Felarya GURPS: Great Rocky Fields

Before we begin, a few notes.
First: This is where you roll dice.
I'm trusting that none of you will fudge rolls. There shouldn't be any need to anyway; unlike a d20, 3d6 produces a bell curve.

Illustration:

What this means is that critical success/failure rolls are very rare, whereas middling rolls are far more common.

Second: I don't expect paragraph length posts every post. Sometimes characters don't do much. If this is the case, a few sentences will suffice. However, no one ever does nothing, unless they are in a trance, stunned, etc. If a character is being passive, note what they are passively doing, whether it be letting their gaze wander, looking bored or anything else.

Oh, there's no 'post order' yet, so just post.

(Note that Stab's character is not with you at the moment.)

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The roar of unsilenced jetbike engines faded in the distance leaving a group of 6 newcomers standing at the threshold of the fortress town after being waved through by a guard.

The town itself is typical of most Zahn towns; vendors and merchants as well as dwellings open onto the wide central shaft encircled by a gently sloping spiral ramp and occasionally crossed by bridges. The first few revolutions of the ramp hold the merchants, vendors and some trades-men's workshops, including various suppliers, smiths and armourers.

As you look around you notice what appears to be guard, judging by his steel breastplate and thick, deep blue cloak making his way up the ramp, two levels down. He occasionally glances in your direction. You only briefly met each other on and before the flight; His distance gives you some moments to talk among yourselves before he arrives.

"Etriel Umbris".

The introduction was short, almost terse, and the woman speaking the words was nearly as stiff as the greeting. Dressed in dark leather and a long cloak, she kept back from the main group, and kept one hand on the curved scimitar sheathed at her waist. She seemed to be completely covered in clothing, even wearing gloves and a cloak. Lastly, over her face was a lacquered wooden mask, that of a staring and sharp-toothed, smooth featured thing.

She glanced at the guard while he wasn't looking, then slid backward a bit to lean against a wall.

"Lenrif," the elven male replied, not entirely sure what to make of the woman before him. The elf wore only cloth clothing with a cloak over-top, a well made rifle was slung over the elf's shoulder by a woven steel lanyard, and various pouches were secured to his belt. Not having anything else to say Lenrif waited for the others in group to introduce themselves.

"Alister Smiley" replied the magic bureaucrat. He took a quick glance around his surroundings and the people that were with him. Smiley had short, blonde hair, and was wearing a black suit, black tie, a white dress shirt, along with black shoes, gloves, and a pair of dark sunglasses. A professional looking man, groomed, and intelligent, one would take him to be part of some sort of government agency of some kind, which was true for Smiley.

He looked over at Etriel Umbris and began to analyse her, there was no certain conclusion, but he could make several inferences about her upon first glance. "Short and stiff introduction suggests professionalism, brief and to the point, not the talkative type I'd assume... With one hand resting on her weapon, the posture suggests that she does not trust others so easily, self-protective, silent, alone... A wooden mask, either made to conceal her identity, or to cause intimidation, or perhaps it holds some form of protection... either way, she is most likely a trained and well experienced mercenary perhaps... further analysis is required to make definite conclusion." he thought to himself.

Looking over to Lenrif, Smiley made several guesses about his character, but was made purely upon speculation. Again, further observation and analysis was required before making any further inferences.

He stood back and began to analyse the others.

"Lexx, but my friends call me oddball." Said the grey eyed, olive skinned man. He was wearing a ghillie suit making him stick out like a soar thumb in the fortress. Around is forehead was a pair if thermal imaging goggles, and strapped on his shoulder was a electro-laser rifle which was similarly camouflaged like himself except for a slightly bare patch on the side that had the word 'Lucy' in red.

His eyes flinched with unease for a moment as he glanced at Etriel, who he found kinda creepy. 'I bet she must be a real fighter, but damn she just gives me the creeps.' He thought, quickly looking elsewere.

He looked at the other two who had introduced themselves; Lenrif was a fellow marksman, probably light on his feet and didt take him for the merry-makeing type of elf. As for Alister, he looked like the cool and calculating type, very professional. He then looked around at the surrounding area.

"Velzen Steinwyck, at your service" the man bowed quickly as he introduced himself, folding one arm behind his back.

