Dannylonglegs

Hi y'all. Lil' Danny Longlegs reporting for... School. I'm reporting for school. I could use a good education after that last Mafia game I sucked at. I'll update my everything post haste!

"Here. This is a map I made for one of my associates ages ago. The City hasn't changed much since then." "The best cloth merchants can be found on Market Street near the bridge. The lower half of Market Street on the West side of town goes by the name of West Wharf Street now, and it doesn't sell much but sailing supplies. We are where Market Street ends, near the Aristocrat's district, marked "Rich" on the map for sake of space. I might also add that within the West Merchant's District, the North is the Banking District, and the lower segment of the Aristocrat's District is the Lawyers Row. Most of the actions of the Court occur in the northern-most section of the East Peasant's District. That includes most of the Jails," Edit: Added some other locations.

Nietzsche? you are quite the learned gentleman. ~Insectoid Aristocrat

"Oh, I doubt that." grinned Sylph. "Once I've healed you and Johon, I'll work on weakening those limbs. Once the Gauntlets are gone, we can release Punii's horde. Hopefully it'll last us for a while."

Order (if everyone agrees): Sylph: Heal Johon BR Sylph: Heal Johon, BR (or Heal Galen, BR) Alex: Tail, BR (or, Heal Galen if he's unhealed) Galen: Gauntlet L, BR (or Tail, BR, if healed by Alex) Johon: Wing L, BR Johon: Eidolon, BR Punii: Make Jellies Galen: Wing R, BR Hall: Gauntlet L, BR Rome: Gauntlet L, BR

"Hmm... I see. A were-raven beggar. Well, I can't say rightly whether he could be an agent or not, or if there even are spies at-all, but it does sound like my worries are confirmed. There is indeed a rumour floating around the market that something drastic is about to happen. If we don't put an end to this soon, and our enemy makes the right moves, I could lose everything I've invested in this situation! There's no point in worrying that your cover's been blown already. Honestly, I have no other alternatives apart from you heroes, so you've got to find this rumour-spreader and stop him before he makes his move... or at-least hinder his movement. Your plan seems like a good one. I hope this were-raven was on the low end of the line, and not the master-mind himself. He may already know of my counter-maneuver, and concoct his own... Whoever he is... Whatever his plan is." Dill ran his sweaty palm over his non-existent hair.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

"Oh, and I'll see if I can whip up a map." OoC: I'll fix your stats Legobodgers

I like to think of evil as subjective, but there'll certainly be bashing in your near future. I won't give anything away, but it is possible that you'll meet your "old friend' somewhere along the line too. I love the dynamic you two are fostering as well. It's always fun to have rivalry in the party. (and don't worry about editing, I've got that problem myself sometimes, although it has little to do with my computor. ) I hope that the feel stays constantly good as we go along as well. I enjoy intrigue as much as I enjoy dramatic and well-placed/reasoned battle, and I hope I can convey it all properly as the quest progresses. ~Insectoid Aristocrat

Dil waited patiently, alone in his room, for the party to think over their assignment. "I'm afraid I have no idea who would be spreading such rumours. My first thought was that the Shadeaux were behind this, but it's too subtle for them. I've seen the Shadeaux Company engage in quite a bit of foul play, but in this case, the rumour-spreader's presence is almost non-existent. The only reason I know that something's wrong is the behavior of the cloth merchants. Instead of waiting this depression out, as of several days ago, they seem to be jumping at any chance to sell their wares, even at these severely deflated costs. It doesn't make any sense, therefore, they know something, or think something, that they shouldn't, hence my conclusion that someone is spreading a false truth, or even worse, the actual truth. The only ones aware of this law passing are the High-Priest of Ennoc in this city, anyone he's told, Lord Brenden I and II, anyone they've told, Several higher-ups in the Hinckwell family, and myself. I suspect the leak must have occurred with the Church or the Lords. I told them how delicate this situation was, but they're both well outside my control. I still believe that the best way to find out who's behind this is to get the source from the Merchants themselves. They'd be more likely to gossip about this then The Church or the Lord. I can't imagine one or the other would intentionally leak the information though. I've made sure that the arrangement is more beneficial to them than betraying me. "Yes, Miss..." Dill began, looking over his assistant's notes, "Karie, is it? 'Party-Leader.' I am afraid Miss..." he scanned the names again, "Nessa brings up a good point. My assistant Bart stands out like a sore-thumb. He's always in the Hinckwell colours and any spies this rumour-spreader may employ, and the rumour-spreader himself, will likely know his affiliation in or out of the colours. I just hope you lot haven't been seen by anyone associated with the rumour spreader while in Bart's company. As for your other concern, Nessa, I'd be quite interested to hear where you heard this. This may be exactly what I'm referring to. That may explain some of the behavior of the cloth salesmen, although, with this bit of gossip, I don't know why the merchants wouldn't simply leave. How did you come upon this information already?"

