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[Greenstarfanatic]

Okay, my sheet is done!

[Flying Dice]

Just waiting on anailater and we can get started. He's been on today, so... If it gets to ~midnight tomorrow (my time) and he still hasn't posted a sheet, I'll give a shot to the person (if any) at the top of the waitlist.

[Flying Dice]

Alani's day is somewhat unusual; she has been called away from her home and workplace (for they are one and the same), to a Public Watch post several levels down. A work order to perform the Setting Rites was filed with her branch of the Timekeepers' Guild, and as the only certified Keeper in her district, the duty has fallen on her. Apparently the Watch timepiece was vandalized recently, and they have had a replacement installed, but still require a Keeper to properly tune it.

Alani's fellowship is one of the oldest and most revered in Ildhina; with no light of the Sun down below, the only reliable way of marking time is with highly precise timepieces, intricate constructions of clockwork and time magic. Still, Alani (like many of her colleagues) is slightly nervous away from the ticking of the clocks. At the moment she is heading down one of the thousands of staircases in the Middle Depths, accompanied by Lilem Strob, an apprentice from her branch office. The Watch post is two levels lower and slightly west, perhaps four minutes away.

"This is rather exciting, Mistress. I can't say that I've ever seen the Setting Rites performed on a Watch 'piece; they're very impressive, aren't they? I heard from one of the other 'prentices that they're made from designs created by the Grandmaster himself!"
____

Eunh is hanging around the edge of the Warren, searching for something that could serve as a replacement weapon. Though dangerous, the Warren is still the ground level of Ildhina, and the primary access to the thick forest of the Abyss, save for a few exits at the outer rim of the Hive.

To boot, the Warren has massive piles of scrap and abandoned rubbish, often with cast-offs from those who are more well-off, not to mention the occasional dead scavenger. At the moment, Eunh is looking down at one of the massive scrap-heaps from the edge of the garbage shaft leading all the way up to the city surface. It looks safe enough (or as safe as a pile of jagged metal, splintered wood, and more than a few decaying corpses can be), but there are always those who are better at hiding and stalking. Faint whirring echos through the open space; noise carries very far indeed through these shafts.
____

Aldyn is trying to avoid dozing off as the Sergeant of his post rambles on about some notice about missing people. Hah, as if that was anything unusual. Only this time the son of a wealthy merchant and the apprentice of one of the Master Magos have gone missing around the same time, in the same district. Normally, they'd do a simple patrol, but the magos in particular was putting a lot of pressure on them. The magos was one of the independents, and the place where her apprentice went missing was the Unity district, of all places.

Unity was strange, even by the standards of the magos. There are 70 Master Magos in Ildhina, 37 independents, and the rest belonging to the major magical factions. Unity consisted of eight Master Magos with some sort of mental link and insect-based magic, and they have an unusually tight grasp on their district. The factions each have their own branch of the Watch, with the Public Watch representing the independent magos and the city as a whole. Each of the faction Watches are fairly devoted, but the Unity Watch is almost eerie. The people in their district are the same way, as if they always know what the others are seeing. Rumor has it that the Unity magos sometimes even address people through the mouths of their Watch.

And to cap it all off, some rotten bastard smashed the timepiece in Aldyn's post a few nights ago. Supposedly some Keeper Mistress was going to be around to tune the new one, but those loonies were hardly reliable sorts. More than likely they'd completely forget about it, lost in the cacophony of ticking in their Guild office.
____

Jacob is lounging around near a Watch post, smiling at bit at the uproar their Sergeant was in.  It was always risky to stick around in Watch volume, especially when they were looking for a scapegoat, but the Public Watch tended to be better than most of the factional ones. Not like the bloody Piecekeepers who'd take your feet off for walking too loudly in the Hall of Time, or those Unity freaks.

In any case, Jacob was bored, and boredom (as is usual) tends to lead to either sitting around or making poor decisions.
____

Sarek is having a rather pleasant day, putting on a small show in the lower Hive. Normally, dressing as well as he did would be an invitation for a knife between the ribs. A thin-bladed one, of course, to avoid damaging the tunic too much to sell, and to keep the bloodstains small. As an entertainer, though, Sarek was safe in all but the Warren; stage magicians are towards the middle range of such, but anyone capable of taking the mind from the harsh reality of life is well-liked in the Hive. A skilled bard can command attention and respect from virtually anyone, even to the point of influencing the decisions of the crime bosses that control many of the lower districts.

