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Post by Krakenbox on Apr 7, 2021 19:21:02 GMT -8
Each had been given a sigil to carve onto the frame of a door, opening the way to a stone fortress of vaulted, latticed ceilings. The veins of gold and iron twined into geometric patterns echoing Art Deco of the 1920s and Tunisian mosaics. White torches lit the way in an obvious matter, where it was only possible to get lost if one strayed from the path. They had been called about the supply chain running low. LA had gone dark, and the surrounding Hedge had been picked at so much for the last century, that the environment provided no bounty to the wandering Diver. Worse, the Hobgoblin activity had spiked, forcing the skeleton crew of Summer Courtiers to burn through Fruit, and ultimately spill their blood to keep their militia functioning. The Burden had grown to heavy, and more than one Ogre was on leave, allowing the more harmless looking nightmares to slither into the realm of the real. Whack-a-mole was being dealt with, what the border guard really needed was an economy. Sir Bastille, Knight of Borders, loomed over a desk that would fit three people on a single side. His skin had the same texture as a man who had been skinned, but the ruby sinew was crystalline, what flesh was left a dead, flaking grey of a cracked shell. Shards of vermillion gem sprouted from his form, baleful eyes ringed in a predator's amber as he blinked up from the massive stacks of scrolls and modern paperwork. Smoking wisps and red-capped devils with teeth too big for their skulls flitted about, hastily processing mail and records through portalled black-oak office drawers that stretched too far into the sky to see. The giant looked down his half-moon glasses, the suit straining against the muscle as he offered an apprehensive hand to each. The very foundation of the stone creaks under the sheer weight of forces unknown, the walls around them blooming with new cracks. The smell of sulphur and magma breach the veins for a moment, pulsing with fire and forge. "Afternoon! I hope all of you have been faring well these days."
It was an earnest check-in. Ten were dead and the Courts were watching each other closely.
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Apr 7, 2021 20:29:12 GMT -8
Supply lines sounded like summer or even a winter problem. So when the invitation came from Sir Bastille, Riley was admittedly surprised.
The Darkling arrived in tow with their motley mate Archie. They had expected Linden to be called as well, but it seemed the Summer Court had other plans for the ogre.
The Twilight Dancer stepped into the office, giving the Massive Knight a polite bow of their head.
"As well as these days allow," The Darkling said with a simple shrug. Glancing at Archie.
The Knights flayed skin made the Moth uncomfortable. It reminded them of their own scars or even what their spots could have been. It made their flesh crawl at the thought.
Riley gives a nod of acknowledgment to the others present or as they enter.
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Post by Gavin Graves on Apr 7, 2021 22:21:14 GMT -8
Gavin was excited. He had had passing encounters with the giant out in the wilds--their areas of interest and activities had some substantial overlap after all. He had never had cause to be in this place though. Taking his time moving through the space and savouring the novel moment he stopped to look down the paths that led elsewhere in the fortress. He was tempted to wander as is his penchant while out and about, but managed to refrain this time. There was good work to be had, or maybe an adventure, probably both.
He eventually found his way to the office, but he wasn't late. It was his habit to be quick in travel and slow on the approach and always show up earlier than an appointment to get a good look around. These lessons of Autumn made their home in his head. These practices allowed learning the lay of the land or the rules of the game--perhaps not enough to win outright, at first, but hopefully enough to avoid losing long enough to learn more later.
Gavin quietly knocked three times prior to stepping into the office proper: a simple rite. Others would probably mistake it for simple politeness. He had thoughts and had been muttering to himself that things were going to go well and didn't want to tempt fate.
"G'day, Sir. Yeah, been keeping alright." He nodded loosely. Gavin hadn't been as heavily burdened by the recent happenings, but he was sure the weight would settle in soon enough, so he let his positive outlook carry through the moment.
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Post by Wayland on Apr 8, 2021 10:01:36 GMT -8
"Well enough," Wayland answers Sir Bastille's inquiry with a nod. She'd arrived trailing the scent of propane and charcoal and hot metal and clean sweat. Fresh from her workshop, though with plenty of energy. In a way it sort of compliments, or at least adds too, the energy and the scent that the knight breathes into the room with his very presence. This isn't her first time meeting Bastille, but she hasn't had a lot to do with him before. Mainly warnings, when she needed to traverse the borders for her mundane purposes. Warnings and prohibitions.
