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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 7, 2015 9:28:36 GMT
"Ah, of course!" Pierre said, leaning forward in his chair, "Ollin and me go way, way back! Weeks ago! You see, I was writing a book about the skaa and how their minds work. Ollin volunteered to let me interview her, if I, in return, let her use my keep as a safe house."
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 10, 2015 1:02:18 GMT
Chazan swirled the wine in his cup, scrutinising Pierre. "Interesting." He laid the goblet on the table. Pierre seemed harmless, an eccentric young noble removed from the inner courts of Luthadel, but who knew what secrets could lie beneath the surface. He glanced at Ollin before returning his gaze to Pierre. "I would like to read this book sometime, perhaps when you have completed it." Best to deflect the conversation away from the most probing questions for now. If Pierre was connected to the Steel Ministry or to the Lord Ruler in some way, he might get suspicious.
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Lylyss Forgot to Log In
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Post by Lylyss Forgot to Log In on Oct 12, 2015 9:25:18 GMT
Chazan swirled the wine in his cup, scrutinising Pierre. "Interesting." He laid the goblet on the table. Pierre seemed harmless, an eccentric young noble removed from the inner courts of Luthadel, but who knew what secrets could lie beneath the surface. He glanced at Ollin before returning his gaze to Pierre. "I would like to read this book sometime, perhaps when you have completed it." Best to deflect the conversation away from the most probing questions for now. If Pierre was connected to the Steel Ministry or to the Lord Ruler in some way, he might get suspicious. ________________________ Daub dropped a coin and took a breath as Tiberius grabbed him and forced him below. He wrapped his arms around Tiberius and began kicking, hoping to drag Tiberius under as well. ________________________ Gali ignored the proffered hand. "Don't play games with me, Romnau. I am an employee of the Steel Ministry myself. Reporting corruption in Urteau to the Cantons in Luthadel could be quite…damaging to your position." She tapped a foot on the ground. "I'm waiting." ((Sorry that it took me so outrageously long to reply. :( )) He wants to read the book? Ollin's eyes bugged in alarm. "Unfortunately, Pierre, I'm not sure if we'll be around long enough to see the manuscript." ______________ Tiberius went under. Fortunately, he knew better than to panic, and dropped a coin between himself and Daub. The subsequent Push shot Ti back to the surface--hopefully it would send his adversary to the riverbed. ______________ "Fine." Kell sighed through his teeth. "Follow me." Rising with a grunt, he strode back down the hallway, a haunting figure in the guttering torchlight.
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 12, 2015 19:56:28 GMT
Pierre beamed, slapping the table once more,
"Of course you shall! I've actually already finished the story, I'm just editing it now, and fleshing out the characters."
He paused, taking a sip from his wine glass,
"On the subject of characters, Ollin, would you mind my asking you more about skaa life? I do find it so interesting."
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Post by Lylyss on Oct 12, 2015 19:58:39 GMT
Pierre beamed, slapping the table once more, "Of course you shall! I've actually already finished the story, I'm just editing it now, and fleshing out the characters. "He paused, taking a sip from his wine glass, "On the subject of characters, Ollin, would you mind my asking you more about skaa life? I do find it so interesting." Ollin closed her eyes. Ground her teeth. "Ask away."
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 12, 2015 20:07:34 GMT
Pierre didn't wait for her to answer, but exploded forth with questions, "so, do you… y'know, think? Or is it all just instinct? Why are you so dependent on your masters? Are there any skaa named 'Ella'?"
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 13, 2015 7:47:48 GMT
A fiction book about skaa? More and more interesting. Then again, he doubted there was much difference between the minds of a skaa, a Terrisman, and a noble. Only in Pierre's mind.
Chazan glanced at Ollin. "I'm sure I'll find time to read this masterpiece of Pierre's sometime."
Daub Pushed on the coin as well, flipping it away from him, and kicked his way to the surface, where he treaded water. "Talk to me and I won't have to kill you." He displayed a wet coin in his hand, one he'd taken from his pouch. "What are you doing spying on us?"
A slow prickle of premonition ran up Gali's spine as she followed Kell toward…wherever he was leading her. She had no doubts she could beat him in a one-on-one fight. Unless he turned out to be an Allomancer. Unless he turned out to have friends with him who would be suspicious of her.
