Seven Keys

[Knight of Roses]

The Seven Keys is an old, half timbered building with three stories above ground and a cellar. The sign if faded but shows seven keys on a ring.

The furniture in the common room is salvaged from dozens of sources, hardly any two tables or chairs match. Light is provided from chandeliers made of recovered flotsam and jetsam. Painting of ships and the sea and ships and the stars cover the walls.

An older woman, stout with a face that brooks no nonsense, serves up the drinks. The serving girls are a little prettier but still a bit worn and hard.

At mid-day, the place is not very full, with a dozen or so people at five tables.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs slouches in his chair, his pipe in hand, idly smoking while waiting for someone interesting, or something to happen. He scans the room once again, scratches the back of his neck, and settles a little further down in his chair, taking advantage of the slow day to do some thinking.

[eric]

The front door to the Keys swing open.

"Sweet Ale, none of that pernicious weed in it either, if you don't
have that, fruit wine will do."

Sova looked around as he entered the front door of the inn.

*This place has gone downhill.*

Sova looked around to see if there was a reaction to
his entrance, making sure that none of drinkers were
objecting strongly to his presence.

The last bit of sun glinted off his yellow brown scales
and he steps in looking for a spot near the edge of the bar
by the waitress entrance.

Sova dumps his backpack, un-hitches his sheath, brushs
off some more salt from his breeches and sits in the large chair.
Waiting for his ale.

[Knight of Roses]

Most of the patron glance up at the lizardkine enters the inn, one or two watch him for a moment but most just turn back to their conversation or drink.

The innkeep laughs and fills a tankard with frothing ale. "If sweet ale you want, than sweet ale you shall receive, my darling."

The serving maid seems less convinced about Sova and approaches cautiously. "Your ale, zir."

[Skurvy]

Alain sits comfortably at the far end of the bar, where the light from outside is dimmest and the shadow covers his identity closely. Wishing to remain fairly anonymous, a dark cloak hides his gleaming armour, although there is no disguising the large sword worn casually at his side. He sups slowly from a wooden cup containing cheap ale, drinking only occasionally and regretting every mouthful. The swill really didn't sit well with a man used to the most expensive wines from foreign lands, but it was a necessary part of the role he played.

Scanning the room casually, noting the arrivals and departures, he awaits the man he was meant to contact, a man named VanOpps.

[eric]

The serving maid seems less convinced about Sova and approaches cautiously. "Your ale, zir."[/b]

"Ah, Very Well, one more ale for now. This should do for a few ales for now."

Hand a silver from his pouch.

Smile in the way humans don't get worried to the maid.

"Do you have any meat?"

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

The serving maid steps back, clutching her serving platter like a shield.

The innkeep laughs, "Worry not, Ann. He won't eat you, he couldn't afford it." She winks to Sova. "Will mutton do, zir?"

[eric]

"Will mutton do, zir?"[/b]

"Mutton's fine, and I am sorry for scaring
your maid, I realize now how that
translated. Here Ann girl, put down your
shield and take this for your self."

Hand her a silver

Sova

[colonialbob]

Jeffs watches the lizardkine with detached amusement, a coin flicking idly through his fingers. He ponders something for a moment, then rises laconically from his chair and ambles over near Sova. "Mind if I sit here?" he says, indicating the chair next to Sova.

[Knight of Roses]

Ann takes the coin and bows deeply, "Thank you, zir, thank you. I shall get your mutton right away." She scurries off.

"Don't you go spoiling my staff," chides the Innkeep.

[eric]

"Don't you go spoiling my staff," chides the Innkeep.[/b]

Thru the end of his first ale:

"I'll chide who I want, been underway that last 2 and a half
months, if your jealous I got a silver for you to if you bring
me my second ale. AR Har Har Ar."

Thonks the empty mug on the table.

Looking at the hu-man that approached him, and sniffing
him at the same time. Then looking at his bag on the
other side of him.

