the mouse house

[groundrules]

Welcome to Serthica’s Mouse House — a mini plot roll for recent newcomers, lasting until 11 August. Characters who opted in are in a different physical location but can contact the group at sea through their communicators. You can use the log post below to top level and mingle, or you can make your own logs and posts.

THE MOUSE HOUSE

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Characters awaken in the dessert, unburied from high sands, recovering in medical tents or drifting towards a caravan. After a day to mend, they are presented to the caravan leader — the Merchant, who provides them translation and communication devices.

He explains they are outsiders who have reached the world of Akhuras, where undead factions wage war with each other and the living. The undead summon otherworldly conscripts, to enslave or weaponise them in the conflict. The Merchant finds and transports such newcomers east, where beacons might return the visitors back to their home worlds. Other otherworldly guests are currently travelling the haunted Crossing Seas — the Merchant offers their names.

The group at sea will reach the beacon-bearing clockwork citadel of Serthica within days. Caravan newcomers are supplied 10,000 coins each, blade weapons and ship passage to the impoverished Mouse House — the underground outskirts of Serthica and home to beggars, smugglers, contrived thief networks and mercenaries. Here, they must complete a set of tasks to wrangle, muscle, thieve or bribe coveted Serthica passport papers for themselves and their incoming comrades. Good luck!

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CHEESE FOR THE WHINE

■ The Mouse House is the literal industrialised underworld that surrounds Serthica. Coarse and labyrinthine, it has the gargantuan width of a very large vessel (50m). Here and there, crumbled makeshift stone roads show defunct rail tracks underneath. One train still runs in the outmost pathway of the Mouse House, taking daily imported coal shipments from the port to Serthica.

■ Often filthy, dangerous and entirely cavernous, the Mouse House comprises several crammed community homes — ‘rat mounds’ — some small illicit trade and forgery shops, and hideouts for opiate suppliers, slavers and thieves. Sleep lightly and watch your backs.

■ A pathway leads out to the ports. There are no windows, and the stuffy air is unhelped by limited ventilation. A strong scent of sedative incense blooms in the air to keep the criminal population tame(r).

■ Characters are taken in by Ma’am Mariol, the benevolent matronly leader of a ring of orphans who provide courier and espionage services for the various overlords of the Mouse House. Enjoy her hospitality: dried bread, questionable soup and a resting place in her breezy enclosures.

■ Ma’am Mariol looks after 12 valiant urchins. You can enlist their services but expect they’ll want pay.

■ Twice a day, at 6:00 and 18:00, the Mouse House suffers a dull shudder for a few minutes, as if suffering the echoes of a distant, rippling earthquake. Ma’am Mariol shares this is because the two city halves of Serthica are starting to swap places: Eidris comes up in the morning, while Minaras is overground at night. They only meet for one hour during the swap.

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✘ PRIME OPPORTUNITY

Win passage into Serthica by completing quests from the list below. Multiple people can tackle the same assignment. Report in by 23:59 GMT on 10 August for your gains.

PLOY & PLUNDER

Highly superstitious gang leader Artemius Bale is holding a festivity to celebrate conquering the territory of former rival Edward Three-Hands . The crème de la crème of the Mouse House’s underworl attends in a bustling, tight space. Despite his recent victory, Artemius remains heavily paranoid and keeps his cronies on guard.

■ Steal decent garments and function invitations from attendees to join the party.

■ Ease the pockets of the many criminal merrymakers, while they’re enjoying their fine wine. The more coin you can collect for later bribes, the better.

■ Pass for one of the many séance holders and ‘necromancers’ Artemius Bale has commissioned to entertain his guests. Coax attendees that the dead want them to patron incoming travellers — You may need to pair up and simulate a few ‘haunting’ tricks to persuade them of your great necromantic talent.

■ Why not pull a fast one on old fox Artemius? You could even persuade him he has been cursed by Edward Three-Hands and will fall deathly ill or unable to enjoy his gains if he does not make amends for his wrongdoings… to your benefit.

ALL ABOARD

A time-honoured fixture of Serthica, the single coal train typically enters the Mouse House each day at 11:00 without threat or trouble. Loaded to brim, it brings in fuel and smuggled goods.

