Chapter 10: Eye of the Storm

[Brian]

Condign listens to Shorak's explanation of the Coin Lords. When the half-drow is finished, the tiefling shrugs. "I suppose we will have to try and be prepared for anything. But until then, it will fall to Kal and Streko to get us invited to that party"

He looks down at the letter of credit in his hand. "As much as it pains me to help Larest, I think it is time to set aside my animosity--at least, for the moment. I am finding it hit hard to argue with eight hundred gold worth of reasons to cooperate." He shakes his head, then looks at up Adamant. "You know, some of your gold would go a long way toward aiding the people you were helping before you joined up with us. If you wish, the bank may be able to forward part of it to them, since it may be months or more before we see home again." He tucks the note into his pouch. "I am still curious about that protective circle Larest has in the other room. It makes me think he is up to something."

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Jeff, what time of day is it? I'm just curious about whether we should be resting or scheming more. ;D

[Ken]

Belarin takes in everything he's heard over the past half-hour or so, and then he stands up and cracks his knuckles and wrists. "Ah, that's better.... Please continue the storytelling and scheming, my friends. I'll just be over there, finally working on the last details on these beautiful maps now that I have the proper materials. Excuse me."

With that, Belarin grabs his backpack and sits down at the small desk. After a minute or two to examine his new map-related purchases a bit more closely, he sets to work.

[Joe]

Streko moves over to Kalarian.

"I think we should find out what this Onyx Fountain is. Perhaps Rinti might know?

"Something about this seems vaguely familiar and I'm not sure why. Did we see something like this in our travels through Stormreach? Is this Fountain even IN Stormreach?

"I would prefer someone such as Belarin or Rinti to ask these questions. Should they be important, the people we will be consortin gwith should NOT have a clue as to what we really know. What do you think?"

[Darren]

"I appreciate your concern, Streko, but for some reason I trust Sem." Kal looks sideways at the gnome. "Is there any reason I shouldn't?"

[Joe]

Jun 27, 2012 0:22:18 GMT -4 Darren said:

"I appreciate your concern, Streko, but for some reason I trust Sem." Kal looks sideways at the gnome. "Is there any reason I shouldn't?"

Streko hands the scroll to Kal. "It is not mine to offer. If you trust the gnome, that's all I need to know."

[Darren]

Kal holds Streko's gaze as he takes the scroll case, and continues to hold it as he opens the cap. Spilling the contents into his hand, he holds it up for Sem to see. "The note with it suggests that this is a key to something called the Onyx Fountain. Are you familiar with it? Any of you?"

[Jeff]

While Belarin works on his map in the other room...

"I appreciate your concern, Streko, but for some reason I trust Sem." Kal looks sideways at the gnome. "Is there any reason I shouldn't?"

Sem cocks his head and a slight smile limns his dark eyes and fey features. "I'm a Zil. You really shouldn't trust me. But you can. Because we have work to do, things to find, and enemies to overcome. We need to work together in every way possible." He flashes Streko a smile. "I'll sell your personal secrets to the highest bidder after our adventures are done."

Kal:

Spilling the contents into his hand, he holds it up for Sem to see. "The note with it suggests that this is a key to something called the Onyx Fountain. Are you familiar with it? Any of you?"

For answers that none can abide and a path of which you wish to be certain, bring this key to the Onyx Fountain.

Sem Darlesh ponders this Draconic note. "'None can abide'? That sounds dangerous. Where do you think this note is coming from exactly? And the Onyx Fountain, I don't know it. Perhaps something like that thri-kreen sculpture-fountain? What's it called? Eldred's Pool."

But Shorak shakes his head and explains what he knows of the Onyx Fountain. It's a place in the Temple district, which he's been to a few times but never for long, never stayed to explore it. It's a "stronghold" of studios, galleries, small recital halls, rehearsal spaces and blackbox theatres beside the House Phiarlan and is strongly affiliated with it. All in all, a major players in Stormreach's art scene.

Sem shrugs and fidgets with the smoky glass rod Kal showed him. "Sounds interesting. I'm keen on going there, if you are. But...why? I'm not sure this has anything to do with the Lorsmarch gala. Do you? Be careful about going places just because someone's telling you to. To me, going to the Onyx Fountain sounds optional."