"Sit Hu-Man, keep your hands by your side till I get my
mutton though. Sova, recently 2nd Bosun on the 2nd
star to Starboard, you don't own or manage a ship
do ya?"

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

"You may be a officer on your ship, zir," says the innkeep, "but I am captain of this inn." She hands another mug of ale to Ann as she returns from the kitchen balancing a joint of mutton on two thick slices of bread.

Ann sets the bread, mutton and ale down in front of Sova. "Best not to be arguing with Tante Isobel, zir. She is a tough one," she whispers.

[eric]

"Best not to be arguing with Tante Isobel, zir. She is a tough one," she whispers.[/b]

Talking so she can hear me.

"Not arguing, just playing, Shes in charge here, sure.
Thankke for the ale, bring this Hu-Man a drink on my
silver tab, unless hes drinking the sharp distilled
spirits, Phaaah."

Points at the man sitting at his table.

Sova

[colonialbob]

Jeffs seats himself and smiles at the serving maid. "A light ale, perhaps? Nothing too strong for me, thanks." He turns back to Sova. "No, I'm afraid I'm quite the landlubber. You serve on a ship? That must be interesting... what brings you to Truuk?" Jeffs leans back and holds his pipe up to ask if the smoke offends the lizardkine's senses.

[eric]

[quote]

Sova's eyelids close a bit.

"I am in a Hu-man bar I can't stop it, blow it that way."

Points toward empty corner of bar.

"I did, I am taking a few days before I look for
another position, The 2nd pulled in a day
ago, and I was on her for long enough and another
was chosen for boson so I left, to give the new
guy a chance to work without worrying about
the seaman being loyal to me. Happens all the
time. I might look for a smaller ship and get a
Boson position on that.

And your name Hu-Man?"

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

Ann brings back a mug of pale ale for Jeffs.

[eric]

Ann brings back a mug of pale ale for Jeffs.[/b] "Let me know when my silver runs out."
Sova

[Knight of Roses]

"Yes, zir," says Ann, bobbing her head. "Do you need anything else, zir?"

Both Sova and Jeffs would notice a slightly greater awareness of the lizardkine among the other patrons, perhaps from the indication that he is well set with silver.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs puffs his pipe, then leans back and blows the smoke away from Sova's face. "I see, so you're looking for something to do in the meantime?" He pauses to take another puff, then continues. "Jeffs, at your service. And you are?"

[eric]

"Do you need anything else, zir?"[/b]"No I am good for now Ann Girl.
Jeffs puffs his pipe, then leans back and blows the smoke away from Sova's face. "I see, so you're looking for something to do in the meantime?" He pauses to take another puff, then continues. "Jeffs, at your service. And you are?[/b]"HHmm.. Hu-mans dont understand when we say our name.
Sova.
I am looking for some rest without a rocking deck and a bath in fresh
water and not living in someone's armpit. Why do you ask?"

Sova

[colonialbob]

"Simple curiosity, I suppose. I like talking to people, always have. Heard of anything interesting going on?" Jeffs takes a slow sip of his ale, then continues smoking, careful to keep the smoke away from Sova.

[eric]

"Jeffs - ss - ss, what I know is from about an eighth of
a world away, we brought 'klok machinery from
Port Celestra in Kost for the leaders here for a
time keeper. there was a marriage of nobles when
there, Ragana and Halashi. Here I know nothing,
you know more here than I, last time I was here was
8 Hu-man Years ago."

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

Ann nods and moves to serve one of the other groups of customers.

A group of five men enter through the front door, one is obviously in charge, the other four are cloaked and move to a table against on wall. The leader goes to speak with the Innkeep and some money changes hands.

[eric]

The leader goes to speak with the Innkeep and some money changes hands.[/b]

To Jeffs:

"Jeffs - ss - ss, a group like that is looking for something, usually no good, they hide their intentions under thier cloak, like the man hiding in the corner." Jerks head towald Alain. "See his big sword, half hidden under his cloak? At least mine is out in the open. Do you know these five or where they are from?"

