Chapter 5: Blood and Fire

[Jeff]

Both shifter and warforged drift silently into the forest, far out of sight from everyone else.

They spend time together in search of food, be it game or edible plants. Grafth finds the construct to be good company. She's attentive and extremely alert for an artificially and arcanely created being. He's heard that warforged senses are somewhat dulled compared to humans, especially their sense of smell?a handicap he can scarcely imagine. Lacking noses and ears, warforged senses are almost wholly magical in nature.

Yet Mist exhibits better perception than many humans. She's also quiet, and speaks only when it's necessary, not suffering from the human tendency of speaking just to fill the time. It's refreshing.

The scent of the Whisper Woods is invigorating, full of natural and summer-swept life: Trees, bushes, moss, mushrooms, grass...all in abundance and unpolluted by civilization. But whether it's dumb luck or his own distracted thoughts, Grafth has trouble catching significant animal scents. Mist keeps with him, moving close enough to communicate with him but far enough to spread out their perception.

In the end, it takes Grafth three hours--much more than he feels it should have--to find more than a couple of conies and a handful berries and other woodland comestibles. With Mist in tow, he returns with larger game, enough to feed the entire group for the next day.

During this time, Belarin works with Lever, at times doing nothing more than standing back out of the artificer's way and offering advice where he sees it needed. But they seem to be making good progress. Grafth returns during this time, and working together, everyone makes the camp a little more comfortable. Grafth also appears to be the most capable of skinning, treating, and cooking the meat.

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Each hour spent hunting/foraging is one check. It takes a roll of 15 to find enough food for 1 person for 24 hours. A 25 is needed to feed five people.

• Mist's Nature check = 19 (granting +2 to Grafth's check)
• Grafth's 1st hour Nature check (1d20 9=10) +2 (Mist) +5 (bloodhunt shifting) = 17
• Grafth's 2nd hour Nature check (hunting/foraging) (1d20 9=11) +2 (Mist) = 13
• Grafth's 3rd hour Nature check (hunting/foraging) (1d20 9=26) +2 (Mist) = 26

By the end, Grafth finds exactly enough food for everyone on board the Thunderhead (all 7 non-warforged)...enough for a flight to Fairhaven and a few hours thereafter.

If anyone has anything else they'd like to do or say before "jumping ahead" to whenever the ship is repaired enough, say so.

[Ken]

During his repair efforts with Lever, Belarin tells the warforged about the group's exploits since leaving the ship. "And would you believe what Kalarian said next ... to the bird?" "You wouldn't have noticed this, but Lady Charis moves exquisitely in battle, and her hair does this amazing thing when she turns quickly.... " "That Streko is a feisty one, isn't he? How much sugar does he put in his morning tea?" "Oh wait, Lever, you need to put that piece over there ... good, otherwise the arcane energy flow might've blown out the starboard side ... is that where my quarters are, starboard?" "I like you, Lever ... you're very focused."

[Jeff]

Lever remains largely silent during Belarin's loquacious assistance. He speaks only when needed to request a specific task from the human, and occassionally offering an "That is very strange," or an "How unexpected."

At several points, Lever has Belarin help him physically lift something, as the warforged himself doesn't quite possess the strength of his soldier-like brethren. "This is the first airship that I have worked on, and hardly my area of greatest skill. You see, I was a Field Unit Repair Specialist in the war, and am accustomed mostly to repairing warforged and various combat devices. Even so, the arcane matrix of the binding structure of this elemental galleon is not entirely unlike some seige weaponry I've repaired."

As Belarin watches, tiny flickers of magic radiate from Lever's large, warforged "fingers" as he applies the final touches to the lower binding strut of the ship. These flickers resemble soundless, miniature lightning strikes of ever-shifting hue, forming an aureole of artificer magic. Level applies several infusions to reform the splintered wood itself, pausing to rest for a short while between each application.

The day stretches on, passing into the night, and then quite suddenly exhaustion strikes Belarin. Lever seems engaged in his task, quite willing to keep working through the night. "Do sleep, please. If we are pursued tomorrow by this enemy ship, your maximum efficiently will no doubt become more necessary than mine."

