“Well I don’t know which crates are which.” I say with a shrug as I head above decks. Saying over my shoulder, “Hopefully, no one gets sick from your lack of assisting Valjean and I.” I stand next to Parker while waiting for transport of the ship with our collected crates.
Blair bites her bottom lip as she back peddles to look over her work. She’d run her hands along the length of her whip before cracking it off to the side, snapping it against the floor. Then with another expert flick of her wrist to call the end of her coil back, it would flick ahead of Blair, wrapping around and ankle of her Flame. Blair would tug her to the edge of the bed. She’d approach once more with long strides, twirling her wrist in a manner that releases her prey from her grip. She’d reholster her whip on her hip as she’d lift her legs to straddle her companion for one final farewell, finally releasing her from her binds. “Good girl.” Blair would praise.
The door swings open, and Murph is being led into what looks like a normal wine cellar. As you step into the main storage hall though, you see that the back wall that you'd expect based of the footprint of the establishment above extends a further ten feet or so, with another staircase leading further into the underbelly of the city. Following the large thug that led you in down the stairs, you emerge in a large tunnel, likely once used for the city's canalisation, but now dry and lit with hundreds of candles and sconces. It's a stunning sight, as every nook and cranny of this underground tunnel houses a small lean-to, or a store front, or sometimes even just a vendor's stand, with all sorts of gods on display. As you walk along, you notice crates of rare animals, next to a supplier offering shoddy weapons for sale. On the opposite side, you see a woman clad in multiple colourfully embroidered cloaks offering to read fortunes, while you smell the delicious smell of barbecued meat from someone selling food on the side.
With every corner that you turn, you see another tunnel similar to the one you entered from the Keg's Wine Cellar. It's dizzying, as there seems to be no order to the stores or goods on offer, and unless you're familiar with the networks down here, you'd likely get hopelessly lost. Unfortunately, the thug from before has wished you farewell, and left you alone amongst the stands.
Feeling slightly overwhelmed, you're glad when a couple of moments later a tall, gaunt figure with a pointy beared and oily shoulder-length balck hair approaches you, his scarred face carrying a large smile: "Welcome to the Undercellar. They call me Ribbons, and I run things down here. Now, I don't recall you ever coming her before, so let me tell you how things work down here. Everyone visiting the Market Below pays five coppers for the privilege. What happens down here stays down here, your fault if you get robbed or if you lose something. Feel free to peruse the upper levels for any sort of entertainment you might crave. If you're here on business though, you better bring either a letter of recommendation from a kingpin, or have something in mind to trade with in kind. With all that in mind- how can I help you?"
You can't help but find it slightly disturbing that the man was smiling throughout that entire rundown.
----------------------------------
Parker signals to the nearby sloop, as Dart starts to order some of the guards to get ready to load up the crates onto the other ship. Just as you're getting ready to depart, you both spot a bright fireball, followed by the sound of a devastating explosion, followed in rapid succession by a second blast, from the coast line to the Northeast!
Within moments, you see flames and smoke rise above Brampton ward and Insight Park, and soon thereafter, you can hear alarm bells ringing throughout the city. The guards on the ship meanwhile look towards you and the gauntlet.
"What was that? Is the city under attack? What should we do?" As you look towards the gauntlet, he seems very unsure himself.
---------------------------------
Blair, you've just stepped out and let the Flame get changed, on your way to let the twins know to wrap up their act and get ready to head back to the city, when you hear the rolling thunder of two sharp blasts, followed by the confused voices on board the ship.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Parker turns "You stay here and continue doing your duty of course, i heard something about clearing the park, i guess they were ready to go.
but you lot, see us off, and you might want to get anyone else that isnt er assigned to this vessel off as well then defend her. Lets get this stuff transferred and do our duties oh and to save you time we will gladly transport and um "passengers" you may need to get off the ship
I nod along in agreement with Parker’s words trying to reinforce his speech, “Yes. Get anyone not stationed on this ship off as quickly as possible and maintain your post.” I then try to recall any information or rumors I’ve heard regarding that area of town.
