The party, after a week of traveling hard and fast from the former site of the raiders of the Black Scorpion Gang, after heeding the warning of the prisoner, Warren the Zhent, arrive in the city of Shade to discover the city is as its name suggests, shaded by a combination of high arcane energies and shadow infused magic.

The first inn that seems acceptable to all is: The Dark Bard, which despite its foreboding name is actually quite cheery and well lit. Ironically, there is no bard inside though the place bustles with customers.

Roughly 23 people of various races are inside the inn, there are a few empty tables and a spot or two at the bar is clear. The bartender appears to be a middle aged human with gleaming brown skin and no hair except for his dark brown eyebrows. His bright blue eyes note your party's entry and he motions one of the two serving wenches over, both also human with brown skin.

Your server cleans the first table you approach with the speed of an experienced worker and promptly brings the party's requested drinks and food over then leaves you alone. The second server puts her tray on the bar and then jumps onto a large table, hiking up her swirling red skirts and starting to dance as one of the visitors starts an impromptu song with a drum which is quickly followed by his two table mates adding a gittern and a fife to the mix.

ooc: rp go.
_{EDIT: Changed the group to 6.  --Windwalker}
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:45, Wed 16 Apr 2008.

Lysande felt awkward and out of place in the inn. She had drawn her hood deep into her face to hide, in particular her ears, from being noticed. Listlessly she looked at the foreign food that was served and picked in it with her dagger. Aluvendar, her black raven companion, however, was only too thrilled about the mix of dried fruits and meat and occasionally cawed, then added something in the elven tongue.  Lysande looked up, torn from her thoughts about Mourn's missing brother and the results of their raid on the Black Scorpio's base. "Lletwey al'ethwyned, ney traberech almagalen." she replied with a dark look that seemed to quiet the comparatively large bird.

Lysande's thoughts went back to the day when they had met Mourn, or Elora as Respar had called him. They had tried to persuade him to surrender, after the fighting broke out and the sun elven mage and her companions had gained the upper hand. After initial hesitation, some force had seemed to override his real decision and Lysande had been forced to end his life with a carefully aimed arrow. She had tried to reach him, tried to heal him with her wand, but he rejected her help. Instead he gave her the hints that allowed them to find the raider's base and end the threat to the trade route and people of the Anauroch. Still she felt his sacrifice was unnecessary, the death of distant kin was always unnecessary. At least to her. She dropped the dagger on the plate and leaned back, she wasn't hungry. Lysande's hand crept up her cloak and she felt the silver needle Respar had given her. She had become a member of the silver blades, a brother- and sisterhood of elves devoted to help other elves in times of need. Although she hadn't left the oasis with a mission, she still felt as if she had failed her mentor. As if she had turned and ran, leaving the real job to be done by the Zhents.

Lysande grimaced at the thought of the Zhentish, they had had a contract. A contract to find the enemy base and recover the stolen goods from the Zhentarim traders. But what did they get? Nothing, the Zhents had claimed they did not fullfill the contract because their fellow Zhents had decended upon the raider's base and not the companions. They wouldn't have found the base if it hadn't been for Lysande and her friends but of course that didn't count when it came to the letters of the contract. The sun elf felt bile on her tongue and her chest cramped for a second. "I... I need some fresh air." she said, got up quickly and left the inn...

No longer requiring food nor drink for sustenance, Aelynia was able to fully focus on her three companions and the other patrons of the tavern they were in while her dear friends ate.  Their trials had been hard, their journey had been long, but still the monk was as peaceful as ever, her look one of utter serenity.  Until, that is, she noticed Lysande growing more and more upset.  She picked up on tiny cues that not many people would.  Whether it was her elven blood, a gift from her god, or simply the deep loyalty and devotion she had for her friends that allowed her to sense the struggles in Lysande was anyone's guess.

Not a moment after the sun elf rose for air, the wild elf rose as well, giving Joseph and Alister a small smile that showed she would take care of their companion before slowly following Lysande out, giving the other woman a moment of peace alone.

