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Post by Vince Altus on Nov 12, 2011 15:40:13 GMT -6
"...One doesn't need to hide if they can misdirect." Saturos put a weathered finger to his temple. "You following?"
Vince followed all right, he regretted that he probably wouldn't be able to take part in making all the noise. "Well, we all need to escape, and from what he said," he gestured towards the archer as he spoke, "you guys aren't in a position to confront the guards either..." He started pacing, but stopped as he thought over Saturos' words. "It sounds as though you've already got this all worked out."
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Blasius
Mage
RETIRED
"With the Prophet guiding my feet and St. Elimine lighting my path, I cannot fail."
Posts: 13
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Post by Blasius on Nov 13, 2011 18:12:15 GMT -6
Generally Blaise wasn’t one to grow impatient, but this waiting game was getting ridiculous. Two hours and all he had gained from his eavesdropping was petty gossip and strange looks from the townspeople who clearly didn’t recognize him as a resident of the small town. Not to mention, something near him smelled foul, as if something had died in this corner. His table now littered with cups, Blaise decided it would be best for him to go; after dropping a few coins on the table, he swiftly got up from his table and exited the tavern.
Blaise gulped in a breath of fresh air as he stepped outside, glad to be away from the stuffy air of the tavern. However, in a small town such as this, there weren’t many other places to gather information save for being invited into someone’s home. After a few moments of contemplation Blaise decided he would investigate the marketplace, which was luckily only a half a minute’s walk from the tavern.
While not as bustling and Delfia’s main market, the town’s market was nothing to look down upon, offering a decent variety of goods for purchase. While not necessarily wanting to buy anything, Blaise nonetheless found a vendor selling a variety of foodstuffs and looked at his products. After a moment, the merchant came around to the side of the stall Blaise was on.
”Ay, lad, ya finding anything to your liking?” The merchant crossed his arms, and Blaise straightened up. “Ah, I’m not sure. Depends on your prices.” The merchant laughed. “You must be new here, lad! Funny how many travelers have been passing through recently... but as I’ve told them all, the prices are as such... Blaise’s interest waned as the merchant talked about the prices, his focus on the gem of information he had just been given. Maybe some of these travelers are still in town; they’d probably know more than these villagers...
Blaise interrupted the man. “I’m sorry, but you mentioned travelers? Do you know where they’re going?” The merchant shook his head. ”My business is selling produce, not a wayward traveler's tale, lad.” Blaise nodded and thanked the merchant, walking away and ambling through the market. He was going to keep a sharp eye and ear for anyone who looked out of place; they would be his best bet for finding out more information for his mission.
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Aidan Lowell
Griffon Knight
Symbol of Rebellion
Ten years is far too long to be a stranger in your own home.
Posts: 265
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -4
Profession: High Consul in the Bernese Senate
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Thunder
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Aidan Lowell on Nov 17, 2011 17:06:16 GMT -6
Aidan actually wasn't wearing his armor under his robe, of course he didn't feel like announcing what he was or was not wearing to the world, so he let it slide. He was hardly stealthy anyways the armor wasn't the problem, it just added the hilarious attempts he has at staying hidden. No, staying hidden isn't the way to go, one doesn't need to hide when one can blend. They didn't need to hide when they could misdirect, looks like Saturos had the same idea. "Gotcha." He nodded, thinking it over for a moment. So what they needed was a distraction, a distraction doesn't necessarily have to be one of them creating it.
"I will suppose you already have an idea then?" He probably wouldn't of brought it up if he was clueless, and quite frankly Aidan was no good at this thing. He runs around in a bathrobe and calls it a 'disguise'. Just throw a cloak on it and call it a day. Though if he didn't have an idea, Aidan would come up with one. Maybe not the most delicate type of plan, but crude and effective. He excelled at that sort of thing, though Syana would probably be the best person for a situation like this. Too bad she flew out that window like a bird released from it's cage.
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Nov 21, 2011 16:01:35 GMT -6
"Do I have an idea? Why, of course I have an idea," replied Saturos playfully, pointing to his forehead. "I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't."
The tall, lean man patted Vince on his armored chest, before sitting down. "Basically, since this guy right here is the most conspicuous by far, he'll be the biggest problem," the Etrurian myrmidon pointed out, before turning his gaze to his cloaked comrade. "That is, unless we do something about it, but Aidan, you are the most important out of all of us, so if nothing else, we need to get you out of the city. This whole mission relies on you." The myrmidon leaned forward, clasping his hands under his chin.