When Riley and Archie make their way in, Wayland turns to offer them a small smile, lips turning up and cheeks dimpling. Nice to have somebody she knows around, even if she's not sure why the Springs are here. Gavin gets a lift of her chin in greeting and acknowledgement. Which makes her the only Summer in the room besides Bastille. That realization narrows her gaze a bit, as she turns her attention back to the knight, hoping he's not going to ask her to ride herd on these other Freeholders during whatever they're about to do.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2021 11:38:22 GMT -8
Brown with white pinstripes, a nice pressed white shirt, and a green bowtie - it blended well with the Hollow, and didn’t make him stand out all that much. Cleverly his apple watch had been replaced with a more mundane watch of American made precision (one couldn’t let the Swiss have all the glory), however it would be rendered equally useless in this little piece of comfort carved from the imagination and horror.
Riley would get finger guns, Wayland and Gavin - a nice hello and shake of the hand, and if Gavin accepted he would take care to avoid the danger digits. The Knight received a courteous bow of the head, handshakes taken if offered, and he would find his seat.
“Faring is a way to put it - but still enough reasons to step out of bed every morning, Sir. I see the seats are filled, or are we expecting more? I would hate to doddle with small talk if we are otherwise ready to get down to business.”
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Post by Bastille on Apr 10, 2021 9:57:26 GMT -8
Bastille flashed a polite smile gesturing for them to follow him to a table that had been wood burned with a map of Vegas. The Ogre slammed the surface, slow and steady as not to alarm the others as he raised his fist. The tablet spun in a blur, locking to a new engraving that had an aerial view of hamlet with right angles and a stone environment. As he raised his hand, the aerial followed it like opening a book, converting the flat surface into a full three dimensional model.
It appeared to be a cliff face, dismissing the Thorns to the valley below with a large lift that would bring denizens to the top of the fortress.
"I pulled your applications. Riley, Wayland, both of you were seeking to Dive the Market a few months back, and it just so happens your work with the Revenant Crisis got my attention. They're not connected, but figured instead of waiting in a queue for a few more months you would rather take the opportunity." He blinked, allowing them to signal the idea made them uncomfortable and he would note it.
"Archie Hartman, you have a reputation with securing opportunities within the Spring Court. The Arrayer also let me know you're pretty apt and aggressive with negotiation hard negotiations with the right incentive," he thumbs to the Autumn courtier, "And Gavin Graves is one of the leading Divers available to Las Vegas. Right now, I don't know who all of you would be safer with."
"Sorsa has shown themselves capable of keeping a cool head and also maintains a reputation of being quite apt with bizarre social conundrums. Wayland, I'd need you to keep everything on the rails. You're there to forge a new Bargain with the Goblin King so a Trod can establish trade with Its city. Sunset Canyon's been part of the landscape consistently since this Freehold's been built, but..."
He opened the three dimensional model, revealing the fortress layered and frenzied like a dwarven anthill. "Once you get to level three...you're going to start running into some really unsavory shit. I'd had people lose limbs, the names of their motley members, and the faces of their life long partners. I wouldn't be surprised if level four had slaver contracts and privateer rings. We generally have avoided associating with the Market until it's absolutely necessary. We need a pact so I can trust Freeholders to Go To Market without the risk of trafficking or being memory robbed."
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Apr 10, 2021 11:19:54 GMT -8
Riley responded to the mention of the Revenant Crisis with a stoic face and a simple nod. They had not spoken much on those events or the scars it had left upon them. However they did break a small satisfied smile at the mention of their skills to the group.
They silently took in the presentation looking over the projection, and the information provided by the summer Knight. They didn't want to be caught unaware, not like last time. In fact, since they filed their request to visit the Market, and with this summons, Riley had reviewed what they knew about the Hob King and the market.
“Does the market know we are comin’? Or is this a cold call of sorts?” The Brightone asked, their tone professional, and serious. Their normally flirtatious tone was tabled at the door.
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Post by Gavin Graves on Apr 10, 2021 21:15:39 GMT -8
Listening intently to the Knight's words he took in the new information about his soon to be travelling companions and looked at each one of them after their names, qualifications, and interests were mentioned. At this point it was pretty much all he knew of them. It was important to have an impression of capabilities when travelling in the bush. For now Sir Bastille's quick summaries would have to stand in for knowing them. This trip should help.
Gavin couldn't help but preen at the ringing endorsement of his capabilities. He was confident he could live up to that assessment too. This work was his specialty. Time for his renown to spread and get people talking.