But he held the information she wanted, and she didn't want to kill everyone in the Canton of Inquisition to find out who had employed her. That would be counterproductive.
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Post by Lylyss on Oct 13, 2015 8:27:12 GMT
A fiction book about skaa? More and more interesting. Then again, he doubted there was much difference between the minds of a skaa, a Terrisman, and a noble. Only in Pierre's mind. Chazan glanced at Ollin. "I'm sure I'll find time to read this masterpiece of Pierre's sometime."
Daub Pushed on the coin as well, flipping it away from him, and kicked his way to the surface, where he treaded water. "Talk to me and I won't have to kill you." He displayed a wet coin in his hand, one he'd taken from his pouch. "What are you doing spying on us?"
A slow prickle of premonition ran up Gali's spine as she followed Kell toward…wherever he was leading her. She had no doubts she could beat him in a one-on-one fight. Unless he turned out to be an Allomancer. Unless he turned out to have friends with him who would be suspicious of her. But he held the information she wanted, and she didn't want to kill everyone in the Canton of Inquisition to find out who had employed her. That would be counterproductive. ((It's hilarious how terribly I've handled Kell. xP *mutters to self* Honestly, Lylyss. You should be able to do better than this. Antagonists are always my weak point.)) Kell led the way through a segment of stone tunnels, then paused outside a heavy mahogany door. "Archives," he said. "Right in here." The Obligator threw it open--revealing a group of Steel Inquisitors. "Spy!" Kell pointed to Gali. "Caught her listening by the door." After she failed to pay his bribe, it wouldn't we prudent to let her live. If news of that reached his superiors… well… it wouldn't be pretty. _______ Tiberius began to tread water, taking the opportunity to catch his breath. "Doesn't matter." His webbed hair hung lank in the water. "Go away."
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 15, 2015 6:27:55 GMT
((Nah, it's just how well I've handled Gali. XD JK.)) The stone tunnels set her on edge. Reminded her far too much of a dungeon. Gali drained a vial of pewter behind Kell's back. Wouldn't hurt to be prepared. When Kell threw the door open, Gali's hand crept to her dagger. The faces marred by iron nails confirmed the nagging voice telling her to cut and run. Which wouldn't actually be a bad idea right now. Minus the cut, for which she didn't have time. Yet. Gali fled.
"If you're spying on us, it matters." The coin in Daub's hand twitched. "I don't want to have to kill you, but Lord Dalmeaux has rivals in Luthadel, and for all I know you're employed by one of them."
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Post by Lylyss on Oct 19, 2015 6:31:51 GMT
(( Dmitri Pendragon, would you be interested in a Roshar subplot? Once I'm done with Stormlight Archive, of course. ;) )) Ollin stirred her soup, mumbling to Pierre. "Yes. No. Food. Maybe." Chazan didn't receive an audible reply--just an ominous shake of the head. That manuscript must never see the light of day. "Mommy?" Jove set down his drumstick, head cocked. "May we please explore the city before retiring tonight?" "No." "I shan't go far." "No." "Not even to Keep Hastings?" " No." Ollin pushed back her chair. "I'm going to bed. Thank you for dinner, Pierre. We'll talk in the morning, Chazan. And Jove… don't even think about sneaking out." He nodded cheerfully, and Ollin felt a stab of dread. What was she thinking, leading her baby boy into the Empire's fist? It was one thing to put herself at risk. But Jove… he didn't understand. He had never known fear. With a quick Pewter flare, she left the table and strode out of the dining hall. ____________ Jove sighed as the door shut behind Ollin, then turned to Pierre and Chazan. "I apologize. She is always irascible after a Pewter drag--on to sunnier subjects. Books! Turkey! Treason! Saving the Keeper!" ____________ "Not employed. Just watching." Like that was a perfectly reasonable explanation. "Your crew is funny." _____________ ((Lol. These are the awkward stages of the plot. We'll Push through. *stupid grin at the stupid pun* :P Or should I say drag through, since you're a Pewterarm?)) Stan the Inquisitor pointed at Gali. "Dibs on the spike!" "Not fair!" Squeaked Joe Ironeyes. "You got the last one." "How about this: We'll catch her together, then do rock-paper-sissors." "No dynamite?" "No dynamite." "No God?" "No God." "Deal." ((Heheheh. JK.)) The Inquisitors rose to their feet. "Explain, Romnau." "Like I said, she was spying! Listening by the door. If you run, you could still catch her!" They drilled Kell through metal eyes. He cringed back, still blustering. "Must've… must've slipped in somehow or something of that sort that definitely wasn't preventable. Definitely wasn't preventable. You should catch her?" The foremost Inquisitor shook his head. " You catch her. Kill her. We have more important business to attend." "Y-yessir!" Three pairs of rusty spikes followed Kell as he scampered after Gali.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 20, 2015 6:22:53 GMT
((Maybe. I have a Roshar character in stasis. I don't want to go all CaC2 on this thread, though, so I'm limiting myself to three characters at a time; if I join a Roshar subplot I'll make another character of mine inactive, probably Daub.)) Chazan watched Ollin leave without comment and shot a sideways look at Jove. "You may discuss books, turkey or treason. Not your final suggestion."
