Episode 0. The first gathering
Episode 0, Scene 1
Interior of an office somewhere in duskvol. Its cramped and muggy, the morning sea fog still lingers in the corners of the room and a dim light hangs from the celling. We meet here our scoundrels.
Ether.
A commanding a militant looking type, a well cared for and former uniform still worn, her darker copper skin reflects far off heritage. The smell of waxed shoes hangs around her person. She is deeply in turn with the ghost field, almost feeling it in her fingers at every waking moment, the waking world shows its hardships and she quite enjoys the substances that drive one to sleep.
Real name: Asmina Norwood.
Newsie.
Wearing a long black trench coat and a cap, his presence is unassuming yet perfect for his reporting job. He is a journalist by trade, a native to Duskvol who works for the ink rakes, sometimes even working himself too hard. His ability to report stories carries a reputation, the truth can be told in many ways,
Real name: Matho Comber
Norn.
Black wispy cloth surround and folds around her body, a veiled around her face obscuring all features and detail. Her skin underneath bearing the marks of demonic contracts made with otherworldly powers. An academic, she holds a job at the Charterhall university. She devotes herself to deals and the wander of spirits, her faith and involvement with the path of echoes both excites and binds her.
Real name: Asterix Velles
Episode 0, Scene 2
Papers and contracts sit on top of the table, people shuffle in and out of the small meeting space. Tossed coins move from hand to hand until all assembled together in a pile. The faces of these scoundrels peer around, they all sacrificed a good deal of coin to get here. This space, an unassuming office at the end of a mostly forgotten building, this yet still in the territory of the fog hounds. We further meet our scoundrels.
Knock.
Brooding and ragged with loose fitting and disheveled cloths, having been raised and born into the criminal world she has traded ways with most gangs here. Able to protect and help those who she is helping on a job. Always looking to pick up a few games of cards, money is seldom saved around her
Real name: Myer Sevoy
Powder.
A tall and slender man with a thin coat, smelling of chemicals at all times, his dark skin patchy and scarred by burns. A master of explosives, he deals in quiet destruction. He works long hours at one of the many chemical factories. Evening are spent in usage of voluntary fumes, getting lost in the world of his own mind.
Real name: Enthol Corsan
Shell.
Both lanky and with a notable potbelly, he carries his fat from drinking. Black tailcoat poorly fitting his sides, with an easy hood to draw up and slink away. Good with guns, he runs occasional jobs for the grey cloaks. Drunken brawlers are where he feels most alive.
Real name: Cadmon Jenkins
Episode 0, scene 3
Meeting on the banks of ship wreck lane in sixtowers, Amancio, a friendly dealer known to both our new gang of scoundrels and to the fog hounds. A well-meaning peace is brokered between the two factions, the fog hounds will permit this new up and coming force to exist within their territory, and maybe even help sometimes, however this is at the cost of lining the pockets of their leader Margette Vale with all of their assembled funds. An untrusty peace exists, for now.
Episode 1. The Swords
Episode 1, Scene 1
A meeting room, three thugs stand behind a well dressed man, his suit a calm neutral grey despite to mess of the coal factory below. Baszo Bas sits in front of three of our scoundrels. Norn, Ether, and Newsie. The space is warm and the char of coal dust fills the lungs, each breath a small struggle.
Baszo
“so newsie, I see you came back after you wrote up that scathing piece on me? Feeling like you may want to make things right and change how the stories are written?” he leans forward looking over the three, a quizzical look in his eye.
Newsie
“the truth must be told, I just report how it happen” a quip in his tongue, truth and a good story often do not align with perfect and his job is make the best story.
Ether
“so, what’s our way out of this, what’s the job that needs to done to smooth over this little bump in reputation” asking with a determination to get answers, she is not here for idle chatter.
Baszo
“The redsashes have been causing problems for us, the peace deal we signed a good bit back under Roric, but now that he isn’t around and Lyssa is in the picture they are coming in to try and take our turf” he pauses, considering the reaction on our scoundrels faces, continuing he says “Taking out their treasury is the simplest way to get the heat off our back, take the money, take the power. Our men are tied up defending our turf and keeping other attacks out, we need you to take this job”
Norn
“well then, care to perhaps make a deal out of it, make sure we both get outsides of the deal?” she extends a hand out from under the layers of silk, reaching forward to grasp his.
Bazso
“go in, take their war treasury and you will get to keep a third of the coin” he shakes her outstretched hand, a tingle races up his arm as small bolts jolt around the scene. The thugs standing guard get apprehensive, ready to strike at any moment. “what sort of deal was that?” the small scar like marking now showing on his upper arm, a reminder of a deal sealed.
Norn
“oh, just a deal, a reminder and a bind. We must follow with our part and so too must you” she almost sings the words, many such times has she made contracts and bargains in the same way.
The scoundrels leave the coal house, outfits lightly dusted and a smell stuck for the night. Walking back to base, but taking different routes to not be tracked. Meeting back they make their plan of attack.
Episode 1, Scene 2
Newsie and Ether go out to case the joint, looking for ways into the lair of the redsashes. A sword academy on the shoes of the silk river in the Limmerfeild area. The Snooping around in the evening light both walk with trepidation.
Ether
Opening up her ghostly senses to find and see lost spirits, she sees that lingering energy from the nearby tangletown exists, drowned and ancient sailors caught in that unfortunate wreck. Spirits to be worked with.
Newsie
He looks around, blending into the normal passing traffic. He spots a small boat dock and an intake cargo dock, seeing it locked yet a good opportunity as a way to get into the base.
Powder
He crafts up a small explosive, a grenade of sorts, tinkering around and making a crude mechanism out of little more than trash and stollen supplies from the chemical factory.
Episode 1, Scene 3
Running away from four armed swordsman of the redsashes, the three scoundrels of Norn, Ether, and Newsie are in a tough situation. An attempt to break the lock of the cargo dock lead to them being ran out.
Newsie. Flashback
The night before as they scouted out and cased the joint Newsie decided to spend some time looking around the alleyways, trying to find ways to escape, should the possible need arise.
Scene
Running down an alleyway, yet one not fully explored. Barrels and crates line the edges and at the end a building with a crumbled wall stands firm. Either whips out her pistol and shoots back at the redsashes. Bang! A bullet hits one square in the shoulder and he gets to his knees to tend his wound.
Newsie
He runs forward and ducks down behind a large barrel, waiting for the redsashes to pass him forward so he may trip them. He pushes the barrel but at the wrong moment, crashing but not hitting any, instead one member turns around and his cover is ruined, now he faces a trained swords man.
Norn and Ether
They run forward into the building, blending into the shadows in the space and waiting for a few moment.
Newsie
Outside the redsash stars him down, a skirmish of a fight breaks out, the cunning actions of the sword dancer strike out and pierce his coat, plunging into his stomach. Newsie tries to dodge out of the way, the blade getting it an at angle and the wound being less dangerous than it could have been.
Norn. Flashback
A student in her classroom, a dealing afterhours. Lisani, a student of a powerful iruvian house who sent their child away to study at Charterhall university.
Lisani
“Please, I need to pass this class, if I don’t I wont make it out there, my future is at stake here, please anything” she pleads with Professor Velles here, willing to do what it takes, even if it may push the bounds of academic honesty. “you know we have coin, I am sure I can find some extra for you, give you something extra to chew on, a good show, a nice meal, something for your efforts surly”
Norn
“you think the university does not pay me well? no Lisani, I will need something more from you, here it seems that I am in control of your future, and so in exchange I want to be able to have some of that control back once I give it to you.” She leans on her desk, wishing to strike a contract but knowing it would be a detriment to her academic reputation. A simple promise will have to do for now. “A favor then, lets call it. in your future I see we will meet again and when the time arrives I want you to remember this”
Episode 1, scene 4
The inside of the ruins, the two remaining redsashes run into the dark space. At once Ether puts her pistol to the back of the head of one. The other moves forward.
Norn
“lisani” she calls out, a ghostly voice, a voice of recognition and remembrance. A look of strange recognition in Lisani’s eyes, she known this voice, and hearing it from a shadowy voice is unnerving. “you best leave us alone here, walk away and go back. We will go on our way and not return back this way tonight. No one has to get hurt”
Lisani
She looks over at the other redsash, the two standing there, a small nod between the two. She calls out “hey Jert, were out of here” the two stow their blades and walk away in trepidation, Jert follows suit and the forth redsash in turn.
Newsie
His wounds are painful, but he will manage. This mission could still be savaged, but he will need a patch up later.
Ether. Flashback
During her time of casing the area she called out to the drowned ghosts, the spirits of the water and those in the area. A spirit of a long dead ghost came to the call
Ghost
“what business do you seek living one” it calls out in a whispered and ancient breath, the sound like wind and not heard well.
Ether
“show me a path, show me the tunnels and ways” she commands, beckoning the spirit to her will and power. The spirit moves to a tunnel, an old dried out sewer that leads into the redsashes base.
Episode 1, Scene 5
The scoundrels stand in front of the sewer drain, a small and dark tunnel in front of them. a way in, but a hard and uncomfortable way in. Crawling down for many minutes until they emerge into a basement room, papers strewn across the table, a few scattered chairs. A bucket in the corner half filled with water coming from a leak in the ceiling.
Scoundrels
Climbing out of the sewer grate trap, dusting them sleeves off and taking some of the old slime and refuse from their cloths a quick glance around the room is all that occurs before Mylera Klev, leader of the redsashes comes down.
Mylera
“And who do you think you are, coming into here” she yells with surprise and fear, how could people slip past her defenses. Footsteps already heard as other redsashes are coming down the stairs
Newsie
A grenade is pulled out from his back pocket, pin pulled and thrown up at the stair well. a loud flash and yet a quiet explosion, the stairs half wrecked and those people on their way down stopped.
Norn
“it seems we followed a wrong path, guided by unhelpful spirits and have ended up hear” she thinks on her feet, seeing the dire situation that is present. “I think we can all forget this misunderstanding and we can be on our way”
Mylera
“you hand me that fancy purse of yours and I let you out here clean, never to set foot in our territory again” Norn throws over the purse, still residue of the sewer moss covering it. “this way, and don’t try anything, we can maim beyond your imagination”.
Scoundrels
Moving in pity up the stairs they are looked at by the redsashes inside the base, a few members confused by the ruckus. Caused
Mylera
“its all fine, just a small disagreement and a few lost rats that we are throwing outside” she moves with grace and charm, almost proud to have them see the inside of this space, knowing that she holds all the power.
Newsie
His inquisitive brain, still on the task of stealing the treasure looks around for its location. He spots a small hidden wall vault behind a door, inside the shine of coin. Noting this in his brain he continues on. The small details make the best stories.
Scoundrels
Defeated and backing out, this mission a partial success. Information was gained but the original goal left, Norn still holds her deal, if either party fails it great harm will come about. It seems other members of our shadows gang will be needed to wrap this up.
Episode 2. The in-betweens
Episode 2, scene 1
Leaving from the redsashes base our group of scoundrels parts their separate ways, perhaps the other members in this new group of shadows will come in to fill and finish the job, but for now they need to get some other things done.
