PurityInDeath/SessionThree

<RyanL> You were all standing in a room on the first floor of a dilapidated building. conspirators against the Mask of Winters are on the second floor apparently conversing. <Unknown> "I think I'll follow the lady's advice and join the ranks."

• Unknown , a bit interested, "As for the rest of you?"

<ResplendantWeb> I think I'm going to wait a few days for the rest of my personal agents to catch up. They had a few minor chores to deal with on the way.

• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow nods, "yes, I think Black Iron Ghost and I will head upstairs and introduce ourselves"

<Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "But before we part ways, perhaps it would be wise to make this our safe house of a sorts, and a rendevous point for later meetings"

• **Black_Iron_Ghost** nods, "I believe that is a good idea though I don't know how well it will go. It should be interesting in the elast."
• Unknown nods.

<Unknown> "So when should we meet up again?"

• Rain is just idly cleaning her nails, having not a great deal of interest in the goings-on.

<ResplendantWeb> For now, anyway. Perhaps it would be possible to secure a few other locations as safe houses in the near future. I think I'll look into that. <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "Good idea; and I think one week's time should suffice, to at least tell each other of our current progress" <ResplendantWeb> A week should be fine. <Unknown> "Agreed." <Rain> "Works for me." She doesn't look up.

• Unknown eyes Rain as he steps to the door, "Hmmm..."
• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow says "very well, I will see you all in a week" , and then begins to move to the staircase
• Rain feigns boredom.
• Unknown turns to Knife, "See ya."

<Unknown> "I better be going as well..."

• ResplendantWeb nods to Knife and Ghost.
• Unknown walks out, instructing his men to join up, before heading to the recruitment office himself.
• ResplendantWeb offers Rain his arm. "Milady, may I escort you back to more civilized surroundings?"
• Rain looks up, then responds with a small smile. "Please." She takes the arm.

<RyanL> The stairs creak ever so slightly as you walk up the stairs though it doesn't seem to arouse any curiousity or alarm. At the top of the staircase is the most solid piece of the whole building it seems. A single door unadorned with an iron door handle.

• ResplendantWeb smiles slightly and turns to leave.
• Rain presses herself to his arm perhaps more than is needed as she allows herself to be led out.
• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow slowly opens the door and allows himself and Iron Ghost to enter

<RyanL> Unknown: Your men wait for you out in the alleyway. They snap to as you walk out of the building and fall in behind you as you carry on down the street. The highest ranking among your men walks just behind and to your side prepared to deal with whatever you have for him. <RyanL> Knife: You open the door and five men a two women rush to their feet. Moldy bread sits on the floor and each once had a piece of bread in their hands. Wine and brandy bottles sit near their small meal. The younger man you saw earlier picks up a chair when you walk in holding it threateningly though all of them appear frightened.

• Unknown stops, looking over his shoulders at his officer, "You know the drill."
• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow stares at the young man menacingly and says, "put down the chair fool!" Knife then surveys and room and says, "who's in charge here?"

<RyanL> Unknown: The ghost nods. "Yes, lord. <RyanL> Unknown: The officer ensures the men are prepared for whatever comes their way. <RyanL> Knife: The man holds onto the chair but doesn't hold it as high as before. One of the older men from before steps forward. "I...I am. Who're you?" <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "I am called the Knife Cast in Shadow, and this is my associate, Black Iron Ghost. We are friends of the woman in green."

• Unknown turns his head back and continues his march forward, "Good. Carry on."
• **Elder** "I, um, I'm sorry. It's hard to belive. You look more like those devil men that run our city more than people that could be her friends."
• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow suppresses a smile at the thought of "devil men", but then says "think what you will, but we are against the ruler of this city, just as you are"
• **Elder** swallows, the lump in his throat visible across the few yards he stands from you. "Then why have ya come here to us? Who do you work for?"

<Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "We are here because we both share the same enemy, the deathlord that runs this city, the Mask of Winters. We are a pair of deathknights he has wronged in the past, and seek revenge against him; we work only for ourselves" <**Elder**> "So you are devil men." The other four men with him back away a bit though he holds his ground. The two ladies that were with them have already run themselves up against the wall. "What is it you want out of us? You wish to take our :city as well? Take it from the Mask and lord over us in his place?" <RyanL> (And then there were three. Unknown is tired and so will rejoin us next Saturday.) <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "I assure you, we only wish to damage the Mask of Winters, and I think it would be better for us to work together. You must know something of this city, and I fail to see how only a handful of mortals can hope to fight against the men of the Mask of Winters, thus we offer our help"

• **Elder** relaxes a bit. "We are more than a handful, but you're right. We don't stand a chance that's why we do nuthin'. We can steal their supplies but we're no army."

<Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "Excellent, I am glad we are able to agree to help each other"

Knife Cast in Shadow and Black Iron Ghost

<RyanL> The old man says, "I don't believe I agreed to anything mister. But I'm willing to listen."

• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow smirks at the old man, "very well. Tell me of what plans you have, or maybe what targets you have so far, and I will see how I can help"

<RyanL> The man coughs, covering his mouth with a liver-spotted hand, and kicks an imaginary pebble across the room. "We were looking at hitting some supply trains. Um, maybe causing some trouble for the nobles that have sided with the Mask." <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "I see, do you have the names of these nobles? Perhaps we could, *deal* with them, if you catch my drift" <RyanL> The man spits on the ground. "Men covering their own arses. They turned their back on the city. Men like Lord Artreus and Mindagale. And Lady Hamali. All of'em rotten to the core. Sold their souls to the dead gods."

• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow strokes his chin and muses on how he will kill these nobles. "And the supply trains? Where are these usually located?"

<RyanL> "They enter the city in the main gate. They off load a shot ways from there. They use renovated buildings to store goods. It's heavily guarded though. We tried getting a man in their once. We haven't seen him since." <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "then perhaps it is time to try again. How many men can you call up to attack the warehouses?" <RyanL> "I can maybe get 30 to 50 men and women. Some may lose nerve though." He scratches his chin. "How do you propose we get in their without all dying before we even have a chance?" <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "My friend and I will eliminate what guards are there to get your men inside to loot and burn the warehouses" <RyanL> The man nods. "We need better weapons. I can only hope the warehouses will have some." <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> ooc: what time of day is it? <RyanL> Night time. <RyanL> About 10pm <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "We are going to find a place to rest for the night, and then during the day tomorrow we will survey the warehouses for the best route of attack. When is the quickest time you can summon up men for an attack? Tomorrow or the next night perhaps?" <RyanL> "It will take two, maybe three nights to get them all together and coordinated enough to do anything. We will have to find them all. No easy task." <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "I understand. I will meet you here in two nights at this same time and see what progress you've made. In the meantime though, what can you tell me about these troublesome nobles? Such as where they're located or where they're usually seen." <RyanL> "Of course. They live in the noble district. I don't know which palace they call their own now. Most likely their estates will be among the few that are actually gaurded. They spend their days cooing at court. Hanging on the devil's every word." <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> "I see. Well, the two of us will see what we can do with them in the next few days. In the meantime, be preparing your men. I will see you in two days time" <RyanL> "As you wish." <RyanL> He doesn't bow or anything else. He just watches you leave. He'd probably wet himself if he wasn't so stiff. <Knife_Cast_in_Shadow> (hehe :) )

• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow walks down the staircase and outside into the cool night air. He motions to Black Iron Ghost "Let's check out these warehouses, shall we?"

<RyanL> "Sounds like a good enough idea." <RyanL> Iron Ghost follows you outside and down the street. He seems to be thinking to himself alot and at odd moments blurts out numbers that make little sense to you.

• Knife_Cast_in_Shadow walks down the alley to the square they were in earlier, and then scans the square for any sentries as he makes his way towards the main gate

<RyanL> The guards that patrol the streets have increased in number from a handful per grouping to as many as a dozen or more ghosts.

Rain and Resplendant Web

<RyanL> Resplendant is up. <RyanL> Where are you headed to and what are you up to? <ResplendantWeb> err... <RyanL> Actually both Resplendent and Rain were together so I gues it is both of you. :) <Rain> Yeppers.