Daub's eye twitched. "Stay out of our business. I'm giving you a one-time reprieve. If you come back, you're not leaving." He Pushed the coin over Ti's head to emphasise his point, gave him a hard stare, and twisted about in the water to swim back to shore.
((Hahah. Puns tend to be like that. Anyway, I wouldn't mind if Gali is chased by an Inquisitor or two. She would, but she's not the Author.)) Heart pounding faster than her feet on the ground, Gali burned pewter, increasing her speed. She toppled iron candlesticks in the hallways as she passed, making sure the Inquisitors wouldn't be able to fly after her with their Mistborn powers. At a fork in the tunnels, she paused. Which way had she come? It mattered little, though—escape was the word of the hour. She took the left-hand tunnel and resumed her flight. She chanced a look backwards. They hadn't caught her yet. She hadn't even seen them yet. Surprising. Dare she hope she'd shaken them off?
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Post by Lylyss on Oct 20, 2015 8:59:48 GMT
((Maybe. I have a Roshar character in stasis. I don't want to go all CaC2 on this thread, though, so I'm limiting myself to three characters at a time; if I join a Roshar subplot I'll make another character of mine inactive, probably Daub.)) Chazan watched Ollin leave without comment and shot a sideways look at Jove. "You may discuss books, turkey or treason. Not your final suggestion."
Daub's eye twitched. "Stay out of our business. I'm giving you a one-time reprieve. If you come back, you're not leaving." He Pushed the coin over Ti's head to emphasise his point, gave him a hard stare, and twisted about in the water to swim back to shore.
((Hahah. :P Puns tend to be like that. Anyway, I wouldn't mind if Gali is chased by an Inquisitor or two. She would, but she's not the Author.)) Heart pounding faster than her feet on the ground, Gali burned pewter, increasing her speed. She toppled iron candlesticks in the hallways as she passed, making sure the Inquisitors wouldn't be able to fly after her with their Mistborn powers. At a fork in the tunnels, she paused. Which way had she come? It mattered little, though—escape was the word of the hour. She took the left-hand tunnel and resumed her flight. She chanced a look backwards. They hadn't caught her yet. She hadn't even seen them yet. Surprising. Dare she hope she'd shaken them off? ((Duly noted. ;) I'll have to think about it for awhile. Anyway, I'm still not done with the Stormlight series.)) Jove sighed. Apparently he couldn't do anything fun. "And what about a book called Saving the Keeper? A turkey that could save the Synod? The treason we are on the cusp of committing?" _________ Coinshots. So melodramatic. Of course, he didn't include himself in that--Tiberius was a different species entirely. Rules didn't apply. Threats didn't work. He would continue to watch as long as Daub's crew provided amusement. Tiberius slipped below the water. _________ ((Lol. Well, I was hoping to increase the stakes for Kell by angering his superiors. But I'll try to make this just as exciting as a horde of rabid Inquisitors. *contemplates dynamite* *decides against it* ;) It'll take me awhile to write this next part, so I'll try and edit it in tomorrow. Wanna give you something to before we go offline.))
