Thar Shaddin

Availability:
Please ask, and we'll see what can be fit in.

Posting Speed:
Preferably once a day with a maximum 2 day wait, just so things don't slow down too much.

Characters Involved:
Nashandra Katona: Antisocial Battlemage. Aren't they all? Likes Origami and long walks on a moonlit beach.
Fitzgerald Toastcruncher Fountainbloomer the Fourth: Gnomish sewer expert, whose name is longer than the gnome is tall.
Darrik Meathandler: Dwarf Guard. Should probably change his name to Crimehandler now he's stopped being a butcher.
Jacme Schwarzvogel: Human Guard. On Sewer Duty. It's a shitty job, but someone has to do it.

Thread starting date:
May 20, 122PW
Continued from http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3080 which was dated May 17-19, 122PW

Location:
Guards HQ / Old District / Sewer system - http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3429

Summary:

At the end of Shadows in the Sewers, Darrik and Toast had found their investigations complicated by the discovery of an illusionary wall in the sewers. There were also some fugly giant orcrats too, and the need for medical attention, but those were less complications as part of the job.

Darrik files his report to his superior, and it makes its way to Justice Hall where the task of investigating the use of magic is assigned to Battlemage Katona.

Unfortunately, that didn't mean that Darrik and Toast got to spend much time away from the sewers, called upon to assist the battlemage in her task.

Will Katona get to the bottom of this mystery?
Will Darrik get to kill the Albino shifter like he really wants to?
Will Toast shack up with that little hottie Pink at the Rusted Wheel?

Only time will tell.

---

So, a Gnome, A Dwarf, and a Battlemage walk into a bar. The barman looks up and says...
...nothing. He wouldn't bloody dare.

Clicks the "like" button.

It has begun!
I figure we go alphabetical: Darrik -> Katona -> Toast

Strictly speaking, there's also space for up to four other guards to join in, as part of the sewer detail, if folks want. Otherwise, they'll be mostly-faceless NPCs

But if we get to 4+ people in the thread, I think I'd be asking for us to aim for no more than a 2-day wait so that the thread doesn't start to get Leviathan-esque in pacing =D

It's greedy of me, I know

Mental notes via Chat. Current Post Order: Darrik => Jacme => Katona => Toast
-----------------------
(18:30:22) (Corey): So James, what are we going to be doing in the sewers?
(18:33:32) (Semi-AFK Sertor): A lot of that will depend on Katona, this time around, as this was primarily arranged to showcase the character TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING =D

Still, things that I hope to see:
- some more Rat vs Guard action + 1 scared gnome and his toys
- maybe discover the un-maintained sections of tunnels/sewers more commonly used by criminals and whatnot
- some hot battlemage on mage action
- And I really want Darrik to hack down the albino shifter at some point, either in this RP or the next instalment of threads
(18:34:20) (Semi-AFK Sertor): http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/v​iewtopic.php?f=2&t=3379

(18:44:58) (Corey): I'm so glad Katona is finally being showcased
(18:45:01) (Corey): *wipes tear*
(18:45:08) (Semi-AFK Sertor): I only added the link for convenience' sake
(18:46:12) (Semi-AFK Sertor): There's a lot up in the air, because I don't want to tread on the toes of any 'just starting' paragon plot threads involving the sewers
(18:46:30) (Semi-AFK Sertor): But at the same time, I also want to be able to link this RP to such RPs down the road
(18:47:31) (Semi-AFK Sertor): So, there's a lot which hasn't been defined yet, which will have to be determined as we go. For example, the illusionist responsible for the wall is, as yet, completely undefined, except that they work with the Albino Shifter in some way
(18:48:44) (Semi-AFK Sertor): I imagine that at some point, unless Kat or Meesh want it to be otherwise, the Albino Shifter and Orcrats shall be thoroughly and righteously cleansed from the sewers
(18:49:36) (Semi-AFK Sertor): Leaving the sewers a more 'cat and mouse' prospect for Guards/Paragon trying to find/avoid each other as the rebellion arc heats up
(18:49:49) (Corey): sounds good
(18:50:13) (Semi-AFK Sertor): Any thoughts on it thus far?
(18:51:51) (Corey): Sounds pretty good to me. More a quick foray into the sewers is the way it sounds, and I think that's a good idea, especially for being able to connect it further down the roads.
(18:52:56) (Semi-AFK Sertor): *Nods* The thread will start fairly simply with Darrik and Toast escorting Battlemage Katona to the scene where Jacme and an NPC Guard are keeping the site clear of interference
(18:54:08) (Corey): Sounds pretty good to me as far as the RP goes man.
(18:56:07) (Semi-AFK Sertor): Jacme's first post might have to be simply about being assigned the task. Feel free to come up with details of the NPC guard accompanying you on Jacme's shift if you like
(18:56:31) (Corey): Will do.
(18:56:42) (Semi-AFK Sertor): Also, if we're going alphabetical - Jase, how would you feel about Jacme posting next, and you afterwards?
(19:05:34) Sibilla: Huh?
(19:06:42) Sibilla: Oh, if you want to change that order, that's fine.
(19:08:21) Sibilla: Speaking of that though, just to make sure, you'd like my post to end at the point where Katona is meeting with Darrik, yes?
(19:12:19) (Semi-AFK Sertor): With Darrik and Toast
(19:12:53) (Semi-AFK Sertor): That way, Corey won't have to spend as much time twiddling his fingers RP-wise
(19:13:53) (Semi-AFK Sertor): Worst case Scenario, if the Darrik/Toast/Katona meeting drags on for a few posts, I can NPC something for Jacme to respond to in the meanwhile, to give him something to report when the trio arrive
(19:14:00) (Semi-AFK Sertor): Thoughts on that, Corey?
(19:15:27) (Corey): Works for me.
(19:15:39) Sibilla: Will he be posted in the sewers on watch?
(19:17:10) (Semi-AFK Sertor): Aye, Jacme will be in the sewers on watch when Katona and the others arrive