Newsie
Getting patched up from his injury, he does to Melvir the Physicker, a contact that Shell knows to be reliable enough. The slash will take some time to heal, and another check up but for now he can function.
Norn
Delving into the hall of Echo’s, a place of bottled spirits and ghosts, a place of long halls and information. She spends many long hours in these halls, hearing stories from the captured spirits. Of their deaths, of pain, and in a way she is inspired. Yet to also she learns thing, she is consumed by the stories and tales told, she overhears some stories not meant for her ears, long dealing from the Cyphers, a guild meant to keep things secret. A mail most black if used incorrectly.
Ether
A huddle in an ally way, off to the side of the bluecoat compound. Ether cares to explain the “correct” story to the bluecoats of what happened at the redsash base, how it was merely a simple misunderstanding and that nothing needs to be done about it.
Newsie
Over in Charhollow he works to report, the usual arrangements of interviews and stories, gathering of facts and tales. Its nice at times, when you work for someone else and you tell a story about others it easy to forget yourself, easy to forget the stress of life. He recovers well, able to go back on mission when the need calls.
Ether
She seeks to make contact in the docks, a old shipmaster named Davriel Mentis who goes by Hone, she knows his favor and fancy and finds a way to procure a bottle of fine wine from the dagger isles, a rare and illegal import in Duskvol. Sitting and exchanging stories over the dark red condense of the bottle in a long evening. No deal is struck nor bargain made, but an avenue for future trade is most possible.
Episode 2, Scene 2
Norn
Going into night market with intent, she is looking for a carriage, a way to build up the assets of their formed together gang, and as somewhat of a personal project. Walking up to a man sitting at a corner, selling some of the strange mushroom slop that is considered food. Out of a carriage like cart he is selling this, she stops him and approaches. Gliding forward, as if without step she goes to him saying “So, where would one go about getting a carriage like this one you have?”
Man
“oh this old thing? I got it from the Jenkins workshop, Mr. Jenkins Iscariot , it’s a few blocks down Aldura street, nice warehouse he has got”. Norn gives a nod in acknowledgment and moves down to the street, a silent shadow in the backdrop of the dusk light.
Norn
Approaching the warehouse she sees a main door, an old bronze knocker long rusted but still functional, she knocks three times on the door. A slat open up at eye level and a man peers out, she asks “Are you Mr. Jenkins?
Assistant
“Nah, but I am his assistant, what can I help you with miss?” a cold business like tone in his voice, this temporary interruption delaying more important work of his.
Norn
“I would like to come inside, and take a look around at the carriages on offer, see if there is something I would like to purchase” the door unlatches and she is let in to the workshop. A scene of two parts, one side of the room is a messy workshop, sawdust and scraps cover the floor, an older man is sanding out the edges of a wheel. The man, whose hands and arms are covered in small scars, prices paid from the trade of playing fast and loose with tools. The second area is well kept, clean yet packed floor of a variety of carriages. A curtain separates the two spaces and is currently not drawn up to divide.
Norn
Looking around the show floor, sounds of sanding and nailing in the back, she peeks at the many options to her disposal. All varieties of fine craft but one speaks out to her tastes. An ebony and smaller black four wheels, its sleep and private, unassuming and able to blend in. its plain but it can be made into something more with her skills. She approaches Jenkins. “I would like to purchase the ebony carriage in the back corner”
Jenkins
“Well sure, what have you got?” Norn looks around, her purse with a few pieces of silver scales jingling around and she has enough for a piece of the payment. He looks at the coins, happy enough as a downpayment but he likes a guarantee. “sure this is a good start but I need an assurance, all part of keeping us accountable. A drop of blood”
Norn
“Blood you say? How so and why?” Jenkins pulls out a small vial, the size of a thumb, he explains “A prick of the finger and just a drop, we keep this until the payment is up and if you care to miss a payment then first we send a reminder, then we send people to find other means of collection” a tight smile across his face, he delights in this making of deals. Norn responds “she, but let us shake on it” extending her hand the ghostly lightning like energy from her pacts flair up.
Jenkins
he is surprised but not as much as others he comments. “looks like we both have means of keeping each other accountable”. Norn pricks her finger, a thin drop of blood falling into the vial. Jenkins closes it with a cork, then lighting a candle nearby seals the top with a red wax, and on top carves into the wax her name, Asterix.
Norn
Now with a carriage acquired she goes to the shop next door, which conveniently sells horses. A study and tall black Clydesdale is gotten. While at the night market she also gets some thicker black curtains to keep the carriage privet.
Episode 3. The Bashing Raid
Episode 3, Scene 1
The next night after the first failed infiltration on the base of the redsashes, the crew gathers in their small office lair. The six look around and talk to one another, who will go back and finish what was started. The logical choice is picked, those three that didn’t go on the first mission ought to go on this one, faces won’t be recognized and it’s a different set of skills, a more destructive and loud set. Powder, Knock, and Shell prepare.
Scoundrels
Breaking down the front of the door to redsashes compound, a loud breaking of wood and metal as the three enter with great force. The interior of the base was as described, a set of combat rings for performing sword fights and drills, a second story balcony lies empty and off to the side a set of hallways for offices and the like.
Knock
Making the first move she rushes in to one of the four swordmen, she rushes and chokes him out. Before his breath is fully taken he manages to cut her arm, she clenches her teeth at the pain, a deep cut but not enough to keep her down, she can keep at it for now. As the man falls to the floor she says “This is going to be a fun night”
Powder
Running forward and drawing a blade of his own he matches one of the swordmen in a fight, yet the both are equally skills and it’s a stale mate. Neither speaking or saying anything other than grunts of effort.
Shell
Pulling out a set of small throwing knives he whips them out, points towards the one in the back and throwing. Thuds at they catch the swordman clothing and he is pinned to the wall, yet in the need to pin exact spots they fly past and catch Powder on his arm, a small cut but enough to throw him off balance.
Powder
Caught in the fight he tries to take out some of his standstill powder, a dangerous substance that can cause paralysis if exposed to the eyes, throwing out what he hoped to be a thin yellow powder instead is a wet clumpy substance, it seems a splash from earlier tonight ended these plans.
Swordman
Using the fumble for Powder and his miscalculation he lunges forward, swinging and hitting his arm with a deep wound. Powder pushes through the pain but still is harmed.
Shell
He moves forward to the third swordman, pulling up his sleeves and smiling, as the swordman is about to swing forward he clobbers the man with force. Two teeth come flying out from his jar and the force of the brutish punch stops the swordman in his tracks.
Knock
Seeing that Powder is caught in a predicament she pulls out a pair of handcuffs, a burrowed item from her bluecoat friends. She exclaims “think fast” and she body slams the forth swordsman and cuffs him.
Scoundrels
The four swordsman are all out of it, one unconscious and the other three are tied up and left. They move on to the hallway and look for the supposed safe that was mentioned.
Episode 3, scene 2
Moving down the hall way, looking in a few offices but finding nothing else of great note they move and find the safe. A thick metal door stands in front of them, a large handle on its outer face. The handle able to turn but appearing as if some complicated lock secures it.
Powder
Pulling out a vial of deep acid he slowly pours it on the hinges, not damaging the door but the opening mechanism itself.
Spirit
“why do you seek my lair” a ghastly spirit appears at the door, a humanoid looking like an old ragged man. With no hesitation Shell pulls out her pistol, loads an ectoplasmic round and shoots the spirit square in the face, a loud piercing scream is heard but no other phantasmal issues are had.
Scoundrels
Looking at the vault they see their treasure, the war fund of the redsashes. A pile of a few bars of dense slider, pieces of paper for contracts and bills of promissory notice. Even a strange vessel of some sort. Not taking long to examine the pieces their pockets and arms are loaded as they leave the lair and head outside.
Shell. Flashback
Knowing that they would need a way to transport all the valuables out Shell talked to Norn about her recent purchase of a carriage. Our group of scoundrels used the carriage on their way over, making sure to keep out of sight of any bluecoat of other gangs, back streets and alleyways. Leaving the vehicle right outside for a quick getaway.
Episode 3, Scene 3
Driving away with great speed the three scoundrels consider themselves fortunate at a job well done, sure a few cuts and burses but nothing that a Physicker cant patch up.
Powder
Feeling that he did not get enough sticker power, and perhaps against his greater judgment he uses some fire oil to light the exterior on fire. Creating what was known in the days before the cataclysm as a sunset. Laughing well at the burning of the flames, saying “there is not sunset to ride off into, so we make our own!”
Scoundrels
The three ride off well into the night, heading over to their lair to drop off the loot to the other members.
Episode 3, Scene 4
The familiar coal floor factory, workers who are milling and sifting that dark rock of the ground. Baszo Bas is milling about as our three other members come in.
Baszo
“ah newsie, here again to maybe set our story straight? I heard recently that the redsashes base got caught in flame, very unfortunate” he looks happy, he knows that a job was done and all is needed is collecting the final part. “why don’t we go up to my office to settle this, no need to get dust on our new acquisition”
Baszo
“well, now that we are here, lets see what things you brought back from their vault” emptying their pockets, sashes and purses the scoundrels lay out their haul, a large collection of valuables worth an impressive twelve coin. He looks over the many parts seeing and examining them all. Eventually he lays them out in a loose circle and divide the circle into three parts. “here, I did the dividing, now you get to choose your section of the circle”.
Scoundrels
A few brief words and comments are made before one section is chosen. This is section that contains two large silver bars, one pull pouch of bronze scales and the mysterious vessel.
Norn
“this vessel may have been responsible for that spirit we ran into, I wonder what will happen to it now” the small vessel is shaped like a metal sphere, small bits of green glass and bonze work cover the surface. “The deal is finishes, fair is fair” she says quietly, the lightning cracks in a small way and the scars on Baszo’s and on Norn’s arm vanish, a deal was fulfilled, no punishment for its breaking.
Scoundrels
Satisfied at their success the coin is stored in one of the office drawers, not a secure vault for now but it works for the time being. what mission are in store for our shadows next? Who knows how the tides of the ink black sea will sway.
Episode 4. The Complication of Life
Episode 4, Scene 1
After a more successful mission of taking down and inflicting damage on the redsashes our shadowy scoundrels gather around and start off their plans. A rumor has been spread around town, caught by the foghounds and the inkrakes, but potentially others as well. The dimmer sisters accuse someone in their group of making a deal with a member of the spirit wardens. Around the table they want to keep this rumor low, make sure the story stays contained. Newsie has already kept the story from being published but the shadows all agree that someone should go and talk to the dimmer sisters, see if a little coin can’t put their worry down.
Norn
She approaches the house of the dimmer sisters, an old and foreboding mansion, she walks to the old door, taking the bronze knockers and rapping it thrice. A tense moment waits before a women opens the door. “I’d like to set straight some of the current misconceptions between us” she says to the figure.
Iralan
“certainly, please come inside and I am sure you can work something out with one of our sisters.” Her voice is soft and pleasant, almost warm and welcoming but in a false and sickly way.
