Horizon Walkers (Game Thread) Dead

[hiei82]

Kes tried to pay attention to the walk, but found almost all of it outside her frame of reference. She recognized some of the terms - particularly the word "senate" - but those were the exception. Still, the city was remarkable in size and grandeur. Shame about the smell.

When they walked into the lobby and the group split up, Kes could only look around and try to make sense of it all. The food smelled good to her, but she had no money or things to barter with. She briefly considered visiting the moneylender to get some money, but she'd learned from other slaves how being unable to repay debts got them thrown into the arena. While she had no doubt she'd be able to win the fights, she had no desire to go back to that life. That left the man handing out fliers. Being the only option she had, Kes started making her way there.

She crossed the path of the group everyone was bowing to without a thought to get to the man handing out the fliers.

Spoiler: OOC

I don't know if they expect everyone to bow to the entourage, but if so Kes is going to defy expectations. VIVA LA BARBARIAN REVOLUTION! : p

 

[Lunar Templar]

Lucia finished her meal, gradually waking up as she did. After that she put her gear back on and made ready to leave with the others. As the group left for the towers, the trip there was unremarkable, once there, she saw more portals and teh woman who gave them a place to sleep last night started going on about customs and why nobles only have two guards and so on. Lucia by this point was more or less in 'work mode' so she stayed quiet and just kept an eye on things until she needed to do something.

As they made they're way through the tower she took in the architecture a bit, it was well built and nice to look at, though she couldn't help be think the similar such places back on her world where nobles gathered where nicer, even if the nobles them selves she felt where, over all, worthless. Once the group was left to it's own devices in some lobby Lucia, similarly to Kes, cut in-front of the group that was getting bows to get to the guy handing out fliers, mostly due to a combination of her not noticing them, and not really caring.

 

[DarkRawen]

Des, having still not learnt what a street urchin was supposed to be, followed the group, speaking a bit to different people they passed, and being as social as one could be when most of one's group was uninterested in speaking. Finally, they arrived at this "tower", though, it wasn't one, but several.

Or is it split up?

That didn't make much sense to him, perhaps the city ought to change the name of it. Regardless, he didn't pay much attention to what the others were saying. There was too much to look at, and to interact with, and he didn't really want to be stuck inside a place like this, not if he was going to just be standing around. Only nodding when he was told to stay inside, he did so.

Mortals sure have funny ideas of what a task is, though. What could we possible be doing here?

Regardless, he went over to the woman selling some sort of food thing. On a stick. Smiling brightly, he pointed to one of them.

"Excuse me, miss," he said in a charming, polite manner. "What is that?"

 

[Josh123914]

Looking to trade?
The seller jolted for a moment at being approached, before grinning at Zuria. ''I'd prefer gold, if you plan to barter by heaving some armour on the table then I'm not interested.''

"Excuse me, miss, What is that?"
The blond haired woman turned her head and smiled back at Des, ''It's a delicacy from my home region. Want one?'' she gestured towards about two dozen skewers. Some had vegetables, but most were primarily different coloured cooked meats arranged in different orders on the stick.
the vendor took one of them off of a portable stove and handed it to Des.
''Actually, this one's for free.'' She said, anticipating a response. ''It would be-uhh, nice to find out what you think. Tell your friends.'' She looked around at Des's companions, averting eye contact with Lucia, before stopping her gaze at Kes and Lucia.
''What are those two doing?''


Kes & Lucia
The man wore a brown clock and handed out two leaflets to the two women.
''Interested in the service? It's a large investment, but it'll save on you hiring servants, and technically they won't count towards any living expenses-- bar their own, obviously.'' he said in a high pitched voice.
The leaflets were scrawled in some foreign writing system, or was code for something else. The man pulled out case and produced some papers. ''I can explain more if you're interested.''

-------------------------

Nettil slammed her arm on the table.
''You're not serious are you?''
The snow elf grinned and explained patiently. ''Nettil, I understand the service you provide, but the last two groups you've brought in have all disappeared down there, you can't expect me to take the blame for this, do you?'' He said, stirring a cold liquid in his glass and sipping it modestly.

Nettil stared at the Snow Elf's weathered face, his green eyes and his heavy clothing that he's tailored the room's climate towards, as she shivered lightly.
''Cyar, What happens to the Walkers brought in has nothing to do with me, Sal just brings them in from the ports!''

