Dionysus The guards at the wealth church deny you entrance.

Arlie_B "Why the bloody hell not?"

Arlie_B he asks the guard

Dionysus "Orders."

Arlie_B "Anyone isn't allowed in, or just me?"

Dionysus "Only the vested are allowed in today."

Arlie_B "Look, I wanted to speak to Avery Colzyre. He left me a note saying he and Jack Crane were coming here last night. I just wanted to check on them. Can I write them a message back?"

Arlie_B "They were part of the vigil for the Jack of Diamonds. He's Avery's dad and all."

Dionysus The guard frowns, "You can leave a message."

• Arlie_B writes down a note "Jack and Avery, hope all is well. By the time you get this, I'll have been waiting outside for 10-15 minutes. If you can't talk, please send word. If I'm not here, send word back to the inn."

Arlie_B "Here, here's my message. Mind if I wait out here for a bit?"

Dionysus Theguard shrugs & pockets the message.

Arlie_B "You're not going to take the message inside? Is there a time I should come back?"

Dionysus "I will give it to my superior when he comes to check on me, or take it to hiom if he doesn't come before weI'm off duty. I cannot leave my post."

Arlie_B "Alright. You mind if I play?" he pulls out his trumpet.

Dionysus He shrugs.

• Arlie_B will play loudly for 15 minutes, playing band songs, hoping Avery can figure it out.

Arlie_B then, he'll give up and go elsewhere.

Dionysus Where do you go?

Arlie_B I have 2-3 errands to perform

Arlie_B 1.) Go to truth temple and post a message for Damon, telling him that I have far more to tell him than I can write and I'll have to do it in person. PS. Avery's dad has gone rouge and is in the competition. Steps should be taken to strip him and that sorceror of their noble rank.

Dionysus At the truth temple, they only ask fo ra small donation to send the message

Arlie_B that's fine. While he's there, he'll ask for directions to the seediest the priest knows of.

Arlie_B I'll have to figure out this last bit. What can I offer the thieves guild?

Dionysus The seediest what?

Arlie_B sorry, seediest pub.

Dionysus The priest gives you directions to a pub in Shadowford.

Dionysus The pub turns out to be high class, but full of darkness faithful.

Arlie_B he'll look in the Silence pubs instead.

Arlie_B ok, I want to use a karma in an unconventional manner.

Dionysus Ask away

Arlie_B and I say due to Arlie's time serving in the tournament, he knows a poorly guarded way in that leads to a dragon's golden statuette collection? If so, Arlie will go and plan to trade intelligence for intelligence.

Dionysus Okay, back up a space: Have I said previously there's a thieves guild in Madziar?

Arlie_B no, he's just assuming there is.

Arlie_B and if there is one here, they are probably pretty good and well informed.

Arlie_B if that assumption turns up false, I'll go to my third item on the agenda.

Dionysus Which karma would you spend?

Arlie_B does his duty.

Dionysus The silence area of town seems to be utterly emtpy.

Dionysus No noise can be heard, no people seen.

• Arlie_B openly examines some coins, then puts them in his back pocket while walking around.

Arlie_B the rest he keeps underneath his shirt. He looks for a pub.

Dionysus Eventually, you find a pub, with three people in it. One is the bartender. The other two keep to themselves.

Arlie_B "Pretty dead out there, aye mate?" Arlie comes up to the bar and grins.

Arlie_B "Right, then, just a drink." he puts down some coins.

Dionysus The bartender pours you an ale.

Dionysus He says nothing

Dionysus Your voice doesn't carry well here

Arlie_B raising his voice a bit, he says: "So, can you keep something under your hat, I mean if you wore a hat that is... I'm looking for something. I don't have much, but I do have a good story about Krenata'an and a loopy dragon's golden statue collection. If you see anyone who needs a good story, would you send them my way? There's a chap." he winks, grabs a booth, and starts drinking.

Dionysus The barman stares at you a moment.

Dionysus Shakes his head, then goes back to cleaning.

Dionysus Roll awareness

Arlie_B a 19

Dionysus You notice that the barman fills mugs of ale & leaves them on the counter, & they vanish. You notice other similar occurences, & you notice shadows cross the bar when there's no one outside.