• Rain was pressed up to his side inappropriately. ^_^
• ResplendantWeb walks back out towards the more populated areas of the city, taking a few different side streets to emerge at a different square. Ignoring the, err, various soft pressures for the moment, he looks down and asks "So, how is Mask of Winters handling the city notables? I heard that he is still holding court, but I haven't heard much beyond that."

<RyanL> Well, there ya go. Off with you then. To do mean things in Thorns like assassination and infiltration. <Rain> "There isn't a great deal more. Most pleas, one of his deathknights deal with, usually by rejection. Some few, though, have been granted their requests... those are the ones I've been keeping my eye on." <ResplendantWeb> Is mask himself in the city, or is he ruling from juggernaut? <Rain> "I haven't seen him, so I can only assume the latter." <ResplendantWeb> Well, that helps us some, at least. <Rain> "Indeed."

• ResplendantWeb takes a quick look before emerging from the side streets so as to not draw too much attention. The street is quiet, with few willing to dare the dangers of a shadowland night. "So, did you have anyplace in particular that you were heading?"

<RyanL> As you walk down the street the sun has most definitely vanished and left you with the Underworld night. In the distance you can hear and sense an Underworld storm coming. Unearthly thunder can be heard rumbling in the distance and you know that it may bring hail and lightning unlike any storms seen in Creation. In its own way it's a nice feeling. <Rain> "Not really." She smiles, in a faintly predatory fashion. "You?" <RyanL> When you peer out of your alley you can see patrols have intensified. Ghosts have come out in force here and they are heavily armed. Some walk with nemissary commanders. Rain has heard whispers that they patrol for the many hungry ghosts that rise every night. They try and leash them to the Mask's cause or put them down forever if that fails. <ResplendantWeb> "Ahh, well. I didn't have anywhere particular in mind. Though we should avoid the patrols."

• ResplendantWeb looks around for a quiet building in good repair.

<RyanL> It isn't easy to find but you do find one closer to the noble district.

• ResplendantWeb checks for patrols before proceeding cautiously towards it. "Hmm. This looks promising.

<Rain> "Not falling apart and covered in flith, you mean." <ResplendantWeb> "I was thinking more of four walls and a roof. Though, it is a bit of a project." <Rain> "Mmm." She doesn't seem particularly pleased as she looks it over. <ResplendantWeb> "Hmm. Well, let's wait here for a bit." He looks at Raiton's Shadow and nods at a nearby crow. "See if you can find something less...disreputable...in the noble's district." <ResplendantWeb> "We'll wait here for your return" <RyanL> Raiton's Shadow bows to you. "Yes my lord." He cautiously walks out into the street and sticks to the shadows as best he can. <ResplendantWeb> (( Err, in case it's forgotten. Shadow's a nemissary that serves as my bodyguard. So he can drop the corpse he's using and grab the crow to go fly off )) <Rain> (( Yah. )) <ResplendantWeb> (( less likely to get stopped by patrols that way. Doesn't smell as much either, though there's the matter of the now unoccupied corpse. )) <RyanL> (( Roger. And yes I had thought he was just a ghost. Continue to correct me as I blunder about. )) <ResplendantWeb> (( The butler's a ghost :p )) <RyanL> Raiton's Shadow leaves the corpse he occupied and it thumps to the floor. You hear a crow caw outside and that is that.

• ResplendantWeb drags the now vacant corpse into the building and settles in to wait. He keeps an eye out for searching patrols and hungry ghosts.
• Rain wipes some dust off a chair, then sits back to wait.

<RyanL> An hour passes before your faithful servant returns. The corpse on the ground rises again a bit ungainly at first but Raiton's Shadow quickly gains control over it. "I have found a place for you master. It is a long walk from here but it should do. I belive it was once a servant's home for a once powerful noble. It is within the noble's district though." <ResplendantWeb> "Are the patrols heavy tonight, or have you found a way to avoid them?" <Rain> (( To me, or the nemissary? )) <ResplendantWeb> (( Shadow )) <RyanL> "The patrols are everywhere, but they are sloppy. I do believe the Mask's very own Juggernaut could walk down the street and not be noticed. They have grown complacent over their time here."

