Some good old logs.

[Lei]

I've been a loooooong time player here: http://www.theinquisition.org/
Love the theme and extensive code support for good roleplay.


This first post is from the archives of a beloved character who did eventually, after an invigorating adventure of escape and inevitable betrayal, meet her end at the hands of the dreaded inquisition.

The bolt in the upper door slides open.

The upper door is opened from the other side.
Someone arrives from above padding softly, a scythe strapped to his back
over an overcoat that flutters around his ankles.

Someone lights a simple glass-paned lantern with a thumb-sized handle.

The Deep
[Chilly]
  This foul chamber may be the closest a living man will ever find himself
to the long sleep of the grave.  Circular in shape, the room could easily
accommodate a dozen prisoners comfortably, were it the usual sort of cell.
Its true purpose, however, is revealed in the eight sets of manacles driven
into the wall at regular intervals.  Bits of rotten flesh still cling to
some of the steel cuffs, and most have a liberal collection of bones
beneath them.  Stone walls bleed moisture through their old, cracked
bricks.  The floor's construction remains a mystery, covered completely as
it is by layers of dirt and filth.  A powerful odor permeates the room,
human waste and fear and death all bound up together.  The only entrance is
a short staircase leading to a heavy oak door in the cell's roof.  The room
normally exists in total darkness. 

(Moira Flaverty, Etheline Dervla and Duncan Firkaan all lay, strapped to
the walls of the deep.  Their eyes are blindfolded, mouths gagged. Their
hands are also bound together to prevent movement.  They are naked, except
for Moira who has a cloak draped loosely over her body.)

[ Exits: up ]
     A pile of silver coins. (eastern edge)
     A thick pamphlet of university policies and procedures lies here.
     (western edge)
     A long wool cloak is here (western edge)
     A splendid wooden tabac pipe with a long stem and wide bowl is here. (western edge)
( 2) A leather oil flask is lying here. (western edge)
     A long wooden recorder with a smooth whistle-cut mouthpiece is here. (western edge)
     A green skirt is here (western edge)
     A green strip of cloth is here (western edge)
     A green bodice is here (western edge)
     A pair of linen gloves is here (western edge)
     A charm bracelet is here (western edge)
     A pair of green sleeves is here (western edge)
     A thin leather belt is here (western edge)
     A small chalice pendant is here (western edge)
     A pair of leather shoes is here (western edge)
     An iron lantern is here (western edge) (off)
     A buckled leather satchel with a riveted strap is here. (western edge)
     A slender journal lies here. (western edge)
     A green satchel is here (western edge)
( 4) Someone has left a piece of mail here. (eastern edge)
     A piece of mail box. (eastern edge)
     A medium courier's box collects dust. (eastern edge)
     A leather oil flask is lying here. (eastern edge)
     A practical leather belt hung with a functional coinpurse is here. (eastern edge)
     A thick pamphlet of university policies and procedures lies here. (southeastern corner)
     A cloak without a hood lies here. (southeastern corner)
     A caged pigeon has been left here. (southeastern corner)
     A sanded wooden cup sits here. (southeastern corner)
     A large courier's box sealed with the Merchants Guild sigil is here. (southeastern corner)
     A coarse linen satchel lies here. (southeastern corner)
     A pair of leather shoes lies here. (southeastern corner)
     A chain mail gambeson is lying here.. (southeastern corner)
     A bronze drinking vessel, shaped into a wide-rimmed chalice lies here. (southeastern corner)
     A linen hat lies here. (southeastern corner)
     Linen knee-breeches and white hose sit here. (southeastern corner)
     Linen gloves with button clasps are folded here. (southeastern corner)
     Detachable linen sleeves rest here. (southeastern corner)
     A simple glass-paned lantern with a thumb-sized handle is here. (southeastern corner) (off)
Cei Sevoi is here. [App: 2]

Cei Sevoi closes the upper door.
Cei Sevoi locks the upper door.

Cei Sevoi puts the following into a thick, coarse linen satchel, fit
with wide leather straps:
( 3) a piece of mail

Cei Sevoi puts the following into a thick, coarse linen satchel, fit
with wide leather straps:
     a piece of paper

Moira shivers, raising her head the tiny amount her restraints allow.

This short man has a fair complexion, his body is corded with lean muscle,
though he stands at just 4'10" in height. His skin is fair, though his arms
bear small scars. Upon his knuckles are heavy scars and his hands are heavily
callused. Large amber eyes are set within the center of his face, his eyes
tilted slightly upward at the sides. His hair is very dark, a midnight-blue
color that is cut short and spiked upward. He carries himself with a subtle
grace and pads softly when he walks. His voice is calm, clear and carries a
hint of an indistinguishable accent.

