Steam and Sugar - Printable Version

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Steam and Sugar - danixiewrites - 11-07-2014

In a time of heavily contested skyborders and even heavier contested politics between the Lahen, Farwater, and Ice Hills continents, there are those who take no sides. These are the airborne merchants, those who would rob them, and those who would render services regardless of border and affiliation. The desperate farmer, the bold inventress, the gold-flushed milliner's assistant (woah, where DID she get that pocketwatch, anyway?), the adventurer out to see the world: all types of folks can be found on common ground at the Tangled 'Chute Bazaar.

New here? Check the "Where You Can Start" area for current statuses. Message me or hit up the OOC thread if you want a list of key roles/have a question about if/where you can jump into currently running plot.


Tangled 'Chute Bazaar


An open-market emporium rather ramshackled together atop a massive, sprawling mesa. Airships of all colors, shapes, and sizes dock in a full circle around the construct, and a curving, unkempt road winds around the bulk of land to deposit travelers into a forest-dense valley below. Shoptenders come from near and far, village and metropolis alike, claiming any space available--and some that aren't--to hock wares. Rented stalls carry everything from adventuring gear or ship parts to imported rarities and staples, from handmade fashions to handmade and homegrown food.

Some stalls are more permanent than others: The beverage market is cornered at a booth at the end of the largest strips. No one yet has been able to compete with the sultry spice of Finnigan's Ales. Small cottages are spread throughout the area, rental properties only, as there are no true "residents" within the Tangled 'Chute, but of interest to most are the varying quality of airships tethered to lots at Avast and Sail. A handful of ships are available as temporary lodgings as well, for those passengers awaiting a transport run and unwilling to do said waiting on solid ground.


Where You Can Start:


Anywhere in the Bazaar is fine; or you can join a current crew, below. Finnigan's Ales is our gathering place, and presently there are two available ships. Once a ship departs the Bazaar, until it docks elsewhere, no new characters may be introduced to that crew, but may have openings elsewhere (ie: ebil, anyone?) as the areas can be played simultaneously. Woot!


The Nulls:
Current Status: Night before Launch.

Merchantry and passenger ship, the Vanguard is home to a number of casual travelers and a handful of legitimate deckhands. Entertainers have been known to have a standing first-pick of cabins onboard, so long as they work during a journey--keeping the crew and the passenger mood alight. All crew carry a stamped gold coin of the Vanguard's figurehead, a lithe, voluptuous and feathered cloudmaiden and each member must declare their intent as a neutral* before they are cleared for duty. There haven't been true problems yet, but there's also no doubt that passengers have traveled under assumed names, and in the wake of their last three stops, a handful of important personages have...met their unfortunate demise.

*A neutral, or null, has no political affiliation or preference; they simply profit so long as their airship can dock. Keeping relations cordial at every corner of the map is vital to their pockets.


The Pixies:
Current Status: Seeking a ship, captain, and building their crew.

Skeleton sky pirate crew, without a ship and captain and thus thoroughly without a home. The remaining crew are on extended shore leave, have claimed squatting rights on a few rental spaces, and are a regular hassle to the good folks of the Bazaar. In truth, security cannot get them out off the mesa soon enough--and may resort to simply throwing them off the edge. Long has this small team had a history of raiding merchants and producing ever-more-creative methods of ending their foes. Before the mutiny that split them into pieces, they once flew under the common flag of The Pixies, a name that meant anything but cute and sparkly, referring instead to their inventive, winged parachutes and the shreds of dust that remain of their various enemies. Now, the survivors of that internal sky pirate tussle are a rag-tag gang with no gold in their pockets, shoddy gear, a roster to advertise for, potentially a new flag to fly under, and some shopping to do. 5-finger discount, anyone?


