LucianV

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

Gilbert kept his grumbling to himself as they descended the shaft. Rung after rung they ventured down into the darkness. Part of him had been surprised by Sal's ingenuity and creative use of the thunderstone. The other part let out a long sigh since it would certainly let anything down there know they were coming. When they reached the bottom, Gilbert drew out a handkerchief and lightly padded his forehead before stuffing it back into a vest pocket.

As they started to look around, he couldn't help but be amazed by how intact the place was. Gilbert had expected some shitty old ruin filled with acid and monsters. Instead what they had gotten was a relic from the past that was more intact than anything he had ever seen in his career. "It nearly grieves the heart to imagined the squandered potential of such an extraordinary locale. One cannot help but entertain the notion of repurposing this pristine sanctuary for our own endeavors. A veritable fortress of solitude amidst the tumultuous wilds..."

And then the sirens started going off. At first Gilbert's hand drew his pistol expecting something to happen. And then he pressed his free hand and the one holding his firearm against his ears as he tried in vain to shout over the noise. "I FIND MYSELF COMPELLED TO REVISE MY PRIOR STANCE; LINGERING WITHIN THESE HALLS NO LONGER HOLDS THE APPEAL IT ONCE DID..." He glanced around, still expecting something to attack the group (something almost always did) and hoping, nay, praying that Sal would find some way to silence this damnable place.

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

With a casual flick of the wrist, Gilbert's pistol found purchase in the holster at his side. He let out a long sigh as he pulled a vibrantly colored paisley handkerchief and started fanning himself. "Allow me to respectfully present a dissenting viewpoint, my dear Mary: I would posit that the sole dietary consideration these insidious leeches merit is of the leaded variety. But again, perhaps my culinary nomenclature could use some improvement." He paused as he watched Kelly fire a few shots into the unconscious vampire with a nod of approval, but decided to be gracious enough not to offer Kelly lessons on the firing range once they got done with this job. "At the very least, it makes me refreshed knowing they've had their fill of lead." He gave the woman a sly grin as he adjusted the spectacles on his hawk nose. He handed Peggy the handkerchief as he passed by. "You've got blood on your..." He made a gesture in her general direction. "...everywhere."

Gilbert knelt next to one of the bodies, inspecting them for anything of value before following the others. Moving at a half amble, half swagger, The Crimson makes his way toward Sal, pausing only briefly to observe the strange acidic pools. He glanced at the ceiling, trying to discern if they were coming from above or below. When the old man starts to complain (a complaint Gilbert himself had made internally many-a-time) he could only grin in response. "Don't leave us wholly uninformed Sal. While the anticipation of the unknown is stimulating, I much prefer the unveiling of such impending dangers. Perhaps you'd be willing to enlighten the group on what is ahead?"

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

If the thing would have blinked, the vampire's eye lashes would have scrapped across Gilbert's skin. As it was, just as the damnable leech came in, it was met with both spells and fists persuading it into eternal rest. Now free of the enemy hounding him, Gilbert took aim once more. "Ladies, if I may beseech you to shift yourselves to one side for but a fleeting moment. I find myself inclined to extend our vampire assailant some leaded refreshments in lieu of a more sanguine repast at our expense."

The Crimson's pistol continued to sing as he fired another volley into the last of the vampires.
 

Level Advancement

Level 2

Caida

Level 3

Caida

Old Brand Mountain Man HP: 33/34 | AC: 16 Perception +8 Spell Slots   1st:

Caida Alpha Wolf HP: 21/27 | AC: 17 Perception +5 Current Command   ???

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Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

If there was one thing Gilbert missed, it was the banter. The others always took things so seriously. Now even the evil doers couldn't be bothered to put out a pithy retort with their attacks. Slip's family tree might have been a stub, and he was creepier than...To the man's credit, Gilbert couldn't actually think of any analogy that did the man's creepy nature justice. With a sigh, he continued to fire at the vampires, unloading as many shots as he could to help finish them off quickly.

