Alfonse looks confusedly down at the cards, not understanding how the strategy he had formulated hadn't ensured success, but nods absently at Damien. "Oh, right, the others. Yes, I suppose we should be going."
He bolts down his coffee and stands up, draping his cloak over his shoulders. "For the time being, adieu mademoiselle." He gives Penelope a bow and turns to depart.
POVERO Chapter Two
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
Gertie lays down on her cot and drifts off to sleep too. It's been a long day after all. She hopes the ruckus she heard below wasn't Tom getting into trouble.
-
ewancummins
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 28523
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
THE BRAWL IN THE PIT
BARTH and FILD circle, rush in to clash, fall back.
The people of the Pit gather round to watch. Gem barks and growls, with Tom holding the dog back from joining the fight.
The gnome dodges and strikes like a badger in a bear pit as his large enemy stamps, sweeps, and grabs at him.
Fild punches and kicks, but Barth's thick gut absorbs blows like a gambeson.
Guards peer through the grate. They watch, and laugh. Some lay bets.
And a vigorous round of betting has begun among the prisoners, using such petty cash and small items as they retain. Some cheers ring out for the gnome, but Barth seems to be the betting man's favorite.
Barth grabs the gnome's right leg and hauls him up like a rat.
Fild twists in air, clamps onto Barth's head, and grabs Barth's greasy hair and drags himself closer.
He snaps his teeth at Barth's ear.
Barth struggles to tear the gnome off his head.
Barth throws the gnome down and kicks him .
"Ouch! I'll squash you, ear-biter."
He sits on the Gnome, but Fild crawls out from under him.
Barth reels up to his feet, dripping sweat from his red face. He spits and wipes his mouth, glaring at the gnome.
"Thirsty! Gimme drink!"
He steps back and grabs a jug from one of the men watching the fight.
Fild takes advantage of the brief respite to fall back to Tom.
Barth backwashes and then thrusts the empty jug back to its own.
"Now I squash you good, runt."
The fight resumes. Fild falls back, and back, and back under Barth's violent onslaught.
But the big man staggers, tripping on something. Fild leaps up and lands a spinning haymaker to Barth's skull.
The man drops to his knees, groans, and keels over, stunned.
Fild crawls onto his fallen foe's back and lifts his hands over his head like an arena champion.
The crowd erupts in laughter, cheers, curses, and applause.
BARTH and FILD circle, rush in to clash, fall back.
The people of the Pit gather round to watch. Gem barks and growls, with Tom holding the dog back from joining the fight.
The gnome dodges and strikes like a badger in a bear pit as his large enemy stamps, sweeps, and grabs at him.
Fild punches and kicks, but Barth's thick gut absorbs blows like a gambeson.
Guards peer through the grate. They watch, and laugh. Some lay bets.
And a vigorous round of betting has begun among the prisoners, using such petty cash and small items as they retain. Some cheers ring out for the gnome, but Barth seems to be the betting man's favorite.
Barth grabs the gnome's right leg and hauls him up like a rat.
Fild twists in air, clamps onto Barth's head, and grabs Barth's greasy hair and drags himself closer.
He snaps his teeth at Barth's ear.
Barth struggles to tear the gnome off his head.
VIEW CONTENT:
VIEW CONTENT:
"Ouch! I'll squash you, ear-biter."
He sits on the Gnome, but Fild crawls out from under him.
Barth reels up to his feet, dripping sweat from his red face. He spits and wipes his mouth, glaring at the gnome.
"Thirsty! Gimme drink!"
He steps back and grabs a jug from one of the men watching the fight.
Fild takes advantage of the brief respite to fall back to Tom.
VIEW CONTENT:
"Now I squash you good, runt."
The fight resumes. Fild falls back, and back, and back under Barth's violent onslaught.
But the big man staggers, tripping on something. Fild leaps up and lands a spinning haymaker to Barth's skull.
The man drops to his knees, groans, and keels over, stunned.
Fild crawls onto his fallen foe's back and lifts his hands over his head like an arena champion.
The crowd erupts in laughter, cheers, curses, and applause.
VIEW CONTENT:
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
-
ewancummins
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 28523
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
She's kept up briefly by what sounds like a party down below. But the noise dies down and soon sleep overtakes her.steveflam wrote:Gertie lays down on her cot and drifts off to sleep too. It's been a long day after all. She hopes the ruckus she heard below wasn't Tom getting into trouble.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
-
ewancummins
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 28523
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
As he nears the door, he may notice a man watching Damien.Adam wrote:Alfonse looks confusedly down at the cards, not understanding how the strategy he had formulated hadn't ensured success, but nods absently at Damien. "Oh, right, the others. Yes, I suppose we should be going."
He bolts down his coffee and stands up, draping his cloak over his shoulders. "For the time being, adieu mademoiselle." He gives Penelope a bow and turns to depart.
