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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 16, 2011 15:49:10 GMT -6
On a misty spring morning, a Monorail of the Miskatonic Transit Authority arrives at Arkham Station!
Before I, your humble narrator, describe the city of Arkham, let us focus our attention on the last car of the train, a beat-up older-model carriage, incongruous behind the gleaming and steaming flagship Engine that tows it. We are struck by the foul stench... could it be the Thing under that tarp? Five weary travelers awaken from their slumbers to greet the dawn.
Roll Call:
Fated to Die the glorious Ulfire icon, on the brink of becoming a true Warrior!
Breath of New Moon the sinister Bone Woman who will soon earn the rank of Conjurer!
Minion of The Unholy Fragnog the terrified Bone Man, wielder of the Weird Axe!
The Shade of the Evermore all that remains of a once-mighty Jale Summoner!
The Gunnery Veiled an Orange Man Veteran and archer without peer!
(If anyone new would like to join the party in Arkham please PM me!)
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 16, 2011 16:03:12 GMT -6
The five tourists crane their necks to see the sights of Arkham, but this foggy morning will not reveal her mysteries so easily.
Vague first impressions: the wide, sluggish Miskatonic; riverboats large and small; smokestacks and church steeples; sagging gambrel-roofed wooden homes; carts, wagons, and carriages, some pulled by men, some by beasts, and some appearing to move under their own power; the early-morning bustle of industry; more Green Men then you've ever seen before in your life!
Then just like that the scenery vanishes as the Monorail enters a tunnel and descends beneath Arkham Station... with excruciating slowness it eases into the platform and comes to rest with a contented sigh of steam. A half-dozen uniformed Green Men brace themselves to control the flood of humanity about to disgorge from the train. Since you are at the back of the train you are farthest from the walk-way to the Station proper...
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 16, 2011 16:19:38 GMT -6
The Shade of the Evermore all that remains of a once-mighty Jale Summoner! ) STILL mighty!!!!  |
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 16, 2011 16:26:31 GMT -6
The Shade of the Evermore all that remains of a once-mighty Jale Summoner! ) STILL mighty!!!! Oops I meant to say "mighty once-jale summoner?" |
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 17, 2011 12:39:55 GMT -6
There is a map of Arkham at the top right of the wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArkhamArkham Station occupies an entire block of Water Street between West and Garrison. Critter's warehouse is at the corner of Garrison and Water. Fated's house is at 440 Hill St in the northwest corner of the map. EDIT to say I found this super-high-res Arkham map, I want you guys to zoom in on Hill St. and choose a specific house as your home base.  cdn.obsidianportal.com/map_images/505967/Arham_Map.jpgA reminder that we are switching to the "silver standard" economy and price lists from LotFP: www.lotfp.com/RPG/products/lotfp-weird-fantasy-role-playing (Arkham uses the "city" column of course!) A note about the construction of the Station: The platforms are connected by walkway to a Customs checkpoint where visitors must declare their goods and business. Upstairs there is an elaborate lobby in the style of New York's Grand Central Station. Downstairs there is a tavern/inn called The Underground where travelers can rest, refresh, and conduct business without having to pass through customs. A small army of scruffy laborers, surly cab drivers, and mustachioed chauffeurs congregates around the train, hustling their first fare of the morning (or last fare of the evening, as the case may be). You may wish to hire some Teamsters to transport your heavy cargo? Also I want to say that the "DM railroading the players" portion of the campaign ends today. From this moment forward we are in "sandbox" style of play! |
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
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Post by kipper on Dec 18, 2011 11:17:34 GMT -6
"We should first get rid of this carcass, as time passes it will likely plummet in value as decomposition progresses. Maybe we had best make enquires at that tavern (('The Underground'))." Breath of New Moon says. "But I do not like to leave our newfound wealth unguarded."
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Post by crusssdaddy on Dec 18, 2011 14:34:03 GMT -6
Fated: "I think the first order of business is to make quiet inquiries in The Underground of a likely-looking tavern dweller about how best to circumvent customs - knowing our way around the authorities may pay modest dividends now, but be of more value later. I've been told I have the 'gift of gab' so maybe this should be trusted to me.
"Then we should quickly divest ourselves of the beast's corpse. The home on Hill St. should be reconnoitered for at least a day prior to any attempted entry [OOC: I'll look at the map shortly].
"Our sorcerer demands black pearls? I shudder to ask..."
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 18, 2011 16:00:05 GMT -6
Our heroes linger in their private carriage for a few minutes, to discuss their plans in private. Breath and Fated crane their necks out the window to catch a glimpse of the Underground. All that can be seen is a discrete sign over an arch-shaped tunnel large enough for a train to pass through, disappearing into darkness. Lots of travelers emerging from the Monorail are walking that way; it appears to be a popular destination. Other travelers are making a bee-line for Customs, or negotiating fares with teamsters and taxi drivers. One Green Teamster in particular catches your eye; he is loitering nearby with a wheeled dolly...