[Brian]

Once Shem and Shorak are done speaking, Condign says, "The Onyx Fountain sounds like an ideal place for a gala." Nodding to the glass rod, he adds, "That may be the entry ticket to the event."

[Darren]

"I'm not so sure," Kal says as he takes the glass rod back from Sem. "The dragon made it sound like finding the Eye might be important to my 'path', and this note showed up right after our encounter with the dragon. It might be coincidence, but a note written in Draconic and a message like that at a time like that? Someone would have to be keeping a pretty close eye on us to be able to set up something like that. Perhaps there is something at this Onyx Fountain which would aid us in getting into the gala...."

Kal sighs. "On the other hand, we don't have much time to figure that out tomorrow. I believe our, or at least my, best plan of attack would be to start with a visit to House Deneith and see what assistance they might be able to offer in gaining access to the Coin Lords. Should that result in a dead end, then perhaps this fountain will be the next step. Meanwhile, Master Nerrin, what is your plan for getting in?"

Simul-posted with Brian. Edits below to account for Condign.

"An excellent point, Condign," Kal says. "But the dragon specifically said the gala was at the Lorsmarch Palace. Of course, for all we know the entrance to the gala is at the Onyx Fountain. An excellent point, indeed...."

[Dave W.]

Jun 26, 2012 18:12:22 GMT -4 Brian said:

He looks down at the letter of credit in his hand. "As much as it pains me to help Larest, I think it is time to set aside my animosity--at least, for the moment. I am finding it hit hard to argue with eight hundred gold worth of reasons to cooperate." He shakes his head, then looks at up Adamant. "You know, some of your gold would go a long way toward aiding the people you were helping before you joined up with us. If you wish, the bank may be able to forward part of it to them, since it may be months or more before we see home again." He tucks the note into his pouch. "I am still curious about that protective circle Larest has in the other room. It makes me think he is up to something."

Adamant nods as Condign discusses his animosity toward Larest, "Yes, it's not how it should have been done, but we are on this path now. If the Professor gains this artifact, I think we need to be there. I do not trust him, animosity or no."

As the tiefling discusses the good that could be done, Adamant replies, "I'm of mixed thought on this money, on one hand," the warforged spreads his right hand out, plam up to indicate a choice balanced on it, "I would like to send it the the Tavven's with a note to indicate they should do what they can for the people of High Walls and keep a portion for themselves as well."

"On the other hand," Adamant spreads his left hand out with another choice, "the refugees of Cyre here are as much my People as those suffering in Sharn, I just don't know them as well."

"But on the third hand," Adamant looks down as if searching for a third hand, shrugs and gives up on the scale metaphore, "I think I may need to see an artificer first. At the least I need to get this knee coupling looked after. I've never paid for body work before, the Army artificers didn't charge anything. I don't know if even this amount is enough."

Regarding the protective circle, "Well, I'm not an expert on such things but my suspicion is that Larest's researches invlove consulting with Outsiders. In which case he would be using the circle to bind the beings while he questions them."

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Would Religion check give Adamant a better idea of uses of a magical circle than my wild-assed guess?

[Ken]

Jun 28, 2012 7:46:00 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Should that result in a dead end, then perhaps this fountain will be the next step. Meanwhile, Master Nerrin, what is your plan for getting in?"

"Hhmmm, what?" says Belarin, not turning around from his work. "You mean me? Well then...." He again adopts Nerrin's nasal, lecturing whine. "As the kindly and beneficent professor has already told you, my lord, you and Good Lord Streko have the best opportunity to gain admittance, thanks to that artwork on your bodies. Once you follow through with your respective house to acquire the necessary invitation, your magnificent aura of admittance should extend to your retinue. I presume bodyguards, man-servants, or diplomatic aides are permitted?

"While Lord Streko has agreed to tolerate your presence for most of the day, I recommend that he be temporarily relieved of that burden before going to the event. This way you would each have a retinue of, say, two, perhaps three people with you."

He pushes the red-tinted spectacles back up along the bridge of his nose. "Now, if your House does not cooperate -- understandably out of fear of the damage to the House reputation -- then we'll need another plan."