• Rain has taken to playing with a knife pulled out of her sleeve, then, casually twirling it between her fingers.

<ResplendantWeb> "Well, lead the way then." <RyanL> The nemissary walks out of the building. He remains as much in the shadows as possible. At times he waits for a few minutes before moving from one street to the next. It takes almost two hours to reach the home he indicated earlier. It is a single story house that rests in the back of an abandoned and burned down noble mansion. It is in perfect shape compared to the home it sits behind.

• Rain looks quite pleased. "Now this is much better."

<ResplendantWeb> ahh

• ResplendantWeb smirks slightly. He bows and waves Rain in. "After you, milady."
• Rain bows semi-mockingly in return, then enters.

<RyanL> The building isn't completely abandoned when you walk in. Rats scurry to dark corners and spiders hang in giant cobwebs that cover entire corners. Somewhat elegant furniture sits untouched and dusty throughout the place. <ResplendantWeb> (( I assume Pym is going insane with the need to dust right now. Think of him as a ghostly cross between Pym from Vorkosigan saga and MacGuiness from Honor Harrington ))

• Rain wanders over to a spiderweb and lets the creature therein crawl onto her hand. "I like."

<RyanL> (( He's going crazy right now then. Practically twitching with irritation. ))

• ResplendantWeb takes a look in the other rooms, seeing if there's anything larger that might have taken up residence. "Well, you might wish to dust before having visitors over."

<RyanL> Pym moves about the various rooms doing what he can to rid the place of dust. He makes use of an old broom that has seen better days as he goes through the place. He opens windows trying to get the layered dust that flies into the air to go anywhere else but back onto the floor. <Rain> "Ah, my guests won't be commenting on the decor. Not for long, at least." She gives the spider a small kiss, strangely, before allowing it to scurry back.

• ResplendantWeb chuckles, then turns to the small kitchen and rummages around for a couple glasses.
• Rain waits until a couch has been cleaned, then seats herself again.

<RyanL> The house has plenty of glasses, plates and various utensils. It's as if the former residents jsut up and left. Or died. Most likely died.

• ResplendantWeb cleans two of dust and covertly fills them with blood form the Blood Miser stone set in his right bracer. "A housewarming toast, perhaps?" He holds the two glasses up as he walks back out to the sitting room.
• Rain grins, mostly at the sight of the drinks. "But of course."
• ResplendantWeb smiles as he hands one over. "To success." He sips his drink.
• Rain tips her glass towards him, then drinks as well. "Mmmm..."

<**Pym**> "Master, would you like candles lit? Or do you prefer to remain in the dark?" <ResplendantWeb> "This is fine, Pym. I think I shall retire shortly in any case." <RyanL> The storm you heard only hours before has moved into the area. Ice pellets pelt the world outside and thunder rumbles louder than before. Lightning grows closer with each minute and the wind has picked up and rattles the windows in the small home.

• Rain swirls the blood around as if it were a fine wine, then smiles, looking out at the increasingly bad weather. "Such a terrible night to be alone. Time for me to get to work... I will see you later."

<ResplendantWeb> "Heh. I may move on on the morrow, but I shall stop by in a few days." <Rain> "I should be here. Until then." She drains her glass and places it on a table, then bows, before turning to exit.

• ResplendantWeb nods in farewell and moves off to find someplace to rest and meditate.

<RyanL> Ok, what will you two be doing? <RyanL> Over the next day or two or this very night. <Rain> I'm going off to find one of the nobles, a female, who has been granted a request. And then I'm going to torture/screw her until she gives up her secrets. Rain misses her ghost girl, so she's looking for a substitute, and she might as well do some work while she's at it. <ResplendantWeb> I'm resting for the night then moving back to the other building to see if it canbe renovated easily into a secondary safe house <RyanL> Ok and ok. <Rain> Gonna play them out, or just gloss over? <ResplendantWeb> I'm willing to skip ahead to the next day <ResplendantWeb> for me, anyway, since I'm sleeping :) <Rain> Heh. <RyanL> The sun rises in the east bringing the shadowland into Creation once again. The living breathe a sigh of relief and try to continue on with their lives as usual. Resplendent Web awakens to a house that has been immaculately cleaned with only the spiders remaining in their places.

