Gameplay Thread

Why shouldn't i stick him, he is a pillock. As for the job that is not your business, but it wont harm you or your sister. What do you know of the Orb andl how it is protected?

Margery walks a few steps in the direction of the garden, an intense look on her face, before Othorion catches her arm and redirects her to a group of guests. They seem to have a whispered argument, before Othorion loudly begins making introductions.

Cirn gratefully takes another drink and his tongue starts to loosen. 'You know, everyone in this hall envies her,' he says, looking at Margery, 'but I don't. Don't get me wrong, she's very beautiful – and if she had her sister's brain, she'd be the perfect woman – but it's a gilded cage, that life, boring and empty. What I wouldn't give to be back in the field,' he sighs. A pair of young women, having broken off to admire the orb, rejoin their party. Mantra overhears a nasty joke made about himself preferring the company of 'the help', that draws a round of deep laughter.


'That's my brother-in-law-to-be you're talking about!' snaps Buttercup. 'He may not be perfect, but neither is Margery, and as a matter of fact I think they complement each other pretty well. He likes to collect trophies and she likes to be one. And at least he's rich enough to keep her in luxury – what's the most you've ever done for a woman, give her the most disappointing two minutes of her life?' She claps her hands to her mouth, horrified to have gone so far. 'I'm sorry, Petrev, I shouldn't have said that. I don't like that orb, it scares me. It's something from the elemental plane of Chaos. As far as I can work out, that housing keeps it in check somehow, otherwise it would warp reality around it. You- oh gods no, please don't tell me you're here to steal it!'

Taking Buttercups arm in his and smiling at her for the benefit of nosy onlookers and also to comfort Buttercup. He whispers Well, i had that coming and too be honest you got me pretty drunk, I'm lucky i lasted that long smiling at Buttercup honestly.
Continuing to whisper How about i do you and Margery a favour, let me remove that cursed object from your house and let you go back to your life here. That thing will bring you nothing but disaster and strife. And if it casuses him anguish than that is what he deserves for causing me to spend years at sea with a broken heart.

Buttercup sighs deeply. 'Alright, I'll help you – but you have to guarantee you won't steal anything else, or cause any other harm. And you have to tell Margery that you'll be permanently unavailable, that you're going to join a religious order or something. And don't you dare let me down, or breathe a word of this to anybody.'

Just walking around with a blank look, really. Mantra and Petrev give him the impression that they understand what's going to happen but Momo is clueless.

Petrev looks at Buttercup.
Ok, i can work with that. I can promise you i won't steal anything else or harm anyone who isnt attacking me.
What so you suggest is the best way to steal the Orb?
The Margery thing is going to be far trickier.

Buttercup firmly disengages Petrev's arm. 'You're the criminal mastermind in this partnership,' she says. 'You tell me what you need.'

A guard approaches Momo. 'Sir, is everything alright? Can I help you with anything' he asks.

Quietly to ButtercupWhat i need most is information, what can you tell me about how the Orb is secured and any unexpected traps?

As Mantra receives a drink from a servant bearing a tray, he notices that the servant is in fact the half-elf encountered at the Copper Lion earlier that day.

'The cabinet has a small lock on it, but as far as I know, that's all. That's why Cirn is there to guard it,' Buttercup tells Petrev.

The guard with Momo gulps nervously and asks, 'Uh, milord, where are your estates located, if you don't mind me asking?' and raises his hand in some sort of signal. He is joined shortly after by another guard. After eyeing the hulking half-orc, the new guard also raises his hand.

'Oh hey! About time something interesting happened around here,' Cirn says. 'Do me a favour, would you? Mind this thing for me. I'll be back soon,' he says to Mantra, and joins the two guards attending to Momo, rolling his shoulders and cracking his knuckles enthusiastically.

Cirn passes Othorion, who stares at him, mouth agape, before exploding with rage. 'Cirn, what are you doing? I gave you strict instruct– have you been drinking? How dare you disrespect my house with such blatant dereliction of duty! You filthy gutter-snipe, I knew you were unworthy of the honour of serving House Othorion! And in front of all my guests, what an insult! What an absolute outrage!'

Petrev seeing things start to look like getting out of hand. Excuses himself to Buttercup and prepares to reenter the room.
Exclaiming loudly in a clear and commanding voice, usually reserved for mid battle on a ship.
WELL, it looks like this gathering is primed for a display of Vadi's rapier. I am happy to take on any challengers to the first touch of course. None of that silly blood letting or fights to the death. (Focusing on the guards around Momo). You two gentlemen look like you know which is the pointy end of a sword. Why dont one of you two dears go get my blades from the entry, (their lack of reply, only encourages Petrev to bait them more). Even this lively old gent was more courageous than you two. Come now step up, let me have my dagger and i'll happily fence you both together

Several things happen at more or less the same time.

'Look out, sonny! There's a face on your spider! Don't worry, I'll get it,' the 'nice lady' says to Momo, giggling, her pupils strangely dilated. She slaps his face, hard.

The two guards become extremely animated. 'Sir! We cannot allow you to harass other guests. I'm afraid we will have to escort you from the premises at once!' they say to Momo.

Othorion rounds on Petrev, transferring his fury from the hapless Cirn. 'You again! What gives you the right to interrupt me? You dare mock me in my own hall? Who are you? How did you even get in here? Yes, one wonders who the fuck you are!'

Mantra's illusion is perfect, and he smoothly gathers the orb from its case. The thing seems alive in his grasp, and he feels magical power flowing into him. As soon as he deposits it in his pouch, someone grabs him roughly and he feels the point of a blade pressing against his side. 'Listen good and don't try anything, this dagger is poisoned,' Mantra recognises the voice of the half-elf, dropped to a hissing whisper. 'We're going to walk back to the kitchen, side by side, like we're best friends. Then you're going to give me the orb, and I'll let you go.'