If he pauses to look, even for a moment
VIEW CONTENT:
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
Alfonse turns. "Oh, um, hello there," he says, "Titus, wasn't it? I remember you from the road. Funny coincidence, your ending up at the same lodging house."
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
-
ewancummins
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 28523
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
FROM THE GAOL TO THE COURT
Many hours later, guards drop a rope line and successively lift Fild, Tom, and Gem up from the common pit.
A guard rouses Gertie from her cell.
When she tells him she will pay Mook's fines in court, the man rouses Mook, as well.
The carrier staggers out, blinking and rubbing his eyes. Gertie now sees her neighbor for the first time: a smallish, balding, stooped shoulders, and sallow skin, dressed in shabby clothes. He smiles at her.
"Thanks, Gertie."
Guards escort the prisoners to a small room where a clerk sits behind a desk, flanked by two sword-bearing jailers.
The clerk assesses jailing fees.
"That's what you owe for room and board thus far. Pay now if you can."
He marks down any money paid.
He instructs prisoners to sign their names or make their marks in the ledger.
After that business is conducted, the jailers escort the prisoners across the street to a squat, low-domed, and ivy-clad masonry building.
Inside, they find a large, draughty room with some other people already seated on benches at one end. An empty, high-backed, elaborately carved wooden chair sits atop a dais at the other side of the room, facing the benches. Behind and above the chair, a large oil painting hangs in a gold-tinted frame. It depicts a gaunt, hairless man with parchment-colored skin and hollow eyesockets , seated on a massy throne of gray stone. The painted figure wears black robes and a white , curly wig. On his right shoulder, a fat baby with wings leans in as if whispering in his ear. On his left shoulder, a red imp sidles up to the judge's other ear with a sly look on its face in semi-profile.
The bailiff of the court uses his partisan to direct the prisoners to take seats on wooden benches at one end of the chamber.
Moments later, a bewigged, blacked-robed magistrate enters from a side door, and the Bailiff orders everyone to stand and bow to him.
The magistrate eats two raw eyes from a silver ewer brought to him by a liveried attendant, and then recites an incantation in archaic dialect.
After that, he requires oaths from all present.
With the oaths to the gods administered, he then rolls through the cases, quickly questioning the accused and whatever witnesses are present before rendering judgment.
A minstrel draws a sentence of thirty lashes for slandering the honor of the Civic Council with bawdy songs.
Two men found guilty of brawling over support for rival aristocratic families receive fines.
Gertie pays Mook's debt to the court on what turns out to be a public nuisance charge (he was caught peeping into the window of a wealthy merchant, scaring the maid and the cook).
And then comes the trial of the accused burglars and disturbers of the peace.
Tom talks quickly and much, presenting the essential details of the case in the most favorable light. He never actually lies, but he neglects to mention certain things. He never gives Aldron Folbre's name, nor does he suggest his patron's actual wealth and importance.
The judge gets the rest of the story off a yawning watchman.
"Fine, fine, so you lot of wet-behind-the-ears foreigners have gone into business as thief-catchers. You could have made things easier on yourselves by obtaining the correct permits. This is a proper city with laws, not some anarchic pisshole mining camp. However, given your recent arrival, the failure of any supposed vineyard residents to show up today, testimony of the Watch officer, other extenuating circumstances, et cetera, et cetera, I’ll let you off with a warning and a fine. Two pence each to the purser before you go free and collect your things from gaol. And you had better get down to the Guild of Thief-Catchers and Lawful Repossessors. Register, or the next time you get brought in on something like this, you’ll be treated like the robbers you were chasing.”
He clears his throat with a loud cough.
“Next!”
Many hours later,
VIEW CONTENT:
A guard rouses Gertie from her cell.
When she tells him she will pay Mook's fines in court, the man rouses Mook, as well.
The carrier staggers out, blinking and rubbing his eyes. Gertie now sees her neighbor for the first time: a smallish, balding, stooped shoulders, and sallow skin, dressed in shabby clothes. He smiles at her.
"Thanks, Gertie."
Guards escort the prisoners to a small room where a clerk sits behind a desk, flanked by two sword-bearing jailers.
The clerk assesses jailing fees.
"That's what you owe for room and board thus far. Pay now if you can."
He marks down any money paid.
He instructs prisoners to sign their names or make their marks in the ledger.
After that business is conducted, the jailers escort the prisoners across the street to a squat, low-domed, and ivy-clad masonry building.