[Jeff]

Far, the 13th of Rhaan*

Sure enough, by mid-morning, Lever declares that the Thunderhead should be air-worthy. "However," he adds, "It should most certainly be considered in a 'state of repair.' The ship requires further work, preferably at a proper facility—but it will fly."

Ralsor shakes his head. "I know. Right now we just have to keep her from being blasted from the sky and getting her safely to port in Fairhaven. Getting repair technicians from my house to examine her will be another challenge."

Ralsor takes the helm, which is a struggle as the ship is still lying at a 45° angle on the forest floor. (Which made for uncomfortable sleeping during the night.) Assuming an authorial tone as the captain of a Lyrandar vessel, Ralsor orders Grafth, Kal, and Belarin to help lift the ship into a more upright position by pulling, at the proper moment, on well-placed ropes. Charis, Streko, Mist and Fherina he asks to help clear away branches and other forest detritus that would otherwise hinder the ship's rise.

The half-elf opens his shirt, displaying the Mark of Storm on his bare chest. He grasps the wheel and the dragonmark begins to glow.

Several small dragonshards studding the wheel glow in response, and then a preternatural breeze begins to roil around the ship. It gradually takes visual shape as a glowing ring circling endlessly through the four binding struts. The wind howls and the Thunderhead stirs...

After several minutes of concerted effort, the airship lifts upright and then off the ground altogether. Clumps of dirt and grass cling to the hull...and then the wind quickly scours most of it away.

Ralsor laughs out in response as the unearthly wind sweeps through his hair and billows his shirt; it's the first real joyful sound he's made since your return to him. Once everyone has climbed aboard via the rope ladder and hatch, the airship lifts up, breaks through a few more branches, and then floats into the open sky. The canopy of the Whisper Woods now lies just below.

"Grafth," Ralsor says. "If you would lend me that 'shard now, we'll see if we can make good time."

He turns to Belarin and Kal. "Perhaps now would be a good time to see to our Claw commander, Relith? He's in relatively good shape and has been cooperating with us. I even gave him some of the meat Grafth provided. He's still a stinking Karrnathi bastard from Khyber...but I'm starting to like him." The half-elf's old smile is returning.

Fherina, meanwhile, scoots over to Grafth, Charis, and Streko. "Can you tell me about the Wood Mistress? I've heard stories about her, even from home. What's she like?"

The gnome eavesdropped enough around Belarin and Lever during the last day to have picked up the general story, but she seems eager to get someone else's perspective.

________________________________

* A reminder: Far is like Saturday, while Rhaan is like September.

[Darren]

Kal looks up from where he has been studying Skyfang, holding the dagger aloft in front of him, then putting it back down, then holding it up again. He returns the dagger to it's sheath, then gives Ralsor a wink. "Filthy Karrnathi bastard from Khyber, huh? He must remind you of me, d'Lyrander?" Kal smiles broadly. "I don't need to tell you," he continues in a more serious tone, "but keep the ship moving as quickly as possible, and let me know at the first sign of trouble."

He begins to walk towards the hold of the ship, but stops as he passes Fherina. "Do not trust anything she says," he admonishes the others. "She is only looking for a story for the chronicles." He glares at the gnome, then moves down to see to Captain Relith.

[Ken]

"One moment," says Belarin, catching up to Kal as they go below the main deck. "Before we talk to our happy prisoner, can we come to an agreement? Ralsor says that Relith has been cooperative, he hasn't caused trouble since his capture, and yes, he did act to save my life. Yes, yes, fine -- I know he's a member of the Emerald Claw... ptui! See, I spit at their mere mention! Don't tell Ralsor. But my point is that, understandably, Relith will ask what's to become of him.

"Threaten him if it brings you delight," he continues, "but be ready to answer that question. I don't advocate his release until we're safely away from our pursuers, but neither do I advocate his execution. When it comes to hatred of Malov, you may even find him to be a useful ally, albeit a temporary one."

