Chapter 12: Shadows in the Dark

[Jeff]

Chapter 12
Shadows in the Dark

Zor, the 12th of Aryth 998 YK begins with rain. Backed by rumbles of thunder, when you wake from sleep, you find that you can't see very far out the window. Driving rain obscures all but the nearest of lights, and it's almost as dark as night. Adamant knows that the rain began only two hours after his companions surrendered to the vulnerable, deathlike state of slumber that all breathers succumb to. Already, Adamant has braved the weather to distribute some of his extraneous possessions among the poorer Cyrans outside, who huddle where they can.

Syrdan and Lerrhana, elves who do not succumb to full sleep but instead idle in a retrospective, dreamlike trance, were not troubled by the rain but it feels ominous and it certainly doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon.

So whenever you glance outside, you see only darkness and rain. But inside Larest's suite here at the Cornerstone Inn, it's cool and well-lit. You find Sem Darlesh and Larest pouring over some papers on one of the desks. On a tray you see breakfast has already been delivered: various breads, sausages, cheeses, and fruit. Starg stands by one of the windows; he clearly can't see very far, but he stands like a sentry anyway.

Once he sees everyone's up, Sem starts talking. Without even a greeting or waiting for you to eat, he launches in with: "I've made some lists." He presents it to anyone who wishes to see.

"This one's of the known rivals for the Eye, based on attendance at the gala last night. There will certainly be others, but maybe less-equipped? It's hard to say. Any one of the dragonmarked houses might have third-party groups at their disposal as well. There are definitely other factions in this city, but I don't want to list them until we know they're going for the Eye. There's the Blackwheel Company, the Cabal of Shadows, the Guardians of Rushemé, the various temples..."

He's drawn two columns, listing pros and cons of each group.

	Pro	Con
Cannith		we cannot compete with magical resources
Deneith	Kal is Deneith, has some level of trust with Deneith commander	much too strong to oppose; Kal is Deneith, conflict of interests
Kundarak	not as likely to travel out into the field	most influential house in city; most likely will ally with another house (maybe more than one)
Lyrandar	Captain Morsha has Siberys mark of Lyrandar (can she help?)	most mobile; possesses airships
Medani		detection is their trade (sneaky bastards)
Orien		house of PASSAGE, may have advantage on ground travel
Tharashk	Kal's girlfriend is Tharashk	house of FINDING
Vadalis		house handling, has beasts, may have advantage in dealings with sphinx; may have aerial beasts
Emerald Claw	Krez's judgement could be clouded by emotion?	most ruthless; most willing (and desiring) to kill us; vampire lord definitely does want to kill us, may try to use Lerrhana to track us
ir'Serrels	not likely allied with anyone else; Histra is Belarin's lover	they're the ir'Serrels!

"Now, listen," Sem begins again. "I was paying attention. Cannith, Tharashk, Kundurak, Vadalis, Orien, and Lyrandar. And the ir'Serrels. Before you went up and ruined everything, Kal, these are the groups who managed to speak with the sphinx. So these are the ones with some information out there. I'm calling them the Informed.

"The rest were denied, and are probably buzzing around like angry wasps, trying to learn what the others know. Beware of them. This included the Order of the Emerald Claw. Although the good vampire major did seem to exchange a few brief words with the sphinx before you interrupted. So this group of righteously indignant, shafted folks I'm calling the Uninformed. The Uninformed are probably going to be pretty prickly."

"No doubt the Informed are out and about, acting on their information right now. And what did the sphinx tell them? According to what he told Kal, Argushem was forced by the Coin Lords to 'steer their sycophants toward one who knows the truth of Gerhest. One who has dwelled in Stormreach a very long time and has the answer they seek.' Until now, it's always just been guesswork as to where the Eye of Azalar will appear every ten years: in the ruins of Tlelbek or the mountains called the Fangs of Argarak. But this sphinx development means there's something else in the city who knows where the Eye of Azalar will be this time. If each group can find this person or creature, they presumably will then head off into the jungle or the Host knows where. This makes me think that while each group may have a different set of clues, they're all intended to point to the same place: this thing that 'knows the truth of Gerhest.' Does that sound right?"

