Chapter 10: Eye of the Storm

[Dave W.]

"What do you think Master Shorak?" Adamant waves at the statue, "How would I look with another set of arms? It would seem handy, pardon the pun."

When Belarin moves towards the elves, Adamant will follow. While the sculpture still fascinates, Adamant as Redoubt will force himself to continue to look for danger, including any potential elven thereat.

[Joe]

Jan 18, 2012 19:37:49 GMT -4 Brian said:

Team K

Condign watches Kal give the shopkeeper a gold coin. He give his friend a solemn, genuine bow. "Thank you, my lord. Truly."

When Kal cocks an eyebrow at the helm, Condign laughs softly and places the helm on his head. He turns his head one way, and then the other. Finally, he peers at Kal and Streko.

"Well," he says impatiently. "Does it make my head look fat?"

"Ye..." Streko looks around. "No. Shiny, perhaps. Reflective. Certainly it would do well to deflect a rock or large acorn dropping from a tree. However, considering where we're going and who we'll be meeting, I would ask...doesit compromise your peripheral vision? Also, the colors don't match."

Streko walks away, looking at other items. ANY other items. "Just my opinion, humble as it may be."

[Jeff]

Team K

Streko does find an ornate leather pouch that it's hard to dislike. A coin purse, perhaps, or a sporran. Another thing he spots of interest: a bandolier designed quite obviously for potion vials.

[Dave B.]

Team B

Jan 18, 2012 21:01:13 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"What do you think Master Shorak?" Adamant waves at the statue, "How would I look with another set of arms? It would seem handy, pardon the pun."

Shorak chuckles at the thought of Adamant/Redoubt with four arms. "If nothing else, quite formidable."

He also follows Belarin/Nerrin and keeps watch while he looks upon the fountain.

[Jeff]

Team B

As you drift closer to the Aereni, their conversation drops to a low murmur. Very difficult to hear, especially with the trickle of the fountain: small streams of water spurt from the plinth beneath the thri-kreen sculptures.

One thing you can see is that beneath their cloaks, they seem to be wearing leather armor with a uniform look to it. Each wears a slender longsword on their hips, and a shortbow slung over the shoulder. Three of them are male, two female. One of the females eyes Shorak warily.

_______________________

If you choose to try to venture a little closer to the elves, you can make a Perception check. But just moving closer for no reason is likely to tip your hand.

[Jeff]

Team K

"Thank you, sir," the shopkeeper says. Kal can see from the leathery appearance of his hands as he accepts the coin that he's quite obviously the leather-worker, as well, not just the owner. This district seems peopled by genuine craftsman.

And now Condign is left holding his new scabbard, which is wide enough to perfectly accommodate his still-new broadsword.

[Ken]

Team B

Belarin limps a couple of steps closer, yet he keeps his eyes on the statue, as though trying to examine every inch of the thri-kreen's faces. He nearly trods on a small child's foot in the process, but he reacts with only a grunt.

Still looking up, he says in Nerrin's perfunctory whine, "So these thri-kreen creatures, Shorak... they're well mannered, I hope, yes? Odd looking. Still, I'd rather see one of them at night instead of those vampires. Your information is confirmed, yes?" Belarin thinks, Know your audience. If at first you don't succeed...

[Dave B.]

Team B

Jan 19, 2012 11:16:17 GMT -4 Ken said:

Team B

Still looking up, he says in Nerrin's perfunctory whine, "So these thri-kreen creatures, Shorak... they're well mannered, I hope, yes? Odd looking. Still, I'd rather see one of them at night instead of those vampires. Your information is confirmed, yes?" Belarin thinks, Know your audience. If at first you don't succeed...

Shorak steps toward Belarin/Nerrin. "Yes, Master Nerrin." He looks around and lowers his voice, but not so low that the ears of certain elves won't hear. "I have confirmed that a ship that sails under the name Patriot, with vampires on board as passengers, will be pulling in to port soon. Possibly as early as this evening." He looks up to mark the sun's position in the sky. "Still plenty of time before we need to find safe lodgings for the night."

[Darren]

Team K

Kal takes one last look around the shop. "Well then, Condign, unless you intend to buy that helmet, I suggest we be on our way." Kal folds his arms and scowls at Condign, making sure that his dragonmark is visible to the shopkeeper. It never hurts to be remembered when you're trying to attract attention...