Outside, Aelynia took a deep breath despite the perpetual shadows and the general ill feeling she got being in such a place.  Then she looked around for Lysande, gentle concern etched on her beautiful, delicate features.

Even so soon after arriving, it was clear that the evil and malice of this place was not agreeing with Joseph at all - he'd grown up in the woodlands of the North, had spent many a winter in the snow, sometimes even crossing into Icewind Dale for hunting trips or to trade with the towns there.  And then, he'd arrived at the great desert Anauroch, and somehow he'd adjusted to it, too - it was all nature, and as a worshipper of Mielikki, there was little he could do but revere it, even if it were not his beloved grasslands.  Before leaving for the City of Shade, he had cut loose the camel who had served him so well, letting her go with the prisoners they had freed, and now he knew how right that had been - this was not a place for anything natural.  Even Joseph's mood began to grow darker with every minute spent there, and only the presence of Aelynia nearby was helping him. . .  so when she left, he almost spoke up, begging her to stay with him, but instead he closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh.  He intended to make sure their stay there would be as short as possible, he longed to feel sand (or grass, or marshland, or even snow) under his feet again, and more than ever, he longed for his home which no longer existed.

OOC: evil and malice? **lifts eyebrow in query** I don't think I described evil, but okay....

He was smiling.

He doesn't look like a paragon of justice or anything, just a country bumpkin walking into a city.  Alister for all he know was walking inside a normal city.  Well exclude the flying qualities and curious stare given to him by the locals it was normal as it could get.  He was a rugged young man fresh from the desert, his grabs are all worn only his weapons are properly maintained.  The locals won't even have a clue that he is a paladin of Tyr until he starts smiting.

He looks around the tavern with an innocent eyes.  It was a lively place compared to the desert oasis, and the food.  Hopefully it would be a lot better, especially without the sand on it.

"Oi, Lynsande..."  The graceful sun elf left for fresh air.  Alister took a few bites from his food before chasing the sun-elf.  Okay, it wasn't the food that upsets her.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Thu 17 Apr 2008.

Lysande stood outside and took a deep breath, then another. It wasn't the strange smells and smoke that burned in her eyes. Yet still they stung and threatened to spill tears. The sun elf walked over to Mourn's mare and gently touched the beautiful animal, finding solace in the creature that had been Elora's companion. As such both of them shared the loss, Lysande perhaps not as closely, but definately as deeply. "Ai, el leidmirtue Elora danangalar." she said and buried her head in the horses neck.  Lysande stood silently, allowing the tears to flow, not noticing her companions worrying about her.

OOC:  Well, it is a floating city of darkness, with a population of evil shades, created by the powerful magics of an evil netherese archmage.  :p  Plenty of evil there, at least for Joseph, heh.

"We better..."  Alister taps Lynsande's shoulder, he was smiling calmly not expecting her to cry out in the open.  "... you'll only be richer in salt and wrinkles if you keep on doing that..."

Quietly walking up behind Lysande, Aelynia wrapped a slender yet strong arm around the other elf's waist comfortingly.  "Amin mani," she whispered softly, knowing that something terrible was gnawing at her friend's heart.

"Err... what?" Lysande said in surprise and turned around as she felt somebody touching her. Seeing it was two people the girl pressed backwards, against Mourn's and quickly dried her tears with the sleaves of her tunic. "I... uh..." she looked at Aelynia then Alister, then back to Aelynia until she finally looked to the ground. "I am alright. It is ... it was just too crowded." being 'cornered' by her two companions, the sun elf felt kind of threatened and searched to escape the embarrassing situation. "I am alright. Do not worry about it!" she took a deep breath and calmed herself.

"Yeah, it pretty wild compared to Anauroch."  Alister replied after some awkward silence.  "We better get back inside, we still have a bucket loads of unfinished businesses..."

Ever sensitive to the needs of others, Aelynia respectfully backed off and nodded, hiding the hurt in her eyes from the elf's rebuttal for the sake of Lysande.  It would do not good to heap more guilt upon her shoulders, Aelynia knew.  With a small nod, Aelynia turned and went back inside to Joseph.  He knew her so well, though, that it was very likely he noticed she was upset or some such thing as she sat back down beside him.