You get the Internets! They're perfect for castle-ey backdrops. Since I don't have my collection with me, I am going to be using Photoshop heavily as well. Sorry about that "Morning Fog." I hope it doesn't show up later on either. Also, I wrote a song with lyrics (but I don't know how to convey the tune on-line) but unfortunately, last time I saved the Quest Doc, the song didn't save, so I'll have to re-write it. I'll post it when you exit the Tavern. ~Insectoid Aristocrat

Internets to whomever can guess which two sets I have aside from 2 Razcal's Gliders with me here in collegeland! Hint: I have more minifigures here then I have sets, so don't look for too many hints from those. ~Insectoid Aristocrat

"Caw!" With a final coughed Caw, the bird-man scrams in between the legs of the loading crane he was leaning on and into a crack in a broken down wall before the guard "Pete" could see him. "That man wasn't really your friend was he?" grunted the guard. "He's been haunting the docks for months now. I had him jailed a week or so back, but the accuser, claiming the were-raven robbed him, disappeared, so we let old Crawfee go." "That was pleasant." stated the Hinckwell employee sarcastically. "Now we really must get going. We're already very late." The party followed the Hinckwell around the city, the morning fog clearing to reveal a bustling city. They left the wharves and entered the Market District. The streets were lined with Merchant stalls selling wares of various types. Fish, bread, clothes, cloths, arms... In addition to the street stalls, many of the buildings sold merchandise as well on their first floors. For a Market street, it didn't look as busy as one would suspect, with many of the merchants looking nervous or bored. After walking to the edge of the Merchant's district, the party came upon a modest-looking inn with a guard standing outside of it. The Hinckwell spoke to the guard nervously and the guard replied, "You're late." and let them in. When the party entered the inn, the found that despite the early hour, it was rather busy, filled with important looking men dressed well. Several of them were drinking, and the smell of warm food hit the party's nostrils. A bard sang softly on a small stage, plucking his lute in tune to the music. Several Patrons joined him in the seemingly common song. The Hinckwell lead the party to the back of the Inn, where they found a richly dressed man with worry painting his worn face and his much younger, boyish-looking wife. "This is Master Dill," spoke the Hinckwell in a hushed tone. "Sssh, Bart. Let's talk in another room." Spoke Dill. The party stepped up the stairs and entered the Hinckwell's room in the inn. It was obvious he'd been staying here several nights, as opposed to in a Manor. "Thank heavens you’ve come. You are, in-fact, quite needed. First, let me explain to you the situation. I’ll try not to bore you with the minutia of my arrangement with the Local Noble, Lord Brenden II, but essentially, I got the idea for this endeavor several months ago from my wife, Ave, noting the bizarrely high price of Fine Cloth in Eubric. I watched the market, and sure enough, it crashed (a result of the unsustainably high price, a fall in demand by the more economically minded during these dark times, and the invasion of Luosh, primarily) which prompted me, as a representative of the Hinckwell company, to seek a mutually profitable arrangement with the cloth merchants of Brendenton. I offered Lord Brenden II and the Church a monthly payment in exchange for exclusive rights to the sale of Brendenton’s cloth (The finest in the land if you weren't in the know, and the largest exporter to the Free Isles and the Dastan Empire.) The Nobleman, who was in rough shape himself, agreed to my offer with little deliberation, and the church followed in suite (they have the power of the people, and therefore can legitimize the Lord’s decisions if they so desire. Believe me, if I didn'thave to involve them in this, I wouldn't.) With the rights to the sale of cloth, the Hinckwell Company can purchase cloth from the local artisans at a lower, but consistent price and sell it to Uland and Dastan through the Hinckwell Company for any price within reason—the Shadeaux will have to sell inferior cloth or less-well-known cloth. The new law shall be set into place tomorrow, and eased into slowly, but it’s crucial that the cat stays mostly in the bag until then, or we could face civil-unrest here, or a defensive maneuver by the Shadeaux—neither of which I want to deal with. It should be a win-win scenario, but I've noticed some worrying behavior in the local cloth merchants. I don’t think they know exactly what’s happening yet, but I fear there may be someone spreading rumors that could lead to quite a mess. I’m not sure what game this rumor-spreader is playing, but he must be found at once! I need to attend a meeting of the local merchant guilds here, soon, and with the law passing tomorrow, the rumor-spreader is going to make his move very soon. I suggest you start tracking him down by asking the Cloth Merchants you can find on Market Street if they've heard any rumors, but it’s important you don’t mention “Hinckwell” if at all avoidable. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but had you arrived earlier, then perhaps all of this could be mostly avoided, but alas, I hear the weather stunted your speed. Do you have any additional questions before you begin this mission?"

