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Post by Dave on May 11, 2009 22:30:46 GMT -5
"Monsters are only the half of it." Mercury follows the orc.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jun 17, 2009 4:55:04 GMT -5
The two not-posting-people follow along like god damned sheep. Failure to post by my next post and I will taunt you a second time!!When you arrive at the building, you see him swing the door shut as the last of you walks in, damn near hitting the person last to enter and he booms out: "Don't let it hit you in the face, let alone your ass slowpoke! Gurahawhaw!" but the moment the door has closed, the jovial expression on his face leaves instantly as he moves towards a metal shape in the center of the room. The room is dark, dry, and nearly devoid of furniture. There is one table, long enough to fit four chairs but a fifth sits near it in an awkward place. There is one bed, heavily worn, and a backpack rests near it that has seen many a year of hard travel. Aside from that, the place is desolate, the walls are ramshackle enough to match the floor and ceiling but there is a small SOLDIER-level technological bit in the center of the room, a minute generator to put out an energy field of some kind, though it has been disguised to look like a very crude coffee machine. The orc gestures for you to all sit while he tinkers with the device and then he joins you, taking the fifth seat... and you realize it was his all along as he casually kicks both feet up at the perfect distance to stretch and lean back, pushing his chair up to two legs. You get the feeling he adopts this pose frequently with the way he unthinkingly did it and the way the chair doesn't even move despite its precarious balance. You feel the hum of MAKO power briefly a few seconds after he sits and the building takes on an 'insulated' feel, no doubt anti-spy technology in that 'coffee machine'. "The hell was that?" He asks quickly in SOLDIER-Code. "Second thought, don't tell me, don't wanna know. It was crap for certain and you should be ashamed of yourselves for trying it. Bah! You three new or something?" (Adion, take 1 PSY damage, between your doubts earlier and now this insult, and yes I am taking how your character acts into consideration for such things! ;D) He continues, not even giving you a chance to respond: "I'm Gyrus the Boulder, you've not heard of me I'm sure, that is thanks to a favor I was owed, I'm not in your SOLDIER records. I'm a retired one, let it be a lesson, to retire in peace, you need to stop existing as a SOLDIER." Before you can ask for proof he reaches up and removes a visor that was quite invisible, and you see his eyes do glow still, though it has dulled - he quickly replaces the visor which now you recognize makes his eyes appear normal. "Now, you're here for that man, I can only assume as much, the one they keep calling Mr. Cloak gave you the slip. What you don't know, is why he's doing what he's doing, and that right there is a problem. SOLDIER still doing that? Giving you some vague scientist opinion of what he's on about? Medical terms and crap about 'ohhh why do they hate us?', well get used to that crap, do your own digging. SOLDIER Science-staff are all bullshit and no honesty. You follow? They'll tell you 'exact cause unknown' every time, why? Because they haven't sat down and asked their target his motives, so they can't say with 100% accuracy what they are. You've got to use your own heads!" He taps his temple for emphasis, "think with this, don't let the top brass convince you it isn't important. Take what you can from their files, figure out the rest amongst yourselves or on your own... and always dig deeper if you can. Surface reports are the worst of their vague garbage." He gives a great big sigh, as though mournful of having to go back into things in such a profession as a SOLDIER, but you can tell he seems to almost be enjoying himself giving a lesson. "His name is Dimitri, I met him a long time ago. I wanted to talk to him myself, this isn't like him at all; that's why I'm here now. When I met him... ah... he was a good boy then. A tiefling sure, but a good one and with a strong heart. Wanted to be a SOLDIER in the worst way. Unfortunately, there's only one kind of infusion they, a tiefling, can receive... and we all know you're not a SOLDIER unless you've been infused, they don't allow it. Poor Dimitri, abandon your dreams or abandon your life. That's all he had available, a corrupt-MAKO infusion makes you the man everyone avoids, I don't know anyone who has had it, never did... how would I? They work alone, live alone, and die alone. Dimitri hated SOLDIER for denying his dream, but he went on to become a mercenary, claimed he was just as good as 'us monsters' too, not that he ever was. How could he be? A 'regular' person, that grudge chafed at him for his whole life... but he never became violent, not like this. About three years ago it began, he started becoming entirely anti-SOLDIER to the point of extreme radicalism. I've been tracking him down to find out why and hopefully convince Dimitri to give it up and just live out a nice life." Again Gyrus sighs, though this one is filled with legitimate depression. He begins again, still not letting you get a word in edgewise, "Near as I can figure, Ceyx... or Mr. Cloak, isn't acting alone. Something spurred him onward to a whole new level. This isn't like him, not his style at all. Whoever is calling the shots is setting him up, big time. I can smell it all over this. Ceyx is a decoy and a good one at that. He's known SOLDIERs, didn't I say he hates us? He can spot us easy, better than the usual crowd at least. His sole purpose is to keep causing