Norn
“I would like to speak to one of the sisters, clear up this rumor that surrounds our group” she asks out. Looking around at the interior of the home it seems quite crowded with furnature and objects, until she realizes that many of the items are merely spiritual in nature and not of physical presence.
Iralan
“well then, let me lead you to sister Jayleen” she walks down the hallway. Norn following closly and pensively.
Jayleen
Sitting inside of a sparce room, a few candles have been lit and at the entrance a line of salt covers the doorway. Inside she sits on the ground, an older women with peppered black hair and maroon dress. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and only the whites are seen. Her voice, directed at Norn but not turning to look says “What are you doing here?”.
Norn
“I mean you no ill will and I made no deals with the spirit wardens to my knowledge” she says with firm conviction, choosing not to enter into the room over the line of salt.
Jayleen
“Hard to know who you are talking with, better not say the wrong things” she says again, almost in a disembodied way. Norn responding with a simple “I hope not”
Norn
She pulls out a gold ingot, one of the pieces from the redsash war treasury. “Perhaps a little means would help convey my apology for any unfortunate mistakes made?”
Jayleen
“leave it with Iralan, and this will be taken care of” she says, seeming as if a final statement.
Norn
Walking back down the hallway, at the end meeting Iralan again. She hands off the small gold bar saying “I was told to give this to you”.
Iralan
“thank you, if you are ever wanting of service or have any items of our interest you are always open to ask” she states before quickly following with “good day to you”. Norn leaving the mansion and the door closing behind her.
Episode 4, Scene 2
Powder and Knock
Both patched up enough to make their way to the Physicker Melvir they hobble into her shop.
Melvir
“I see more patients come my way” he says, preparing to examine them both and starting with the healing process. A good number of hours of work, bandages and splints all manor of chemicals and ointments. “if I has some more bandages I could perhaps do more but this is what I can do for now” he says, a wink on his eye. Knock and Powder look at each other, prepared for this and they pull out a purse full of silver scales.
Melvir
“I guess I can look in the back and find something else for now” he continues to heal and help, little conversation is made. At the end neither is fully healed from their injuries but stabilized enough to continue and to come back later if needed.
Episode 4, Scene 3
Powder
Entering into a den, the name of which he does not know but the path he takes on the street engrained in his mind. A back ally establishment, a front for the Iruvian drug trade. Entering and navigating past the bodies he finds a solid pace of floor. Going over to the counter he get that precious blue rock, the anticipation of it already a mild high in itself.
Powder
Finley dicing up the rock, crushing it with his nails and a knife into a dusty powder “All in!” and he sniffs it up his nostril. At once the fog of a high over takes his, vision blurred as his pupils expand. You can’t worry about the real world if you can barely feel it.
Episode 4, Scene 4
Shell
In the crows foot is his establishment of choice, the leaky bucket is an ale house. “oy Marvin, its been a tough time, I need a good amount just to get me started, five shots!”
Marvin
“fine enough Shell but be easy here tonight” he pours out a yellow liquid from an unlabeled bottle into small glasses. Shell knocking them back and only just getting started.
Shell
The night continues, drinking switched to ale to try and keep the light buzz but it does little and he still feels the stress of life, he need more. Soon its mixing a shot into the beers, just to get a little less feeling.
Marvin
“I think that plenty enough tonight Shell, sit in the corner and let it wear off a bit” Shell goes to a corner table but continues to order, getting other patron to get drinks on his behalf. Soon enough is on the floor, a puddle of his own urine and spittle, labored and slow breaths just clinging to life.
Marvin
“your done here Shell, I told you to keep it easy but you couldn’t hold yourself back” dragged outside and propped up against a wall and left to his own devices. Shell survives, but is now longer welcome at the leaky bucket.
Shell
Later that evening, once the drunk has mostly worn off Shell goes to one of the many abandoned warehouses and practices her shooting. Just barrels and cans, an anger about him but good to keep practiced.
Citizen
“hey what is you doing in here” a man asks, looking at Shell in the warehouse. “your causing some noise is what your doing”
Shell
“Well I aint hurting no one now am I?” he responds. Looking around to see if any other forms of trouble will occur
Citizen
“No, just loud is all, not me or my problem but the misses ya know?” he says with a casual nature
Shell
“won’t be a problem next time” as he gives him a nod and walks off out from the warehouse and into the night.
Episode 4, scene 5
Knock
She makes her the crow’s foot, at Sprogs, a dice den of sorts. Thinking to herself, gamboling is fine cause it’s got no risk, you can’t even get hurt. She plays for a night, cards, dice and the like loose money but enjoying herself. Clearing the stress of the mission, they succeeded might as well have some fun from it.
Episode 5. The Grinders
Episode 5, Scene 1
Ether & Bluecoat
Meeting in an alleyway far from any precinct the two gather, this bluecoat has a potential mission for Ether.
Bluecoat
“I heard that the grinders have been causing a bit much disruption for us, and that conveniently we won’t be looking around the docks tomorrow during the misting hour” he looks at Ether, suspicion in his eye but known enough that all he do is give a yell and he would have backup.
Ether
“that could be good, but what is in it for us?” she asks. A mission must have a reward to be worth it.
Bluecoat
“well we on the force don’t know what all they have inside that place, but if you were to find some explosives or demolition tools I am sure you could use those of your own need, and cause we won’t be around I am sure we can keep it a little more quiet for you” he suggests
Ether
“well, I think that is a deal that we could find a way to workout. Make sure the grinders are kept quiet and we get anything we find. Sounds good” the two shake hands. An example of how at times the supposed law can work in their own favor.
Episode 5, Scene 2
Scoundrels
Looking to prepare for their mission, and to select who goes they meet back at the base. A rule for these shadows, always three on missions, any more and it causes to much noise, any less and its to risky. The three that are picked are Powder, Knock, and Norn. Shell is to loud for this one, and while Powder is loud he also knows his demolition and he can make them quiet. Ether got the mission but needs to stay back as to keep herself removed from the crime. Newsie stays back, he reports on these stories but doesn’t always need to make them happen.
Norn
She looks into the university to see if she can find any blueprints or layout of the base for the grinders, its an old seaside medium boat shed. Sadly, she finds nothing in her search.
Scoundrels
Using the carriage to drive close to the warehouse, just as the hour of mist is setting upon them. they park it a number of blocks away and move in towards the boat house
Episode 5, Scene 3
Scoundrels
Sitting behind some crates as they lay in wait, having opening one of the doors with ease. Looking around they see the main work floor and two men who are working on a small boat, above the 2nd floor offices clear and most likely where the demolitions equipment is stored.
Grinders
“all we need to do is finish straightening this out, do a last sweep, lock up and we can be out of here” one says. “yeah, should be fine enough, just a small bend”. The two work away in mostly silence, a slight tapping of a hammer to set the keel back into correct position.
Powder
“they just need to fix something and then they will head out, lets hide here and hunker down” he whispers into Knock’s ear. The three scoundrels give each other a nod, trying to press themselves back against the crates. To hide
Grinders
“well should be fixed I say” “yeah I say so, alright lets do our checks and head out, I hope my Lissa and Jenny didn’t miss me to much” “I get that, we all got people out side of this we be wanting to get back to”. The two converse lightly while looking around the area, small lamps to fill in the shadows left by the large overhead electro plasmic light.
Grinder
“I think there is something off about these crates” he draws his gun, clicking and priming it just in case.
Powder
Reacting to the voice he looks at the others, mimicking a blow gun action and getting their nods. He pulls out his blow gun and loads in a dart with standstill poison, one of the darts just slightly pricks his finger but he continues on “Pff!” as a puff of air sends the dart forward and into the neck one of the grinders
Grinder
“hey I think we ha-” as he falls to the floor, dart out the side of his neck. The other Grinder pulls out and cocks his gun.
Grinder
“Come here little mouse!” he yells to the crates. Peering around to see what or who took down his team mate.
Flashback. Norn
Knowing that she may have to take down a few people she packed a double vial of trance powder.
Norn
Looking at the two they give her a nod. She crawls out, acting strange and drunk “Hsssaaanaa” as she spits and yells, strange sounds made up to sound insane. Pulling out her large trance powder vial, and palming it. she moves toward the man containing to act strange.
Grinder
“hey come on now, back away” he says with desperation, this odd creature in front of him making him scared.
Norn
Getting close she throws the large vial, it breaks onto his face some glass getting into his eye yet the double dose knocks him out cold onto the ground.
Scoundrels
Gathering themselves for a moment, making sure no one else heard them they take a breath and head for the 2nd floor office.
Episode 5, Scene 4
Knock
Making her way up the rickety stairs to the 2nd floor office first she tests the door handle, its locked but that is a small obstacle. She punches in the top glass of the door, fiddles around and turns the handle opening up the office.
Scoundrels
Looking around the office it’s a cluttered mess, tools and scraps lay around the area. scavenging through it they find items for demolitions equipment, some stores of acid, a good sized bag of explosive powder, various tools such as crowbars, sledgehammers, driving spikes and more. Taking their share of things to carry out. Norn takes the tools, Knock takes the powder and Powder takes the acid, his hands loosening their steadiness from the jab of standstill.
Powder
He attempts to take some tools and wreck up the boat, but one good loud hit and Norn kindly reminds him that they need to be quiet here in this so he stops, his unsure hands not up to the task.
Norn
She tries her own hand at smashing up the parts of the boat, but is not able to muster any huge damage.
Knock
She does liberal sprinkling with the explosive powder on the engines, her idea is that when they start the engines it will cause the sparks to go into the wrong place and crack the whole block open. She does this quiet well, placing powder and doing enough damage in the process as well.
Powder
With no more destruction to do he goes back up to the office to look around, and discovers a small lock box, leaving the time to crack it open for later he just takes the whole drawer that it is attached to.
Scoundrels
Looking around satisfied at their work they leave the building, the two grinders men on the floor still out of it. leavening into the deep mist of the hour they ride off into the night and back to their base, unseen, unheard.
Episode 5, Scene 5
Back at base they crack open the lock box, finding two more small bars of metal, worth perhaps two coin. They also shift off the demolitions equipment to Amancio their broker and he gives them a generous two coin as well. A mission of four coin, a fair success.
Bluecoats
Back at the precinct it seems that their problem with the noisy grinders has stopped, word gets around that this new gang of Shadows isn’t half bad, and may even be a rare exception in the underworld.
Episode 6. The consequence of war
Episode 6, Scene 1
The outbreak of War. It seems the redsashes have not been content in their situation. The smell of smoke on the air of burned down buildings, the threat of redsash swordsmen attacking their base requires one person to be stationed at all times, taking away valuable time from the lives of our scoundrels. What caused this tension to rise? Perhaps they pissed off a contact without knowing, perhaps they helped someone they shouldn’t have, perhaps yet they are so untrustworthy that it would be better to strike them down before someone else gets hurt. Our scoundrels gather in their base, the feeling of dread and unsafety across all of their faces. The situation must be changed.