He was an unusual looking human, with brown eyes and very messy half-wavy, half-frizzy brown hair on his slightly balding scalp. Though thoroughly unkempt in appearance, he had a certain air of refinement and sophistication about him; his speech was that of a gentleman, his mannerism as well, even if his appearance was anything but. A pair of round, darkly tinted brass goggles hung around his neck between the shoulder flaps of his knee length leather coat. The coat itself must have been of the very finest quality at one time, but now it seemed only mostly intact, with a few cracks and tattered edges, the damage seemed due more to age then anything else... He kept it unbuttoned, revealing a load bearing vest with half a dozen pouches of varying sizes underneath. On his hands he wore a pair of fingerless gloves, and one could see that his nails and the tips of his fingers seemed to be stained an unhealthy looking dark yellowish-green. An odd looking shotgun hung from his right shoulder by a sling. A rather short barreled affair with an unusually wide fore-end. The gun's quality was obvious, and it seemed to be the only item in Velzen's possession that was in perfect condition: the beautiful rosewood stock, grip and fore-end were perfectly lacquered and completely unblemished, and the metal accents, even the brass barrel-shroud, were lovingly polished to a brilliant shine.

Velzen had caught Alister's appraising glance as it passed over him, and despite his dark sunglasses he had noticed his eyes scanning everything in sight, analyzing it, no doubt. 'Ahh... a fellow man of intelligence, a pleasant change of pace... Though lack of visible weaponry indicates probability of being a mage... Hmm, most vexing... Still, should give him a chance! Great deal of people of above-average intelligence utilize some sort of magic in this world... Only normal.'

He casually stole a second glance at the group before him, a competent bunch it seemed. His eyes lingered for a fraction of a second on Lexx's weapon and on the woman with the wooden mask. Etriel, she had called herself... A sudden twinge of curiosity manifested itself - What was she hiding under that mask? Despite the obvious, she was a mystery, and he could never leave a good mystery well-enough alone...

Etriel adjusted her hood and mask a little.

Just as she appraised the others, two of them gave her thorough once overs. That was fine. They needed to be sharp and perceptive to keep from getting killed in this land. Though the suited man merely looked her over, analyzing, no doubt, the other, an eccentric looking man with the shotgun and worn coat, seemed more interested.

She straightened a little, tapping a finger pointedly against the hilt of her curved sword. He could be curious all he liked, but nosiness would get him less than nowhere. In, out, don't screw up, get paid, move on. Teamwork, but no buddy-buddy nonsense. No having someone stick their nose in her business, either, if they knew what was good for them.

She adjusted her mask again, then spoke.

"Any mages?" she inquired, rubbing the jawline of her mask as she considered the group.

'Best to know who can do what before we go running around' she reasoned.

'Takes first initiative, gathering data from members of the group... this is no mere brute mercenary... she seems calm and intelligent, much more diligent and disciplined than other warrior types... either she is a ... no, the conclusion is irrelevant to the case at hand. I do not care for her history nor her occupation at the moment, the fact that I've made a clear generalization of her character is good enough...' thought Smiley to himself as he stepped forward.

"That would be me" he said to Etriel.

So far the only people who were worth noticing were Etriel and Velzen. Everyone else had yet to make an impression, but that would soon change once they got moving.

Velzen noticed Etriel's shift in body language. The message was clear: back off.

He wasn't overly surprised at her reaction, but mostly at the fact she had noticed his interest at all. He had been extremely subtle about it, but clearly she was far, far more perceptive than he had given her credit for. Of course, it all only served to increase his curiosity...

Still, he didn't intent to pry, only watch. Anything else would only serve to endanger their mission or inconvenience her, neither of which were his intention.

Then she asked for the magic users in their group to reveal themselves... Odd, yet convenient; he too wished to know. He shook his head in response to her question and watched the others.

His earlier suspicions about the man in the suit were confirmed when he came forward. He kept his expression perfectly neutral, friendly even, despite his prejudice against mages. It was an ugly trait, he knew that, but it was one he couldn't seem to overcome when first meeting a magic-user. At least, not immediately...

Lenrif couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he was the only elf in the group. At least, from what he could tell everyone was at least intelligent enough to try to get a feel for what their companions were capable of.

"I use magic as well," the elf replied answering Etriel's question.

Lexx listened, curious of who in the group used magic, although he didn't think it was very reliable it had its uses. Looking back at the elf and the suit he asked " so what kinds of magic do you two specialize in?"