I do as instructed by the ‘Flame’ working as quickly as possible to get the crates back to our schooner. “Perhaps the ... entertainment should come back to shore with us? Wouldn’t want to leave the vessel undermanned for any length of time. Right Valjean?”
A bit confused herself, Blair would pause a moment when she'd hear the blast. Her heart began to race for an entirely different reason. The redhead would inhale a deep breath to center herself as she'd glance around her immediate area. Her immediate focus went to something within her control, which was to locate the girls and ensure their safety. Blair would set out with a firm expression, setting out to where she'd expect the twins to be.
"Hello Ribbons! Perhaps I've been here before, perhaps I haven't. Don't we all love mysteries? It is nice to meet you, though. I've a question. How would you feel if I told Rilsa about the 5 coppers you want from me? She may not always follow all the rules, but she doesn't ignore the important ones. And she does so dislike overpaying, as you must know."Murph palms a distinctive green cube out of a pocket in a furtive display that Ribbons can see but no one else can. His eyes search the face of the tall man, looking for recognition and any reaction. Assuming he has a semi-expected reaction, he pockets the stone without any flourish and continues.
"Now that we understand each other better, I thank you for the information and the 'welcome.' I'll be headed downstairs looking for a bored jeweler, if you can recommend one or two. On some unimportant business, rather boring actually. Perhaps there's something more interesting on my way down there though? What's your favorite vendor here? I might have 5 coppers in it for some good recommendations that I won't regret too much tomorrow."
Blair, as you step out of the officer's cabin, you find yourself alone in the cargo bay, the guards having either rushed to the main deck above or to the crew chambers. As you rush over to the crew chambers to get the girls, you suddenly smell smoke, and as you turn, you see flames lick up a crate and a stash of flour bags in the far left corner of the cargo hold, with billowing smoke quickly filling the ship!
--------------------------------
"Get the girls out of here, you heard the Flame! And somebody, get me Ardent up here, now!" The main deck has come alive with frantic action, and you can tell that the gauntlet is somewhat overwhelmed and trying to get order back. Parker meanwhile has successfully signaled your boat, which is coming closer, seeing as nobody seems to stop them. As Dart looks over the bay, he can see that the patrol boat seems to be heading towards the columns of smoke on the horizon.
-------------------------------
The man, calmly and smiling, answers: "I'm sure you're new here now, everyone pays the five copper, it's the going Guild tariff. Down here, everyone's the same. And after all, the Cellarers need to be paid too, right? He he, but enough about that, I'll take you to a jeweler. As far as my favourite vedor down here? Well, that would be me, naturally. After all, I'm selling my services to every single merchant down here, he he. I don't know your tastes, but how about making some money on the cockfights? Or if you're looking to fight yourself, there's people who offer that too. If you're more in the mood for companionship, there's something for everybody's tastes here, and the going rates are the best in town..." YOu get the sense that Ribbons is trying to feel you out, figure out what you're all about, but not quite sure whether he's got a full grasp of it yet.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"That's new." Blair would swallow at the sight of the flames. It looked as though her girls may have already evacuated. She had to believe that.
Flame. Clenching her jaw, Blair would curse under her breath. This better not come back to bite me in the ass... She'd decide to go back to check for her companion before heading above herself.
As you burst back into the room, Blair, you see the flame half dressed, looking at you with anger and supsicion, before noticing your own surprise, and relaxing her features somewhat: "What in the hells is going on here?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Even with the angry stare, Blair wouldn't waver. "Your ship's on fire sweetheart." She'd continue her march into the room, grabbing the Flames top from where she tossed it last. "Let's go." Blair's voice was clear and firm as she'd look flustered pet up and down. She'd shove her clothes in her direction "Now."
Flame Ardent takes a moment or two to grasp what Blair just told her, before quickly grabbing her top, and dressing herself, missing several buttons in the process, before rushing out with you in tow. The staircase is already filling with smoke, but you can still see through it without much of an issue.
