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Post by zipp on Feb 25, 2009 21:59:17 GMT
The tunnel leading to the city was lit on either side by bright torches in ornate sconces. This rudimentary sign of civilization was a relief to most of the companions, who had begun to feel that they had truly left society behind in Holmgard. None seemed more relieved than Sherri, who began to whistle "I'm Coming Home," an old pslam popularized by warriors returning from the front.
Leaving the tunnel, the party got their first taste of Oasis. They were in a huge open area paved with cobblestone. Looking down, they saw the stones were different colours and had been arranged in some kind of pattern that was undecipherable from so close.
Behind them rose the huge front wall of Oasis. This side of the wall was lined with stairs, interrupted by small guard houses perched on the wall like bird's nests. Ahead and to either side lay the city itself, a jumble of houses and avenues. Aside from the wall behind, they saw four paths open to them: there was a straight path leading to the North, lined with what looked like inns and stores; to the south was a close jumble of large buildings, almost barns; straight ahead, to the East and heading deeper into the city, were two avenues. At the front of one path were blue flags, at the other were green flags.
There were no signs of life. The city was eerily quiet. A little at a time, rain began to fall, as if the heavens were acknowledging their arrival in Oasis.
Welcome to Oasis. Now the game gets serious. Remember to keep track of your goal, and also remember that the other players probably have conflicting goals. Indeed, I can tell you that at least one member of your team does not want you to survive your time in Oasis. Form alliances where you can, and where they strengthen you, but always be looking out for that knife in your back. I will give bonus EXP points (in secret) to those who make progress towards their goals, and will also reward those who can expose other players goals and/or hinder them.
I'll be checking in with everyone in their private forums to see how they understand their goals.
A side note, I'm not going to be pushing one automatic stress point on you for being in Oasis... at least not yet. Don't think you're off the hook, though. There's still stress to be had and plenty of opportunities to fly over the cuckoo's nest.
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Sir Aram
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 350
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 26, 2009 1:58:15 GMT
Sir Aram glances back at his companions. "You barred the gate behind us, correct?" he says. "The last thing we want is for that army to follow us inside. We should head to the Citadel first. Sherri, do you know the quickest way to get there?"
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Post by Dirac Sil on Feb 26, 2009 6:43:17 GMT
"Sherri mentioned something worrying about the town council," says Meldorac. "I had assumed that if the High Priest were acting true, it would be against a generalised madness. Some of her words on the possible corruption of the elders makes me fear an organised resistance to securing the relic."
Meldroac looks at all the group, as if balancing all he surmises about them.
"May I suggest Sir Aram, Bonnie and Brother Owain make their way to the citadel, an obvious land mark to aim too. Meanwhile, Sherri leads Gregor and myself to the town council. Owain makes the most credible representative to the high priest. Gregor and Sherri make the most credible representatives to the council."
"The way I see it, there are three option for wath is happening in Oasis. Firstly, the hig priest has gone insane by external influences or the relic. Therefore, we need our powerful warriors there to protect Owain and hopefuly secure the relic. Or the town council is false, in which case we need our least threatening members to get close enough to determine this fact, who have the skills and element of surprise to escape if needed." Meldorac then gives a smile sardonic smile. "And I am sure there may be people relieved not to have me anywhere near the relic."
Meldorac then goes onto expand on the third option. "The third option is that this town has gone insane, and we are the only hope for Sommerlund. In which case - we need to know this fact as soon as possible by gathering as much information as possible. If that is the case, I suggest Sherri needs to tell us how where we can meet as a fall back, relic secured, that leads out of the sewers."
Almost as an afterthought, Meldorac concludes, "Of course, in that event Sheri Gregor and myself can secure any family you wish to save and lead you all back there. After all, without the need to secure the relic, we are sadly disposable in that eventuality and we may as well die doing something good to meet Kai with." Meldorac shrugs, apparently done.
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Post by Bonnie Sommer on Feb 26, 2009 7:20:34 GMT
"It is late. Too late for a formal visit today. I say we visit Sherri's mother or Aram's sister this evening, and then settle down for the night either there or in a tavern or an inn to gather information of recent event. Myself I'd rather we know a little more about the real situation here before we visit the powers who govern here."
"And Meldorac, try to be a little more discreet when talking."
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Post by Dirac Sil on Feb 26, 2009 8:43:30 GMT
"Yes, let's settling at an inn and have a cheery meal and talk of old times while THE FORCES OF THE DARKLANDS PREPARE TO ATTACK THIS PLACE WITH KRAAN THAT CAN FLY OVER WALLS!!!" "And there's no-one here, so please tell me what secret code you would like to adopt that will convey half formed information when it is vital we decide on a course of action right now, and all know our parts." Meldorac: thoughful contemplative diplomate extrodinaire And this is without stress points added!
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Post by Brother Owain on Feb 26, 2009 8:57:35 GMT
Owain looks uncomfortable as he says, "I agree with Meldorac. We should by no means assume we are safe merely because we are on the other side of the city walls from the Darklanders. Rather, we have exchanged a visible danger for one we cannot yet see. We are at the centre of the plague - right now we do not know how it might have affected the populace."
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Post by Bonnie Sommer on Feb 26, 2009 17:38:52 GMT
"I'm not interested in talking to you over a meal. The locals, however, will no doubt have something of interest to say.
If you are who you claim to be, then I advice you to immediately reconsider your stand in assuming that no one hears us which should not hear us."
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Post by Gregor on Feb 26, 2009 19:29:49 GMT
Zipp can you tell us what time of day it actually is so we can plan properly what to do? Ta.[/color]
Gregor leans on his spear as he watches the other bicker. Looking at Sherris anxious face he can tell exactly where she wants to go.