Newsie
“this war, this situation, it isn’t anything personal” he remarks, starting to justify a way out of their predicament.
Norn
“Perhaps we need to put some coin in their pockets, help make amends” she says, their wealth of coins, bars, strange artifacts and other pieces of value placed out on the table.
Ether
“We need to talk to them, make sure we get this situation sorted out of else we will be in some serious trouble soon” she says, noting the injuries that the crew has already suffered.
Knock
“Well I don’t think I will be much help in the negotiations, plus we need people to stay back here and keep the base secure” she says
Shell
“I aint one much for talking either, violence got us into this but unless we can wipe everyone out violence isn’t going to get us out of this”. he says “plus, I seem to have misplaced my special pistol so I won’t be much help even if it goes wrong” he comments as well, looking dismayed at the lack of his weapon
Powder
“I guess we won’t try and just blow them to high smitheries as well then aye?” he chimes in.
Scoundrels
Nodding to each other around their central table, the plan is made and things are prepared.
Episode 6, Scene 2
Scoundrels
Norn, Ether, and Newsie are all outside of the redsashes training compound, coming with full purses and willing hearts to strike a deal. Caught off guard and captured they are brought in swiftly, knifes to necks and held hostage, gear taken and stripped from them placed in front of Mylera Klev, the leader of the Redsashes, and a women they all have meet before.
Mylera
“So I see you found yourselves in another accident I see?” she looks at them with contempt, her coffers drained and men wounded is a hard thing to forgive. “Don’t think I will let you go away so easily this time” she continues, pacing back and forth.
Newsie
“We are here to negotiate, not to cause additional trouble” he says, kneeling on the cold stone floor alongside his compatriots. “we want to put this to rest, to keep both of our sides out of harm”
Mylera
“And so that’s it? let us settle the matter and call it even without anything? As if one empty promise would be worth another?” she scoffs “no, no, I want something, something that will actually start to mend the harm you have caused us, we will take you pittance of money and your gear but that only covers part of the cost.” She muses, pausing for a second “I want something else, something a little more abstract”
Newsie
“well what problems do you have? We have a variety of skills at our disposal and we can do what needs to be done” he says in an assuring voice.
Ether
“we find jobs and we take them” Ether adds, “we are not loyal to any one side or group.” She comments, looking down and away towards the ground.
Mylera
“well I think that may be hard to imagine when I know that it was Baszo who sent you here the first time to come and attack us” she says, a pain in her voice, as it is was personal.
Newsie
“well we did it to get paid, and to amend a little situation that was caused, but we are not in his good graces or his bad. We did his dirty work at the time, we don’t have any loyalty” he says, genuine in his statement
Mylera
“You put me in a tight spot with this situation, the redsashes are weaker because of this.” she starts “You say you have no loyalty to him.” Pausing, as if to deliver a decisive thought. “I say, you put the lampblacks in a tight situation, go to Baszo and take him out” the final words said with conviction and malice. She continues letting the words rest “well and once the bell goes off them its trouble but that’s your dirty work to deal with”. She continues “Kill Baszo and we are back to neutral, no ill will and the resentment is wiped out”. An ultimatum, one that in their current position is hard to deny.
Newsie
“its often easy to fabricate a story, perhaps we wanted this all to happen, perhaps the story can still be changed. This doesn’t have to end in a war and death” he says with a veiled threat in his voice.
Norn
“you took us in on the stop, assumed we had nothing? Surly you can’t take us for fools like that” she smiles, obscured by her veil but still seen.
Flashback. Ether
A dark alleyway long far from the precinct of six towers. She meets with a squad leader, using some serious leverage to try and work this situation. The bluecoats know that gang wars always bring trouble no matter the sides.
Bluecoat squad leader
“Wars like this, they just make our job harder and the city worse” he says the cold mist surrounds the two at this strategic and hidden hour
Ether
“we need you to be present around the base, make sure that if anything happens the law can be close by to keep the peace” cleaver emphasis placed on each word of her phrase, intent carefully given.
Bluecoat squad leader
“I think that can be done, make sure some of my men are in the right place, they won’t all know the plan but it should be fine” he says, swiveling his head, continuing to make sure that around them all remains well.
Ether
“that should be good, you make some good arrest, and we get away nice and easy” she says
Bluecoat squad leader
“well it won’t be that simple, we will need to take someone for your side, make it seem fair and all, they won’t go to prison of nothing but a night or two in jail for questioning.” He sighs “it’s a price of the game I am affair Ms. ether”
Ether
“A price we can accept for this needed protection” she agrees.
Episode 6, Scene 3
A loud scream is heard from upstairs “Bluecoats!” as the doors have a loud banging. It seems their enforcement came just in the nick of time.
Mylera
“You set us up! This was your plan all along!” she screams, panic and fury in her voice. Now that the law is involved whose to say what will happen.
Norn
“Well Mylera, your time has seem to be cut short, lets make us a deal before it gets you worse for wear” extending her hand out from under her shawl, a ghostly white palm before her.
Mylera
“Ahh fine, we take you coin and things as repayment and then we don’t touch each other, no means for me to hurt you all for a year, no means for you to hurt us for a year, either directly or indirectly” she says, shakily
Norn
“this is acceptable, and if we are to break this then both of us will suffer for it” they shake hands and a ghastly spark goes her both arms, a mark is left and made. For Norn it is one of hundred, for Mylera it is a strange new image of her being pressed into a corner.
Episode 6, Scene 4
Going up stairs the scoundrels and the redsashes make their way, five bluecoats with distinctive batons and cuffs are present.
Bluecoat
“right line up, nice and easy now!” he barks orders at the people.
Bluecoat squad leader
“right now we will be seazing gear for evidence, and taking some men along for questioning” he points at two of the redsahse “Right now I know who you lot are” as he points to the redsashes. “But who are you lot” as he points to our three scoundrels
Newsie
“we are just some shadows who got caught up in this, just trying to make a peaceful negotiation and get out of this” Newsie explains, using his best sympathetic voice.
Bluecoat Squad leader
“right well I best take you in as well, make sure I get both sides of the story” he says to Newsie, both each knowing this was already planned but pretending to act so the other four bluecoats think it is legitimate.
Scoundrels
Lets back out into the night Ether and Norn go back to base, War is over, but danger is still as present as always, stress is high and people have things to undertake. They all brought their gear that night and lost many weapons and items but each lost something special, something treasured.
Norn
“I lost a contract” she says to Ether, it was a written contract she had between her and an information broker named Salia.
Ether
“I lost a toolset, one of those from when I was sailing” She says to Norn. It was a nice nautical instrument set, once used to navigate the ink black waters of the sea underneath the stary and broken sky.
Newsie
A good knife was taken, not even words able to be given to its loss. It had a decorative hilt and a handle that fit into his palm better than any other, it had seen much blood in its service, yet now it is lost.
Episode 7. The things in the middle
Episode 7, Scene 1
Now that war is over, the dust has settled and our many scoundrels get to have enough spare time to go about their needs
Ether
Taking the stress of the encounter with the redsashes off she goes to get sleeping powder, finding her dealer Averic she buys some stringer stuff, needing for a deep sleep. She finds a small out of the way dock, somewhere long forgotten and sets up a hammock, one like on her ship. Snorting the sleeping powder, she drifts into a deep dream, the sounds of waves remaindering her of passage over the great sea.
Norn
The path of echoes, an area familiar to her yet easily engrossed. She spends her evening and deep into the night talking to a spirit. One friendly and bottled up to talk. A spirit named Vey, who happens to be the mother of Salia. Vey tells her of the many stories of her life until she drifts further and further into her terrible and abusive husband. In the end the husband killed her, and was captured before it was destroyed. This conversation leaves an almost spiritual marker on his soul.
Powder
He does back to his den, or at the least a den, unsure ever of the location of even where the location was last time. He finds a person that offers his drug of choice, and it takes effect, eyes wide and adrift away. But only for a time, perhaps it was not the same stuff as last time, perhaps it was a different place, or perhaps he needs something a little more for the same effect.
Knock
Back at the casino, taking off with a newfound game called Fish roulette, this where instead of a traditional ball and spinning wheel you take a small fish in a built up tank and take bets on where the fish will swim. Knock, seems to have a real knack for guessing where the little fish will go, winning big for the night and having a blast. He proceeds to tell the whole casino, and then some about his exploits. The law narrows in on Knock, no activity but enough done
Episode 7, Scene 2
A house in Charterhall, near the old quarter of the district. The smaller house of Norn, or as she is known here, Asterix Velles. Late into the night papers she is grading. A knock comes on her door.
Norn
Getting up from her seat she moves over the door, looking out via the peep hole and sees a strange man. He has messy black hair and too few clothes for this weather, a pair of ripped and damp pants and shirt, more the idea of clothes than their proper expression. His skin an unnatural and sickly pale, thin like he is malnourished. Disregarding this man she turns off the lamp and moves further into her home to try and work.
Norn
A few minutes later the knock occurs again, she takes the pistol off her bedside table and palms it, this the pistol of Shell that she took after he was deep into a drunken stupor. She moves close to the door again and looks out. The same man still present, he looks up at the peep hole.
Kobb
“I can smell your life” he says, cold and focused as he stares at the peep hole
Norn
She opens the door fast to see what this man wants. Pointing the gun in his direction. Before yet she is able to do so the unsightly presence of the man almost stares into her soul, it is beyond uncomfortable, it is unsettling to the deepest nature. Her mind is damaged in this process by the spirit that inhabits the body in front of her. She clenches her teeth and bears down “Leave!” she shouts, determination in her voice.
Kobb
As if forced to the body falls to the floor and only the ghostly etheric inner part of the ghostly spirit remains, a green translucent apparition in front of her.
Norn
As if trained and focused she fires the gun at once, nerve taking over and logic set aside, or perhaps fate in is her hands. A scream emanates from the gun and thick bullet roars out, the ghost is dispelled by this special bullet. Far off the spirit wardens grow in watch.
Norn
She slams the door, and falls to the ground, slumping and breathing hard. In this unsleeping city no one is safe.
Episode 7, Scene 3
Shell is put on duty to try and calm down their reputation a little with the law, make sure that the powers of the city keep away. While our shadows are good friends with the bluecoats, friendship only does so much.
Shell
She goes to one of the sites of a former precinct, burned down a few years ago and plotted to have been done the work the rouge bluecoats. These bluecoats stayed around, their bluecoats turning pale and gray and now those former bluecoats, disgraced and banned have assembled themselves into an illegal force, the graycloaks.
Shell
He crawls into an inner basement lair, Hutch a notable graycloak sitting across from her. “we need to get the law off us a little” he says.
Hutch
“ah don’t you know it, the heat of the city always gets to us” he says, a sly tone in his voice. “tell you what we can do some work here, we can plant some evidence in the wrong directions make some things move around” he starts “But you do have to do something for us, we need a good confession, something real easy to plant that we can get someone to easily sign” “A sappy confession, and give me a little spice” he leans back in his chair.