On the main deck, "Flame" Valjean is doing his best to exude a calm and measured authority, trying to keep things as organised as possible, as three guards stumble up onto the main deck, with two half-dressed twins in tow. By now, you hear the cry from down below: "Fire! The ship's caught fire!" You start to see the smoke rise up from the shutters across the cargo hold, and soon one of the fists is ringing a bell on deck.
As soon as Flame Ardent makes it onto the main deck, coughing a little, Blair, Parker and Dart notice each other on the deck. Before any of them can say anything though, the loud voice of Flame Ardent cuts through the ding of activity: "Manip Orkov, there's a fire in the hold, take four men and try to save what we can!" You hear a crisps "Aye, sir." from him, as he takes four others to come and try to fight the fire down below.
Then, her eyes fall on Dart and Parker. "Seeing how Parker carries himself, she rushes over, still shoddily dressed :"What is the meaning of this? I wasn't informed of another officer on deck. Explain yourselves!"
Parker and Dart's sloop has approached within fifty feet of the Empress, but with the ringing and the shouting, you see the two war ships slowly turning towards the Empress as well, and you can make out signal lamps being lit to try and communicate with the Empress.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"We were here for a surprise inspection, HQ had intel of some of the supplies being tainted by the resistance, ive identified these crates for disposal, which we were just getting ready to remove before those explosions over there" he points towards the flames and smoke ashore Your Gauntlet has been most helpful and we didnt want to disturb you unnecessarily" with that Parker gives a slight bow of his head, you said something about a fire?
“Well I don’t know which crates are which.” I say with a shrug as I head above decks. Saying over my shoulder, “Hopefully, no one gets sick from your lack of assisting Valjean and I.” I stand next to Parker while waiting for transport of the ship with our collected crates.
Blair bites her bottom lip as she back peddles to look over her work. She’d run her hands along the length of her whip before cracking it off to the side, snapping it against the floor. Then with another expert flick of her wrist to call the end of her coil back, it would flick ahead of Blair, wrapping around and ankle of her Flame. Blair would tug her to the edge of the bed. She’d approach once more with long strides, twirling her wrist in a manner that releases her prey from her grip. She’d reholster her whip on her hip as she’d lift her legs to straddle her companion for one final farewell, finally releasing her from her binds. “Good girl.” Blair would praise.
just an unstable unicorn.
Murph grunts affirmatively to the question behind the door.
The door swings open, and Murph is being led into what looks like a normal wine cellar. As you step into the main storage hall though, you see that the back wall that you'd expect based of the footprint of the establishment above extends a further ten feet or so, with another staircase leading further into the underbelly of the city. Following the large thug that led you in down the stairs, you emerge in a large tunnel, likely once used for the city's canalisation, but now dry and lit with hundreds of candles and sconces. It's a stunning sight, as every nook and cranny of this underground tunnel houses a small lean-to, or a store front, or sometimes even just a vendor's stand, with all sorts of gods on display. As you walk along, you notice crates of rare animals, next to a supplier offering shoddy weapons for sale. On the opposite side, you see a woman clad in multiple colourfully embroidered cloaks offering to read fortunes, while you smell the delicious smell of barbecued meat from someone selling food on the side.
With every corner that you turn, you see another tunnel similar to the one you entered from the Keg's Wine Cellar. It's dizzying, as there seems to be no order to the stores or goods on offer, and unless you're familiar with the networks down here, you'd likely get hopelessly lost. Unfortunately, the thug from before has wished you farewell, and left you alone amongst the stands.
Feeling slightly overwhelmed, you're glad when a couple of moments later a tall, gaunt figure with a pointy beared and oily shoulder-length balck hair approaches you, his scarred face carrying a large smile: "Welcome to the Undercellar. They call me Ribbons, and I run things down here. Now, I don't recall you ever coming her before, so let me tell you how things work down here. Everyone visiting the Market Below pays five coppers for the privilege. What happens down here stays down here, your fault if you get robbed or if you lose something. Feel free to peruse the upper levels for any sort of entertainment you might crave. If you're here on business though, you better bring either a letter of recommendation from a kingpin, or have something in mind to trade with in kind. With all that in mind- how can I help you?"