Sova

[Skurvy]

Alain stirs in the shadows as the group enters the bar, studying them intently. Could be his contact, could be something else. Either way, the wait was starting to grate on his nerves slightly, despite the distraction of the loud lizardkine and his new companion. The armour wasn't exactly comfortable to sit in for long periods either, however much he was used to it.

Finishing his tepid ale and leaving it on the bar, he signals for the nearest bargirl that she should come over. Once arrived, he slips the girl a coin and indicates subtly towards the newcomers.

"You know those men who just arrived?" the words come low and gravely.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs eyes flick over to the newcomers as he speaks. "No idea, but I have a feeling we should keep an eye on them, at least while they're in here." He shifts in his seat, ostensibly making himself comfortable but in actuality loosening his short sword in its sheath. "Could be nothing, a standard tax or protection payment... although why would he need four other men?" Jeffs wonders quietly.

[Knight of Roses]

The serving maid, not Ann but the other one, make the coin disappear like an expert.

"The man by the bar comes in often, zir, an officer I think," she whisper, dusting off her skirt. "The other four look like bully boys to me."

[eric]

"Not good."

Sova watchs the 5 and pulls his sheath of javelins and
puts it acorss the back of his chair.

"Is there another place to drink in and get a
bath in this town?"

Sova takes another bite of the mutton.
Using on piece of bread on the bottom of the plate to
sop up the blood and offers the 2nd piece to
Jeffs.

Sova watchs the interplay between the inn owner
and the men while half way down his second ale.

Sova

[colonialbob]

"I would imagine so; sadly, though, I cannot direct you, being a fairly new arrival myself." Jeffs takes the offered bread with a thanks, dips it in his ale to soften it, and chews a bite contemplatively. "If trouble breaks out, are we staying to help or getting out of here?" He drops the 'we' into the conversation as if they had been old companions, not recently met strangers.

[eric]

"If trouble breaks out, are we staying to help or getting out of here?" [/b]

"I have run into much trouble with Hu-mans assuming I am the villen in these altercations.
I have had much luck with spreading calthrops in front of me, or dropping
a handful of silver on the floor and leaving. The trouble, if it happens to
Ann Girl or the Captain of the Inn, I would prefer to keep them safe, few
inns are as readily happy to serve anyone."

Sova

[Skurvy]

Alain nods his thanks to the serving girl and rises slowly from the bar stool, careful to make no movement too sudden to draw the attention of the patrons. Without apparant direction, he walks slowly down the length of the bar, nodding to the lizardkine and the human with him as he passes them. Scanning his clothing for any sign of rank and hoping this was finally his contact, he seats himself just two stools along from the man, and signals for the barkeep.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs opens his mouth to respond, but pauses as the large man clad in armor walks past. He nods in reply, then speaks to Sova, "Couldn't agree with you more... so if the inn is in trouble, we stay, otherwise, we're gone. I like the way you think." Jeffs takes a sip of ale and leans back, surreptitiously keeping an eye on both the newcomers and the man who had just walked past.

[Barrok]

Tobias wonders in off the street. Dust adorning his clothes, adventure was only on his mind and the need to gain more knowledge of any shred of history he could glimpse before the rise of the Dragon Queen.

Looking towards the bar he gently nods to the bar keep politely, mouthing "ale" as he moves towards the fire to sit himself down.

[The Speaker in Dreams]

Lucien wanders in with a bright-eyed look about him, as if looking for amusement. Of course, he's always looking for amusement, but no one here would know that yet. As it happens, he managed to aquire a certain item that he, through various sources, has heard might turn to his advantage if he could make an arrangment with the interested party.

Business, however, was always boring to him - so much empty posturing for what everyone knew was an eventuality. So, looking at the patrons, he looks over the room to see where the most interesting group of people might be located. No need to waste an evening on business alone, he thought to himself, I'll enjoy myself this night. It's been too long since I've been on land lately, and I never really took to the sea on the trip over to this island.