[Brian]

Team K

Condign peers down at Streko. "Reflective? Acorn? Wrong color?"

He carefully removes the helmet and hands it back to the shopkeeper. "Thank you, my lord. The scabbard will do. It is not seemly to impose on the generosity of one's employer--too often."

With practiced ease, he unbuckles his belt and slides the new scabbard into place. Then he slips his broadsword into its new home.

"There," he says with a smile. "That is much better."

[Jeff]

Team B

The elves grow quiet quickly. Then one of them, a male, strides instantly over to your party. "You speak knowingly of the Patriot! It is soon to reach port here?"

The female eyeing Shorak slides her sword free but keeps it point down. "They are baiting us, Ptolyn. The drow speaks too loudly of dangerous things." She steps closer to Shorak and her already pale fingers whiten around the weapon's grip.

"Who holds your allegiance?" she demands of Shorak.

Ptolyn, possibly their leader and certainly the eldest of them, looks to Belarin questioningly. The other three fan out only a couple of steps, but Adamant recognizes the warlike stance. They are readying themselves in case of attack.

In the street around the fountain, the passers-by barely notice. Only the nearest children stop and stare. One of them snickers, seeming eager for a conflict.

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak takes a step back holding his hands up palm outward and empty, in as non-threatening manner as possible. "I am in the employ of Master Nerrin here. Nothing more. Just a guide and protector. We are certainly not looking for any conflict." He looks at Belarin/Nerrin in supplication.

Shorak hopes they haven't bitten off more than they can chew this time.

[Ken]

Team B

The eyes behind Nerrin's spectacles squint at the eldest of the elves, the one staring at him. Nerrin seems to have just noticed the elves, yet remains blissfully unaware of the danger. "Oh dear, oh dear," he tuts in a disciplinary tone at Shorak. "Did you say something to upset these people, Shorak? Oh!" He looks back at Ptolyn. "I think I understand. The mention of the Patriot, is that what troubles you? Thank the Host, then! Pardon my manners ... Nerrin Blackwell, at your service. My staff there, Shorak, and Redoubt." He looks around nervously. "Have you also heard the grim report linking the Patriot to the slayings in Sharn?"

[Joe]

Jan 18, 2012 21:55:16 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Team K

Streko does find an ornate leather pouch that it's hard to dislike. A coin purse, perhaps, or a sporran. Another thing he spots of interest: a bandolier designed quite obviously for potion vials.

Streko will take them both, depending on the price, of course.

[Dave W.]

Team B

Jan 19, 2012 23:59:52 GMT -4 Ken said:

[Belarin/Nerrin]"I think I understand. The mention of the Patriot, is that what troubles you? Thank the Host, then! Pardon my manners ... Nerrin Blackwell, at your service. My staff there, Shorak, and Redoubt." He looks around nervously. "Have you also heard the grim report linking the Patriot to the slayings in Sharn?"

Redoubt nods at his introduction. He keeps his eye-gems looking for trouble, taking a moment to pointedly look the female elf's hand on her sword. Redoubt makes an imitation of a sigh, "I have made no threatening gesture, Lady. I am here only to defend my employer. Your master and my master will speak and then we all will move on our seperate ways. This display is unworthy."

-------------------
Sorry guys, I didn't realize I was behind a post... my bad.

Redoubt is still playing bodyguard... he will stay adjacent to Nerrin.

[Jeff]

Team B

Belarin:

"Did you say something to upset these people, Shorak? Oh!...I think I understand. The mention of the Patriot, is that what troubles you? Thank the Host, then! Pardon my manners ... Nerrin Blackwell, at your service. My staff there, Shorak, and Redoubt....Have you also heard the grim report linking the Patriot to the slayings in Sharn?"

Shorak:

"I am in the employ of Master Nerrin here. Nothing more. Just a guide and protector. We are certainly not looking for any conflict."

Adamant:

"I have made no threatening gesture, Lady. I am here only to defend my employer. Your master and my master will speak and then we all will move on our seperate ways. This display is unworthy."

"Your humble service," the female elf says with some sarcasm to Belarin, "can begin by explaining why you are are baiting us with word of that vile ship." She looks around as if seeing if an ambush lies in wait within the crowds. Then she brings her attention principally back to Shorak and Adamant.