As soon as Aelynia returned, Joseph took her hand in his, and placed her on his lap, holding her close to him.  As he held her tightly to him, he drew on her strength while also offering her his own in support, until he felt he could relax again.

Lysande took a few more minutes before the emotional turmoil subsided. She shouldn't let this get to her so deeply, but the truth was: It felt as if she had killed her brother. The elf took a deep breath. Then another one until she found the strength to return to her friends.

Once inside she sat down on her seat and managed to eat at least a few bites, mostly of the fruits. Aluvendar sensed the distress in his mistress' heart and kept quiet, allowing her to order her thoughts.

"Ai, what will we do now? We did not get paid for infiltrating the raider's base but we did get some compensation from that merchant. Do you have any plans for the future?" Lysande asked and looked at each of them.

OOC: the party picked up the crate of potions mentioned in the OOC thread from Warren's shop prior to coming to the tavern. Now would be an appropriate time for someone to recall the strange map as packing material around the potions and since you are in a tavern, if anyone wanted to gather information by asking questions or just listening (please specify in your post) and give me some roles. We won't leave the tavern thread until the party has a chosen course of action.

Alister moves around the crowded tavern looking for someone who looks friendly enough too talk with.  Hopefully he would find one.

--- ooc
oh is there a 'good' person inside the tavern beside the three people I'm with?

OOC: assuming you are using detect evil? Yes, roughly half the tavern is of good alignment on the axis.

Aelynia sat peacefully cuddled on Joseph's lap, drawing just as much strength from him as he got from her.  Every passing day brought her closer to him, and more and more she was able to put away the sorrow of her past because of his strength and the comfort he provided.  When Lysande returned and then spoked, Aelynia softly replied, "I never have any plans.  I simply go where Ilmater seems to want me."

"Get back to the Dale Lands and set up a bakery?"  Alister seriously answered as he continues to scan the crowd.  "Oh by the way, roughly half of the patrons are nice people."

"Plans?  No...  not really.  Before we met, I was a ship lost at sea, going where the wind would take me.  I have no quests I need to accomplish, no home to return to.  I will go whereever Aelynia goes, and keep her from hurting herself too much.  Though, I do hope to walk the woodlands again, sometime soon...  the desert is part of nature, as well, but it cannot compare to the beauty of the forest," Joseph replied after spending a few moments lost in thoughts.

Lysande listened patiently to her friend's words about their plans, or absence thereof. Idly she played with the paper that had come together with the potions, realizing suddenly it was some sort of map. The mage pulled it away and straightened it out on the table before her, wondering what it was telling her.

Aluvendar hopped on the lithe elf's shoulder, cawing and speaking something into her ear. He smelled of hot spices that seemed to have drenched the food they had been served. At first Lysande frowned, then started to giggle "Al thanathé Aluvendar, ith lebethan ad vanaeth!"  Then proceded to fill her empty mug with water from her flask. Eagerly the large bird began to swallow as much as it could as quickly as was possible. The sun elf felt her familiar's plight and stroked his ruffled feathers gently.

"So what's that paper about?"  Alister after finishing his meal asked Lysande after noticing her amused look.

In viewing the paper, which resembles a very crude map one can see that a swampy area has been sketched in the middle of a desert region with the ocean on one side and high cliffs on the other. It appears an odd place for a swamp, considering the dryness of a desert.

Some hard to read hand writing is scribbled in various places on the map. It looks like a smaller section at the lower end of the paper shows a type of cave with a 'Y' shaped drawing with scribbles in the paths there as well.

The writing is not easy to read though the numbers 1-4 in a small list appear.

(OOC: if anyone has decipher script, have at it. Otherwise,actions go!)

ooc: I don't think anyone of us has decipher script.

Lysande squinted, trying hard to make out what had been written on the map. She held it up in the light of a window, hoping it would help.

"Well bless my soul, I didn't think one of those actually existed," says a merry voice, low in tone and quite cultured. There's a short, slender male standing near watching Lysande's actions.