Posted.

I put in a post out of order to help keep things moving. Hopefully it will make it easier to bring Toast in

Corey: if you wanted, feel free to put in an out-of-posting order 'meanwhile, in the sewers' kind of post at your leisure. I don't want you to have to twiddle your thumbs if you've been waiting to post.

That way, if there was anything you wanted Jacme to do or see while waiting, you can have it happen without waiting for the other characters to arrive. Entirely up to you.

I think in general, until the narrative hits a certain momentum, we can probably be a bit more casual with posting orders for now.
(If folks have any thoughts on that point, for or against, please share them)

My post is in the works, but Corey, if you want to throw something else in before I post, feel free to do so!
I'll post sometime during the day tomorrow most likely as I won't manage to finish the post tonight - so... you have a few hours to write if you feel the itch. Or just let me know and I'll wait with posting if you want to get something else in beforehand but don't have time to do that tonight/today (hooray time zones).

Ah you know what I mean

My post wasn't much, but it's pushed us forward to where all four characters are in the same location!

I figure we can still keep the posting order slightly loose: so Corey, Steph, whichever one of you wants to post next - go right ahead

Huzzah, Toast is up

Hindsight is 20/20, but I should have realised I'd dated this thread to start the morning -after- the gala, when Darrik files his report, and remembered at the time that there was talk about explosions to be happening around that time.
Katona, Darrik, Toast, and Jacme meet two mornings after the bombing.

Realistically, the explosions would have some impact on the days these characters had prior to their meeting. It would not affect the job they are tasked with, but might affect their focus/moods. However, I think we can get away with only minor tweaks. I'll be altering Darrik's first post significantly to better reflect the post-bombings mood of the guard HQ, but that should have little effect on following posts.

Ohhhhhhhhhh oops.

Alright, so I've tweaked a few of Darrik's posts to sprinkle references to The Dragon Awakened's activities, but not in any fashion which requires an overhaul of the thread or others' posts. Basically I have added some context of the current events and rationalisation for the scene within the assumed atmosphere of a post-bombing guard HQ. I'll probably make another tweak or two when I know how the wall bombing goes off.

tl;dr - posts don't need to be altered, unless you also want to sprinkle a reference or two to the bombings which happen just prior to this thread.