trouble and give you the slip. Stake my right thumb on it. No, the real problem, the BB... er... Big Bad, is still lurking." Gyrus pulls out a deck of cards from a bag at his waist, pulls a hand of five, sets the deck next to Mercury, and then casually tosses two of them onto the table face down. "I'll take two." (For the sake of convenience, I'll assume you go along with it, if you REALLY don't, I'll change it and let you choose) When you deal him the cards and put the other two to the side as a discarded pile, he smiles grimly at you all. "What two cards did I put in and what two cards did I get out? How many am I even holding now total? Who am I that's even holding this unknown hand?" He stands bolt upright, clearly that posture a ruse in its entirety now that you've seen him move from lax to ready in an instant. "That's right. You don't know. You don't know any of them except one. One of those discarded cards was Ceyx. The BB doesn't give a shit about him and he certainly didn't use only one decoy. There will be another. Promise it. Which leaves you with unknowns, how those unknowns interact, and who is guiding and deciding on those unknowns." He seems deadly serious, you almost feel like you should be drawing your weapons at this very moment to fight the 'unknown'. His expression brightens and you all relax a little: "Fortunately, you boys have an advantage. You're a new lot of greenhorns, you're no doubt not going to be a target here. Nor am I, unless BB has really done his homework and went for extra credit. Now tell me, what is it you've been sent here to do, are you alone, and for Minerva's sake please tell me you aren't going to blow me off as a crazy old orc. Cuz' I think I'm just about the only one in this shitty town who's actually going to try and help you sincerely! Gurahawhaw!" ...apparently his laugh wasn't an act at all. Current Music: --- www.megaupload.com/?d=IKLELA4U ---
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Post by Dave on Jun 21, 2009 8:22:12 GMT -5
Mercury shifts slightly during the monologue, looking the place over. When he finishes, the SOLDIER speaks, "You're certainly more than a simple orc, but the question remains if we can trust you. Your story about being erased from records is quite convenient, as it prevents us from checking your identity. Anything to say on your behalf?"
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jun 24, 2009 2:48:02 GMT -5
"Well, shit, one of you actually has a brain in your head, Gurahawhaw! Nope, nothing to say on my behalf except I probably would've already attacked you or signaled my goons to kill ya if I was a villain. 'Sides, I already told you I'm not here for you even if I am a villain. Buuut, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I just wanted you rookies to actually be thinking, because it seems SOLDIER doesn't make them like they used to! Just look at me! Gurahawhaw!" He starts to pack up his things hurriedly as though making ready to depart at a moments notice.
He hesitates, near the 'coffee machine' in case any of you have anything further to say, he looks to be checking the contents, but you can tell he's merely waiting whether to switch it 'off' or not.
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Post by Dave on Jul 9, 2009 1:35:01 GMT -5
Mercury is not amused by the orc. "We seek Ceyx, his capture is preferable to his death. If you have anything useful to supply our search, we would appreciate it and be willing to forget we ever saw you." He pauses, then continues, "And SOLDIER does not 'make' all of its recruits." The sword he is never without seems to quietly murmur in amusement.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jul 11, 2009 16:33:46 GMT -5
"Oh yeah sure, I imagine they just let you in and graduated you from their academy without an infusion. Didn't I just tell you that Dimitri wasn't able to join for that very reason? Ah well. Keep on believing it's all your own strength; sooner or later reality will hit you. Anyways, forget you saw me? Hah. Remember you saw me, tell some people you did, see how far and how well that goes." You get the impression he isn't bluffing about that, you imagine if his records were erased as he claims, no one would believe you about him existing or being still alive.
"Regardless, I don't really have anything useful to tell you, except to stay out of trouble. Oh... and you might consider the arena or those little bastards on the island... but either one is not without a fair share of risk." He flicks a switch in the coffee machine and then immediately stops speaking in SOLDIER Code, continuing in Terra: "Welp, g'luck to you boys! Thanks for having a drink with me and try to keep your heads and asses on properly! Gurahawhaw!" He packs up his belongings and leaves without another word, slamming the door behind him in a very blatant: "Don't follow me" gesture.
Once again you're left alone in a ramshackle one-room building, the boisterous sounds of the town around you muffled by a somber emptiness of the room and the weight of the task still to be completed.
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Post by Dave on Jul 25, 2009 16:15:04 GMT -5
Mercury says to the others, "Wait here while I investigate the local arena for contacts." He then takes his leave and begins to find his way to the location.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
|
Post by The Lord of Blades on Aug 11, 2009 19:30:32 GMT -5
They nod and wait patiently (as they aren't posting to do anything else!) as Mercury leaves for the arena. When you arrive you find the place rich with the stench of blood, corruption, and yet, Ragnarok reminds you that there is also honor, glory, and honesty here.
