Brass Jester
Demi-God
Episode 6.1
‘Well?’
‘They will make a good team’
The pattern of lights flashed. ‘They must be tested.’
‘I will get ready.’
‘No. Summon De’Ath
Arkadia Space City 227.6
Rayven and Kaylee checked over Rayven’s Claw and Nebula. Everything was in the green.
‘So. There is a Seldon Vault in the Osiris system. My brother has the key to access it and he is in prison on Reutlingen. Dasce wants access to the Vault and he is an Exarch of Land Lahani. What vow did you swear as an Honourbound?’
‘To aid Hildemar Dasce in breaching the Osiris Seldon Vault.’
‘Right. That gives us some leeway.’ Rayven stood and gripped her sigil: –
‘By the blood that flows in me, By the life that fires me, by the Iron that binds me
I will take this vow to aid Hildemar Dasce in breaching the Osiris Seldon Vault.
If I fail in this, I will face the Void alone’ (1)
‘Right. We need to plan this out.
a) What is known about the prison on Reutlingen?
b) What did Shigio do to get locked up in there?
c) How has he locked the Seldon Vault?’
‘Not a lot about Reutlingen. It’s a rocky world in the Delphian Gate sector. Atmosphere – marginal – just about breathable. Lots of dust in atmosphere gives a perpetual twilight – that’s why the atmosphere is marginal, because of the dust.’
‘Who controls it?’
‘Ah – that’s interesting. Controlling body is listed as the Sanctum Orison – a religious Order. No further details.’
Rayven
The Hidden Rift
‘Vayen. I need to speak with you.’
Vayen looked up and smiled. ‘Rayven Gallowglass. Life gets interesting when you’re around. Have a drink.’ She pushed over a glass of FSF Star Brandy. ‘So?’
‘What do you know about the Sanctum Orison?’
Vayen sat back and sighed. ‘You are really playing with the big boys now. Is this linked with Dasce?’
‘Sort of.’
Vayen made a signal with her hand, within minutes the bar was emptied and locked.
‘Rayven. I like you – I really do. I also know you are Bannersworn and leaping into danger is your thing. So – this is what I know. The Sanctum Orison operate an intense concentration facility for political prisoners and other – undesirables. The facility is on the planet of Reutlingen. People go in and come out – changed.’
‘And the Concord allows this?’
‘The Concord sanctions and funds it.’ Vayen looked down and fiddled with her wristcomp.
‘But there is more. Just rumours, nothing else. Reutlingen is not what it seems. I’ll see what I can find out for you.’ Vayen looked directly at Rayven. ‘For a price, of course.’
Rayven smiled and nodded. ‘I wouldn’t have expected anything less.’
Kaylee
Kaylee was on the Zocalo just looking around and buying a few trinkets when she was jostled and pushed to one side. She glanced up – the man looked familiar but she couldn’t place him He motioned her towards a street café.
‘Sit and listen. Rayven is heading into trouble – this is something far bigger than she can imagine.’
Kaylee recognised him now – it was Rayven’s uncle Kei.
‘I warned her – stay away from Dasce. Now she is going after Shigio. I’ll say this only once. He is not a prisoner; she must leave him alone. If she persists then – his guardians are authorised to deadly force and they will do so. Relay this message to her.’
Kaylee vacillated – she had sworn a Vow to Dasce, but she was just an engineer. She nodded acceptance.
‘Good.’ Kei Takara rose from the table. Two gunshots rang out and he fell.
Kaylee rose and pulled her MPM, the assailant was running for the throughway, crowded with people.
The lighting gantry – the Wind spoke into her mind
Kaylee looked – over the throughway was a gantry with lights. She took careful aim and loosed off two shots, shattering the holding brackets. The gantry fell, blocking the escape of the shooter. He fell backwards and collided with a robot Servo-Stall dispensing hot food. He howled as smoking hot cooking oil spilled over him; he looked up to see Kaylee pointing her gun at him. (2)
‘Don’t’ move.’ Kaylee spoke into her wristcomp. ‘Ray. Down on the Zocalo. Get here fast – Kei’s been hurt.’