Shell
He goes to work, pen and ink and paper, not one you would think for this level of sappy letter but working under pressure does wonders to a man.
Hutch
He starts to read over the finished letter muttering to himself “oh how for I wish to see you one day more bla bla bla” as he continues “Your eyes are like a snipers rifle” “oh that’s good” he comments “I could put a bullet between your eyes, or your legs” he shouts “Ha!” that’s pretty good as he leans back into his chairs. “yeah, this, this will do well”.
Shell
He passes a good purse filled with scales towards hutch. “Make sure you can clear up as much as you can” he says to Hutch, confident that the best thing as always is good pure cash.
Episode 7, Scene 4
The precinct jail of the crows foot, a poorly ventilated and wet place, Newsie is thrown into a cell with another man and the other two men are taken away.
Newsie
“Well I expected some trouble but not this much” he says, nascently to himself and also to the other man in his cell
Grik
“Aint that the truth, I guess your not supposed to take cargo from a Levithan hunter ship, even. If its shiny” he remarks, a pleasant look on his face. The conditions may be bad, but it would be worse. “the names Grik” he says.
Newsie
“well that is part of the price for the game we play isn’t it” he comments. “and for me its Newsie” he adds on, the two of them shake hands
Grik
“yes sir, say what got you in here? You aren’t roughed up so did you come in without a fight” he asks
Newsie
“I got mixed up in a dealing, just trying to tell a good story is all” he says, again the fain of sympathy in his voice. The two continue a lite chat for a whole more into the night before Newsie is grabbed by the squad leader.
Episode 7, Scene 5
Brought into the private room the two sit down.
Bluecoat squad leader
“well I’ll say it easy, thanks to your friend Ether you won’t be spending more than tonight here in the precinct, ill hem and haw to the other but you don’t have any evidence of wrong doing”. He says, strict and to the point
Newsie
“well that’s good to hear, and I am sure that I can make a good story known about the valiant men of the bluecoats and their raid on the redsashes” he slyly says.
Bluecoat squad leader
“well I am glad we are to an understanding” he shakes his hand. Opening the door way, fainting anger in his voice he says “And for you skum spend a night in the cell!”
Episode 7, Scene 6
All our scoundrels are not dedicated to crime at all times, each of them has a function of work they do to support their lives and homes.
Newsie
One free from the precinct work is still not done, never is never will be. He goes off to continue with the ink rakes. Writing first a scathing story about the redsashes and their downward spiral, the public outing of it being a gang. He also manages to subtly insert his own shadows as wrongfully caught up in the actions. He writes another good story about potential spirits in coal ridge. Lastly we is invited with other press members to cover the story of the lord governor and a new resolution passes for the skovlanders.
Norn
Her job in academics and working at the school fill most of her normal hours of life. She gives a good lecture on a brief history of the economics of Duskvol as an introduction to her wider economics class. She also manages to make some not so subtle disses at the bluecoats. She also takes a group of law students to the archive to look over old president law.
Ether
She works at the docks to help cover the numbing task of ledgers and accounting, and helping to “correct” the books to be more favorable when needed. She notes that some rare flowers have come into port, and makes sure their value is in a lower tax bracket, these flowers also being inspected and smelling quite good, a bright orange to their petals. She also thinks absently about applying for military honors, perhaps crime would not be so needed if she was recognized for her bravery.
Powder
He pulls some long hours at the chemical factory, making and using cleaning supplies and weak acids for work. one night on his shift he volunteers to stay late, which he uses to meet up with a client and to pass some needed extra chemicals along.
Shell
He does a few odd jobs, hunting for a bar to work at because he got kicked out of his old spot. Doing his best he does get the job at the Holdfast Bar and Grill. During the day he works the counter and at night he works elsewhere on the docks. He sees the effects of alcohol on other, and this time its when he is sober, seeing another man lost in the stupor all he can do is feel a deep sympathy.
Knock
Working odd hours at the butcher shop, because she only works behind the counter its more when they get meat to come in that two long days occur. She has some rough moments with customers. She also manages to sneak some pieces out on her way, just some cuts that wont be missed. Giving them to her family and her younger siblings. Convincing them, and a little bit herself that she leads a normal life and has a stable job.
Episode 8 The brothel, The bargain, the bluff.
Episode 8, Scene 1
Norn
Near the ghost farms of Barrowcleft Norn and Salia meet. The zapping of the ghost barrier close to them as they look out at the little Dosk river.
Salia
“It seems that our physical manifestation of our deal has been removed” she says, a singing song like voice about her, speaking with tone and emphasis.
Norn
“it was unfortunately lost, but of deal remains written in other modes” a look hid behind her face. Norn would not be caught off guard to rely on something written only in mere ink.
Salia
“It seems the people I know asked me to do a job, but one that requires the help of others” she says, wistfully in a casual tone
Norn
“how can we be of help to you then?” she answers, keeping voices low to not draw attention
Salia
“the reconciled need someone kidnapped, a Mr Edlum Haig of the city council” she continues to explain “he lives in brightstone near the hallowed hill” she talks and gives many other details. The basic plan is that Mr Haig needs to be kidnapped, transported out of the city into the deadlands and the old city, near a place called “The knell” where the reconciled are based. At this place where a spirit well is located his body will be taken over by one of the reconciled and he will then be brought back.
Norn
She thinks for a second, considering the details, this is a very risky mission and the group is not in a very good shape. She wants to accept but not right away “I will need to ask the other people, see what we can do”
Salia
“the pay is very generous for this” she says, adding the remark for an incentive
Norn
“for this type of mission it would have to be, but good to known” She nods at Salia and starts to walk away.
Salia
“I heard you ran into my mother, you know that ill will has no effect on our contract but I still advice you stay out of these matters” she says, an overfriendly disguise in her voice, hiding the feelings underneath.
Episode 8, Scene 2
Newsie sits in his small cramped office, putting together blocks of a story for the underground news paper, stories must be told and people are willing to pay to make them happen.
Boss
“Newsie, I have a story for you that I feel needs to be told” he starts, leaning into the door “We have information that Ms Quess Basran has been letting herself go a little bit and was caught with Chine powder, we also know she is spending some good time in the redlights” he continues “why don’t you and some of your folks go and check that out, see if we can uncover this mystery”
Newsie
“sure thing boss, I am sure this can be a nice one to tell” he answers, looking up from his paper.
Boss
“its also going to require some good extra time so ill throw some coin your way as extra compensation, this story is a bit personal, so I want to make sure I turns out well”
Episode 8, Scene 3
Coming back together at their table the activities of the cool down week have bene nice, but now missions must be done.
Norn
“I got a mission of sorts, but it seems risky so I want to consider it well” she starts off, going on to explain the details of the mission to kidnap the councilmen and take him out of city bounds.
Scoundrels
They each nod their head, understanding and asking clarifying questions about this mission, seeming hesitant, that while the pay is good they may consider something else.
Newsie
“I got a mission here, something from the inkrakes and my boss” He explains his pitch proposal, selling the mission well.
Scoundrels
Feels as if Newsies mission is by far the safer option they decide to do that, at least do it first. Then comes the selection of a crew, once again this is not a mission for violence and so Shell, Knock and Powder choose to stay it out of this. Planning to do this mission in three key parts. First, figure where she is going and then how she gets the money for her newfound drug. Second, plant the evidence at her home and in a place where her husband will find it. Third, get an interview with the husband while this drama is going down and capture those emotions.
Episode 8, Scene 4
The three of them have made their way over to silkshore along the Ease near the Bridge of Beauty is where they catch one Ms Quess Basran. Following her, close behind but not close enough the three track her. After a few turns, a short ride in gondola and out again she turns around and confronts them.
Quess
“So what do you think is to be done here?” she says accusatively at the three
Norn
“well we may be going to the same place miss, nothing wrong with that” she says, acting innocent
Quess
“No I took a detour so it wouldn’t end up being the same place as me” she says, more anger in her voice
Newsie
“We deal in alternative business miss” he says, trying to hint at something more yet still being broad in scope.
Ether
“We are also fellow performers” she says, Ether means this again to be generic and thinking more an entertainment scene
Quess
“oh, well that’s certainly something” she looks the three up and down, her understanding of performer and entertainment is different than theirs at this moment.
Quess
“I will be on my way now” and she turns and makes her way fast towards the end of the lane and turns. The three stand their and choose not to follow
Episode 8, Scene 5
Scoundrels
Knowing they are a bit beat, Newsie gets out his trust disguise kit and does a change of clothes, puts his hair up and adds a few small touches of makeup to change his appearance. The other two put one some more minimal changes to look different. The three talk about what the plan now is. They continue to wander and in time do find her again.
Newsie
He trails Quess, further this time, and in turn Norn and Ether trail him. Newsie simply needs to catch where she is going and work from there. He sees her into a larger housing block and go up to a door, and open it he hears a distance latch sound as she closes something of it behind.
Newsie
Outside of this door, a single red lamp is lit, ordinary enough but one still distinctive to have a definite meaning. He and the other two look around a little bit, trying to scope out this location in more detail.
Norn
“here, take this rope so we can get to the roofs to see better” she says to Ether as the two of them go up and scout out like birds on the roof.
Newsie
Taking gear of his own he climbs to a side and looks out for a window, seeing a good one he climbs up and get close to it, the window shut but not shut enough for good tools. He pulls out bulgur tools and uses a small pick to flip the latch open. He open the window a peak, curtans in the way but listening in. He hears the sound of foot steps approaching so quickly goes down and hides.
Women
Looking out the window this blond short haired women looks around and not seeing much closes the window and shuts the latch once more.
Newsie
He goes and finds Norn and Ether, who did not manage to spot much of anything else of interest. “I got to find someway to get in to that place”
Norn
“if you see where someone is going you maybe could look like a customer rather than a performer” she suggests, the idea that perhaps Newsie could pretend to be an interested client to this space.
Newsie
“ill go and look for someone coming in and see what they do, this may be a longer night of searching yet” he says, giving them both a nod. “stay here and continue to watch” he says as he scales down the building.
Ether
“ill go looking for any spirits who could be of help around here” she says and scampers off across rooftops.
Newsie
He goes out and spend a good half out looking for people, I time he sees a man who approaches the door, gives it a distinctive pattern of knocks as the door opens. The two discuss if the knock is individual or just a general code for people. The two steak out the place to watch for someone else.
Ether
Coming back she notes that “Doesn’t seem to be many willing spirits around these parts” and joins in wait.
Scoundrels
Seeing a women approach the door, she looks overdressed and covered up even for this weather. She gives the same distinct knock on the door and enters her way
Norn
She agrees and takes position of the broken sun in the sky, knowing what about an hour will be.
Episode 8, Scene 6
Newsie
Approaching the door he gives the same pattern of knocking the door opens. He is greeted by a nice interior, red carpets and nice wooden paneling inside here, a very plush and refined look. A large desk at the front with a single women sitting at it. tall and fancy but gray hair, older she looks commanding.
Madame Tesslyn
“welcome to the red lamp, I don’t believe I have seen your face around here” she says, a genuine kindness to her voice.