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

Gilbert's pistol continued to ring out like a nearby thundercloud. This time he decided to even the odds in Mary's favor, since she was now being overwhelmed. "Might I proffer a morsel of advice, dear Mary? In the delicate art of combat, the most subtle and often overlooked nuance that leads to victory is often not in the power of one's strike, but the precision one wields."

With Zen and Kelly now nearby, Gilbert wasn't too worried for himself, but he certainly hoped Sal didn't do anything stupid while they were dealing with the issue. He shouted over the noise of his own weapon, as he chuckled and turned to look at his companions. "In this moment, I find myself reminiscing about the time Sal planned to embark upon the exploration of this claim sans our vigilant protection. A decision that, in retrospect, might be deemed imprudent. Wouldn't you agree?"

Just as one of the creatures lunged at Mary, Gilbert fired once again from the hip, the bullet coalescing into a massive shard of ice as it traveled. It struck the creature in the left eye, causing it to shriek in pain as it clutched at the wound.

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

"Did these malevolent entities move in recently, or have they been lurking in the shadows, concealed with the dark recesses of this place? While the answer eludes us now, I suspect it to be the latter. Fortunately our course of action remains unchanged."

Gilbert gave his pistol a twirl with practiced ease as the throng of hideous creatures burst forth from the darkness. While he knew there would be trouble, the sheer number of them that had come to greet the group was worrying, just how many more of these things could be hiding in the dark "While even I did not anticipated it, I do find myself of the same mind as Sal. I propose a strategic withdrawal to more favorable ground? The more narrow confines of the entrance would allow us to employ what is most colloquially known as a 'bottleneck', making their approaching number more susceptible to a coordinated, wide area onslaught. That and sunlight." He looked to the others, most of which were still hesitating. He didn't want to pull out any of this trump cards just yet, so he settled for taking a few pot shots at one of the approaching creatures.

As he leveled the pistol and looked down the sight, runes flared to life on the weapon. "Fear not, I shall take the initiative to impede the progress of one of our foes, affording us a momentary respite and advantage in the impeding skirmish..." A shot exploded from the weapon, a massive glob of midnight black webbing flying through the air

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

With an adjustment of his cravat, Gilbert prepared himself for the worst. They were walking into the pitch black, carrying lights, so there was hardly reason to be stealthy. If there were any creatures hiding, it wouldn't be long until the fighting started. "As is customary in our many collective endeavors, I shall assume the role of the steadfast rock upon which our group stands..."

Gilbert slowly pulled his revolver from the sheath, released the clip to inspect his ammunition stores, and then replaced it. While he didn't need to look to know how many shots were there, the ritual always had a calming effect. He looked around as the others prepared, spells of all natures flying about in the chaotic mess that was their group. He turned and gave the swirling mist behind him a sly smile, knowing Zen could see out, but he sure as hell couldn't see in. "In that, we are perhaps kindred spirits Zen. I too possess an aspect most potent to deter those that harbor violent intentions - an aura, if you will, comprised namely of bullets."

The scholarly gunslinger gave another look around the cavern and sighed. They were definitely going to get ambushed. "In this cavernous domain, where shadows dance and secrets linger, let us not underestimate the importance of keen observation. Keep an eye open, and if you find the inclination, perhaps even two, for such endeavors rarely go unrewarded." With that, Gilbert strolled forward with the others, whistling a merry little tune as they went.

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

The next few days were as monotonous as Slip's personality, but Gilbert managed to keep himself entertained with the few books that made up library of the Atlas Wake, most of them from his personal collection. He split his time in the usual way while they traveled: making obscure musical requests of Zen, having scholarly arguments on alchemy with Mary, reading prose poetry to Peggy while she was trapped under the Wake's engine, and playing cards with Kelly.