"There need be no conflict here," Ptolyn says, then follows it with some words in Elvish. His Aereni accent is so strong, and the dialect of the elves is very different than the dark elves, but Shorak suspects there are words of warning in it, and he think the words are directed at the woman. She relaxes slightly.

Ptolyn, much calmer than his peers but with focus no less intense, stares only back at Belarin. The elf has the glimmer of many years in his eyes. "We know of the Patriot, though we have never seen it. I am concerned about some...one who may be aboard the vessel. Please. Speak plainly with us and perhaps we may learn from each other. Do you wish something from us, or do you wish to impart something to us?" Belarin can sense that Ptolyn is wise and insightful.

[Ken]

Team B

Belarin looks intently at Ptolyn, the doddering nature of Nerrin now gone. He glances at Shorak and Adamant, then looks back at Ptolyn. Still speaking in Nerrin's voice, but in a more serious and businesslike tone, he says, "The Patriot carries a group of vampires, along with a squad of Claw soldiers. The vampires owe allegiance to Major Krez, himself a vampire, whom I believe recently left the Patriot and boarded the airship The Northern Wraith, which has presumably already reached this land."

He pauses, quickly raising one finger. "Before you ask me any questions, I need to know your feeling toward Major Krez. He is an easy man to despise. Do you despise him?"

[Brian]

Team K

While Streko queries about the cost of the leather goods, Condign leans in close to Kal.

"Thank you again. But we should really hurry. After visiting you enclave, we need to meet up with Belarin and the others. And who knows what the failed professor is up to."

And, he would like to pay a visit to the female tiefling. His original mission has not been forgotten.

[Jeff]

Team K

The potion-bandolier and the pouch total 7 gold pieces, should Streko choose to make the purchase.

Through the shop's window, Kal and Condign, while speaking, see an ogre lumber past, walking stooped but tame. Two burly humans flank him, looking like his "keepers." It's a strange sight: in some places of Sharn, an ogre walking through the streets wouldn't be unheard of, given the circumstances, but it would still be uncommon. Here, no one's giving it much of a glance at all.

[Jeff]

Team B

You see a measure of surprise in the elves' faces when Belarin mentions the Northern Wraith, the airship. This is new information to them. The presence of vampires is not.

"Then this Krez is already here," Ptolyn says grimly. Instantly, the other elves straighten, moving their eyes outward, to the crowds, to the rest of the city, as if day-walking vampire allies are watching them.

Ptolyn looks at Shorak, then Adamant, meeting their eyes, before looking back to Belarin. "What I say to you three now I say in grave confidence. If you betray it, there may be consequences I would not otherwise desire. But it is important."

"Ptolyn..." the female elf warns.

But the other goes on. "We know little of this Major Krez, only of the one pursuing him before Sharn. That is why we are here. We seek Princess Lerrhana."

Every elf's eyes fix on you to watch your reactions to this statement.

[Dave B.]

Team B

Seeing how forthright Belarin/Nerrin has just been with the information regarding Krez, Shorak only hesitates long enough to catch the human's eye.

"Lerrhana? That name is known to me." If Nerrin/Belarin or Redoubt/Adamant do not stop him, Shorak continues, his voice low, only for the elves to hear.

"Part of the information I acquired about the Patriot and this Krez included the tale of a band of adventurers rescuing an elven maiden from the Patriot. They were led by an elven warrior in white. The name of the maiden was said to be Lerrhana."

Shorak is trying to follow Belarin's lead and not be too free or hold back too much information about Lerrhana. If Belarin isn't ready to release the information above, yet, Shorak gives him every chance to break in.

[Dave W.]

Team B

Jan 22, 2012 10:03:10 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"We know little of this Major Krez, only of the one pursuing him before Sharn. That is why we are here. We seek Princess Lerrhana."

Every elf's eyes fix on you to watch your reactions to this statement.

Adamant's faceplate reveals nothing. His voice however, "Princess? She never said..." There is a pause during which it is obvious that if metal could blush, Adamant would glow like metal fresh from the fire.

"I am sorry my friends and also not. This is clearly important and we would be unworthy to dissemble here."

Adamant faces Ptolyn. "We have met Lerrhana and are able to reassure you of her functioning. I have reason to believe she would speak well of us if asked."