Larest opens his mouth to speak, but the fast-talking gnome keeps going. He seems to be enjoying all this, like he's deep into a game of Conqueror.

"Right. So obviously, this is one possible course of action: Snoop around and find out what sort of clues the Informed have. Tharashk is one possible lead, if Kal can find and learn something from Lady Huru, and then there's the ir'Serrels. Belarin, do you think Histra's family would share their clue?" Sem doesn't wait for an answer, he keeps going. "The other houses will be tougher shells to crack, certainly, but that doesn't mean you couldn't pick one and tail them."

"Now, according to what you've told us, Lhash-Tava is the sphinx-mate's name—"

"It's pretty," Rinti says. "I like that we're going to find her instead."

Sem shoots her an annoyed look. "And it seems like you want to learn not about the Eye's location just yet but rather try and win the favor of the sphinx by finding and freeing her. Which is a big risk—Coin Lord ire aside—even if you're successful, because it sounds like Argushem and his mate were charged with preventing people from finding Gerhest and the Eye in the first place. Do you really think they'd tell you where it is?"

"Then there's the matter of allies and enemies. Major Krez and his Emerald Claw goons are no doubt going to want to kill all of you, but maybe not before finding out what you've learned from the sphinx. So that's something. Lord Greigur seems like he'll be super helpful—if we went off into the jungle with a large group of Deneith soldiers, we'd be much safer—but I think that's only if we stay on his leash. Now I hear we've got another unknown: Who exactly is this Lamara lady?" 

Finally, Sem goes quiet and looks expectantly at you, mostly between Condign, Kal, and Streko. 

Larest chuckles. "That is why I brought Master Darlesh. To the question of finding the sphinx's mate, Sem and I have talked about this." He picks up a piece of paper, where the gnome has jotted down Kal's precise words from the sphinx. He reads from it: "She languishes in a prison like mine somewhere beneath this city.... I do not know where they have hidden her, but when she wills it, she can be perceived through realms behind this one."

"We've talked about this, and we're confident this means that if one were to enter one of the planes parallel to Eberron, perhaps one would be able to perceive the sphinx somehow and locate her so you'd know where to find her on our own material plane. There are only two planes that drift in parallel to Eberron—after a fashion—and do not wax and wane as far away as the others. Dolurrh, the Realm of the Dead, also known as the Shadowfell. Or Thelanis, the Faerie Court, also known as the Feywild. Entering the former is said to be easy. You simply die. But there's no coming back. The latter, well...there are places on Khorvaire where Eberron and Thelanis overlap, but I do not know about Xen'drik."

Adamant, though he's been back inside for some time, is still dripping a little bit from his sojourn outside. The rain is so intense it gets everywhere; the water has found all kinds of little places to hide on his person.

[Dave W.]

Jun 2, 2014 10:57:28 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Syrdan and Lerrhana, elves who do not succumb to full sleep but instead idle in a retrospective, dreamlike trance, were not troubled by the rain but it feels ominous and it certainly doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon.

Adamant estimates the hour that would be daybreak as best he can and quietly chants a psalm to the glory of the Sun. For a few moments, the ominous feeling diminishes a bit but the feeling returns even before the psalm ends.

The warforged is adopting the slightly stooped posture he uses to appear non-threatening. The posture and the occasional dripping from joints would give the impression of depression if Adamant were a fleshy creature. Still, he greets each person (even the Professor) as they wake and tries to infuse his voice with a sunny optimism but its obvious to the perceptive that it is forced.

He listens to Sem's list but only responds to the description of House Lyrandar, "Airships? That's unnatural."

Sem proceeds to the analysis phase of his presentation,

"...because it sounds like Argushem and his mate were charged with preventing people from finding Gerhest and the Eye in the first place. Do you really think they'd tell you where it is?"