"Having said this, here's my plan. It's quite simple, really," continued Saturos, clearly relishing his current role. "I will pretend to be you, Aidan. I, dressed in your cloak, will run out into the plaza and begin yelling anti-Ilian sentiments and promoting myself to be you. This will obviously get the attention of the guards, who will, in their haste to make up for your escape from castle Bern, sorely desire me to really be you, and will pursue me as such." He flicked a hand towards Vince.
"Meanwhile, Aidan will be dressed up, or rather dressed down, as a blind, dirty, blindfolded beggar and you, wearing exactly what you are now, will be escorting him out of town for being drunk and disorderly. As far as we know, the only soldiers actually looking for you were the ones you punched out, so if a anyone notable takes a second look at you, all they'll see is a soldier doing his job." Saturos shrugged lightly before continuing. "It's far less conspicuous than a large man in a hood, and chances are, they'll be too busy chasing me to care."
The myrmidon looked between his two comrades, before asking: "Any questions?"
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Post by Vince Altus on Nov 22, 2011 19:43:51 GMT -6
Vince nodded thoughtfully. The man was definitely more of a thinker than he was. Any pursuers could just be dealt with promptly, Vince was sure Aiden and himself would be more than up to the task. With no costume changes to make, Vince simply readied his lance and checked his chest shield. "Ready to move."
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Aidan Lowell
Griffon Knight
Symbol of Rebellion
Ten years is far too long to be a stranger in your own home.
Posts: 265
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -4
Profession: High Consul in the Bernese Senate
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Thunder
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Aidan Lowell on Nov 23, 2011 1:41:38 GMT -6
Sacrificing his self so Aidan can escape? Something about that didn't set quite right with him, though truth was Saturos was much better at getting out of trouble then Aidan ever could be. That grumpy knight could only find it, never leave it. He was certain that Saturos would be able to get his self out of anything he set his self up to, he trusted the man. Such a rare commodity, and not one to test. "If you're up to it, then that's what we'll do." He made a decision for his self, far be it for Aidan to try and sway him out of it. This wasn't a time of peace, and risks needed to be made. No matter how unsettling it was to the big softy.
"You know where we'll meet up, and I plan to see you there. Don't get yourself into anything you can't get out." He unhooked the cloak fastened around his self, luckily for him he already had the garb of a poor man underneath. It saved a time consuming and boring sequence in which he'd have to find it, put it on, etcetera. He also he a length of cloth perfectly suited to be a blindfold, also luckily, though that was simply because the scar over his eye was damning and he needed to make sure he could cover it up if the time came to it. Handing the cloak that might be a bit short but probably large to Saturos, he tied the cloth firmly around his eyes. It was thin enough that he could still see through, however slightly, so he really needed to hope that this new friend of theirs didn't go and mess this up.
Also, despite Saturos using his name quite blatantly, the man did not seem to react in the slightest. Chances were that he was completely unaware of the situation in Bern, which Aidan was suspecting from the get go, but still it was almost refreshing. He couldn't possibly have known about the bounty of the knight's head, or how he had just fled prison, or how he was misconstrued in the eyes of the common folk as someone much larger then he was. Whilst it was now true that he was involved with the rebellion, by no means was he the man behind it all barking orders like Ilia made him out to be. That was for the best, he was hardly a leader.
"I'm trusting you Vince." He simply said as the cloth was tightly fastened to his face, not removing but masking the majority of his facial wound. He thought for a moment, about how Syana exited like she had earlier, she'd look after Saturos for sure.
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Nov 23, 2011 3:37:07 GMT -6
The myrmidon was a bit surprised at Aidan's quick acquiescence to his plan, but decided to ignore it. While he had expected the knight to protest his idea of risking his own life to protect Aidan's, he was glad the Lowell had enough faith in him as a sworn ally to knowingly allow him to take the risk as it was offered. It was nice feeling that level of companionship with someone again.
"Don't worry," said Saturos, taking the cloak from his companion, "I'm not one to go dying on my friends." The Etrurian eyed the piece of cloth he had just been handed, before throwing the garb over his shoulders. "Just have a little faith."