///*/*/*/*/*/*///

Thread Rules:
1. Grammar/spelling at a high level and multiparagraph posts, much obliged.
2. OOC = questions and commentary and plotting in an OOC thread, please and thank you.
3. Steampowered inventions and setting-appropriate innovations are of course welcome, but no supernaturals, alien visitations, high-techisms, or magic exists in this setting. Yes, you may still have fuchsia and chartreuse punk rocker hair--and/or its corset-on-the-outside equivalent. Because reasons.
4. This thread is potentially NSFW.
5. Characters are more than welcome to come with their own plot and to claim space in the Bazaar's environment, but do ask instead of crashing someone else's personal plotline.
6. Inactive characters who in their extended absence have the plot moved around them can always be found either parked on a bench or stool by Finnigan's Ales or in the brig on whatever ship they were last seen aboard. Upon your return, you're welcome to rejoin in those places, or come in with a new char.

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Steam and Sugar - danixiewrites - 11-07-2014

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Characters Property of Their Respective Authors:

DanixieWrites: Ellie/William, Finn, Pixies Rose/Midge/Wendel, Mayhew/Sundry/Misc
Werewolf: Romany, Peridot
Professor MacManus: Professor, 23
Ghostly: Lucian
Tezzeret: Bantou
Ninjaoctopus: Orville, Gizmo
Megs: Priscilla, Rutheo

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Steam and Sugar - danixiewrites - 12-09-2014


Year 1, Day 2, Afternoon

Vanguard: Enroute from Tangled 'Chute Bazaar to Companion Cove.

Pixies: Still grounded in the Bazaar. But. Another plan is afoot. As always.

Bazaar: Shops are full swing and marketing loud as ever, cabins are emptied and turned over for new renters, Finnigan's Alehouse is unusually boisterous though no one has yet called the constabulary.

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Steam and Sugar - Kat - 12-11-2014

Romany Abbot awoke to a very large figure wrapped around her personage, and said figure earned a miserable groan from the woman. There had been no violation nor sign that he had fondled his way through her nightdress, but he still smelled of ale and the evening fire, and his snores were sizable as clear allegiance to his form. The historian viewed sleeping Lucian quietly from her side, turning inwards so she was facing him to catch flaring nostrils and quivering lips a dreaming visage offered. The night before had been a bit hectic, and their guide Ellie had been good company for the time they shared with her, but Romany had been in no mood to keep up with her companions, which led her back onto the ship much earlier than the other two. Luckily she slept like the dead, as the enormity of Lucian's body probably jostled her about when he positioned himself as what would be lovingly deemed the 'massive, hairy spoon'.

Studying his sleep patterns grew boring after a time, and by the sun's rays traveling into their chamber, she estimated it was later than intended. A curse was uttered when she parted from the sheets, seeking out her robe so she could bundle in even more layers before the male awoke, fidgeting with the knot while blinking back collected gunk from her lids. Balled into a fist, one hand worked to rub it away so she could better see, the other set of digits trying to collect a few stray articles of paper and quill so they didn't go flying when the ship took inevitable departure. By all gods, Romany hoped they have remembered everything - it wouldn't be beyond their norm to have lost at least one valuable before takeoff.

Taking a seat with a muted sigh, Romany made the most of the quiet and began working, dipping the fountain pen in a practically empty inkwell to start off the process. Her recollections and observations were limited for the time being, but she was able to gather that boarding a ship wasn't a monumental feat, and felt no need to embellish on the written entry. Her book would not house lies if she had any say in what was written.

Year xxxx - Our Journey to the Vanguard

Myself and Lucian find ourselves on another outing, this time by steam vessel. This excited my comrade as he rarely has a chance to look into these beastly ships and it is well known mechanizations of such caliber are his passion. We boarded and met with one of the ship's employed, and while feisty and energetic, she was helpful towards our needs. The first room we had agreed upon turned out to be less than expected, but the ship hand, Ellie, found us new lodging. There is only one bed. Of course this is not something we haven't faced before, I am still quite disenchanted with the prospects of Lucian hugging me in his bear grip for the entirety of our voyage. Ellie also did Lucian and myself a kindness by escorting us to the local tavern, where we ate and spoke of our intentions; rather, Lucian did.