Taking stock of the bar, it appears that the table with a lizardkine was far too interesting to ignore. With a broad smile he walks over to the table and states, "Gentlemen, mind if I join you for a swallow? I'm so thirsty I feel I could swallow half of the Rikaran River myself if set down at its mouth if you know what I mean."

With that he signals to the waitress for a tankard, and begins to pull out a chair when offering a very formal bow and presentation of himself hinting of nobility, "I like to know with whom I drink when I indulge, as I so rarely have opportunity for it these days. So that we stand upon even footing, my name is Lucien."

His clothing is on the nicer side of traveling clothes, and he wears light, loose, leather gloves, as if more for decoration than anything else. He's wearing a light cloak for traveling that he's wearing. Initially it was with the hood up and a silver clasp shown, however upon entering, he's put the hood down to better see the room and let the room better see him. He wears a red vest over a white shirt with a slight chain shirt revealed underneath. The get-up appears to be not to hide his armament, so much as to make it accessorize well. He is wearing black, loose-fitting pantaloons, and large boots with a wide brim turned down at the top and a silver buckle near the top of the foot for decoration. All in all, he appears as a man that knows his way around fashion, even when traveling simply. On his left hip is a slim sword of unusual design that has an elaborate basket-hilt, and a dagger at the right hip.

Note: I'm going with some faux-background here but essentially the Rikaran River is just a big river in Piricalia. Something like the Amazon/Mississippi Rivers in recognition and size. If anyone knows something of the region, they'd know it. It's just to establish how he exaggerates in communications.[/b]

[eric]

"I like to know with whom I drink when I indulge, as I so rarely have opportunity for it these days. So that we stand upon even footing, my name is Lucien." [/b]

Sova looks up a bit annoyed.

"What is it with this place and extra friendly Hew-Mans?"

A curling of the slight lips indicate a human smile.

"Must be end of shift, got busy recently Huh Jeffs-ss-ss, sit
Loose-ss-cyan, lets see how my silver is holding out."

Sova ponts at the chair to his side across from Jeffs. Tunrs and moves
his bag close to under his own chair.

Catchs Jeffs attention and his eye rolls upwards and disappears and back again.

Stands up and says. "Ann Girl, when you have a chance with this
busy day, one more sweet ale and two that Jeffs-ss-ss are drinking.

He sits, looks at Lucien. Takes a bite of Mutton and swallows. "So your swallow
will be here soon, shes a good girl, Ever take the barges up the Piricalia."

Sova

[colonialbob]

Jeffs raised his pipe to greet the newcomer. "Jeffs," he said by way of introduction. He laughs at Sova's look, then turns to Lucien. "What brings you and your mighty thirst to this wonderful establishment?"

[Knight of Roses]

The Innkeep comes over to Alain, "Yes, zir. How may I serve?"

The seeming leader nods to the Innkeep, looks Alain over and goes to join his four mooks. They start talking in love voices.

Ann brings Tobias a mug of ale and then scurries back to get more for Sova and Jeffs.

[Barrok]

Drinking the tankard back in in three gulps, Tobias' thirst seems to be quite quenched as he surveys the inn. Walking over to the group of folk who seem to be handing around introductions and nicites.

"Well met fellow travellers. I have been on the road for sometime and wondered if I could at least bother you all for some company."

Raising his hand politely and motioning to all the assembled people and calling to Ann

"Ann? Can I have a round of drinks for all these folks here and another fine Ale for myself."

Tobias gets out a silver piece ready to pay for the round.

[eric]

"Ann? Can I have a round of drinks for all these folks here and another fine Ale for myself."[/b]

"So much for a quiet meal."

Sova starts looking around his chair, like he is inventorying and starts to grab his bag.

Then he sees the silver come out and decided to spend it.

Looking at Jeffs
"To-bye-us-ss, 3 ales are enough for me for now, I'll take some more mutton though."

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

Ann turns to reply to Tobias when she stops. From outside, there are shouts of surprise followed by high pitched wailing screams from the sky above. One of the mooks tries to peer out of a window to see what is happening.

