Chapter 2: Rites of Passage

[Josh]

"Anything else will have to wait. Let's get moving." Grafth exits the inn to hail a coach.

[Lara]

"Arriving with you while in the commander's form seems the wrong way to start this," Pel says. "I will separate myself from you when we arrive at the tower and assume his shape then."

[Darren]

"Good thinking, Pel."

Kalarian turns to Amal. "You delivered my message for Lady Korvine, then? Hopefully that will help the Marshal's situation." Kalarian seems lost in thought again. As if suddenly remembering the presence of others, he says, "Well, you've done your duty, Amal, and it is appreciated." He grins at the Blademark. "Ready for some more fun?"

[Jeff]

"I did, my lord," Amal answers.

No coach is necessary, as the Transient Hound is located but two blocks from the Lyrandar tower...so you set out in two separate groups: Kal and Grafth, walking side by side, with Goran and Streko a short distance behind, and Pel bringing up the rear. Tangat trots alongside Kal, and Amal walks apace with both Deneith heir and shifter.

And then it comes full into view.

Situated at the far western side of the circular city of Passage is the docking tower, the tall and slender spire the rises above the small House Lyrandar enclave. Everbright lanterns ring the tower at every level and struggle to push back the twilight. Two passenger gondolas—wood and wicker baskets large enough to accommodate a large group of people—serve as the means to ascend to the docking platforms. The cables themselves shine with arcane lights. At the base of each gondola's path is a half-elf agent in Lyrandar livery. It's obvious that the Lyrandar half-elves check each person for tickets before allowing them into the gondolas. Behind them, at the base of the tower, is a door into the station itself.

It doesn't look like the docking tower sees as much use as those in, say, Fairhaven, Sharn, Korth, or Flamekeep. The docking tower itself is but half the size—100 feet or so—of those found in much larger cities.

Currently there is only one average-sized airship floating, perfectly still, alongside one of the platforms. The elemental binding circle of the airship only lightly flickers with fire. The fire elmental bound within the shape is obviously suppressed.

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Here is a sample of what a docking tower looks like. (Though the one here in Passage is considerably smaller.)

[Darren]

Kal looks up at the tower. If he's impressed, he doesn't show it. "So," he says to Grafth, "any idea where we're supposed to go?"

___________
General note to Jeff for NPC purposes: Kal's sleeves are rolled down right now and his dragonmark is covered.

[Josh]

Grafth replies, "I have no information about where to me Ralsor, but I'm sure someone can lead us to him." He moves forward and enters the tower, looking for an information stand of some sort.

[Jeremy]

---

Goran still has the book, correct?

[Jeff]

Grafth leads Kal, Amal, and Tangat into the main door of the Lyrandar offices. A human wearing house colors (blue and white) looks disdainfully at them as they walk in. "Keep your animal leashed, sir," she says to Grafth, assuming him to be Tangat's master. "If you wish to move about here freely."

There is a desk, with a small line of people waiting to purchase tickets. All of them look well-to-do. Travel by airship makes lightning rail passengers seem like street urchins, since the standard rate of passage is 1 galifar per mile. (For example, a one-way flight from Fairhaven to Sharn would cost 2,000 gp.) Nevetheless, the crowd in this station is very light; it seems regular flights are probably only once or twice each day.

Goran, Streko, and Pel are still outside.

_________________________

Yup, Goran has the book packed away in his backpack.

[Joe]

"Goran, can you explain to me exactly what we are going to be doing again?"

[Darren]

To reiterate the plan (I know it's been a while):

Kal and Grafth are going to go mee with Grafth's contact. The rest of the group is going to scout out the tower so we know as much of the lay of the land as possible. We're going to meet up again at around 11 (23rd bell) and swap notes. We'll collectively scout the area around where the midnight meeting is supposed to take place. Goran will be stationed where he can see down on where the meeting will be and within bow-shot. Streko will be watching Goran's back. Grafth will be positioned out of sight but close enough to be able to strike if things go bad. Pel will act as the commander and Kal will put on the other Emerald Claw helmet and stay in the background as a soldier. Tangat and Taymra will stay with Grafth, or possibly positioned somewhere else in ambush range, depending on what our reconnaisance shows.

[Jeremy]

"That works. Streko, I feel better with you at my back, but I'll need your eyes and nose first. If you see a threat, let me know, before you attack."

[Jeff]

Goran and Streko have exchanged a few brief words; no actions have been taken. I'm...waiting.

[Darren]

Smiling at the man, Kalarian begins to reach into his pack as if to get some rope or a leash for Tangat. As soon as they are past him, Kalarian drops that pretense. Kal's head swivels left and right as he takes in the scene.

"What do you think, Grafth? Shall we start at the bottom and work our way up?"

[Josh]

"Seems logical," Grafth says, and moves toward the end of the line. His gait is leisurely yet stiff, as if the shifter is attempting to seem comfortable yet formal at the same time.

Grafth keeps his ears and eyes open while in line, listening in on the conversations around him. When they approach the desk attendant, he will enquire as to where he can find Ralsor.

[Jeff]

Kal, Grafth, Amal, and Tangat shuffle over the back of the line.

Another half-elf in house clothing calls out, sternly but politely, to Kal. "Sir, leash that dog." Kal has little choice but to comply for the time being, as the half-elf doesn't walk away but remains within the building and keeping an eye out for things like this.

The wait until the line dwindles down is considerable. A quart of an hour passes: it seems one of the would-be passengers paid for his flight with sovereigns and crowns. Still annoyed at that man's means of purchase, the half-elf clerk looks expectantly at Grafth.

"Ralsor?" she repeats with a smirk. "Who's asking...that is...sir?"