Regarding Fated's proposal, if the party decides not to move into the house tonight, you will need a good night's rest (safe bed and sturdy roof) in order to level up. Average price of accommodations in the City: a Secure inn is 10sp/person/night, ranging up to 100sp (or more) for Extravagant accommodations. Meals, drinks, taxes, gratuities, and bribes are not included; expect to spend 5cp-15sp for meals and 3cp-15sp for drinks. (I assume you are not interested in cheap/horrid-quality food in light of your current bonanza.)
Speaking of which, a hot breakfast sure does sound good...
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 18, 2011 20:28:49 GMT -6
A private, simple, but secure, rooms is all The Shade requires. Food will be taken in his room. Nothing fancy. Slightly undercooked meat, if possible. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 18, 2011 21:16:32 GMT -6
A private, simple, but secure, rooms is all The Shade requires. Food will be taken in his room. Nothing fancy. Slightly undercooked meat, if possible. Arkham is a city where desires for privacy and exotic meat can both be indulged... for a price. |
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
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Post by kipper on Dec 19, 2011 9:27:48 GMT -6
Breath of New Moon stays put to watch the loot while Fated goes off to The Underground in search of information.
She waves the Green Teamster over. "Good morning! You know the city well, I would assume. Is it possible to transport good into the city with... minimal officiary entanglements?"
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 19, 2011 10:13:30 GMT -6
She waves the Green Teamster over. "Good morning! You know the city well, I would assume. Is it possible to transport good into the city with... minimal officiary entanglements?" is first to emerge from the Monorail. She beckons to the Green Teamster holding the dolly. He introduces himself as Malleable Teamster, hands over his business card, and chuckles at her question. "Possible? Absolutely! Easy? That depends on what you're carrying and where you're taking it!" Will Breath reveal the contents of the precious cargo to the Green Man, or perhaps negotiate for a "no questions asked" clause? |
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 19, 2011 11:51:14 GMT -6
Is anyone else interested in going to the Underground with Fated?
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 19, 2011 11:57:33 GMT -6
Just to unload the carcass?
The Shade will join Fated, if that is the case. The sooner we collect coin for the body, the better.
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 19, 2011 11:58:17 GMT -6
Plus... the Shade can help out in the matters of "intimidation for lower bribe costs".
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 19, 2011 12:29:30 GMT -6
I assume Fated and Shadow aren't dragging the bloated corpse with them into the tavern during breakfast, correct? You will leave it in the Monorail carriage (under Breath's watchful eye) until you find an interested buyer at the Underground and/or negotiate discrete transport to Critters?
What would Minion and Gunnery like to do?
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 19, 2011 13:46:21 GMT -6
Alright, fine... we'll leave the body there.  |
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 19, 2011 14:33:09 GMT -6
Alright, fine... we'll leave the body there. What body? *burp* |
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 19, 2011 14:45:03 GMT -6
Mmmm... MOR frog legs. Lightly salted (natural sea salt, of course) and breaded, then fried in butter made with the narlop secretions of a Deep One.
The Shade is getting hungry!
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 19, 2011 17:12:43 GMT -6
Mmmm... MOR frog legs. Lightly salted (natural sea salt, of course) and breaded, then fried in butter made with the narlop secretions of a Deep One. The Shade is getting hungry! What's a "narlop secretion"? that sounds really gross !  |
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 19, 2011 21:11:12 GMT -6
Mmmm... MOR frog legs. Lightly salted (natural sea salt, of course) and breaded, then fried in butter made with the narlop secretions of a Deep One. The Shade is getting hungry! What's a "narlop secretion"? that sounds really gross ! Totally made that up. But it sounded good... |
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
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Post by kipper on Dec 20, 2011 10:11:42 GMT -6
. He introduces himself as Malleable Teamster, hands over his business card, and chuckles at her question. "Possible? Absolutely! Easy? That depends on what you're carrying and where you're taking it!" : "Say a chest, with dimensions so and so and so? Rather heavy, but whose contents shall remain my personal business. We also have a rather large corpse to deliver to a gentleman by the name of Critters for Sale ((OOC: I think that was his full name?)). Perhaps we could stash the chest inside the corpse, and declare the corpse to Customs? I do not know how stringently they enforce thier regulations, nor how amenable they are to turning their heads for compensation, I shall leave that end of business up to you." |
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 20, 2011 10:53:29 GMT -6
