Penny

Pax Astra

The hall stilled as everyone waited for Gorm’s response. Somewhere in a back room a child cried but was quickly hushed by a parent. The Ketcharch regarded the two of them with calculating eyes, running his hand along his jaw in a habitual gesture. From the look in his eyes he would have liked to have ordered them killed. He might well have done so if he had any assurance his thugs would be able to pull it off before he himself was shot. He stretched out a foot and kicked the coin back in Tiber’s general direction, the small sliver of metal bouncing and rattling to a halt somewhere in the rear of the hall.

“It would be illegal to ask tribute of any legionnaire,” Gorm replied in a studied sneer, “let no man say that I don’t understand my… obligations.”

“As for these… unfortunate incidents. I am certain they are merely acts of random misfortune. I’ll instruct my men more… thoroughly in future.” The words were bland enough on their face, but they dripped with menace. The air was positively charged with malice.

“Glad to hear it,” Sabatine replied and began to back out of the hall. Gorm arched an eyebrow.

“Where are my manners? Would you care to join us for dinner?” he asked, making a vague gesture to some low tables set against the walls.

“We would be honored to dine with such… stalwarts of our great Empire,” he mocked.

“I’m sure we would be more comfortable dining in less auspicious surroundings,” Sabatine replied dryly.

“Perhaps among the hogs on your farm?” Gorm sneered.

“The atmosphere and the smell are both an improvement,” Sabatine returned. A smatter of laughter died quickly as Gorm sat up white with fury. Several of the braver thugs fingered their weapons, but they knew better than to act without their principals consent.

“Safe travels,” he gritted between clenched teeth.

The street was deserted by the time they made it to the ATV. The occasional bang of a closing shutter could be heard as the citizens, aware that trouble was brewing by some communal instinct, closed themselves in their houses. Sabatine supposed that the townsfolk were familiar enough with Gorm and his thugs going on rampages that by now they had developed rituals to deal with it. Sabatine hoped onto the back of the ATV as Tiber started the engine. A few of Gorm’s toughs had slunk out of the hall behind them but they weren’t starting anything just yet. Dusk was falling and the heat of the day was giving way to the sultry warmth of the evening as they drove west out of town heading back towards the farm.
The road rose up a small ridge in a series of long switchbacks, interspersed with bushy kayla shrubs and slender beech trees. The paving was ancient but solid in the manner of all Roman roads. The locals probably would have made to with a more direct dirt track, but roads were always built to a grade that would allow heavier vehicles than most colonists could afford to operate. There was a pleasant smell of hot stone, green plants and a subtle hint of petrochemicals.

“Headlights,” Tiber reported, noticing several sets of lights on the road behind them. Judging by the height they were probably cargo 8s. Light trucks capable of hauling people or produce. Sabatine was willing to bet they weren’t carrying lettuce. Gorm didn’t want them to make it back to their holdings it seemed, content to have them meet their end on a lonely road.

“We won’t get home before they catch up,” Sabatine opined.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@rush99999

There do not appear to be any tricks or snares in the document. It is a straight forward request for you to serve as the executor of the will and attempt to abide by its terms. It also states that if you refuse, the executor role will be filled by Ellsworth, Colby and Dark.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@XxFellsingxX

As you work your way around the building you get a glimpse into the rear of the restaurant through a broken window. You see hundreds of turtle shells hung up on strings, many of them inscribed with Chinese characters and broken in odd patterns. The cops seem to be in the process of gathering these up. You can tell that this is some method of augury.

You would need to snoop in order to figure out what happened to Madam Chang.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

If I do lose track of your thread feel free to poke me, I have alot of plates spinning!

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@XxFellsingxX

The China Garden stands on a busy corner at the edge of China Town, perfectly mixing the ancient and the contemporary. It has the look of a temple with stone tiled roof and timber pillars lacquered red and gold. Paper lanterns hang from the roof and several stone dragon statues guard the entrances to the building. Several police and fire vehicles are parked around it and there is a barrier of crime scene tape. Passing through the tape you are able to get closer and get a look inside.

A closer view shows uniformed police milling around inside the building. The seem intrusive surrounded by little golden statues of Buddha. A large fish tank is visible with numerous turtles gliding around oblivious to the concerns of humans. You can see that the police are carrying out a stretcher covered with a cloth, the shape looks irregular and rough.

GM Prompt: You can investigate a place of power with Power, snoop, or use some other tactic to investigate if you choose.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@rush99999

"My approval, or that of Ellsworth, Colby and Dark, is irrelevant," Colby replies in a smooth practiced voice. He produces a brass fountain pen from his briefcase and lays it neatly beside the documents.

"Magus Robinson created a contract with us, and that contract requires that we offer you the role of executor. Whether you choose to fulfil that function is entirely your choice. If you do choose to fulfil it, I will make available to you certain talismans which will allow you access to the Magus' effects. By doing so you will agree to disperse his assets and properties as he has outline. If you decline his request, the function shall devolve on Ellsworth, Colby and Dark." The words are polished and rehearsed, though the mechanisms by which they might or might not be enforced remains opaque. The firm does have a reputation for fulfilling contracts though, regardless of the cost.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@XxFellsingxX yes as it happens you will pass by the China Garden on your way to the apartment. From the street you can see emergency vehicles both police and fire. If you want more info you will need to get closer.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@rush99999

Colby withdraws several pages from his folio and lays them out before you. Despite the modern letter head they are each written in old fashioned calligraphy complete with illuminated letters at the beginning of each paragraph.

"I apologize for bothering you at home. Mr Dark felt it shouldn't wait," he explains, a slight hard edge to the name of his senior partner.

"Before he died Magus Robinson completed a fairly sophisticated will with us. Perhaps a little to sophisticated to be administered by a private individual. Regardless, it seems he has named you his executor."

You gather from his mention of Dark that harming his senior partner would put him in your debt. You also get the distinct impression that he would rather you turned down the offer to administer the will.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@Penny

You don't recognize the man but he smiles a thirty thousand what smile at you. Then stands up from his desk and walks over to examine you.

"You look just like a person," he comments with surprise, "It took me a while to accept that you are actually a thing."

"No matter," he concludes then takes a step back and raises his arms theatrically.

"I require a service of you," he says in badly accented Attic Greek.

GM Prompt: Roll to resist your instinct to serve someone powerful.

Dark Streets - Urban Shadows

@POOHEAD189

"So if Odin.. and Valkyries, then Ragnarök and the Midgard Serpent..." Harald begins to babble to himself, going into a low key eschatological collapse as he mechanically helps lift Sayeeda onto the cot. She opens her eyes, dark pupils flaring, then contracting then settling into something close to their normal size.

"Someone fucking shot me," she hisses. "Then the tried to grab me." She makes a gesture at the P-90 on the floor.

"At least some of them wont be making that mistake again," she grins, teeth very white against her dark lips. The golden halo of her wings snaps spasmodically.

"I came to take a soul for the Hall but they must have been waiting for me," she concludes. Judging by the size of the slug and the fact it was able to pierce her armor, it must have been both enchanted and very heavy caliber.