The Thirteen Moons of Shamballa (in-character thread)

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6, and 3

"Well that's a bit of bother. What! Nothing for it but to soldier on then. By your expression Dr it looks like you got snookered as well." Where's that Spisarevski fellow gotten to?"
 
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6 and 4. I got less than that while sneaking!
"I've got my sabre, my bottle of rakia, some books, and my change of clothes and underwear", Spisareveski said. "Oh, and money that's probably worth nothing. But maybe some of the local numizmats might appreciate Bulgarian levs or Deutsche marks? Either way, it's a good thing that I kept it all in my luggage."
 
AsenRG said:
6 and 4. I got less than that while sneaking!
"I've got my sabre, my bottle of rakia, some books, and my change of clothes and underwear", Spisareveski said. "Oh, and money that's probably worth nothing. But maybe some of the local numizmats might appreciate Bulgarian levs or Deutsche marks? Either way, it's a good thing that I kept it all in my luggage."
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"What, no Pounds? I say old bean, not very practical of you. What? Shall we follow the natives at a discreet distance? Perhaps more skulking and less strolling if you get my meaning?"
 
OOC: before we leave I would like to take a quick scan and see if I can find anything that would be serviceable as a weapon, hopefully a handgun that someone else may have brought on board with them.
 
Shemek hiTankolel said:
OOC: before we leave I would like to take a quick scan and see if I can find anything that would be serviceable as a weapon, hopefully a handgun that someone else may have brought on board with them.
Click to expand...
[Toss a d6 and you tell me what you find:
  1. A fully-loaded six-chamber .44-caliber revolver
  2. A switchblade
  3. A nice smooth rock that fits in your palm
  4. A jagged piece of metal
  5. A riding crop
  6. A heavy piece of metal pipe]
 
As you collect whatever you can salvage from the wreckage, the caravan recedes into the distance and starts to make a wide right turn where the path curves around a hillock. The merry music and singing is no longer audible. They appear to be heading in the same general direction that the rocketships flew, which is also where you still see rising plumes of black smoke, the source of which is still obscured by the intervening landscape.
 
"No pounds, though I'd point out that here, they would be just a curio, much like what I've got, and thus no more valuable... While I'd certainly buy some if I was heading to Egypt, they'd cut me on the exchange rate in both directions if I had to use them in a civilised place, like Germany or Bulgaria", Spisareveski explains.

"Well, let's follow the natives. Skulking, if you believe we should."
 
[wooops, Dumarest Dumarest I didn't think you were waiting for me, I didn't want to be a copycat and search for some new medical supplies so I was waiting for the next scene...]
*Klingerman seems absorbed In thought for a second.
 
At their current pace, the beast-drawn carts round the bend and disappear from sight behind the hillock. Following discreetly, you find as you round the bend a few minutes later that the path abruptly changes to a smooth road paved with red bricks leading to a massive stone bridge across a wide gorge green with thick forest on either side. Watching from behind the cover of roadside foliage, you see the caravan cross the bridge and stop at a 20-foot gate guarded by two towers built into an equally tall stone wall around a shimmering silver city of red-striped spires and onion domes. The black smoke you earlier you perceive originates from somewhere within the city.
 
"Hmmm. I think it would be best to enter the city without raising suspicion; but those towers might make it difficult. I trust you have a plan; herr Hunter?"
 
"I'd like to point out that being caught in a potentially hostile city while sneaking around would guarantee that the reception is going to be, indeed, hostile", Spisarevski interferes.
"It's better to wait for a lone local and to ask him about the customs of his people, if you ask me."
 
Johnny Blade said:
"Hmmm. I think it would be best to enter the city without raising suspicion; but those towers might make it difficult. I trust you have a plan; herr Hunter?"
Click to expand...

"A plan? What? Why certainly my good doctor."

