Day 1 EM: Water for the poor

[Ahmina]

The tasks had been done for the night and the curfew finally had been lifted. Ahmina carried the reclaimed water as she followed The Shadout in the streets, keeping an eye open.

She did not like the Count nor Countess...neither did she like the palace either...the waste was repulsive.

[Kannon]

The waste was the point, she now knew. It was the way in which the offworlders flaunted their hold over Dune. Like those 20 palms before the Residency; each one needed as much water as 4 to 5 people. Daily. A small sietch could maintain itself on it. Planted here, they made no ecological sense.

And yet, the Fenrings were not even half as bad as the Harkonnen.

There were no patrols on the streets any more. No bodies either, probably reclaimed for primitive deathstills by families or whoever found them first. But the life of the streets didn't pick up either yet. "Soo-soo-sook, ikhut-eigh, ikhut-eigh!" was only coming as an echo from more distant places. Doors were all shut as if people didn't plan to open then until after midday heat would pass. The silence in the city was eerie. Hiding in the crowd wasn't an option.

[Scene Trait: In plain sight]

[The Shadout Mapes]

Mapes carried a big wealth under her burnoose. She moved cautiously, watching out for opportunists lurking in the shadows. The plan was to find a friendly water seller and change the literjons into water rings the families could receive and later exchange. It is not how it was usually done with water from the Residency, but it had to be done this way now.

[Ahmina]

Having been briefed on the plan, Ahmina went along silently...but wary. She knew the Harkonnen and knew they might still look for more 'justice' after last night's affair.

[Dorian Drake]

When the curfew was lifted, Dorian and Edwell headed out to the streets. They were both eager to get out and hear what the people had to say about yesterday while it was fresh on their minds, and maybe before any Harkonnens had a chance to plant their own version of events.

They left the Residency on foot, covered in loose robes to provide protection from the Sun and some small measure of anonymity.

OOC: 2 threat for Edwell to recover from his concussion (was but a flesh wound) and no threat to bring him into this scene for Day 1.

[Kannon]

When the curfew was lifted, Dorian and Edwell headed out to the streets. They were both eager to get out and hear what the people had to say about yesterday while it was fresh on their minds, and maybe before any Harkonnens had a chance to plant their own version of events.

They left the Residency on foot, covered in loose robes to provide protection from the Sun and some small measure of anonymity.

OOC: 2 threat for Edwell to recover from his concussion (was but a flesh wound) and no threat to bring him into this scene for Day 1.

As convenient as it was, they didn't know the city and it came back at them all too soon. [2 Threat to create a trait: Lost]

They ventured into an emptied area where many minor, narrowed and shaded alleys sprouted from the street they were walking. [2 more Threat to create a trait: Ambushable]

[Are stillsuits on?]

[Dorian Drake]

As convenient as it was, they didn't know the city and it came back at them all too soon. [2 Threat to create a trait: Lost]

They ventured into an emptied area where many minor, narrowed and shaded alleys sprouted from the street they were walking. [2 more Threat to create a trait: Ambushable]

[Are stillsuits on?]

Dorian and Edwell wore their stillsuits under the robes with the masks hanging loose beneath the lapels.

Seeing them, one might think they were lost in the unfamiliar streets of Arrakeen, but a Swordmaster is never lost, he travels precisely where he means to.

OOC: stillsuits on, relevant talent Constantly Watching for Dorian and danger-sense focus.

[Kannon]

A rare dry creosote bush tumbled across. In this scene right out of a genre movie, were there really assailants in the shadows?

[Discipline 3, +1 Ambushable, -2 Constantly Watching, =2]

[Dorian Drake]

A rare dry creosote bush tumbled across. In this scene right out of a genre movie, were there really assailants in the shadows?

[Discipline 3, +1 Ambushable, -2 Constantly Watching, =2]

While Edwell meandered through the streets looking for a lead to follow or someone to speak with, Dorian may have appeared to follow lazily, but he kept a vigilant eye. He saw what was lurking in the quickly disappearing shadows.

-----
EM1, Ambush, Discipline 4 + Faith 6, Focus danger-sense, TN 10: 3#1d20 3 16 3
Passed 4 successes, +1 threat and +2 scene momentum.

[Kannon]

There were at least four people, probably looking for the opportunity. Whether they were a mark or just random offworlders at the wrong place at the wrong time remained to be seen, but for Dorian the hostile intent was clear enough.