Muffled thumps are heard in the distance, getting closer. As they approach, shouts turn to screams. The ground trembles . . .


Anything you wish to do before what happens next?

[eric]

The ground trembles . . . Anything you wish to do before what happens next?[/b]

Sova stands, shoulders his sheath, pushes his chair out and
grabs his equipment and looks for an near by exit.

Sova

[The Speaker in Dreams]

Replying to Sova adn Jeffs, Lucien smiles broadly and says, "Well, my friend, I've been up to Piracalia more often than I'd like to admit right now. And as for my thirst, I've managed to find my way here as the first place of food and drink that's caught my attention since coming in off of the barge that brought me here." He takes an ale and leaves a gold piece for the serving girl with a smile and a wink he says, "Thank you kindly, lady."

At about the same time as the next person introduces himself, Lucien stands and welcomes the newcomer to the table. "Pull up a chair, traveler. Last I checked all are welcome to a tavern after a long journey." Before he even sits down again, the noise is heard, and he's instantly alter and searching for an exit, while at the same time, his hands draw loosely down towards his weapons to be at the ready.

"Ah ... it wouldn't be a proper welcome to the town without some sort of nuisance to distract from the pleasures of good ale and fine company," he says. "Never the less, this may be one party to which we might not want an invitation, eh lads?"

[colonialbob]

The noise is heard, and nearly instantly Jeff's laconic mien disappears. His pipe is quickly put out and stashed in an interior pocket as he stands and glances towards the window. "What is it?" he queries the room at large. He slides around the table near Sova.

[Barrok]

Thinking on his feet Tobias quickly murmers a prayer and casts Longstrider on himself.

"Perhaps we shouold go outside and see what the comotion is?"

Hoping that thr encounter coud yield some type of hidden knowledge draws his rapier and heads outside... very quickly indeed.

[eric]

Hoping that the encounter could yield some type of hidden knowledge draws his rapier and heads outside... very quickly indeed.[/b]
Sova's not heading anywhere except maybe the back door at the moment.

"Mage? Hhmm. Does anyone here recognize the sounds?"

GM: from where Sova is can he tell where the noise is
coming from? The Port, the town center, the beer
brewery? Does it sound like freballs, explosions etc?

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

Ka-thoom!


The entire front of the Seven Keys vanishes, along with three of the four mooks, in a flash of blue-white energy. Flying fragments of glass and wood ricochet through the common room. One of the other patrons is pinned to the back wall by a length of wooden beam.

As you pick yourselves up and your ears stop ringing, you notice that the "crumps" of the explosion and the shaking of the ground has stopped. Though cries of fear and pain come from both outside and inside.

[eric]

Though cries of fear and pain come from both outside and inside.[/b]

Sova stands up and grabs his possessions and looks
for Ann Girl and the 'Captain' of the inn to provide
immediate attention.

Looks also for the fop who headed for the front door,
but the two women are first.

Sova

[Skurvy]

Alain gets to his feet amongst the rubble and finds that he has been flung clean over the bar by the explosion. Shrugging off his ruined cloak, the shining armour beneath gleams in the unexpected daylight, offset by the pure white tabard emblazoned with the fiery symbol of the Undying Sun. Taking a mere moment to absorb his changed surroundings, his upper lip flares with disgust.

"Magic," he mutters, with quite some disdain.

Sliding over the bar, he draws his falchion from its sling and looks for the source of the explosion.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs dove for the ground at the explosion, and picks himself up to check for any injuries. Finding only scratches and a few cuts that are bleeding slightly, he looks around to take stock of the situation. First he looks out the front, to see if there's any immediate danger, then around the inn to check for wounded. The hell was that? His brain races to try to figure out the cause of the explosion that still has his ears ringing slightly.

[Knight of Roses]

Inside, the Innkeep is dusting herself off. "What in the Empress' name was that?" Ann stands wipes blood out of her eyes from a cut on her forehead.

Outside, moving down the street, through the settling dust, are a squad of soldiers their armour covered in coats of dark leather. Their weapons are mixed, half are carrying heavy crossbows, the other half have halberds.