His knuckles and hands are scarred and his palms are callused with use. Strapped
to his back, the blade of which hangs a foot or two over the man's short height,
is a steel scythe with a sharp spike upon the top of it's blade.

Additionally, he has a rather large assortment of knives tucked into
sheaths on his belt.

Cei Sevoi looks to be in excellent condition.
He appears to be rested.
You are a hand taller than he is.

Cei Sevoi is using:
<used as a light>    a simple glass-paned lantern with a thumb-sized handle(lit)
<worn on head>       a thick white cloth headband
<worn around neck>   a small wooden chalice pendant hung from a strip of leather
<worn over shoulder> a thick, coarse linen satchel, fit with wide leather straps
<worn on hands>      a pair of thick cloth strips, wrapped to the mid-forearm
<worn, left finger>  (covered)
<worn, right finger> (covered)
<wielded, right>     a wickedly curved steel scythe with a spike atop blade (shouldered)
<worn on torso>      a long-sleeved, cloth shirt
<worn about body>    an ankle-length leather overcoat
<worn about waist>   a uniform studded leather belt with a silver Chalice buckle
<worn on legs>       a pair of loose-fitting pants
<worn on feet>       a pair of leather boots with soft soles

Cei Sevoi heads over to you slowly and proceeds to remove her gag,
"Hello, Moira." he says softly as he tucks the gag away.

Moira jerks her chin into her shoulder, rubbing away the spittle that's
collected around her lips. She chokes a sob, staring blindly upward.

Cei Sevoi scratches his cheek and says to Moira, "It's time I question
you.. and I'm going to offer you a choice now. You can be open, honest,
and disclose everything to me fully, and I will try to plead your case
to the Grand Inquisitor. Mages do not always have to be burned, and
perhaps you can be spared from the fire. But if you hold back, or if I
catch you in a lie... that chance is gone, and I am going to let my
knives do the questioning to get the answers I need. So.. think about it
for a moment if you wish and tell me which you'd prefer... The honest
way, confessing all you know, or the way that's going to make the rest
of your life very painful, culminating in being burned at the stake."

Moira hangs her head forward, weeping bitterly. "I'll g-give you all I
know-- I must be cleansed! I cannot bear the curse that is my life any
longer."

Cei Sevoi inhales slowly and nods a bit, "Let's begin. Please explain
your relationship to Etheline. Rumor has it you are lovers, is there
truth to that?"

Moira shakes her head, rattling her chains. "No! She would have it so,
but never was it."

Cei Sevoi nods and says, "Alright, let's move on to what you know. What
spells can you do, please explain what they do and how, and please
describe any spells that you know of, even if you are unable to use them
yourself. When you're finished, I have some water for you if you like."

Moira holds silent a moment, but answers quietly, "I only know a little.
One to learn of others-- other mages." She swallows. "The others I don't
remember-- they never worked."

Cei Sevoi hmms and leans against the wall beside you, he produces a
flask from his satchel and swirls it around, the sloshing of liquid
audible, "That's unfortunate. I could really use that information."

Moira's throat catches. "Something about the eyes. I learned the name--
the hawk's spell."

Cei Sevoi queries to you, "Do you have any idea of what it does?"

Cei Sevoi uncorks the flask with a soft pop and takes a short drink.

Moira's voice shakes, "N-no."

Cei Sevoi nods at you and claims, "Fine, fine... did you want some
water?"

Moira nods, pleading Cei Sevoi, "Yes, yes."

Cei Sevoi places the flask up to your lips and lifts the flask until a
trickling stream of water flows from the tip.

Moira cranes her neck, managing to swallow some of it.

Cei Sevoi continues for a bit more before he retracts the flask and
re-corks it, "Good. Now... I want everything you know about Duncan, and
about the shadow killer... and any connection between the two. Take your
time and leave no detail out, anything could be potentially very
important."

Moira trembles, "He found me out. I'd fallen asleep in the library--
into one of the dreams. He t-told the shadow about me, and it sought me
out."

Moira sucks her breath in, steadying herself. "It wanted me to join
them, and made me swear I'd never speak of him."

Dropping her voice, you continues in a tremulous tone, "I've heard of
the Manus! He said he's bringing it back, back from the dead." [Player]

Cei Sevoi muses to you, "The shadow said that, or Duncan did?"

Moira whispers, "The shadow."

Cei Sevoi claims to you, "Go on... or tell me when you are finished. I
want details about each as well."

