Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/08/24(Sun)15:48 No. 591040 ID: 86cf84
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"It is good of you to have come to your senses, ebon sorceress. This partnership will be most beneficial for us."
You know, you really haven't said anything about the people you work for, or who drafted this contract. That's...usually pretty important. So what are you allowed to tell me about them?
"Management makes sure all parts of the company run efficiently. There is not much else to say about them. As for your mission...

That's a very clever non-answer. But whatever, I'll have time to worry about that later. A contract is a contract, and doing work means I get paid.
If only I knew what the work was.

>Fetch quest for the new kid?
>Diplomacy for the number cruncher?
>Wetworks for the death mage?
>You did have that priority mission earlier...does it pay bonus if I take it?

Hrrrm...A young Ebony Sorceress, tried enough to know she will never put down magic, even if she WAS a hard sell...
I wasn't kidding about that priority mission, hop to it!

Right. So is that priority mission still viable?

>>591040
>Fetch quest for the new kid?
I think we'll want to ease into it.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/08/26(Tue)17:18 No. 591278 ID: 86cf84
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Alright you furry little git, you kept hounding me about an assignment. Hand it over already.

"Patience is clearly no virtue of yours. No matter." I'm sure the rat bastard could be more condescending, but I'm unsure how.

"One of our agents has been working a deep cover operation for us in Ravnica, but fears her cover may be compromised. Your assignment is to ensure her mission parameters are still attainable, and if necessary aid in her defense against would-be assassins if they exist as she purports. This assignment will last a maximum of one week." Ugh. I don't want to say this is babysitting, so...well, whoever this 'agent' is has to at least be my age. And to be running a deep-cover op she'll be well versed in magic of some form.

So why send a rookie to help?

>Alright, How are you getting me to wherever this is?
>I need an hour to prepare for this. (How so?)
>This stinks worse than a dead fish in Denmark. Gimme a different mission.

If she's worried her cover is blown, a mysterious outsider running to her aid won't confirm it?

If we're going to pull this off we need to know what her mission parameters are, before speaking with her (doesn't make sense to have an opperative spill her mission in the field). We'll also need the information to safely contact her, as she's probably pretty paranoid right now. (Code phrase, magic ID, what have you).

It would really help to get the 411 on this Ravnica, too. Ideally, we need to know enough not to blow her cover by exposing ourseleves.

We'll either need transportation, or it'll have to teach us how to travel their ourself.

For our own preperations, we already have our hone in order, and we don't need to bring much.

>>591278
>This stinks worse than a dead fish in Denmark.
But you'll do it.

>Alright, How are you getting me to wherever this is?
Any contingency plan that they have planned? Also, it's a week assignment. We've got our side prepared; how about the Ravnica side? Where will we stay? Any money or supplies for us? Can we be pure tourist during the mission or do we need Cliff's Notes?

>The agent
What is her name or identifier? How does he/she look like? What is her magic? Can I take a look at her dossier? Any identifying call and answer code words?

Also, higher management seems to be ok but Fuzzy here has his head stuck up his own ass. Might want to ask the one we'll be meeting about him. Maybe we can get a few stories or get her to tell upper management, since she's trusted enough to do this deep cover mission.

Oh wait, the obvious question. If we get there and find the agent's assessment is right? That she's been compromised and her objectives are already unattainable? What's our objective then? Exfiltrating her? Getting her intelligence out? Cleaning up the mess?

...worst case. If we arrive and the agent is already deceased?

>So why send a rookie to help?
Well, one way to read that is that they're not taking their agent's fears seriously. If they don't believe he or she is really compromised, they won't need much backup.

Another way to read that is that they're pressed for time and resources. Doesn't matter if you're new- they need someone there now.

>brainstorming
I'm not sure how much mana we'll have to burn when we get there, but we do have at least two spells that might be useful. Altar's reap might allow us to cut past part of the intrigue and double dealing in an undercover mission (although there must be ways to avoid divinations like that or undercover agents would be way too easy to catch and/or unnecessary). And we have an assassin. Possibly the easiest way to guard against assassination attempts would be to summon our own and ask how she would go about it.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/08/27(Wed)22:22 No. 591490 ID: 86cf84
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>>591353
>>591280
>>591364
Great. This is just fucking great. But, it's to help someone out and I am getting paid for it, so...let's do this properly.

"I'm going to need a lot of information, about the contact, her mission, how to get a hold of her and make sure she knows I'm with you, and what exactly I'm supposed to do if her mission does need to be scrapped, or if she's dead."
"A dossier is being compiled and will be ready for you upon arrival. The parameters of our agent's mission are above your paygrade, but she will know if they are still viable for completion. Your extraction will take place in a week, or when the mission is completed or terminated, whichever comes first. That is all you need know."
That's a load of bullshit. But I really don't have any other good choices here. "So how will I get from here to wherever that is?"
...

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/08/27(Wed)22:41 No. 591498 ID: 86cf84
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"Milady. Please wake milady, the morn is half over."
Urgg...it's morning already?
That fuzzy bastard is going to get an earful when I get back. His boss too.
"I-i do ap-pologize for rousing you, guildmaiden, but you did request such a service. If you have need of anything, p-please do not h-h-hesitate." A stammering man who puts the hunchback to shame all but runs out of the door to...I guess this is a room for a cheap hotel or inn or something?

>Trait Trigger: Maiden of the Blind Eternities

...This...this has to be one of those other worlds I saw, when I looked out at all of them. I...suppose it could be worse. Everything seems opulent nearly to the point of being gaudy, and a peek out the window shows plenty of signs of civilization...backwater tech level for sure, but civilization. And running water too!

Alright. There's a giant scroll here propped up next to my bed, I'm going to guess that's the dossier. Let's read that and figure out how to play this.

>I should locate the agent and approach her ASAP, we'll worry about details later.
>It's probably best to tail her for a bit, or at least try to gather information before meeting this person.
>I could try to find the supposed assassin, kill him and find her that way...

>Veronica's Mission Dossier will be written up and posted in the questdis by the end of the day on Thursday
>>/questdis/51740

>Your assignment is to ensure her mission parameters are still attainable
>The parameters of our agent's mission are above your paygrade
Well there's a classic contradiction of priorities. Our assignment is to ensure goals we're ignorant of. We're already off the rails with the primary purpose of our assignment.

At best we can assume the success of these unknown mission parameters requires our coworker to be alive, and to retain independent agency. And that maintaining her cover would likely make achieving her objectives easier.

>Urgg...it's morning already?
I suppose that's a good thing. You were out all day and into the night searching for mana and then practicing spells. Getting some rest in before the action starts is a good thing. ...Assuming you actually slept,and this isn't just a plane-hopping time-zone thing.

>only spells or creature attacks in a turn
Interesting. The very nature of this plane limits options, and draws out combat. Forces you to be more strategic in your actions. Makes sense as a location for politics and intrigue and spying, I suppose.