[eric]

Their weapons are mixed, half are carrying heavy crossbows, the other half have halberds.[/b]
Seeing that the two women are alive and mostly unhurt, Sova looks for
the 2nd waitress and sees the soliders.

OOC: Does Sova recongize the heraldry or at least if it is of this area here or not?

Crouching by the end of the bar he calls over.

"Jeffs-ss, with me."

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

The other serving woman is helping tend to some of the other wounded.

OOC- No one has seen soldiers like this. But their colors and the style of weaponry and armour, these are almost certainly Dark Star Dominion troops.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs scrambles over to Sova's spot at the end of the bar. "This does not look good. May I recommend getting the heck out of here? Something tells me those soldiers aren't just out for a stroll..." He glances around the bar, noting who is wounded and who is moving around.

[Barrok]

Tobias looks around at all the carnage...

""Quick can some one help me get the wounded over to the corner"

Picking up any wounded person and carries them over to the bar maid, try to survey if anyone is actually close to death who would benefit from a Cure Light Wounds spell

[The Speaker in Dreams]

Looking around and trying to dust himself off, Lucien looks and sees the devastation. Not good, he thinks.

He starts to help any patrons to their feet, and then notices the soldiers. "Definitely not good," he now says alout in an absent minded fashion to anyone within earshot.

Hearing Tobias comment, he responds by moving towards him and tugging his shoulder a bit so as to turn him towards the back of the establishment. "We may not have long before 'we' are wounded, too." With that, Lucien starts to head for the back of the building looking for the nearest exit - window or door. As he moves he looks over his shoulders to those he was drinking with and says, "Another time the drinks will be on me, gentlemen! This does not look like a battle we want right now."

He would have likely noticed the exits already in sitting and observing the bar - brief as it was - IF there was anything immediately obvious. If nothing else, he's heading for the kitchen/place where food and drinks were being brought out from. If that is over the bar, he'll leap it w/hands on counter to get moving, etc.

[eric]

What exactly are the soldiers doing?

OOC: Traveling down the street, Turning in the bar
because this is where dangerous PC's are,
showing the colors etc, coming right for us.. :)

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

The one surviving mook dusts himself off and has a brief conversation with the officer, who looks to have taken a nasty wood splinter in his left arm. It ends with the mook screaming at the officer and climbing over the rubble into the street. The officer ducks back further into what is left of the Seven Keys.

The mook emerges into the street, his sword and buckler drawn. The advancing soldiers say nothing before two of the crossbowmen shoot him down. The bleeding form of the mook is dispatched by one of the halberdmen. The crossbowmen pause to span and reload their cumbersome weapons.

[eric]

The crossbowmen pause to span and reload their cumbersome weapons.[/b]"Office-ss-ss-Sir Man, over here."

Assuming he arrives.

While looking at wood splinter, Sova's familiar with those, it it can be pulled or not.

"We must leave, correct, you are from here, there
is a secondary port or ship somewhere, yes?"

Sova

[Skurvy]

Alain turns to the barkeep and her staff.

"Get the wounded and those incapable of fighting out of the back, I'm sure there must be another entrance."

He then starts to move a few of the heavy tables to form as good a barricade as he can, hoping that others will join in.

"I don't know who these people are, but it is clear they are desperate to get hold of something in this bar and don't mind killing to do it. I suggest we hold them off until the patrons of this place are clear, and perhaps things will become clearer."

[colonialbob]

Jeffs nods to Alain. "Unfortunately, this isn't my kind of fight... I'll help get the wounded out of here." He chooses a path that takes him by Alain. He whispers in a low voice, without turning his head, "Watch that officer... I'd wager they're after him, or at least the same thing he is." He continues on and begins helping a man with some shrapnel in his leg limp towards the back of the bar.

[Knight of Roses]

After watching the casual death of the mook, the remaining people in the inn are much more interested in leaving.

The Innkeep grabs her cash box. "Come along you louts, out the back."