[Marcy]

Jun 29, 2009 13:29:20 GMT -4 Darren said:

He begins to walk towards the hold of the ship, but stops as he passes Fherina. "Do not trust anything she says," he admonishes the others. "She is only looking for a story for the chronicles." He glares at the gnome, then moves down to see to Captain Relith.

Charis sidles up to Fherina after Kal moves on and gives her a wink.

"Don't mind him. He's just upset that the Wood Mistress fell for Belarin's charms instead of his."

[Darren]

Kal stops in the hallway, looking down, not meeting Belarin's eye. "I have no intention of harming him," he says. "Unfortunately, we need him. If he's been cooperative, then let him continue to cooperate. We will not set him free, though." He turns and looks at the warlock. "Our problem is this. We need him to tell the truth and hopefully help to clear us for what happened in Passage. But as soon as the authorities know he works for the Emerald Claw, he may be discredited and they may not believe what he says about us. I think, when we dock in Fairhaven, we need to bring him straight to the authorities as our prisoner, as someone we captured in connection with the events in Passage. If Relith agrees to cooperate, to tell the truth, then we will agree to ask the authorities for leniency in dealing with him." Kal turns and continues to walk towards the brig. "That is the best we can offer," he says without turning back.

[Joe]

Streko has been listening to Kal and Belarin speaking and wathes silently as Kal leaves toward his interrogation.

"Belarin, I would ask your assistance in ritual I would like to perform, although I wish it to wait until our presence is known by the enemy...if it is known. If we are learn more about Malov and his intentions, it would be best if we understood his book more and as you are the most...arcane...amongst us, you help might be important in understanding how to defeat him. May I count on you?"

[Ken]

In the hallway, Belarin turns his head to look up at Streko, his eyes widening. "Look at the book, Good Streko? Certainly!" He quickly climbs back up the steps. "Lord Hornet and I have come to an understanding, and there's not much else that I can do to alter Captain Relith's preordained encounter with a Fairhaven cell. Anyway, I'd be happy to use this book to hoist Malov on his own yardarm, or however the saying goes. Lead on, please."

[Josh]

Rummaging through his pack, Grafth retrieves the dragonshard and hands it to Ralsor. "Let me know how else I may be of assistance during the flight. Should we take shifts as lookout, do you think?"

herina, meanwhile, scoots over to Grafth, Charis, and Streko. "Can you tell me about the Wood Mistress? I've heard stories about her, even from home. What's she like?"

"Alas, she is as mysterious and mesmerizing as you have likely heard. I am not familiar with the tales of which you speak, though with more goading of the others you might be able to craft one of your own. We aided her, and in return we were each granted with gifts."

The shifter turns back to Ralsor to await any instruction, saying under his breath, "I would be both pleased and afraid to encounter her again... more of the latter."

[Jeff]

Ralsor accepts the large, ovular Siberys shard from Grafth. "Although I used to see him with this, years before I ever knew you, Grafth, he entrusted this to you...so when I'm done with it, it goes back to your keeping." The half-elf nestles the stone into a groove in the wheel that seems designed to fit it, or something of its size. The stone immediately blazes with orange light, softening to light blue and matching the color of Ralsor's dragonmark.

Seizing the wheel anew, the white-blue ring of air encircling the ship intensifies, and everyone stumbles for a moment as the Thunderhead lurches forward, moving faster than before. The forest canopy drifts by, and soon you can see the edge of the wood on the southern horizon. "If this holds up, we'll make excellent time."

"But please do not push the speed overmuch, Captain," Lever says, approaching. "I recommend not taxing the binding struts. For every hour of this speed, please relax it again for a quarter hour. I would have to study that shard to give you better advice."

Captain and artificer speak for a few more minutes about the ship, then Ralsor turns to Grafth again as he eyes the Siberys shard. "I still don't know what Aldronivus had in mind for me," he says, and within earshot of others nearby. "And, I imagine, you're not sure what part he hoped you'd play. That's how he is."

Kal, given a key by Ralsor to the room where Captain Relith is kept, is free to go below and speak with him.