>what do
Skim of the dossier, fast. We're in another plane, and dealing with a deep cover agent. We need an idea of how things work here so we don't stick out, or worse, blow the agent's cover for her. We need an idea who the players are here, and what the rules are. We don't need to pick unnecessary fights with the locals, either (barring the supposed assassins).

A quick glance outside might help. How are people dressed? For that matter, what are the people here? Will you stick out as an outsider?

How do you feel, magic-wise? Can you gauge how much you have to tap into, here?

Once we have an idea what's going on here, we can see about refining our approach.

>>591498
First things first. Read that scroll.



>I should locate the agent and approach her ASAP, we'll worry about details later.
>I could try to find the supposed assassin, kill him and find her that way...
No, no, no. We need to worry about the details. Details are what help us do the job. And other than a robot and a bug, you've not killed anything. And you've not killed anything that you'd consider sentient.



>It's probably best to tail her for a bit, or at least try to gather information before meeting this person.
Probably the best right now, but still read the scroll first

>>/questdis/84981
>each guild deals with two colors of magic
>Our agent's cover story is a Skyknight for the Azorius Senate
So... going by the obvious associations of sky and azure, she's in the blue / white guild. And she's probably white herself.

Great, elemental opposites. I'm sure that won't create any unnecessary friction. Send the paranoid angel girl a death knight as backup.

>Roni's cover is an initiate in the Orzhov Syndicate
White-Black? Appropriate. Gives us a reason to be talking to her, at least. It's even thematically appropriate for Roni's kind of black- ordered and financial. She can fake that.

Important information missing here is that we don't know which of the ten guilds (or other sub-factions) our coworker is working against, or what direction she expects the threat to come from. You'd expect law-scholars to just arrest or impeach her, not send assassins, so it's probably not the Azorius she's worried about.

>what do
First up, equip that pendent and bracelet. Pendent over your top and visible, bracelet on your off hand so you're less likely to break it by accident, and it's concealed more easily. Destroy the scroll once you've read it- this is an undercover mission after all, no need to leave evidence. (Fireplace? Candle? Or torn up and flushed down the drain).

I think our first objective should be to make contact with the agent at this library, but since we don't have a means to arrange a meeting, we're stuck on waiting for her being there (which may, conveniently, give us a little time for more research and preparation).

One possible approach (if we need it) might be to use the knight of dusk- summon her as an attention catching distraction for the library nerds to buy us time to make contact.

Altar's reap is a tempting way to gather information quickly, but that depends on how much mana we have to spare, here. And I'm not so sure it's a good idea to leave messy animal sacrifices in a hotel room.

Might also want to see if the room you've got paid for includes breakfast.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/08/29(Fri)08:11 No. 591656 ID: 86cf84
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>>591504
>>591511
>>591530

Well, I feel rested enough to have slept, and my one mana connection is plenty strong enough to use. I ought to see about trying to forge one here while I'm at it, though.

The dossier doesn't give me a whole lot to go on, so I guess there's enough time to do some detective work once I get dressed and ready to go out.

...

This outfit is kinda silly-looking, but compared to my other choice I'll take it. I ought to be able to blend in...well, more accurately, I won't stand out any more than anyone else.

So now what?

>Find someone who I can pressgang/bribe into doing me a favor.
>I'm trying to find a skyknight, so if I can get to someplace tall I might be able to track her that way...
>Fuck it, go to the library and read until I see her.
>Other (Write-In)

Library- running around making waves would be a bad choice when we're supposed to be discreet, and she's no doubt been informed of our coming, otherwise this would in no way end well.

>I ought to see about trying to forge [a mana connection] here while I'm at it, though
Not a bad idea, although not our first priority. We'll save that idea for when we have downtime, or an opportunity presents itself.

>This outfit is kinda silly-looking
Oh good, they provided native garb. I was worried we'd have to waste time and gold getting clothes.

>Skyknight, look around from a tall place?
That's making an assumption about how literal her assumed title is. Also, without a spyglass (or a spell that has a similar effect?) picking out a specific person at a distance (flying or not) from a high vantage point will be tricky. Especially if say, there's a dress code or uniform for skyknights. It might be hard to pick her out.

>pressgang / bribe
Tempting, but with no understanding of the dynamics or politics of this place, we don't know who (a) we might safely lean on and (b) has the information we want. We could very easily waste our time on someone who's will be no help, or worse, lean or someone who can lean back harder, and cause problems.

>go to the library
Probably the best plan. If we assume she's spooked (and must have been, to have sent out a distress call while undercover) she'll be waiting for news, and visiting her point of contact as soon as she can. We have to trust she's reaching for backup.

Also, doubles as a low-risk information grab. Specifically, I would recommend looking up the Azorius Senate, Skyknights, and the Orzhov Syndicate. Also, it's not too big a stretch to imagine that say, a roster of the local senate might be a matter of public record. Or where the senate holds session, or the sky-knight barracks are, etc. Even if she doesn't show up to the library quick, we can use the time to find the information we need to find her ourself, and hopefully, to operate here.

I suppose we'll need to set up reading where we can see the entrance, or failing that, we'll have to summon something or someone to watch the door while we're searching shelves.

Here are a few things you need to know.

One, right now the most dangerous people that you can meet are anyone belonging with the Orzhov Syndicate. They can ferret you out to be not one of them, so avoid them.

Two, you'll probably need to get past Azorious Senate guards. Tell them that you are going to their library for research. Financial research with a lot of accountant jargon if pressed. Since they are the lawmakers, and that you are an initiate, it will look like someone higher up ordered you to do legal gruntwork.

Three, if someone is confronting you about your cover and there's no guards or you're not in custody, don't admit it. Instead double down on the lie. If said person had evidence, he'd have used it already, so he's trying for you to break your own cover.


>>591656

>outfit
Wear the outfit with the pendant and bracelet. Get comfortable in it. See if you can run in it. You might need to.

The plan right now,

>Fuck it, go to the library and read until I see her.

If you are hungry, find a place on the way to the library. A food stand is ideal. A restaurant or tavern is less ideal but go for one that has all kinds of people in it, not people wearing the same colours or theme. That way you won't look like you're going into other guild hangouts or trying to cause trouble.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/02(Tue)21:19 No. 592296 ID: 86cf84
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>>591663
>>591667
>>591798

Right. If she's this scared, this skyknight probably can't wait for a knight in shining armor to come to her rescue. Guess I'll be a disappointment on that front, but the sooner I meet up with this woman, the sooner I can get this over with. Finding directions to the Ismeri Library isn't too hard, though a few people look at me funny. They move on when I give them a sharp glare though.

The streets are really crowded, which makes it a bit hard to navigate - it also makes carrying on a discrete conversation fairly easy. After a bit of walking an opening appears, a void almost instantly filled by a young redhead wearing a set of loose-fitting robes. "You're the expert on covert assassinations, Elana. How would you go about this if you had to?"