"Do we have reason to believe that the sphinx is not trustworthy? I thought that in general sphinxes will adhere to the letter of an agreement, though I only have that from myths."

"I'm not sure there's a better choice. They are clearly the best source of information and superior information can decide a campaign. I think we have to try."

When Larest adds his part, discussing the nearby planes, Adamant replies with more enthusiasm that he has displayed throughout the presentation. "The Feywild, That sounds interesting... small, friendly pixies and such... what harm could come from there? It would certainly be new."

[Darren]

Kal breaks off off a piece of cheese and bites into it as he listens to Sem. "It's a good analysis," he says around a mouthful. "The truth," he says, swallowing, "is that I do not want the Eye found at all. The more thought I give to it, the more I realize that its power should not be given to anyone. There are none whom I would trust with it." He pauses and adds, "Not even myself." He takes another bite of the cheese.

"Therefore, the sphinxes providing us information that does not allow us to find the Eye does not concern me. Rather, I would prefer they give us information to prevent others from finding it. If that means us knowing where it is, so be it. Either way, having them in our debt has great value." Kal begins to pace, but his gait is unsteady. He stops to tighten the remaining straps around his leg, looking angrily at those that were cut during the fight. "I don't like the idea of killing ourselves to find the sphinx. Dying was not part of my plan. There must be another way to enter one of these planes. This is a large city. Someone in it city must have that power. What resources do we have in order to find out?"

[Jeff]

"There is the small matter that I do wish it found," Larest says carefully. "But I share your desire that it not fall into the wrong hands—and most hands are wrong. I have said before, and will not belabor it now, that while I do wish to possess the Eye, I do not wish it for myself alone. Something as powerful as that could be used for many purposes—many of them benevolent. It is not an instrument of evil; not single shred of Xen'drik lore suggests that it is."

"To me, it is like saying, 'I do not wish the fabled Elixir of Ultimate Healing to fall into wrong hands.' If a potent magic fluid that could cure any disease, save the dying, or resurrect the dead. Yes, the Emerald Claw could use such a fantastical potion to bring back one of their dread commanders, but think of the multitudes who could be spared from death. Is that too powerful to be claimed by anyone? Or is it worth fighting for?"

Larest says. "Which is all simply to reiterate, for much of this journey, my goal and yours remain the same. We can argue the Eye's fate when we have secured it from those who would use it for evil. Do not doubt they will, if you do not take it first."

Kal sees that Rinti looks a little distracted suddenly, a little sad.

[Darren]

"It is often those who intend to do the most good who find their purposes twisted to the most evil," Kal says. "Besides, your example does not prove parity in this instance. An item such as you describe has mainly an intention to be used for good. One such as the Eye has no inherent good or evil ability, which makes it all the more dangerous." Kal peers at Larest. "Who among the leaders of this world would not spy upon their neighbor, only with the best intentions for the good of their people, of course? And what might they do with that information? No, the people of this world are entitled to their privacy...."

Kal sits down now to Rinti and places a hand on the girl's shoulder. He looks at her, but says nothing, seeking only to reassure her by his presence.

[Ken]

At Adamant’s comment that the Feywild has “small, friendly pixies and such... what harm could come from there?” Belarin begins laughing hysterically, to the point of doubling over and being unable to catch his breath. Finally, after Kal and Larest have spoken, he wipes tears from his eyes and gets up. He places a hand on Adamant’s shoulder and says warmly, “Thank you. I needed that.”

He continues to the group, “Venturing into the Feywild is a task for the insane – not that that’s ever stopped us! Going to Dolurrh, though... well, we have an option for that – or for bartering with the ir’Serells. This.” He holds out the black candle. “It’s the item I retrieved from the Cyran chest in the ocean. Histra’s sister, Thestra, is interested. Histra believes it might be something called the Candle of Night – a relic that a family of necromancers would drool over. I’ve experimented with it. It’s quite fascinating! We already know that its wielder can control certain undead – a talent that saved you from becoming a barnacle, Adamant.

