IC-Ep 2-Bearding the Lion(Story/Elizabeth/Lucius/Brook)

[Mr. Handy]

Scaevola's Villa- southwest of Rome, Italia
Before Dawn- March 15, 44 BC

It was still a few hours before dawn by the time Story and his companions were within sight of Scaevola's villa in the Roman countryside. They had followed the directions that Adelphus had provided, traveling a short distance southwest of Rome along the road leading to the port of Ostia. The walled estate had a single gate, which was flanked by two khopesh-bearing Egyptians, their swords on their backs. Elizabeth and Lucius had been here before earlier tonight, but it was new to Story and Brook. Whatever they intended to do, they did not have much time - ironic, considering that they were time travelers.

[yockenthwaite]

"Do we have a plan?" asks Elizabeth, quietly, to her friends. "Story and Brook, you know more about what is going on with the conspiracy than Lucius and I. How should we tackle this? Are we walking straight to our deaths, or do we have a chance?"

[alazred]

Lucius Verres

Lucius was holding his chin thinking... "If someone could try to distract the guard maybe I could sneak around the walls and see if there's an easy place to climb it up for all of us. Or i can try to infiltrate alone. What dou you think?"

Lucius try to see a way in from his position.

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

Lucius could easily see a way to reach the wall on either the side or rear of the estate without passing within sight of the guards. It would not be easy to climb the wall, which was uniform apart from the gate, but it should be possible to gain access to the grounds.

[alazred]

Lucius Verres

After looking around carefully Lucius tell his friends:"I think its doable to pass that wall. From what I see here except from the front part where there are the guards all the sides are possible point of entry.Maybe if we help each other to climb the wall it could easier to pass that obstacle. "

Spoiler:

is it possible to ease an obstacle like in this case for a wall, climbing on the back of a fellow character would make it easier ?

[Mr. Handy]

Spoiler:

Yes, you can help each other climb the wall in that way. It will still take Climb rolls to get onto and over the top of the wall, which is about ten feet high. All of you, please roll Climb if you wish to attempt this. Failure will not result in injury unless it's a critical failure. If at least one of you succeeds, you will be able to help pull others up in later attempts.

[jaysun81]

After taking a moment to ponder what Lucius suggested Story says, "We could sneak in... or I could simply request an urgent meeting with him. Saying we're from Khmun, from the temple of Thoth. Which if you recall is how Caelia introduced us to the guard at the Queen's place. He may have already heard of us... besides, we don't want to tangle the narrative up to much." Story smiles at his companions.

[yockenthwaite]

"That sounds like a good idea Story," says Elizabeth, smiling. "It does rely on you being able to spin the right story, but if you're willing to try I think a direct approach might be the better option here."

[Mr. Handy]

Spoiler:

[b]Story[/b], if you wish to make this approach to the guards, please roll Credit Rating.

[alazred]

Lucius Verres

"It's a very good idea Story. The only thing I'm scared of is if we are always stuck with some guards around to watch our every movements. It dosent leave us with many options to search around. "

[jaysun81]

Turning from Elizabeth to Lucius he says, "If you're up for the challenge you could sneak in while the girls and I take the direct approach. Just realize the danger will undoubtedly be great."

Spoiler:

I'll approach and roll once Lucius' path has been determined.

[alazred]

Lucius Verres

After listening to Sotry and evaluate the situation, Lucius turn himself toward Story and say:"You are right Story, it's probably too dangerous to sneak in alone. You has always guide us well. I'll come in with you three. Please lead the way Story. "

[jaysun81]

Story nods and Lucius and then proceeds to approach the guards while saying, "Greetings! We've recently traveled here under the blessing of Master Kemnebi from the Temple of Thoth in Khmun. I have a most urgent message for the Senator Scaevola and must see him immediately."