Newsie
“no, its my first time, I heard about this from some ship friends” he says, adding a gruffness to his voice
Madam Tesslyn
“well let me explain how this works then, first off we keep this confidential and private, and we also keep this safe for both our clients and our performers” she explains “you will pay a flat rate to have a basic half hour stay time with any of our performers, and once their you are free to extend your time. You also are able to buy services depending on what you would like”
Newsie
“got it, seems simple enough” he says
Madam Tesslyn
“now let me find someone that would be suitable for you, what are you looking for tonight? An extended stay, or something quick? Are you looking to just be close to someone and talk or perhaps someone who is willing to entertain the flesh?” “do you have any type or preference?”
Newsie
A bit embarrassed at the forwardness of these questions he answers briefly “Just something quick, nothing to personal here and I don’t have much preference towards who she is”.
Madam Tesslyn
“Certainly, I think I have someone in mind, she is good with first timers and is willing to do a variety of things if you happen to change your mind, enjoy you time with her” She passes a small key to newsie. “Go up stairs to room number #7, knock first and come back down when you feel ready”
Newsie
He takes the key and walks upstairs, apprehensive and goes to the seventh door, knocking the door opens up.
Episode 8, Scene 7
Opening the door he is greeted by a pretty looking women, wearing casual but thin clothing, the room well furnished with a couch and bed.
Lexi
“good evening” she says her voice soft and nice, like a velvet pillow. “come on in” and she waves him in, and closes the door behind her.
Newsie
“Good evening” he says, a distance awkwardness in his voice.
Lexi
“My name is Lexi and I will be with you tonight, and who might you be fine sir?” she asks, mystery in her voice
Newsie
“Orlan Mitscher” he says, giving her one of his many fake names.
Lexi
“well Orlan we can take this nice and easy, we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do and we can spend as long as you need” she says with reassurance
Newsie
“Maybe we can just talk?” he says with a strain
Lexi
“sure thing” and she goes over to the bed and puts over covers, gesturing over. The two lay there, awkwardness at first but in time warning up and easing to conversation.
Newsie
“so, how is the work, how are the clients?” he asks. Lexi goes to explain how other clients work, not saying any by name but that some spend a lot of time and are more relational, some are quite transactional and quick about things. Newsie in turn tells about a made up life of being a sailor.
Lexi
“well this has been pleasant, if you would ever be back here and like to see me just ask Madam Tesslyn for me and we can arrange something”. she gives him a polite wave out the door as Newsie makes his way off.
Madam Tesslyn
“I hope you had an enjoyable time” she says as he passes out the door and into the night.
Episode 8, Scene 8
Newsie and Norn and Ether meet back up at their base, ready to discuss part two. It seems that Ms Quess Basran is choosing to sell her services at the red lamp brothel, and while a more classy and safe establishment it still is part of the puzzle. Now they must obtain Chine Powder and plant it at her house. Ether knows her dealer for her normal sleeping powders and so asks around for someone who does more special drugs.
Ether
Meeting in the crow’s foot near Bagley Ether posts herself at a corner that she was supposed to meet at.
Ether
She seen a man pass, a seemingly normal citizen. The man passes her again in a few minutes.
Dealer
“waiting for anyone?” he asks, almost a glance off of a comment
Ether
“someone yeah” she says, wondering if this is the person or just someone else. She sees his shirt, a nice green color. “I like your shirt she says” knowing this can be a form of code.
Dealer
“thanks, it reminds me of plants” he says. The two give each other a look before Ether walks alongside him. Worried but when one deals with this a risk is always present.
Dealer
Pulling Ether aside behind some crates he looks at her “So I have a few things with me” he says reaching into his coat. “I have Lisentrait” in a small glass ampule with a turqoice liquid “I have Chine powder” as he pulls out a bag, the sent of Sulphur fills the close air. “and I have Cherabrim” this is a pink colored small sticks, almost like flower stems.
Ether
“let me look at the cherabrim first, its what my client is looking for” she says, throwing him off to not be given the false price. She examines it, carefull not to get to close or touch it. “Its good but not what my client needs exactly, let me see if that Chine powder is better”
Dealer
“sure thing” and he pulls open the bag, the yellow substance of dust potent in smell.
Ether
“seems pretty good I think I will take a thumb vial’s worth” she says.
Dealer
He pulls out a small glass vial, around the size of a thumb, with great precision fills it with the yellow powder and caps it off with a small cork. “thirty scales for this” he says.
Ether
Giving over a good bit of the silver scales as cash for this. “thanks” she says as the two pack up and depart their separate ways.
Episode 8, Scene 9
Camped outside of the house of Quess and Phin Basran, Newsie, Norn and Ether are all taking position. They have arranged hours for them to stakeout in a building close by to watch for the movements of people. Who goes in and out and at what times. With this they determined that the both members of the couple leave on Wednesday night, and their cleaner leaves is the late afternoon, giving them a small window of a few hours once a week in which planting the Chine powder would be most opportune.
Newsie
Sneaking up to the house, but looking as if he belongs he uses his bugler kit to easily break into the lock, he enters into the home. It is well sized and a definite display of wealth, a large central staircase in front of him with a lavish kitchen off to the side, while the lights of the room are out it still is a beautiful picture of pure opulence.
Cat
“Meow!” as this cute fluffy white cat walks her way down the stairs, purring as she rubs her body up against Newsie.
Newsie
Sparing a few pets of the cat before walking up stairs and looking around, he quickly finds the master bedroom and continues his search. The bedroom as well is very spacious, each person has a large closet and many fine sets of clothes, a large wash basin and cabinetry for morning washing and preparation.
Newsie
Rummaging around drawers he debates on where to put this vial of powder, somewhere hidden but not to hidden, the goal of for Phin to find the Chine powder and make a scene. He decides that Phin’s drawer with his razor will do nicely, putting it towards the back. He moves out of the home as quickly as he came in, easy and simple
Episode 8, Scene 10
Newsie and Norn have arranged to meet with Mr Phin Basran, on the guise that the inkrakes would like to publish a story about the ghost farms, those agricultural facilities that are powered on the light made by burning harvested ectoplasm from the leviathans. Both taking up disguises and names for this story they move in and knock on the door of the home.
Phin
“oh well come in please” he holds the door open for the two, looking a bit stressed but holding himself steady. He invites the two to take a seat down at their main conversation table.
Newsie
“my name is Laxan Keel and this is my partner Philicia Kiez, we are here tonight for the interview about the ghost farms”. He says, reporter voice in full swing.
Phin
“ahh yes, well then lets get down to business I guess” he nervously says, small beads of sweat dripping from his brow.
Newsie
“is everything alright Phin? You seem to be a bit besides yourself” Newsie points out, knowing the obvious but hiding the secret well.
Phin
“In a sense not, I am worried about my lady wife and what she has been up to” he starts “but ah I shouldn’t say”
Norn
Leaning in as if to seem more interested and saying a simple “we are here to listen to your story, any personal matters won’t get out here”
Phin
Assured by Norns words he states “well I seem to have found that smelly powder in my space, and I don’t take the excuse that the cleaner is responsible for it” he sighs “I’m just not sure how to deal with this long term” he lays his head in his hands a moment before steading himself
Phin
“well, I think talking about business would actually be good, keep my mind off of this for now” Newsie and Norn nod along, letting him guide and tell the story. Phin goes into talking about the details of the far newer ghost farms and what is able to be grown, the safety of the operations and many various parts of operations.
Quess
Coming down the stairs halfway into this conversation Quess is seen with a larger bag at her side, packet with stuff and an intent to good off. She looks over at the table and remarks “Your always so interested in that ghost farm of yours arnt you?” she scoffs “Always far to concerned about your work” saying it as if leaving a part behind,
Newsie
“oh we wont keep him If you two need to talk about anything” his chatty and calmed demeanor holding steady, while inside his heart is smiling with joy at what is about to go down.
Quess
“Its quite fine, if he cant be concerned about me I cant be concerned about him” and she huffs
Phin
“what I found doesn’t justify anything you have done!” he shouts at Quess, anger in his voice but also a pain of loss.
Quess
“what you left me with or the lack their of does justify” she cries back, almost being brought to tears in this state.
Newsie
Trying to control, or perhaps prolonged the situation he asks “Please miss what exactly is going on here?”
Quess
“He doesn’t love me!” she exclaims, the tears breaking forth and sadness in her voice.
Phin
Yelling back “I never said such a thing, you where always on with your own dealing what was I even left with?”
Quess
Sobbing as she leaves the front door of the house running off into the night, lost to the mists
Newsie
Keeping control of the situation he asks “Surly its bring blown out of proportion here, tell us what happened?”
Phin
A weakness is his body, he is unable to hide the pain and just explains “I found in her dresser a small bottle of Chine powder, I never used but I have heard what it does, it makes you see things”. he continues “She was using this powder to get out of life and then selling her love to pay for it”
Norn
“well we will keep that matter between us of course, but maybe we should finish the interview before heading onward” she suggests
Phin
“that would be good, but after this” he stands up and goes to a close cabinet, grabbing a bottle of brown liquor he pours himself a rather full glass and sips it straight. The rest of the interview has him getting more and more soppy as the wisky takes effect.
Newsie
Finishing up the interview and giving the pleasantries to Phin, wishing off the best the two leave the house. A few steps away he grins with an almost sadistic excitement “I love my job!” he says.
Episode 9 The Cracks
Episode 9, Scene 1
In the offices of our scoundrels a letter is received, addressed to Newsie. Opening it he reads “Newsie, you who represents the inkrakes must pay the price, your boss is in our debt, either you pay us two coin or his life is taken, the scales are balanced. ~Spirit warden” reading it over and trying to understand the motive.
Newsie
“This sure is something else” he says out loud to the others around, “it’s a letter that threatens my boss if I don’t pay up, says its from the spirit wardens”. He is confused, taking some time to look at the letter, again wondering.
Norn
“what do the inkrakes and the spirit wardens have to do with each other? And why would the spirit wardens kill someone” she wonders, guessing at the strange situation.
Newsie
“reading this text, it seems like this is from a fellow journalist” he says, then flipping over the letter “It has instructions here on how to drop off the money, a very detailed box over on Hulliver lane in the crows foot.”
Scoundrels
They debate the merit of this, should they pay off this threat? Is this even legitimate in the first place? In the end they decide to take a valuable two coin from their coffers and Newsie goes and drops it off unceremoniously.
Episode 9, Scene 2
Newsie in his office at the inkrakes.
Boss
“Hey Newsie, great story about the ghost farms the other day” as he winks at him, “here the little extra I promised” handing him a solid purse of silver scales, worth about two coin in all.
Newsie
“ah thanks, it always good to tell a story like that” an odd feeling, seeing his boss alive, knowing that he had the power to choose this, strange also that the amount he just paid off for his life was the amount he was paid back.
Episode 9, Scene 3
Norn, Powder, Knock
All three of them are on a mission, back to Melvir once again to get patched up and repaired, walking into his clinic they wave and greet him.