“I’m loath to part with it... but I had considered giving it to Thestra in return for certain favors. One such favor could be her information from Argushem or perhaps for assistance in traveling to Dolurrh.” He smiles. “Most of Histra’s family would love to see me dead, so that’s one step to Dolurrh already taken care of.”

He looks at Kal. "And regardless of who does what with the damn Eye, the bottom line now is that we need to get it first."

[Jeff]

Rint smiles at Kal but says nothing.

Jun 2, 2014 14:57:27 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Besides, your example does not prove parity in this instance. An item such as you describe has mainly an intention to be used for good. One such as the Eye has no inherent good or evil ability, which makes it all the more dangerous." Kal peers at Larest. "Who among the leaders of this world would not spy upon their neighbor, only with the best intentions for the good of their people, of course? And what might they do with that information? No, the people of this world are entitled to their privacy...."

"Resurrecting the Last War's worst war criminals can be perceived as an act of good?" Larest says almost under his breath, then he gets a little louder again. "You don't think powerful healing can be used for good or evil? The Eye of Azalar isn't for spying...it's for locating something, almost anything." He looks over to Adamant, even points his finger. "Adamant, if you held in your hand a device that could point to the cause of the Day of Mourning, would you use it? To discover who destroyed your country, and how, and you could then use that knowledge to prevent it from ever happening again? Do you think...." His voice deflates and he just lets it go.

"Arguing philosophy is pointless," Sem says merrily. "And dreadfully dull. This could go on all day. Meanwhile, Krez gets the Eye. Let's work on that part, eh?"

[Darren]

Kal's mouth straightens into a thin line. He clearly does want to argue with Larest. It is exactly that line of thinking that causes the most harm to happen, he thinks, but he keeps his thoughts to himself.

He gives Rinti's shoulder a squeeze. "The ir'Serrells are probably the best place for us to start," Kal says to Belarin. "Certainly, of anyone we know in this city, they probably have the most knowledge about how to get us to Dollurh. Hopefully their advice is not simply for us to die..."

[Dave W.]

Adamant seems a little crestfallen at Belarin's reaction to going to the Feywild, but says nothing.

Jun 2, 2014 15:16:24 GMT -4 Jeff said:

[Larest] looks over to Adamant, even points his finger. "Adamant, if you held in your hand a device that could point to the cause of the Day of Mourning, would you use it? To find how who destroyed your country, and how, and you could then use that knowledge to prevent it from ever happening again? Do you think...." His voice deflates and he just lets it go.

"Yes, Professor, I would." Adamant says sadly, "But how could I stop there? How could I stop righting 'wrongs' until everywhere I look is a reflection of me?"

"No," the warforged says firmly and a bit too loudly, "today is not the day for this conversation. There is a ... sullenness... about the day. This conversation needs to happen when the sun is out, minds are clear, and needs are not pressing."

"In any event, Belarin and Sem are right, this is not the time for philosophy. Whether we bear the right hands or whether there are no right hands, clearly the Eye can not fall into the wrong hands."

"Dolurrh or Feywild? I had hoped the Feywild would be the brighter choice but it seems Belarin will tell us otherwise. Stealing into Dolurrh without being properly Judged seems worse than madness to me. There are stories of people lost in the Fey and returning. I am not aware of any who return from the Shadowfell in any condition at all."

"I'm sorry my friends," and he nods to include Larest, "I have spent too much of the night standing in the rain talking to my countrymen. I'm afraid I gave out more cheer than I took in."

[Brian]

Condign walks up to Adamant and hands the warforged a thick towel. "Here, dry yourself off. You are far too good of a person to stand there, all wet and dripping."

[Dave W.]

Jun 2, 2014 17:17:26 GMT -4 Brian said:

Condign walks up to Adamant and hands the warforged a thick towel. "Here, dry yourself off. You are far too good of a person to stand there, all wet and dripping."

"ah, thank you my friend. My thoughts are far afield today."

[Dave B.]