You state to Cei Sevoi, "That's why we were in Wilhelm-- to meet with
the Lieutenant over it. Etheline tried to force him to say who it was.
But he turned and tried to slay her. I d-don't know who it is."

Cei Sevoi nods and says, "Continue." he reaches up to remove Moira's
blindfold.

Moira stiffens at Cei Sevoi's touch, biting her lips together to
compress another sob.

You state to Cei Sevoi, "Etheline said it was he that cursed Kaemgen.
He told her so himself."

Cei Sevoi nods at you and sets the blindfold aside, he remains leaning
beside you as he listens.

Moira's eyelids flutter partially open, straining to see. "I c-can't
remember any more. I tried -so- hard to keep away from them! I didn't
want, want to..." Tears impede her speech, and she gives up trying to
speak.


Cei Sevoi nods a bit and says, "Try to regain your composure, Moira. I
need you to keep a clear head. Would you say you are very certain Duncan
and the shadow are two individuals, and not one in the same? And why,
specifically, would you think whatever choice you make?"

Moira stills herself, letting her eyes fall closed. "The Lieutenant
isn't clever-- though he thinks he is. He could never speak as the
shadow did."

Cei Sevoi queries to you, "Do you have any suspicions as to whom the
shadow could be?"

Moira's eyes open, spilling a few pathetic drips of water. "No one!
There's not one I would think."

Cei Sevoi nods at you and says, "Alright... and what other mages are you
aware of then?"

Moira turns her face aside, "Only one-- but he is no more." Her voice
drops again. "You've killed him."

Cei Sevoi wonders to you, "Who was he, in that case? Onem?"

Moira nods, stating suddenly after a pause, "And the Daravi-- but I
don't know anything of her."

Cei Sevoi muses to you, "Which Daravi would that be?"

You state to Cei Sevoi, "I-I've never seen her. Etheline has spoken
with her."

Cei Sevoi nods at you.

Cei Sevoi states to you, "Tell me all about your relationship with
Etheline and what you know of her, then."

Moira's eyes dart to the bound figure across the way. Frightened, she
looks to Cei Sevoi.

You whisper to Cei Sevoi, 'Is she awake?'

Cei Sevoi looks over and shakes his head, "She appears to have passed
out."

Moira nods, her brow knitting with anxiety. "I'd never have done it, had
it not been for Master Seltnik! I'd never seen it before!"

Cei Sevoi questions to you, "You'd never seen what before?"

Moira turns a tearful glance around the dank cell. "The madness that
comes from being left without the touch-- is he here?"

Cei Sevoi muses to you, "Master Seltnik is not... is he a mage as
well?"

Moira shudders, shaking her head. "Onem said that he was-- Though he
hadn't learned of it. His madness... it was caused by the terrors of his
soul! That's the only reason I led Etheline so. I couldn't bear to see
her take after the same."

Cei Sevoi muses to you, "Is there anything else you can tell me that
can help me, hopefully information related to the shadow?"

Moira falls silent, breathing gently as her eyes seek out the ceiling.

Moira finally shakes her head. "There is nothing else."

Cei Sevoi exhales a slow sigh and shakes his head, rifling through his
satchel to retrieve the gag, "That's a shame. You've really given me
next to nothing... I'm afraid if that is all you know, I won't be able
to extend the same deal to you that I gave to Etheline."

Moira watches in trepidation, speechless.

Cei Sevoi holds the gag up before you and says, "Did you want more time
to think, or shall I put your gag and blindfold back on and be on my
way?"

Her cheeks flushing with confusion and frustration, you stammers out,
"W-what more can I tell? I have nothing else." [Player]

Moira gives the gag a look of mixed fear and resignation.

Cei Sevoi nods at Moira and says, "A shame... open wide." his voice is
calm as he holds the gag ready in front of your mouth.

Moira's eyes close, her mouth opening.

Cei Sevoi pushes the gag into your mouth and secures it behind her head.
He then begins to search in his satchel for the blindfold.

Moira remains motionless, waiting.

Cei Sevoi ties the blindfold around your eyes and shakes his head a bit,
"Farewell, Moira." he turns from her and heads toward the exit.

Moira sinks against the wall.

Cei Sevoi unlocks the upper door.

Cei Sevoi begins to move up.

Cei Sevoi snuffs a simple glass-paned lantern with a thumb-sized
handle.

Someone opens the upper door.
Someone leaves up padding softly, a scythe strapped to his back over an
overcoat that flutters around his ankles.