"You're dealing with someone who is terrified she may lose her job, her life, or both - you can't expect someone like that to act rationally. It's hard to tell how anyone would take it. If it were me, my hope would be she tries melding in a crowd like this. So many people and faces, no one'll notice one going missing until it's too late."
So keeping to herself in a sparsely-populated public place would make things difficult?
"Yeah. As long as she stays there, doing the deed might be trouble. No chance for the element of surprise, and the ever-present chance of witnesses who don't know to keep quiet makes it a bad idea." I have to hope that's how this is going to happen, if not, I may be up shit creek with no paddle.

...

Apparently this library is unaffiliated with any guild, to the point of not having any guild symbols in the place at all. The library is certainly large, and there's no shortage of people from...well, all walks of life I expect. Everyone needs to be able to read, I suppose.

Finding the deep cover agent takes a little more time, but I've tracked her down easily enough. Now there's the question of how to play this...

>Let's be casual, try and make her feel comfortable around you.
>Strictly business. Drop the safeword and get all the intel you can as fast as you can.
>Hostile. Try to keep character appearances up - if she drags you away, so much the better for your covers.
>Other (Write-In)

>As a note, Elana is still around, considered to be tailing you from the shadows until formally dismissed.

>a disappointing knight in shining armor
Well, the shining part, anyways.

>Now there's the question of how to play this
Kind of depends on how crowded this portion of the library is. How many eyes are on us? And maybe more importantly, whose are they? Putting on a show matter more if, say, members of your assumed guild, or hers, are visible nearby and would notice something out of sorts. You don't want to blow either of your covers.

>what do
Once we've made contact, a businesslike seems the correct demeanor- we want to appear professional. She's concerned for her life, she should see us as competent. We can veer more casual if she needs the comfort and reassurance. Getting the intel is important, but "as fast as you can" is bad. As is dropping the safeword too openly or obviously when people might be listening. Needs to be done right, not rushed.

Making the approach though, that depends on our surroundings. If we're not concerned about eyes, we can approach her more easily (pretend to be trying to find a book that leads you to her). If there are more eyes we can act a bit, be haughty and hostile and bump into her (although not too big a scene- you don't want people to remember or talk about this, or for it to interfere with your covers, or make it impossible to talk, later). If we're really concerned about eyes, we'll need a distraction. The eye-grabbing knight won't like being used just to draw eyes, but she could serve that purpose.

However we do it, to drop the safe-word, I want to make a quip about meeting strangers from the internet.

>As a note, Elana is still around, considered to be tailing you from the shadows until formally dismissed
That's useful, actually. If there really are other assassins waiting to make a move, or shadowing the agent, she might be in a position to make them, or interfere. If nothing else, she might notice weak spots in the agent's defense that might need shoring up.

...although part of me wonders just how long you can keep a summon summoned. Presumably we're pulling (or projecting) her from her native plane. Summoned creatures might be willing to step into battles without warning for the fun if it, but I wonder if dragging them away from their own affairs for a week long stake out will cause problems.

>>592314
I agree with this. Get a book sit next to our skyknight and use the word.

Elena should be covering you nearby.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/08(Mon)14:53 No. 593340 ID: d604bf
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>>592314
>>592434

I really ought to spend a bit less time just thinking about these things and a bit more time doing them. It's going to go faster for everyone involved. Taking a book off a shelf, I make my way towards the Senate infiltrator and take a seat across from her. Our eyes lock for just a second, but that tells me everything I need to know.

She's fucking terrified. I don't know what shadows this woman has been jumping at, but she hasn't slept in...days, at least - maybe weeks even? I don't even want to know how she's feeling about it. The least that I can do is let her know she isn't alone.

"A bit sad to see a library so empty." I mutter, just loud enough to get her attention. "Kids too obsessed with being attached to the internet I think. Sad, isn't it?"

There's a pause, before she speaks up. "It really is...not that you'd understand. There are powers at work here. Powers that are huge threats to everyone here, guilded or not, be they trespassers or not."
"Well, considering we're both trespassing, that's not exactly my concern. You asked for help, so here I am. Elana, anyone up there?" The shaman drops down from the rafters, smiling.

"Nothing up there except dust and cobwebs. Can't blame 'em, really." The Senate girl pales as the vampire grins. "Don't worry, I'm not hungry...yet." Oh for fuck's sake...

"Hey, cut that shit out right now. Don't need you scaring the client. And you, don't worry. I'm here to make sure nothing happens. Calm down and fill me in here." The senate girl sighs, trying her best to keep it together (and stay awake).

"My name is Sarah. I'm not comfortable saying any more about why I'm here in the open though, and I certainly don't want to say anything that demonspawn can twist against me."

This is getting better and better.

>What the hell am I supposed to come back with?

>I certainly don't want to say anything that demonspawn can twist against me
*sigh* Wrong kind of 'demonspawn' for that, I'd think. Takes an assassin to catch an assassin. But if she makes you uncomfortable... (ask Elena to keep an eye on things from a distance, or dismiss her).

If you're uncomfortable with the location, you could provide annother. That might make meeting harder to explain, though. And there's a certain security in a public place like this. Attempts on lives are easier in a crowd, or locked away in secret.

I need something to work with, though. I don't think I can safeguard you effectively blind.

By "demonspawn", ask if Sarah means her (point in the general direction of Elena), a certain furry creature, or someone else? We have met a number of people so far who could fit that descriptor.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/09(Tue)13:13 No. 593444 ID: d604bf
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>>593344
>>593397
I don't really know why this started, but it needs to end right fucking now. "Listen little girl, because I'm only going to say this once. You're scared because you think someone's trying to kill you or reveal that you're just another tourist. And in order to make sure that doesn't happen, I'm asking someone trained in covert assassinations to watch our back - takes one to know one, right?"
"But the Lord sa-"
"I don't care that she's not human, and you shouldn't either - I'm sure your God isn't a fan of such blatant racism. Right now she's the best asset available to us."
"And the whole 'Thou Shalt not kill' commandment? You expect me throw that away?" Oh for the love of...
>Trait Trigger - Black Knight/Mortician
"First off, I never brought up anything about killing people - If I have to then fine, but just because I use black magic doesn't mean I revel in it. Second off, you need to get your head around how much shit we could be in if we get found out. If people know who we work for we're completely fucked and that's assuming we don't get executed or arrested forever. We don't have the luxury of doing the 'right' thing quite yet - if it keeps us out of trouble then to hell with the rules. Third off, I don't even think I need a third but you should have at least 3 items for a list so here it is. You begged Management for help. You don't get to bitch about who's helping. Am I clear?"

She's stunned into silence, which I guess will be good enough. At the very least I hope I got through to her - we're gonna need a lengthy talk when things aren't as crazy.

So now what?
>Return to your room - it's big enough for two and gives us a degree of privacy to plan things out.
>Meld into a crowd outside - it's going to be impossible for anyone to pick us out, and Elena can be overwatch if someone tries.
>Insist you stay here and lay things out - as empty as this place is, the chances of anyone overhearing are almost nothing. Plus it's safe.
>Other (Write-In)

Hmm. I resisted the temptation to go on a rant about our color because I wasn't sure that was what she was objecting to.

