Chapter 10: Eye of the Storm

[Jeff]

Team B

Ptolyn lingers at the door at Thaendyr's Rest, while Haralee follows you down the steps to the street. She offers Adamant a tight smile and a slight bow, grasps her bow in hand, then turns and heads down the street toward the rest of the Harbor, off on an errand of her own.

Your walk back to Silverwall and Locksmith Square is uneventful. When you reach the street with the most businesses, you do see a small caravan of beasts cross in front of you, halting you for a moment. It doesn't take long to realize you're looking at an entourage of House Vadalis heirs and servants: There are only a few horses, and clearly magebred at that, black-coated with long, flowing manes of violet, two regal-looking grey-coated hippogriffs, and—what everyone else on the street is giving a wide berth—a massive, red-and-black-striped tiger. The great cat isn't shackled, but it's walking fairly slowly and contentedly. On its back is a young girl of perhaps thirteen, wearing a sleeveless shirt, a short sword strapped to her back, and the Mark of Handling livid on one arm. Walking beside her and the tiger is a massive, tawny-haired shifter bodyguard with a double-bladed axe in hand. They entourage presents an imposing picture.

Shorak's seen such beasts about in Stormreach before, but seldom all together.

____________________________

Remind me precisely what supplies Belarin is looking for. Map-making stuff, right? Special inks, etc.? Anything else?

[Jeff]

Team K

You pass through the indicated doors and into a large chamber which appears to be a nexus for the entire enclave. It's circular, vaulted, hung with decorative, if militaristic tapestries, and in the center of the room is an iron statue of an armored warrior that Kal recognizes from the regalia as an ancestral Deneith warlord, back in the days when the house was young and more ingrained within Karrnathi culture. Other people come and go through this chamber, servants and errand-runners. You even see several other kids Rinti's age and older, all wearing house attire.

You find yourself waiting at the base of the statue—it seems like the right place to do so. But a few minutes later, a small-framed woman strides out of one of the room's several open doorways. Kal can't quite place her ranking or her guild, but from her uniform he can see that she's an official of some authority. She's short, slender, but pretty, has probably a good ten years on Kal, and a mostly no-nonsense expression.

As she approaches, she looks at Kal, nods, and quickly takes in Condign and Streko without any particular reaction. She doesn't even seem to notice Rinti.

"Lord Jaeren?" she says, extending a hand. She has a surprisingly strong grip, and Kal can sense that she'd know how to use the longsword at her belt. "I am Eren." She gives no other name, leaving Kal wondering if she's a blood member of Deneith or just an upstanding house member. "I'm told you've been directed to me. I presume you wished to reach Lord Greigur?"

She turns and starts to walk, indicating your group to follow.

[Dave W.]

Team B 

Feb 19, 2012 10:16:41 GMT -4 Jeff said:

...and—what everyone else on the street is giving a wide berth—a massive, red-and-black-striped tiger.

Adamant looses just one step looking in awe at the strange cat. Then he gives it the same wide berth everyone else is ... And makes sure Nerrin does the same.

"Shorak," the warforged calls when they are safely past, "are there trees with red leaves? Or more likely bushes? I mean this coloring must be reflective of something, yes? Fascinating. It's like a whole different world."

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak watches the regal cat pass by with a little admiration and just a bit of jealousy. He can only imagine what it would be like to have a creature like that by his side.

Feb 19, 2012 17:35:32 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Team B 

"Shorak," the warforged calls when they are safely past, "are there trees with red leaves? Or more likely bushes? I mean this coloring must be reflective of something, yes? Fascinating. It's like a whole different world."

"There are trees with red, blue, purple, orange...actually, just about every color leaf or flower can be found in the jungle. You're assumption is quite correct. Both hunter and prey tend to possess a coloring that allows them to blend in with the jungle's surroundings."