Come early morning, Ma’am Mariol’s orphan scouts mention the latest 6:00 shake has toppled large pieces of stone and metallic debris over a segment of the railway. As the train approaches, Serthica officials send word that anyone who breaks their backs helps clear out the tracks by 13:00 will earn considerable good will with the citadel’s distraught customs office.

■ Grab a shovel. Use it wisely.

■ Careful with the various oversized rats that haunt the filthier depths of the Mouse House — they typically avoid groups of humans, but will jump you if you’re alone.

THE SCRIBE

Serthica’s most skilled forger, Rayssa is returning to the Mouse House after months of imprisonment in the citadel. She brings along decades of experience crafting passport papers — and a wealth of debt collectors who want the coin she owed before her disappearance.

It is widely known she will visit One-Eye Calliope’s tavern as her first point of call, to enjoy a first drink in freedom. Her pursuers will be waiting for her, armed, prickly and ready.

■ Win Rayssa’s good will and services by rescuing her from the inevitable bar brawl.

■ Head into her heavily watched quarters in the Mouse House to collect her tools of trade — inks, parchments, pens and stencils.

■ Hold her watch or her hair while a heavily inebriated Rayssa writes up your forged passport papers.

LADY LUCK LOVES YOU

If you’re no fan of honest looting, leave your fate to chance: the Mouse House’s various taverns and gathering places host nightly gambling games, from cards to bone dice, arm wrestling and a local favourite, mouse races.

Pair up to rig the games in your favour, and win coin, passport forgeries, clandestine passage or a crime lord’s patronage. You never know what favour the right name can earn you later!

QUESTIONS

NPC CONTACT

GAINS

GRAB A FRIEND

Comments

[matermali]

[ It's a strange relief to be so caught off guard. Vanessa isn't the only one startled by Fei's appearance, and the looming gentleman is left with his mouth agape as the woman sobs in Vanessa's arms. A few partygoers have stopped, looking on and whispering. The man's face has nearly gone purple, but what is he to do? Lay hands on two women, one weeping, for all to see?

Vanessa reacts in time, trying not to be too obvious in her tension when Fei touches her arm. She's been careful not to touch anyone so far, but if Fei hadn't interfered, the man may have resorted to slapping her... This is far more preferable. There's no skin-to-skin contact, which she is certainly choosy about when so recently accessing her powers.

She lifts a hand as if to stroke Fei's head, stopping close enough so that her fingers barely tickle at her hair; the motion is replicated well enough, even without full touch. With a clench of his fists, the man is left glaring before he turns and stalks off. Vanessa will have to keep a careful eye out when she leaves the party. He'd already imbibed far too much wine. What's sorrier, is that Vanessa would have reimbursed him...if only he had asked instead of threatened. She is no swindler, but she has no interest in showing pity towards the brutality of men.

When he's out of sight, Vanessa drops her arm and nods her appreciation to the other woman. Her brow is perked, and Vanessa's quite charmed by her quick thinking. ]

Thank you. I would not have thought of such a ploy.

[snowcleave]

[ She's not the best at being deceptive and it shows in the tetchy way her eyes dart to the side, aware of the other people in the room and the way they've responded to her appearance and the gentleman's ruffled departure. With some effort, she maintains the sorrowful expression on her face and leans in so that she can speak softly, hoping that to the onlooker she merely appeared grateful rather than conspiratorial. ]

My cousin has been feigning tears for our whole life. I copied her.

[ Li Yan would likely be proud to see her greatest manipulation tactic unleashed (however clumsily) by the generally stern-faced Fei. ]

Should we try for another, or do you think you made enough?

[ It's not like she has any idea of how much Vanessa is getting for doing this, though Fei believes that since she's claiming to make contact with the dead people must pay very handsomely for the service. ]

[matermali]

[ The onlookers have slowly moved on. Some may be intrigued to return and request Vanessa's talents now that Fei has made a show of them, but at the moment she feels drained; bloodless to the point of standing on cloud and ready to take a tumble. It's the lack of nourishment, the use of her abilities, and the stress of the lies. Vanessa is no stranger to lies, not when necessary, but she takes no pleasure in them; in fact she detests doing this. It's a mockery of the occult and a reminder of Evelyn Poole, but all the more reason for her to bare her teeth at the challenge.