He reverts back to his normal, "Belarin" voice. "And that'll take time to ponder, time I don't want to use up until we know for sure that it's necessary. I've got to get these maps finished today. So, for you... vist your House first, rely on the mad warlock's scheming second. Fair enough, Kal?"

[Jeff]

Sem gives Kal an uncertain look. "What do you suppose the 'For answers that none can abide' part means?"

Adamant:

Regarding the protective circle, "Well, I'm not an expert on such things but my suspicion is that Larest's researches invlove consulting with Outsiders. In which case he would be using the circle to bind the beings while he questions them."

Sem looks up at Adamant. "It's an anti-scrying ward." He shrugs. "Should we end up drawing any attention in this city..." Sem gestures one after another at each of you. "...it's probably worth it to at least try and keep magical eyes off us so we can speak plainly here, where we're staying."

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Would Religion check give Adamant a better idea of uses of a magical circle than my wild-assed guess?

Not necessarily. That's more of an Arcana thing. It depends on whether you're satisfied with Sem's explanation or not.

[Dave W.]

Jul 2, 2012 10:49:40 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Sem looks up at Adamant. "It's an anti-scrying ward." He shrugs. "Should we end up drawing any attention in this city..." Sem gestures one after another at each of you. "...it's probably worth it to at least try and keep magical eyes off us so we can speak plainly here, where we're staying."

"I stand corrected. Is it working now? Could we say rude things about people and not be scried? Or gossip? Could we gossip?"

"I would very much like to find an artificer in the near future. Can that be worked into our planning?". 
-----------------------------

It depends on whether you're satisfied with Sem's explanation or not.

Well, I think Adamant will be satisfied... Don't question the experts.

[Brian]

Condign snorts. "You mean killing an ettin, escaping from a burning house, and getting abducted by a dragon is not enough to draw attention? I wonder what you do for excitement."

Turning to Larest, he says, "This is your party. What do you suggest we do next? Take the rod to the Onyx Fountain? Or did you have a more concrete plan in mind?"

[Dave B.]

"I don't know. I kind of like the idea of letting the "lords" do the planning and maybe the hired help can take care of more important things. Perhaps taking care of some banking and repairs, etc."

[Ken]

Still talking to Kal, Streko, and Sem, Belarin continues, "Kal, you mentioned that the Coin Lords seem to possess something of great value, or at least something that might give them an edge in the search for the Eye, yes?

"After I'm done with the maps, it might be good for Nerrin, Shorak, and Adamant to spend some time early tomorrow showcasing our own edge, fraudulent though it may be, and along the way we may learn a bit about whatever it is the Coin Lords have, or think they have. It might be a good use of our time while you and Streko do whatever is dragonmarked folks do to get invitations."

[Darren]

"Precisely what I was thinking, Belarin," Kal says. "If the Coin Lords are throwing this gala just to showcase whatever it is they have, they might be willing to bring 'Nerrin' in to find out if what he has is of value, as well. Which means we need to spend some time increasing the value of that story. If you're up to it, perhaps a bit of theatricality between the two of us down in the common room might stir up some more rumors...."

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I am getting a bit confused about who is where. I thought Adamant and Condign were in a different room. I don't mind if they're in the same room with everyone else, but I thought they had gone somewhere else earlier. Either way, as noted in the other thread, Larest is definitely NOT in the room.

[Jeff]

We can jump ahead through the night if you're ready to make decisions about what you're all going to do the next day.

Ken, can you point me again to where you described where Belarin's false map led, and let me know if there's any updates to that?

[Darren]

If Ken is up to it, Kal was looking to stir up some more trouble in the common room with Belarin before the day is over.

[Jeff]

"Which means we need to spend some time increasing the value of that story. If you're up to it, perhaps a bit of theatricality between the two of us down in the common room might stir up some more rumors...."

Sem cocks his head. "Oh, right....you wanted to prance about town with your own map. I'd nearly forgotten. But you know..." He strolls over to the window and gestures at the city, which is now dark but filled with many strange lights. "Unless you're just itching to rehearse it, I think you should save it for a better place and time. The Cornerstone isn't much of a bustling tavern. The patrons are mostly down-on-their-luck Cyrans—well I guess that's redundant—and not likely to care much about your map. Only if you gamble that one 'em will want to run off and tell someone else, someone who doesn't live in Dannel's Pride and might care a copper or two...."