[Ken]

Team B

Belarin watches the odd, imposing procession with a Nerrin-like mixture of annoyance and anxiety. "Is that allowed?" Nerrin complains as the massive tiger walks by. "It would seem extremely risky to allow such an animal to roam freely."

In a softer, somber voice, he adds to Adamant and Shorak, "Remind me to tell you about Grafth one day. A shifter whose prowess in battle is matched only by the strength of his inner demons. Let's continue.

"Shorak, what exactly happened back at your apartment? I obviously didn't want to get into specifics in front of our new associates."

[Dave B.]

Team B

"I'm not completely sure what happened at my apartments. It seems that the occupants have disappeared. The Quickfoot gang discovered the place empty and were looking to stake a claim. I need to give the building a proper search as soon as possible. The longer it takes me to investigate what occurred there, the more likely those sewer rats will return and make it harder on me."

[Joe]

Feb 19, 2012 10:27:22 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Team K

A small-framed woman strides out of one of the room's several open doorways. Kal can't quite place her ranking or her guild, but from her uniform he can see that she's an official of some authority. She's short, slender, but pretty, has probably a good ten years on Kal, and a mostly no-nonsense expression.

As she approaches, she looks at Kal, nods, and quickly takes in Condign and Streko without any particular reaction. She doesn't even seem to notice Rinti.

"Lord Jaeren?" she says, extending a hand. She has a surprisingly strong grip, and Kal can sense that she'd know how to use the longsword at her belt. "I am Eren." She gives no other name, leaving Kal wondering if she's a blood member of Deneith or just an upstanding house member. "I'm told you've been directed to me. I presume you wished to reach Lord Greigur?"

She turns and starts to walk, indicating your group to follow.

"My Lady," Streko says, stepping forward. "If I may be so bold, we, that is Lord Kalrian, Condign, a Tiefling of high honor, Rinti, a guide of some reknown here in Stormreach and myself, Lord Streko of House Jorasco, were hoping we might speak with you first. Your reputation for honor preceeds you."

Streko looks up at Kal and offers a slight shrug and a grin. "Why waste time when we can get to the heart of the matter that much sooner, wouldn't you agree, My Lord?"

[Ken]

Team B

Feb 21, 2012 10:58:28 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

"I'm not completely sure what happened at my apartments. It seems that the occupants have disappeared. The Quickfoot gang discovered the place empty and were looking to stake a claim. I need to give the building a proper search as soon as possible. The longer it takes me to investigate what occurred there, the more likely those sewer rats will return and make it harder on me."

Belarin/Nerrin frowns as Shorak speaks. "Understood," he says. "Let's get our supplies first, since our 'negotiations' may be for naught without them. Then, yes, we'll go back. Redoubt and I will accompany you. I won't let an employee such as you venture forth into danger alone. After all, if you die, your replacement might demand more money!"

[Jeff]

Team K

When Streko speaks, Eren settles her gaze on him. "Lord Jorasco," she says in response, with a slight bow. "You are welcome here, and so is the 'heart of the matter' of which you speak. If you have urgent business, perhaps I can attend you. Please, this way and we will speak directly."

She keeps your group walking through halls. She casts a sidelong but respectable glance at Condign. "May I ask...are you from Stormreach, or the Demon Wastes?"

[Brian]

Team K

Condign effortlessly falls into step beside the others, marveling at the ornate structure of the d'Deneith stronghold. There is so much of the world that he hasn't seen, he wonders if he will live long enough to see it all.

When Eren asks her question, he hesitates a moment--a natural precaution against revealing too much. Then he shrugs. If Kal trusts her . . . .

"I have just arrived from Sharn, my lady. Though I do hale from the Demon Wastes." He grows quiet as an armed and armored guard walks by. "Tell me," he continues. "Have there been any difficulties with tieflings, here in Stormreach?"

[Dave W.]

Team B 
"Yes, I am sorry, but of course we will help you, Shorak. We should at least try to find the missing people. Do we still intend to stay there or is it no longer safe?" Adamant's voice drops to a whisper, "our cover would hold in either case; I suppose the question is, how safe is it?"