Shorak fills his plate and takes a seat against the wall. He takes his time with his breakfast, eating slowly. All the time he listens carefully to the conversation, argument, debate going on in the room. He does not respond or react. He does raise an eyebrow when he hears about the possibility of the other planes. His desire to travel and see new sights would certainly be a bit satiated by that.

[Joe]

Streko watches and, again , almost against all is known for, remains quiet. Listening. What good are his words at this point? His point of view, so small against the backdrop of people such as Kalrian, Belarin, Larest. So often, of late, he has spoken first and regretted his choice, arguing for the sake of arguing. Why, for example, has he shown such anger towards gnomes, Sem in particular, when it is a gnome who gave him perhaps his greatest tool of suvival, his handy haverrsack.

Streko continues contemplating his actions, his thoughts, as Larest's voice rises then abruptly stops. If Olladra willed he take action against a person or persons for something he believes is ultimately good and right, despite the means of doing so being, morally clouded, would he hesitate? His indignance thus far has closed his eyes, his heart and his spirit.

"That is not who I am," Streko murmurs softly. "I have become what I despise," he continues. "No more. I shall endeavor to be the man my parents raised me to be, the man my sister belives me to be and the man my friends wish me to be. I must. Or I will die here."

Streko absent-mindedly returns to the meal table, grabs some food and begins eating, aware that his stomach not only feels empty, but is clearly about to complain to the masses. The sausages are delicious and the fruit has more flavor than anything he has eaten on Khorvaire that is comparable.

"Must be the rain," he mutters.

Streko continues to listen and admits that making a list such as Sem has was quite a brilliant idea. Now, to clarify that information. And, most importantly, save the sphinx. They Eye will come, Streko was sure of it, but not to us, unless we save the sphinx. Both of them.

[Brian]

"Well," Condign says to everyone, "if the faerie dust and giggles of the Feywild are not an option, then we must find the lady Histra and determine if a journey to Shadowfell is feasible. That is, if we have all agreed to secure the freedom of Lhash-Tava. But before we do that, we need to make preparations with the fair professor here, on the likely event that we must leave Stormreach in a hurry." His gold eyes find Larest. "What did you have in mind, my lord? What would you have us do?"

[Jeff]

Starg looks at both Shorak and Streko, the soft-spoken minotaur observing the other silent parties.

Jun 2, 2014 17:05:23 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"Dolurrh or Feywild? I had hoped the Feywild would be the brighter choice but it seems Belarin will tell us otherwise."

Sem laughs. "I could argue that worse things exist in fairy tales than in the Realm of the Dead. At least death is predictable."

Jun 3, 2014 7:16:44 GMT -4 Brian said:

His gold eyes find Larest. "What did you have in mind, my lord? What would you have us do?"

Professor ir'Zathyran looks pointedly at Condign. "I sought to hire resourceful adventurers and expeditioners, not mere mercenaries. You do not need me to order you about, do you? If you all truly believe my work is best served seeking safe passage out of the city, then I will look into that today. Instead, I had hoped to solve sphinx riddles.

"Until very recently, I did not know that Histra even had family here, much less an estate of their own in Stormreach. She chose to withhold that morsel of information from me, so I admit I'm at a loss. But I did hire Histra for her talents on this expedition, and I believe she will honor it and come with us. Whatever her family's position may be, I do not think she will let me come to harm—and by extension, those in my employ.

"Belarin, you know her better than me now. Do you think it wise if we all visit her estate together? I am confident we can find it quickly enough if we go to Respite. And safety in numbers, of course." He looks to Starg and Sem.

"Well I'm for it!" the gnome declares. "But I'd rather not bring Starg. Wet minotaur is a smell not easily quelled."

Starg rolls his eyes but he nods his head at Larest. "Storm or not, I too am restless and would walk again. This city is a maze, and I would explore it further." The aged minotaur looks more vigorous than he has since you met him. Eager to move.

Rinti looks out the window. "It's not letting up at all," she says, sounding like the glumness is beginning to fall away from her mood. "But I would love to see what a family of necromonst...I mean, 'mancers...looks like!"