Still, it drags at her, and her smile is weary as she turns to lead Fei over to the table to sit (of course the poor woman must sit while she recovers!). There, it's easier to speak while Vanessa gathers up her hand-made Tarot to tie together and put in her pocket, right next to the money she's made. Enough to contribute, at the very least. ]

Is it ever enough? [ A little sigh as she crosses her arms in front of her, tilting her head to appraise Fei. She is such a pretty thing, and her small stature carries an impressive poise that suggests hidden strength. It makes Vanessa admire her restraint even more. She's little doubt that Fei could have made that man weep if she wished. ] I require a moment's respite. These acts...tire me, I fear. You ought to enjoy the festivities for the moment. The better to strengthen our spirit for future endeavors.

[snowcleave]

[ Vanessa's question, though certainly rhetorical, strikes a chord in Fei. Money isn't something she's had to think about. There was always enough to get by, care of the 48 Strongholds and the modest degree of affluence they held. Even when she was on the road she'd never had to go hungry for very long. There were usually secret posts in nearly every town her travels had taken her to, help was never difficult to find.

Here it's a very different story, something that only really sinks in now, while in the thick of unthinkable circumstances. ]

Enjoy the festivities?

[ Fei straightens up slowly, watching Vanessa while she reaches up to tie back the last of her now very ruffled hair. It's hard to imagine enjoying anything about being here, separate from everything she understands and loves. ]

I think they tire me too. I will find a bottle of liquor and we will leave.

[ Not interested in hearing an alternate plan she turns around quickly and heads towards the smell of food, certain the presence of drink won't be far from it. ]

[matermali]

[ It seems Vanessa has opened a trap door for herself. She does that too often... Fei is gone before Vanessa can stop her, and she sighs at herself. There will be no relaxing. Of course, she wants a drink. But she must resist.

While she waits, one of the previous onlookers approaches Vanessa now that she's alone again. Cornered! Vanessa hasn't the heart to turn this man away, as meek as he seems. He had noticed her gather up her cards, but still he holds his hands together. 'Please? I need to know what's out there. Are they only nightmares? Are he coming for me? He has to be dead.' the man whimpers. So she sits with him and tells him to close his eyes.

Vanessa waits for Fei to return, allowing the anticipation to work on the man while she lays the cards back out, insisting he keep his eyes closed while he 'feels' the cards do their work. As soon as she spots Fei returning with liquor (good God, it's so tempting), Vanessa gives an apologetic smile in her direction to her before nodding to the man in the hopes she understands. One quick job before they give themselves a break? He looks so pathetic, how can they deny him?

She may not need the help, but she would be remiss to admit it isn't nice to have the company. ]

[ ooc; So sorry for the delay. Because of the time limit and ~inner panic~, I'm gonna go into boomerang mode when applicable. ...Yes this was me trying to boomerang! ]

[snowcleave]

[ By the time Fei returns, her hand holding onto the neck of a bottle of something that doesn't smell half as vile as the swill they served in the taverns here, Vanessa's already engaged. She stops abruptly in the doorway and gives Vanessa a nod of understanding when the other woman catches her eye, before slipping out of sight again.

This time she doubts she'll need to pose as a wandering spirit, even without seeing his face the hunched way the man sits across from Vanessa betrays the level of his emotion. He's looking for the sort of answers Vanessa will give him, which, Fei understands, will work in their favor.

She'll stay out of sight and provide the sound effects, however. ]

[matermali]

[ The rattling of the window and mysterious billowing of curtains do well to captivate the man any time uncertainty distracts him from the Tarot reading, but by the midpoint Vanessa has his full attention. She doesn't feign a ghostly voice or anything so crass; the only falsehoods are the sounds. Divining his past brings enough truth into the séance that he creates his own ghosts, and by the end he's begging for it to be over. Vanessa does her best to bury her sympathy deep down (they aren't real; you wouldn't do this if they were real). She takes his coin with a sorrowful look in her eye before he departs.

She stands there a little longer than necessary afterward. Does she feel regret? She shouldn't. She isn't Evelyn Poole. Vanessa didn't gain any pleasure out of this. If anything, it's left her taxed, and she feels she can barely stand straight without feeling faint. Eager to be done for the moment, Vanessa ducks away from the table to thank Fei for another job well done.

Now, perhaps, they can enjoy some of the evening together. She feels rather done with men for the night. They can be...exhausting. Fei is much easier to be around. ]

Unless something else occurs, I believe the night is ours.