If we hold a follow up philosophy talk in the future, I'd revise point two. Death isn't breaking a rule. It is a rule. A natural order that you respect, and maintain, and draw power from.

As for right now, maintaining that order means keeping her from meeting her end before her time. (If she's savvy enough to ask what happens if it is her time: take a line from your employers. She'll die. Breaking that is a fate worse than death, and not how you employ your abilities).

>where go
Elena already explained to us Sarah would be easiest to target in a crowd. So that's a bad option.

That means we talk here, or in our room. Pose the choice to her. She knows the specific threat here more than we do. Is a lesser chance of being overheard worth the delay of changing venues, and the hit to cover explaining away a private meeting might be?

One thing I see
>s empty as this place is, the chances of anyone overhearing are almost nothing. Plus it's safe.

and before
>The library is certainly large, and there's no shortage of people from...well, all walks of life I expect.

I got a bad feeling about staying here and Elena already told us that Sarah would be targeted in a crowd. So

>Return to your room - it's big enough for two and gives us a degree of privacy to plan things out.

It will look like an Azorius follower is getting herself indebted to the Orzhov.

How risky the library is depends on how crowded it is. Elena described the risks before: a crowd is bad, too easy to disappear in. Public, but not crowded is good, since an attack will be exposed and witnessed.

The hotel frees us from a potentially dangerous crowd, but it's also private. No witnesses. Meaning in some ways it's safer for a would be assassin who can get to us. (And there's the unspoken risk we might have to travel through the crowded streets to get back there. Unless we took a quieter route?).

I suppose the deciding factor is if we really need sensitive details to be kept secret, and if we need to keep our terrified charge calm.

>You're dealing with someone who is terrified she may lose her job, her life, or both - you can't expect someone like that to act rationally
This would be important to remember. That's a good reason why she made a big deal out of a stupid thing like your choice of summoned creature, or commandments. Meaning you kind of have to steer her.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/10(Wed)15:04 No. 593621 ID: d604bf
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>>593453
>>593555
>>593589
Well, I have to figure out what exactly is going on with Sarah's mission to see what all I can do to help. "We need to find somewhere safe to discuss this. You have anywhere?" The girl shakes her head. "Right, we can go back to my room at the inn - safest place I know here." It's a bad idea but lacking a better one it'll do.

...

"Well, fuck." I say as we stand in the middle of this square. I'm just going to call it "this square" because I have no fucking idea which one it is. Elana looks a bit confused as well. "Sarah, please tell me you know where we are, because I don't." The blonde turns around a few times before sighing.
Goddammit.
"Geography was never my strong suit, and usually I'm seeing things from above. I can probably get us to one of the guildhouses though." Well, it's a start. I did get enough reading while waiting to learn a bit about the relevant local hangouts.
>New Prahv is the headquarters for the Azorius Senate after the first Prahv had a giant airship crash into it. While the Senate does write laws and do all that bureaucratic shit, they also run the courts and act as the police force.
>Orzhova, the Church of Deals and is the HQ for the Orzhov Syndicate. They make it seem like it's a church with a bank attached, but it's more the opposite. While their banking system is admittedly as advanced as you can get without computerized ledgers they really act like the Mafia - and trying too hard, might I add.
>The Ismeri Library is totally a guildless library open to the public and certainly isn't where Dimir agents pass secret code messages, nosiree! What would make you think that?

...Seriously?

>Head towards New Prahv
>Head towards Orzhova
>Keep looking for the hotel room
>Other (Write-In)

Hrrrm.
I think of the two places...She'd probably be better off going to the senate with you in tow. Since we're to act as bodygaurd, one way to do that is to draw attention to ourselves, and away from our charge...

Well, I wasn't expecting us to fail our retrace our steps roll. That's pretty bad.

...unless someone or something made us forget. A forget spell would be a great way to isolate a target and get them lost. (And isn't there a guild of assassins with memory magic in this city?).

Still, annoying that we're paying for a room we can't use.

Note to self: a creature or spell good at finding paths might be useful to pick up in the future.

>what do
I'll assume the area is too public, populated, and daylit for a bloody insight sacrifice to get unlost. I'm tempted though, if there's an alley or somewhere we could summon and kill a rat.

In the event that's not a good option (or we don't want to burn mana) her cover with her guild is better than yours with yours. Makes New Prahv safer than the alternative. Although Elena might have to stay away from judey paladin types.

When on the move, try and distract Sarah with idle talk. So she does fly, then? Mount, machine, enchantment?

>Head towards New Prahv
The Azorius know our companion and she knows the way to her own place.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/15(Mon)14:40 No. 594252 ID: d604bf
File 141081724632.jpg - (92.62KB , 312x445 , 237.jpg )

>>593623
>>593624
>>593673

"Get us to the Senate Buildings - any good landmark to help us get our bearings is good. From there I'm sure to figure out where we need to be. Elana, no offense but..."
"Yeah yeah, I get it. I'll be around if you need me." In a blink, the vampiric shaman is gone, likely back to wherever she hangs out. Sarah seems to get going fairly quickly and while it's not too hard to keep up, the constant throng of people has me a little on edge. "Hey, think you can gimme a sec here?" I point toward an abandoned alley, Sarah just frowns.
"And what sort of indecent proclivities do you need to sate now?" Geez, this woman...
"I need information, and since you're too stubborn to hand it over, I have to take a different way." Three steps into this alley seems deep enough in to not be noticed - well, I hope it is, because my blade just stabbed a rat. Helpful of it to be around without needing to summon my own.
...
I guess part of black magic is the lack of quality I have over the information I get from this. It's...gonna take a little time to sort all this out. I...am pretty sure we havne't been followed. If Sarah's cover in her own guild is safe, then this should be pretty smooth. I think. Still need to know what she's doing here and how I can help.
It doesn't take too long to arrive at the Azorius Guild house, Sarah talking a lot to get us in. The halls seem fairly empty and the blonde in front of me sighs - not sure if it's relief or exasperation. Both would be appropriate.

There's something else, though...maybe it's the mana here, but I have this...greasy taste in the back of my mouth. It shouldn't be anything serious, I hope.

>Make her explain everything now
>Try to gently lead her into things
>Make small talk before asking about her assignment
>Other (Write-In)

Okay, I'm somewhat reassured that we were just lost and no one messed with our heads. I would have expected magically trying to brute force knowledge to butt up against that.

>indecent proclivities
This girl is really making herself hard to like with all the judging and jumping to conclusions, here. Have to restrain myself and remember how much stress and lack of sleep she's opperating under.

>what do
Assuming we're somewhere where we can talk without being overheard, I'd try gently leading her to what we need. She's stressed, and all to willing to snap at us, and assume the worst. Direct won't work well unless we cow her completely, and would only reinforce her black is bad attitude.