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak chuckles at Nerrin/Belarin's comment about a new guide costing more.

"Thank you both. We may not want to actually stay there, but maybe we will. We can decide that after we investigate further and see what conclusions we come to."

He heads towards the shop he feels would best suit their needs. "Let us get those supplies you're seeking, Master Nerrin."

[Jeff]

Team B

It doesn't take very long for Shorak to find the right place. A combination parchment-maker and scribe's shop, a small but neatly-arranged interior offers Belarin everything he'd need to finish creation of his map of misinformation. The shopowner—a middle-aged human with no obvious ties to (and therefore unlicensed with) House Sivis—doesn't give Belarin or his companions a second or inquiring look.

Bookish human, towering warforged, light-footed drow...looking for map-making materials. Whatever. Just another day in Stormreach.

Once he's nosed around enough and finds the various inks and parchment-aging solutions, Belarin finds that this will only cost him five galifars.

____________________________

Nope, no need to roleplay this bit moment to moment. Though you're always free to interact however you please.

[Jeff]

Team K

"I have just arrived from Sharn, my lady. Though I do hale from the Demon Wastes." He grows quiet as an armed and armored guard walks by. "Tell me," he continues. "Have there been any difficulties with tieflings, here in Stormreach?"

Eren leads you into a chamber on the second floor of the enclave, which commands a view from a narrow window out over Stormreach. Two female human soldiers stand a ready guard in here—they wear the red and purple colors of the Defenders Guild over chainmail armor. Eren shuts the door before answering Condign.

"Difficulties? Not how I'd describe it. But there is a gathering of them, and that is noteworthy and unusual. We have attempted to make forays into their community: the skill-at-arms of tiefling warriors is well known. But we are ever rebuffed. As, we are told, the recruiters of House Tharashk." She says this last part with some measure of distaste.

"Do you not know of your Stormreach countrymen? They have not been in this city for very long. Not until the end of the Last War did we see whole groups come to shore."

[Brian]

Team K

"Interesting," says Condign, absently rubbing at one horn. "So they are not here seeking employment." And neither they didn't seem to be trying to infiltrate the Dragonmarked houses, he noted silently. "Have they been seen doing anything? Has anyone speculated as to their presence here?"

[Ken]

Team B

Feb 23, 2012 18:57:00 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Once he's nosed around enough and finds the various inks and parchment-aging solutions, Belarin finds that this will only cost him five galifars.

Belarin decides to collect what he needs and leave in a direct, quiet fashion. He doesn't want to delay Shorak's return to his apartments any longer than necessary... and he doesn't want to do or say anything in front of the shopkeeper that would make him memorable. ("Oh, that fellow? Yes, he was in here a couple of days ago to collect map-making materials! Why do you ask?") If the shop is empty aside from the four of them, he doesn't even bother to employ Nerrin's limp.

Once he has everything he needs, he offers a wink and a nod at Shorak and Adamant, and then he pays for the supplies. This has been an expensive day, he thinks. He then collects his purchases, offers the shopkeeper a perfunctory "Thank you" in Nerrin's voice, and leaves the shop with his companions.

Once outside, Nerrin's limp and manner reassert themselves. "Hmmph, the primary goal of our outing is accomplished, and not before time," he complains in Nerrin's voice. "Lead us back to your residence, Shorak."

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak nods when Belarin/Nerrin is done with his purchases. He then leads his two companions back to his residence to give the building a good going over. Hopefully, there will be some clues as to what has occurred there.

[Dave W.]

In the store, Adamant leans close to Belarin and whispers, "Please, a scroll case if you would be kind."

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i don't know if that was onthe 5g price... If it isn't or Belarin resists, Adamant says nothing further. On the trek back to Shorak's Adamant is back in Bodygaurd mode, particularly attentive to roofs.