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Oct 20, 2015 12:56:33 GMT
((I might be interested in a Stormlight plot . . .))
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 22, 2015 6:36:05 GMT
Jove sighed. Apparently he couldn't do anything fun. "And what about a book called Saving the Keeper? A turkey that could save the Synod? The treason we are on the cusp of committing?" "This is not treason!" Chazan rose to his feet, toppling his chair. "Never say that. Treason is treason only if the treacherous vassal owes allegiance. Which in this case does not apply." He picked up his chair and throttled his anger, then sat, elbow on table, face on hand. "I was actually born outside the Final Empire. Were you aware of that, Jove?" Halfway to the dock, Daub waved an arm, grasping the metal bag of coins behind his back with the other. An invisible force caught him, pulling the bag of coins against his back, and dragged him through the water to the barge. He spat out water that tasted of ash and tossed his bag of coins onto the vessel. "I need to learn how to skim along the surface. Like Whisper." A broad-shouldered young woman extended a hand to him. "It's funny." Daub Pushed off a metal object in the canal bed below, launching himself over the edge of the barge, and started squeezing water out of his shirt. "It's not funny, Marakee. I should Push you and see how you like it." The Lurcher shrugged. "It might come to that." She smiled, displaying straight white teeth, and dropped her voice. "We're not exactly law-abiding citizens." "Hush." Daub glanced out across the canal to the disturbance showing Tiberius's position. "If you see that Coinshot again, tell Rags, and we'll go after him. I've given him the warning. Next time he won't get it." Marakee nodded, the humour gone from her face. "A spy?" Daub continued watching Tiberius. "I don't know yet."
Zalwen stared into the vast recesses of a mighty basilica. Once Keep Kasbian, the building was now used as a library after its owner's disreputable practices resulted in his death and the exile of his family. In this library lay the last research he needed before he could draw the conclusions to his magnum opus. Genealogical records, Allomantic doctrine, political assignments, the history of House Fosca. He laid a hand on his servant's shoulder. Nathin stirred as if awoken from a spell. "We're almost there," Zalwen said, partly to himself. "We're so close." Nathin glanced up at his master. The vast openness of the basilica swallowed up his voice. "What are we looking for, Master Zalwen?" Zalwen choked on a gulp and shook his head. "House Fosca. Warden Fosca's background, in particular." He fluffed Nathin's blond hair, a colour rarely seen among the Terris communities. "And everything in the wide circle of related things." Lanthard Dalmeaux tapped his walking stick on the floor. "I volunteer to help." He winked at Nathin and nodded to Zalwen. "You know where my allegiances lie. You saw me become who I am today." Zalwen smiled, almost sadly, although he couldn't think of a reason why he should be sad. "Let us begin, then. I trust Daub and his crew will have our backs covered, just in case. Although I can't imagine we'll have any trouble." He glanced around at the nobles and noble servants filling the room. "No. I can't imagine it. Even the Lord Ruler wouldn't go that far."
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 22, 2015 7:54:42 GMT
Pierre watched all this with intense interest, scribbling down notes for his book.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 22, 2015 8:08:59 GMT
Chazan shot a quick look at the swiftly moving pen. He'd have to watch what he said. Until Pierre proved himself, he couldn't be trusted with the secrets of the Phoenix Resistance. He raised his gaze to Pierre's powdered face. "Research?"
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 23, 2015 0:50:27 GMT
Pierre looked up at Chazan with a whimsical grin, "oh yes! The way you lean on the table is quite interesting, it almost suggests intelligent life! Ooh... this book will be positively scandalous..."
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 23, 2015 22:24:51 GMT
"I am not skaa, Deidoa," Chazan snapped. "I am a Terrisman. And your perception of skaa is false. Skaa are not animals. Skaa are as intelligent as nobles." More so in some cases.
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 24, 2015 22:15:35 GMT
Pierre sat there for an awkward moment, staring up at Chazan. Paler than usual.
"Uh… right, ok! I'm going to bed!" He blurted out, scurrying out of his chair, half-walking, half-running down the hall.
-------
The Inquisitor materialized out of the night, and Tilly shrank back.
"What news?" the figure said.
"They just arrived, some skaa and a terrisman." Tilly squeaked, backing into a corner, away from the mists that writhed around her.
