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Lyra

Lyra turns to the rest of the group, thinking over the decision to hide their identities. "Well, all right... Now, in the mean time, let's get in. I don't think any of us have umbrellas..."

Spray

Spray did what he always did when he found himself on the ground. He picked himself up, and dusted himself off.

He nodded in response to the spider lady's question, but let the others handle the greeting. He figured he probably wasn't the best person to b doing the talking, after what had happened...

Sal: 2
Rook: 2
Smith: 1

Flipping a coin...

Heads! Sal will be accompanying the party for this subplot!

The grifter listens carefully to the group's questions, then tries to respond to each one in kind.

"Grout Bog... well, it's a dig site for Spark and relics. Laborers get sent here day in and day out. Usually they don't leave. Unless it's for the derricks." The woman pauses for a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "As for the what, well... Been hearing disturbing news from there as of late. Seems there's been a big surge in... 'turnover rates', as the Barons like to put it. And if what I've heard is true, that's not because of the Rise... it's because of something from the Bog. But no-one seems to know what person or thing is responsible. Client said to find and put it down, so that's what we're gonna do. Oh, I'm Sal, by the way.

"As for dangers..." Sal begins listing off on her fingers. "Normally, the Bog's got Fleads, Erchins, Grawkits, insects, feral Autodogs, and people. And, of course, people are the most dangerous creatures in Havaria. Besides the workers, there's the Rise and the Spark Barons. The Spark Barons run the place, and, well..." Sal's face turns stony. "They mostly don't care about the workers beyond getting more out of them for less. The Rise want to put an end to that, and the Barons, of course, want to put an end to the Rise. Things have been getting... a whole lot more tense between the two groups, what with all that's happening in Grout Bog.

"Now, what a Grifter is? It's mostly just what they use to call folks like us. Well, when they're not calling us hunters, goons, thugs, or errand girls. I'm not really part of any of the major players, so that helps give me an edge - and deniability. No real ties to anyone, after all. The client insisted I pick you folks up. Said it was too much for just one grifter to deal with. Don't much like demands like that, but..." Sal shrugs. "Such is the nature of Grifter work. You just have to adapt for circumstances.

"I know there's a bar called The Last Stand. Could be a good place to visit before, actually. I hear everyone likes to head there from time to time. Might overhear something useful, or find an opportunity to give someone a hand."

It’s not long after the last question is answered that the group comes across the gates to Grout Bog. The big wall casts a shadow on everyone nearby. At the gates themselves, a Jarackle stands guard, with two robots at her flank - one on two legs, the other on four. In front of them, two people - one a Kra'deshi wearing tan and blue robes, the other a human wearing a brown cloak with a gas mask. The gas-masked human seems to be having an argument with the guard, one too intense for either of them to notice the new arrivals...

---

Flipping a coin...

Tails! Violent encounter!

But then they get interrupted.

A single dog-sized orange-and-purple larva wriggles its way past the gate. The guard blasts it to pieces in seconds, but then another shows up.

Then another.

And another.

Everyone grabs their weapons and does their best to fend off the oncoming swarm of larvae.

Pick 1 of 3, majority vote wins:

[] Protect the people at the gate and help fend off the assault: They're in need of help. Besides, if you defend them, they might be grateful.
+ The people at the gate are holding their own.
- Splitting your attention between two groups is risky.
[] Focus on keeping yourselves safe: You've no obligation to put your life at risk for these strangers, and they've no reason to expect you to help them.
[] Try to push through the gate while the others are fighting: This is the perfect opportunity to get in quickly. And if the others don't survive? That just means fewer witnesses.

(OOC)

It was at once subtle, yet clear that something about the castle had changed. A few of the inhabitants were drawn to one of the tables in the Quarters’ dining room, where a letter and a strange device lay. The letter was penned in simple, neat handwriting, explaining that the writer had a task in Grout Bog for the assembled people to perform, and that they would have another person to assist them. This ‘Grifter’ would provide more information once they arrived at the area - and the device would bring them to where they needed to be.

The device enclosed with the letter - a small black case with a blinking blue light in one corner - emitted a low beep before enveloping the group in a teal light. When the light faded, they were surrounded by swamp.

---

Following the letter’s instructions, the group arrives at the meeting point to find:

Choose your Grifter (Pick 1 of 3. Majority vote will win.)

[] Sal: A lady leaning against a tree, gaze focused on the knife she’s sharpening. She looks up from her work as the party approaches and nods. “You don’t look like you’re from the Feud at all. I take it you’re the group?”
[] Rook: An old man standing in the clearing, scribbling something onto a notepad. He cheerfully waves at you as you approach. Despite the overt friendliness, you can feel him looking the party over carefully. As he puts away his pen and paper, you notice the pistols resting in twin holsters. “You must be the team. You ready to go, then?”
[] Smith: You enter the clearing to find it empty, at least for the moment. Then a drunken Kra’deshi stumbles out of the bushes, hammer in hand. “I-I’m here, I’m here! I remembered I was supposed to be here the whole time! Wait, what the Hesh are you wearing?”

Without much else to delay them, the Grifter begins to lead the team to Grout Bog, being mindful of the muddy road. As they walk, there’s time to ask a few questions.

Ask questions (Pick any of the options.)
[] Who they are: You’ve only just met this person, but they’re supposed to be guiding you. Knowing them better might help in this endeavor.
[] Your destination: Grout Bog is, so far, just a name to you. You’ll get there soon enough, but knowledge of what to expect would still be nice.
[] Advice: The circumstances that were described in the letter you received suggested that this mission would be more than just hunting down and destroying a Trespasser.
[] Something else: Go ahead and ask the grifter whatever might be useful. They might not know, but it can’t hurt to ask...

Martyr, Spray

"Uh, yeah, that's the way it was a few decades ago... Wait, Barely gettin' off the ground? Do I even wanna know what menfolk are treated like in your world?" Maxwell waved his arms in a 'don't answer that' motion. "Well, anyhow, I wouldn't go calling anyone's world 'weird' or not, least of all your own. Keeps us from seein' stuff for what it really is and all. Speaking of which, what is your world like, anyway? We don't really have queens or knights anymore - not many, that is. Certainly we don't have people with dog ears... at least, as far as I know."

Martyr, Spray

Maxwell thought for a moment, then shrugged again. "Well, it's better than it used to be, I suppose. Women can vote now and such... Though it's..." The rookie shook his head, remembering how some of his coworkers had behaved at his old jobs. "I don't think I'd say men and women are treated equally. How is it in your world?"

Martyr, Spray

Maxwell shrugged. "I suppose that's as good a reason as any." After a moment to think, the rookie asked, "So, uh, was there anything you wanted to ask me? Feel kind of bad for just bombarding you with questions like that..."

Mirka

Mirka wasn't sure how much damage that punch had done. It felt like it had done... too much, though, and Mirka resorted to trying to push the Major off of her - not an easy task with the shock she was experiencing.