[Dorian Drake]

There were at least four people, probably looking for the opportunity. Whether they were a mark or just random offworlders at the wrong place at the wrong time remained to be seen, but for Dorian the hostile intent was clear enough.

Sensing the impending conflict, Dorian positioned himself so he was between Edwell and the interlopers. With a flourish, he spun, throwing back his robe to reveal a well polished stillsuit and his two kindjal held out in hand. He made a declaration, "We are here to speak. If you want to talk, you will find an attentive ear. If you want something else, you will only find pain and death."

OOC: Can I make an intimidating communication check to try to scare them off? Also, Dorian took the time to polish the stillsuit up real nice in his free time last night, it was entirely too dull.

[Kannon]

There was a moment of dead stillness...

[Basic Difficulty to scare them off is 3. +2 for Lost and Ambushable. -1 for Swordmaster if Dorian makes the roll. So 4. Complications at 18.]

[Dorian Drake]

There was a moment of dead stillness...

[Basic Difficulty to scare them off is 3. +2 for Lost and Ambushable. -1 for Swordmaster if Dorian makes the roll. So 4. Complications at 18.]

Dorian stood there with his blades drawn, looking ready to take on a platoon of Sardaukar, but these men stood their ground.

Perhaps they were more desperate than the threat of death or too confident in their own abilities.

-----
EM1, Intimidation, Communication 6 + Power 7, Focus intimidation, TN 13: 3#1d20 3 9 20
Failed 3 successes vs 4 difficulty, -1 scene momentum 1 remaining, 1 complication at 20.

[Kannon]

[Complication: Emboldened to take a different course of action.]

[Structured Time. Zones: 3 (Main Street, Left Dark Alleys, Right Dark Alleys); Ambushable gives first move to GM.]

[Spending 2 Threat to Increase the Quality of Asset to 1, and another 1 Threat to get a bonus die. The attack is ranged from adjacent Zone, so +1 to Difficulty. Dorian's defensive difficulty is 3, so ultimately 4.]

EM1. Poisoned Knife Flung. Quality 1.Skill 6, Drive 7. Diff 4.: 3#1d20 19 11 10

[2/4 Successes, Fail]

Advertising being a master of blades certainly acts to discourage confronting one directly; hence, a knife was flung from the shadow of the alley toward Dorian, laced with something glistening, but it was aimed too directly and one swing of a rose kindjal sent it against the wall.

[PC's Turn!]

[Dorian Drake]

[Complication: Emboldened to take a different course of action.]

[Structured Time. Zones: 3 (Main Street, Left Dark Alleys, Right Dark Alleys); Ambushable gives first move to GM.]

[Spending 2 Threat to Increase the Quality of Asset to 1, and another 1 Threat to get a bonus die. The attack is ranged from adjacent Zone, so +1 to Difficulty. Dorian's defensive difficulty is 3, so ultimately 4.]

EM1. Poisoned Knife Flung. Quality 1.Skill 6, Drive 7. Diff 4.: 3#1d20 19 11 10

[2/4 Successes, Fail]

Advertising being a master of blades certainly acts to discourage confronting one directly; hence, a knife was flung from the shadow of the alley toward Dorian, laced with something glistening, but it was aimed too directly and one swing of a rose kindjal sent it against the wall.

[PC's Turn!]

Deflecting the thrown knife away, Dorian attempts to take advantage of his opponent's hasty attack to cross the distance, but sees another attacker closing in before he can act.

"So you choose death then!" Dorian cries out as he activates his shield belt and readies himself for the next attack.

-----
EM1, Subtle Approach, Movement 6 + Power 7, Focus Dueling, TN 13: 3#1d20 13 19 19
Failed 1 success v 2 difficulty, -`1 scene momentum, 0 remaining,

-----

While Dorian addressed the bandit who had thrown the knife, Edwell retrieved said knife and prepared to defend himself.

-----
(Edit) EM1, R1, Defender, Battle 5 + Power 5, TN 10, +2 parry knife: 2#1d20 2 15
Defense difficulty 2, 1 success + 1 asset

[Kannon]

As Edwell scurried to grasp an knife, it created an opening. A figure in burnoose sprang from the other side of the alley, getting to the old man, knife drawn. He wanted to bury it in the bearded man's back, but Edwell dodged it at a last instant!