Those organizers of sub-legal business are, indeed, quite often the only stabilizing force at all. They can be brutal, but they also provide a sort of stability. On the other end of things, those of the Public Watch that value their lives stay far from the Hive; they aren't well-liked, so they stay away, so they are hated even more. That particular cycle has been going for far longer than most of the current residents have been alive.

This area, though, is almost directly below the Unity district, occupying a sort of dead volume in the city where only the most desperate live. There are always the rumors about that particular group of magos. The rumors, and the corpses.
____

((Apologies for the late start. Been a bit busy, and I wanted to have the framework for the first plot all down in my mind before I started.))

Spoiler: Character Status (click to show/hide)

Alani Bourne
Health: Excellent
Skill: Precision
Inventory:
Golden pocketwatch/stopwatch

Eunh Aberdan
Health: Excellent
Skill: Marksmanship
Inventory:
Skinning knife

Aldyn Glaedus
Health: Excellent
Skill: Perception
Inventory:
Small knife

Jacob Wiles
Health: Excellent
Skill: Skulduggery
Inventory:
Multitool

Sarek Tel'Hal
Health: Excellent
Skill: Charisma
Inventory:
Smoke bomb (x2)

[Caellath]

Sturdy leather boots crushed a few pieces of frail objects on the ground, muffling the sound as they did so. The scarred man lifts his head, rummaging through a pile of metal and failing once more to acquire which he wants.

So far his efforts while searching for a replacement have been in vain, but it's either hunting or starving. And to hunt he needed a new weapon, leading him to the terrible situation he was stuck in. The atmosphere itself would be nervewracking to most people, but Eunh was already used to worse. His hunts took him into the Abyss, and even if lost his weapon, his mind was still intact.

His gaze shifted from a place to another, trying to spot a suitable tool for his hunting purposes...

Search for replacement weapon.

[kilakan]

Jacob snickered to himself at the disgruntled watch, if they really wanted to find a scapegoat or even catch the unfortunate bastard who wronged someone important they really should be a little quieter as to not scare away even the deaf.  Well it does no good to just hang around the watch all day, what sorta fun could be had with the lawgivers? 
Listening for just a few seconds to perhaps catch the name of a criminal or last known location Jacob decides to set off towards the market district.  At best he could find someone needing a little job (legal or otherwise) done, or maybe have a good old day of pick-pocketing fact rich people.
Listen for any possible leads to criminal groups or crimes before going to the market district.  Keep eyes and ears open for interesting information and possible blackmail material as well as asking about if anyone needs anything done.

[Greenstarfanatic]

"Yes, yes...Now, let's get own there. There's not much time for chit-chat..."

Alani, stares nervously down the stairs, worrying about...well, everything. She looked back at her apprentice and flashed a quick smile, before going back to her nervousness.

She continues down the stairs towards the 'Watch'. It's really the only thing to do right now.

[CrimsonEon]

Aldyn snapped his head back upright after noticing it nodding ever so slightly off. He had somewhat lost track of time ever since he fled from his home, only the sores in his legs reminding him that he has been worked to the bone ever since. In the sergeant's long-winded speech, Aldyn only picks up a few keywords about a merchant's son and an apprentice to a magos going missing in the Unity district.

The mention of the district made Aldyn's skin crawl. He normally felt no ill will towards magic, sometimes imagining the life of a magos with a certain awe and wonder, but the descriptions of Unity gave him an image of just how strange and terrifying magic can truly be. If both of these missing souls just so happened to disappear in the Unity district, Aldyn had no intention of finding them.

Unfortunately, the sergeant made it sound like there wouldn't be a choice in the matter. He mentioned that there's probably going to be a fully coordinated search in the Watch's near future. Aldyn felt like groaning, but stifled himself. If a job must be done, it must be done well, Aldyn reflected. Just because the job was in the Unity district didn't mean he had to fear it.

He would have to check in on the tuning of the new timepiece near his post, but Aldyn couldn't leave his next potential assignment in the dark. Once the Sergeant finishes, Aldyn would Ask the Sergeant for more detail about the missing people

"Sir, just who were these two that disappeared? Do we have any information that links the two together at all?"

[Flintus10]

With a sweeping flourish, Sarek sent colorful sparks dancing across the ground in front of the startled audience. He could not help but smile as some of them reeled back in fear while others simply stood in awe. Sarek only allowed himself to be distracted for a brief moment before fixating his gaze back on his creations, though this trick was relatively simple he needed the audiences to believe he was fighting for control. Waving his hands for intensely now Sarek lifted the sparks into a colorful dance, higher and higher until they cracked and sputtered high above the streets.