When they finally reached the cave that was Sal's claim, he refused the gas mask, but gladly took the canister for his own. He leaned over the side to peer down into the dark. "So...Whom among us will be the vanguard braving the darkened depths of this most ominous of subterranean formations?" He turned to Peggy and bowed slightly at the waist. "Ladies first?" He tapped her goggles, causing a small metal tip on the top to glow. "Behold, our very own cave-dwelling anglerfish! What will burst forth from the darkness to prey upon our dear Peggy? Not much, if it possesses a modicum of sense."

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

Gilbert listened rather impassively from the kitchen as the others tried a few different ways to get information out of the man. It was always a tricky proposition, getting people to turn on their former comrades. The only thing more scarce in the wastes than loyalty was honesty. The whole thing seemed like nothing more than a waste of time to him. When the elaborate plans and deceptions failed, Gilbert was often the one who tried to bring them back to simple and straight forward. Truth be told, he was actually surprised they hadn't cracked tis scum sucker yet. Clearly everyone was having an off day with the Atlas Wake being set on fire and all. With a sigh, he grabbed the back of one of the chairs from the kitchen and dragged it behind him.

The sound of screeching metal on metal slowly approached the others as Gilbert pulled the chair out to where they'd had Slim tied up. Perfect timing, Zen seemed to have just finished up with him. "Rummaging through the recesses of this one's mind would likely leave even Kelly yearning for a thorough cleansing. Some thoughts are best left unexplored, and the intricacies of this particular mental landscape may prove to be more treacherous than traversing the desert during a sandstorm." He pulled the chair around, and plucked the teacup that had floated after him from the kitchen as he sat in front of the man. He took a sip and gave the man an amiable smile.

"My name is Gilbert Gilane. You're Slip right? Well Slip, it seems you have unwittingly fallen prey to an egregious misconception, so allow me to proffer some much needed clarity in two simple points:

Firstly, while you're quite astute to recognize my companions share some apprehension, I dare say it could even be considered an aversion to violence. A revelation born of traversing those darkened roads and coming to the to the profound understanding that after spilling so much blood, it starts to take a toll on the soul. Even something as pure as redemption has limits, after all." Gilbert took another sip from his tea, then leaned in just a bit closer to Slim. "A poignant truth indeed...But people such as you and I...We know. That hungering void within, insatiable and unyielding, that propels those like us further down that road where salvation is little more than an elusive specter, an impossible dream." He sat back in his chair, continuing to give Slim that casual smile still that truly reached his eyes. "All that to say, people like you and I have no such compunctions about getting our hands dirty. In fact, I think I'd quite enjoy removing a pit stain such as yourself from existence." Gilbert let out a dark chuckle.

"Normally, I wouldn't dare insult your illustrious gang's reputation by assuming you would tell us anything of interest or value without the duress of torture, however, the constraints of your knowledge make this investment of time and effort a dubious pursuit...so...

We come to the second point. The two options that stand before you:

The first is the more judicious and mutually beneficial course of action which would have you working very diligently over the next few minutes, trying to convince me there is a single reason to let you live, since you've already made clear your intentions for revenge, this is probably beyond your capacity.

The second option allows us to steer clear of such futile endeavors, which aligns with the aforementioned understanding that your well of valuable information remains dry in this particular instance." Gilbert crossed his legs as he smiled at Slim, teacup in one hand and his pistol in the other. "So what's it going to be Slip?"

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

Gilbert let out a sigh as he finally freed himself from the webs, in time at least to help the others sort through their gains and the bodies. His haste spell had dissipated time slowing back down to normal speed for him and the others. With a flick of his hand, a wave of power emanates from him, giving away the location of anything magical. Not that he had the slightest hope these worthless buffoons had anything of value. He knelt down, giving everything they had captured another hard look before letting out a sigh and smile.