Fastening the main hook to secure the manteu about his collar, Saturos rolled his arms to comfortably settle into the cloak. It was a bit large in the shoulders, but then again, Aidan was a large man. Much bulkier than he was, but where the knight had the bulk, he had the height. The way the myrmidon saw it, it just about evened it out.
"Alright then, I'll head out. You guys take your time," said Saturos, making his way to the door and opening it halfway before stopping and turning back to his comrades. "Though don't take too long. The more soldiers I have chasing me, the worse my odds." Then, with a wink and a smile, he ducked out of the portal, closing it behind him and pulling his hood over his head. Although from a distance the cloak did a good job of obscuring his features, he wanted to make sure he didn't let a stray clump of hair expose itself. Aidan was many things, but teal haired was not one of them.
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Post by Vince Altus on Nov 24, 2011 9:57:33 GMT -6
Vince saluted Saturos as he left the room. Of the three, he had the riskiest job. Vince predicted they might have to eliminate part of the soldiers chasing Saturos before they made their final escape. "Be swift, be safe, and...may Elimine watch over you." The subject of his faith was a touchy one, he had been a devout follower before Ostia fell, but now...Vince had just decided to hold on to his faith until matters were more resolved. He dropped the thought as he attended to business.
Vince faced his new companion, they would need to pass some time as Saturos tried to garner as much attention as possible. During Saturos' speech he had been passive, but he was now realizing how odd it would be that Saturos would be chased simply for announcing he was the man standing in front of him. Vince decided it would be prudent to know what the stakes were before he was seen leading this man down the streets. "So..." Vince wasn't sure how to breach this subject, "what does a guy do to make the entire military come after him?"
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Aidan Lowell
Griffon Knight
Symbol of Rebellion
Ten years is far too long to be a stranger in your own home.
Posts: 265
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -4
Profession: High Consul in the Bernese Senate
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Thunder
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Aidan Lowell on Nov 25, 2011 16:45:55 GMT -6
He let out a small sigh, unable to hide the fact that he was worried about this all. Still he trusted Saturos, he was a competent man and he had every faith that he'd be able to do this. It was a bit odd, thinking about it all, back when he was a soldier he didn't even think like this. This small feeling of dread over what felt like everything at times, it was probably just anxiety or something over being in charge of anything. This was one of the reasons he turned down that position as a commander so many times, he didn't like giving orders and he didn't like having other people look to him to lead. He was always worried about making a mistake, and forcing other people to pay for it. Slowly, but surely, he was learning to deal with it, still something told him that this wasn't entirely a bad thing to have. He dreaded the day he might no longer care for those he led.
"Stick around, and you'll find out." He tugged lightly at the ends of the blindfold, making sure it was secure. "Once we get out, I'll tell you the whole deal. Too much to get into now, I'll just say I recently escaped from prison." He had a stern and somewhat stubborn look on his face, which he always had mind you, still it lost a bit of the edge with his hard dark eyes and furrowed brow. He found a potted plant in the room, it was awfully nice looking, probably some kind of plant that has way too many syllables and was unpronounceable.
Still he dug his hands into the soft earth that it was situated in, and rubbed some of it on his skin, making it look dirty and ragged. Bringing his hand, he pulled hard and some bits of thread near the bottom of his shirt and pants, ripping them slightly and making it appear tattered. Rubbing some the dirt on the clothes, and removing his shoes. Bringing some of the dirt and ruffling it his hair with it in hand, and all in all making look like a dirty beggar. A, er, very muscular dirty beggar. Still, it should be good enough, he just needs to work on his pathetic blind man voice. Crap, why didn't he take acting lessons or something?
"Ready whenever you are, we need to hurry, I don't want to leave him in that mess any longer than absolutely necessary. Quicker we get done, quicker you get your answers."
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Nov 29, 2011 11:20:28 GMT -6
Saturos looked about the town. So far everything was good. Citizens were mulling around and merchants were peddling their wares, while the occasional soldier was patrolling the area like silent observers. Their presence was not did not seem intrusive to the myrmidon, but he could appreciate the eerie overbearing nature of it all. Bern hadn't the brazen gall to keep tabs on its own citizens like this, but then again, these men served Ilia. They didn't have the same reservations when it came to safeguarding their spoils of war, especially when upstart rebellions continually threatened their hold.