The guard arrives just as Lexx finishes speaking. As he is closer you can now see that his blue cloak is crossed by a horizontal white stripe in the middle. He carries a pistol and baton at his belt and a neutral expression on his face.
"If you would all come with me, I'll escort you to the briefing room; you can buy any additional supplies you may require after briefing." He says, his tone matching his expression. He then turns and begins walking back the way he came.

Smiley ignored Lex's question. He wasn't much for meaningless conversations. He turned to the guard that approached them and nodded. Smiley followed the guard while shifting his gaze around his surroundings, making sure that there wasn't anything that seemed suspicious. "Briefing room huh?... almost reminds me of my job" thought Smiley as he kept walking.

"Of course," replied Velzen as he turned and followed the guard, walking just behind and to the left of him.

As he walked, he kept his eyes on the inhabitants of the town going about their daily routine, giving each one - especially the women - a quick glance. He seemed to be looking for someone, and barely payed attention to his companions or the guard.

Etriel glanced at Lexx, then at the Smiley fellow, who ignored the question. She shrugged, though, and as the guard approached she refocused on him, stance shifting slightly. At his brief words, she tilted her head a bit in acknowledgement and followed, staying at the back of the group.

A briefing would be helpful, but supplies . . . that would be troublesome. She didn't need much to start out with, but keeping it in the right condition would be hard, particularly in this heat.

Lexx took his silence as a sign that perhaps he did not want the guard to here as he came towarda them. He listened to the man then shrugged and followed keeping near the front of the group. He casually gazed at the shops and people as they walked.

Before Lenrif could give his reply the guard came to escort the group to the briefing room. Assessing each other's skills could wait for the time being, right now getting the specifics of the job was more important. Like several others of the group he allowed his eyes to wander about watching the Zahn go about their day to day lives as he followed the guard to the briefing room.

People pass by, being careful not to get in the guard's way. Still, some stare at the sight of outsiders, but most give nothing more than a quick glance. The majority of townspeople wear well fitted, light working clothes of some kind of natural fabric, however none are coloured brightly. Leather appears to be rare, except in the case of a smith who you notice as you walk by his forge. He has some examples metalwork on his storefront, including some bear traps, blades of various sizes and other assorted mechanisms.
You also pass by a clothes-maker's shop, a carpenter's shop and a jeweller, all with their various wares on display and in the case of the jeweller; behind glass.

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Right, forgot to mention this in the original post, but OOC text is supposed to be in grey, under a horizontal line.
That aside; everyone roll for perception (3d6).

Velzen glanced at the blacksmith's wares, assessing their potential usefulness. He continued to follow behind the guard, eager to find out the specifics of their mission so he could better prepare himself.

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I got 10. Should we write down our perception or other attributes/skills here to make things easier? Or do you check the results against our character sheets yourself?

Etriel mostly kept her eyes on the guard and the others in the group, but also made sure to keep an eye out for anything she might need, or that might be dangerous. You never know when something might happen.

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I rolled an eight.

As Smiley followed the guard, he quickly scanned the area. The town seemed normal enough, nothing threatening, nor suspicious... as of yet.

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I rolled a 12

Lenrif took note of the different shops as he passed by.

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I rolled a 12

Lexx gazed at his surroundings

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I rolled a 6

A man in the crowd catches your eye. Unlike the rest of the population, he does not give a glance in your direction, instead, he appears to deliberately ignore the presence of the outsiders, walking quickly in the same direction as the guard, even pushing past other pedestrians. His clothes also mark him out; they are a bit loose, unlike the clothes the other townspeople wear which is only slightly loose. He appears to be of average build, but it's hard to tell.

The guard doesn't appear to notice this man, instead continuing down the gently sloping ramp.

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Remember the BBcode for a horizontal line is as follows:

Code:

[hr]

Also, you can ask for additional detail you think your characters would see/notice, etc with OOC.

Etriel gave the strange man a hard look, grip on her scimitar's hilt tightening. When people were in a hurry, it tended to be running away from something, or running after something, neither one of which was usually good. Still, he didn't seem to be interested in the group, and as long as he didn't get in her way or cause a riot or attack, there was no real reason to interact with him.

Everyone else also seemed to have noticed him, so she let the issue go and kept pace at the back of the group.