saving lives."
"Leath, do you wish to accompany them?" Erik asks. "Psychlis has volunteered, but I'd prefer it if more spellcasters were down there. All manner of foes lurk in the crypts, including ones that cannot be felled easily with steel."
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Post by henwen88 on Jun 5, 2014 12:05:00 GMT
"I'll go," Leath says. "If we can possibly prevent the slaughter of more innocents, I think it's best to go down there with whatever force we have and remove from the earth any who are still living who would do such things as we have seen today."
[OOC: Can we assume our spells have recharged?]
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Post by kooshster on Jun 5, 2014 12:48:05 GMT
Psychlis frowns. "Jiao makes a decent point. We just finished one battle, and I'm unsure if we're in peak condition to go on. There are still a bevy of mysteries to uncover, and we can spend time exploring and working towards those - the smuggled muskets, for instance - while we recover from the travel and battle. In addition, the city is filled with any number of markets. Perhaps we can each find some new equipment before going down into the catacombs?"
Left unsaid is the temptation to get some time alone in his tower's archives to investigate the mysterious new spellbook the cultist dropped. He pointedly ignores the Olympian, who he doesn't trust because of his Emperor's distaste of the Olympian's beliefs, and because the pagan asked about the spellbook that he's looking forward to investigating on his own.
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Post by Admin on Jun 6, 2014 1:38:50 GMT
[Spells will recharge next scene.]
"Take a rest for now, travelers," Erik says. "Borri, take them to the barracks. I don't want to blunder around underground blindly. Post guards at the exits and tell the quartermaster we'll need supplies for the crypt."
A redheaded Varangian leads the group away from the carnage, and towards the opulent palace to the north of it. They are lead into a rather dingy old building, with Varangians resting in the corner. Their own beds are more elegant than the Varangian ones, having blankets and cushions instead of straw bedding. The group's exhaustion from the fight takes hold, and they fall off to sleep.
[Party levels up. Adventure continues in Part 4-2: Crossroads of the Past.]
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