He pours over the projection taking note of major features and mentally mapping them to his recalled experiences in the market. Sure some things will have changed, but there were bound to still be some solid landmarks he could use to navigate and get his troupe through to its destination safely, well, relatively safely. The bush was never safe and the market was just as treacherous, plenty times more so. This perspective was odd though and he wished he had control over it for a bit.
Gavin nodded along when Riley asked a good question, with a wry smile. He knew the Gobos wouldn't pay him much mind going there but they'd be their cunning, opportunistic, and cruel selves with most everyone else--expected or otherwise without an established pact. If expected there could be something more laying in wait than usual. Word gets around. Deals get done. The wrong Hobs hear and suddenly some pernicious thief reaches into the being of the unwary and nips away with a kidney; just like happened with that poor hapless drongo last time Gavin was there. The shopper didn't keep his plans quiet and the watchers and runners were already off to get the gang ahead of his movements. The dominos were already falling. Even with a warning it wasn't long before he no longer exhibited any colour, just greyscale.
Gavin looked at the image again with mild consternation, "Can this image get any closer or move around?" at one point poking the projection.
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Post by Wayland on Apr 11, 2021 15:11:21 GMT -8
Bastille gives good briefing. She's glad to know why each of them have been tapped, her eyes finding each Freeholder as the Knight introduces them. And the acknowledgement of her help with the revenants is satisfying; this is exactly what she's hoped for. A chance to be more active in the Freehold. But she does have to hold in a groan when her worst fears are confirmed; Bastille is looking to her to 'keep things on the rails.' Leadership is not really her preferred responsibility. At least there's a clear objective; she nods when Bastille mentions the conditions that are their goal.
Riley's asking a good question, and Gavin seems to be investigating their route. Wayland leaves her seat to stand beside Gavin so she can try to track his progress, get a second pair of eyes on their path. Not that she's especially familiar with this sort of thing, but it's always best to have backups where essential resources like navigation are concerned. Wayland's patient, she waits for Bastille to answer the previous inquiries before offering her own: "So we want a Trad, and a pledge of safe passage for the members of the Freehold." She glances from the map back up to the knight, "What can we offer? I doubt the Goblin King will give us those things for free." She's asking less 'what are our resources?' though that'd be good to know too, but more 'what are we allowed to trade away?' "
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2021 20:05:45 GMT -8
Everyone was asking the questions he could think of, so there wasn’t much need to echo so he nodded along, giving the Summer Knight an opportunity to fill in the gaps.
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Post by Bastille on Apr 11, 2021 23:01:06 GMT -8
Riley wasn't an expert on Hobs, but the name Machina had been mentioned as the de-facto leader of this specific city. Like Vegas, Sunset Canyon was more successful than your average Goblin Market, so a change in leadership was a topic of gossip; especially since it happened at the same time as the Summer Civil War of '08.
Its reign entertained a few visits from King Samedi himself, with some growing concern that this creature in particular was powerful enough for his own personal investigation. And indeed, the Witch King of Fall declared that Machina was not a Keeper, and just a simple, shrewd businessman. He did, however add a warning that this Market was probably left to its own devices, with lots of delightful caravans passing through as an alternative.
A few of the Freehold legends like the She-Wolf and Bloody Mary had poked at the Goblin King, trickling that the wily bastard had installed Itself throughout the city and operated through mechanical servitors, the true body sealed somewhere in the lower depths called Pandemonium. Machina had been quite honest that It allowed Privateers to brave the lower depths of Its fortress for favours from the Good Neighbours, if they survived, anyway. There are also rumours of gladiatorial combat to hone favoured Arcadian servants to sell back for prestige.
Meanwhile, Gavin studied the map. He noted the model stuttered occasionally the harder he stared, with the twisting ant-like alleyways changing before his eyes. Good to know.
"It's a cold call. Experience has taught us that giving the Goblin King time to prepare for Freeholders has always been to our detriment," Bastille sighed. At Gavin's request, he shook his head, "Your vision blurs for you. Part of one of Its bargains. I don't think it's consistent, but I can give you this document on the levels." True to his word, one of the tooth fairies dragged a file from on high.
"Ah! Right, the offerings." He thumbed towards a small chest that could fit on one's hand. "Each Monarch is offering It something for a direct conduit to the Season. You won't be negotiating for the Monarchs, but getting there, and making sure a bunch of bullshit loopholes aren't heaped on your Freehold Oaths before you can give him the payload is what we're needing. Make sure it's actually the Goblin King, and not the shell."