AsenRG said:
"I'd like to point out that being caught in a potentially hostile city while sneaking around would guarantee that the reception is going to be, indeed, hostile", Spisarevski interferes.
"It's better to wait for a lone local and to ask him about the customs of his people, if you ask me."
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"Sneaking? I say! A gentleman never sneaks sir. We are not some type of miscreant Bedouins looking to pinch camels in the middle of the night. We will, of course, walk in as any honest person would do. Follow me my Bulgarian friend. You too Dr, do keep up"

At which point Major Hunter will stroll in with a purpose, as if he belongs there, and owns the place.
 
[Let me know if Klingermann and Spisarevski follow or what they do instead and I'll post the results.]
 
Shemek hiTankolel said:
"A plan? What? Why certainly my good doctor."



"Sneaking? I say! A gentleman never sneaks sir. We are not some type of miscreant Bedouins looking to pinch camels in the middle of the night. We will, of course, walk in as any honest person would do. Follow me my Bulgarian friend. You too Dr, do keep up"

At which point Major Hunter will stroll in with a purpose, as if he belongs there, and owns the place.
Click to expand...
Spisarevski chuckled. He'd seen this attitude a lot at Doyran.
But it seemed fun, and was just as likely to be the right one.
"Let's go, then", he answers, and follows the Major with just as much calm bravado.
 
"Well then, makes no sense waiting here like a buffoon I suppose."
Calmly follows them; figuring that They probably know What to do.
And If not; What the hell. He still was proven right today after a lifetime of being considered a crackpot.
Nothing can ruin his day at this stage.
 
The massive gate swings open outward, the heavy door pushed by what appear to be more ape than man; indeed, the gatekeepers look rather like upright, blue-furred gorillas wearing armor in a fashion resembling that of Roman legionaries. A troop of gorilla-man legionaries files out and forms a semicircle in front of the caravan. Some are armed with spear and shield but their apparent officers have some sort of pistol holstered at their hips: the weapons look like shiny metallic "rayguns" from the science fiction pulps, with a dial, numbered from zero to eleven, where a normal pistol's hammer would be. An older man steps forward to represent the caravan and is in the midst of conversation with the lead gorilla-man, clearly negotiating entry into the city and offering trinkets as tribute, when the gorilla-men note the bold approach of the intrepid Major Hunter, Dr. Klingermann, and Spisarevski.

The lead gorilla-man brushes aside the caravan leader and points at the approaching men: "Be they with you? Those be no Aeternans!" At a gesture from their leader, three of the legionaries detach from the troop and approach you with spears and shields at the ready.
 
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Spisarevski takes his arms up in a placating pose.
"Peace be with you. Where can lost travellers find refuge in this city?"
fence.jpg
 
Motioning to Spisarevski to step back, and using his most stern parade ground manner/ Commanding Officer voice, Major Hunter addresses the "gorilla" leader, but doesn't shout.

"Aeternans? Brigadier Hunter here. You there soldier. What is your rank? Are you in command of these men?"
"These fellows and I require rooms, a place to wash, and some food. Also, I would speak to your superior immediately. See to it. Dismissed."

He then lights the cigar that he had in his hand, and turns and quickly winks at his companions. He is affecting a bored indifference, gently brushing his mustache with his left hand, but is alert to everything and will react at any sign of attack.
 
Shemek hiTankolel said:
"Aeternans? Brigadier Hunter here. You there soldier. What is your rank? Are you in command of these men?"
"These fellows and I require rooms, a place to wash, and some food. Also, I would speak to your superior immediately. See to it. Dismissed."
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[Naturally this calls for a Command roll, or else Perception if you don't have that skill. You're not sure what your target number is. :hehe: ]
 
Dumarest said:
[Naturally this calls for a Command roll, or else Perception if you don't have that skill. You're not sure what your target number is. :hehe: ]
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And, not surprisingly, he certainly does have a Command skill (4+1):shade:
5 + 5 + 6 + 3 + 1 = 20
 