Arlie_B he thinks, "I wonder how many of his customers he's knows face to face."

Dionysus Your mug vanishes.

Arlie_B luckily, this fascinates Arlie, so he doesn't get bored as he waits--

Arlie_B then he certainly doesn't get bored.

Arlie_B lower voice, "Saves me a walk up to the bar to get you something."

Arlie_B "Are you interested in stories?"

Arlie_B he looks straight ahead.

Dionysus A whisper, "Nice trumpet."

Arlie_B "Thanks. I don't know if they'd much appreciate me playing a bit for you here though."

Dionysus The voice doesnt' respond, but your trumpet is gone.

Arlie_B "Aye now, the trumpet isn't part of the deal. I need that to save the world."

Arlie_B "I'm looking for information about the sword of Wealth. I used to be special forces, and I can trade information about a job in Krenata'an."

Dionysus "You brought a musical instrument here. It is forfeit. Give me the information on Kren'atan, & I will give you a hint about the Sword."

• Arlie_B frowns, and pauses.

Arlie_B "Here's what I know about Krenata'an." Arlie starts to tell the story. .... "The old man is a bit loopy. They are dusted every thursday, and they dusters have to wear these special static free suits."

Arlie_B "The guards just let the dusters through, from there you can get to the stadium if you are lucky, or you have the statues to yourself."

Dionysus "A worthwhile job."

Arlie_B "Now, I'm looking for who has the sword so I can steal it back." he grins

Arlie_B "The emperor said he'd give anything in his power."

Dionysus "I don't care why you need to know."

Dionysus "The theft was done by one of the ten greatest thieves alive. They all know each other, & each keeps tabs on the other nine. They will know which one did it."

Arlie_B "Thanks. Oh, and I do need the trumpet back. Pretty please. It's quite urgent. Sorry for bringing it here."

Arlie_B he touches his sword. "Take these coins instead."

Dionysus "It will cost more than coins to get it back. When do you need it?"

Arlie_B "Another fair trade, a penalty for my ignorance."

Arlie_B "I need it tonight for my gig. It's my livelyhood now. What's the price?"

Arlie_B r awa 15

Arlie_B 22

Arlie_B where is he?

Arlie_B can I get enough information to safely put a blue zone shield around him when he answers?

Dionysus You have no idea where he is.

Arlie_B does he answer?

Dionysus His whispers come from right behind your ear.

Dionysus He does, one sec

Arlie_B ok.

Dionysus "Your noble title? Your fertility? Your wife? Your Servitude? Your magical skill? Your favorite memory?"

• Arlie_B pauses half a second.

Arlie_B "How about another little piece of information?"

Arlie_B (blue zones don't work with faith, correct?)

Dionysus Correct

Dionysus "Speak it & we'll see."

Arlie_B hello?

Arlie_B "I know why the prayers of the faithful aren't being answered."

Arlie_B "Is that worth a cursed trumpet?"

Dionysus Hello.

Dionysus "That is a great mystery. It is worth it. Say it."

Arlie_B my connection lagged again.

Arlie_B "The Mother of Music is crying too loudly."

Dionysus There is no answer for a moment, then, "That is no reason at all."

Arlie_B "The sobs are blocking the prayers."

Dionysus "Even if that's so, it cannot be proven. Why should I believe you?"

Arlie_B "I don't think that you think I'm lying. You shouldn't until you've verified it yourself. But that's a hell of a lead."

Arlie_B "The trumpet, and then I'm off."

Dionysus "If you return here, you will cease to be."

Dionysus And the trumpet is on your table.

• Arlie_B collects his things and goes.

Arlie_B (my reasoning was that he was a religious zealot, and that story is only really useful to the religious. If he's not, he can trade it to the religious for something better. And the more religious people know what the problem is, the better.)

Arlie_B after this, to the music sector, depending on if I have time.

Dionysus What do you go for?

Arlie_B possibly an extra trumpet, and music lessons.

Dionysus An extra trumpet is easy to get. A decent one, even.

Dionysus Music lessons are also easy to get, actually. There's several classes you can sit in on

Arlie_B and that's my day.