[Jeff]

Team B

Armed with some new equipment, and both Belarin and Adamant now possessing scroll cases of their own, Shorak returns them to the building where he lives only a few weeks ago. It seems longer.

It remains eerily quiet, and the windows look down on them in ominous silence.

You see no sign of the rogues from earlier.

[Dave W.]

Team B 
Adamant does another scan of the rooftops. "I would suggest we stay together this time if it's not too presumptuous to invite ourselves into your home, Shorak."

[Ken]

Team B

"I agree. But wait one moment," says Belarin/Nerrin. "I need to check on something. There was an odd 'flash' of magic when we were here earlier today...."

He then begins concentrating, trying to sense any magical auras in effect in the area. Adamant and Shorak can see his eyes seemingly lose focus.

_____________________________________
Trying to detect magic once again. Specifically, Belarin wants to see if that burst earlier today repeats.Arcana check (detect magic) (1d20+15=25)

[Darren]

Team K

Entering the halls of the Deneith enclave, Kal grows strangely quiet, and even when Eren introduces herself, he makes no reply. He follows in silence as they are led through the halls.

Passing a large mirror, Kal catches his reflection and slows to look at the image reflected back at him. The high collar of his shirt frames his face. His long cloak flows slightly behind him. His eyes falls to the criss-crossing pattern of leather straps surrounding his right leg and then move back up to his face. He looks into his own eyes and his mind starts to drift back...


Kal runs through the hallways of Sentinel Keep. Or perhaps he more stumbles through the halls. His leg keeps slipping out from under him, his knee refusing to properly hold his weight. And then there's the heavy sword he drags behind him, the scabbard continually getting caught up under his feet. He can hear excited laughter from his brothers up ahead. "Wait!" he calls out. "Wait for me!" Then they're gone around a corner and he can no longer see them, but Kal knows where they've gone.

As he turns the corner his brothers just went around, a huge smile lights up his face. Through the door at the end of the hallway he can see the large practice room, boys stripped of their shirts and facing off against one another with practice swords bared. Others wield steel blade, squaring off against wooden dummies or practicing their form. Kalarian can feel his pulse quicken and his breathing comes faster. He begins to rush forward...

Just as he reaches the door, a large man, grizzled with a gray beard, blocks the doorway. "Where do you think you're going?" he asks. His voice is thick and heavily accented.

"I am here to practice," Kal says excitedly, reaching awkwardly behind him to lift the sword. He beams up at the man who stares down at him with an unreadable expression. The man's eyes fall on Kal's leg, already bent at an odd angle.

"Sorry, lad," he says as he begins to close the door. "This is no place for you."

The sound of the door closing booms loudly in Kal's ears. As the echo of it dies away, the smile slides from his face and his head sinks towards the floor. 'Again,' he thinks. "AGAIN!" he yells. His anger and frustration pour out of him, giving a surge of strength to his muscles. He grabs the sword by the hilt with both hands and hurls it into the opposite wall as hard as he can. His breathing now comes in labored gasps and his hands clench in anger.

After what seems like an eternity, Kal raises his head and looks at the sword now lying uselessly on the floor. His eyes lift to just above it, and he sees the small chip in the stone caused by the weapon. Through the closed door, Kal can hear the sounds of the boys practicing. Reaching down, Kal straightens his right leg, then stands and moves across the hall. He bends and picks up the sword, running his other hand across the chip in the wall. Kalarian smiles as he walks away from the room where he is not wanted...


Kal smiles as he looks at himself in the mirror. He turns away and strides with complete confidence towards Eren. "I am Kalarian Jaeren," he announces, "and if you have not yet heard of me, I guarantee you that will soon change."

[Jeff]

Team K

Condign:

"So they are not here seeking employment...Have they been seen doing anything? Has anyone speculated as to their presence here?"

Eren nods. "Many. They are not forthcoming. Hence my asking you."

Kal, at length:

"I am Kalarian Jaeren," he announces, "and if you have not yet heard of me, I guarantee you that will soon change."