Outside, the soldiers continue their slow sweep of the street.

[eric]

"Come along you louts, out the back."[/b]
"Alright Captain, your in charge, lead on."

Follow her, making sure Jeffs is with me.

Sova

[colonialbob]

Jeffs follows, darting back and forth, assisting the wounded in making a speedy exit. However, he doesn't seem to stay long with those who's pace is slower than that of the group's. He remains quiet, only murmuring small words of urgency.

[The Speaker in Dreams]

Lucien helps anyone heading for the exit as he was already, but otherwise is uninterested in lingering around long enough to present the guards with a target.

"What is all that about I wonder?" he says aloud to no one in particular. Being near to the front, he's keeping pace with Jeffs and looking forward to make sure there are no unexpected surprizes in their path.

"You know," he says loud enough to be heard by the group, but hopefully not loud enough to be overheard by undesireables, "It may be a good idea for those of us less uninjured to go ahead and make sure we're not running into a death squad, eh?" He walks speedily as if looking to take that lead position and turns to face the others.

[Knight of Roses]

Once you emerge into the courtyard in the back of the inn, it become obvious that whatever wrecked the inn was not an isolated event. Dozen of plumes of smoke and dust stretch back towards the docks. A score or more of black skyships hang in formation above the city.

[Skurvy]

Alain is one of the last out of the inn, after it becomes apparant that there was no specific target within. Noting that the attacks were widespread his brow furrows, they were all in great danger. Searching for the officer who he had seen at the bar, he approaches the man in question.

"I do not know the city well, but there must be some areas that are more easily defendable than others. If this is an invasion we must reach a safe haven before the soldiers sweeping the streets can pin us down. We have a duty to get these people to safety if we can."

[eric]

"We have a duty to get these people to safety if we can."[/b]

"Agreed, Office-ss-Sir man, Captain of the Inn, do you know of a place?
Or Where a ship is we can take when the light is right?"

Sova

[The Speaker in Dreams]

Lucien gives out a brief sound of amused comtempt at the mention of "duty" made by Alain. "Surely," he says, "the best option at this point is to simply leave and help anyone get out that is able. Look at that formation above!" He points up for emphasis to the sky-ships, "This is a full scale offensive that's been planned for a LONG time. Given the response from those men at arms inside, they were not even the least bit ready for this, which means any resistance will be slaughtered."

He lets that sink in for a moment before adding, "And so will we if we try to be a part of any kind of resistance. One squad of armed men, maybe we could fight off, but we're looking at some sort of large scale battle here. If we get to fighting, it doesn't matter how many we can take down because we will simply be overwhelmed."

"No ... better by far to leave this city and help anyone else to get out with us."

He speaks as a man with no ties to the city, a fact of which seems clear in his assessment of the situation, and how quickly he has discarded the chance of the city surviving this attack.

[Knight of Roses]

"You gentlemen do what you wish," says the Innkeep, pipe clenched in her teeth, "but this is my city and my home, I will not abandon it just because of that." She gestures to the destruction in general. "These men will soon enough need drinks and a place to relax. I just need to wait for that time. Ann, Kari, are you with me?"

The serving girls nod.

"We have a place to hide, but it will not do for you. Good luck, all," says the Innkeep, leading the two women away.

Some of the other customers from the Inn had already melted away but a few, including the Officer, were still waiting to see what options presented themselves.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs turns to Alain and Sova. "Now what?" he asks. "Do we hole up and wait it out, or try to flee before the city's put on lockdown..." He turns to glance at Lucien. "The problem as I see it is that we don't know which will be more dangerous. Staying here is the apparent answer, but the Innkeep and her girls don't seem to mind; meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised if this army has closed off all routes out of the city, at least until they've established control. To me, it would seem the smart thing to do." He looks at the others, waiting for their input.

So long ago... and now it seems to be happening again. Don't I have the responsibility to keep others from my fate, or at least keep an eye on things for a while? My home... now theirs. What will happen to them? Ah, but then they say the gods could see the future... such musings are pointless. There is simply decision.