EM1. Simple knifework. 6/7.: 2#1d20 16 12

Two more jumped out of the side alleys into the street, surrounding both servants of the Mutelli, but they were clumsier than they'd thought they'd be and it allowed some openings for the defenders.

EM1. Trying to move subtly. 7/7. Diff 2.: 2#1d20 8 18 2#1d20 19 11

[Only 1/2 Successes two times, Edwell and Dorian have 2 opportunities to move their assets/themselves to any of the adjacent zones.]

[PC Turn!]

[Dorian Drake]

As Edwell scurried to grasp an knife, it created an opening. A figure in burnoose sprang from the other side of the alley, getting to the old man, knife drawn. He wanted to bury it in the bearded man's back, but Edwell dodged it at a last instant!

EM1. Simple knifework. 6/7.: 2#1d20 16 12

Two more jumped out of the side alleys into the street, surrounding both servants of the Mutelli, but they were clumsier than they'd thought they'd be and it allowed some openings for the defenders.

EM1. Trying to move subtly. 7/7. Diff 2.: 2#1d20 8 18 2#1d20 19 11

[Only 1/2 Successes two times, Edwell and Dorian have 2 opportunities to move their assets/themselves to any of the adjacent zones.]

[PC Turn!]

Watching the two new challengers appear, Dorian quietly gloated. They foolishly thought that surrounding him was a tactical advantage.

Lunging forward, Dorian kept one kindjal tucked close to the body to cover any openings and lashed out with the other. With his first strike, the tip of his kindjal delicately sliced through his target's throat, directing a spurt of blood towards his accomplice. The momentary distraction allowed Dorian the opportunity to follow through with another attack. Flipping his blooded kindjal into a reverse grip, he plunged it into the temple of the blinded man.

Both fell to the ground without resistance and Dorian stood, one arm extended with red blood dripping from his kindjal, the other tucked close, ready to spring in counter attack to any who approached.

-----
EM1, R2, Attack 1, Battle 8 + Duty 8, Focus Dueling, TN 16: 3#1d20 4 3 17
Passed 4 success, +1 threat, +2 scene momentum, -2 scene momentum to Keep the Initiative

EM1, R2, Attack 2, Battle 8 + Duty 8, Focus Dueling, TN 16: 2#1d20 14 5
Passed 3 success, +1 scene momentum

[Kannon]

As their advantage in numbers melted in one instant, the assailants gave up the effort; the one in the alley never appeared, the one that had surfaced lunged back into the shadowed space, on the opposite side, apparently being much better at fleeing than attacking.

EM1. Flee! 7/7.: 2#1d20 8 4

[3 Successes; End of Structured Time]

So there were two bodies and a poisoned knife.

---

There was a ruckus, shouts, and sounds of of fighting coming from the next street, just us Ahmina and Mapes were approaching one of the houses...

[Ahmina]

Ahmina's head turned instinctively towards the sound of the ruckus and her eyes narrowed. It seems her instincts told her she should inspect...but she turned to the Shadout first.

She would not leave her without permission

[Kannon]

"Go check this. The house we seek is near, but we'll need a way out." Mapes nodded and moved quickly parallel to the noises on the other street...

...and then some burnoosed individual darted out of the alley and hugged the building to get into another one. He looked like some city thug.

[Ahmina]

Ahmina nodded and was about to be on her way when she noticed the thug running away and, most importantly...the building he ran into.

Prey or failed hunter...mmmh

She took a mental note of the location before swiftly moving to the source of the ruckus making sure she remained unseen

[Dorian Drake]

After Dorian had struck down two of the assailants and the other two had fled, he and Edwell regrouped themselves in case it was a ploy to lower their guards.

[Kannon]

No other assault was coming; the street was silent again, except for the distant howls of water peddlers. "Soo-soo-sook! Ikhut-eigh, ikhut-eigh! Soo-soo..."

[Ahmina]

Ahmina approached the scene from the shadows, observing who was down and who was up.

She recognized one of the man...

What to play now?

She sighed internally and decided to play the servant girl card again

Clutching her cloak as if in fear she approached

''Sahid? Are you allright?''

[Kannon]

There were eyes looking at them, from narrow window slits all along the street, quietly, except for random shuffling of feet.

Ahmina would know what they were after, for her instincts screamed as well of protracted waste before her eyes: the water. Unlike the Fremen, who honored tribal water bonds, the city dwellers were scavengers, just little better than iduali. There must be a secret deathstill somewhere in this neighborhood.