"And your master knows of their intentions?"
"I… he doesn't know much, s-sir. I suspect he's doing it for shock value."
"Housing rebels is a crime punishable by death."
"Like I said, he doesn't know much."
The Inquisitor was silent for a long time, finally it said, "find out more about these guests."
Tilly gave a fervent nod and dashed away into the night.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 26, 2015 6:17:02 GMT
((Terrismen aren't uncommon in the Final Empire, remember? Why should Chazan's admission make Pierre suspicious?))
Chazan leapt to his feet again and followed Pierre down the corridor, snatching up the man's bundle of papers as he passed the noble's seat at the table*. "Lord Deidoa."
He glanced at Pierre's research. That was all it took to store the memory in his coppermind. He'd read it later, bringing up the memory and taking a more analytical slant on the words it contained.
He extended the papers to the man. "This."
((*considering Pierre wasn't said to take it with him))
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 26, 2015 19:04:11 GMT
(( Pierre's not suspicious. Abokai and his two friends have been tracking Ollin, Chazan and Jove down after the dock fight, hoping to get some information on Zalwen. Tilly's just a willing informant. ))
Pierre turned to face Chazan, glancing down at the notes, "oh, yes! Thank you!" He timidly took them, and then continued his dash down the hall.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 27, 2015 5:46:26 GMT
((Right.))
Chazan watched the man go, frowning. If he'd had more friends in and around Luthadel, he'd have set a watch on the house, but this place wasn't like Tathingdwen. For all he knew, the servants could be plants of the Steel Ministry. When Pierre disappeared from his sight, he turned and stalked back into the dining hall. "Go to bed, Jove. We'll recommence in the morning." He paused, almost in afterthought. "Then again, the food is still available." He allowed Jove one of his rare smiles, this one humourless, and went to find a bed.
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Oct 27, 2015 7:02:40 GMT
(( Besides you know my record of making such trustworthy characters! XD ))
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Oct 27, 2015 7:51:01 GMT
((Ah-ha. Ah-ha. I do indeed. ))
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Post by Ly on Oct 29, 2015 8:42:53 GMT
Halfway to the dock, Daub waved an arm, grasping the metal bag of coins behind his back with the other. An invisible force caught him, pulling the bag of coins against his back, and dragged him through the water to the barge. He spat out water that tasted of ash and tossed his bag of coins onto the vessel. "I need to learn how to skim along the surface. Like Whisper." A broad-shouldered young woman extended a hand to him. "It's funny." Daub Pushed off a metal object in the canal bed below, launching himself over the edge of the barge, and started squeezing water out of his shirt. "It's not funny, Marakee. I should Push you and see how you like it." The Lurcher shrugged. "It might come to that." She smiled, displaying straight white teeth, and dropped her voice. "We're not exactly law-abiding citizens." "Hush." Daub glanced out across the canal to the disturbance showing Tiberius's position. "If you see that Coinshot again, tell Rags, and we'll go after him. I've given him the warning. Next time he won't get it." Marakee nodded, the humour gone from her face. "A spy?" Daub continued watching Tiberius. "I don't know yet." ____________________ Zalwen stared into the vast recesses of a mighty basilica. Once Keep Kasbian, the building was now used as a library after its owner's disreputable practices resulted in his death and the exile of his family. In this library lay the last research he needed before he could draw the conclusions to his magnum opus. Genealogical records, Allomantic doctrine, political assignments, the history of House Fosca. He laid a hand on his servant's shoulder. Nathin stirred as if awoken from a spell. "We're almost there," Zalwen said, partly to himself. "We're so close." Nathin glanced up at his master. The vast openness of the basilica swallowed up his voice. "What are we looking for, Master Zalwen?" Zalwen choked on a gulp and shook his head. "House Fosca. Warden Fosca's background, in particular." He fluffed Nathin's blond hair, a colour rarely seen among the Terris communities. "And everything in the wide circle of related things." Lanthard Dalmeaux tapped his walking stick on the floor. "I