It's evident by his features that he has some elven heritage though he isn't a pureblood by any means. His tip tilted dark blue eyes squint a bit as he examines the map. His skin is deeply browned and contrasts sharply with his dark brown hair, which is bleached on top by the sun revealing a wheat colored streak on his crown that's braided back from a smooth forehead, unmarked by battle or disease.

The half elf is dressed in traveling leathers and has a harp case strapped to his back. He wears no jewellry and no adornments, his ears free of bangles and his slender, dexterous fingers free of rings.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Fri 25 Apr 2008.

Alister was a little disappointedly that Vikko wasn't with them anymore, still they should find someone else to do it if no one in the group can't.  To his surprise someone out of the blue suddenly drop out of nowhere, a blessing from above?  Perhaps.  Better make sure his telling the truth, the paladin made a mental note.

"Here have a sit."  Alister welcomingly offered his chair, and quickly procured another one.

---
Detect Evil on Rix'?

Rix grins delightedly, "Don't mind if I do. Thankee."


"I just got in from crossing the high desert and thought I'd stop by my favorite place for a drinkee and a song. 'Course, I run into the usual rabble and whatnot so it's hard for a body to get a bit of peace when one's popular."

"Glad to meetcha. 'M name's Rix'nah'vee, jes' a minstrel with a long stride, itchy feet, and sound pipes. Most folks hereabouts call me Rix. Feel free. And who now has the pleasure of offering me this fine seat?"

Rix' startling blue eyes go once around the table, assessing the party. He curls a strand of dark hair back behind one ear and raises his other hand, signalling a server for a drink, which is brought promptly by a bubbling server, who's shoed away with the promise of a good song later. It's obvious he's a regular and very well liked, at least by the serving wenches. His drink of choice appears to be a smooth apple honey mead, which he savors in slow sips while slouching back in his chair.

The hand with the mead in it rests easily alongst the table and his other hand drums the table as he waits for your response. It's not an impatient drumming, more like someone who's part and parcel of music and can't let the beat go. Even though it's a simple beat of knuckles on wood, you find yourself slightly invigorated after the days travel and the beat almost makes you want to tap your toes along in harmony.

Rix occassionally purses his sensually shaped mouth into a pucker and whistles softly a tune to match his drumming as he sits with your party.

"Alister Flaga, baker of breads and slayer of beast.  Good to meet you Rix.  My companions are Lynsande..."  He gestures with an open hand to Lynsande.  Alister tried his best to introduce each one of his companion properly.  Then proceeds with Joseph and Aelynia.  "...then Joseph and Aelynia."

"Must be rough to travel along the black road, we had trouble dealing with a particular bandit group.  But before anything else do you mind satisfying my curiosity?"  Alister was smiling warmly, he was planning to ask something important.

"Well and good, that would depend," Rix says, not committing to anything. "What are you curious about? A tale? A song? A rumor? Got plenty of all."

"There should be a swamp just south of this city right?  Have you heard anything about that place, any tale that would fancy our ears?"  Alister seems curious.  He didn't like it when that particular power fails him, hopefully he still have his wits to depend on.

Rix's eyes gleam with satisfaction at capturing the interest of an audience. He signals for another mead and straightens his posture. A brief flash of his sharp white teeth show an almost predatory anticipation like a wolf going in for a successful kill. Here is a man who treats storytelling like the most serious of hunts evidently.

"Once when the world was younger yet, a great evil dragon queen was slain on a particular site and the site was buried to seal the taint of so vile a darkness. Time passed as it will and only the greatest of scholars and bards, such as myself, remembered the histories therein.'

'It came to pass that an altar was constructed to seal the evil into the earth and priests set to guard this altar from evil only they were not prepared when several thousands of years ago, Abylos (a warlike civilization) raided the great ziggurat of Ul-Khaz'kul within the ancient nation of Uru'Nuk, the very site I profess to tell you of, friend. It is said that the Abylos entered the temple, slaughtered the priests and priestesses, and desecrated the altar with their actions.'