"They initiated the skirmish, yet we emerged as the victors. To the astonishment of none but him I'd wager." He clapped his hands together, his smile widening. "Now, as for Dirk, may I propose a touch of theatricality in our resolution? Let us liberate him of his gear and, for a parting jest, attire him in that delightful sun dress Zen keeps in her bunk but never wears. The prospect of Dirk strolling back into town bedecked in such an unconventional garment would undoubtedly cast a shadow upon his reputation. And I would find it most amusing."

He couldn't help but shake his head at the damage Dirk had done to their ship. It hardly even made sense. This was the sort of sloppy work of a man who knew he couldn't win, so had just been content to cause as much of a hassle for them as possible. Amateurs...
 

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

Muffled sounds finally gave way to intelligible speech as Gilbert peeled away the webbing. He held the strands of adhesive magic up with one hand, more than a few hairs from his moustache still stuck to it. "The audacity of this specious sorcerer! Your magical antics are as feeble as your aspirations, a trite display that lacks both finesse and the underlying knowledge to properly wield the arcane. Though what else should I expect from a common hedge wizard. I would advise you to reconsider your chosen path, for even the most amateur illusionist would find your magic exploits woefully lacking!"

Gilbert had expected the webs to fade away, since Harry had offered to take care of it, and yet he still found the threads sticking to his clothing, limiting both his movement and ability to aim properly. "You seem to have forgotten the fundamentals required to properly dispel another's spell my friend. If you recall the chat we had while making our way to the town of Lairdsville some time ago, I did recount the primary three things to consider. ONE." A shot rang out from his pistol as he counted. "Spells, my dear associate, are intricate tapestries woven from the very fabric of the arcane. To unravel their mysteries, one must approach them with the finesse of a master seamstress, delicately tugging at the threads rather than attempting to tear the fabric asunder with mere brute force. A more educated understanding of the magics in question could do much to help you find and exploit."

"TWO." Another shot echoed through the surrounding desert as he continued. "Consider the area in which you find yourself. The ambient magic has a large impact on the potential for dispelling, both in how you craft your magic, and how it interacts with theirs. This crucible of arid energies should not be overlooked. The dispelling endeavor becomes akin to sculpting the wind; every move must be deliberate, or unintended consequences may cascade like sand through careless fingers."

"AND THREE. Understanding one's adversary is tantamount to unlocking the secrets of countering their incantations. The intricacy of a spell is a reflection of the caster's acumen and willpower pitted against your own. To grasp the nuances of their magical machinations is to hold the key to triumph, as the ancient maxim goes: To know one's enemy is to know victory. May this elucidation serve as a beacon for future endeavors, ensuring that your arcane talents are woven and unwoven with the artistry they rightly deserve."

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

Gilbert had just opened his mouth to reply to Kelly when he found it suddenly filled with a vile tasting, sticky substance. Webs coated the back of the deck, pinning him to the spot he had been resting on at the rear of the ship to fire. Luckily for him, he was still in the same position and only had to turn his wrist slightly to aim at the now still target of Dirk the Dirty-Mutant-Bastard-who-covered-him-in-webbing. "Mhmmmffmm! Mffmhhmm mhmmf mrrggghhh mffrr mrm fffmmmrr rrhhhmmm hhffmmrr mmrrhh mmmrr mmhg hrrrr mmggmmrff mmrfggg mhhrrff mm!" He tried to shout to his companion, but the webbing wasn't doing him any favors. Instead, a trio of shots rang out as his weapon leveled on the leader of their assailants.

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

It had been a long, hard night of celebration and Gilbert hadn't stopped throwing them back until his body turned to jelly. It was common knowledge to every server at the Big Score that the gregarious gunslinger could hold a conversation like no other, but had never been able to hold his liquor. As usual, Peggy had returned later that evening to pick him up off the floor and carry him back to the Atlas Wake. Gilbert had missed his chance to procure supplies in the morning, but had the foresight to order nearly a dozen raw bulbs of garlic before the kitchen of the Big Score closed.