''Yes, well I'm not taking the blame for a third mishap, and no one wants to publicize the dangers of the sewers to the public. It could spark hysteria, or some stupid vigilantes to vandalize down there.'' He stared out his large glass wall and lamented. ''As for my cousin, Sal has a history for oversights and missteps-- I should know.''

''I don't care, we're not going down there.'' Nettil told the diplomat loudly.

''Oh? I never said everyone. Half of your travelling band will stay here, as will either you or Sal. Honestly I don't care which.'' He said, finishing his drink and placing it on the stone table. ''That way if something happens there'll still be a few Horizon Walkers hanging around for other tasks...''
Nettil punched one of the faux-pillars in anger and began to rummage through the box of plants she brought in.

 

[IFS]

Alex didn't see any reason in particular to go shopping, they'd already spent enough time in the markets as it was and beyond that none of the locals had piqued his interest so far. At least there seemed to be an accessible horizon in sight, while this one was in some ways a welcome break from excitement his presence in this horizon was hardly necessary and he would prefer to get on with his quest. I suppose I can work on my journal at least, haven't had the time to write much in it lately.

Resolving to do just that he pulled out the journal and absently followed the group while filling it out. Some of it would be filled with simple observations and summaries of the people they had met and horizons they had dealt with, while the vast majority of it was filled with notes on his recollections of the dreams he had had recently.

 

[hiei82]

"Interested in the service? It's a large investment, but it'll save on you hiring servants, and technically they won't count towards any living expenses-- bar their own, obviously. I can explain more if you're interested." The man said, handing the pair of them leaflets. Kes took one and looked at it. A second later, she turned it over and continued to look at it. She hadn't expected it to work of course, but the city was clearly advanced in magic so there was a chance of some sort of translation magic.

Translation magic Kes could have used given her illiteracy.

So instead, Kes was forced to rely on his words alone to create context. "Investment in what?" Kes asked. Was it some kind of magical spell/device or perhaps some kind of creature? She was leaning toward the later given the use of "living expenses".

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Upon being told to wait in the room Kyras looked around, decided he wasn't interested for now and walked into the center of the room. The sun was shining brightly and up until now most of his time was spent walking or in the darkness. He raised his head high and stared directly into the sun through the windows of the room. This of course wasn't the first time he had done it and blindness wasn't something that ever seemed to come to him unlike others.

As the light began to soak its way in he smiled for the experience. Though this ball of fire was new to him it wasn't a stranger.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Your gonna have to explain more. vague details like that are hardly enough to make a decision on." Lucia said. " Especially when the term 'large investment' is used." She was broke mind you, but she was still curious about what he was offering, money was a funny thing that one could suddenly come into large quantity of, so she thought it wise to be made aware of a potentially useful option.

 

[Josh123914]

The squeaky pitched man stammered at Kes and Lucia's innocence, his eyes darting back and forth ''Well, I- you know.... servants? indentured servants?'' he ensured that last sentence was low. ''We have several specialised workers, including...'' he continued, rambling about ones for cleaning, or warriors, or for sex.

-------------------------------------------

Alex continued to read and fill his journal quietly, before being interrupted.
''Quite the traveller, aren't you?'' The woman asked. She wore a violet cloak down to to floor that was laced in gold. On her pale slender fingers were numerous rings. Her expensive clothing was adorned with jewels, and hanging around her neck was a necklace with a small obsidion shard on the end of it. Her skin was a pale and wrinkled, and her hair was died black in many places.
Accompanying her were two guards, a black man and a ginger girl, along with a small child draped in purple, including their hair.

''What is it about?'' She asked, smiling through perfect white teeth, as a few onlookers stared at the woman.

-------------------------------------------

Nettil rushed out of the corridor and towards Sal. ''No time to explain, and no, I am not looking for a counter-argument.'' She then explained she would be sorting out the mystery of the sewers, and that Sal was to remain with the others. Sal was forming a sentence to object, but Nettil then sped off and away towards the elevators, tugging on shoulders and sleeves of the people that got in her way.
''Trahaearn, Dalrel, with me.'' She ordered, two feet already firmly in the elevator.

 

[DarkRawen]

"It's a delicacy from my home region. Want one?"

Des wasn't sure what to reply. On one hand, he did want one, they looked tasty, and he didn't like the thought of refusing a lady. On the other hand, he didn't need it, and he didn't have anything to pay her with. Luckily, she was willing to part with one.