Fherina is unfazed by Kal's remark about her. At Grafth's words concerning the Wood Mistress, the gnome's dark eyes return to your party's new clothing and armor. Her words seem to be directed not only at Grafth, but anyone who will listen. "Well, if you'll tell me a bit more about her, I'd be happy to share with you what I've heard. Did you know, there's almost a always a Wood Mistress in every forest? It's an office, so to speak...though the fey of Thelanis wouldn't describe it so."

______________________________

Darren: Am I understanding correctly that Kal's going to Relith solo? If so, do you wish Kal's and Relith's conversation to be in your private threat for a faster exchange, or do you want me to keep it here in this thread for others to follow and refer to later? It's your call.

Ken and Joe: let me know what you're going to do exactly. Joe, if it's the Comprehend Languages ritual you had in mind, remember that the arcane theory of the book is more akin to complex mathematical notations than to simply another language. But as I encourage initiative on stuff like this, there'll be a chance you can still learn something from it.

Also, I didn't quite understand what Streko meant by this:

although I wish it to wait until our presence is known by the enemy...if it is known.

Does this mean you don't want to pull the book out and do the ritual at this time?

But if you do, go ahead and roll an Arcana check. And if Belarin's helping, he can roll to assist.

[Darren]

Kal stops in front of the door to the brig and holds the key up to the lock. Taking a deep breath, he looks down the hallway and realizes he is alone. "I suppose I will do this on my own, then," he mutters. Exhaling, he turns the key and enters the cell.

________________
It wasn't necessarily my intention to do this alone, but I guess it's worked out that way. Here or in the private thread is fine, Jeff. Putting it here might make it easier for everyone else, so I don't have to try to summarize later.

[Marcy]

Jun 30, 2009 16:46:36 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Captain and artificer speak for a few more minutes about the ship, then Ralsor turns to Grafth again as he eyes the Siberys shard. "I still don't know what Aldronivus had in mind for me," he says, and within earshot of others nearby. "And, I imagine, you're not sure what part he hoped you'd play. That's how he is."

Charis turns quickly at this.

"Aldronivus?" she asks the Captain incredulously, almost eagerly. "White goatee? Moves like a cat? Likes to pull silver fire out of your ears? That Aldronivus?"

[Ken]

Jun 30, 2009 18:25:48 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal stops in front of the door to the brig and holds the key up to the lock. Taking a deep breath, he looks down the hallway and realizes he is alone. "I suppose I will do this on my own, then," he mutters. Exhaling, he turns the key and enters the cell.

Belarin, after his brief exchange with Streko, realizes that Streko isn't planning to do anything at the moment, so he quickly catches up with Kal.

"Apologies, my lord," says Belarin, rejoing Kal at the door. "Master Streko wanted to briefly discuss a mystical matter with me. It's difficult being me, always in demand. You understand." He flashes a jovial smile and beckons Kal to proceed with the key.

OOC: OK, just read the OOC thread and all caught up with the confusion. We're back on track.

[Jeff]

"Let me know how else I may be of assistance during the flight. Should we take shifts as lookout, do you think?"

"Definitely," Ralsor says, "But we're a small group and not all warriors. I don't think shifts are needed, but we do need to watch the sky." He looks up into the blue sky. "I feel that the weather may turn...our visibility may become limited, though."

"Aldronivus?" she asks the Captain incredulously, almost eagerly. "White goatee? Moves like a cat? Likes to pull silver fire out of your ears? That Aldronivus?"

Ralsor's expression is also one of wonderment, but not quite as surprised. "That would be him," he replies. "But silver fire? I've not seen that trick. He was a friend of my family's, and although I didn't think of him as Thrane—didn't think of him as belonging to anyone one place, honestly—he did work with the templars.

"Lady Charis, how did you know him? I'm beginning to think finding him, somehow, would be a very good idea. He's the one who sent your companions to me in the first place." He looks to Grafth.

With Kal and Belarin gone below, Fherina turns her attention to Streko alone. "Master Streko," she says with a pout. "Will you tell me something more of your adventures?"