=current posting order=
Darrik > Jacme > Toast > Katona

===Brainstorming notes===

(22:09:21) Darrik: So Jase, with Steph and I here, did you want to discuss your post? WOuld brainstorming help with the writers block or whatever?
(22:09:27) Katona: You can cheer for me* was my first message.
(22:09:38) Katona: Hmm, yeah, possibly.
(22:09:51) Talia_Idris: you seem to have fallen out of favour with Porter
(22:10:23) Katona: So mostly I want to decide where to next go with the thread at this point, as in like...
(22:11:34) Katona: Well, I want to know what kind of thing you guys are interested in. Do you want to end up going deeper into the sewers? Or maybe just not finding a lot to go on down there and taking up investigations elsewhere?
(22:12:12) Katona: Another conflict with the rats? Or some other part of the whole plan?
(22:12:17) Darrik: Steph? Ladies first =D
(22:12:59) Soneya: well.. i actually wouldn't be disinclined to take this elsewhere and out of the sewers for a bit, just for a change of scenery since the first one was almost entirely in the sewers
(22:13:13) Katona: Today I did think it might be good to do something like... coming across some of the rats, and chasing after them but ending up in a trap or something.
(22:13:16) Darrik: (I'm easy with anything. I got to largely dictate the direction of the first sewers thread, so I kind of want to not be overly pushy on this thread, you know?)
(22:13:18) Katona: Or even just being led astray in general.
(22:13:45) Soneya: that does sound good too
(22:13:57) Soneya: chasing after them, i mean
(22:13:58) Katona: Yeah, it doesn't have to be strictly decided but you probably get what I mean by it being a bit of a turning point.
(22:14:07) Darrik: Or even lost in a deeper part of the sewers =D
(22:14:17) Katona: That too.
(22:14:25) Darrik: "THis isn't in the ordinance maps!!!"
(22:14:57) Darrik: Toast could be the first gnome to ADD to the family maps in a significant way =D
(22:15:41) Katona: And as well, if Corey's guard comes with us and leaves the other guy to guard, something could happen to him.
(22:17:48) Katona: Was it just the one mage that's orchestrating this thing with the rats, or was there more involved?
(22:18:30) Soneya: frankly, it's been so long, i have no idea anymore
(22:18:37) Soneya: i think it was just the one
(22:18:41) Darrik: Well, that is still nebulous. The original idea was to have the rats being a big distraction for the Paragon's recruiting
(22:18:47) Soneya: with the help of a bunch of wererats with a weirdo leader
(22:18:54) Darrik: The Albino is the pack controller
(22:19:00) Soneya: ^that's the one
(22:19:20) Katona: Ah, so it's a mage and a shifter guy?
(22:19:25) Darrik: The orcrats are magically mutated chimera under the magical control of the albino shifter
(22:19:27) Darrik: No
(22:19:30) Soneya: i do like the map thing and the second guard disappearing (or something else happening to him) while the rest are lots in unknown sewers
(22:19:32) Darrik: They are one and the same
(22:19:41) Soneya: would give toast a good reason to go all gnome-y and sewer-loving
(22:20:04) Katona: Yeah, that's what I had thought, okay. I was just wondering if there should be a second involved that was to blame for the mind magic.
(22:20:42) Darrik: Oh, yeah, the illusionist is pretty much a blank slate
(22:20:59) Darrik: A narrative NPC waiting to be fleshed out in whatever direction the story needs
(22:21:10) Katona: Awesome.
(22:21:32) Darrik: He could be linked to the paragon, or an independent ally of the shifter
(22:21:37) Soneya: could at some point even be a PC if someone is willing to create that kind of character to further nasty plots
(22:22:46) Darrik: The Albino is linked to the paragon. I envisaged him as someone smuggled in by the paragon to help make the sewers more under the paragon's influence
(22:23:04) Darrik: A contracted individual or mercenary, perhaps
(22:23:15) Darrik: But still largely a blank slate
(22:23:28) Katona: Yeah, that seems pretty fitting.
(22:23:51) Talia_Idris: well its pretty late now so I am off
(22:23:53) Talia_Idris: toodles
(22:23:58) Katona: Sleep well.
(22:24:00) Porter: Talia_Idris logs out of the Chat.
(22:24:02) Darrik: A cell of the paragon is being created from people whose deaths are being faked
(22:24:18) Katona: Eh?
(22:24:35) Soneya: ooh
(22:24:43) Soneya: lots of "ghosts" milling about and messing with things
(22:24:49) Darrik: A proportion of all the people 'taken' by the rats are ACTUALLY paragon supporters who needed their deaths faked
(22:24:57) Darrik: To be able to properly act
(22:25:03) Katona: Ohhh, I see.
(22:25:18) Darrik: But that's mid-term plot stuff
(22:25:48) Darrik: To help with when we need the arc to have the government investigations closing in on the paragon's activities
(22:26:12) Katona: It'd be interesting then if the magic allowed the bodies to look like people whose deaths were faked long enough to have them burned or buried.
(22:27:25) Darrik: That'd be risky, because the illusions might be recognised as such. I figured that, with the bodies bloating and decomposing in the sewers, it'd be nearly impossible to identify most of them as it is
(22:27:28) Soneya: some of it could also just be awesome make-up. there are a lot of actors and theatres spread throughout the city as well
(22:27:46) Soneya: and a potion to reduce breathing should do the trick, too
(22:27:51) Darrik: Yeah, the ghost cell guys are all disguised
(22:28:19) Darrik: But, I think with the explosions, a lot of the paragon cells will be laying very low
(22:28:21) Katona: Ohh yeah.
(22:28:46) Katona: They would be pretty gross and smelly. Yuck.
(22:28:51) Darrik: But they wouldn't try tampering with the corpses, because that would be too obvious
(22:29:01) Katona: Yeah.
(22:29:03) Katona: True.
(22:29:06) Darrik: Rather, they rely on the government and guard not caring
(22:29:34) Darrik: Missing people + bunch of bodies = paperwork filled and sergeants happy
(22:29:52) Soneya: yup
(22:34:57) Darrik: Any of that helping, Jase?
(22:35:06) Katona: Okay, that should be good enough for a few more posts then at least. I'll finish that tomorrow, or the next day if I end up too busy tomorrow (dentist and shopping and stuff).
(22:35:24) Darrik: Awesome

Hihi... I nominate Katona as the battlemage assignedto investigate the bombings. PSA has been posted also.

Should work out well that way, yeah.