There was a crown gathering and Kaylee shouted for help but didn’t dare leave the gunman. He was male, unkempt and straggly hair. He had a blue stone embedded in his forehead. (3)
Rayven
She arrived at the scene and immediately checked on her uncle. He had taken two MPM rounds through the chest and was dead. Rayven stood and pulled her sigil.
‘By the blood that flows in me, By the life that fires me
By the Iron that binds me
I will take this vow to find out who ordered this hit on Kei Takara
If I fail in this, I will face the Void alone’ (3)
She looked round at the crowd of onlookers, then motioned to Kaylee.
‘Talk to me later. First – find out who saw anything. I’ll talk to this mauka.
Kaylee
The general consensus was that the gunman had come out of the Pipes, walked across to the café, pulled a gun and calmly pumped several shots into the target.
The local law had been called by someone, although they had not arrived yet.
‘Did the gunman say anything?’
‘He called out Takara nodevusi just before he fired. Don’t know what that means.’
Rayven
Keeping her gun out, Rayven kicked the gunman in the ribs.
‘Talk, mauka! Who is behind this?’
The gunman rolled over, hand groping for his weapon. Rayven stamped on his wrist; then stared. The man had a blue Soulstone embedded in his forehead.
‘Listen.’ The man spoke urgently. ‘ The Vault. The Osiris Vault. It must not now, not ever, be opened. It must be destroyed.’
Suddenly the blue stone flared, then dulled to grey. The man fell back; before Rayven’s eyes he started to age rapidly until he was just a withered husk.
She looked up – in the watching crowd was Doran Hendrix. He gave a curious sign as a salute, turned and was lost in the crowd. (5)
To be continued …
——————————————————
Mechanics
1. A Formidable Vow
2. A straight fight but there is room for humour in the Game. This was a Strong Hit on a match with the outcome of Engulfed – Commodity. The assassin took an extra 2 damage from having the hot cooking oil spilled on him.
3. A Dangerous Vow
4. A few rolls here – Kaylee never met Doran Hendrix and (maybe) Rayven mentioned him but she didn’t take any notice. As it turns out, she doesn’t know anything about the Cult of Zhenxi.
5. Milestone on Who Killed Kei
Continue reading...
‘Well?’
‘They will make a good team’
The pattern of lights flashed. ‘They must be tested.’
‘I will get ready.’
‘No. Summon De’Ath
Arkadia Space City 227.6
Rayven and Kaylee checked over Rayven’s Claw and Nebula. Everything was in the green.
‘So. There is a Seldon Vault in the Osiris system. My brother has the key to access it and he is in prison on Reutlingen. Dasce wants access to the Vault and he is an Exarch of Land Lahani. What vow did you swear as an Honourbound?’
‘To aid Hildemar Dasce in breaching the Osiris Seldon Vault.’
‘Right. That gives us some leeway.’ Rayven stood and gripped her sigil: –
‘By the blood that flows in me, By the life that fires me, by the Iron that binds me
I will take this vow to aid Hildemar Dasce in breaching the Osiris Seldon Vault.
If I fail in this, I will face the Void alone’ (1)
‘Right. We need to plan this out.
a) What is known about the prison on Reutlingen?
b) What did Shigio do to get locked up in there?
c) How has he locked the Seldon Vault?’
‘Not a lot about Reutlingen. It’s a rocky world in the Delphian Gate sector. Atmosphere – marginal – just about breathable. Lots of dust in atmosphere gives a perpetual twilight – that’s why the atmosphere is marginal, because of the dust.’
‘Who controls it?’
‘Ah – that’s interesting. Controlling body is listed as the Sanctum Orison – a religious Order. No further details.’
Rayven
The Hidden Rift
‘Vayen. I need to speak with you.’
Vayen looked up and smiled. ‘Rayven Gallowglass. Life gets interesting when you’re around. Have a drink.’ She pushed over a glass of FSF Star Brandy. ‘So?’
‘What do you know about the Sanctum Orison?’
Vayen sat back and sighed. ‘You are really playing with the big boys now. Is this linked with Dasce?’
‘Sort of.’
Vayen made a signal with her hand, within minutes the bar was emptied and locked.