Tangat goes with Kal as he heads toward the room where Relist has been confined. Amal follows from a distance, not joining Kal and Belarin but keeping guard not far behind them.

When Kal and Belarin open the door, they find Captain Relith sitting upright on the bed. Fresh manacles bind him to an iron ring on the wall—which is normally used with rope to tie things down for bad weather. The captain looks fairly refreshed, still showing some scars and bruises from the fight several days ago.

He smiles mildly. "Some company would be welcome," he says. "As would leaving that door open. I need fresh air." His tone grows more serious. "I'm glad to hear that your adventure in the forest was...successful? Did you find ir'Turian's estate? You're still alive, after all."

____________________________________

For Darren, Josh, and Joe, here's a reminder of when Aldronivus first came up, from Chapter 2.

[Darren]

Kal frowns as he steps into the room, then rolls up his sleeves, revealing the dragonmark underneath. "It is rather stuffy in here, isn't it?" he says as he takes a seat opposite Relith. He motions for Belarin to enter, as well, and to leave the door open.

"I see you have been treated well, Captain," Kal begins. "That is well for you." Kal shifts his weight, and his brows lower. "I can do no more of this pleasant talk. We have things we need to discuss. We are returning to Fairhaven." Kal goes silent, waiting to see Relith's reaction before he goes on.

[Ken]

Belarin enters behind Kal, gives Relith a courteous nod, but says nothing else for the moment. He leans against the wall, his arms folded.

[Jeff]

"We have things we need to discuss. We are returning to Fairhaven."

Relith nods solemnly. "I thought as much. But where you bring me is a difficult choice, isn't it? To House Deneith or to Fairhaven's watchmen? There'll be very different results, I'd think. What do you intend to tell them?"

[Darren]

Kal smiles. "The truth, Captain. But that's where you come in. What do YOU intend to tell them?"

[Joe]

"Master Streko, will you tell me something more of your adventures?"

Streko looks at the gnome with barely disguised annoyance. He closes his eyes and takes several breaths, the last one ending with a smile.

"In a moment, please. I wish to ensure that Captain Ralsor is well and offer my services as watchmen in the skies, as I might be indisposed later. If he agrees, I shall return and you can join me. I will tell you what I can, though there is very little I can say of the Mistress, however, as I had little contact with her. The Centaurs, however, were quite interesting."

With that, Streko makes his way to the dragonmarked Captain. "Sir, I came to see if you need the services of a healer and to offer my eyes for the beginning leg of our journey and, at last, to thank you for your assistance and patience in this matter. The danger is most grim, and your friendship is most appreciated. May Olladra bless you and guide you in your travels at all times."

[Ken]

"Captain," says Belarin with a feigned look of fatigue, "I think what the Deneith lord is suggesting is that your fate may depend on how eagerly and fully you speak about your own role in this affair. I've been trying to tell these ne'er-do-wells that you have no love for the ir'Turien clan, considering how your own men were slain. Hmm, House Deneith might actually be more interested in your tale than the Fairhaven authorities...."

[Jeff]

Above

Fherina bows and steps away, deferring Streko to his first priority. "I would certainly like to hear about these centaurs, when you have the chance," she says then falls silent for a while.

"Sir, I came to see if you need the services of a healer and to offer my eyes for the beginning leg of our journey and, at last, to thank you for your assistance and patience in this matter. The danger is most grim, and your friendship is most appreciated. May Olladra bless you and guide you in your travels at all times."

"Don't thank me, Streko," Ralsor says when the halfling finishes. "I'm in this now, as well. But your eyes are most welcome!" The Lyrandar heir shifts his tone into light-hearted theatrics. "I must keep mine forward, and search the southern horizon. A storm's coming, I think, so I need to be sure I don't lose my bearings. Fairhaven is easy to spot in clear skies, but when the sun hides, I've only the wind as my compass!"

Despite his words, there are lines of worry and other symptoms of stress and insomnia.