"Actually, this one's for free. It would be-uhh, nice to find out what you think. Tell your friends."

"I will, thanks." Des took a big bite, and smiled brightly, regardless of what the taste actually was. Then he spoke, sincerely as always.

"It's delicious, what is it made of?"

Des waited for a reply, though she seemed to wonder about something completely different, looking towards Kes and the dragon-born lady, Lucia. In the meanwhile, he noticed that Nettil appeared, only to drag some of the others with her and leave again. Unsure of what to do, but not about to leave in the middle of a conversation.

"What are those two doing?"

Des looked over at Kes and Lucia, then back at the saleswoman, a bit confused. As far as he could see, they were only walking over to some man and talking to him. They were passing someone, however, someone who probably wanted to get to the same place and was waiting to do so.

Perhaps they didn't notice the line?

Yeah, that was probably it. Besides, it didn't seem very strictly enforced, so it was okay.

"Talking to that man over there, I think. Why?" he asked, and took another bite of the free treat. "They're with me, so I think they'll behave." Des didn't think it would be awfully bad if they didn't, though.

Nah, they can handle themselves.

"Do you want to meet them?"

 

[hiei82]

"Well, I- you know.... servants? indentured servants?" the man said before rambling on about all the various kinds of "indentured servants". Kes stared at the man almost dumbfounded for a moment. He was talking about slaves. Even a city so full of magic as this had - apparently - embraced the idea that you could own people.

As his words began to sink in, Kes felt her stomach drop and her face begin to contort. The world around her started to feel less real and more than a little hazy. She was vaguely aware of her hand shooting forward and grasping him by the shirt collar. It felt like she was watching the events more than living them. She knew the feeling well; she'd depended on it in the arena. It was rage.

Kes pulled the person off the ground and threw him into the streets outside the building, watching as his body bounced on the pavement like a stone skipped over water. A moment later, she turned to follow; fairly certain the man was still breathing. That was unacceptable.

 

[IFS]

''What is it about?''

"Just a journal," Alex replied, closing it "travels, dreams, that sort of thing. Helps me keep my mind in order."

He glanced over the group, taking in their odd appearance and clearly wealthy dress. Is purple a symbol of royalty here as well I wonder. I suppose more importantly I should ask why they have approached me, likely they want to hire me for some problem they're facing.

Smiling he continued his reply "You can call me Alex," he said, giving a slight bow of his head "and you are?"

Spoiler: OOC

Josh you are aware of a marvelous invention called the quotation mark right? You should be able to just press shift and then the apostrophe key, instead of putting two apostrophe's down. It'd probably save you time and it both looks nicer and is easier to copy/paste.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Lucia signed internally as the man began to list off the different slaves he, or rather who ever he worked for, had for sale. She was about to make up an excuse to leave, but the woman called Kes acted rather rashly. "Stand Down 'Walkers'." Lucia commanded, the old 'Captain' coming out, not just in her tone but mannerisms as she walked over to Kes and one of the others from their group. "Both of you. This isn't your world, you don't get to 'pass judgement' on on the people here, even if you disagree with what they do, you have no right to attack them unless they are attacking you." She said maintaining a tone of authority befitting her former rank.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Kyras was snapped back into awareness as he heard a scream and a crash. It seemed Kes had thrown a man out of a window. He wanted to see this up close but he didn't feel like jumping down, standing at the shattered window the height looked less like broken bones and more like unconsciousness or being left in too much pain to be able to fix the damage. The dragon woman Lucia started yelling something but he wasn't listening. He ran over to the elevator where Nettil was and excitedly asked "Can we go back down?"

 

[Josh123914]

"It's delicious, what is it made of?"
"Mainly assorted fruits and some meat.... you mightn't want to know what kind of meat, but I suppose that's part of the fun."

"They're with me, so I think they'll behave."
"Do you want to meet them?" He asked, as a slaver was promptly hurled out the window.
"No-no, that's quite alright." she said nervously, watching as two of his friends dashed down to finish what they started. "If you wouldn't mind, please buy this for them. This is a tall building..."

----------------

"You can call me Alex, and you are?"
The woman laughed quietly. "I assume you're a Horizon Walker. I am the Empress. I could list off my many titles, but rarely do your sort fully appreciate them." She said, nodding her head over to where the small crowd once gathered to welcome her.

