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Post by gauntzero on Feb 27, 2016 6:47:06 GMT
When you came into the old and neglected manufactorum far on the outskirts on Juno, you didnt have a good feeling at all.
This is the place where all 5 of you met for the first time.
The air was dry and dust had settled down everywhere.
Everyone of you came for another reason - but the "invitation" every single one of you got, was of the kind you cannot reject or ignore.
There you stand now, on the exact time that you were told to be here at this forsaken place and look at each other with a mix of curiosity and mistrust.
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Caro Omnis
Acolyte
Posts - 78
Likes - 0
Joined - February 2016
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Post by Caro Omnis on Feb 27, 2016 13:11:51 GMT
Caro was the last one who got there. Immediately, he began scrutinizing 4 strangers. No one of them had any visible wounds whatsoever. Anyway, it is not the first time he had such situations, so he began his usual introduction.
"Greetings, Barber, chirurgeon at your service. May I alleviate your body problems?
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elias
Neophyte
Posts - 40
Likes - 0
Joined - February 2016
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Post by elias on Feb 27, 2016 21:09:17 GMT
Sire Elias Reigner, or Trooper Reigner as he became used to be known, arrived at the rendez-vous easily one hour before everyone, unless there where some he didn't spot.
As he was used too, he had scouted the place for threats, hidden and plain, and finally sat on an old piece of machinery that had been sleeping for decades, he light one of his lho-sticks and exhaled a thick breath. His right hand was always close to his shock maul and his bright eyes where glowing in the dark, looking for anything to set up his unbreakable will upon.
Elias hoped that this call wouldn't be another try to bribe or intimidate him away from his holy work as a member of the Adeptus Arbites. This time, he wouldn't not just sent someone to a public beating, he would hang him in plain sight for people to know that you don't try to keep arbitrators away from their duty.
When people began to came in, Elias said nothing, just greeting them with a slight nod and a smile in his face. He would be happy to know what's happening and then, would fast decide how to act on it.
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Post by ColArana/Annabelle Greene on Feb 28, 2016 8:46:39 GMT
Within this room, a woman had taken a seat. Annabelle Greene was always punctual. But today was quite different from her normal assignments, and a look of modest irritation marred her stunning features. Annabelle had all the look and poise of a noblewoman. One who took great care in her appearance. Afterall. She needed to. That was her advantage in making a living. She wore what appeared to be a very expensive dress, overtop a black, armored bodyglove. A long rifle was laid by her chair, beside a deadly looking chainsword. On the bodyglove, but beneath her dress, an autopistol was holstered. A bit of a haphazard set-up, which was the primary motive for Annabelle's look of irritation.
After her stint in the cells of Snope's World, the woman had scarce been permitted to collect a handful of personal possessions that had been confiscated from her, before being carted off here. Not even a unit to carry them in. It bothered her alright. Hopefully, she would at least be permitted a storage unit of some kind. How was she supposed to go around, and accomplish her work if she walked around looking like she was ready to kill someone? It bothered her alright.
But not so much that she didn't pay attention to the others as they entered the room. Annabelle gave a brief appraisal of each. The man who had been here when she arrived. He was a powerful looking specimen. Annabelle scrutinized him intently. Imperial Guard perhaps? Or perhaps the Adeptus Arbites? Maybe even a mercenary unit. Then her eyes honed in on the shock maul. Mmmm.... Probably Arbitrator She thought with distaste. As an assassin who typically operated outside of the law, Annabelle had more than a few problems with Arbitrators. She could already smell her distaste with the coming work to come. Oh well. It was still better than rotting in a prison cell, followed by meeting the executioner's pistol.
Next would be the older gentleman with the hood. Him... Annabelle couldn't make heads or tails of. That cloak of his obscured a lot. Another assassin? Not necessarily. Perhaps an Adept of some kind? It would be hard to say without more details about the man. Annabelle decided she'd have to let her judgement slide on him for now. At least until he started talking and she could learn something about him.
The last one to arrive though... Oh he was an interesting one, alright. And ancient too, by the look of him. Annabelle's lip curled into something almost resembling a smirk at the arrival of the chirurgeon. Flesh workers. Wonderful. Annabelle looked forward to learning about that one. The man droned out an introduction and Annabelle's smirk twitched a little wider. "Charmed, darling~" She replied lightly, focusing in on the chirurgeon, before she allowed her gaze to flex back, scanning the others in the room once more.
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Post by Arc/Azararch Morgan Geiss on Feb 28, 2016 8:54:59 GMT
After Azararch Morgan Geiss was delivered to the meeting point, he started to check other people who came there, both before him, and after, trying to approximate their general background and area of expertise based on their clothing, looks, and equipment. He kept silent while waiting for his new employer to come, using gestures such as nodding to communicate.
Of the people there Azararch took note of an individual who eventually introduced himself as a chirurgeon as a somewhat likely asset to him. He wonders whether he could convince the person to share his knowledge with him later down the line.