[Josh]

Grafth's face shows no sign of irritation with the clerk's question, "My business is with Ralsor, and it is important. If you are not Ralsor," he says, scrutinizing the half-elf, "or cannot attend to my simple request, I'll waste no more of your time."

He turns to leave. Unless the attendant has anything else to say, he will seek out another of the house staff (as there seems to be several wandering about), and ask one of them.

[Jeff]

The clerk grins. "No, I am most certainly not Ralsor."

"Thank the Host," Grafth hears her adds quietly under her breath.

"No, he's..." She looks back at one of her peers.

A human wearing the colors and pin of of a member of Lyrandar's Windwrights Guild has joined in her smile. "Due to arrive soon, I believe. He's not exactly 'on the schedule.' Are you a friend of Ralsor's, sir?" He seems near to laughing. The two look at Grafth, Kal, and Amal as if expecting them to put on a show. It's...bizarre.

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Listen check = Grafth (20), Kal (11).

[Josh]

Grafth looks to Kal inquisitively, then back to the Lyrander staff.

"It's possible," he says, still maintaining a matter-of-fact tone, seemingly oblivious to whatever in-joke has amused the others. "Is there somewhere specific we should wait for him?"

[Darren]

Folding his arms, Kalarian leans backwards slightly to talk to Amal, who is standing behind him. He whispers low for the man's ears only, never taking his eyes off the half-elf and the human at the table. "Just pretend like I'm talking to you about them," he whispers to Amal. "Laugh a little bit." Kalarian smiles and rolls his eyes slightly as Amal laughs. He leans away from Amal, continuing to look at the pair with his arms folded a smirk on his face.

[Joe]

Streko keeps an eye out, attempting to see if anyone is behaving...suspiciously. He finds a place back and away from the main group and looks around, bored and slightly impatient, as if waiting for an airship that is a couple hours overdue...

He makes sure to keep the main group in sight, as well as Goran, who he will attempt to shadow and cover.

[Jeremy]

Sorry, late coming in. Let's assume Goran has done this a few steps ago...

---

Goran will select a place where he can get some altitude, even if it's just a storey or two, and a good line of sight. Preferrably, also, with something solid at his back, and a quick exit in case they need to dash down and help in a melee.

The half-elf will also, of course, maintain a low profile...disappearing into the shadows, if possible.

[Jeff]

The Windwright guildsman seems unfazed by Kal's antics. He gestures upward and speaks to Grafth, his smile fading away. "When Ralsor comes through, he takes the West Platform. We don't generally allow passengers to loiter within the tower unless they have tickets and are waiting for the next flight. But if you're here for Ralsor, you're probably not our usual customers. Just tell this to the guards you're here for him." He indicates the half-elves who guard the wide spiral stairwell at the other end of the lobby that leads up into the tower.

It's clear that the guards will bar the entry of those without tickets, except as noted by the guildsman. Grafth, Kal, Amal, and Tangat will be able to ascend the tower, but Goran, Streko, and Pel will not unless they are made aware of the same. They will need to be informed.

Streko doesn't see anyone he thinks is suspicious. But it's also evening, and the airships don't run frequently here, so there aren't too many people here at the moment. This allows him to take more note of each person, but it also means he and Goran won't be as inconspicuous either. Streko finds that Goran looks overcautious, if alert, trying to merge into the shadows maybe a little too much. Whereas Pel, lingering nearby, seems to blend in among the other people better.

[Joe]

Streko walks purposefully over to Goran.

"Excuse me good sir," he says loudly enough for anyone nearby to hear, "do you have the time?"

He then switches to whisper mode. "Goran, my friend, you are acting as if you have the mark of detection blazing on your forehead...and not in a good way, I might add. Perhaps if you don't TRY as hard and instead be more yourself, the shadows will embrace you with less obvious reluctance." He smiles warmly at his helf-elf friend. "Please do not take offense. It is merely my observation...and our task in this is to be as unobtrusive as possible, at least until such time as Kalarian attacks someone." He smiles again and bows deeply, in case anyone is watching.

"Sorry to bother you, my lord," he says loudly and returns quietly to his place of observation, where he too will attempt to blend into the shadows...without trying too hard.

[Darren]

"What means of transport does Ralsor use that makes his arrival so special?" Kalarian asks of the half-elf.

[Jeremy]

Umm....why was I trying too hard? I disagree with this. I think Goran, by now, has at least enough sense of the city not to overdo this as though he were a bumpkin just in from the sticks.

---

Goran will not be overcautious.

What does Goran see that might help him answer Kal's question?

[Jeff]

The Windwrights guildsman narrows his eyes and looks Kal up and down. "So you're not friends of his. What is your business with him, sir? Speak honestly and we'll permit you to wait for him. Mislead us and we'll have to escort you out. Ralsor doesn't hire out his ship commercially."

[Josh]

Grafth responds to the Windwright, "We have not met Ralsor, no. I was asked by an acquaintance of his to meet with him and deliver a message of some import. We promise to take up as little of his time as possible."

[Jeff]

The guildsman nods dismissively at Grafth and Kal.

To ascend to the docking platforms, they must approach the guards who stand at the base of the spiral stair.

[Darren]

Kal grins sheepishly at Grafth as they make their way to the stairs. "It was worth asking, right? I mean, what were the odds, but if this guy was coming on a dragonhawk, well..." Kal shrugs, as close to an apology as he seems willing to make.

[Josh]

"Indeed. The thought has crossed my mind as well; we still don't know what the connection is between any of these things, and it is best to be careful." The shifter pauses for a moment, "We should head straight up to the west platform... there is still quite a bit of time until our 'scheduled' meeting."