The City of the Specter, Atem's Palace

[metagame]

The corpse sinks to the floor
Even the brightest gold, even the sharpest blade
Becomes sand, becomes dust

Comments

[metagame]

"Yes! Please, take this, my lord. It's one of the finest linens I have. Weaved by the most talented work women in the north."

Somehow Shalem has pulled a fast one with his serpentine features, and has obtained one linen tunic! ... Sometimes it pays to be a snake.

[prozaic]

[Success! He did it without giving his gold to a fake person. He accepts the tunic with a nod.]

In exchange for this, the first serpentine lord's temple that you see after the events of this day, give yourself unto them and you'll want for nothing else. [Watch it be Apep--

Then he's off, back to the group, byeeeeeee]

[metagame]

Why was everyone's rolls so terrible for this... Everyone who wanted linen tunics now has them, but before they're able to leave the market, three guards with guard baboons come barreling towards Shebsti and his stall.

"There he is! We heard something odd was happening here... and to think we'd find that shyster, Shebsti, too! Quick! Apprehend them all!"

No escape, it's a battle!

The baboons combine to form Thoth while the guards reveal themselves as three Naga.

They pose their spears at the group, all except for Soujuurou. They don't seem to notice him at all.

[beautifulknight]

...Pardon?

[ Argenti is so surprised by this he doesn't get to attack (1) ]

[prozaic]

[Oh no. He was about to dress up and cover up his features to make stealth much easier but--

Shalem walks in front of his companions and holds out his arm as if to shield them.]

What is the meaning of this? [He hasn't affected his usual accent yet. He's going to try negotiating first, and hopefully his serpentine features are still effective. But maybe not... (4)]

[strawsandals]

[ Just gonna go ahead and cast Matarunda and lower the enemys' attack stat for now... ]

Crap...

[finalmix]

[ sighs. ]

Should have known this was too good to be true.

[ since we're going pacifist route for this first turn joshua doesn't do anything - but he does turn to Shebsti: ]

You never mentioned you were a wanted man.

[bloodweapon]

[Since we aren't jumping straight to attacks just yet, here's a Masukukaja to raise Argenti's, Yoon's, Shalem's, and his own agility. Might as well get prepared for when we're going to need to attack!]

[pointzeropercent]

Oh? Is buying clothes a problem now?

[He's going to cast Matarukaja on Soujuurou, Argenti, Fray, and himself, raising everyone's attack.]

[moodwrecker]

[Oh welp.

Just going to buff her own defense, then.]

[emptyself]

Um...

[ uh??? ]

What's going on?

[ledbythewind]

[Richard was going to do something.

That something was going to be a Tiger's Prowl.

But Avrae said "no hits for you ever (4)" and so much for that idea.]

[metagame]

"We have received word of a conspiracy against the throne! And that Shebsti is a wanted criminal!"

Shebsti has also bailed with all your belongings. But hey, you guys got some clothes out of it! Worth it, right? Ah well. Nothing to be done about it now.

Since no one has attacked, the guards seem willing to hear you guys out... Roll for persuasion! 11 or higher is needed for success.

[emptyself]

The vendor ran away!

[ SOMEONE NOTICE HIM PLEASE THEY ARE NOT CRIMINALS ]

[privatedomicile]

Wait, you're doin' an investigation?

[Jesse considers his options...for all of three seconds, since he rolled an 8.]

Then you guys are cops. I ain't givin' you any info without a lawyer present, bitch!

[prozaic]

Conspiring against the throne? [Actually, hang on...

Might be onto something there. He casts a look at everyone, before looking back at the guards.]

And you think it's us, eh? [He gives a hiss, punctuated with a long, threatening flick of his tongue. Alas, that's as much as he can do right now, because the rest of his ability to convince the guards of something boils down to a dumb comment (9)]

Perhaps I could do so.

[beautifulknight]

Please!

We are not associated with that man - we are new to the area. Some of us may be frustrated at the accusations as well, but we do not mean any harm.

[ Argenti enhances his pleas by sparkles, rose petals, and just looking all around unsuspicious (19) ]

[moodwrecker]

How were we supposed to know? We're new here. Shouldn't you be catching the actual criminal?

[This is probably not very persuasive because she rolled a 3]

[pointzeropercent]

[he rolls a 16, time to play it up. Sou's demeanor instantly changes, to looking like a scared, weak person.]

W-we're travelers from the north, here to celebrate the festival, and our clothes were too heavy for the heat, so we traded for new ones. Please, we mean no harm!

[What festival? He doesn't know. But the one constant throughout humanity is celebrations, so he figures one has to either have just happened or will be happening soon.]

this is the real tag i rolled a 4

[strawsandals]

[bloodweapon]

Then shouldn't you be giving chase to him rather than accusing us of a crime you've no proof we've committed?

[This is only an 11 so like. He tried. Diplomacy is not Fray's strong suit.]

[ledbythewind]

My sincerest apologies.

[It's the tone of a man who is quite used to having to defuse tense situations. (20)]

Had we any idea that man was a wanted criminal, we would never even have spoken to him. We thought he was little more than an honest trader, and my companions were in desperate need of clothing more suited to these climes.

[townmusician]

[UHHHHHHHHHHH...]

You can't accuse of anything just because we look out of place! We're the victims, here!

[but he rolled a six, so, like, what good is that gonna do for him]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Sunrise sort of just. Freezes in place. Don't put her on the spot like this she can't lie worth crap (3).]

[privatedomicile]

Hey, you can't even buy clothes in peace here?! Come on, let's cool it!

[He's going to cast Tarunda to lower the attack of the Thoth. You know, just in case the offer to "cool it" isn't accepted.]