'However, it was not a true coup, no, for the High Priest cast powerful magics which sunk the altar, this famed ziggurat, deep into the earth so that the evil wind which howled from the bowels of the slain queen's grave could not release its evil into the lands above. The poor priest in the doing doomed himself, the surviving holy ones, and the men of Abylos to imprisonment within the ziggurat. The warriors were eventually slain by the dragon queen's servants.'

'Tis said their souls cannot escape the altar, either. And the poor priestly personages are corrupted by the vile evil as well. It's said in olden times, that one could hear perversions of the old holy chants once said near the structure..."

Rix pauses to sip some mead, his voice which had fallen hushed with the telling, returned to normal. "It's a wicked tale of an old evil. Some would call it silly as no one finds its credible that Tiamat was slain there but gods have been known to die and come back, so I suppose it's possible, eh? So what do you think?"

Before you have a chance to speak, he adds with a nod to the map, "One of the legends associated with the sunken altar abound about an Inscribed Tablet etched with curious glyphs and a map with a legend written in a language that appears to resemble Infernal. I've never seen the Tablet, only professed rubbings of the etchings...which is what you appear to have in your possession. It's curious that you have it. I'm interested in the historical value but there are adventurers seeking the map for its rumored treasure within the altar."

"The treasure is not such that I would call it but weapons that were instrumental in slaying the dragon queen are said to be within the Ziggurat: a spear, a bow, a knife, and a mace. However, I find it more interesting that there are stirrings amongst the guise of those who worship a black scorpion interested in seeking out that altar and raising the essence of the great evil back to a semblance of controlled power."

Rix settles back in his chair. "But that is all I know, and the last speculation, though activities on the trade route seem support this great Bard's theories. So again, I ask, what do you think, Holy One?"

(OOC: The last question he has directed at Alistair.)

Alistair, in the telling of the tale, also experiences a subtle shift of thought in the back of his mind.

"I..."  Alister paused briefly as he hatch something on his mind.  Tyr was pretty quick on dropping a hint on his lap.  "Wanna go with us?"

"I?" Rix looks astounded at the offer, pausing in the sip of his mead. He glances consideringly at the party around the table. "Hmm. What do your companions say, is what I think. I haven't heard from them as of yet. Also, you don't know much about me."

"Granted, I'm a par excellent bard, so I understand the appeal," Rix says modestly, shooting Alistair a sly glance from beneath his lowered lashes.

Aelynia sat quietly on Joseph's lap.  She was so small that she was easily able to sit back within the circle of his arm without causing him any trouble.  The monk listened to the tale, rumors, and conjectures without a word.  Such a thing could be possible, she realized.  And she was, of course, just the kind of person that should try to stop any kind of evil from returning to scour the land she cared about, the people she so loved.  So when Alistair pretty much said that they were going, Aelynia gave him a soft smile.  It was quite simply the right thing to do.

Lysande had been quietly trying to figure out the meaning of the map by herself but unsuccessfully. Her attention returned to the present and Rix'nah'vee's presence as it was. "Sorry I was a bit distracted. Lysande Nenuial, of the Evermeet Nenuial." she introduced herself with a curteous nod for there wasn't enough room to take a bow. The sun elf looked at the bard, assessing what she saw. While he didn't look like he was an asset to fighting monsters, his knowledge might prove useful in a ruin where past knowledge could become a life-saver. For a brief second she regretted not having paid more attention to ancient history lessons, but she also remembered the fun she had when out hunting or practicing the art.

"Black Scorpio... Tiamat? - Now that seems more than a coincidence."

"Perhaps they did not slay Tiamat but one of her avatars or another form of incarnation. That would seem more believable.

I think having your talents with us could be sensible. There may be times we would appreciate an uplifting song while surrounded by dark shadows. Joseph, Aelynia? What do you think?"

Aelynia looked up at Joseph.  She saw no reason to deny Alister's suggestion, but perhaps Joseph knew something she didn't.

