Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Campaign: the Foreign Quarter

To begin: a Gypsy wagon “... is being loaded by members of the house – two sons, a young girl, a mother and father, possibly of Greek, Bulgarian or Egyptian descent, difficult to see which – while a landlord harangues them for rent they owe. The landlord has a “for rent” sign in his hand, which he has not yet put in the building’s window.”

Kazimir determined that they were not Gypsies, but Bulgarian, and that the father did not wish to leave town ... his final post said he would listen to the argument and try to ascertain more details.

It is soon clear that the landlord is demanding that the father, Vaslav, must stay and fulfill his obligations – that he will now have no one willing to rent, given yesterday’s events (the foreign quarter is already showing signs of emptying out). Vaslav is refusing.

In the background, the stubborn mule finally gives in, and three carts carrying dead bodies begins to move west along the street.

36 comments:

  1. (OOC: Sorry. First day back from a 3-day weekend!)

    Anshelm spits on the ground as he watches the argument. "I don't think there's much in the way of anything we'd gain from taking sides," he says.

    (OOC: Are there laws pertaining to rent? If Vaslav is leaving, what recourse would the landlord have to ensure he fulfills his contract?)

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  2. He has virtually no recourse at all. If Vaslav were to remain in the town, the landlord could sue; and reasonably, the landlord could normally call for a town officer to compel Vaslav to stay. But after the destruction of the city, no officers would be available. So the best the landlord could do would be to find another tenant, and quickly.

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  3. "Hmm...the gypsies have no coin, clearly, and if they've not paid their rent, the landlord hasn't got any, I'll wager. What say we move on, hey?"

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  4. "Likely you're right, friend, but let's see where this Vaslav is heading...if they're as dry as we suspect, they might lead us somewhere a bit more fruitful."

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  5. Kazimir rubs his chin. "Mmm... what the Hell. Lead on, friend."

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  6. Do you intend to wait? It will likely be more than a few minutes. The nearby Gospada will provide a drink, if you wish, though they have no patio from which to watch the street.

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  7. "Let's have a quick nip while they're readying to be off, you can buy," says Anshelm, heading woard the Gospada.

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  8. Kazimir will go to the Gospada with Anshelm.

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  9. Before Kazimir steps through the door, he will notice something carved above the door's frame and feel seized with terror. It is a glyph that he well recognizes.

    "The Hyspaga," he breathes.

    (The Hyspaga is an orcish cult, followed by very few who dwell in the region where Kazimir was raised. It is frog worship; it is a warning that pestilence will afflict non-believers)

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  10. Anshelm glances back at Kazimir. After hearing his friend's description of the Hyspaga, he raises an eyebrow.

    "Frogs? In here?" he says, clearly not understanding. "You're worried about frogs after all we've been through? You sure you just don't want to buy a round for me?"

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  11. Anshelm,

    That's very funny. Good roleplaying, too.

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  12. Kazimir makes a hand sign over his forehead, something that looks vaguely like crossing himself.

    "Pestilence," Kazimir says, "This glyph foretells pestilence."

    Kazimir takes a few steps back and looks around him. "I can't speak for you, but I've had enough of this forsaken town. I've half a mind to follow the gypsies."

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  13. I'm just waiting for Anshelm to respond to that. No hurry at all.

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  14. (OOC: Sorry for the delay!)

    "I think we've already had the bloody pestilence," says Anshelm. Seeing no reaction from Kazimir, he sighs and steps back outside.

    "Well, we've a few minutes to wait while the cart gets underway. I don't suppose you're interested in renting a room, friend?"

    Anshelm leans against the Gospada wall to one side of the door and watches as Vaslav and his family prepare to move off.

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  15. Two guards, a bit uglier than usual, step out of the Gospoda tavern and stop to look Kazimir up and down. One of them says, "Hey ... where you from?"

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  16. (Kazimir will use ken on one of the guards...do I think he is in the Hyspaga?)

    Kazimir will say "From Mutrakan."

    (Yes, I know this is a lie...sort of a lie, anyway)

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  17. Being a member of the Hyspaga would not be a 'trait' in the strict definition of the word. You might reasonably detect a mixing of orcish in his blood.

    "Mutrakan, you say ... I've been as far as the Dneiper." (he refers to the river that flows through the central Ukraine) "Tis poor luck you happen to be in Dachau today."

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  18. (OOC: does this person notice Anshelm? Just in case...)

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  19. Anshelm's hand is on his sword...just in case. He's not sure how this conversation will go.

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  20. "Poor luck is my bread and butter, sir. What do you want of me?"

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  21. The soldier says, "Forgive me if I offend." He and his companion seem quite put off by Kazimir's manner and Anshelm's clearly threatening posture. "We will go."

    Both he and his companion begin to move along.

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  22. "Wait," Kazimir says to the soldier. "I must confess I am rattled from the last few days. Forgive my temperment. What say we all have an ale together, hey?"

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  23. "Yes," says Anshelm, "My friend was going to buy me a drink. I'm sure he won't mind the few coins extra...."

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  24. Kazimr will slap Anshelm on the shoulder and subtly apply just a bit more pressure than would be comfortable.

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  25. The soldier:

    "Nein, we cannot. We must go on duty. Perhaps tomorrow?"

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  26. "Aye. We might well be found around the Gospoda tomorrow. Take care."

    Kazimir, having not released his grip on Anshelm's shoulder, will stare at the glyph, steel himself, and go inside.

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  27. Anshelm follows Kazimir inside. "I wasn't really going to make you pay for them," he says as they take a seat.

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  28. Kazimir and Anshelm find the Gospoda Tavern completely empty ... excepting the bartender. There’s evidence that up until very recently, the establishment was full, as there are steins and empty bowls/plates scattered on all eight tables in the room, which the bartender clears. He sees the two of you, rubs his hands together, and asks what you’d like to drink.

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  29. Anshelm orders an ale.

    "Business a tad slow today?" he asks, gesturing to indicate the tavern interior.

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  30. The bartender will answer,

    "Not at all, is only the change in duties ... makes for a dearth between the hours of two and three." He will ask Kazimir's preference.

    6 s.p. for the ale.

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  31. Kazimir hesitates. "Have you a good blood sausage, sir, and perhaps goat's milk?"

    (OOC: Not sure if this is the type of establishment that ony serves alcohol, but Kazimir is suddenly not quite keen on drink this evening.)

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  32. "Yea sir, I do indeed sir," says the bartender to Kazimir. He heads to instruct his kitchen cook, then fetches the ale for Anshelm.

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  33. "Eat quickly," says Anshelm to Kazimir. "Our friend with the wagon leaves soon."

    When his drink is brought, Anshelm indicates Vaslav and his cart being readied outside with a toss of his head. "Are many leaving like that one after the recent events in town?" he asks the bartender.

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  34. In actual fact, the bartender can't see through the wall of the Inn to identify the family you mention, but I'm sure you'll explain it; his answer (said at the point when he is bringing Kazimir's fare) would be, "Good riddance. There's a strong feeling the gypsies and those like them are the cause of all this."

    Continued on the next post.

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