"I think we're all well enough, so your healing arts can wait until one of us gets seriously banged up. But if Olladra can favor us with her fortune, I'd be a happier man. Put in a good word for all us, would you? We run from a magic-wielding foe who can jump from body to body, and we run into the arms of the law, who would condemn us."

Below

"What do YOU intend to tell them?"

"I think what the Deneith lord is suggesting is that your fate may depend on how eagerly and fully you speak about your own role in this affair. "

"I have no interest—and no skill—for lying. I am happy to speak the truth. My membership in the Emerald Claw, though you will find it hard to believe, is the pursuit of truth and justice. The Order is still alive after all these years* because some people still have the guts to see things done, because they're not afraid of public outcry, or of the indecision of a young king."

Relith sighes wearily. "But...we're as corruptible as any institution, no less your house, Lord d'Deneith. I'm not trying to say that all those in the Order's ranks see things as I do. I'm a naïve old fool. Too often the Order falls to mercenary work, and you should know that that means it sacrifices principle for gold, at times."

"The truth, then. The Order was doing a job for Malov. I was playing my part, but I was never informed of particulars."

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* A reminder: The Order of the Emerald Claw was a chivalric order, once, that served King Kaius I and his successors during the Last War. The order was outlawed in 980 YK for extreme activities, and King Kaius III has gone to great lengths in an attempt to stamp it out. The order continues to remain active in the shadow of Karrnath and beyond, but it is now seen as a terrorist organization.

[Ken]

"Captain," says Belarin, "I know that you weren't expecting those grotesque allies of Alvek to show up and start incinerating people ... but, as a military man of some experience, why do you think they did so? My fellow 'craftsmen' and I were busily creating forged documents, and then we were led by you and your men to the Whisper Woods. Seemed wasteful..."

He looks at Kal and continues, "Based on that letter, it's possible that Alvek was getting anxious at that point and decide to eliminate anyone who could be tied back to the activities at Shadowcrest. Alas, a question that I should've asked of the man himself."

He looks back at Relith. "You didn't have direct contact with Malov, correct, Captain? Do you know of any members of the Claw who did?"

[Darren]

Kal looks back and forth between Belarin and Relith, and seems intent on speaking, but then sits back and waits for the Emerald Claw captain to answer Belarin's question.

[Josh]

"Lady Charis, how did you know him? I'm beginning to think finding him, somehow, would be a very good idea. He's the one who sent your companions to me in the first place." He looks to Grafth.

Grafth, previously intent on strolling the deck, pauses. He is clearly interested in the details of this conversation.

[Marcy]

Jul 1, 2009 9:48:16 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Lady Charis, how did you know him? I'm beginning to think finding him, somehow, would be a very good idea. He's the one who sent your companions to me in the first place." He looks to Grafth.

"I think I may be able to help with that," Charis replies. "Uncle Aldron -- Aldronivus -- is a friend of my grandmother's, and I'd like to think, of mine, though I have not seen him in over two years. My mission in Fairhaven was undertaken to help him. I was to contact a Silver Flame missionary, Montesi Errensea, who was late in sending her report to him, then send word back to my grandmother, who would in turn get word to Aldron. I was at the home of her suitor -- a chandler, Erval Rasten, dead now at the hands of ir'Turian's people -- when I was captured, so my grandmother may already suspect that something is amiss and have sent word to him. If not, as soon as we get to Fairhaven, I'll send word to Grandmother. She'll know how to find Aldronivus, or at least let him know we need him."

She looks speculatively at both Ralsor and Grafth. "I'd love to know how you both came to know him, as well."

[Joe]

"Don't thank me, Streko," Ralsor says when the halfling finishes. "I'm in this now, as well. But your eyes are most welcome!" The Lyrandar heir shifts his tone into light-hearted theatrics. "I must keep mine forward, and search the southern horizon. A storm's coming, I think, so I need to be sure I don't lose my bearings. Fairhaven is easy to spot in clear skies, but when the sun hides, I've only the wind as my compass!"