volunteer to help." He winked at Nathin and nodded to Zalwen. "You know where my allegiances lie. You saw me become who I am today." Zalwen smiled, almost sadly, although he couldn't think of a reason why he should be sad. "Let us begin, then. I trust Daub and his crew will have our backs covered, just in case. Although I can't imagine we'll have any trouble." He glanced around at the nobles and noble servants filling the room. "No. I can't imagine it. Even the Lord Ruler wouldn't go that far." ((Right.)) Chazan watched the man go, frowning. If he'd had more friends in and around Luthadel, he'd have set a watch on the house, but this place wasn't like Tathingdwen. For all he knew, the servants could be plants of the Steel Ministry. When Pierre disappeared from his sight, he turned and stalked back into the dining hall. "Go to bed, Jove. We'll recommence in the morning." He paused, almost in afterthought. "Then again, the food is still available." He allowed Jove one of his rare smiles, this one humourless, and went to find a bed. (( Leilani Sunblade: You'd be interested in a Stormlight Archive subplot? Awesome sauce! I've already got a couple characters brewing. What about you? Any ideas? Lērtāen Miklul, I know you're a Stormlight fan as well. Between me, you, Leilani and possibly Dmitri, we could have a pretty intense battle. Can I persuade you to join? *Burns zinc* )) Jove grinned back, waving a drumstick in farewell. "Goodnight, Master Terrisman!" ((Timeskip?)) _______________ Slick as a salamander, Tiberius slunk up the side of a ship. His hair was dripping, his jacket was soaked, but no permanent harm had been done. A nightcap would soon settle his nerves. Or maybe a half-pint. Why not make it a whole? Yes, two mugs of ale would be the perfect way to cap the night--or maybe uncap the night? Very funny. No, punny. He would have to include that in the journal-- The journal.It was still in his jacket. His waterlogged jacket. Tiberius fumbled with the pockets, withdrawing a sodden mass of a wet paper and weeping ink. A lifetime of work. Dozens of stories. All gone. He hugged the book to his heart and sank to the deck. _______________ A bespectacled librarian approached the Terrismen. "Looking for anything in particular?" There was a sleep-deprived drag to her voice, as though she was nodding off mid-sentence. _______________ "Stop!" Kell barreled down the hall on his stubby sausage-legs. "Stop, I say!" He snatched a torch from the wall, hysterically supposing he could burn Gali, and nearly torched his robes in the process. I cannot fail. She cannot escape. The Inquisitors would have his head if a "spy" escaped from the Steel Ministry itself. That lie didn't work... Maybe he should try a different approach next time. Something new. Something fresh. Something... honest? He toyed with the idea for a moment. Nah.
"You there!" Kell rounded the corner and spied Gali from across the tunnel. "I said stop!" ((We need to Gmail chat or Google Doc about this plot. I'm sorry. I'm just out of ideas. Lol. The most interesting thing I could come up with were Kell's sausage legs.))
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Oct 29, 2015 12:00:46 GMT
(( Lylyss: I had a character idea a few days ago while listening to music . . . lost it, though, except I know said character was going to be an Edgedancer. I'll have to try to find it again.)) ((I think Dmitri had mentioned a while ago that a Stormlight plot taking place during the prior age of Radiants might be interesting.))
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Nov 7, 2015 9:38:38 GMT
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Nov 10, 2015 4:40:09 GMT
((I've done so. I know it's taken a while, but I'm 10% behind in NaNoWriMo.)) Jove grinned back, waving a drumstick in farewell. "Goodnight, Master Terrisman!" ((Timeskip?)) ((I'm also timeskipping Daub and the crew behind the scenes. When they reappear, they'll be near Keep Kasbian—where Zalwen, Nathin and Lord Dalmeaux are.)) When he awoke in the morning, Chazan reflected on a night of peace without Jove's snoring. He rose. Dressed. Washed his face with the bowl of water provided. Left his room and knocked on Ollin's door. "Chazan here."
"Thank you, but no thank you," Zalwen said. "We are capable, and our business is of a private nature." He paused. Hopefully his tantalising ending would prove sufficient to interest the librarian. "Could you direct my lord to the genealogies? And perhaps the section reserved for Allomantic doctrine published by the Canton of Orthodoxy?"
