Campaign Thread

[Paula Ridgeway]

Paula stands for a moment watching Sara depart. She could press the issue but that would be rude. If Sara wanted help, she needed only to ask.

Paula looks for the Guild member again and spotting him, makes her way over to him.

She stops however, with a perplexed look on her face. Just what would she ask him? She had no idea.

She thinks better of it and decides to just look around the temple, at the people, at the decoration.

[Richard Slade]

Richard approaches Paula and Bela and asks individually, "Do you want to check out the Bank?"

[Paula Ridgeway]

"Alright," Paula replies.

[Richard Slade]

"Ok then..." Paula has that distant look about her again. She was staring at a Guild member, and then walked off in the other direction. Richard isn't sure how interested the others are, but since the bank is an important monument, particularly with regard to their actual mission, Richard feels that it couldn't hurt to have a look.

He walks out of the temple and back into the square.

[Paula Ridgeway]

Paula follows Slade out of the temple and into the courtyard.

"Did you see anything of interest there?" Her eyes constantly scanning the crowds of people.

[I'm Murrin]

[Is Bela following?]

[Bela Gin]

"I'll catch up with you two. I want to see if Sara will give me an insider's view of this place."

[Richard Slade]

Richard nods towards Bela, and then turns to continue walking amongst the crowds. To Paula, he says "I was initially a little surprised to see the diversity of clientele, considering how richly everyone seems to dress in this area. However, that worked out for the best, as it meant we didn't stand out too much in our current travelling outfits. There were a few Guild members posted around the place, but they weren't imposing. Did you also notice there were a couple of side doors to the temple?

"Overall, nothing really out of the ordinary. Anything catch your eye?"

[I'm Murrin]

Bela: After a short while Sara does in fact come back over to you. When she approaches she looks around a little as if she was expecting to see Paula with you again, but not seeing her, she addresses you directly. "Bela," she hesitates, then steels herself and continues. "I know that I am only a stranger who came to you begging, but I think perhaps you might be able to help me. I have asked for Jove's aid with my troubles, and I did that because you were the only person here who would spare even a single coin for me. I know the Goddess works in strange ways. So I will go with you and your friend if that is what you wish. But..." Sara hesitates again, and you get the sense she's worried you won't like what she's about to say, "But you must agree you will listen to my problem, and tell me honestly if you think you can help. If all you want is someone to be your tour guide, I think it would be better for me to seek the Lady's fortune elsewhere."

[Since you've still got your perception pretty dialled up at the moment, you can tell that she's being honest and forthright here. She's gotten up the courage to ask for help but is also worried that you, a stranger, might just dismiss her or not care about her problems. You get the sense that she feels she needs something to happen for her soon, and seeking help from strangers is something of a desperate gamble.]

[Bela Gin]

"Sara... I'll listen. I don't have the slightest idea if I'll be able to help you, but I'll be honest with you when you've told me your problem. I had a feeling we were supposed to meet when I saw you talking to Richard. That's why I stood where you would notice me. Let's go eat and talk, and we'll see if Jove has a plan for us."

[Paula Ridgeway]

"Nothing of significance caught my eye," Paula replied to Slade, glancing over at Bela. She saw that Bela was once again talking to Sara.

"Just a moment," she says to Slade and walks over to Bela's side in time to hear Bela.

"Let's go eat and talk, and we'll see if Jove has a plan for us,"

"Hello again, Sara," Paula said. To both of them, Paula asked, "May I join you?"

[Bela Gin]

"Fine with me. Sara?" *aside to Sara, obviously only pretending it is supposed to be for Sara's ears only* "You won't believe how much Paula eats!!"

[I'm Murrin]

[I think perhaps Bela's no slouch himself, since he just had dinner less than two hours ago.]

Sara nods, and gives a slight smile at your comment, although her heart doesn't seem to be in it. "Let's go."

[Bela Gin]

Did I just hear Kruppe say something? Hard to tell with all the people in here.

"Great! I can always eat. Even when it's been been less than two hours since I had dinner."

[Richard Slade]

Richard pauses to observe the interaction between Sara, Paula and Bela. Bela seems to have established a good rapport with Sara. Paula looks like she is going to join them. They all start off together. That is a story Richard can hear about later in the evening. With a slight shrug, he turns and heads toward the Bank alone.

[I'm Murrin]

So, Richard and Paula had come outside the temple door, when Paula decided to head back in and see what Bela and Sara were talking about. Now the three of them exit again, and while the guard by the door gives Sara a bit of a suspicious look, he doesn't move to interfere.

Paula, Bela, and Sara come out into the square. You notice that Richard has started to head over toward the bank, apparently not interested in dealing with this stranger. Where do you want to go now?

[Paula Ridgeway]

Paula laughed brightly at Bela's joke. "He's right, you know. I do have quite an appetite!"

She turns to walk in the direction of the closest cafe cama inviting Sara to join her and trying to put the woman at ease. Using her charm and persuasion, Paula chats about this and that - the weather, how fascinating a city Jovian is, the fashions and other pleasurable things - topics that would put Sara at ease. Paula included Bela in her conversation, using his natural good humor to further advance the conversation.

[Bela Gin]

"We had a nice meal at our inn. It was good, but not unusual. Have you always lived here, Sara? It would be nice to try some local food that I've never had before.""

[Richard Slade]

Sara didn't look entirely comfortable when leaving the temple. He felt that his presence would only cause her to feel more uncomfortable.

Richard takes his time, and slowly walks in the general direction of the bank, past the stalls and stores and eateries. People take no notice of him (it seems he was born to be a thief) as he walks amongst them. His head is clear of the fog of the casino - it aches a little, but he'll survive. After a little while, he notices that he is outside the great bank. Another impressive building. This place is full of impressive buildings and wealth. The guards in the square have generally been subtly placed and are not imposing, although there is definitely an increased presence here.

[I'm Murrin]

Bela and Paula:
"I live outside the city," Sara replies, "in the Sprawl. They let people in to visit the temple."
You take seats at a table outside a small cafe. A look at the menu sitting on the table tells you the food here is simple but somewhat pricy, and unlike your last meal this won't be on "Lord Smith"'s tab.

*

Richard:
The bank does not have the colour of the Guild Hall, or the elaborate carvings of the Temple, instead having a simple, elegant facade in white marble and gold. This city seems to love gold. There are guards at the doors, but people are entering and exiting freely.
You enter into the main foyer, and again are greeted by a statue of Jove, this one smaller, seated, holding golden scales in one hand and with the other resting on the hilt of a sword. The statue sits on a small pedestal which also holds a few bright green plants around the figure's base.
Along the left and right sides of the room are open windows at which clerks are seated, and the people visiting the bank join queues at each side to visit these windows. Behind the statue you can see a low barrier, and beyond the barrier are people at desks arranged in rows in an open space. You can immediately see a guard at each corner of the space between the entrance and the barrier.