Then with a clap the sparks flew down towards the magician. As they reached his face he opened his mouth and had them disappear, feigning as though he had swallowed them he gulped and then puffed out his cheeks. Now members of the audience looked shocked, those with seats edged forwards while others placed hands over their own mouths. They were exactly where Sarek wanted them. The magician began to wretch before looking up towards the sky and heaving. A bright shower of spark and flame exited Sarek's gaping mouth, accompanied by loud gasps and cheers from the audience.

Turning towards his crowd and bowing extravagantly Sarek spoke, "And that, my grateful audience is the final part of today's show. Be sure to turn up to my major demonstration next week with whatever money you have. That trick is just the beginning."

There were excited rumbles of conversation as the audience began to separate and head off in different directions. Sarek merely chuckled and packed his thing away. Some people came up to discuss his tricks, others asked him for more. Sarek merely deflected their questions with good humor as he made his way down the streets with a beaming smile across his face.

'They love me, they really do. I could really start charging more for these shows and I don't think even these meager folk would complain.  

Making his way through the crowded streets Sarek heads towards the nearest tavern in search of news and rumors that are currently circulating.

[Flying Dice]

Eunh clambers down a stone pillar, the decaying mortar offering plentiful handholds. He climbs carefully out onto the pile of scrap, keeping an eye out for the bits of rubbish which land every few seconds. Several minutes go by as he searches through the junk for something which could serve as a weapon.

[4]

He finds the blade of a shortsword, apparently snapped off at the hilt. A short distance away, he pulls a stout wooden staff and a length of leather cord from beneath a shattered table. With a bit of work, he could make a decent spear from it. Not as reliable as something made by a professional, perhaps, but certainly serviceable enough for the time being.
____

Jacob causally strolls past the Watch post, trying to listen in on their conversation.

[2]

He can't hear much of anything. One of them notices him lingering nearby and glares; Jacob hurries away, heading for a nearby market. He goes down a small side-stair towards an open pocket of space two levels below.

[6]

He arrives fairly quickly, moving out into the slightly more open space crowded with hand-carts and small tables. In his haste, Jacob nearly knocks over a man dickering with a trader over the price of a bit of turquoise.

"Watch where yer goin', you goatish swag-bellied lout!"
____

Alani answers Lilem without saying much of anything, distracted by her own concerns. Continuing downward, she [4] quickly reaches the Watch post. Upon arriving, a short, foul-smelling man with truly astounding muttonchops—apparently the post's sergeant—greets her rather hastily, "Ah, excellent, excellent. You'd be the Keeper, then. Just on time, eh? The 'piece is in the next room, the man on duty can show you to it. I've got an Important Duty to do, making this lot do their job properly, find them missing persons, donchaknow? It's terrible business an' all. Come on you sods, get a move on!"
____

Aldyn barely manages to shake himself awake as a grey-haired woman and rather excited young man entered the post; from what they said to the sergeant, she was apparently the Keeper. As the sergeant ordered the assembled Watchpersons out, Aldyn decided to ask for a bit more information on the people who had gone missing.

[3]

"It's just what I said, didn'tcha listen? Them two is the ones what went missing in the Unity district. There's others, but they ain't got people that care about 'em, eh? Now get going."

The sergeant leaves the post, and the other seven of your coworkers filter out behind him.
____

It was always a pleasure putting on a good show, Sarek reflected as he slipped through the crowded street, heading towards one of the closer hole-in-the-wall taverns. Maybe he could pump someone for fresh news, decide where would be good for another quick display.

[1]

Sarek's vision starts to fade, and he faintly notes that others around him have collapsed just moments before he slumps to the ground, eyes being pulled shut against his will, something clouding his mind. Some time later, he groggily wakes, a nasty taste in his mouth. As he climbs to his feet, Sarek notices that a few people he saw before going under are gone, despite the fact that nobody else in the street has woken yet.
____

Spoiler: Character Status (click to show/hide)

Alani Bourne
Health: Excellent
Skill: Precision
Inventory:
Golden pocketwatch/stopwatch

Eunh Aberdan
Health: Excellent
Skill: Marksmanship
Inventory:
Skinning knife
Shortsword blade
Wooden staff
Leather cord

Aldyn Glaedus
Health: Excellent
Skill: Perception
Inventory:
Small knife

Jacob Wiles
Health: Excellent
Skill: Skulduggery
Inventory:
Multitool

Sarek Tel'Hal
Health: Excellent
Skill: Charisma
Inventory:
Smoke bomb (x2)

[Greenstarfanatic]

((I just looked at Jacob's Character sheet.
...I didn't know 'SkullDuggery' was a skill.))