‘Rayven. I like you – I really do. I also know you are Bannersworn and leaping into danger is your thing. So – this is what I know. The Sanctum Orison operate an intense concentration facility for political prisoners and other – undesirables. The facility is on the planet of Reutlingen. People go in and come out – changed.’
‘And the Concord allows this?’
‘The Concord sanctions and funds it.’ Vayen looked down and fiddled with her wristcomp.
‘But there is more. Just rumours, nothing else. Reutlingen is not what it seems. I’ll see what I can find out for you.’ Vayen looked directly at Rayven. ‘For a price, of course.’
Rayven smiled and nodded. ‘I wouldn’t have expected anything less.’
Kaylee
Kaylee was on the Zocalo just looking around and buying a few trinkets when she was jostled and pushed to one side. She glanced up – the man looked familiar but she couldn’t place him He motioned her towards a street café.
‘Sit and listen. Rayven is heading into trouble – this is something far bigger than she can imagine.’
Kaylee recognised him now – it was Rayven’s uncle Kei.
‘I warned her – stay away from Dasce. Now she is going after Shigio. I’ll say this only once. He is not a prisoner; she must leave him alone. If she persists then – his guardians are authorised to deadly force and they will do so. Relay this message to her.’
Kaylee vacillated – she had sworn a Vow to Dasce, but she was just an engineer. She nodded acceptance.
‘Good.’ Kei Takara rose from the table. Two gunshots rang out and he fell.
Kaylee rose and pulled her MPM, the assailant was running for the throughway, crowded with people.
The lighting gantry – the Wind spoke into her mind
Kaylee looked – over the throughway was a gantry with lights. She took careful aim and loosed off two shots, shattering the holding brackets. The gantry fell, blocking the escape of the shooter. He fell backwards and collided with a robot Servo-Stall dispensing hot food. He howled as smoking hot cooking oil spilled over him; he looked up to see Kaylee pointing her gun at him. (2)
‘Don’t’ move.’ Kaylee spoke into her wristcomp. ‘Ray. Down on the Zocalo. Get here fast – Kei’s been hurt.’
There was a crown gathering and Kaylee shouted for help but didn’t dare leave the gunman. He was male, unkempt and straggly hair. He had a blue stone embedded in his forehead. (3)
Rayven
She arrived at the scene and immediately checked on her uncle. He had taken two MPM rounds through the chest and was dead. Rayven stood and pulled her sigil.
‘By the blood that flows in me, By the life that fires me
By the Iron that binds me
I will take this vow to find out who ordered this hit on Kei Takara
If I fail in this, I will face the Void alone’ (3)
She looked round at the crowd of onlookers, then motioned to Kaylee.
‘Talk to me later. First – find out who saw anything. I’ll talk to this mauka.
Kaylee
The general consensus was that the gunman had come out of the Pipes, walked across to the café, pulled a gun and calmly pumped several shots into the target.
The local law had been called by someone, although they had not arrived yet.
‘Did the gunman say anything?’
‘He called out Takara nodevusi just before he fired. Don’t know what that means.’
Rayven
Keeping her gun out, Rayven kicked the gunman in the ribs.
‘Talk, mauka! Who is behind this?’
The gunman rolled over, hand groping for his weapon. Rayven stamped on his wrist; then stared. The man had a blue Soulstone embedded in his forehead.
‘Listen.’ The man spoke urgently. ‘ The Vault. The Osiris Vault. It must not now, not ever, be opened. It must be destroyed.’
Suddenly the blue stone flared, then dulled to grey. The man fell back; before Rayven’s eyes he started to age rapidly until he was just a withered husk.
She looked up – in the watching crowd was Doran Hendrix. He gave a curious sign as a salute, turned and was lost in the crowd. (5)
To be continued …
——————————————————
Mechanics
1. A Formidable Vow
2. A straight fight but there is room for humour in the Game. This was a Strong Hit on a match with the outcome of Engulfed – Commodity. The assassin took an extra 2 damage from having the hot cooking oil spilled on him.
3. A Dangerous Vow
4. A few rolls here – Kaylee never met Doran Hendrix and (maybe) Rayven mentioned him but she didn’t take any notice. As it turns out, she doesn’t know anything about the Cult of Zhenxi.
5. Milestone on Who Killed Kei
Continue reading...