You can't help but find it slightly disturbing that the man was smiling throughout that entire rundown.
----------------------------------
Parker signals to the nearby sloop, as Dart starts to order some of the guards to get ready to load up the crates onto the other ship. Just as you're getting ready to depart, you both spot a bright fireball, followed by the sound of a devastating explosion, followed in rapid succession by a second blast, from the coast line to the Northeast!
Within moments, you see flames and smoke rise above Brampton ward and Insight Park, and soon thereafter, you can hear alarm bells ringing throughout the city. The guards on the ship meanwhile look towards you and the gauntlet.
"What was that? Is the city under attack? What should we do?" As you look towards the gauntlet, he seems very unsure himself.
---------------------------------
Blair, you've just stepped out and let the Flame get changed, on your way to let the twins know to wrap up their act and get ready to head back to the city, when you hear the rolling thunder of two sharp blasts, followed by the confused voices on board the ship.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Parker turns "You stay here and continue doing your duty of course, i heard something about clearing the park, i guess they were ready to go.
but you lot, see us off, and you might want to get anyone else that isnt er assigned to this vessel off as well then defend her. Lets get this stuff transferred and do our duties oh and to save you time we will gladly transport and um "passengers" you may need to get off the ship
Persuasion: 9
try again: 6
Laissez les bons temps rouler
I nod along in agreement with Parker’s words trying to reinforce his speech, “Yes. Get anyone not stationed on this ship off as quickly as possible and maintain your post.” I then try to recall any information or rumors I’ve heard regarding that area of town.
"Javert go down and assist with the loading if you please"
Laissez les bons temps rouler
I do as instructed by the ‘Flame’ working as quickly as possible to get the crates back to our schooner. “Perhaps the ... entertainment should come back to shore with us? Wouldn’t want to leave the vessel undermanned for any length of time. Right Valjean?”
A bit confused herself, Blair would pause a moment when she'd hear the blast. Her heart began to race for an entirely different reason. The redhead would inhale a deep breath to center herself as she'd glance around her immediate area. Her immediate focus went to something within her control, which was to locate the girls and ensure their safety. Blair would set out with a firm expression, setting out to where she'd expect the twins to be.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Hello Ribbons! Perhaps I've been here before, perhaps I haven't. Don't we all love mysteries? It is nice to meet you, though. I've a question. How would you feel if I told Rilsa about the 5 coppers you want from me? She may not always follow all the rules, but she doesn't ignore the important ones. And she does so dislike overpaying, as you must know." Murph palms a distinctive green cube out of a pocket in a furtive display that Ribbons can see but no one else can. His eyes search the face of the tall man, looking for recognition and any reaction. Assuming he has a semi-expected reaction, he pockets the stone without any flourish and continues.
"Now that we understand each other better, I thank you for the information and the 'welcome.' I'll be headed downstairs looking for a bored jeweler, if you can recommend one or two. On some unimportant business, rather boring actually. Perhaps there's something more interesting on my way down there though? What's your favorite vendor here? I might have 5 coppers in it for some good recommendations that I won't regret too much tomorrow."
He smiles.
Blair, as you step out of the officer's cabin, you find yourself alone in the cargo bay, the guards having either rushed to the main deck above or to the crew chambers. As you rush over to the crew chambers to get the girls, you suddenly smell smoke, and as you turn, you see flames lick up a crate and a stash of flour bags in the far left corner of the cargo hold, with billowing smoke quickly filling the ship!

--------------------------------
"Get the girls out of here, you heard the Flame! And somebody, get me Ardent up here, now!" The main deck has come alive with frantic action, and you can tell that the gauntlet is somewhat overwhelmed and trying to get order back. Parker meanwhile has successfully signaled your boat, which is coming closer, seeing as nobody seems to stop them. As Dart looks over the bay, he can see that the patrol boat seems to be heading towards the columns of smoke on the horizon.