And thus, their apprehension was the perfect stage for his performance.
Getting up on a nearby barrel, the disguised myrmidon placed his hands on his hips and puffed his chest out. "Behold, all ye citizens of Bern!" he shouted, proclaiming for all to hear. "Too long has been the hour of late in which the foreign devils, clad in their armor of blue and white, continue to plod through our land, pillaging our precious resources and demanding unfair taxation and payment for goods and services to which they have no right!" People in the immediate vicinity began to cease their activities to listen to the loon on the barrel with the big mouth. Indeed, a few soldiers took notice.
"These Ilians were given the responsibility of care-taking Bern in her time of weakness, in order to restore our once proud nation to the glory it once shown bright with. But alas, they have abused their power and shirked their duties, preferring to leave Bern a trite feudal state to their northern rule!" Saturos's speech began to draw more attention, and plenty of angry looks from nearby guards who had begun to move towards the disturbance. But the myrmidon persisted. "But I say nay to this travesty! Bern does not want Ilia, and Bern certainly does not need Ilia! Although they may pass their ham-fisted judgement upon the Bernese, there are men and women willing to stand up and fight for our freedom as a sovereign land." By now, most if not all people in the square were fixated on this peculiar sight. "I am one of those men and women, and my name is Aidan Lowell, the Great Shield of Bern. I have broken free from the bars of Castle Bern, and I will fight until our lands are free once again! Together, we shall fight as one nation! One people!""
Although most were either too scared or too dumbfounded to speak, a spattering of exuberance and waving fist cheered on the disguised Etrurian, much to the chagrin of the Ilian soldiers who were now quickly closing in on Saturos. "Join me! Join me in my struggle!" shouted the myrmidon, thrusting his fist in the air as he jumped off of the barrel. "Get him! Get Aidan Lowell!" commanded one of the guards, thrusting a spear at the now fleeing Saturos. However, as they began to chase the rabble-rouser, they were impeded by cheering Bernese getting in their way, giving the myrmidon enough time to put a few yards between him and the Ilians before they made their way through the human blockade.
"Now that should give Aidan plenty of cover," thought Saturos to himself as he broke into a run.
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Post by Syana Flamberge on Nov 29, 2011 20:09:57 GMT -6
From her perch on a rooftop, Syana watched over the city as the others got their plan ready. In retrospect, she should have stayed around to hear the plan. Oh well, little too late now. In the meantime, she tried to spot as many of the guards as she could. That way, maybe she could steer them one way or another, or possibly take out one or two if needed. And that's what Saturos stepped out and started his little speech. She put her face in her hands. The man had no problem getting himself into harms way. She would hurt him if he wasn't so darn attractive. Did she just think that? Moving on. As Saturos started running, she started too, following along his path from the rooftops. If the idiot was gonna be a distraction like this, she wasn't gonna let himself killed.
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Post by Vince Altus on Dec 1, 2011 16:45:14 GMT -6
"Ready whenever you are, we need to hurry, I don't want to leave him in that mess any longer than absolutely necessary. Quicker we get done, quicker you get your answers."
Vince nodded, "Right, let's get moving then." He reached out and grabbed the back of Aiden's shirt. He pushed him forward, towards the door. Easing into a steady pace, they managed through the door and quickly departed the inn. For the benefit of the crowd, Vince quietly cursed the dastardly begger he was leading, and would occasionally give him a rough jerk. They emerged on the streets, a few citizens bumped in between Vince and his charge, and Vince realized this needed to be remedied. He extended his lance, shepherding oncoming civillians to either side by gently nudging them. In the bustle of the streets, they were completely ignored. Vince smiled, so far, so good.
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Blasius
Mage
RETIRED
"With the Prophet guiding my feet and St. Elimine lighting my path, I cannot fail."
Posts: 13
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Post by Blasius on Dec 1, 2011 20:47:16 GMT -6
“Join me! Join me in my struggle! Chaos erupted at these words, the Bernese cheering all around the cloaked orator as he ran from the imposing guards. It was an unexpected sight, to say the least, but Blaise was curious. The man said he had just escaped from prison, and judging from the guard’s reaction to him revealing his identity this was the truth. But why would he announce himself as he had and risk incarceration again? There’s more to this, Blaise thought. I’ll have to see where he goes.