Gali stopped. Only Romnau? She slid her dagger out of her shirt and weighed up the obligator. He carried a blazing torch. Good idea. She snatched an iron candlestick from the wall and hefted it in her left hand. "I stopped. Snake." ((Aye. I'm open to discussion. Send me an email when it's convenient. Due to NaNo, I may take a while to get around to it, though. ))
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Dec 5, 2015 5:42:54 GMT
Warden Fosca soared through the air high above Tathingdwen, the tassels of his mistcloak rippling. Ash and snow whipped his face, but the low pewter burn in his stomach countered the frigid temperatures.
He felt himself descend. Felt, for today's sky hid the world below. He closed his eyes and could almost imagine he was finally alone, flying in oblivious solace. Perfect peace.
A weak blue line appeared from his chest and pointed off into the distance, strengthening as he neared the source of metal. Warden opened his eyes and squinted against the flurries of white and black. Far below, a single lamppost pierced the darkness.
And further on, a blue line moving faster than physically possible.
Warden smiled.
When he passed the lamppost, he Pushed, arcing high into the sky again, and burned bronze. Up ahead, Allomantic steel pulsed. Coinshot. If he’d been Mistborn, he would have cloaked himself in a coppercloud.
Warden Pushed off the next lamppost in the street, accelerating his flight. He knew the Coinshot by reputation. Zuca Lin, a rogue noble from the Terris Dominance who had displeased the Lord Ruler in the past, had finally come back to Tathingdwen.
And this time Warden had been ready.
He flared iron and Pulled on the blue line that indicated Lin’s position. The Coinshot jerked in the air. Coins slashed a swath through the snow and ash toward Warden.
And bounced off his wooden chestplate.
Warden Pushed on the last few coins, launching them back at Lin. The Coinshot deflected them with his own Push. Not unexpected, but it took Lin’s steel to do so.
Lin’s Allomantic pulses diverted to the right. Warden Pushed against a lamppost on the other side of the street and soared after him. Allomantic chases were his delight. His forte. He had been blessed to become a Mistborn.
Warden burned zinc and brass, feeling for Lin’s emotions. The Coinshot’s fear of the unknown outweighed his natural arrogance. With the subtle touch he’d perfected over years of diplomatic meetings, Warden Rioted Lin’s arrogance while Soothing his fear away.
Lin continued to run, swerving back and forth as if trying to lose Warden. He’d evidently lost all his coins; only his Allomantic pulses now indicated his position.
Warden flared steel as he Pushed off the next lamppost. There was a pattern to Lin’s Allomantic flight. Perhaps the Coinshot himself didn’t know it, but Warden had fought Coinshots before. Most had a pattern. Most had a preferred way of doing things.
Warden nodded as he felt Lin’s pulses change direction. He’d been right. He’d guessed the Coinshot’s next move. He Pushed off a window and launched himself in a different direction.
Minutes later, he soared past a man covered from head to toe, his mistcloak stained with ash and snow. The Coinshot started, flailing in the air, Pushing against Warden’s metals. One vial shattered. Two others flew into the night.
Warden burned atium.
Lin’s atium shadow appeared, launching backwards in the air. Warden Pulled against a lamppost behind Lin and launched himself straight for the Coinshot.
Lin flew back in the air, following the atium shadow. Warden shook his head as he pursued. Coinshots without atium stood no chance against Mistborn. Evidently Lin hadn’t expected a Mistborn in the night, or he wouldn’t have come.
Lin’s atium shadow changed direction. Warden Pulled on another lamppost, flipped himself so that he soared feet-first, and burned pewter just before he collided with the Coinshot.
Both Allomancers fell into the dark.
Lin saved himself with an iron grate. Warden Pulled on two second-story windows on either side of the street, leaving himself hovering in the air. He burned tin and stroked Lin’s emotions like he had before. More arrogance. Less fear. Lin would talk now.
Lin struggled to his feet. A scarf covered his face, no doubt a protection against the cold. He stared up at the governor in the midst of the snow and ash. “Governor Fosca.”
“Zuca Lin.” Warden inclined his head. “Welcome back.”
“Hardly a welcome.” Lin unsheathed a long obsidian dagger from underneath his robes. “I knew you were an Allomancer, but I didn’t know you were Mistborn. And a Mistborn vigilante at that.”