Breath: "Say a chest, with dimensions so and so and so? Rather heavy, but whose contents shall remain my personal business. We also have a rather large corpse to deliver to a gentleman by the name of Critters for Sale ((OOC: I think that was his full name?)). Perhaps we could stash the chest inside the corpse, and declare the corpse to Customs? I do not know how stringently they enforce thier regulations, nor how amenable they are to turning their heads for compensation, I shall leave that end of business up to you." thoughtfully visualizes the dimensions of Breath's chest before giving his answer with a pronounced regional dialect: "Let's staht with the 'rathah lahge corpse' because that's the easy paht." [you get the gist of his obnoxious dialect; switching back to regular spelling...] "Do you think you're the first strangers to arrive in Arkham schlepping inhuman remains? Of course not. "I'll take it off your hands for 1 copper per pound, cash, I'll handle all the details myself, you relax and enjoy your vacation. "But if you want to handle your own negotiations, A Fair Price for Critters is only 1 block from here. I can get your corpse through customs and to Critters for 30sp. "OK, now as to your other valuables, you have options: I don't know what you're after in town, but maybe you can get everything you need at The Underground. If that's true, you can rent a safe or storage locker there, and not have to worry about taxes, import tariffs, and so forth. "If you want to go through Customs then they have very strict rules about weapons, explosives, biological specimens, currency, and other precious cargo. Expect to pay 9% to bring your valuables into the city, dangerous goods will be confiscated, and of course you can't wander the streets armed and armored like that! "But we wouldn't be having this conversation if I didn't know a few tricks of the trade, right? I can make your customs problem go away, but I need compensation proportional to the risk... and judging from your formidable appearance we're not talking about a few coppers here... I tell you what, you obviously need a guide to the city to keep from getting ripped off; hire me and my sister for the day for 60sp plus 'incidentals' and expenses, and I promise the contents of your chest will remain but a figment of my imagination..." |
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Post by waysoftheearth on Dec 20, 2011 16:03:00 GMT -6
Gunnery at last rises from his slumber (OOC: apologies, late to the party), gathers his belongings and saunters over to where the negotiations are taking place. He checks his wrist forlornly, and the resigns himself to whatever outcome is arrived at.
He has never been too accomplished at convincing others of anything, so he leaves that to the better equipped.
[OOC: I'm happy to hire a guide; he would no doubt be rather useful, and probably treacherous. Perhaps we can get a better price..?]
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 20, 2011 18:07:15 GMT -6
Gunnery at last rises from his slumber (OOC: apologies, late to the party), gathers his belongings and saunters over to where the negotiations are taking place. He checks his wrist forlornly, and the resigns himself to whatever outcome is arrived at. He has never been too accomplished at convincing others of anything, so he leaves that to the better equipped. [OOC: I'm happy to hire a guide; he would no doubt be rather useful, and probably treacherous. Perhaps we can get a better price..?] I say we hire a guide and then eat him watch him closely. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 20, 2011 18:10:43 GMT -6
Malleable Teamster explains to you that local authorities frown on wearing of armor heavier than leather (preferably luxurious exotic beast hide) and weapons heavier than a dagger (known colloquially as a 'bowie') or pistol (derringer for the ladies), while in public areas (university, post office, the ballet). However certain exemptions and permits apply; for example he himself has a Teamster's license that allows him to 'operate heavy machinery'--an admittedly broad privilege in the world of Carcosa!
However until you pass through Customs you are not in Arkham proper; the Underground is a city-beneath-the-city with its own laws.
More he is willing to say once money has changed hands... *hint, hint*
Meanwhile his sister arrives with the forklift. She eases back on the throttle and introduces herself as Drosophila Teamster in the same obnoxious regional accent as her brother.
(edit) Is anyone else on board with Breath's plan to stash the money inside the toad-thing-corpse for smuggling purposes?
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Post by crusssdaddy on Dec 21, 2011 9:41:28 GMT -6
Fated holds off on going into The Underground until the discussion with the teamster is concluded.
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 21, 2011 9:52:18 GMT -6
Fated holds off on going into The Underground until the discussion with the teamster is concluded. Is Fated participating in the negotiations with the Teamsters? Is he still on board the Monorail? What's the story...? |
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 55
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Post by kipper on Dec 21, 2011 10:02:08 GMT -6
Breathof New Moon: "Give me but a moment to confer with my colleagues."
((OOC: Anyone else want to weigh in with their opinion? So far it seems hiring the guide is (in prinicipal) a go... although of course Breath will need to determine exactly what 'incidentals and expenses' entails, and probably try to get his price down a bit, we have no idea what the going rate is for such services either.))
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 21, 2011 10:04:38 GMT -6
OOC: Yeah, I'd rather pay a flat rate to one crook than a bunch of adjustable rates to many crooks.
Besides... if he pisses us off, we can always eat him, right?
Guys?
Right?
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