The upper door closes from the other side.
The bolt in the upper door slams shut.

[Lei]

Thiiiis girl's still alive and kicking. Lately she's been my experiment in cop brutality; plenty of slapstick and buffoonery to keep her interesting.

The northern door is opened from the other side.
A copper-haired man with pale skin arrives from the north.
A copper-haired man with pale skin slows to a halt.

A copper-haired man with pale skin closes the northern door.

A copper-haired man with pale skin glances cautiously about the bar and adjusts a wide brimmed, dark grey felt hat. He closes the door quietly behind him after taking a few steps into the tavern.

A copper-haired man with pale skin sits down at a black walnut bar.

A copper-haired man with pale skin sneezes loudly.

Tipping back a sip from the drink in her hand, you casts a copper-haired man with pale skin's sneeze a look of vague annoyance. [Player]

A copper-haired man with pale skin reaches up and rubs his nose, signalling something toward the barkeep and slipping a few coins onto the bar top. He looks toward you with a lift of his brows. "Uh. Sorry?" he murmurs, seeming more taken back by the glance than apologetic.

A copper-haired man with pale skin buys a narrow glass with a wide base.

A copper-haired man with pale skin a copper-haired man with pale skin takes a drink from the narrow glass.

Lei stretches her lips after a heavy swallow, landing the glass with a clink to the walnut counter. A gauntlet clothed hand shows from under her weighty overcoat as she motions for the girl behind the bar to refill it. "What?" she aims at a copper-haired man with pale skin, throwing a stare back a his way.

A copper-haired man with pale skin cracks a faint smile and leans against the bar, lifting the hand not holding onto his mug of cider to dismiss your concern. "Nothin'. Thought you were glarin' at me for sneezin'. Ain't never had someone upset at me fore sneezin' 'fore so I just, y'know, kind've reacted."

Lei's gloved hand reaches to adjust more snugly about her neck a warm swathe of woolen broadcloth, her lips contorting a sullen frown. "So long as your reactions don't meddle in my affairs," comes a mutter from them, her attention planted back on the serving girl as she trips over with a half-filled bottle.

A copper-haired man with pale skin lifts his brows and allows his gaze to wander to the cloak you wears. "What affairs would those be?" He asks, adjusting his seat at the bar to something a bit more comfortable. The hand bearing a narrow glass with a wide base lifts it toward his lips, hesitating for a moment as he peers cautiously toward her.

Lei's words carry something of a northern twang, carried across to a copper-haired man with pale skin with a flicker of irritation in the grey eyes staring at him. "Don't recall offering." Before another swig is drained from her freshly topped off glass, she tugs open her cloak to pay a short glance to the weapon at her hip.

A copper-haired man with pale skin's smile draws broader across his face as his head dips to settle his gaze on the floor. A soft, amused chuckle rumbles from his chest, and he lifts his gaze to meet your once more. "So I ain't supposed to meddle in your affairs, but you ain't gonna tell me what they are so I can stay clear of 'em? Y'know that ain't sound quite so fair to me, I gotta say."

Lei curls a faint sneer. "If you're bent on disturbing my long-thirsted after sip of brandy, do me a Lunare favor and point me the road where the cityguard hall sets."

A copper-haired man with pale skin sighs, and reaches up with his left hand to rub his forehead. "Y'know, I ain't lookin' for no argument neither. Not in the damn mood to deal with folks." He turns back to his cider and lifts the glass, taking a quick sip. "You're a Reeve but you ain't know where the headquarters are? 'S on Church Street."

One of your brows lunges upward. "What in Thandok's name is that supposed to mean?" she barks, raising up from her seat. A string of foreign words rattles off her tongue before she switches back to the common tongue. "Lunare. Of all the idiots. Let a woman have a damned drink in peace." [Player]

A copper-haired man with pale skin dismisses you with a wave, muttering something in a foreign language of his own. "Iiech iiech, braeli dhchi birarae dhraiilli dhe illiei 'idh dhrailch. It means I ain't want no trouble with ya, and I was just tryin' to make things easier for you. Forget I said nothin' and just enjoy your drink.

Lei's cheeks blotch over with color. "Say that again. In the queen's tongue," she challenges a copper-haired man with pale skin, her eyes snapping. By now she's at her full height, a meager five feet and a few inches. The drink in her hand is gripped with a tense vigor as she bores a glare into his face.