Unfortunately, Blaise was finding it impossible to pursue the man with the citizens and guards of crowd pulsing with such liveliness and disarray. Sure, Blaise could try to push onwards after the man, but then he might be mistaken for a cohort of the hooded speaker. Wait! Blaise thought, his eyes still keeping track of the hooded man for a moment before they slipped, instead glazing over the crowd. The man must have someone with him. He wouldn’t just start up a riot for the hell of it. Blaise instantly began to push his way back through the crowd and away from the man, realizing it would be more productive to wait and see what happened next.
Blaise finally escaped the largest part of the crowd, though someone had torn the hem at the bottom of his cloak. “Great,” he mumbled, “something else to spend my gold on...” Ignoring it for now, he peered around the area, which was still filled with riled-up Bernese, all the while attempting to appear innocuous to onlookers.
Nothing seemed too out of place until his eyes landed on the back of a big brute of a guard shoving along a man who appeared to be some sort of blind beggar. Blaise almost missed them at first as he was nearly knocked over by a few drunken men shouting about Bern’s prosperity or something of the sort. However, he spotted them as they moved through the crowds away from the fleeing man. Blaise squinted, almost dismissing them before realizing the large guard was not like the others in the city. Blaise had poured through many books in his life, and one on cultural armor styles came to mind as he looked at the large man. Now, Blaise wondered, What is an Ostian Knight doing pushing around a beggar in Bern?
Lifting his forest-green hood over his head, Blaise decided this was intriguing enough to investigate. Hopefully he would find something, but it was too soon to tell. Until then, Blaise followed behind the two, trying to keep enough distance between him and the pair as they moved through the crowds of the now bustling town.
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Aidan Lowell
Griffon Knight
Symbol of Rebellion
Ten years is far too long to be a stranger in your own home.
Posts: 265
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -4
Profession: High Consul in the Bernese Senate
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Thunder
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Aidan Lowell on Dec 1, 2011 23:00:30 GMT -6
"Lemme go lemme go, ye big brute." The blind beggard Aidan began to pretend to struggle. His voice sounding... haggard. Still deep, still unmistakably him, but with an odd accent and like he had a cold. It worked for a beggar, but it wasn't nowhere as good as what his sister could have done. Hell, she could of probably just talked her way out of this whole mess, she was always the charismatic one. "Ah din't take a thing, ye have no rought to handle me like this." He added, as they unmistakably neared some guards posted at the exit. Even with all this case, nay, probably because of all this chaos there will be those watching the primary ways in and out of town.
He couldn't see that well, but he could hear, and he could make out blurry shapes. He knew that whatever Saturos did to impersonate him worked. (even though he sounded nothing like Aidan, in either word choice or voice) He needed to rely on Vince's talking skills to make it past this checkpoint unstopped. Or they'd have to knock the guards out, with the others busy it would be a while until they noticed and by then the two would be long gone. There was only two guards Aidan could notice stopping their path, but they weren't likely to be the kind easily brushed aside.
"Halt! What is your business?" Aidan was honestly surprised that they would even allow ANYONE out, with the chaos. "No on may leave town at this time." Ah, there it was. Alright Vince, it's up to you.
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Dec 4, 2011 8:50:01 GMT -6
Saturos glanced behind him as he ran away from his pursuers. They stormed after him like a pack of wolves after a rabbit. What they didn't seem to realize, however, is if the rabbit was quick enough on its feet, it didn't matter how many wolves there were. Between his long, leaping gait and their hindering armor, the guards weren't going to be outrunning Saturos anytime soon. This was good, because the longer they pursued him, the longer the real, and much slower Aidan had to escape the city. Oh, if only Vince had kept his head down. Oh well. He hadn't, and that was that. No sense worrying about it too much.
The myrmidon, noticing a narrow alley to his left, took a sharp turn and dove into the tightish space. The soldiers, still in hot pursuit, thus had no choice but to straighten out and follow Saturos in one by one if they didn't want to lose him.
"You may take our lives, but you can never take our freedom!" shouted the hooded man as he leaped over a pig. The large swine squealed as a soldier came barreling into it, spilling its slop everywhere, but as the other soldiers clambered over their fallen comrade, it simply and happily resumed eating, licking its spilled food up off the ground.
"Ha, I could keep this up all day," the myrmidon thought to himself, chuckling at the antics taking place behind him.
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