Inside, they find a large, draughty room with some other people already seated on benches at one end. An empty, high-backed, elaborately carved wooden chair sits atop a dais at the other side of the room, facing the benches. Behind and above the chair, a large oil painting hangs in a gold-tinted frame. It depicts a gaunt, hairless man with parchment-colored skin and hollow eyesockets , seated on a massy throne of gray stone. The painted figure wears black robes and a white , curly wig. On his right shoulder, a fat baby with wings leans in as if whispering in his ear. On his left shoulder, a red imp sidles up to the judge's other ear with a sly look on its face in semi-profile.
VIEW CONTENT:
Moments later, a bewigged, blacked-robed magistrate enters from a side door, and the Bailiff orders everyone to stand and bow to him.
The magistrate eats two raw eyes from a silver ewer brought to him by a liveried attendant, and then recites an incantation in archaic dialect.
After that, he requires oaths from all present.
With the oaths to the gods administered, he then rolls through the cases, quickly questioning the accused and whatever witnesses are present before rendering judgment.
A minstrel draws a sentence of thirty lashes for slandering the honor of the Civic Council with bawdy songs.
Two men found guilty of brawling over support for rival aristocratic families receive fines.
Gertie pays Mook's debt to the court on what turns out to be a public nuisance charge (he was caught peeping into the window of a wealthy merchant, scaring the maid and the cook).
And then comes the trial of the accused burglars and disturbers of the peace.
Tom talks quickly and much, presenting the essential details of the case in the most favorable light. He never actually lies, but he neglects to mention certain things. He never gives Aldron Folbre's name, nor does he suggest his patron's actual wealth and importance.
The judge gets the rest of the story off a yawning watchman.
"Fine, fine, so you lot of wet-behind-the-ears foreigners have gone into business as thief-catchers. You could have made things easier on yourselves by obtaining the correct permits. This is a proper city with laws, not some anarchic pisshole mining camp. However, given your recent arrival, the failure of any supposed vineyard residents to show up today, testimony of the Watch officer, other extenuating circumstances, et cetera, et cetera, I’ll let you off with a warning and a fine. Two pence each to the purser before you go free and collect your things from gaol. And you had better get down to the Guild of Thief-Catchers and Lawful Repossessors. Register, or the next time you get brought in on something like this, you’ll be treated like the robbers you were chasing.”
He clears his throat with a loud cough.
“Next!”
Last edited by ewancummins on Wed Apr 13, 2016 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
As they go to gather their belongings, Gertie introduces Mook to Tomand Fild. "This is Mook. He can introduce us to some people we need to talk to, Tom."
Gertie speaks in a tongue Fild doesn't understand
"Tom, Mook can bring us to the 'Brotherhood' here. So we can introduce ourselves and be allowed to operate in Povero. And having some contacts can't hurt us
if you know what I mean."
Gertie speaks in a tongue Fild doesn't understand
"Tom, Mook can bring us to the 'Brotherhood' here. So we can introduce ourselves and be allowed to operate in Povero. And having some contacts can't hurt us
if you know what I mean."
Last edited by steveflam on Wed Apr 13, 2016 8:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Varrus the Ethical
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:21 pm
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
Titus stands up and smiles warmly. "There are no coincidences where the gods are concerned. Alphonse, yes? How are you finding Povero?"Adam wrote:Alfonse turns. "Oh, um, hello there," he says, "Titus, wasn't it? I remember you from the road. Funny coincidence, your ending up at the same lodging house."
"Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it."
George R.R. Martin.
George R.R. Martin.
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
"Well it hasn't been dull," Alfonse admits, looking around the tap room. "We were barely here a day before my companions managed to get themselves pinched while investigating a robbery. They were, you could say, a bit overzealous."
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."
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Varrus the Ethical
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:21 pm
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
Titus raises an eyebrow. "I would imagine, if the watch took them into custody." He scratches his chin. "Come to think of it, I recently interfered in a robbery in progress. I never saw the ruffians, but I did see the work the did to one of their victims. An arrow to the head." Titus shakes his head. "It was only by the Speakers mercy I was able to resuscitate him. You don't suppose that could be related to the robbery the others were investigating, do you?"Adam wrote:"Well it hasn't been dull," Alfonse admits, looking around the tap room. "We were barely here a day before my companions managed to get themselves pinched while investigating a robbery. They were, you could say, a bit overzealous."
"Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it."
George R.R. Martin.
George R.R. Martin.
-
alhoon
- Invisible Menace
- Posts: 8819
- Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2003 6:46 pm
- Location: Chania or Athens // Greece
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
Courthouse
After their trial is finished, Fild politely asks a clerk or guard what Barth was charged for, assuming it would be a brawl or something minor considering his small fine.
Not understanding the weird slang the humans and half-elf use, Fild doesn't seem to impressed with Mook and doesn't hide it. "I don't think this guy has any important connections. His connections could have paid his fine or if they didn't want to be associated with a peeping Tom, sorry Tom, a ... forgive me Mook, a better choice of clothes. No offense Gertie, but I think mr Mook conned you. Now, mr Mook, don't get it wrong; I understand the value of a good lie to get one out of trouble. I have no hard feelings; I would probably do the same in your situation, probably without the same success."