I excused myself to ready the room and settle in for the night. Our trip begins today, and given what I've faced to get here, I grow more and more impatient with what we may come to find in our travels. Let us hope this isn't another wild goose hunt.

Placing the pen in a small case next to the rest of her supplies, the paper was left to dry while she gathered a leather bound tome to tuck it in. This was a new start to their adventures, so Romany had ensured she had enough of the essentials to last for what might be a rather long outing. Nerves played a factor in this waiting game, but they could be stifled long enough to dress and comb her spring of chestnut locks, taming them with bobby pins and beeswax so they sat smooth in her updo. As her image was reaffirmed, proper and pretentiously stiff, Romany coughed loudly towards her companion to begin the arduous process of waking him.

"AHEM! Lucian!" The name cracked like a whip. "It's high time you shake off your stupor and get dressed. They will be setting sail soon, and I know you wouldn't want to miss it-" Romany didn't admit caring, but it seeped through her vocals like a stern mother's scolding. What she said and what she did, it was all done for the good of their cause, even if it made her the bully. Someone had to take the reins to ensure the pair didn't falter. "Hurry now, there might even be a meal for you if you're quick."

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Steam and Sugar - Ghostly - 01-09-2015

The evening before hand had been a blur of conversation with Ellie and Romany, and then subsequently a haze of far too many drinks bought by others fascinated by his tales of adventure. Still, he managed to find his way back to the Vanguard by night's end without much incident, though thankfully the ship would depart the next day so he couldn't be around to hear of what he may or may not have done.

~~~

Lucian and Romany, because a man as big as himself always deserved top billing; there the two stood back to back in the crumbling sky temple. The alter behind them was missing its keystone, the relic the adventures sought, which also happened to be keeping the steam engines holding the small structure in the air operational. Around them rest the remains of at least a dozen clockwork guardians, sent into a frenzy at the defilement of their determined place of protection. At least, it wasn't cannibals, not this runaround anyways — hopefully there would be a next.

Their fortunes looked grim, but this wasn't the first time the pair had faced such dangers, though it did put the bar at a record high mark. Lucian bashed in the geared skull of another automaton with sturdy, empowered gauntlets, whilst Romany caught an engineer between the eyes with her holdout pistol. How many of these things were there? Either way the two needed an out, and as if reading his mind, the more scholarly of them exclaimed about a air skiff dock towards where they had initially parachuted in.

The gorilla of a mechanic lead the way with brutal blows and long steps to pave their way through hallways that gave way to the endless blue of the outdoors with every step. "Hurry!" Lucian hollered over the crash of stone and metal against one another. The two made it to the launch site, Lucian quickly pushing Romany ahead of him into the empty room to handle the preparations while he held back the oncoming mob. His muscles ached from the constant movement and the sprawling fights, but surely the pain would be worth it to make it out of here alive.

As the hum of the hanger bays opening resonated a scream echoed across the space of the room along with a gunshot, then an explosion. One of the mechanical guards had been hiding in wait off in the shadows and charged Romany while she worked, detonating when it got close enough. Throwing a much smaller man into the crowd of encroaching nuts and bolts, the Frenchman dashed to where his partner had been felled. A mess she had become, her side charred by the blast and left in a pile of her own blood, but she still had a pulse if only faintly.

The control panel however was a smoldering mess, and Lucian knew that without it functioning he couldn't get the doors open further which were grinding against its own gears. Further complications were the enemies pouring into the now less unoccupied hanger. Clutching an unconscious Romany in his arms, Lucian was backed to the edge where the skiff would remain attached to the soon to be decrepit temple.

Here they came...

~~~

"AHEM! Lucian!"