He also noted that two other people had weapons with them that would probably be too impractical for an ordinary citizen, and decided that it would probably be for the best to not approach them prior to further observation.
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Post by gauntzero on Feb 28, 2016 11:07:52 GMT
Some heavy moments you all stand there, watching and taxing each other, trying to scrutinize who the others are and what they are doing here alongside with you.
The dusty smell in the old manufatorum lies heavy over all of you, as a silent noise starts to get your attention. A handful of seconds later, you can see the source of the sound, which is the head-like shape of an servoskull, that comes down from a higher level of the manufactorum. It has an ivory colour and the word "Jeroth" is engraved onto its forehead. Its eyes glow in an unsusal dark orange, that seems to be more alive as it should be. It comes closer to your little group, seemingly scanning you very thoroughly. After it seems like it is finished, it starts to play a message through its loud hailers, with a voice that sounds like whispered broken glass:
"My Name ist Inquisitor Thanatos Allister. I have decided that you might be worthy to serve me. If you are worthy to stay in my services or if I need to get you disposed, will be shown by a task that I have for you."
A scratchy sound delays the message and you are almost sure it sounded like a coughing laugh of the servoskull.
"I organized a meeting on the planet Vouxis Prime, where a deal about an artefact shall take place. Through black market contacts of the Faceless Trade an object was offered for sale that must be requisitioned by you at all cost."
>At all cost< echoes through the hall, as if on purpose and send a chill down your spine.
"You will go there under the cover of a heretical organization named >Sons of Keats<, for whom I havge arranged the meeting with the traders. It is communicated, that the leading heretek Keats and 4 of his lackeys will attend the meeting. As a part of the deal, the Faceless Traders, who are from the Edge Syndicate as far as we know, want an old xenos artefact, named >Tears of Kalys<. You will get this artefact soon. If somehow possible though, I want you to re-negotiate the deal and pay him in money only, so we can keep the artefact. A suitcase with money will also be at your service (it will be worth 4 Influence - meaning, the Inquisitor and you will lose this amount if the suitcase is lost for any other reason than making the deal). The primary target is that the exchange will be done successfully and we have their artefact at the end of the day. Also, if possible, we should not blow up our cover roganization, that I put a lot of effort into to establish. If you can also return the Tears of Kalys, thats a bonus."
It makes a short break, as if reading the expressions on your face, then continues:
"A rogue trader freind of mine, Rondall Quinn, will wait for you at dock 491-4988TZA of the local space port to take you to Vouxis Prime as fast as possible. He will also provide you with 2 suitcases - 1 with money, the other with the Tears of Kalys. He will also have a sigil for you that declares you my temporary acolytes. From this moment you are on your own. The meeting will be in exactly 22 days at dusk in a small settlement called Marble Crest, in the Ebony Jaw. Be on time - it is said that the syndicates negotiator is not very tolerant regarding delay. You can check if the artefact is the original, if you scan it with an auspex. It should send waves in the ultraviolet spectrum between 262 and 277. As soon as you have the artefact, return it to space port Davidius on Vouxis Prime - I will contact you there."
With this last words, the message ends. The servo-skull hovers back into the darkness of the manufactorum where it came from, a silent grin on its bleached teeth.
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Caro Omnis
Acolyte
Posts - 78
Likes - 0
Joined - February 2016
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Post by Caro Omnis on Feb 28, 2016 12:25:26 GMT
Judging by gear, the one was adeptus arbites. Caro always saw arbites as hot headed law men, who ussually destroys anything worth to study, while working on Pride of Askellon and fixing adeptus arbites after their battles. That one was seemingly very strong, but he smiled. That made Caro interested in him. It looked like everybody was meeting the first time. Some of others carried deadly weapons and this arbiter sits with a smile. That can only mean one thing - everybody here must have a special invitation. That thought was a relief for Caro, as he really did not want any trouble with adeptus arbites.
The other one with a hooded coat did not seem very dangerous person, but somehow he looked at Caro with great interest.
Caro could not unnotice the beautiful but mercenary like women. As a 66 year old Caro knew, that women are dangerous and especially beutifull ones. Anyway, after Caro's introduction, she smiled and remarked softly.
The nice smile moment was broken by servo skull. After it's message, only questions arose. What is this artefact Tears of Kalys and the use of it? Can it enchance flesh? Caro already wanted to study it. He needed to establish his role as "Keat". What is this Marble Crest in Ebony Jaw? Why they arranged a meeting to sell that artefact and then refuse to sell it? Do we need to catch them, interrogate or do we need to infiltrate the syndicate? or establish good relation? what is this Edge Syndicate?
"Oh, fellow collegues, it is relief we are here for the same reason. I would suggest prepare ourselves and find any knowledge about all the give facts. Of course if our great adeptus arbites approve this plan." (Caro uses untrained Charm on Elias Reigner, Fel 39 - 20 + Disposition? )
(Can caro know something from Common Lore (Rogue Traders,Underworld) about artefact and syndicate?)