"Welcome, Lord Kalarian. Your name—your family name—is familiar to me." With the door closed and only the two guards in audience with Eren, she Deneith official strides over to a small desk by the window and sits. There are various chairs around the room. She gestures to them.

Rinti stands rigid, eyes wide as she looks around the room, the window, at the guards. Trying to take it all in. She looks awkward in her new page uniform. But there's an eagerness in her eyes, too.

"What can I help you with this morning?" Eren asks, breaking the silence and respectfully including both Streko and Condign in her gaze. "I answer to very few in this enclave. Though I am not of Deneith blood, I am a member of the house, as my family has been for three generations." She looks specifically to Kal then. "Lord Geigur is my superior and commander, and also yours...should you be afforded any authority in this place."

Before giving anyone a chance to answer, she adds, still looking at Kal. "Are you here because of your... brother, is it? Or is Marshal Marin your cousin?"

[Darren]

Kal quirks an eyebrow at Eren. "Marin is my brother," he says with a quick glance at Condign. "I'm not here specifically for him. Is there news of him?"

[Brian]

Team K

"I once had the pleasure of lord Marin's company," says Condign, suppressing a grin. "I found him rather . . . captivating."

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak nods towards Adamant. "Yes, we should definitely stick together."

He takes out his keys, but stops to inspect the door and door frame, giving Belarin the time he needs to do what he needs to do to sense any magic in the immediate area or from the building.

[Joe]

Streko allows Kal to do what he does best. He also listens to Condign and the Tiefling's admission. Streko feels oddly left out for just a moment, before realizing that he has never, in his life, been one to stand out in the crowd. Sometimes ignored, often underestimated and frequently dismissed. He knows that none of those things are occurring at this moment.

And he smiles. He enjoys being retrospective and, more importantly, knows how rare such a time is amongst his fellow travellers. So he allows himself this rare display of quiet introvertedness.

This is Kalarian's domain. At House Jorasco, he'd be more talkative. Here, he shall listen and speak when spoken to. And feel content.

[Jeff]

Team B

Belarin is sensing nothing further about Shorak's tenement, though more careful inspection could be made inside each apartment. Meanwhile, Shorak finds nothing unusual about the door or doorframe. He doesn't think it's been tampered with. The interior of the building remains dark and desolate. It looks like it's been lived in until just recently, but it feels like it's been abandoned for much longer.

[Jeff]

Team K

Kal:

"Marin is my brother," he says with a quick glance at Condign. "I'm not here specifically for him. Is there news of him?"

Condign:

"I once had the pleasure of lord Marin's company," says Condign, suppressing a grin. "I found him rather . . . captivating."

Eren purses her lips, then nods. "He is here in Stormreach, or hereabouts. Normally I could tell you more, but Lord Greigur has been working with him directly and, I believe, has him on assignment in the city. I'm less informed about the Sentinel Marshals, especially as they have no official jurisdiction beyond Khorvaire."

"If you tell me why you're here, and what you're looking for, Lord Kalarian, perhaps I can grant you a meeting with Greigur. He has the authority to tell you whatever he wishes."

[Darren]

Team K

Kal winces slightly to hear that Marin is working directly with Greigur. The man's reputation is certainly more tarnished than the well-polished shine his parents have come to expect for their family. Kalarian pushes the thought from his mind.

"I'll come to the point, Eren. I am here in search of the Eye of Azalar. Someone in your position is certain to have heard rumors of its reappearance. I intend to find it, and I'm sure you can understand what a boon that could be for Deneith." Kal pauses to watch Eren's reaction. "This undertaking requires resources, and while I bring a great deal of my own," Kal gestures towards Condign and Streko, "the might of Deneith cannot be denied." Kal leans forward slightly. "Now, of course it would not be wise to make too large of a show of this, to divert too much of the House's resources towards it." Kal leans back, ready to listen. "So that's why I'm here, Eren. I am here to see what Deneith can offer."