The lead gorilla-man cocks an eyebrow and scratches under his armpit with the sharp nails of his huge, furred hand, bares his fangs, and replies, "I know not who you be, nor whence you came, but you have balls, sirrah, if not brains. I believe my commander will be entertained by you strange outlanders. You may come in one of two ways, the choice be yours: first, and likely most comfortable for you, you may come of your own volition as my guests; or, if that be unappealing, you may come as my prisoners, in manacles and chains. Pray tell me your preference with the utmost haste, sirrah, for I still must negotiate the festival entry fee with yon raggle-taggle Aeternans, whom you must admit you resemble not a whit. I like your gall, whoever you may be, but I shan't hesitate to make mincemeat pies of you and your friends should the need arise. Come now, sirrah, what be your choice?"
 
"What cheek!
Guests it is. Lead on then. I would like to speak to your leader. We have a lot of questions."
 
[Low key terrified by what's happening around him And yet satisfied of the fact that he made the correct bet by trusting the british officer; the doctor tries to attract the Lesser Amount Possible of attention to himself and sheepishly follows his companions, waiting for his moment to shine]
[PS: I'm sorry for some reason I wasn't receiving notifications about this post anymore...]
 
A lower-ranking legionary bearing a wax-sealed scroll rushes up to his leader from within the gates. "Captain Baranka! A decree from Emperor Malvolio himself!" the courier, nearly out of breath, announces excitedly.

Captain Barancha unseals the scroll and rapidly scans what is written. With a sweeping gesture of magnanimity he addresses eveyone present. "It appears all entrance fees have been waived by imperial decree!" Looking wryly at the colorful Aeternans, he adds, "Go ahead and seek your thrills, fools! You have plenty of time for your vulgar amusements. The hanging be set for late afternoon." The caravan rolls forward past the gates. Turning to Major Hunter, he scowls and says as to a coconspirator: "I can tell by your bearing that you be a military man, but your...companions...what be they?"

Captain Barancha turns on his heel and begins to walk into the city, his personal guard following before and behind Hunter, Klingermann, and Spisarevski. Without looking to see if you follow, the captain inquires, "You be not Aeternans, nor Shamballans, whence came you? Come along with my guard and tell the truth if you value your lives." You note that a half-dozen well-armed blue-furred legionaries are keeping an attentive watch for any suspect behavior on your parts.

Beyond the gate the road changes to glittering golden-hued stone and broadens into a wide tree-lined boulevard with pedestrian pavements on either side, with great open-air concourses here and there at the entrance to large structures of silver stone, the tallest of which are topped by spires and onion domes. The boulevard is moderately congested by beast-drawn cart traffic and merchants leading pack animals resembling three-humped camels. Everyone aside from the legionaries appears to be as human as you three, yet no one exhibits the slightest curiosity about the gorilla-men or their prrsence here. There is an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, and from what you're able to glean it seems you have arrived just in time for a celebratory festival that is to culminate with an execution in the central plaza this very afternoon. The plumes of smoke you've seen are from a great cookout taking place there now in preparation for a feast set to begin any moment; your escorts pick up their pace in anticipation of a hearty meal.
 
"Captain, Klingerman is a Dr, and Spisarevski is a good chap, I'm not sure what he does to earn his salt. What? But he's all right.
There's no secret as who we are, I am British, the good Dr is German and Spisarevski is Bulgarian. How we came here is not as clear, but I can assure that this city was not our destination. The last thing I recall was being in a violent storm and waking up here.
What about you Captain? Who or what are you? How is it that you speak English like an American? Who is your commander? What is his name? Is it this emperor that waived the gate fees? Where are we? What land is this? What city? Who are these chaps with the particoloured hair? I daresay that I have as many questions as you do. What?"
 
"Stop kidding us, Major. The good Captain is obviously speaking in Bulgarian", Spisarevski sighs.
"As for me, I used to be a soldier, but am now a scribe. That was a war that shouldn't have happened, and was lost by other troops...so I'd rather not kill another person. Or if it can't be avoided, I'd rather not have it turning out to be for naught, because that's what we got in the end".
He looked at the Captain.
"Seems to me, those calico-headed Aethernans are the ones you should ask about it, Captain. They noticed the wreckage of our ship, but didn't seem surprised - not one bit!"
While awaiting an answer, he's looking at the Captain's mouth. Does it actually pronounce the words he'd been hearing?
 