-------------------------------
The man, calmly and smiling, answers: "I'm sure you're new here now, everyone pays the five copper, it's the going Guild tariff. Down here, everyone's the same. And after all, the Cellarers need to be paid too, right? He he, but enough about that, I'll take you to a jeweler. As far as my favourite vedor down here? Well, that would be me, naturally. After all, I'm selling my services to every single merchant down here, he he. I don't know your tastes, but how about making some money on the cockfights? Or if you're looking to fight yourself, there's people who offer that too. If you're more in the mood for companionship, there's something for everybody's tastes here, and the going rates are the best in town..." YOu get the sense that Ribbons is trying to feel you out, figure out what you're all about, but not quite sure whether he's got a full grasp of it yet.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Parker waits for the last of the crates and for the girls.to appear on deck. His isnt giving orders but one
"Your Gauntlet knows his duty. Follow his commands in an orderly fashion and you will be alright"
Laissez les bons temps rouler
"That's new." Blair would swallow at the sight of the flames. It looked as though her girls may have already evacuated. She had to believe that.
Flame. Clenching her jaw, Blair would curse under her breath. This better not come back to bite me in the ass... She'd decide to go back to check for her companion before heading above herself.
just an unstable unicorn.
As you burst back into the room, Blair, you see the flame half dressed, looking at you with anger and supsicion, before noticing your own surprise, and relaxing her features somewhat: "What in the hells is going on here?"
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
Even with the angry stare, Blair wouldn't waver. "Your ship's on fire sweetheart." She'd continue her march into the room, grabbing the Flames top from where she tossed it last. "Let's go." Blair's voice was clear and firm as she'd look flustered pet up and down. She'd shove her clothes in her direction "Now."
just an unstable unicorn.
Parker is waiting calmly near the crates, waving any passengers to come near him and then motioning (almose willing) the boat to come closer
"come on be quick about it he whispers, come on
Laissez les bons temps rouler
I nudge Parker and say quietly in thieves cant, “Should we try and grab another crate or two in all of this chaos?”
"No well be lucky to get what we have off"
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Flame Ardent takes a moment or two to grasp what Blair just told her, before quickly grabbing her top, and dressing herself, missing several buttons in the process, before rushing out with you in tow. The staircase is already filling with smoke, but you can still see through it without much of an issue.
On the main deck, "Flame" Valjean is doing his best to exude a calm and measured authority, trying to keep things as organised as possible, as three guards stumble up onto the main deck, with two half-dressed twins in tow. By now, you hear the cry from down below: "Fire! The ship's caught fire!" You start to see the smoke rise up from the shutters across the cargo hold, and soon one of the fists is ringing a bell on deck.
As soon as Flame Ardent makes it onto the main deck, coughing a little, Blair, Parker and Dart notice each other on the deck. Before any of them can say anything though, the loud voice of Flame Ardent cuts through the ding of activity: "Manip Orkov, there's a fire in the hold, take four men and try to save what we can!" You hear a crisps "Aye, sir." from him, as he takes four others to come and try to fight the fire down below.
Then, her eyes fall on Dart and Parker. "Seeing how Parker carries himself, she rushes over, still shoddily dressed :"What is the meaning of this? I wasn't informed of another officer on deck. Explain yourselves!"
Parker and Dart's sloop has approached within fifty feet of the Empress, but with the ringing and the shouting, you see the two war ships slowly turning towards the Empress as well, and you can make out signal lamps being lit to try and communicate with the Empress.
Union!- Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Embers in the Dark - Errydha (Homebrew) Setting
Welcome to the Jungle- Far Realms
Citadel of the Unsleeping Sun - Erathis (Grim Hollow) Setting
Yevelda the Mutt- 3rd Level Half-Orc Battlemaster Fighter- Far Realms
Rehgys- 5th Level Satyr Bard of Eloquence- Far Realms
"We were here for a surprise inspection, HQ had intel of some of the supplies being tainted by the resistance, ive identified these crates for disposal, which we were just getting ready to remove before those explosions over there" he points towards the flames and smoke ashore Your Gauntlet has been most helpful and we didnt want to disturb you unnecessarily" with that Parker gives a slight bow of his head, you said something about a fire?
Laissez les bons temps rouler