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Post by zipp on Feb 26, 2009 22:20:36 GMT
While the companions debated their course of action, Sherri looked around uncomfortably.
"There's usually someone here to greet visitors," she said in a whisper that nonetheless carried in the emptiness around them. "I've never seen the city like this. But then, I've never been in a siege either." She sighed with a rasping scatter of tears, quickly stifled. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a burden. If we can make it to my mother's house, I can at least repay you all by giving you a meal. I don't honestly know if we can house all of you. We certainly can't stable the horses. We aren't poor, but we aren't exactly wealthy, either."
She looked around. "You might be able to store your horses somewhere down there." She pointed towards the barn-like buildings. "Those are storehouses and such. They keep horses in one of the buildings."
She pointed down the road to the North. "That's where the inns are, if you'd rather go to an inn tonight, or if you're looking to talk to someone."
She pointed to the flags lining the streets. "Those flags mark off the areas that your class of citizen is allowed to go to. The classes are Blue, Green, Orange, Red, White, and Yellow, in that order. Higher classes can go to lower class areas, but lower class citizens will be arrested if they go into higher class areas without the proper paperwork. My family is only Green clearance." She held out her hand: they could all see a rune tattooed on her hand in dark green ink.
"As you get further into the city, there's more and more higher class areas. My home isn't far from here. We can get there quickly if we take the blue path."
When talk turned to getting to the Citadel, Sherri's eyes went wide. "No one goes to Citadel," she said. "It's closed off to all but the highest classed citizens. Even those with yellow marks don't often get access. We don't see people from Citadel very often."
To answer a couple questions: The gate is barred behind you, yes. I didn't detail it, but I assumed it. That also means someone on the wall is operating the gears that open and close the gates.
As for the time of day, it is about 6:15, and about two hours before Sunset.
To remind everyone, I believe you are all still on horses. I have the division as such: Horse 1: Meldorac and Aram Horse 2: Owain and Bonnie Horse 3: Gregor and Sherri.
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Post by Gregor on Feb 26, 2009 23:15:24 GMT
"Right well that tears it then."
Gregor speaks up after Sherri has finished.
"Now I know its all been a bit stressful recently, but I know I would welcome at least a comfortable place to sleep and a warm meal. Especially after the little rest we gained up at Masons place. We can get to following Mel's plan in the morning."
Gregors shortening of the scholars name was deliberate and he looked to see if anyone actually noticed. The group looked haggered and worn from their brief respite, the chase with the Kraan had certainly not helped.
Turning his horse, Gregor spoke again. "I promised this girl I'd get her home and thats what I am going to do. May I suggest that those who want to come with do so. Those who want to stay at an inn can do the same too. Let us meet back at this spot tomorrow morning, then we can start our investigation properly."
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Post by Dirac Sil on Feb 27, 2009 0:17:44 GMT
Meldorac seemed to be merely snip off an angry answer at Bonnie's further words. It was only as Sherri stated speaking that seemed to get agitated, and look around towards the walls and around the streets, his eyes look to the flagstones too.
His jittery movements seem to settle down to an odd calm, and a black mood has settled by the time Gregor formulates a plan. Meldorac seems to flick some dark amusemnt at the name 'Mel', but merely shrugs at the plan, the fire from him gone for some reason.
Only one real thought seems to bubble from him, and he directs the question tentatively to Sir Amar. "What clearance do you possess then?"
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Sir Aram
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 350
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 27, 2009 1:32:15 GMT
"None," says Sir Aram. "I am merely a visitor to Oasis, and I've never lived here. I have been in a siege before - at Holmgard - and there should be people here regardless. Not so much to greet visitors as to defend the gates and meet the enemy in battle if there is a breach. Nevertheless, the gate did not open itself. Bonnie is right that we should choose our words carefully in public. Clearly, we are being observed." He looks around nervously, then up at the towering walls.
"We could use information about current events before we try to find a way to approach the Citadel, but I would be wary of talking to locals at an inn. We do not know who we can trust there, or who has been compromised, but you can be sure that strangers in town will be watched closely. Even now I feel eyes upon us. Sherri's mother is exactly the person we should talk to, and a home-cooked meal would hit the spot." He smiles at the girl. "It has been an honor to escort you and see you safely home, Sherri. You are no burden, and I gladly accept your invitation. I do not think it would be wise for us to split up. Once we find out more about the situation in Oasis from Sherri's mother, we can decide upon our next move."
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Post by zipp on Feb 27, 2009 1:44:56 GMT
Sherri nodded at the knight. "I have an uncle who used to have to get temporary passes every time he'd come to visit us. He didn't come very often. I suppose the Council didn't encourage outsiders over much. But there's whole sections of town kept open to all. Like that street with all the inns, over there. That street winds around the whole city, connecting to all the major markets and such. We call it the "slow street," because it takes so long to get anywhere. What part of the city does your sister live in? I could probably take you there. I know pretty much the whole city." Sherri seems proud to have at least one area of expertise where she can show her worth.
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Sir Aram
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 350
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Post by Sir Aram on Feb 27, 2009 1:55:52 GMT
"Thank you," says Aram. "She lives in the White section of Oasis. We should take you to your mother first, though. I'm sure she's very worried about you, and your home is probably closer."
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Post by zipp on Feb 27, 2009 3:38:39 GMT
"The White section? Which one? There's many white sections." Sherri sounds apologetic. "I know it must seem confusing to an outsider. I'm sorry. It really is a good city, though. I want you to know that. The Council takes good care of us. There's no homeless and no starving people in Oasis."
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