[presumably he hears Spisarevsky talking In bulgarian and Hunter speaking in english while to his hear Barancha speaks german...]
"Yes, yes, of course officer... Captain Barancha. I am Doktor Klingermann and I have the honor of being a professor and a Scholar from a faraway land as my companions allready said... A land of wich I doubt You would know the name, just like we now don't know the name of This one... We were travelling through a Flying Machine lighter than air, towards a land certanly as unknown to You as the one We were from; when a most peculiar atmospheric and perhaps Energetic event whisked us here...
I have a theory about that phenomenon; and to be perfectly honest... I embarked for that voyage hoping to experience it and confirm my theories, though even I didn't know what to expect of it and I regretfully avoided mentioning the possibility of It to my companions since even I thought It very improbable that my theories would prove exact...
That is to say that perhaps there might be some scholar in this beautifull and hospitable city with whom I could confer about my theories and perhaps confirm my suspects?"
 
Johnny Blade said:
[presumably he hears Spisarevsky talking In bulgarian and Hunter speaking in english while to his hear Barancha speaks german...]
"Yes, yes, of course officer... Captain Barancha. I am Doktor Klingermann and I have the honor of being a professor and a Scholar from a faraway land as my companions allready said... A land of wich I doubt You would know the name, just like we now don't know the name of This one... We were travelling through a Flying Machine lighter than air, towards a land certanly as unknown to You as the one We were from; when a most peculiar atmospheric and perhaps Energetic event whisked us here...
I have a theory about that phenomenon; and to be perfectly honest... I embarked for that voyage hoping to experience it and confirm my theories, though even I didn't know what to expect of it and I regretfully avoided mentioning the possibility of It to my companions since even I thought It very improbable that my theories would prove exact...
That is to say that perhaps there might be some scholar in this beautifull and hospitable city with whom I could confer about my theories and perhaps confirm my suspects?"
Click to expand...

Major Hunter replies: "Bulgarian? What? What?"

"Ahemm, quite, quite Herr Dr. Let's see about all of this once we speak with this chap's Commanding Officer. I am sure he will be able to explain everything. No reason to play one's hand too soon. What?"

Then he says to Barancha, with a wink: "Captain, you know these scientists and what they're like. Eggheads, Academics and all that rot. They seem to forget that we aren't frogs to be examined and prodded. What? I say!"

At which point he takes a healthy drag on his cigar and expels copious amounts of smoke into the atmosphere, wishing he had a snifter of brandy, or whiskey at hand.
 