If we're not someplace where we can talk openly, stall with small talk. Use it to try and reassure her somewhat.

Problem, of course, is this is the worst place for her to be heard talking about this stuff, since it could blow her cover. We need privacy, and some assurance people can't listen in. (Cover noise might help- running water, a sound system, flight deck?).

gentle leanings/small talk.
Sooo...I hear you've been in trouble for some time now? (Would be in-character for someone of our cover to ask about how someone's doing, if only so we can make them an offer they can't refuse...)

>Try to gently lead her into things
We should be safe here.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/16(Tue)15:04 No. 594372 ID: 630d3c
File 141090507053.jpg - (63.06KB , 312x445 , 26a.jpg )

>>594258
>>594270
>>594318
Okay, let's keep things calm about this. The best way to get this girl to open up is to be calm, keep a level head and make she sure does the same. She's not a fan of black magic, but we're not all as heartless as she seems to believe.
...at least, I'm not.

In any case, I'm not going to push this - it doesn't seem like it'd end well anyhow. Just be gentle with her, but a little firm.
"Hey. I'm here to help you, so let me do my job. You gonna be okay, Sarah? Need anything?"
"..." She's got this blank stare on her face, as if she's just looking into space for something that isn't there. I put my hand on her cheek as she refocuses. "Yeah...Sorry. I just...It's tough, being away for this long. Can't wait until this is over. I guess what I really needed was something at all familiar. I was hoping for something a bit closer to home but...well, beggars can't be choosers can they?" That's a good point - Who knows how long it's been since this girl's seen anything remotely reminiscent of home. There's certainly a lot more to this girl than just being a spoiled brat - despite her best attempts to make me think otherwise.
"So, d'you think you can explain your situati-"
I'm cut off as a piercing alarm starts blaring. I don't know if Sarah looks more pale than she was when Elena introduced herself, but it's close.

>She's exhausted - switch wardrobes with her and report in her place
>Do what can be done to help with...whatever this is.
>Bug out, the last thing you want is to be caught in the middle of a warzone
>Other (Write-In)

Hrrm.
On the one hand, tempting to be a helper but...We're kind of Orzhov. If we help, our help will be expected to come with strings attached...
I think she and you should just go elsewhere. She's frazzled and possibly missing a few days worth of sleep-not at all the position one should be in during combat.
>Bug out.
I don't think trying to take her place is an option either-you don't look the same, you don't at all have the right powerset for it, you've only just arrived instead of having lived here a few days...It wouldn't end well.

I doubt we can help the Azorius, but can we lock/barricade the door? Ask Sarah what she wants to do? Hole up or bug out?

Obvious thing to do would be to ask her what the alarm means. (Does it mean 'danger'? An attack? Specifically calling skyknights to their posts for duty? Our response is kind of different, depending).

>what do
Our primary objective here and now is Sarah's safety. Followed by the secondary objective of maintaining her cover. Third: we're supposed to be ensuring her mission objectives are attainable. If her mission involves being an undercover Azorius, it's not unreasonable to assume the Azorius being overrun would be bad for her mission.

First thing to note: we signed in. Sarah talked us through the front door, remember? That means the two of you are both on record as being inside. If this is a mandatory call to arms, her failure to participate will be noticed.

Bugging out is problematic, at best. It puts her cover at risk, and if there is an attack, that means finding an exit and punching through the perimeter. Overall, it puts all three objectives at risk, and puts us back at square one, dragging her through the streets from who knows what, no information, and no safe place.

Which means we should probably assist, here. We're the knight, act like it. Protect our charge, deal with the enemy. (And hey, a battlefield, blood shed, on holy ground? That sounds like a hell of a black power source. At least temporally).

I'd lean towards the second option (assisting openly). As an excuse, afterwards: you don't much care to be attacked, wherever you are. Besides, why hide, when it's known I'm here as a guest? And debts are such a useful thing to have, in business (play up the arrogance, remember?). The biggest risk is if word gets back to the Orzhov, and they take in interest in this initiate suddenly playing games with the senate.

The first option just needlessly risks her cover. Unless this is a mandatory call to arms kind of thing for her, and not appearing puts her cover at serious super-risk.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/17(Wed)12:51 No. 594501 ID: d604bf
File 141098349231.jpg - (116.83KB , 312x445 , 57.jpg )

>>594382
>>594476
>>594484
The alarm doesn't last too long, which is good - I don't think I'd be able to shout over it. I'm about to ask Sarah what's going on when she dashes to the nearest window, staring at the sky.
"You wanted to know why I'm here? keep an eye on those clouds." That doesn't explain much...I can see a speck that's probably an airborne mage, but wh-
"Attention! Gruul raiders of the Ghor Clan have attacked an Azorius Court Building! All available Arresters and Skyknights, report to Building 7E immediately! Wojek Infantry reinforcements are en route to the scene!"
Holy crap. That...it was like the news just flashed in front of my eyes. That wasn't the bullshit telepathic thing the rabbit thingy was doing, the words just...popped in my head.
"Skyscribing - a spell able to project messages directly into the mind of anyone who looks at the sigil. That's my job, learn that spell so Management can use it instead of relying on those wretched furry beasts." That's...really something, I guess. That said, she seems really exhausted. Maybe she ought to sit this one out?

>Sarah's Trait Trigger: Devout Aspirant

" Isaiah 40:31: They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Sarah recites to herself as a soft white glow washes over her. "I appreciate looking out for me, but I've got a job to do and I don't plan on missing out. But by all means, I won't turn down the help!"
That's good enough for me. There are a few stink-eyes given to me as we make for the beseiged courtroom, but it seems most of the people are glad to have another set of hands on their side. Sarah barking orders at people seems to help too.

Time to earn my keep, I guess.
>Have Elena and your unnamed knight go out and wreak all the havoc they can, stay close to Sarah
>You have a kill spell, spam it until it won't work anymore.
>Your sword's sharp enough, pick off stragglers as you're able and don't get stabbed.
>Other (Write-In)

>You have a kill spell, spam it.
Sounds good to me! Black DPSes while these guys Tank, sounds like a plan to me!

>That's my job, learn that spell
Oh, interesting. It's not politically motivated at all. More industrial espionage- get the technological secrets. Makes sense that they'd want something like this, though. A direct line of communication is far superior to having to rely on messengers.

Hmm. Also means if this mission is successful, we might have saved the life of the person who ends up being our coordinator and liaison with management. (Assuming they put her to work using that spell). That's very useful.

>wretched furry beasts
There you go. Common ground. You both have it in for the fuzzballs.

Additionally, she's true to the virtues she holds. That's similar to our own code about order in death. There's room for common ground and respect there, eventually.

>There are a few stink-eyes given to me as we make for the besieged courtroom
Remember the position to take if your presence is questioned, after the fact. Be haughty and condescending. You helped not out of generosity, but because it was in your own interests. You had business to discuss to discuss with this skynight, and you were interrupted. You don't appreciate interruptions, but debts can be useful.