That shrill call a one monsieur Marquis had long since grown accustomed to gave cause for heavy lids to part to view the sunlight enveloped room, a stark difference from the rather gloomy fate he and the lovely Romany had just faced in what appeared to be but a nightmare.

Only when he had her all to himself did she ever use his first name. Perhaps he liked it better that way, who was to say? Anything was better that what he'd just dreamt about, especially to one as superstitious as Lucian. Wiping the sleep from his eyes with the back of his hands he let out a bear like yawn before struggling to his feet from the covers. Surprisingly the normally tough to wake mechanic moved from the bed with an unusual swiftness. Dressed in but tight thermal bottoms that went down to his knees, he staggered over to the luggage containing his own attire, anything to get his mind off of prior thoughts. That and the mention of a free meal might be the best way to get the man to "hop to it," so to speak.

"Just need a second." Clearly he was not all there yet as words were grumbled in what was probably a hungover groan, but as he slipped on a proper pair of trousers and threw a dark shirt over his head he was getting there. Romany was on the money with how her partner felt, Lucian would not want to miss seeing this ship set in motion. "How much longer do you think we got?"

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Steam and Sugar - everaftercrafter - 09-11-2015



A shadow cast across the stall of a merchant prompted the short turbaned owner to look up from his ledger and gawk at the woman who was fingering a silk length of fabric as if caressing a cat. She had to be almost 6 ft tall at least and slim. " How much." she stated rather than asked. He mush have rattled off a price that she didn't agree with for she pursed her lips and then looked at the fabric for a close inspection, " Five lengths at 3 pieces each." By her authorative tone there would be no negociating, It didn't help that he was staring level at her crotch and the pistol strapped to her hip, he felt his hands shaking and formed them into fists to quench it," D-deal." She produced the 15 pieces from a latched bag attached to her belt and picked the color silk she wanted and waited as he cut it from the bolt. She wrote a note on a paper and handed it over," Have it sent to this place for them to hold for Laird." He nodded and stood offering a hand out for her to shake. She looked moderately offended by the gesture and he nervously retracted the hand. He bowed his head and thanked her for the business, she turned and walked down the narrow street. The crowd parted as she passed by and whispered as they too watched in awe," Is that Lady Laird?" " Haven't seen her for years." " Saved me ship once." " I heard she's a pirate now..."


Lorna Laird approached another stall, the sun glinting in her ebony hair that held up tight in a bun before draping straight down her back to her waist. This merchant was all smiles," If it isn't Little Lorna." Lorna scrunched up her nose, this only made the portly woman behind the stall grin wider." Lizan I wish you'd stop calling me that," Lorna said good naturedly.
"Hone' I've known you since you were trailing after your brothers the smallest and youngest of the lot." Lorna scowled but that just made Lizan chuckle.
" What made you come here?" Lorna asked, picking up a piece of fruit from the stall and turning it in her hands.
" Tariffs hiked, Newaven got too expensive for the likes of a treat vendor like meself. Taven and Harliff left too."
Lorna was shaking her head, she watched as Lizan bagged up some candied nuts and toss in a few sugared fruit slices. She reached into her bag at her waist and flipped it to Lizan, Lorna took the bag and hurried away, not quick enough to hear," Ain't no charity ye hear!"
Lorna smiled," Worth every silver!" she called back. She smiled as she stuck a nut in her mouth and the explosion of cinnamon and sugar recalled the pleasant summer days of her youth. The woman was a looker, curves in all the right places, slightly tanned skin with just the faintest sprinkling of freckles across her nose. Clear violet eyes and bombshell lashes, she disregarded the fact that she turned heads wherever she went, if not from her appearance but from her reputation, Captain Lorna Laird, or Lady Laird as some called her. Not too much was known about the beauty before her appearance at Sarth's Rock 8 years ago.

She reminded herself to pick up cinnamon for Lizan's shop when she went south again, now if only she could find a ship and crew. She headed for Finnagan's Ales, keeping her eyes and ears out for anyone who needed a captain.

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