Fild offers to sign the names of any of his fellows (or Barth and Mook) that are illiterate if the clerk allows it.ewancummins wrote:
He instructs prisoners to sign their names or make their marks in the ledger.
After their trial is finished, Fild politely asks a clerk or guard what Barth was charged for, assuming it would be a brawl or something minor considering his small fine.
Not understanding the weird slang the humans and half-elf use, Fild doesn't seem to impressed with Mook and doesn't hide it. "I don't think this guy has any important connections. His connections could have paid his fine or if they didn't want to be associated with a peeping Tom, sorry Tom, a ... forgive me Mook, a better choice of clothes. No offense Gertie, but I think mr Mook conned you. Now, mr Mook, don't get it wrong; I understand the value of a good lie to get one out of trouble. I have no hard feelings; I would probably do the same in your situation, probably without the same success."
"You truly see what a person is made of, when you begin to slice into them" - Semirhage
"I am not mad, no matter what you're implying." - Litalia
My DMGuild work!
"I am not mad, no matter what you're implying." - Litalia
My DMGuild work!
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ewancummins
- Evil Genius
- Posts: 28523
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
"Don't like being insulted by a gnome. You guys don't want my help? Fine."alhoon wrote:Courthouse
Fild offers to sign the names of any of his fellows (or Barth and Mook) that are illiterate if the clerk allows it.ewancummins wrote:
He instructs prisoners to sign their names or make their marks in the ledger.
After their trial is finished, Fild politely asks a clerk or guard what Barth was charged for, assuming it would be a brawl or something minor considering his small fine.
Not understanding the weird slang the humans and half-elf use, Fild doesn't seem to impressed with Mook and doesn't hide it. "I don't think this guy has any important connections. His connections could have paid his fine or if they didn't want to be associated with a peeping Tom, sorry Tom, a ... forgive me Mook, a better choice of clothes. No offense Gertie, but I think mr Mook conned you. Now, mr Mook, don't get it wrong; I understand the value of a good lie to get one out of trouble. I have no hard feelings; I would probably do the same in your situation, probably without the same success."
Mook turns to leave.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
ewancummins wrote:"Don't like being insulted by a gnome. You guys don't want my help? Fine."alhoon wrote:Courthouse
Fild offers to sign the names of any of his fellows (or Barth and Mook) that are illiterate if the clerk allows it.ewancummins wrote:
He instructs prisoners to sign their names or make their marks in the ledger.
After their trial is finished, Fild politely asks a clerk or guard what Barth was charged for, assuming it would be a brawl or something minor considering his small fine.
Not understanding the weird slang the humans and half-elf use, Fild doesn't seem to impressed with Mook and doesn't hide it. "I don't think this guy has any important connections. His connections could have paid his fine or if they didn't want to be associated with a peeping Tom, sorry Tom, a ... forgive me Mook, a better choice of clothes. No offense Gertie, but I think mr Mook conned you. Now, mr Mook, don't get it wrong; I understand the value of a good lie to get one out of trouble. I have no hard feelings; I would probably do the same in your situation, probably without the same success."
Mook turns to leave.
Gertie takes Mook by the arm. "Hold up." She turns to Fild, eyes narrowing. "Don't go deciding for me what I can or can't do or who I associate myself with, is that clear? And I
suppose I should take your word that this Barth person can help us too? Bullshit. I'm vouching for Mook. He can help TOm and I with a matter that concerns us both. If Mook doesn't
help us, we could get into trouble with certain people in this city. I don't think Tom or I want that."
TUrning to Mook. *"Sorry about that, I trust you enough foryou to bring Tom and I to who you said you would." *Speaking in Thieves Cant.
Looking at Tom. *"We need to go with Mook to meet the Brotherhood." *Speaking in Thieves Cant.
Looking back at Fild and Barth.
"We'll be at the Inn later."
Turning to Tom and Mook "Shall we?"
Re: POVERO Chapter Two
Alfonse sighs. "Yes, that would have been them. As I said, overzealous, but I'm afraid the man you saved may have been a thief himself. The others were in the process of pursuing the rest when they were arrested."Varrus the Ethical wrote:
Titus raises an eyebrow. "I would imagine, if the watch took them into custody." He scratches his chin. "Come to think of it, I recently interfered in a robbery in progress. I never saw the ruffians, but I did see the work the did to one of their victims. An arrow to the head." Titus shakes his head. "It was only by the Speakers mercy I was able to resuscitate him. You don't suppose that could be related to the robbery the others were investigating, do you?"
"Of course," Benn mutters, "It would be a damned shame if we ever knew what the hell was actually going on."