(Might trigger a knight trait speech, actually. You're the executioner, not the judge. You were pointed, and you went. Which might be a good thing. Will make it more convincing).

>what do
We only have one mana source, and we're in this protection gig all week. That means we can't afford to be inefficient with mana. I don't particularly favor spamming doom blade, especially since it's single target. Good way to burn out, fast.

I'd support a modified version of the first option. Summons are nice and energy efficient. Assuming they don't get cut down immediately, we can kill or disable multiple enemies with a single spell. Summons go into the fray (make sure you specify who they're attacking), and we support them and the knights from the back lines (near Sarah, hopefully). Use your sword when the opportunity presents itself, and cast strategically. Focus on keeping allies in the fight- killing things about to kill knights or your summons. Managing / arbitrating death. Doom blade to cut down enemies getting an upper hand, or Kor Dirge at the right moment to reflect damage and save someone on our side about to be cut down (although I assume that has a longer casting time, as we have to sing, and not just cast through the sword?).

This is fighting about as smart and energy efficient as we can, and as a bonus, stays true to our theme (if that counts for anything, magically), and may net us goodwill with the knights who might otherwise give us a hard time. Also keeps our inexperience with our weapon from hampering us, much.

If Sarah is targeted by the enemy, react fast and hard. Either intercept with your sword, cut the enemy down with doom blade, or use Kor Dirge to reflect the damage from her to her attacker.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/18(Thu)13:32 No. 594647 ID: d604bf
File 141107232934.jpg - (61.34KB , 312x445 , 74a.jpg )

>>594508
Mana is getting a little harder to come by - I'm for sure going to have to find a mana source here tonight. But for now I've got enough to work with, as Elena and my Knight both pop in before me.
"Alright, simple work. Anyone who looks like they crawled out of the jungle, stick up until they stop moving. Soldiers and Senators are off limits, get going!"
It seems they don't have to be told twice, which is useful. After they've gotten into the fray, I stick close to Sarah who despite her title doesn't appear on going airborne anytime soon.
"Grounded?"
"Not officially, but until we get word the skies are clear I'd rather not risk it." That's pretty smart of her, I guess. I have to trust that they can get the job done, or at least keep things...in...check.
...
"Well! That worked out better than I expected." Elena says, a clear swath of raider corpses strewn about around her. There's also the fact that she's all but surrounded by heavily armored soldiers, but they seem horribly on edge about it. The knight is standing at her back, blade stained with blood as well. Neither of them seem to have a scratch on them, though they each seem to have found a shiny bauble that radiates black mana.
I gotta learn how to do that. In any case, the attack, such as it was, seems to have turned into a massive slaughter for them - I'm sure there are a few Azor casualties, but when the other guys been slaughtered to the man...I'd say it's a good thing I was here.

>Well no more people attacking me, leaving now
>Stay glued to Sarah, talk down to anyone who questions it
>Well since you're all here and owe me your lives, here's what you can do for me... (create a debt to collect)
>Other (Write-In)

>Several stupidly high rolls contributed to this. Also, first strike and deathtouch means you're fucking untouchable in combat.

>Stay glued to Sarah, anyone who asks can refer to the butt-kicking you just did to protect your current business associate.

>stupidly high rolls, deathtouch and first strike
Man, we didn't even have to support at all. Not bad for our first fight. (All that contingency planning for naught).

>a shiny bauble that radiates black mana.
I gotta learn how to do that
Yes, harnessing power directly from death when it happens would be useful. A question for Elena in the future, maybe. Also suggests summoned creatures get something out of their service- they profitted from the combat.

>what do
Compliment your creatures on a job well done, and then send them off. The battle is over, and we'd be pushing our luck keeping them around.

We know Sarah's mission now, but not why she thinks her life is in danger. The specific threat. That means our conversation with her isn't over. We need to know what spooked her enough to call for help.

Third option is pushing our luck too far. Trying to stronarm them on the spot would likely get us thrown out, and make this a bigger incident. Succeed or fail, it would likely draw attention we don't want from our own guild.

Second option, then. You had business to discuss with the skynight, so it was in your interest to deal with the distraction. And a personal debt doesn't hurt. (And knight trait speech trigger if they continue to push your fighting for them).

We'll wait for Sarah to discharge her duty here, and then we can resume our discussion. If anyone pushes for more details: they're not paying you for that information, you be live they're the ones who may owe you a debt, not the other way around, and/or cite client confidentiality.

>>594647
>>594653
I like this. It shows that we're professional.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/09/21(Sun)15:06 No. 595098 ID: 630d3c
File 141133718533.jpg - (49.29KB , 312x445 , 152.jpg )

>>594649
>>594653
>>594897

"Okay, Elena? You gotta teach me that one of these days." The vampire shaman just smiles and shrugs.
"One of these days, maybe. You keep asking and I may have to start charging for it~." I also think I should ask how she's able to flip the switch from bubbly incompetent to scary assassin so damn quickly, but not now.
"And you...you know, I really don't know your name, and I think it's only proper that I have something better to call you. Anything?" The dusk knight frowns as she glares at me.
"If you must, call me by my name: Ciara. Now I'm going to leave now, unless there is more combat to be had?" Some things don't really change, do they?
"I've no further need of your blade, no. But any assistance you can give me with my swordsmanship later will be appreciated." Ciara nods as the two summons vanish into the aether.

"And I thought my summons had issues..." Sarah, if you had any idea, you'd regret even bringing it up. The bulk of the knights seem to be dispersing, giving the two of us a little more privacy.

>So, what's keeping you from learning this skyscribing spell? Is it that hard?
>So, how about you get some sleep and I make sure no one tries anything?
>I'm pretty sure your secret is safe. How else can I help?
>Other (Write-In)

Aw. I'm almost disappointed we didn't have anyone to talk down. No chance to be haughty of give a speech. Oh well. I guess these soldiers are competent enough not to turn on their reinforcements, or to butt heads with an officer's guest.

She's not about to be dragged off for a debrief or after-incident report or such now, right?

>So, what's keeping you from learning this skyscribing spell? Is it that hard?
I'm going to assume the problem is that it's a guild secret. You have to reach a certain rank or level of trust to be taught it. (You can't give just anyone the capability to broadcast orders to all troops, after all. Misinformation and chaos in the command chain would result). Presumably, her mission is to stay undercover until she reaches it.

>I'm pretty sure your secret is safe. How else can I help?
Asking what she needs from you is a pretty good starting place. I'd also ask what changed. Something went and spooked her and set off all the alarm bells.

If she doesn't have anything specific for you to do, and she can't elaborate on the specifics of how or why she's convinced someone is going to try and kill her, making sure she gets some sleep isn't the worst idea. Get her thinking straighter, replenish some reserves. Renew her own strength. (And maybe there will be time for a calmer tempered talk, before she falls asleep. Clear up some of that black versus white tension with a better explanation of what we stand for).

Another thing to keep in mind: we're going to need a way to keep her safe when we're not glued to her side if we're going to need to go out and locate a local mana source.