Shemek hiTankolel said:
"Captain, Klingerman is a Dr, and Spisarevski is a good chap, I'm not sure what he does to earn his salt. What? But he's all right.
There's no secret as who we are, I am British, the good Dr is German and Spisarevski is Bulgarian. How we came here is not as clear, but I can assure that this city was not our destination. The last thing I recall was being in a violent storm and waking up here.
What about you Captain? Who or what are you? How is it that you speak English like an American? Who is your commander? What is his name? Is it this emperor that waived the gate fees? Where are we? What land is this? What city? Who are these chaps with the particoloured hair? I daresay that I have as many questions as you do. What?"
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Captain Barancha lets loose a laugh of great gusto and remarks, "Sirrah, you ask so many questions yet you speak such gibberish! German? English? American? What nonsensical terms be these? You seek answers whilst pretending amnesia? Do not take my kindness for foolishness."
AsenRG said:
"Stop kidding us, Major. The good Captain is obviously speaking in Bulgarian", Spisarevski sighs.
"As for me, I used to be a soldier, but am now a scribe. That was a war that shouldn't have happened, and was lost by other troops...so I'd rather not kill another person. Or if it can't be avoided, I'd rather not have it turning out to be for naught, because that's what we got in the end".
He looked at the Captain.
"Seems to me, those calico-headed Aethernans are the ones you should ask about it, Captain. They noticed the wreckage of our ship, but didn't seem surprised - not one bit!"
Click to expand...
"Bulgarian? More addlepated claptrap, or else childish pretense. So at least you acknowledge you arrived in a skyship. But your story of a violent storm is obviously a lie. I know not what you hope to gain by it. One needs but observe the sky above and the land below to know there has been no violent storm hereabouts in ages. Professor Prospero would never allow his weather-control machines to be abused in such a fashion."
AsenRG said:
While awaiting an answer, he's looking at the Captain's mouth. Does it actually pronounce the words he'd been hearing?
Click to expand...
Not at all, it's like watching a badly dubbed kung fu movie.
Johnny Blade said:
"Yes, yes, of course officer... Captain Barancha. I am Doktor Klingermann and I have the honor of being a professor and a Scholar from a faraway land as my companions allready said... A land of wich I doubt You would know the name, just like we now don't know the name of This one... We were travelling through a Flying Machine lighter than air, towards a land certanly as unknown to You as the one We were from; when a most peculiar atmospheric and perhaps Energetic event whisked us here...
I have a theory about that phenomenon; and to be perfectly honest... I embarked for that voyage hoping to experience it and confirm my theories, though even I didn't know what to expect of it and I regretfully avoided mentioning the possibility of It to my companions since even I thought It very improbable that my theories would prove exact...
That is to say that perhaps there might be some scholar in this beautifull and hospitable city with whom I could confer about my theories and perhaps confirm my suspects?"
Click to expand...
"Professor Prospero will be very entertained by your tall tales, methinks. Perhaps you can enlighten him on his pet theory of interstitial theta rays and supradimensional spontaneous transportation."
Shemek hiTankolel said:
"Captain, you know these scientists and what they're like. Eggheads, Academics and all that rot. They seem to forget that we aren't frogs to be examined and prodded. What? I say!"
Click to expand...
"I'm at loggerheads with myself, sirrah, as I don't quite know whether to take you to the general, the professor, or the madhouse for immediate shock treatment. Nonetheless, you are leastways an amusing lot. You remind me of a comedy troupe that visited Aeterna a few years ago. They failed to make the emperor laugh, however; I believe their bones were interred not far from here. Ah, we've arrived!"

Looking about, you find yourselves at the entrance to a tall silver-brick building that resembles a European courthouse or municipal building with its many steps and columns and high-domed roof. Heavily-armed blue-furred legionaries guard the entrance and salue the captain as he approaches. Upon gaining entry, you find yourselves in a large stone foyer with a massive staircase in the center, down which stride a group of important-looking men clad in toga-like robes, escorted by legionaries as they discuss matters of great import.

"You're in luck!" says Captain Barancha. "Professor Prospero and General Banquo are both here. Show proper respect and do not speak unless spoken to, if you value your heads' attachment to your necks!"
 
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Major Hunter nods in agreement, and follows Barancha's order. He turns to Klingerman and Spisarevski and says:
"Steady now lads, let's follow the the Captain's lead and see what's what."
 
"I've spoken to superiors in the Bulgarian army, and got beaten for my tone. Don't worry, Major - I'm not about to do anything unnecessarily rash", Spisarevski winks.
"Also, we can lay aside the theory about languages, because we were all wrong. The Captain's mouth doesn't move in sync with the words I'm hearing, and I suspect with the words you're hearing, either. You're both probably familiar with the beliefs of some primitive folks who believe they can achieve direct inter-mind communication? Well, it would seem everybody we've met so far is actually doing that - and effortlessly, since they didn't bother to even comment on our squabbles. It seems they don't even understand what we're talking about when we mention languages."
 
Major Hunter responds to Spisarevski:
"Yes, I was beginning to suspect the same thing. It would seem that we are very far from home.... Let's do our best to return in one piece."