"There is more that could be said but not  without some reassurance that you mean her well. And not in the street."

-----------
Adamant will focus on the elves response as they just did.

[Joe]

TEAM K

In a fit of impulsive whimsy, Streko decides to make the purchase. "It's about time I found something both pretty AND useful."

Once purchased, Streko joins his companions and is ready to travel to the Heart of House Deneith on this continent.

[Ken]

Team B

Always suspecting that elves have some sort of psychic network of consciousness, Belarin had half-expected a mention of Lerrhana. But it's the reference to Princess Lerrhana that causes his eyes to widen and his jaw to drop. Nevertheless, he had been prepared to follow Shorak's clever lead of portraying themselves as mere third-party reporters, but Adamant's compulsive honesty changes that. Just as well, he thinks. My reaction probably killed the ruse, anyway. This elf is no fool.

"It is as my stalwart companion here says," he continues in Nerrin's voice. "She is a friend. And she is as much the hunted as the hunter, I fear. Speak your intent, please. Then we shall discuss further in private. Shorak's apartment is nearby, I believe, if that is suitable."

[Jeff]

Team K

When Streko reaches into his pockets, he finds he has insufficient funds...

_________________

Streko's inventory shows he has:

• Copper (crowns): 11
• Silver (sovereigns): 9
• Gold (galifars): 4

Of course, he's got more gold combined with his friends in the Kundarak vaults... (Once you guys visit the Kundarak bank, you can take out as much as you need.)

[Darren]

Team K

Kal clucks his tongue at Streko. "Embarrassing," he mutters, as he reaches into his own pocket and removes the coins that Streko needs. He hands them to the shopkeeper while shaking his head, then turns away to wait until they are all ready to leave.

[Jeff]

Team B

Ptolyn listens to Shorak, Adamant, and Belarin, relief touching his expression when you talk of her rescue. When Belarin finishes...

"Speak your intent, please. Then we shall discuss further in private. Shorak's apartment is nearby, I believe, if that is suitable."

...the elf nods. "Our intent is to bring her safely home. She has, as Khorvairians say, flown the nest. Not with the approval of the Sibling Kings." He hesitates, but his voice softens and he goes on, to further emphasize the importance. "Lerrhana is also a cousin of Queen Etrigani. It is paramount she returns with us to her homeland."

You know almost nothing of Aerenal's government or monarchy and have never heard of the Sibling Kings, but you (excepting Shorak) have heard of Queen Etrigani. She is a royal Aerenal elf diplomat who married the human King Kaius III of Karrnath several years back.

"Indeed, let us speak in private."

"In a place of our choosing, Ptolyn," the fiery female elf says, still obviously suspicious of Shorak. "They have already tried to deceive us."

"Those pretenses are past, Haralee." Ptolyn nods at Shorak. "Please, lead us to your...apartment?" He says the word awkwardly like he's never had to say it in the Common tongue before.

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak bows respectfully to the Elves and nods towards Belarin. "My lodgings are somewhat...small, but it should suffice."

He then leads the way to his home here in Stormreach. It's a good thing he keeps his room neat and tidy. Who knew he would have so many guests on his first day back?

[Ken]

Team B

Belarin nods politely to Ptolyn and follows Shorak's lead. He maintains Nerrin's posture and limping walk. Even if he were to reveal his identity to these elves, he certainly wasn't going to do it out in the open.

As they walk, he allows the elves to arrange the "marching order" of the group. Considering how suspicious Haralee is (not without reason), he doesn't want to give the elves any reason to ponder whether they're being set up.

[Joe]

Jan 23, 2012 8:13:40 GMT -4 Darren said:

Team K

Kal clucks his tongue at Streko. "Embarrassing," he mutters, as he reaches into his own pocket and removes the coins that Streko needs. He hands them to the shopkeeper while shaking his head, then turns away to wait until they are all ready to leave.

"Thank you, my Lord. Apparently, my wages are to be substantially reduced again this month thanks to my galifar appetite...and crown pocketbook."

He smiles at Kal. "You shall be repaid once we visit the bank, my friend. Again, my thanks."

"As Condign says, we should be off. Thank you, shopkeep!" Once paid and squared away, Streko will look around some more, but swear to himself that he won't buy another thing. NOT ONE MORE THING!!!