Sem says to Kal. "To answer you earlier question, sure, powerful mages—far beyond my or the professor's skill—can cross into other's planes with the proper ritual. Dangerous work and exorbitantly expensive, not readily available on the market. I'm sure we could identify one or two capable, but I doubt we have the funds to pay for such magic."

"Also, are you ignoring the question? Who is Lamara and do we need to be concerned with her?"

Tangat issues a quiet growly woofing sound at the name.

[Mike]

Syrdan stands silently in the shadows near the door, feeling invisible. He listens intently to the words being traded between Larest and Kalarian. Indifferently, he pulls a golden galifar out of one of the pouches hanging from his belt. He flips it into the air again and again, catching it in his gloved hand with practiced ease.

[Dave B.]

Swallowing the sausage and cheese he had been chewing, Shorak looks out the window at the sheets of water pouring down. "I can find us a way to Respite that affords some cover from the rain, but we will still get wet."

[Darren]

A low sound issues from Kal's throat at the mention of Lamara's name. It's not much different from Tangat's growl. "Lamara is a traitorous bitch who will find herself on the end of my blade if she comes near us again. She claimed to be of House Medani, and perhaps she is, but she is no simple Inquisitive, as she claims to be. She infiltrated our party, gained our trust, and promptly betrayed it. I almost killed her the last time we met," Kal says, remembering with a quick smile. "I'd love to finish the job."

Kal takes a breath, wiping thoughts of Lamara from his mind. "If the cost is a problem for you, Larest, then I suppose we must seek out Histra and see if she has any ideas," he holds up a hand, "BESIDES dying...to get us into Dollurh."

Kalarian looks out the window, placing a hand on the casing. "I suppose there is no time to wait for the rain to let up. Let's just hope it slows down the competition, as well."

[Brian]

"Indeed, we would all like to cross swords with her," Condign says to Sem after Kal is done. "Lamara d'Medani joined our group some time back, which we found out later was at the urging of one Malov il'Tuirian. I am sure that name has reached your ears by now. She spent considerable time in our presence, gathering information on our party and our purposes. Once she had what she wanted, she led us into a trap, hoping a warforged and a dwarf named Grazen--with the aid of il'Turian himself--would kill us. They failed, and we even managed to rescue Austasia, the daughter of Prince Aurad of Sharn. We bear a particular grudge against her, and her presence in Stormreach is not a positive development. If she seeks the Eye for Malov, then she and those with her must be stopped."

[Jeff]

Lerrhana rises and gathers her weapons, throwing on her nondescript cloak and doing a remarkable job not looking like an Aereni princess. "Listen, I think it's time I start moving again. Not to leave the city, not yet. I'm not here for this expedition, but if there's anything I can do to keep Krez away from you and let you move more freely, let me do it. Besides, I'm not inclined to visit a family of necromancers. Histra and I did not get along as is—though I owe her a debt—but I do not think I can stomach her kin. In fact, I'm sworn to destroy the undead when I find them. That is a conflict of interests that would only be problematic to your search."

She looks to Syrdan. In Elven, she says, "Your place is with your friends. They could use one Deathguard keeping them from doing something foolish—but two is too many. It's daytime, so I don't need any help avoiding vampires right now. I'll avoid underground crypts and dungeons, just in case." She gives him a look that suggests this is all she's going to say on the matter, and that it's final. "I'll return tonight. I can do some reconnaissance, if there's any part of the city you would like me to check out. In any case, I may have a place or two where I can go without the loud tramp of a warforged or the clanking armor of a tiefling." She indicates Condign and Adamant with a half smile.

[Ken]

Jun 3, 2014 9:14:40 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Belarin, you know her better than me now. Do you think it wise if we all visit her estate together? I am confident we can find it quickly enough if we go to Respite. And safety in numbers, of course."

"I'm being asked my advice on women," Belarin says. "That's a first." Seeing the lack of humorous reactions, he continues.