Gilbert awoke to the gentle hum of the Atlas Wake's engines, and the feeling of rough, matted fur brushing against his cheek. He let out a groan as he turned slightly in his own hammock, reaching helplessly for the flask of water that had been resting on his bed. His eyes opened to see a pair of yellow-orange eyes mere inches from his face. "Begone you irksome feline. You are well aware of my profound aversion towards your presence! While my compatriots may not yet suspect your malign intentions, know that I have caught wind of your nefarious nature." He tried to lift and arm to swat at the cat on his chest, but his movements were both too slow and the mangy little cat was too quick. Hearing Kelly's words through Tak, Gilbert let out another groan before lifting his leg out of the hammock and twisting his body, falling face first onto a floor covered with pillows.

A few moments later, he had slowly made his way up to where the others were gathering, seeing the sand kicked up in the distance. Gilbert looked to Kelly with a nod before taking another swig from the water flask. "What foolish foe has the temerity to shadow our every movement? Is that...Dirk?" Gilbert shook his head in disappointment. "One must question to sagacity of a man who chooses to pursue his pray prematurely. Had he a modicum of sense or strategic acumen, he would have waited until the coveted treasure was secure before launching such an ill fated assault." He gingerly pulled a gleaming silver firearm covered in arcane runes from his hip and fiddled with the trigger. He let out a long, pained sigh. Why couldn't they have waited until noon? At least then his headache would be gone.

Jacket pockets laden with bulbs of garlic and his red waistcoat covered in small oily paw prints, Gilbert started to hum a little ditty to himself. Runes etched on the barrel began to glow white hot, looking as though they had peeled themselves off the gun and floated up to encircle the barrel. He raised the weapon into the air and pulled the trigger. The runes seemed to hum as they changed in color to a shifting myriad of blue, white, and gold before the exploded above the group. Iridescent colors drifted down over his companions. "Gilbert's Arcane Alacrity... May your skirmishes find resolution ere the first echoes of clash resonate through the battlefield. As for myself, I shall maintain this vantage point, standing sentinel to safeguard Count Copula from any encroaching peril."

As Dirk and his boys neared the Atlas Wake, Gilbert focused in silence for a moment, pressing his magic into the runed weapon to reinforce it. In one over exaggerated gesture, he raised his pistol over his head down to use the railing of the ship to steady himself. The runes pulsed from the handle of the gun to the barrel, the waves of light moving faster and faster until he gently squeezed the trigger.

Boo

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

While normally Gilbert eschewed telepathic communication, this was the proper time for it, much to his chagrin. With a deep breath, he attempted to clear his mind as best he could before pressing his thoughts to the others. <<With-the-price-of-eclipse-quartz-on-the-rise, I-wonder-if-now-the-right-time-is-to-invest. If-a-tarantula-can-survive-for-more-than-two-years-without-food, is-that-breaking-the-law-of-conservation-of-energy? Peggy's-goggles-are-slightly-crooked, someone-should-tell-her. oh...uh...ZEN'S RIGHT ABOUT SAL BEING IN A SORRY STATE. NO NEED TO BILK HIM FOR EVERYTHING. BUT I LIKE MARY'S IDEA. HALF SEEMS FAIR BUT LAST TIME I DID THE MATH, HALF OF NOTHING IS STILL NOTHING, AND I DON'T LIKE WORKING FOR PEOPLE I DON'T CARE ABOUT FOR FREE. I-could-probably-reduce-the-time-of-enchantment-by-about-a-second-if-I-changed-the-activation-rune-to-a-bit, I'll-have-to-play-with-that-later-tonight. And-I-still-don't-have-this-damned-coffee-whiskey-right-I-wonder-if-he-is-using-some-off-kilter-measuring-tool.>>

Quite a few members of the team still hadn't gotten used to using Tak, and while the others either didn't use it or had adjusted, everyone knew Gilbert just hadn't cared enough to learn to properly filter his thought process into a single stream of consciousness. While it had gotten slightly better; everyone still recalled the first time he'd used it during the Luhan barge job. Gilbert's communication had been like a psychic barrage, the thoughts so fast and forceful it had taken most of the others the better part of a day to fully recover. Though as he told it, the major issue was the rest of the team's inability to process information fast enough.