The gnome snaps his fingers. "Wait. Yes. If you can get yourselves invited to the palace....that's the place to bait any real rivals. Rivals with gold and influence, you know?"

[Darren]

"Yes," says Kal, wrinkling his nose as he looks out the window with Sem, "I had hoped the Professor would choose some place more suited to someone like me." Kal sighs. "You're right that this isn't the place. But I do think we need to spread more rumors in order to get invited to the palace in the first place. Shorak, is there somewhere nearby better suited to this conversation?"

[Ken]

Belarin nods as Sem speaks. He responds to Kal's question to Shorak, "Actually, the place that Shorak guided us to after our dalliance with the cultists was ideal. The customers were a sordid, shifty-looking lot. I felt quite at home! One of them, a woman, paid close attention to our conversation about the map... and from what Shorak says, she's apparently working with an expedition comprised of Silver Flame devotees.

"But, yes, Sem, the Coin Lords' events sounds like much more fertile ground for misinformation. Thank you. And Kal, you and Nerrin could still have a discussion tonight. Between us, we drew plenty of attention earlier today. There's a possibility, however slight, that at least one of us was followed. In fact... hmmm, why don't we go back to that seedy-looking inn tonight, Shorak? With Kal, perhaps?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak opens his mouth to answer Kal, but closes it again when Belarin chimes in. When Belarin finishes, "The Black Wrack would work. There is also another Inn I know of where ears are wide open to conversations, but the food is much better. It might be a good idea to refill our bellies with some much needed sustenance. We've barely eaten all day." He puts his hand on his stomach as it grumbles at the mention of food. "However you decide, please do so soon."

Jeff, I assume Shorak knows of a place he just described. Someplace popular with both locals and visitors to Stormreach. The place to go to get good food and all manner of things can be overheard while enjoying ones meal.

[Darren]

"Then I propose that you go first and wait for me. It wouldn't do for Lord Kalarian to wait for the arrival of lowly Master Nerrin. I'll be sure to make an entrance." Kal's face splits into a wide grin.

[Joe]

Jul 6, 2012 14:30:09 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Then I propose that you go first and wait for me. It wouldn't do for Lord Kalarian to wait for the arrival of lowly Master Nerrin. I'll be sure to make an entrance." Kal's face splits into a wide grin.

Streko chuckles.

"And if anyone knows how to make a GRAND entrance, it's Lord Kalarian d'Deneith and his...entourage? Yes, that's it."

[Brian]

"I propose we all get a little rest before setting out again," says Condign. "While we may not be looking for trouble, knowing our luck, it may find us. I would not want to be caught up in a fight and not be prepared. Shall we all meet back within the hour?"

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If everyone agrees, Condign will spend a healing surge. And maybe eat something. That's what happens when I post before eating breakfast. ;D

[Jeff]

Shorak considers what taverns might make worthwhile rumor-mills.

In the Harbor District, which is where many visitors, adventurers, and foreigners first enter the city, there is the Wavecrest Tavern (a drinking hole of good repute and some class, but still rough around the edges), and the Wayward Lobster (more of a scoundrel's den and definitely a place where the criminal gang's keep an eye out).

In Marketplace, there is the Phoenix Tavern, a smaller-profile tavern but more centrally located one in the city. Favored by the rebellious and the criminal.

In Silverwall, the Black Wrack is an obvious choice—it's Stormreach's largest tavern.

In the Temple District, the Bogwater Tavern is a quieter, slightly more upscale sort of place—where the less obviously criminal types in the city might drink and relax.

By this time of the evening, Belarin has finished one of his two maps. But he'll need more time, and perhaps a bit more energy or fresher eyes, to tackle the second one.

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Healing surges have been spent. Kal used 3, but with Streko handing out healing word at the same time (which he can do twice per encounter), that brought him to max.

[Joe]

How many healing surges does Streko get to get back to max?

[Jeff]

Sorry, Joe. I totally forgot Streko when I did the healing surges. The bad news is, Streko only had 2 surges left and now he's totally out of them for the day (a dangerous thing sometimes). The good news is between two surges and help from his own healing word, Streko's now back to max.

[Darren]

"Bogwater sounds like the place for us right now. What do you say, Belarin?"