"What I do sense about Histra's family -- and her sister's presence is as much a surprise to her as it is to us -- tells me that ALL of us going would be a bad idea. One, they value privacy. Two, we'd draw a ton of attention to ourselves and to them in the process. Three, I doubt they have enough goblets of absinthe for that many guests. I also think that your presence, Professor, could force her to make a demonstrative choice between her obligation to you and her allegiance to her family." He cuts off a huge chunk of cheese and begins eating it in large bites. "That could get messy... mmph ... and cause this delicious cheese to go sour in my belly. (Shorak, is this local? It's outstanding.) Let's give her the room to finagle her way out of that jam without forcing a resolution to it this morning. I suggest that you and Sem stay here and continue sorting through our puzzling options. You've got the intellect and the patience for that."

He looks at the minotaur. "Starg, you're certainly welcome to join us!" Then he looks at Syrdan, Streko, and Adamant and says, "It's up to you, my friends. I welcome your company, as always! But I know you all probably have good reasons not to venture into a house of necromancers. I don't totally understand divine magic, so I suppose a light vs. dark detonation is possible.... I'm willing to risk it if you are."

[Brian]

Condign shifts in his seat. "What do you think is an appropriate number, then?" he asks Belarin. "And who would you have accompany you? I, for one, do not have pressing business in this town."

[Darren]

"As Condign says," Kal chimes in, "I am willing to leave this plan in your hands. If you feel I could be more valuable as a...distraction...around town, I am willing to play my part. Histra and her family are a mystery to me, but if you think I can be of help in joining you, just say the word."

[Ken]

Belarin purses his lips in thought for a moment, them says, "Ah, to Khyber with it, you can all come, even you, Professor, Sem. If negotiations go well, we may need to take action quickly, as a group. So let's do it. I'm fairly confident that the sight of the candle will sooth any of Thestra's ruffled, um, scales. So let's be off... as soon as I eat more of this outstanding cheese!"

[Brian]

Jun 4, 2014 9:29:47 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin purses his lips in thought for a moment, them says, "Ah, to Khyber with it, you can all come, even you, Professor, Sem. If negotiations go well, we may need to take action quickly, as a group. So let's do it. I'm fairly confident that the sight of the candle will sooth any of Thestra's ruffled, um, scales. So let's be off... as soon as I eat more of this outstanding cheese!"

"Very well," Condign says and stands. "I will only be a moment."

He slips quietly into his room, where he dons his armor, buckles his belt around his waist, and slides his sword into its sheath. Then he straps his shield across his back. But before he returns to the common room, he removes the braid of hair from his pouch and secures it around his belt. He gazes at it for a moment, the blue strands shining dully in the candle light. His mentor, Lorjad, had never approved of the momento. The orc paladin felt (incorrectly, it now appears) that it would weaken his pupil's resolve.

But that was long ago, before he became Condign, before he left his lands to learn of the threat posed by Ebonfire and the renegade tieflings. Before he met his friends and discovered more about himself than he thought possible.

"One day I will venture forth, and I never return," he murmurs. "At least I will not be alone on the other side."

Then he goes to join his friends--his brothers--and follow wherever their fate leads.

[Jeff]

Regarding Kal's armor, the patchwork job has been crude. Rinti knows nothing about armor and even with his own skill, he can get it to cling to his frame again but it's not great. He knows he could really benefit from the touch of a leatherer or amorsmith, or even just a few minutes with a skilled artificer. 

Your companions, meanwhile, ready themselves.

Rinti wears the Deneith page uniform Kal had asked for, and it comes with a cloak and hood of its own. She stands beside Kal.

On top of Starg's white tabard he throws a loose light gray cloak, which except for his horns just makes him look like a huge human. He carries no obvious weapons, but you know in some pocket he carries an orb—a focus for his magic. You haven't seen him use his magic too much—but you recall it usually involved telekinetically manipulating objects or working with extradimensional space. Aboard the Merrow Down, he was instrumental in helping you reach the Patriot, and come back again.