Joseph hadn't really been paying attention, those kinds of tales weren't really his favorites, and he doubted it'd be important.  So, when people started to talk about it, and about this bard going with them, he really wasn't sure what they would be setting off to do.  Trusting Aelynia, however, he nodded slowly.  "We should rest before going anywhere - at least one night's sleep in a proper room would do good, I feel," he spoke quietly after a few moments.

"Very well then, I shall accompany you. I hope you don't mind being written into song and legend," Rix says with a sideways glance. "I'm afraid my adventures are oft used for song fodder."

"I can tell you on your map that the numerals 1-4 refer to the different routes available for accessing the ancient holy place. Take your pick of the following and let me know so I might prepare for the journey. I say we if you're agreeable, it would be better to journey after the hottest part of the day is over, perhaps late afternoon to evening to twilight and night in the interests of avoiding the perils of the desert."

Rix sips his mead and starts to decipher some of the map.

"The fast river, Laeon. Clear of creatures. cataracts and rapids.

The slow river, Urudu. Full of creatures.

Direct travel through the swamp itself.

Travel up from the ocean."

"Hmm, these are remarkably sparse instructions. Which route shall we take?"

Lysande pondered the options for a while.

Option one: The fast river, Laeon. She did like the idea of avoiding contact with creatures, apparently not having to fight anyone or anything, but the thought of cataracts and rapids made her shudder, she couldn't swim and drowning felt like such a waste of her life. Even if they tramped along the sides, they would have to climb the falls.

Option two: The slow river, Urudu. Slow was good, wasn't it? Could they travel along its banks? Again the thought of meeting a wet death didn't appeal to her at all, so travel by boat wasn't really on her mind.

Option three: Direct travel through the swamp itself. "And add insects, crocodiles and other nasties plus the risk of vanishing in a sinkhole." Definately a no go.

Option four: Travel up from the ocean. Well, that did seem to be acceptible, although the way would be much longer but what meant time to an elf?

"Unless anyone has a good reason to object, I would suggest we take the route from the sea. It seems to be the one with the least dangers involved and it makes no sense to chose a more dangerous path if we need our strengths for the real enemy." Lysande said, gently stroking Aluvendar's neck, his favorite spot.

"Wait, the temple is inside the swamp?"  Alister asked.

---
The ocean route meaning the moonsea?

"Perhaps the Moonsea. Truth to tell,there's no idea how old or accurate this map is nor whom wrote it. I have no idea the frame of reference. If it was the Moonsea, there's got to be a tributary or maybe an ocean underground?"

Rix considers the map. "I'm not entirely sure. It'd help to know the starting point of whoever wrote the map or tablet. Maybe it was so long ago the geography has changed?"

"In any event, I don't think the ocean's viable any longer. Or maybe there was an ocean prior to the start of the Anauroch Desert. I heard tell that it's a magical desert."

"So all that is left is going there directly?  Whether its watery or sandy we still have to go there regardless.  Yes, I like the desert more than a river filled  up to brim with unspeakable horrors."  Alister later asks the barkeep is there is room available.

Rix sits back from the table and stares at the map pensively, alternately pushing and pulling his spread fingertips together and back. He meets your gaze directly, "So, plan for a trip directly from the desert straight through the swamp, then? Shall I meet you back here within one day? I'd like to provision myself before we head out. Also, is there any information you need from me now? Otherwise, I'll likely start shopping tonight."

Joseph didn't say anything, but he looked forward to moving out.  Slowly, he stood up, placing Aelynia in the seat he'd used, and whispered that he'd be right back, going over to the bar to procure a room for Aelynia and himself.

Whatever shopping you are going to do and whatever provisions you are going to take, you may consider your character doing that prior to meeting Rix tomorrow to leave on the trip. Unless you have an encounter you want or need RP, please post in the adventure thread from now on.

ooc: posted yesterday from my mobile but it didn`t get through. I suggested looking for a map of the same age as the paper we found. If necessary go to Evereska to check the library there.

OOC:  I have a feeling Joseph and Alister would be forced to wait at the 'door' if we go there, though.  :p

You might also consider the bard has likely done some information gathering for your group as well, since you have effectively made him an ally for the time being.