>I'm pretty sure your secret is safe. How else can I help?
She hasn't yet explained what happened that made her ask for help, and that we need to know these things if we want to bodyguard her better.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/10/08(Wed)18:36 No. 597725 ID: 630d3c
File 141281858964.jpg - (81.24KB , 312x445 , 132.jpg )

>>595112
>>595185

...It's dark. Like, almost pitch black dark. I can see just fine, but it's disconcerting as he-
"Do you really need to go there?" Oh. That's...right. That's Sarah, the person I was sent here to protect. Hearing her alive is good to know, if not for the whole "I have no fucking clue where I am" thing. So where exactly are we?

"We're still in the Azorius barracks. After that fight you...kinda went into a daze. If not for your skin I'd have thought you a zombie!" Well that's a fucking fantastic mental image, geez...
"You probably burned through too much mana too quickly. Not that I don't appreciate your summons decimating the attacking Gruul, but it's not healthy!"

Well I'm still dressed, I'm not too hungry, and I probably have just enough mana for a desperation spell or two. Which I guess means looking for a place to connect. I ask for a quick rundown of the potential sites I could grab a link from, and that'll narrow things down to reasonable...I hope.

>Rix Maadi, the Dungeon Palace - The Rakdos guildhall, basically an unending X-rated Carnivale down there. Sarah hates even considering the option, but no one will think twice about us being out this late around those parts.

>Korozda, Maze of Decay - the Golgari guildhall, a shroom aficionado's wet dream. From death comes new life, and while they're not Sarah's favorite guild to work with, they're far from the worst we could deal with.

>House Dimir - so apparently the library was hiding a leyline I coulda tapped into earlier! It can't be that hard to get back, but if people ask questions of either of us, things are likely to get messy in a hurry.

>Orzhova, Cathedral Opulent - well, I'd fit right in because I look like I should be there. The issue is Sarah - people will definitely ask questions, and if her cover isn't blown right now, bringing her there is a huge risk.

>Keyhole Downs, the Guildless Merchantry - this is apparently the place to be if you want to learn or find anything. I need to expect to have to pay for it, and they don't take too kindly to the guild-aligned.

>Your ability to get from here to any of these locations is guaranteed, since you have clearer directions and the streets aren't packed to the gills.
>Which location do you visit?
>Do you take Sarah with you, or trust her to fend for herself?

Orzhova or Dimir sounds like a good idea.
Orzhova seems especially promising, since we have a GREAT cover story for bringing Sarah-this Skyknight has incurred a debt with us for requiring our services, or something like that.
Or we could pretty much state our mission-protect this person, but leave our employer ambiguious, as well as what she's doing here.

>you...kinda went into a daze
>You probably burned through too much mana too quickly
I'm tempted to ask if that's a symptom of our mana source being off plane, or a general hazard of spellcasting. I think I'd rather let her think we were a little reckless than let on just how inexperienced we are, though. She's worried enough already.

I guess we made the right choice casting conservatively and not spamming doom blade, though.

Thank you for keeping track of me while I was dazed, then. Although I'm supposed to be keeping you safe... (knight is miffed at herself).

>Do you take Sarah with you, or trust her to fend for herself?
Hey, hey, hey, we can't answer that! She still hasn't told us the nature of the threat against her life, so we can't adequately asses the risk of parting company temporarily.

Don't let a little something like a daze or mana distract you. We had resolved to ask her what made her ask for help. Set off the alarm. We can't make good decisions until we know the danger.

So ask her!

>where go
Rakdos, Red-Black. Opposite to both Sarah's colors, no wonder she hates it. Unpredictable and violent for the hell of it seems a bad idea when we're low on power. And ideologically, there's a decent chance we'd run into something that would challenge a knight-mortician and spur us into action we can't afford.

The Dimir are assassins. Sarah's afraid someone wants her dead. If they've contacted out, this is walking right into trouble.

We'd fit in with the Orzhova yes, but our cover is weak. We're in trouble if any of our would-be superiors take interest in this new acolyte with better than average magical powers, and apparently making some kind of play with an Azorius Skynight. We're potentially useful. Useful gets noticed. They can ask questions (or worse, give orders) we can't necessarily brush off easily. Definite no if Sarah travels with us, maybe but careful if we're alone.

The Golgari seem the easiest for us to deal with. A life / decay cycle isn't far off from the mortician side of our personality. We can deal with them on those terms, if we have to.

Where you should not go at all

>Rix Maadi, the Dungeon Palace
Do not go here. One, you and Sarah will absolutely despise the place. Not only is it opposite to Sarah's colours and beliefs, it's recklessness are contrary to your preferred ordered and cautious ways. Hell, I'm of the opinion that it's not green or white is your enemy colours but red is, due to its devil may care attitude. Even green has laws and order even if it is Law of the Jungle or the circle of life.

>House Dimir
Hide from the assassins in the the house of assassins and spies? Really? No. Only insanely good mind mages need apply.


>Might be useful for one or two nights.

>Keyhole Downs, the Guildless Merchantry

You don't really have enough money to rent a room for a week unless you want to get Sarah to pay so it looks like a maybe.

>Safehouses

>Korozda, Maze of Decay
Sarah won't like it here but it may be the best place for both of you to hole up for a while without getting detected. Also, you do need to get yourself a tap on a black mana source on this plane and this looks like the best place for a discreet tap.

>Orzhova, Cathedral Opulent
Higher chance of getting detected but if things do deteriorate into a fight, it is the best place for both you and Sarah. It's black-white nature will aid the both of you and anyone attacking an Orzhov in their own HQ will be attacked what with all the Orzhov about. Plus, the room there is free as management has taken care of that for our time here. If we can disguise Sarah, say with Orzhov clothes generously donated by someone detained or waiting for trial for the week then we might have a good chance of getting through this.

>Plus, the room there is free as management has taken care of that for our time here.
I was under the assumption the inn was separate from the Orzhov. Geographically, at least. Otherwise finding out way back there when were lost would have been trivial, since Sarah said she could find the Orzhov or Azorius buildings. (And yeah, we evaluate longer term hideouts different than places to quickly score mana and get in and out).

I'd also point out that while the Orzhov aren't the assassin's guild, I'm pretty sure they can be bought. Potentially an additional risk, depending on who or what Sarah's afraid of.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/10/09(Thu)13:22 No. 597784 ID: d604bf
File 141288615032.jpg - (95.00KB , 312x445 , 176.jpg )

>>597730
>>597738
>>597764
>>597765

...Is this thing going to be something I have to watch out for, collapsing because I overused my mana supply? Because that seems like something I needed to be told about beforehand.
"Adrenaline does that to you - when the chips are down and you need magic NOW, your body will find a way to make it happen. As long as you're not constantly pushing yourself past your limits all you'll need to recover is a couple hours' rest. Of course, more mana links would help too."
Well, yeah, that'd really be useful. I'm planning on lurking around Golgari turf, they shouldn't be that pissy if I get spotted based on my information. I ask Sarah if she wants to come along and she just gives me a look. Yeah, let's just let her stay in her mostly armored fortress - what are the odds another airship will crash into them?