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Post by gauntzero on Feb 28, 2016 12:52:06 GMT
CL Underworld would grant additional information on the Synidcate...Caro doesnt have this though... FL Criminal Cartels and Smugglers would also work.
The untrained charm roll had 08 --> 2 DoS --> you make a lucky good first impression on Elias !
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Caro Omnis
Acolyte
Posts - 78
Likes - 0
Joined - February 2016
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Post by Caro Omnis on Feb 28, 2016 13:01:20 GMT
CL Underworld would grant additional information on the Synidcate...Caro doesnt have this though... FL Criminal Cartels and Smugglers would also work. The untrained charm roll had 08 --> 2 DoS --> you make a lucky good first impression on Elias ! Caro has Infused Knowledge "The Acolyte has been imbued with a great breadth of lore, either through punishing noetic techniques or by arcane methods kept secret by the guardians of technology and learning. He counts as having all Common Lore and Scholastic Lore skills at rank 1 (Known)—basically, he knows something about everything. If he wishes to later improve his Lore skills, these advances must be bought using experience points (from rank 1) as normal. He also adds one degree of success to any successful Common or Scholastic Lore tests, due to his ingrained training." . that means Caro has CL underworld.
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Post by gauntzero on Feb 28, 2016 13:10:58 GMT
Right In this case: CL Underworld (Int48, Test+10): rolled 98 = 5 DoF --> worse than having no idea about it, you firmly believe to have heard, that the Edge Syndicate is an illegal organization lead by a man called "Rufus Edge" and is dealing with rare minerals without permission.
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Post by DarkWinds / Macro Hox on Feb 28, 2016 13:51:22 GMT
Macro had arrived late to the meeting point but he entered unhurried and, perhaps cautiously, but still in time for the Servo-Skull. Those that noticed his approach see before them a man in the typical grab of a downhive sump dweller. He is hooded but his gnarled features are easily visible and he festooned almost from head to toe in various tools and equipment of largely unguessable intent. Some of you however may recognise a few tools of the Morticator and Embalmers trade, though many of them look improvised at best. Beneath his ragged clothing you can make out hints of some sort of light carapace armour and the barrel of a shotgun pokes out towards the floor from his rags, in what is in Macro's mind supposed to be a sign of trust (for example he could have it leveled...).
++++++
During the introductions he waits till last and only answers, when prompted, with a sideways glance towards a nearby exit and a single word "Hox".
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After the Servo skull has said its piece Macro Hox, who clearly intends to keep his own council, watches the others reaction.
(Uses Forbidden Lore: Cartels and Smugglers and Common Lore: Underworld - Both Known - to recall details about the syndicate and their operations)
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Post by gauntzero on Feb 28, 2016 14:01:40 GMT
FL Cartels (Int31, Test+20): rolled 86 = 4 DoF CL Underworld (Int31, Test+10): rolled 39 = 1 DoS --> better one counts, so 1 DoS
The Edge Syndicate is a heretical organization that counts to the so-called faceless trade. The syndicate is known to be especially cruel, even among other faceless traders, and often deal with the most dangerous objects.
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Post by DarkWinds / Macro Hox on Feb 28, 2016 14:20:07 GMT
As the Servo Skull utters the name of the Edge Syndicate a look of dawning comprehension and then concern briefly crosses Macro's face. Whether this is because he knows he is about to become embroiled with the Inquisition or the Syndicate is unclear.
"Clearly choice does not come into this... beyond choosing a death as Inquisitorial martyrs or damned heretics."
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Caro Omnis
Acolyte
Posts - 78
Likes - 0
Joined - February 2016
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Post by Caro Omnis on Feb 28, 2016 15:08:17 GMT
Caro quickly began remembering some rumors about Edge Syndicate and points himself that he need to check upon Rufus Edge and what type of minerals he deals. Maybe some of them would be any good for drug manufacture. Or maybe he would like to have a medic no question asked.
The remark of very little talkative Hox, looking like some underhive ganger, seemed like he did not like something from the message delivered by servo skull. Clearly, he is not very curious about what knowledge is behind this or maybe he knows something? Anyway, the service is service, no questions asked.
"Doubts away, mighty Hox, in the end only the Emperor's verdict is important. " smiled Caro. "Hours are ticking. Lets go straight to the point. As rumors say, Edge syndicate is lead by Rufus Edge and they deal rare substances without permission. As for myself, I would like to acquire an approval of you all, to take the role of Keat. Much of you give impression of very skilled mercenaries." Caro uses untrained Charm on all, Fel 39 - 20 + Disposition?) "Vise looking adept, might be the right hand for me. Or course with his approval. " Caro politely and with respectful gazes at Azararch Morgan Geiss.
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Post by gauntzero on Feb 28, 2016 15:15:52 GMT
Charm (Fel39-20): roll 38 --> 2 DoF --> You are not able to impress the others with your charm.
Also, your words about the syndicate seem to let Hox doubt of your competency.
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