• ResplendantWeb looks around for anyone else around.

<RyanL> There are sporadic patrols about but nothing like last night. Where the ghosts retreat to you don't know. Some ghost with their zombie lackeys walk up and down the street eyeing potential meals. <ResplendantWeb> "Pym, see what else this place needs to fully furnish it. Shadow, you better stay here to keep squatters out. I'll be fine on my own." <RyanL> Pym grins, "Yes my lord right away." Shadow just bows. "It will be my pleasure master." <ResplendantWeb> "I'll go and see if I can find the others. That little errand should be finished by now."

• ResplendantWeb sets off into the streets confidently, retracing the route back to the merchants district and the other house.

<RyanL> You find the other house easily enough and find it abandoned just as it was last night. It looks in worse shape tahn what you could tell from the night before, but it still looks better than most. <ResplendantWeb> ( Is it just looted or is it damaged?) <RyanL> Looted. <RyanL> Some slight fire damage on the outside but otherwise in good condition.

• ResplendantWeb looks around inside it, checking the doors and windows to see if they can be repaired and secured.

<RyanL> You find a few windeows that are broken but their locks are stil intact. A door in the back is off its hinges but shouldn't be too much of a problem.

• ResplendantWeb nods to himself then sets off to guild row to see if the carpenters are still around. On the way, he keeps an eye out for the other members of his retinue and any signs of The Guild returning to operations here.

<RyanL> You see no signs of your retinue on the way to guild row, but you do see that some guild members have arrived back in the city. They appear to be preparing for a return to the city in full force.

• ResplendantWeb looks around for the carpenter's guild and glassworkers guild.

<RyanL> There are a few carpenter's still alive and working. A single glassworker remains to do his trade, which right now consists of sitting around and smaking a pipe. <ResplendantWeb> hmm <RyanL> Dropping like flies. I must really suck. ;) No he had to get off the computer for a couple of minutes. Someone needed to use the phone.

• ResplendantWeb approaches a couple of idle carpenters. "Hello, my good man. I'm looking to do some repairs on a building. Would you two be interested?"

<RyanL> "Well, work is work. What do ya need doing?" <ResplendantWeb> "Just some minor repairs. There's a bit of fire damage and a door needs to be replaced. There may be some other items I haven't noticed yet." <RyanL> "Won't be cheap. There isn't much work around here and what with all the merchants and the Guild coming back to do business we can't take a trade. It'll have to be jade." <ResplendantWeb> "That is acceptable. I'll cover materials costs. You can go and take a look, to see exactly what you need. I'll be along shortly." He turns to point them in the direction of the building and turns to talk to the glassworker. <RyanL> The men nod and get up from their relaxed position and walk off talking to themselves. <RyanL> "What can I do for you?" The glassblower says to you. <ResplendantWeb> "I'd like to commission a few windows and it seems that you're looking for work." <RyanL> "That I am. It's been slow. Even though everything is broke no one can afford it."

• ResplendantWeb pulls a small purse out of his robes and shakes it slightly, making the jade coins ring. "Well, I've only recently arrived and need to renovate a residence. I can pay in Guild silver or Realms Jade, your choice."

<RyanL> "Guild will do. If you let me know where your place is I'll take a look and maybe by the end of next week I'll have all the work done. Though it depends on how bad it is. <ResplendantWeb> "I can show it to you now, if you'll follow me." He turns to walk back to the building. <ResplendantWeb> ((I’m still trying to decide if I'm actually gonna pay the workers or turn em into lunch.)) <RyanL> Well, I know I said there would be more action than there is, but it is building up to that point.

• Rain is fine with seducing poor innocent servants for the moment. ^_^