"My, my, Kind Lady, you insult me. Pete and me are good long friends. Why, just last week, Pete released me from the bird-cage, claiming me accuser skipped town." The were-raven chuckled again. "but I can tell when I'm not wanted. My old friednd, I'd leave you with some words of advice: 'fortune is a cruel, cruel mistress.' You wish I leave then?"

"Oh, I will. I know me ways around this city. I always remember me friends when I see them." cooed the were-raven. "Yeeeees?" queried the were-raven slowly. "Me friend, you mean? Me contact? Me 'reliable associate,' you mean?" He queried, eyeing the guard suspiciously. The guard looked down disdainfully on the beggar, just waiting for him to say the wrong thing. "Why," the were-raven began, "I happened upon this tidbit of information from a good old friend of mine.... Even older a friend then you fine people. I have no problem divulging, but the present company has me beak in its talon, if you understand me meaning." remarked the were-raven slyly, and quietly from the side of his beaked-mouth, so as to evade the watchful guard hearing him clearly, betraying some cunning intellect. "What was that?" The guard asked. "Nothing, Pete, I din' say nothing. I just were talking about me poor business. I lost evereee-thiiiing in the cloth trade. Evereee-thiiing." "Kind Pete, he speaks the truth, this man, me friend. I was so generous to me friend, that I loaned him the ten gold that made him what he is today. As you can see, he's now a wealthy man. Me good, old friend, might I ask you for the return of that 10 gold you owe me?"

That's more than I can say about my sets. I only have two sets with me asside from those Razcal's Gliders I have. Once I show you the next set, no cookies for guessing which two. ~Insectoid Aristocrat