Spoiler:

Credit Rating - 80% [dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

"Then you had best enter at once," said one of the Egyptian guards. He and his fellow threw the gate wide open to admit Story and his companions. Another Egyptian servant, this one older, bald, and unarmed, stood within. "Come with me," he said, beckoning. "The Senator is currently asleep, but I shall awaken him, seeing the matter is so urgent. You can wait in the study. This way, please." He guided them across the grounds of the estate towards the main house. As they entered, it occurred to them that leaving might not be so easy. Standing before the main house were two rows of Egyptian-style statues of men with the heads of various animals: crocodiles, jackals, lions, hyenas, and more, all of them standing some seven feet tall. At the end of the colonnade stood a twenty foot tall replica of the Sphinx. It differed from the original not only in size, but also in the fact that it had a nose. Beyond it stood the house itself, a pair of double doors leading into the vestibulum. Another pair of guards flanked the doors.

[Mr. Handy]

The guards opened the double doors, and the bald servant led Story and his companions through the narrow vestibulum and across the open-air atrium, passing a bubbling fountain. Elizabeth and Lucius had been here before, but they had gone no further in their previous visit. The slave led them into the tablinum, just off of the atrium at the far end, into Scaevola's study. Shelves were lined with papyrus scrolls, a few of which were also on a mahogany writing desk, upon which the servant lit a candle with a flint. There were also a few busts and statuettes on the shelves and on small display tables. Some of them continued the chimera theme of humanoids with animal heads, and others were busts of Pharaohs long dead. A variety of wax masks that bore some resemblance to Scaevola also hung on the walls. A few luxurious chairs were present.



"Be seated and remain here," said the servant. "I shall summon the Senator." He left the room the way he had come, vanishing into the darkness.

Spoiler:

[b]Lucius[/b] knew that the wax masks were [b]Scaveola[/b]'s imago, which bore the faces of his ancestors. Similar things were found in many Roman homes.

[Mr. Handy]

After a few minutes, Scaevola entered from the atrium, clad in a toga. Beside him was a pretty servant girl that Elizabeth and Lucius recognized as Akana.

"I was informed that you came from the Temple of Thoth with an urgent message for me," said the Senator, tucking his hand partway into his toga. He looked tired, but alert. "I am listening."

Spoiler:

Is everyone all right? Nobody has posted in this thread in quite some time.

[jaysun81]

Story steps forward to address the Senator and says, "Senator Scaevola, I've been sent by the word of Master Kemnebi from the Temple of Thoth in Khmun. I'm to inform you that the Dagger of Ra needs to have a taste of the powerful individual you plan to slay before you actually kill them. In a way you need to tune the blade to the victim's ka. You must mix a lock of the victim's hair in your blood and lay it on the blade overnight in the moonlight." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "He didn't disclose all this in the scroll for security reasons. So, he sent me... that way if the scroll was intercepted they wouldn't know the complete details."

Spoiler:

Assuming you're going to ask for a Persuade roll here's the results. If you'd rather me roll something else let me know. Persuade - 85% [dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

Scaevola frowned. "That hardly sounds likely," he said. "Can you even prove that you are who you claim to be? How do I know Master Kemnebi truly sent you? How do I know you're even one of us?"

Spoiler:

You're not really trying to convince him through logical argument, you're just making something up, so this would be a Fast Talk roll. I'll count the roll you just made as a Fast Talk roll, which fails. Everyone else may attempt Fast Talk as well.

[yockenthwaite]

Elizabeth watches with concern, but tries to keep her expression neutral. She knows less of what is going on than Story or Brook, so decides not to say anything for now, in case she only makes things worse.

Spoiler:

Out of character I know my Fast Talk skill % isn't any worse than Story's, but in character I wouldn't say anything at the moment, given my lack of knowledge. So adopting that approach!

[Mr. Handy]

Spoiler:

[b]Brook[/b] probably has the best chance, but her player hasn't logged on in over a month. I'll post and roll for her over the weekend if she doesn't return by then. [b]Story[/b] is free to try to answer [b]Scaevola[/b]'s questions using his own knowledge, as is everyone. You may all also make an Idea roll to try to remember something that may help.