Warden extinguished his iron and dropped to the ground. His pewter-enhanced strength absorbed the shock. “I have many secrets, Lin.”
Lin strangled the dagger hilt. “Including why you appear to want me?”
Warden shook his head. “I should have thought that one would be obvious. It’s the same as it has always been. I want something of yours, and I intend to take it.”
Lin tensed. “No.”
“Unfortunately, Lin,” Warden said, “my power is not contingent upon your willingness. And your power is not contingent upon your life.”
“What?”
Warden drew a light blade from the scabbard at his side. Though metallic in colour, the blue lines of steelsight did not point to it. More, the atium burning in his stomach did not pick it up.
He attacked with a wide sweep at Lin’s side. An atium shadow shot up, Lin’s dagger moving to block. Warden flicked his sword around, and the blade bit into the Coinshot’s side.
Lin’s atium shadow launched upwards.
Warden burned pewter, enhancing his speed. He stabbed at the air above Lin’s head just as the Coinshot rose. His strike sank between the Coinshot’s ribs. The force of Lin’s Push tore a long gash in his body.
Lin collapsed.
Warden wiped his bloodied sword on Lin’s clothing. The Coinshot was still alive, but not for long. He’d have to work fast.
He jerked off his right glove. Piercing the skin was a steel splinter as long as his little finger and at least half as thin. Piercing his skin, where Lin could not Push on it. He drew it out, wiped off his blood, and crouched over Lin.
The Coinshot spat blood. He malformed his words. “What…do you…want…”
“I want something very important,” Warden said. “Something that will make me take your life.”
He plunged the tiny spike into Lin’s heart.
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Post by Lylyss on Dec 6, 2015 19:30:54 GMT
(( Lylyss : I had a character idea a few days ago while listening to music . . . lost it, though, except I know said character was going to be an Edgedancer. I'll have to try to find it again.)) ((I think Dmitri had mentioned a while ago that a Stormlight plot taking place during the prior age of Radiants might be interesting.)) ((Edgedancers are so cool. :D I can imagine some pretty neat tricks that you could do in battle--gonna have to keep my eye on your character. ;P Ooh. That would be interesting. We could definitely do that, but the books still haven't revealed very much about the Knights Radiant. We'd have to guess about their protocols, structure, etc. It might be simpler to do something closer to the time period that Stormlight Archives covers. Maybe a few years before Kaladin comes onto the scene. Any thoughts, guys?)) When he awoke in the morning, Chazan reflected on a night of peace without Jove's snoring. He rose. Dressed. Washed his face with the bowl of water provided. Left his room and knocked on Ollin's door. "Chazan here."
"Thank you, but no thank you," Zalwen said. "We are capable, and our business is of a private nature." He paused. Hopefully his tantalising ending would prove sufficient to interest the librarian. "Could you direct my lord to the genealogies? And perhaps the section reserved for Allomantic doctrine published by the Canton of Orthodoxy?"
Gali stopped. Only Romnau? She slid her dagger out of her shirt and weighed up the obligator. He carried a blazing torch. Good idea. She snatched an iron candlestick from the wall and hefted it in her left hand. "I stopped. Snake." ((Aye. I'm open to discussion. Send me an email when it's convenient. Due to NaNo, I may take a while to get around to it, though. :P )) ((O.o Eek. Wouldn't want to meet the governor in a dark alley.)) Ollin cracked the door. Then, seeing that it really was Chazan, stepped back for him to enter. "Morning, child. Sleep well?" She crossed to the window. "We have a big day ahead." __________ Doctrine? Private nature? Canton of Orthodoxy? The librarian blinked rapidly, fully awake for the first time in weeks. "The Orthodoxy department shouldn't be any trouble. But genealogy... well... that's where it gets complicated. We've have thousands of family trees. Censuses that date back to the Lord Ruler's ascension. I might be able to help, but only if you narrow your search criteria." __________ She stopped? Kell screeched to a halt. For all his screaming, he hadn't expected that. "Now drop your weapons! Hands on your head!" Footsteps echoes from further back in the hall--several pairs of leather boots clamping against the stone floor. That would be the Inquisitors. Come to check on his progress. Make sure he didn't fail.
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