The were-raven beggar leaped for Dreyrugr's coin, clasping it in he taloned fingers before it even touched the ground. The beggar looked over the coin thoughtfully, wiping it with his downied arm until it shone. The raven-man's eyes widened as he stared at the coin's glimmer for a second. He quickly pocketed the thing, and caught Nessa's coins, performing the same small ritual. "My, my." clucked the were-raven smartly, his yes narrowed in dis-like and voice shrill and grating. "You are rich. Aren't you? I'll take that coin too." The raven-man snatched the coin before it could be tossed and wiped it on his shirt instead of his arm and stuffing it in his pocket without even looking at it. "Your money is especially dirty." The were-raven turned back to Karie. "Kind Woman, you said 2 coins? Two coins from you and I'll tell you the rumor I heard..." His voice returned to its high-pitched yet gravely tone, which the party now could tell was his coercive tone. Party: Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintober) *Party Leader* 22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 4 Power: 8 Health: 10/10 Gold: 17 Equipment: Dagger (WP:4) Inventory: Potion (4), Mead (2), Remedy (2), Venom, (2) Smoke bomb (2), Lightning bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP:3) Nessa Anárion (herrJJ) 59 years old female elven Ranger Level 8 Power: 14 (Lvl. 8 + WP: 6) Defense: 1 Health: 13 Gold: 2 Equipment: Croise Bow (WP: 6), Leather Armour (SP: 1) Inventory: Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Venom Drake Flamerobe 25 year old male human Level 5 Knight Power: 10 Defense: 2 Health: 15/15 Ether: 0/0 Gold: 291 Equipment: Greatsword (WP:5), Shield (SP:2) Helmet Inventory: Torch(WP:3), Shield(SP:2), Potion, Phoenix Essence, Tonic, Greatsword(WP:5), Shovel, Bedroll Dreyrugr (Vash the Stampede) 1000 year old Male Vampire Rogue Level 12 Power: 17 (Level 12+Weapon 5) Health: 18/18 (Rogue Base 7+ Level Bonus 11) Gold: 4 Equipment: Fauxthril Scythe (WP:5), Psuedos Hood Inventory: Potion, Venom x2, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Remedy, Grand Potionx2, Smelling Salts x3, Amethyst, Shuriken (WP:5), Mead Amorith Marvelo (Played by legobodgers) Level 12 Mage Power: 19 (18+1) Health: 11/16 Ether: 16/16 Gold: 0 Equipment: Dual staff (WP: 8) damages 2 enemies in one hit Inventory: Fang Dagger (WP: 5), opal (ice), ruby (fire), garnet (earth), diamond (light), amethyst (darkness), 7 potions, 9 tonics, 3 remedies, 1 elixir, 3 nostrums, 3 mead, holy bomb, ice bomb, smoke bomb, shovel, bedroll, 3 bones, jo-no tree seed Edit: Just saw kintobor's post. Will add his reply. Pulling the coin from his bag, the were-raven grins. "Ok, you're right. five beautiful coins. I'll now tell the rumor that I came to tell. I heard from one of me reliable associates that there was someone making a deal with the lord to ban the sale of cloth in the city. This, my reliable associate claims, means that investing in cloth right now is even worse an idea than before the market crash. But I told him, that's OK. I'm not planning to invest because I don't have any money! Caw caw caw." The were-raven chuckles for some reason. perhaps at the cruel irony of his current position, perhaps because he was tricking them, perhaps because of lack of sanity. The were-raven's "Caw"s continue for some time. "Is this man bothering you?" asks a dock guard, noticing the beggar.

"Yes! Kind woman." cooed the were-raven. "You surely won't miss a gold or two. Me pooor nest needs food, and there's allots of beaks to feed." Bart, visibly calmer, but still on edge appeared disgusted at the sight of the were-raven beggar, but didn't interfere with his pleas. After hearing Karie's response, he whispered in her ear, "It's best not to make eye-contact with the beggars. Not all of them are honest, and most of them aren't clean."

Order (if everyone agrees): Sylph: Heal Rome, BR Sylph: Heal Rome, BR (or Heal Elgar, BR) Galen: Gauntlet L, BR Alex: Tail, BR Johon: Wing L, BR Johon: Eidolon, BR Punii: Make Jellies Galen: Wing R, BR Hall: Gauntlet L, BR Rome: Gauntlet L, BR

"Ok!" yelped the excitable Hinckwell. "Charley seems to be coming our way!" The Hinckwell and the argumentative party members all climbed into the small row-boat that arrived. The boat was a tad too cramped for some of the party members though, and the boat rocked from their irritation. Once the Party arrived on the ship, it set-sail for Brendenton. The ride was brief, thankfully, and buffeted by heavy winds. After one long day and one long night, the Questers found themselves in port. When they stepped off the ship, they found the city in the veil of heavy morning fog, rendering even the sea beneath the docks invisible. Aside from that though, it was a city, much like Eubric. The peasants and laborers went about their daily routines, beggars loitered in points of high-travel, armed guards stood vigilantly, watching for pickpockets and crooks. Ooc: The lack-of-Photoshop is called fog. I had a busy evening. As the party departed from the docks, they were stopped by a poor-looking were-raven. He tugged on the robes of Amorith as they passed. "Caw! You folks seem... Rich. Give me five gold coins and I'll tell you lot a rumour I've heard." the bird-man crooned in his high-pitched yet gravelly voice. "Caw! I need the money for me poooor nest, and I promise it'll be worth your while." He finished, grinning.