The place is broken into several smaller pits at the moment, a total of 8 circles inside one larger one. You see the crude machinery to lower the barriers to make one larger pit. Several 'officials' seem to be around. Each one has a crossed flail and axe on their armor or clothes to signify their employment in the arena. Some take bets, some announce fights, some are merely security. There are numerous fights ongoing, some between two humanoids, some between monsters goaded into fighting, regardless of what is taking place, the crowd calls for blood and mayhem, attacks that miss and hit the crowd are amazingly ignored. One group is even caught by a stray fireball and those that stand back up seem all the more riled up as a result. The crowd itself is full of what the average person would refer to as a 'lowlife'. Monstrous humans, sentient monsters, and all manner of appearance from what look to be pirates, thieves, ganglords, and the like. Clearly reveling in the illegal bloodshed and gambling, they pretty much ignore you. You'd be incredibly outnumbered if you were here to cause trouble, and no doubt some aren't eager to press the issue with a SOLDIER even if they are offended by your presence.
Still, two eye you curiously, one in fact walks up, a man with a shock of blond hair in what seems almost like a mohawk only it isn't kept and so it looks almost like a terrible hairpiece on a bald man. "Eddie." he says, clearly labeling himself for you, "Eddie Rage, you seein' what it's like on the other side?" He asks, clearly curious about the prospect of perhaps a SOLDIER gone rogue.
[If you would like to alter what you do as you approach, by all means, go ahead, details will be given in specific if you ask about something you would like to know]
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Post by Dave on Aug 17, 2009 22:47:40 GMT -5
[ooc note] My eyes are covered by dark goggles, but the shine of being a SOLDIER does come through. Mine is pure white, however.[/note]
Looking at the man and nodding, "Mercury." He glances around the room. "I've seen a lot of places, this is one more. Is it something worth seeing?"
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Aug 17, 2009 23:04:33 GMT -5
"Haha, nice, bit of a mouth on ya partner, but hey, I'd rather a sharp wit and a sharp blade than one of those haughty bastards that claim to be bettering the world. Still, I s'pose what's worth seeing is never really up front in a line of work like mine. Women, adventure, excitement, freedom. Hah, natural born pirate I am! I can't offer you a place on the crew I'm in, for that you'd need to speak to my boss, he's not here right now, but I'm sure I could put in a good word for you if you want, partner." He seems to wait for a reply on that but adds in, "Though I s'pose good intent means very little coming from a criminal like me, especially if you ain't a SOLDIER gone rogue, so lets say I do you a favor and you do me one if mine pays off. Why you here partner? Maybe I can help you, and if I do, you slide the BlackSea Pirates down a bit on those priority lists for threats that determines who you SOLDIERs go after. It'd keep some trouble off my back and in return I'd be more than happy to help you out and even vouch for you as a member, partner!"
He smiles, clearly unarmed but you get a sense of strength from him. He's definitely confident about something if he'd stride up to someone he knows to be a SOLDIER.
[OOC Note]SOLDIER operatives receive a -3 to disguise, that means unless you make me a roll for disguise, I'm assuming you're taking 10 on it to set up a basic disguise like dark goggles so that nets you a whopping 7 on your disguise check before modifiers. Also, in this world you're pretty recognizable and it's about the same to hide your eyes as it is to show them glowing. Simply put, the only people with reason to hide their eyes like that would be SOLDIERs and the like, so just putting dark goggles on doesn't really help you out with it. I'll need to see more active rolls on disguise checks if you want to try and hide your SOLDIER appearance regularly. Also, people in illegal lines of work like this gentleman here are in the know as to what SOLDIERs look like and so shady individuals will likely have a bonus to recognizing you in the same fashion that high-end criminals are good at recognizing cops.[/OOC]
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Post by Dave on Aug 18, 2009 23:39:59 GMT -5
"I'm happy to deal, partner. I'm looking for information, the kind that doesn't go around with everyone talking about it, if you get my drift. Lists can be rearranged, but that can go both ways, if I find out something I don't like." Mercury seems perfectly calm during the discourse, clearly not caring how strong the other man thinks he is.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Aug 19, 2009 16:45:46 GMT -5
"Doesn't tell me what you're looking for, partner. Just tells me it's sensitive. If it's that big a deal we can talk somewhere else, but frankly, this is the safest place to do it. No one around here is listening for secrets, they're listening for the battle cries and splashes of blood, partner."
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Post by Dave on Aug 19, 2009 17:50:20 GMT -5
"Well enough. I'm looking for a man known as Mr. Cloak. I need a talk with him and his. If you can arrange that... well, I may just be able to show some favor your way in the future." Mercury seems unperturbed by the surroundings, but is cautious around this stranger.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Aug 21, 2009 13:27:55 GMT -5
"With him and his buddies? Well, I might just be able to arrange a meeting with you and Mr. Cloak alone... but I'll tell ya right now, partner, he's skittish about you SOLDIER types. That meeting won't stay diplomatic the moment he catches wind of what ya are. Sure you still want that, partner?" Eddie smiles, a very guarded but remarkably friendly smile all the same, as though he finds it a shame you and he are on opposite sides of law and order.
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Post by Dave on Aug 21, 2009 19:43:46 GMT -5
"If you can arrange the meet, just long enough for us to talk, that's all I need from you. And I'll make sure to put a good word in for you when I can." Mercury seems to not be too concerned that he's talking to a criminal, and plans to follow through with his promises.
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