Melvir
“Ah hello, three of you this time I see, quite a dangerous city isn’t it” he says, in a friendly and upstarting voice as usual.
Norn
“yeah, we got hurt pretty bad out there and need to get better” she says. Powder and Knock nodding in agreement.
Melvir
“well sit down then, you know this is never fast” he says, gesturing to chairs. Each taking them one at a time, using various implements and serums he gradually heals them back to good standing, needing to use some imported medicine they do have to pay a coin out of pocket but after a long number of hours the three are feeling quite better.
Powder
“Hey thanks for this, the leg is feeling back to normal” he says
Melvir
“oh yes of course, now I do like the business but stay safe out there!” he says jokingly.
Episode 9, Scene 4
The scoundrels take their other course of downtime working to get a few tasks done before the planned mission, the one that will take them into the death lands.
Newsie
Spending his time well at work, the anxiety dying down over his boss seeming to do fine. He takes the opportunity to write a story on duskvol academy, the fine details of what professor life is like.
Shell
Attempting to scout out the area for the senator looks around the area but with heavy bluecoat presence is unable to get any solid workable information.
Episode 9, Scene 5
Ether knows that the only way to successfully kidnap a councilmen in Bridghtstone is to have the bluecoats distracted and or elsewhere. First talking to her contact for the bluecoats in sixtowers.
Bluecoat squad leader, Brance Dalmore
“Ether, you certainly have worked with us well, you understand how the law around here should work.” he starts, meeting in their usual inconspicuous way “I can get you acquainted with the captain in brightstone, his name is Veleris Skora”. He continues, explaining away.
Ether
“thank you for the invitation, good to have someone get my foot in the door” she says, a flattering voice. Shaking hands the two of them part ways, the good reputation maintained.
Brance Dalmore
“and just letting you know, they do things differently up there so be careful, I vouch for you but I can’t save you” he remarks on the way out
Ether
Entering into the office in the brightstone precinct, she is dressed quite normally, like an average citizen of the city. Having found her way to the back office of the captain of the precinct she shits down to face captain Skora. “thank you for having me” she says entering the door, closing it behind her.
Captain Skora
“yes, squad leader Dalmore tells me you are a good and reliable informant, we put that to the test today” he sternly says, focused but not rude.
Ether
“oh of course, I want to make sure that my duty as a citizen to the law of this city only brings the truth” she says, lying at the moment but planning to stay truthful for the night. Captain skora nods. She continues onwards “I bring news that there is to be a bombing on imperial bridge in a few days time” she says, sympathetic and straightforward in her tone.
Captain Skora
“always someone trying to take down this city, as if the world isn’t trying hard enough to send us out” he remarks, saddened by the statement.
Ether
She goes on to add some more few details to the story, clarifying what she knows but not enough to get her incriminated. For the way she knows of this bomb threat is because the plan is that Shell will be doing an actual bombing, nothing of extreme scale but some minor implements to cause damage.
Captain Skora
“Well I greatly appreciate this information, but I do need to make this statement official, for bureaucratic reasons obviously” he says, the stillness in his voice unwavering. “let me be beck in a second, you can stay seated” he gets up and leaves the room.
Captain Skora
Coming back after a brief minute he sets down a few sheets of paper, a quill and ink. “you wouldn’t mind writing down what you told me here, the full evident truth?” he says.
Ether
“sure, I can write it down” she looks at the paper, not its getting serious and consequences for hiding the truth could get messy. But everything to this point she has said has been of truthful origin. She starts writing on the paper.
Captain Skora
Taking out a very small vial of a clear liquid he drinks it, his eyes turning into thin slits like a cat. Not saying anything he watches her intently.
Ether
Finishing her statement she looks back at the captain. “Im done” she says.
Captain Skora
“one last thing, you name darling, at the bottom” he points to the paper, a signature to sign it.
Ether
She takes the pen, and sensing the gravity puts down Asmina Norwood.
Captain Skora
“you are free to go, and thank you for being as reliable as your reputation carries”. He nods. Ether stands up and heads out the door, the adrenaline of the encounter setting in.
Episode 10 The Councilmen
Episode 10, Scene 1
Norn, Knock and Powder, These three have entered on the mission, Shell is at the imperial bridge in wait with a planned explosion, Ether at a building close to the imperial bridge on banner road, Newsie back at the base.
Powder
Opening up the door to the house of councilmen Edlum Haig, the target of their mission, having used a lock picks tools and gotten in with great stealth. The three enter into the entryway/mudroom of the house.
Knock
She explores out into the house as well, sneaking about and getting a layout, looking for the stairs to the upper floor, finding them placed near a pool room, inside she can hear four male voices all talking and chatting. The occasional sound of a glass being set down or pool balls knocked around indicates a friendly game. After scouting out she does back to the mudroom and informs the others describing the layout of the place, and that their target is located.
Norn
Putting on a simple cleaners outfit she goes out first into the house to investigate around, upstairs she is looking around when a women passes her in a night gown
Ms. Haig
“Shouldn’t you be gone at this hour?” she asks, incredulously.
Norn
Putting on her best servants voice she says “I dropped my purse on the counter and came back to pick it up miss”
Ms. Haig
“kitchen counter is downstairs, why are you up here?” again questioning the out of placeness of Norn.
Norn
“I was just double checking the cleaning, if the purse could slip my mind perhaps something else could have” she says, an apologetic tone in her voice.
Ms. Haig
“it looked fine to me, you free to go” she says dismissively and gesturing Norn away. Norn bows and leaves away.
Norn
Going to the kitchen to continue her search she finds the pantry cabinet and hides within, but finding little else of current great value.
Norn, Knock, Powder
Meeting back up in the mudroom the three try and make their plan, they can wait sometime before the diversion happens but not to long. They devise to each hide in a place around the house and wait till his guests leave. Norn goes back to the kitchen pantry, Powder hides in an office under a table, Knock hides in the storage closet near to the pool room.
Episode 10, Scene 2
After a good two hours of waiting, the crew being bored but patient here the guests of Mr. Haig finally leave, walking out into the night over a long goodbye. Knock in her closet most patient, taking out a vial of standstill powder that Powder gave each of them.
Mr. Haig
“Well see you around fine chums, and as ever my table is always usable for a friendly game” he says closing the door. Walking back he mutters “I say I need a drink but plenty of that tonight already”.
Knock
As Mr. Haig comes back from the doorway, having bid his friends a good night he makes his way past the storage closet to go upstairs, at this moment Knock burst open the door and uncorks the vial, throwing the standstill powder in his face, it doesn’t hit him fully but it works enough for a paralysis at the moment, at this Knock knocks at the wall in a pattern, the signal that the coast is clear.
Norn & Powder
Coming out from their places of hiding they find Knock with the paralyzed Mr. Haig, His eyes are still tracking these scoundrels and so they get a bag. Norn, having grabbed an expensive bottle of Iruvian spirits uncorks in and pours a more than healthy portion down his throat, paralyzed but still able to swallow he drinks it down. His face becomes quickly flush and red. Putting a bag over his head and tying him up they are ready to leave the house.
Flashback. Shell
Happening in the present moment that our other scoundrels are leaving the house of councilmen Haig, Shell is over the side of the Imperial bridge held up only by a few ropes and a sense of hope.
Shell
“here goes” and he lights the fuse on the bomb, waiting for it to get close to exploding before throwing it over the side of the wall, up and over.
Unfortunate citizen
“Ow” this random, unseen man says. Before “BOOM!” the explosion of the thrown bomb goes off.
City bell
“BONG” as the noise of the city death bell tolls, the indication of death, and by circumstance, Shell just killed a man.
Shell
“gods damn it” he says, swinging out to another one of his rope anchors, trying to get close to the brightstone shore to escape he sees the few bluecoats approaching and hears the footsteps of many more. His job to distract is being done quite well.
Shell
“luck be with me” as he swings out and puts his line, falling down into the water below, a perfect pencil dive and no injuries.
Bluecoats
“He’s down there” they yell, indicating the position of Shell, Shell starts swimming downstream, out towards the great canal.
Ether
Seeing this from her window position she just is able to watch this unfold. Shaking her head she hopes this distraction was worth it. hoping that shell can reach the cruise boat in time.
Shell
Trying to hide from the bluecoats on each side he ducks underwater, trying to swim away in the inky black water. Swimming to the close by river cruise boat.
Bluecoats
On the six towers side bluecoats are gathering as well, the emperors way canal wide but shouting passing cross it between the two teams of bluecoats. “seems they went underwater” they shout across the way.
Spirit Warden
A man dressed in pitch black, a long bird like mask almost that of a vulture or ibis they walk with an unnerving gate, like they are pulled along to their destination. Getting close to the water front they says to the closes blue coat “Ill handle it” in a whispered and monotone speech. Then walking closer jumps off the edge, opening their arms a wing suit spreads out and they glide down to the water.
Spirit Warden
“splash!” as they enter into the water, almost like an eagle hunting for it pray.
Shell
Seeing the ladder and being determined to reach the boat before addressing what is behind them he swims with fury and climbs up. Turning around she sees this wet figure a good number of feet away. With reflex taking out throwing knives and with the flick of his wrist throwing off three knives at the figure.
Spirit Warden
Hit with extreme accuracy, one blade cracks at his skull and he suffers a concussion on the spot. Shell running up close and kicking them into the water. Taking all his mental focus simply to stay afloat and get to the shore. This spirit warden failed today, and it was made their last mission.
Flashback. Newsie
Talking a friend in the business Kylra who is a tavern owner.
Newsie
He asks a personal favor, “I need to see if you could be on the river cruse, working the bar there.”
Kylra
“I can talk to the cruise folks and see if we can work out a gig for me and my employees to service that night” she says, wondering where this is going.
Newsie
“Their might be some friends of mine there to, people you would want to look out for and help is needed” he asks, more favor in his voice this time.
Kylra
“I could be persuaded into that, but no free drinks or anything I need to keep it fair” she says
Newsie
He goes on to describe his compatriots and that their exists a possibility they may come aboard the ship. Klyra agrees to keep an eye out and keep it on the downlow.
Episode 10, Scene 3
Shell
Walking into the bar of the ship he approaches Kylra, knowing he may get help if needed.
Klyra
“I was told I may run into you tonight” she says, jovial voice present but quiet enough so that people around don’t catch word.
Shell
“yeah, you don’t want to fall in that’s for sure” he says, loudly enough so others can hear, giving a cover to excuse.
Klyra
Catching on she laughs back “Oh how the drink can get to us!” then quieter “so how can I help, dry clothes I assume?”
Shell
“yeah, that would be best, I just need to lay low here for a bit” he says
Klyra
“well, I have a spare uniform in the supply closet, put that on quickly and join he at the bar, can you make drinks well enough?” she says to him
Shell
“well, I work at a bar so yeah, maybe not the fancy ones but I can mix a drink easy enough” she walks off, putting an employee uninform on and blending into the boat crowd for the rest of the night, sure it’s a good two hours of work but for keeping low it works.