[eric]

To me, it would seem the smart thing to do." He looks at the others, waiting for their input.[/b]
"I was hoping to get some from the two locals. We could look for
a secondary port or another ship to take out when it gets dark.

Or collect food and supplies and hide for outskirts and wait it out."

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

From a block or two away comes a scream of pain that in suddenly, and finally, cut off.

[colonialbob]

Jeffs' head whips towards the scream. "However, I believe we should move this discussion to a more secure location posthaste." He begins looking around for somewhere that looks like at least temporary shelter.

[The Speaker in Dreams]

Likewise, Lucien has been looking for a better place to talk. He's likely moved away from the group and towards the scream to see if there is anything to be seen in a cautious manner.

"I don't think they would have closed up the city yet - doesn't seem likely. Too much is in smoke all around the middle it looks like to me. I figure that means those air ships launched a bit premature. Water routs would likely be set up, and that would make land-based exits the last ones to secure before an attack started. I say we head to the city gates and see what we can see there."

[eric]

"If we are leaving We need food, supplies and such, lets head to this cross street and
see if we can find any.

It seems the few of us are stuck together, if I ever see the
Office-ss-sir man again I will not trust him, hes a coward."

Sova

[Skurvy]

Alain looks distinctly uncomfortable at the thought of leaving so many wounded behind, but even they were beginning to melt away into the dark alleys and sidestreets that infest the city. Without a better knowledge of this place, his best chance was plainly to stick with the others.

"Better part of valour..." he mutters darkly.

Pulling a lighter cloak from his pack, he swirls it quickly over his shoulders.

"Best not to be walking round like a shining bucket right now, I would think. If we are going to leave, we should do so immediately, before the attackers get a hold on the city. I doubt they have had enough time to secure all routes out, so we may get lucky. Let's go."

[colonialbob]

Jeffs nods. "If we're leaving, now would be a good time." He looks around, trying to figure out what part of the city they had ended up in, and if there were many patrols around. "I don't think we'd enjoy running into one of those patrols, though."

[eric]

"I don't think we'd enjoy running into one of those patrols, though."[/b]
"There were only eight there, but yes lets go get supplies. I think
the merchant quarter is this way. Unless anyone remembers otherwise."

Head towards where Sova thinks are the merchants.

Sova

[colonialbob]

Jeffs holds back a chuckle. "Sova, friend, I doubt the merchants will be doing much business today. They are probably either fleeing themselves, or else holing up like a Sen'tek on the Dragon Queen's birthday. Best to get out while we can, then worry about supplies later."

[eric]

"Ha you never know who wants to make gold that they
can hide instead of having meat that can easily
be stolen or looted. But you know Hu-mans in a city
better, but if we pass a shop we look to see it it will
take some of our gold if it is safe enough. Fair enough?"

Sova

[Knight of Roses]

From aboves comes the beating of wings as a dragon winged man in well crafted blued metal armor lands on the roof of the Seven Keys. "You there," he shouts, "this city is now part of the Dark Star Dominion! Curfew is declared until tomorrow morning!"

[colonialbob]

Jeffs spins slightly at the man's voice, then stops and bows slightly. "Apologies, sir, we're headed in now." He glances around, both noting the reactions of the rest of the group as well as hoping to find some sort of shelter close by. So it's officially the Dark Star Dominion. Faster than I thought... they have their act together. I hope we can slip out tomorrow, otherwise we might be in for a rough time.

[The Speaker in Dreams]

Great ... now what? Lucien thinks to himself. I thought I was rid of them when I was exiled ... maybe I can at least get even. I wonder if that bastard is amongst the invaders ...?

He is instantly checking out the nearby doors for any that are ajar and easily entered upon. If he finds one, he motions to the others and begins to head in the direction of an open door.

[eric]

Follow the crowd and leave.

[Knight of Roses]

Lucien finds an unlocked door that leads to HERE (http://barroks-tower.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=12517).