"I shall go to the stern then, and take the Lady Fherina with me. She wishes to hear stories of Centaurs and mystics. I shall keep an eye out for pursuers while she keeps both ears on me. Captain, as a member of the healing profession, as well as a cleric of Olladra, I ask that you not be hoeroic if you are unwell or need assistance of any kind. I am at your service at any time of day or night and, as you are "part of this' now, I expect you to take the advice of a new friend. Rest when you can and alert one of us when you find yourself in need of assistance."

With that, Streko leaves the bridge in search of the inquisitive gnome. Once he finds her, he will led her to the rear of the vessel and tell her the story of the Centaurs and the fey...from his perspective...all the while keeping an eye out for airships or creatures that might be following them.

[Jeff]

Above

"...I expect you to take the advice of a new friend. Rest when you can and alert one of us when you find yourself in need of assistance."

Ralsor offers a slight bow and a smile. "Aye aye, Master Cleric. I shan't hesitate to seek you out should something untoward happen to me."

"Uncle Aldron -- Aldronivus -- is a friend of my grandmother's, "

"Uncle Aldron?" Ralsor repeats to Charis. "I thought of him as an uncle-ish figure, too, but never really called him that. He was friends with my family, too. But we knew he was the sort to come and go—mostly to and from Thrane, it seemed—and consort with all sorts. All sorts of...good people, that is. Some self-righteous types, for sure, but no one unsavory."

Ralsor looks to Grafth. "Aldronivus actually sort of 'hired' Grafth here...sort of. You tell it, Grafth."

Below

"I know that you weren't expecting those grotesque allies of Alvek to show up and start incinerating people ... but, as a military man of some experience, why do you think they did so?"

"I don't know why," Relith replies to Belarin, shaking his head. "It's madness to me, and even from a purely practical standpoint, a waste of resources. Gold was spent to assemble and escort you and the others. But if they just wanted dead bodies, I'm sure they could have plucked them from the local peasantry. It's sick, but in remote places, it happens. My best guess is that something...changed in someone's plans. When orders came through that civilians were to be delivered to the edge of Whisper Wood, I was assigned to it."

"You didn't have direct contact with Malov, correct, Captain? Do you know of any members of the Claw who did?"

"None. Malov's name is fairly new to me. I knew only that Alvek ir'Turian was an arcanist and a member of an infamous Aundairian family. The ir'Turian name is not well known in Karrnath, but I'd heard it only a few times prior to this assignment.

"And this assignment was merely to escort you civilians to the ir'Turian estate of Shadowcrest Manor—a place I didn't even know about until I received my orders. I don't know the purpose. I never did.

"But regarding you and your work, Belarin....listen, it rankles me still that the Order must resort to such measures of subterfuge to operate, but as far as I know, the documents you and the other men produced weren't a ruse of any kind. Such documents were needed for our agents in western Aundair, especially north and west, so that they could pass the scrutiny of Aundairian officials. We wear our colors proudly whenever we can, but there are times in any war when one must hide from one's enemies.

"Anyway, that's all I know about the ir'Turians, and your part in this, I swear to you. I was part of Claw operations chiefly between Fairhaven and Rekkenmark. The Whisper Wood was the furthest west I've been in ages."

Captain Relith seems to have more to say, but he waits, watching for Belarin's and Kal's response.

Above Again

Fherina sits and listens eagerly to Streko's tale. "And you all...slept?...for five days before meeting with this fey council??"

______________________

Darren & Ken: to beat you to the punch, I have already rolled Insight checks for the both of you. If I had/have anything impart, I will.

[Darren]

Kal listens impassively as Relith speaks. "You seem to be a noble man, Captain. Unfortunately, you chose the wrong friends." Kal's voice is not cold, but it carries an edge to it that says he does not approve of the Emerald Claw. "Whatever noble intentions the Order may have had, its current work seems to bear no resemblance to its mission of the past."

Kalarian sighs and leans back, folding his arms, the dragonmark displayed more prominently. "You understand that we have to turn you over the authorities, right? As a soldier, you understand this?" Kal again leans forward. "But we need your help, too, Captain. If you give it, I can promise to use my influence to see that you are treated decently, fairly, and with all leniency that can be given to one in your position. Will you consent?"