...

Well, the air of death is readily apparent here. not enough to be stifling, but enough to be just a bit more pungent than I'd prefer. I shouldn't have to go that far into things in order to forge a link. Just a bit...
"Halt! State your business, traveller!"

Well, crap. I don't appear to have been spotted yet, and nothing's trying to kill me. So there're still plenty of options.

>Appeal to reason - you can respect the life and death their guild embodies, and convince them you're not trying to start anything.
>Appeal to darkness - there's got to be a common enemy you can rag on, get them to help you in the name of screwing them over.
>Appeal to Betaori - this is probably one of those situations where you can just bug out and not suffer much in the way of consequences.
>Other (Write-In)

Roni, you still didn't ask her. Kinda mission critical to discover the threat at some point.

>what do
Appeal to reason. We can probably trigger our mortitian trait here to relate. You're on a mission to restore order, and prevent a death from happening at the wrong time. You're just looking for what you need to further that.

If they ask why you're not at your own guild, feel free to get a little haughty and blame politics.

>>597784
>Appeal to reason - you can respect the life and death their guild embodies, and convince them you're not trying to start anything.
You want to meditate about the circle of life and how death is a part of life. How new life comes from the loam and how the blackest soil is the richest. Then tell him that it's part of a speech for a sermon for the Orzhov churches and you'd like to be as accurate as possible.

>>597789
Also, it would be nice if Sarah tells us who is after her. Her cover is of the Azorius Senate and she's at the least a desk cop, she should have some suspects.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/10/15(Wed)13:53 No. 598465 ID: d604bf
File 141340640620.jpg - (80.66KB , 312x445 , 187.jpg )

Well, whoever it is knows I'm here, so I may as well try to be curteous about it. This is going to be gruesome, but it's necessary.
>Trait Trigger - Mortician
"I'm here because a friend needs my help, and I lack the perserverance to care for her on my own. From what I understand, you and yours know a bit about that, and I don't even need mu-" And I'm cut off as an arrow whizzed by my head. Fucking lovely.
"Death is a circle you and yours will never understand. To subvert a proper death is as egregious an offense as slaying before one's time! Now leave, filth-bringer!"
...Did he just say that to my face? "Life and Death are intertwined and it'd take a blind idiot to not see that! I'm not asking for your charity, just a m-" Another arrow, this one a bit closer.
"You come here bearing the stench of the Senate's ignorance and the Church's false holiness, your words clearly as hollow as your intent. Leave now, for my next shot will not miss."

...Gods, I want to kick his ass up and down the curb for even insinuating that I'm trying to bullshit him. But it's just not worth it. Not gonna die taking an arrow to the knee, or wherever else he shoots if I keep pressing my luck. I'm out of here, and thankfully whatever that was isn't following.

Well, I guess that could have gone better.

>Head to the Cathedral Opulent - with Sarah not with me, I don't need to worry about blowing her cover.
>Head to the Keyhole Downs Mechantry - If I take off the guild jewelry I can probably pass as a normal magician girl...and I cannot beleive I just said that.
>Head back to New Prahv - best not to leave Sarah unattended for long, and a good night's sleep ought to recharge my mana enough.
>Other (Write-in)

>Head to Cathedral
Home base ahoy! And if Sarah's not with us we don't have to worrry so much about our cover being blown.

Roni's new pet peeve: being lectured about death by people who are wrong. (I figured that would come up with someone abusing death for power, or extending their life, not sanctimonious death is a circle bullshit).

Still, came at that wrong. Should have framed your task as preventing a premature death (or making sure a death came at the right time), not as trying to help a friend. (Although maybe we've also learned that assuming motives is dangerous, here). I'm guessing we rolled poorly.

>what do
...I still think our assumed faction is a dangerous place to be- they can ask questions and give orders and expect answers and obedience. Assumed arrogance won't protect us there. And that's double dangerous considering the effect strong mana sources have on us. (Maybe if we babble we can play it off as nerves at being confronted by a superior?).

Still, it's our best bet for getting mana, fast. Can't afford to waste time with more bullshit, go for it. Try to stay low key. Look unimportant, and move like you have a task. Be obsequious. In and out.

Murder is a proper death?! The fuck is that?! Dumbass elf.

>Head to the Cathedral Opulent - with Sarah not with me, I don't need to worry about blowing her cover.

Just a quick in-and-out thing. Go in. Tap a black mana line. Go out.
The people you've got to look out for in there are those who appear to be superior to you. You know better looking clothing, more bling, stronger magic and so on. Your disguise won't help you much against them. It would be nice if you can get in and out with some initiates but we'll see won't we.

Charm!!p1AwZ0BJMz 2014/11/03(Mon)09:27 No. 600299 ID: 630d3c
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>>598467
>>598470
>>598526
I really need a fucking map.

Like, seriously, it's taken far too long to find this place, the sun will probably be up in a few hours, and I'm really not looking forward to tomorrow if it's gonna be like today went. There's a guard at the door when I finally arrive, though he relaxes a bit when he sees the guild pendant.
"Okay, I'm going to be blunt because I've been up for far too long trying to collect on this debt. I need access to a mana leyline, is there anything you can do to help?"

"I'd love to help, but I can't just give any random guildmage access to the mana stores we have. You're one of the number people, and you're trying to get something for nothing. You tell me how that's going to end."

...loath as I am to admit it, he's right. So now what?

>"There's a flaw in your argument." (rebuttal)
>"You should see who owes me that debt..." (Teasing)
>"Alright, what something is worth that something?" (Bribe)
>Other (Write-In)

Yay, death-magic quest isn't dead!

>map
You know, that would have been a good thing to look up at the library and then memorize or copy. Whups. Hindsight.

>You should see who owes me that debt...
Bad idea. If our assumed guild finds out we've got the Azorius senate in our debt they'll want to collect, or use it in some way. We'll attract attention, someone higher rank will try to use us in a scheme, and we'll threaten Sarah's cover

>Bribe
He works for the mafia, he just dropped a blatant hint about not getting something for nothing, the ability on his card is extort with an image of him literally holding out his hand for money. He's asking for it.

It's worth the gold, too. What's more valuable for you to invest in than power itself?

Negotiate a bribe all crafty like, act completely comfortable with the situation. This is probably SOP for their guild, and it's probably the most normal thing you've done since getting here.

I like the thought of saying something like- "So what's the average donation this church has gotten in the last week." Or something along those lines.
Probing yes, but the precise wording is one that somewhat limits what this guy can get away with saying as an asking price.

You could use your supposed authority to get him to let you pass, but that's more like a last resort.

I think it's best to put a coin on the plate and be a bit grumpy about it. Something like "yeah, yeah I know but it's late and my job still isn't done" kind of attitude. It's too late and you're too tired for a haughty attitude.