Gilbert let out a sigh, switching back to normal speech. "While I delight in the finesse of an intricately woven trap or artful execution of clever ruse as much anyone here. Might we simply expedite matters by discharging a volley of the leaden persuasion upon Dirk and his compatriots, thus bringing a swift and simple denouement to this protracted charade? One cannot help but contemplate the prospect of garnering not only a tangible resolution but, dare I say, a commendation befitting our gallant endeavors from the appreciative denizens of San Muerte for such a service."

Gilbert Percy Gilane a.k.a The Crimson

"Did your exhaustive exploration of the brothel extend to every nook and cranny, or did you manage to narrow down your search with some semblance of discretion first? A fortuitous stroke of familiarity with the subtle nuances of the right kind of fake in any case." Just as he was about to launch into a tale that would leave the entire group on the edge of their seats, the girls returned, but with someone else in tow. Gilbert sat down his silverware with a sigh and dabbed the edges of his mouth with napkin.

---

"Forgive my lapse in attentiveness friends. Might I entreat one among you to graciously furnish the rest of our gathering, myself included, with a modicum of context regarding this current situation? While I relish a new and stimulating conversation with fervor akin to a corpulent child in a confectionary emporium, engaging in such endeavors proves a formidable feat, absent the requisite frame of reference."

Gilbert was at least able to grasp bits of what was going on from the telepathic messages being flung about like pigs in a mud pit. He leaned slightly out of his chair toward where the others had indicated someone named Dirk Gaiter. Gilbert had never heard of the man, he didn't really bother to keep apprised of the small fish. Roy Gaiter was another matter entirely. One of the boys that followed him owed Gilbert a hundred dollars. Clearly Roy hadn't bothered to teach his companions how to properly cheat at cards.

He turned to face Sal, studying him for a long moment. "Should Dirk and his band of miscreants harbor ambitions of relieving Mr. Cupland of his prized possession in the dim recesses of an alley, one might be inclined to question the relevance of our involvement. Unless, of course, Mr. Copeland is prepared to tender a suitably generous remuneration for our protection...But as he himself seems blissfully unaware of the impending shadows that cast themselves upon his path; shall we not let the unwitting gentleman dance with destiny? A swift disentanglement from this communion seems the best course of action. The call of my drink grows ever more fervent."

9 hours ago, Starhawk said:

Interesting post. Waiting to see if an NPC consents to be forced.

On a similar note...

What are people's thought on unilaterally making up details of one's PC past relationship with another PC?

Everyone has different playing styles, so I'm testing the waters as it were.

Since you seemed to have a specific example in mind that triggered this, but asked a very general question, are you concerned about losing your own agency in those situations? I'm also super curious why your first assumption was that it was unilateral at all (because it wasn't).

For myself, I agree with both you and namo that respect is important. Not to say I don't like character conflict (I think if people are crafting that for a reason it can make the game more interesting and allow for more interesting stories to be told).

I think the other thing that really matters is clear communication. I'm pretty much down for anything that makes for a better story or more interesting character interactions. And if someone crossed a line in a way I didn't like, I would just make it clear what it was and why, so we can continue crafting a good story.

3 hours ago, namo said:

If it's about the "weirdos" thing, you can assume Kelly has said it out loud a few times in the past, and build up on that as you wish 🙂. But he wouldn't overuse it.

Honestly right now I'm still finding Kelly's voice - both on his own and especially as part of the group. He ended up being the "straight man" to the "weirdos", and it was unexpected for me, so I was lampshading that.

Just to be clear, I took zero offense to this.