Alani glares at the man as he walks away and shuffles quickly to where the Piece was being kept. She asks the nearest person about its history.

[Caellath]

Eunh sighed. That would have to do for the moment, even if he dealt better with long-ranged weaponry. Maybe it was about time to learn how to fight in melee, with a bladed weapon...Although that could wait until he got any ranged weapon and survived for long enough to actually have time to train with blades.

Try to assemble a spear.

[CrimsonEon]

Aldyn barely stifles another groan. He didn't have any particular grudges against the sergeant, but his manner of speaking and attitude managed to irritate him on a number of occasions. Somehow Aldyn doubted the sergeant even said anything of particular detail while he was nodding off.

The rest of the watch piles out of the room, no doubt to carry out the search for the missing two. Aldyn would soon join them, but for the moment he was far more interested in watching the tuning of the new timepiece. It wasn't often he would get a chance to see any sort of magic up close, let alone time magic. Stepping out of the office, Aldyn heads over to Watch/Assist the Timekeeper.

[kilakan]

Jacob sneaks around the market area asking about any potential jobs (legal or otherwise) and attempts to slide into any interesting discussions about local activities of various groups.

[Flying Dice]

Alani dismisses the oaf as he exits the post. She goes into the inner office, turning to the man at the duty desk to ask him about the clock. He looks rather out of it, though she can't imagine what would someone to have a headache so soon in the day.

[1]

Huh? I reckon that's the one we just got, what with the old'un being all smashed up.
____

It wasn't much, but it would have to do for now. Eunh settles down beneath a ledge, trying to make the scrap into a workable spear.

[6]

He splits one end of the staff with his skinning knife, carefully working it into a larger groove on the edge of a stone. Once he has a deep enough split, Eunh carefully aligns the blade with it, leaving about ten inches of bare iron above the end of the staff. Thankfully, the base of the blade is fairly dull, but he grinds it down to a noticeably flat edge before tightly wrapping the cord around the split, binding the staff to the blade. The end result is a short spear, potentially useful for stabbing or slashing. It feels light enough to be thrown. The point and exposed edge still seem fairly sharp, at least enough to cut his finger.

After a moment, Eunh realizes that he been so intent on the work that he stopped paying attention to his surroundings. It is eerily quiet, the muffling silence only broken by the landing bits of garbage. This far down, it is quite dark; there are very few magelights or torches in the Warren. He stares out into the dim pit, wondering if he can feel something staring back.
____

Aldyn decides to ignore orders and watch the Timekeeper do her work.

[6]

He slips away from the rest of the group as they leave, heading back towards the inner office. For a moment, Aldyn feels a strange tingling in the pit of his stomach, a minute feeling of power. The man on duty stares past him, eyes glazed over even more than usual. With a shrug, he settles down to watch the old woman (("old woman")) work.
____

Jacob walks around the small market, trying to stay below notice while searching for some sort of paying work.

[4]

After a few moments, he comes across a wooden beam with dozens of scraps of paper nailed to it. Most are offering rewards for locating a missing person; more than usual specify the Unity district as the last known location. One is requesting test subjects for magical research and appears to pay quite well. Another is hiring people for work out in the thick forest of the Abyss.
____

Spoiler: Character Status (click to show/hide)

Alani Bourne
Health: Excellent
Skill: Precision
Inventory:
Golden pocketwatch/stopwatch

Eunh Aberdan
Health: Excellent
Skill: Marksmanship
Inventory:
Skinning knife
Short spear

Aldyn Glaedus
Health: Excellent
Skill: Perception
Inventory:
Small knife

Jacob Wiles
Health: Excellent
Skill: Skulduggery
Inventory:
Multitool

Sarek Tel'Hal
Health: Excellent
Skill: Charisma
Inventory:
Smoke bomb (x2)

[Caellath]

Hefting his spear, Eunh groaned in displeasure. He felt as if he stared into the abyss and it stared back at him...And it was usually sign of trouble around these parts.

As a hunter, he was used to dealing with the things living there; he did not wince and waver as they stalked and watched him behind their veil of darkness, his mind steeled after spending his time fighting the beasts. Even then, it didn't mean he liked it.

Try to discern what is hiding nearby or if there is anything hiding at all.