Sem looks much as he did when you first met him, garbed in black and burgundy traveler's clothing and a short grey cloak. A satchel and wooden walking stick complete the picture. 

Larest, when he is ready, looks the most different in that he has replaced his fine nobleman's clothing for already-dusty-looking traveler's suit with a breastplate of boiled leather, metal-plated pauldrons, and a black cloak. On his belt hangs an ordinary-looking rapier. He looks—not exactly like a seasoned warrior or traveler, but not unprepared for rough work and inclement weather. The only thing constant about him is his silver circlet, but he tries to tuck it under the hood of cloak.

Tangat starts whining, wagging his tail, and trotting in circles around the whole party. Rinti says in a high-pitch trill (a pointed reminder that she's just a young girl), "Tangat! Who's going for a walk! Who is?" Tangat barks merrily. 

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Okay, what would be your general marching order, for those cases where it's hard to walk in a staggered formation? Just let me know where you'd prefer to see your character—in the vanguard, in the middle, or bringing up the rear.

I see Larest's suit as looking a bit like www.wizards.com/dnd/images/excerpt_20110819_2.jpg.

If anyone has anything else they wish to do at the Cornerstone, now's the time to say so. And if there's something you want to leave behind, say so now.

Darren, even I can't remember: did you get a weapon for Rinti?

[Ken]

Belarin eagerly retrieves his dagger from Streko's hackensack. As he picks it up like a beloved pet, he feels a tinge of... reproach? It takes nearly all his effort not to say, "I'm sorry" out loud. As he straps it to his belt, he nevertheless whispers, "I'll promise to do better. It's been a difficult time!"

Then he takes the identification papers for Nerrin - and for his other, now-useless alias - and burns them in the fireplace. "Farewell, Nerrin!" he says. "I was lucky to get as much use out of him as we did, especially with that witch inquisitor in Stormreach. All done now - every trace of him must go."

[Joe]

Streko quietly finishes his meal, savoring every last bite (especially the cheese, it certainly was quite wonderful!). A slight twinge of panic as Belarin thrust his hand into his haversack and retrieved his dagger. He could have ASKED first, Streko thought, feeling a pang of annoyance, then dismissing it. The OLD Streko would have spoken volumes on etiquette and the proper way in which to respect a friend's THINGS. This new Streko, the Ever-Vigilant Halfling, as he now tried to think of himself, would simply let such rudeness go. He took his last uneaten sausage and, wondering if he shouldn't just eat it himself, instead brought it to Tangat. "For you, my dear friend," he whispered, giving him the complete link. "For the journey ahead."

[Dave B.]

Shorak finishes his breakfast and goes to get his backpack, grabbing a piece of cheese and a small fruit for later, wrapping them in a napkin and making sure to keep them away from the orc cheese.

Settling his cloak on his shoulders, Shorak waits by the door, pulling up his hood in preparation for the trek through the rain. "Whenever everyone's ready..."

[Darren]

For what it's worth, I didn't mean that Rinti should fix the armor HERSELF. The implication was that she should find an armorsmith to fix it for Kal...

Looking at Rinti's makeshift repairs, Kal gives the girl an approving nod. "A fine start," he says. When she appears in her Deneith livery, he smiles. "I'm proud of how far you've come so quickly."

As she plays with Tangat, though, he scowls. "Rinti, please. Tangat is not a simpleton. He is a finely honed instrument. A warrior. Treat him with respect." Kal has difficulty keeping his face flat and serious. He gives a reproachful glare at Tangat, and rolls his eyes as the dog sticks out his tongue, giving in to a small laugh.

Finally, Kal produces a dagger from within the straps around his right leg. He holds it out to Rinti, hilt first. "Keep this on you, in case you need it," he says, kneeling down to look the girl in the eye. "It is not for fighting...it is for defense. Do you understand me? If you are attacked, the first thing you do is run. If you can't abide by that rule, then I'm afraid we will have to part ways right now." He waits for the girl's response before letting go of the weapon.

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Once Rinti responds, Kal is ready to go.