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Apr 12, 2021 19:41:03 GMT -8
"Any tips off between the difference between the shell and the real Machina?" It was a shot in the dark but worth the ask.
The moth Glanced to Wayland and Archie, then to Gavin.
"So coming we are going in cold, do we have a backup if this goes wrong? Any neat tricks?" Riley asked the group. They weren't going to repeat getting stuck in the desert. Not this time.
"and do we have specifics beyond safe passage and a trod for our asks?"
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Post by Gavin Graves on Apr 13, 2021 17:14:11 GMT -8
Gavin lifted the file with gratitude, "Thanks," and began perusing its contents.
When Riley opened the question up to the group he offers "I have a trick for finding our way to things if they get moved around on us. If that's needed it'll also let me know if there's threatening creatures on the path I pick to where we're going. It won't warn me if we make enemies of things that weren't angry before. I'm also bringing my bag of deadly tricks and a couple goblin fruit. One of which ...," he holds up a small 'compassionate red' eggplant shaped fruit and looks at it with a bit of reverence, "has medicinal properties--for emergencies." He carefully secures the fruit back into a belt pouch. "We will also bring a supply of mundane food with us. We might find common goblin fruit to graze on and tide us over while in there, but we need to occasionally ground ourselves with a 'meal from the real' and keep our blocks clear of the rubbish. You know, what builds up from being in there too long, or from eating only fruit." Pausing briefly to coin a new term, "Hedge-scurvy!" He smiles, self-satisfied.
He returns to the file and looking at the map, but looks up and pays attention to the others' responses to Riley's question and in turn their own.
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Post by Wayland on Apr 15, 2021 20:34:20 GMT -8
Wayland glances at Riley when they ask some topical follow-up questions, nodding and looking to Bastille for his response.
Gavin's enthusiasm is encouraging, and a small smile dimples her cheeks. "I can bring a few of those too," she mentions when he holds up a goblin fruit. "I have my own supply." As previously, she waits patiently for the other queries and statements to be answered before offering her own, "How quickly do you need us to get going?" She asks the knight, "Given the dangers of the Hedge, we could use some time to prepare. Speaking of which," her attention turns back to her companions, "I'm planning to go armed, and wearing protective equipment. I strongly advise you all do the same, unless you have other means of defending yourself. If anybody needs anything in that department, I'll do my best to help out from my stores."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2021 22:02:25 GMT -8
Blurry vision.
Heaping options onto the Freehold Oath.
Read that file - know what tricks are on the table.
Offerings from each Monarch - we aren’t negotiating for them, no compromise.
Make sure he is the real one.
“Do we have terms to deliver with the offerings? It may be best to lay out details before we find ourselves the nitty gritty before we are hedge side. For now we know its vision, but I don’t want to find out thoughts are fuzzy, or certain words are banned.”
“Likewise, call me superstitious. I think it’s best we carry stage names for this go around. True name, alt name, or chosen name - if we are dealing with darker elements let’s not give them a single piece of us which can be used against us, shall we?”
“Likewise when time comes to dive, a temporary motley seems to be the move to make. A blessing? Hear me out, I suggest a foreign tongue. If worse comes to worse I can use my home language as a basis. In all business matters the value of non-verbal queues is at a premium because words will often betray you. But being able to speak freely with the shroud of the unknown allows us to stay on point with one another while not having to give away the same body language. Also we can layer in other misdirection tactics to see if our special code is broken.”
The offense was a good defense. It was an idea that could keep them on the same page with easy queues and leave their foes clueless. Throw a glitch in the regular flow.
“Otherwise, call me a boy scout - I can make a fire and shoot a gun, but I am not an outdoors person so on the physical trek I will be a bit of a burden - to which I apologies in advance. However, my regalia does allow me to find basic goods as I need them - or I can always use them to summon an ally of the hob variety. I have one I have grown used to, but a local may be a good guide.”
“I think we need to consider basic trade goods as well. A touch for self indulgence, but also things to sweeten the deal. Hobs aren’t people so I know their tastes vary. Sir, or Gavin, are either of you familiar with the less offensive commodities that have good standing in the Market that we may be able to barter or gift with to gain an edge?”
“Oh - and before I forget, Sir Bastille, I don’t often venture into the Hedge - will beads be needed? As that does change the sort of economy we are dealing with glamour wise.”
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