A copper-haired man with pale skin sighs and turns to face you, shaking his head from side to side. "All I said was that you're just blamin' the fella tryin' to enjoy 'is drink. Why're you so wound up anyway? I ain't do nothin' to ya but try'n keep out've your way. I ain't sure what's gotten you so Arien upset, but if'n your lookin' for a fight I ain't gonna be it. Too damned tired." He lifts a hand, palm facing you, as if urging her to calm.

Lei lets out a gutteral, "Why you bloody lying son of Arien. I know blogging Farin when I hear it!" A snap of her wrist throws the contents of her glass up into a copper-haired man with pale skin's face.

A copper-haired man with pale skin grits his teeth as the drink is splashed in his face, and then quickly rises up onto his feet. He glares at you and seems ready to strike, though judging by his body language he's barely keeping himself in check. "Don't. Do. That. Again," is all he says, the alcohol dripping from his chin.

Lei's expression blackens further, deteriorating into a full-blown snarl. a copper-haired man with pale skin's resistance against serving her up a blow only allows her the honors, which she shows no hesitance in delivering. "I don't take orders from Lithmorran scum!" she bellows, slamming a fist in a hefty swing for the man's nose.

A copper-haired man with pale skin doesn't even have time to lean back with the way that the woman quickly snaps her fist forward, taking the blow into the nose. He stumbles backward, more shocked than hurt it seems, reaching up to rub his nose. "I ain't hittin' no Reeve, but I ain't got no qualms with hittin' a girl. I ain't sure what the hell got into you, but you do that again and you better expect that I'm gonna swing back at ya." His eyes train on you, occasionally checking his hand for blood, and finding none, as he rubs his nose.

"Yeah? Think you're getting off that easy, do you?" you jibes at a copper-haired man with pale skin, swaggering a step in advancement toward him as he backs off. "Let me free up your conscience a bit." Chin jutting out, she peels back her overcoat, flinging it aside. It lands momentarily on the back of her recently vacated seat, not long in sliding off to the floor. Her fists ball up in front of her face, readying for a second blow.

A copper-haired man with pale skin's face turns up in a grin. "Mighty kind of you," is all that he utters. He takes a step toward her and, in the same movement, swings his fist out toward you. Admittedly he isn't anywhere near as fast as she is, but judging by his size and stature, to get hit by him would hurt quite a deal more.

Nimbly dodging a copper-haired man with pale skin's swing with a short sidestep, you releases a sharp grunt. "I'll lay you out flat, you moon-faced son of a Hillwoman!" she spouts, spying an opening in his defenses and letting fly another slug of her own.

A copper-haired man with pale skin doubles over for a moment as he takes the hit into his side. While it would have been a less painful hit in other places, your well-aimed strike managed to catch him right in the side, possibly nicking his kidney. His left hand sits over his side, and he swings angrily with his right in a horizontal chop toward you. "I'm Charali you stupid cow!" he snarls, rage burning in his eyes.

An easily evaded strike it would have been-- had you managed to avoid stumbling over a stray bar stool underfoot. Between an ill-judged attempt at catching her balance and a whirled glance to the cause of her compounded predicament, she catches his blow squarely at her left temple. The smash of knuckles instigates a answering howl of pain as she trips backwards, regaining an unsteady footing.

A copper-haired man with pale skin breathes deeply as you stumbles backward. He, too, takes a step back, suddenly feeling a tinge of guilt for having struck the woman out of rage. With a trembling left hand he reaches up, still drawing long, deep breaths, and adjusts a wide brimmed, dark grey felt hat. "Thats 'nough. Ain't no reason for me to keep fightin' you," he murmurs, though his tone seems halfhearted at best.

Lei tramps the few steps distance between herself and the discarded garment, stooping to snatch it up. "I've no use for cowards," she grumbles, giving it a good shake. A few fingertips spare her temple a ginger touch as she glowers a copper-haired man with pale skin another look.

You wear a weighty woolen overcoat bearing a Scales of Justice crest about your torso.

A copper-haired man with pale skin glares at you, though his lips turn up in a snicker as he emits a mocking laugh. "Yeah, I reckon you ain't so keen on fightin' now that I've clobbered you one." Then, in what is likely an unexpected move, he gently extends his hand toward you as if offering to shake. "Ain't sure what's got you so sour, but I hope that knockin' me around some got it out've your system."

Lei turns a cold shoulder, dropping a copper-haired man with pale skin a last barbed comment as she gives her coat a shift in its adjustment, "Save it for feeling up your woman." A look is shot to the exit, which she proceeds to start off for.

A copper-haired man with pale skin takes the hand and returns to rubbing lightly at his nose, shaking his head from side to side as she makes her way for the door. "Suit yourself," he murmurs, settling down at the bar once more.