"Anyway, I came here to give you something" the Empress said, revealing a golden card to Alex. "I enjoy these events. This card will allow you and a number of acquaintances to join us in the ampitheatre. This little one, is going to perform for us." She said, pointing to the small child in purple behind her.
"We rescued her from the squalor of the shanty's, she's been mute ever since, but wields extraordinary power. I'd recommend you join us." She told him, smiling as if to await applause.

-----------------

Kyras quickly joined the three of them in the elevator, "Can we go back down?"

"Alright then, but it'll be just the four of us, and who know's what we'll find." Nettil warned.
They passed swiftly through the lobby, through merchants debating over some blockade, and several soldiers in blue armour wielding crossbows, before coming to a halt as Kes, Lucia and Zuria argued around a man with every bone in his body broken.
"Did one of you do that?!" Dalrel blurted, as he saw the broken man crumpled on the steps of the Tower. The slaver looked up and stared at Dalrel. ''...help'' he weezed.

Nettil sighed trivially, eyeballing the three of them. "When you are done, please return to the eighth floor, where Sal can see you? I don't need anyone going missing" She said, as her squad dove into the maze of streets and alleys surrounding the plaza.

After several minutes they happened upon a hatch that smelled of shit and spoiled food.
''This is it.'' She told them, opening the hatch and jumping in. The area was largely dark and cramped, and bar a few streams of light trickling from the surface, Dalrel lit the way. The floor had muck and feces all strewn together into an indistinguishible brown blob. But there was no water-- exactly the problem.

''Let's follow this, And try to stick together. If you take a wrong turn down here we might not find you.'' She warned.

 

[IFS]

"We rescued her from the squalor of the shanty's, she's been mute ever since, but wields extraordinary power. I'd recommend you join us."

"Ah you'll have to forgive me then, I wouldn't have expected to meet an empress in a place like this," Alex said, bowing more deeply "I would of course be honored to attend, and I'm certain some of my companions would be as well."

Of course he had no way of knowing if she was actually the Empress, but free tickets to a show would be rude to turn down from anyone. Besides if this is a trap of some sort we're certainly equipped to handle it. I just wonder why she would invite some random horizon walkers to such an event... Worth looking into if nothing else.

"Though I must ask what inspired you to choose me to receive this gift," he said "If you don't mind answering such a question of course."

 

[Josh123914]

After waiting a few minutes, and hearing a crash, Sal wandered over to the stall, ordering one of the snacks and paying accordingly.
''Well, what happened now?'' He asked partly out of curiosity, partly out of irritation, and partly to keep Des company.

------------------

"Though I must ask what inspired you to choose me to receive this gift, if you don't mind answering such a question of course."
"It isn't wise to question the Empress." The lithe black soldier from behind warned, but the greying royal waved him off.
"You seemed bored. And unlikely to enter of your own social stature. They always give me extra seats that I neither need nor want, so I give them away to those lucky few." She smiled, before trotting away down a corridor that was slanted downwards and towards the large domed structure. "I would hurry!" She called. "The show will begin in a few short minutes!"
Sure enough it did, after a bit of waiting, more arrived from the elevators and the stairwells, with ambassadors, merchents and clergy cloughing the lobby. Murmurs of getting good seats, and "seeing the freak" were common, as people filled into the ampitheatre. There was little lighting but for the podium at the front of the room, much of the seating was multistoried, and the rows seemed as if to close and envelop the room like some sort of clam. Alex was to hurry if he wanted to secure a space.

------------------

After a bit more walking, the floor of the sewer dried up, and it opened in space. It was still relatively dark, but that wasn't an issue until Dalrel tripped over a vine.
''Fire would do the trick'' Nettil told them, as large vines acted as barriers to their path.
Dalrel did has he was told, and after the smoke cleared, they moved onwards. ''Those vines couldn't have sprouted like that. There isn't enough light or water to sustain something that size in the city.'' Nettil explained, stepping once more into some ankle high sewage. ''Someone grew that...''

 

[Lunar Templar]

"That's for the locals to sort out, not foreigners, like us, who will likely forget this world even exists in a week." Lucia said in as dismissive tone as the statement warranted. "We're, in effect, Mercenary's. We owe nothing to these people and only reason any of us are even standing here is because of the promise of coin. It's a business transaction, and her doing something stupid like hurting a local." Lucia started, pointing a finger at Kes. "Is 'bad for business'." Lucia now shifting her stance a little so her shield was now between her and her supposed ally, "and extorting a wounded man is just low, the kind of thing I would expect from back alley thugs."