To Barancha he quietly asks:

"Who is who? Which one is the general, and which is the professor?"
 
Before the captain responds, the group of dignitaries breaks up into twosomes, still escorted by legionaries, each pair heading off in a different direction in the corridors that branch off from the large entrance hall. A massive, broad-shouldered, barrel-chested man in a dark blue toga approaches Captain Barancha, followed closely by a reed-thin, sallow-skinned man in a pale green toga.

"So! Have you brought us slaves or citizens?" booms the first man, who slaps Captain Barancha hard on both shoulders as a way of greeting and laughs so heartily he almost loses his breath.

The thin man cocks an eyebrow and remarks, "Or perhaps test subjects?"

"Come now, Barancha, what have you been up to, you great beast?"

"General Banquo," responds Barancha to the larger man, "it will please you to hear we disrupted Corvino's rebel network, though not without some losses."

"Ah, but what of Corvino himself?" Banquo replies. "Emperor Malvolio would dearly love to capture that treasonous rapscallion cousin of his!"

"Perhaps, General, we should discuss this as well as the matter of Duke Corbaccio elsewhere, where fewer ears may listen?" Barancha suggests. He turns to the other man and gestures to the three of you: "Professor Prospero, allow me to introduce an anomaly in the flesh. These three strangers..."

"...are clearly not Aeternan, as any fool can plainly see!" finishes Prospero. Barancha whispers a few sentences in the professor's ear. "Well, well, well! Banquo, why don't you and Barancha run off and play soldier and leave this matter in the hands of the learned."

Barancha and Banquo hasten to leave and Prospero, still escorted by heavily-armed legionaries, looks you up and down with an appraising eye while mumbling to himself. All you can make out of his mumbling is the occasional word ("...cranium... bipedal... occipital... odiferous... atavistic... deficient... primitive...") until he addresses you directly: "Come, now, you are obviously of a humanoid-type stock with a properly developed larynx, I daresay more advanced than our Blue Apes, don't tell me you're incapable of speech! But wait, not here! Guards! Escort these men to my study!"

Moments later, having traversed several indistinguishable hallways lined with great metal doors, you find yourselves invited by Professor Prospero to take a seat on a divan or one of several armchairs grouped around a low table made of black stone. The professor seats himself on the arm of one chair and claps his hands to summon a shapely young woman pushing a cart carrying an elegant silver tea service. "Now then! Don't look so bewildered! I'll not bite and the Blue Apes won't either unless I tell them to. Well, well, well...it seems you have our friend Captain Barancha mystified. I daresay his education, martial in nature, hasn't prepared him for this sort of thing. He says you claim to have arrived here by way of a skyship, is that so?"
 
"That is indeed so, Professor Prospero", Spisarevski answered. "And while Captain Barancha seems like a decent chap, I would agree he seemed just as mystified as the lot of us. I cannot blame him: my own education, which I'd dare say was more mental-oriented than his, didn't prepare me for the sight of a multitude of moons over here, either! I gather that Doktor Klingermann might have had an inkling of what was to happen before boarding the flying ship, though - or maybe it was just what he claimed in front of the Captain, in order to assuade his suspicions."
 
"Well, well, well...." Prospero lights a horn pipe and begins to smoke thoughtfully. "Ah, I have it! Do you mind if I apply a lie detector to each of you while you relate your tale? It is a nearly foolproof gadget of my own invention, you see, and it will, assuming your physiology is truly human such as mine, give you an excruciating electrical shock if you lie. I assume you're familiar with the concept of electricity? I must warn you in advance that refusal to comply will mean I have no recourse but to turn you over to the Emperor's inquisitors."
 
"We are familiar with the concept, thank you", Spisarevski said. There were pros and cons...
Then he looked at his two complanetiots, and realized that those two wouldn't think twice about refusing.
Unless they had an example.
"Sure, attach your machine. As long as it doesn't look as one of those inquisitorial machines, I'm fine. Didn't intend to lie in the first place".
 
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