Episode 10, Scene 4
Back to our three scoundrels by the Haig House they hear the loud death bell off in the distance, looking at each other they know that there isn’t a better time to continue.
Powder
“I guess the distraction worked, or at least something happened” he says.
Norn
“lets hope it isn’t shell, lets just go now, nice and quick” the group grabs the body and moves down to the shore.
Flashback. Knock
Meeting with the Foghounds she organizes getting a stealth transport boat to use for the night.
Margette Vale
“ok, so how many seats do you need, what’s the capacity?” she asks, a cigarette in her mouth, the thin plume of smoke floating upwards in their cramped headquarters.
Knock
“enough for four people, and some depth for transporting cargo if possible” she says
Margette Vale
“yeah we got something that will work for that, but ya know it will cost ya” she says
Knock
“understood” as she pulls out the strange metallic devise that was captured from the redsash lair, it was the last of their coin and the scoundrels wished to keep it but value is value and the foghounds won’t go without pay.
Margette Vale
“Strange but it will do, here follow me I will show you the boat” she moves forward, showing off the boat, it’s a sleek black painted gondola style boat, complete with a cover sheet painted to look like an empty boat, better to hide supplies if needed.
Episode 10, Scene 5
Going to the waterfront, and not seeing any others along the short walk them seem to have passed free. Making sure Mr. Haig is secured again they set sail off, using the thin ores to paddle along and out, down the clearwater canal, to the lagoon and towards the lightning barriers. Sticking close to shore as best as possible but staying away from the bright lights.
Lord Scurlock
The only one who sees this strange black gondola pass is him from a tall spire window, but not his place not his business.
Norn
Reaching the barrier she takes out some sandy dirt from her pocket and throws it over, an Iruvian superstition of protection when setting sail. She makes an open palm as she crosses over saying out loud “I will make it out alive” an attempt at making a deal with any entity on the other side. The flash of a deal struck is seen and a burned scar mark on her ring finger appears, the shape of a ring. Something happened, but she is yet to be aware.
Powder
She spits into the water, a superstition from the dagger isles in turn.
Scoundrels
The scoundrels approach the shore of the death lands, a thick green miasma covers the land, pulling up their hoods over their mouth they pull the boat into a small dock and drag the body of Mr. Haig up, him with the bag over his head but no mask is suffering from the miasma greatly, combined with the standstill powder and the alcohol he is not doing well for health.
Scoundrels
Approaching into the city, former and dilapidated builds surround them, visibility quite low but an idea of destination in mind. Mr. Haig is tied up still and being carried. In time they approach their given destination, a famed spirit well. it appears as a normal well but the mists of the city circle it with furvert wrapping.
Reconciled
Walking out from buildings almost a dozen of the reconciled come out from hiding. One member speaks “We see you made it well” he says.
Norn
“with some difficult and pain but we are here, we got what you wanted on behalf of Salia”
Reconciled
“good, we are glad he is still awake, we like to see them wriggling” he says “lets get a better look” then, and he takes the bag off his face walking around him “Not doing so well is he?”
Knock
“We had a few obstacles, and the dead lands doesn’t treat anyone well, it wasn’t in our control”. She explains
Reconciled
“well quick still we must be with it”. he snaps his fingers and a few reconciled come up with knives, taking Mr. Haig and starting to cut symbols into his flesh, along his arms and legs, symbols of strange and grotesque origin. Chanting in the background by the other members.
Reconciled
“Now!” as Mr. Haig is thrown down the spirit well, his body still bound up. A few minutes pass before another member goes down, blade between teeth as she climbs the stony wall side of the well. then back returning both of them climb out, binds unlooses from Mr. Haig, still looking quite injured but surviving.
Possessed Haig
Looking at the group he says “Take me back” in the same voice as Mr. Haig but with a different tone, flat and plane in his voice.
Scoundrels
In a mild shock, and in various states of pain they agree.
Norn
“Are we getting paid now or by Salia?” she asks
Reconciled
“here and now, let us be done with it” she they bring out a well sized wooden lockbox, filled with silver sales, a large piece of colored glass and a few pieces of precious jewelry, worth a very fair sum.
Scoundrels
They take the possessed Mr. Haig back to the boat, across the canal and lighting barrier in which he is hurt greatly by crossing it but still alive, barely, and sneaking out deep into the night make it back to the shore, Knock deciding to take back “Mr. Haig” on his own, planning to play the bodyguard type to get him inside.
Episode 10, Scene 6
Knock
Walking up to the door of the Haig House she tells the possessed man to act the way his body is, badly hurt and very drunk. He nods and does so, stumbling and slurring speech.
Knock
Loudly pounding on the door of the house, she trying to get the attention of Ms. Haig, when the door is answered by a very tired looking Ms. Haig in her night down.
Ms. Haig
“What is going on here?”
Knock
“Your husband is drunk and hurt! She yells
Ms. Haig
“how did he get out there and who are you?” she asks confused but concerned
Knock
“look, I’m a body guard and I saw him stumbling around and pretty injured, all I got out of him was this address” desperately saying, trying to sell the act. Pulling out her actual credentials to prove it
Possessed Mr. Haig
“hmmnlyng” he mutters, falling over
Ms. Haig
Deeply practical, in nature “well are you expecting payment for this then?”
Knock
“look, because it out of my way and inconvenient to me I do want something, but just something you can spare, the Physicker bill on this one will be quite high”
Ms. Haig
“fine then” she pulls out a few silver scales and hands them off “I have this to deal with then”.
Knock
“well thank you, I hope he recovers well” she leaves off down the street, headed back to their base.
Episode 10, Scene 6
Scoundrels
Back all at their base, the hour is as late as it can get before it turns to before dawn. The six of them all gathered, bringing home the wooden lock box they open it up and inspect, all that hard work and risk for this treasure. It’s worth eight coin but life can’t continue the same as it was. Our scoundrels have a long break ahead of them, not taking any offers for while we see what each chooses to do.
Shell
He chooses to abandon this life of crime, the danger and closeness of death a bit to close this time, taking a more conferrable position as an escort. He works in the same bed he sleeps in. it’s a different life but more stable and less violent, he never did get back his spirit gun.
Newsie
He continues to live in both words, working legally for the inkrakes and sometimes taking an extra underground job. Even getting recognition and promoted.
Ether
She continues to live in the world of crime, she applies to work more formally as part of the navy becoming a low level officer. She does organizing and contract work. She also however is elevated to become the leader of our group of shadows, a working point person that more manages deal and assignments then going on missions
Norn
She is on the fence, the life of crime is exciting and daring but dangerous. She continues in her academic role and teaching but in time the alure of crime does call her back, but better boundaries are set in place between her and the shadows.
Powder
He lays low for a while but back into it, keeping his job at the chemical plant and willing to take a job for just about anyone, its an easy life making chemicals and cooking up whatever people need.
Knock
She steps away from the shadows and criminal life, taking role as more of a body guard purely, keeping things legal and official because she got involved too much for her liking. Life in the end for her picks up a very normal and predictable cadence.
Credits
This product owes itself to its many wonderful actors and producers who helped bring the vision of “Le Couteau Noir” to life. A tale of daring scoundrels, dangerous missions and the element of the human condition. At the wrap up of production we asked each actor how they felt about playing their characters.
Jackson how was it playing Newsie? “Enjoyable time, nice to be a bitch and ruffle some feathers, the good stories must be told.”
Marie how was it playing Norn? “I loved it, it was very enjoyable it was fun to play someone who skulks around in darkness and who is mean sometimes.”
Emma how was it playing Ether? “it was good, nice to play a character who is always pushing things forward.”
Jackson how was it playing Powder? “It was fun to play a cooky and crazy person who blows their way up out of tough spots.”
Marie how was it playing Shell? “I hope you don’t think I do that all in real life, shell is unique and explosive, it was a personally character building role and a lesson in what not to do.”
Emma how was playing Knock? “it was a good change of pace, something I wouldn’t try in real life per say but very fun in this setting.”
Seth how was it to play everyone else? “it was exhausting yet enjoyable, it takes a lot to make a production so involved, I hope you enjoyed it.”
Acting credits
Newsie/Matho Comber Jackson Nienaber
Norn/Asterix Velles Marie Zissiz
Ether/Asimina Norwood Emma Franceschi
Powder/Enthol Corsan Jackson Nienader
Shell/Cadmon Jenkins Marie Zisss
Knock/Myer Sevoy Emma Franceschi
Baszo Bas Seth Borne
Lisani Vensi Seth Borne
Ghost of Crowsfoot Seth Borne
Mylera Klev Seth Borne
Street man Seth Borne
Jenkins assistant Seth Borne
Jenkins Iscariot Seth Borne
Redsash swordsmen Seth Borne
Spirit of Redsahs vault Seth Borne
Iralan of the dimmer sisters Seth Borne
Sister Jayleen Seth Borne
Melvir the Physicker Seth Borne
Citizen by the warehouse Seth Borne
Bluecoat informant Seth Borne
Grinders gang members Seth Borne
Bluecoat Squad leader, Brance Dalmore Seth Borne
Bluecoat patrolmen Seth Borne
Vey the spirit Seth Borne
Kobb the possessed Seth Borne
Hutch the graycloak Seth Borne
Grik the prisoner Seth Borne
Salia the informant Seth Borne
Inkrake Boss Seth Borne
Quess Basran Seth Borne
Women at the red lamp brothel Seth Borne
Madam Tesslyn Seth Borne
Lexi the escourt Seth Borne
Dealer, the contact for Chine powder Seth Borne
The white cat of house Basran Seth Borne
Phin Basran Seth Borne
Boss Seth Borne
Brance Dalmore Seth Borne
Captain Veleris Skora Seth Borne
Ms. Haig Seth Borne
Mr. Edlum Haig Seth Borne
Unfortunate citizen Seth Borne
Spirit Warden Seth Borne
Klyra Seth Borne
Margette Vale Seth Borne
Reconciled Seth Borne
Poscessed Mr. Haig Seth Borne
Music used
The soundscape of Duskvol https://youtu.be/TAnoryONNWI?si=Er58Fylcrd4RDFYx
The trapped city https://youtu.be/yP8fuJK6IwI?si=mvtAhbv6eCTQMx2x
The quite inside https://youtu.be/asKv8Xf8ToQ?si=E6EkWSC8etQOhsFZ
Empty streets https://youtu.be/_XDwkKav578?si=uPKYisnf_gaSR4iT
The places unknown https://youtu.be/000z5zd6mrc?si=XSkIZIdy3wkA4LZs
Fighting https://youtu.be/CLAa1urufGE?si=J40CQlzXmaVZn15S
To look at a spirit https://youtu.be/tvTsUs0n9zw?si=6rmeJ5EEMkgydA9O
A hidden and secret space https://youtu.be/AKjxL_aMf1Q?si=2R5EnZIRS_jSxUYo
It that understands not https://youtu.be/Jg_QwWE_5cY?si=MUk10BN2pgEHGnk7
How one can comprehend https://youtu.be/APfszb7_y7Y?si=O49dTo8z7ih2UMJy