Through the branches of Hangman's Tree, a chill wind blows. Crickets chirp in the wet grass below. A silver moon, nearly full, illuminates the road south to the distant Brecconary and north to Rimuldar not far away. Unfortunately for the bandits waiting to pounce on a coach, the moon's silver rays work against concealment.

Like a squirrel, Frank crept out from the trunk on a low hanging branch. From here, he figures, he should be able to pounce on the carriage as it passes beneath. Hopefully, there will be enough leaves to hide him.

Iridia stands by the tree, waiting.

Not long before the moon reaches its peak, a lantern-bearing carriage becomes visible down the road. It makes its way closer at a trot. Two horses pull the coach and a single driver sits atop it. There is no luggage visible.

By the time it reaches Hangman's Tree, Iridia and Frank can see the driver, an ordinary man dressed in a plain traveling cloak and wide-brimmed hat.

Iridia was leaning back on the tree, her legs crossed and her hips moving slowly back and forth. She was getting impatient. She would have entertained herself by exchanging words with Frank, but she still kept her decision of giving him the silent treatment for a while.

Once the carriage was in sight, Iridia became a little worried since there was no luggage atop it, "There is no luggage, frank, are you sure you should jump?" She whispered up to Frank as she waved her hand, beckoning the carriage to stop.

Frank sees the coach approach, but no luggage to accompany it's passengers. Perhaps there is some on the rack on the back, but not visible from where he is sitting. Then the necklace would in the carriage, most likely on a passengers neck. Then there would be little point of him getting beaten to bits for it. Frank looks into the carriage. If he could see someone wearing it, he could just sit this one out. But then why wouldn't he, or she, not carry any luggage at all?

[Private to GM: 15:10, Today: Frank the Fiddler rolled 8 using 3d6. Observation, lvl 11. Thisn't is to see into the coach, that would be a secret roll for you. I want to know what kind of carriage this is, daily commute or long distance?]

Brecconary is quite a distance away, so the coach should be carrying some luggage. However, it's entirely possible that it's inside with the passengers. The curtains are drawn so there's no way to see inside.

Curtains drawn, no external luggage, a dark and ominous rider; These people aren't just expecting trouble, they are practically looking for it. Frank is having serious doubts about their plan. Maybe it's a trap! Maybe Iridia could see it as well, but if she were to get in the coach, she'd be dead! Sure, they aren't on speaking terms, but this is a bit more serious than a little quarrel. But how he warn her now, with the coach so close!

OOC: I don't know how risky the situation is, but Frank probably would know. So if Iridia gets in the coach he would weigh his chances of getting caught if he drops down on the back, and if the penalty would be 5 or less, he would hop on. If Iridia thinks it's a trap too, he wouldn't even bother.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Wed 29 Oct 2008.

The coach arrives at the Hangman's Tree.

"Hellooooo!" Iridia called the coach's driver while she waved her hand high in the air, "Please stop!"

----

[Private to GM: 12:25, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 8 using 3d6. Observation.]

"Whoa!" the man commands his horses as he pulls back on the reins.

"What seems to be the trouble?" His wide-brimmed hat shadows his face from the moonlight, but Iridia can tell he's an older man, slender and wind-weathered with crows feet in the corners of his eyes. His stubble is gray, as is most of his short hair, though some black remains.

Iridia quickly hobbled towards the side of the driver's seat of the coach. She placed a hand on her chest politely as if she was out of breath. She looked at the driver with pleading eyes.

"Oh, thank you for stopping sir." Iridia said with pleading eyes, "You are heading for Rimuldar, right? Do you have room for one more? I... I am afraid of going back by myself."

[Private to GM: 12:12, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 9 using 3d6. Acting.]

"Certainly, my lady. Have a seat."

Frank eyes the driver. He doesn't look like a lawmen, but still...
Maybe he should tag along, just in case...
Or maybe he'd just screw up again.
Frank braces himself, ready to jump when the wagon wobbles, and waits...

OOC: What room is there on the back of the coach? Could one hide there without being in full view of the driver? Is there a back-window for the passengers?

"Oh thank you, thank you, sir!" Iridia said estatically, but then stared at the driver for a bit, then at the road ahead, then at the coach, "Um, sir, can I ride in the couch? Please... this road is too cold forboding. Please, if its not a burden to those inside." Iridia was hugging herself, trying to show that she was shivering. Her eyes were also teary, with a fearful feeling of what lies ahead.

[Private to GM: 12:30, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 9 using 3d6. Acting.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:01, Thu 30 Oct 2008.

^{OOC: Stripe, on behalf of Iridia Silvermane, rolled 13 using 3d6. Reaction Roll.}

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm afraid you'll have to keep me company up here," the driver says as he leans over to offer his hand up. "I don't want to wake Lady Devonshire at this hour. Rimuldar's just up the road a short piece."

Dere's a lady in de carriage, and she's asleep! She has de necklace and stealing it will be easy, if only someone could get in dere. Someone who dey didn't know was on the coach in de first place...
Frank quickly drops down behind the coach, he spits his hand and waits for Iridia to climb on to grab onto the rear end.

[Private to GM: Frank the Fiddler rolled 10 using 3d6. Acrobtics, lvl14, dropping from tree.
Frank the Fiddler rolled 13 using 3d6. For whatever skill covers 'hanging from the back of a coach'.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:48, Fri 31 Oct 2008.

If, by any chance, Frank heard the driver talking about the woman in the back, he probably would attempt to get inside. Iridia decided it would be wiser for her to act as a distraction. Iridia nodded slowly, then extended her hand for the driver to help her get up.

"Thank you, thank you, mister." Iridia said once besides the driver, she sat down next to him and folded her hands politely on her lap. Iridia leaned sligtly on the man. Her body was too close for a girl and a man she just met. He could smell her fragrance, and feel her side pressed onto his. "You don't mind, do you? I am so tired."

[Private to GM: 16:06, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 11 using 3d6. Sex Appeal (To focus the driver's attention on Iridia). Level 13.]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:07, Fri 31 Oct 2008.

Dahn shahp edges, gonna end up with me hands sliced up. Now to climb to the coach door...
Frank starts to ease his way to the side of the carriage (the side which Iridia is sitting).

With Iridia having captured the driver's full, undivided attention, Frank is able to sneak up behind him. The coach moves down the road at a trot, nearing where Gaiven and Whisper hide.

Frank opens the door of the coach and crawls inside. His fists clench as he surveys the inside for any awake people and then the necklace.

[Private to GM: Perseception, lvl12, roll by GM.]

^{OOC: Stripe, on behalf of Frank the Fiddler, rolled 11 using 3d6. Climbing.
Stripe, on behalf of Frank the Fiddler, rolled 9 using 3d6. Stealth.}

---

In the darkness, Frank sees one old woman in a dress sleeping. There are four traveling bags opposite of her.

The woman is wearing two necklaces, one being pearls and the other being silver.

Just my luck. We're asked to steal a single necklace and sure enough, she's wearing two. And that's assuming there are none in the bags. Hmmmm, now if there are any in the bag, they surely would be in some sort of safe or sturdy container...
Frank carefully unclasps both necklaces and then turns his attention to the traveling bags. He feels around inside for a hard box or a metal link.

[Private to GM:  01:43, Today: Frank the Fiddler rolled 8 using 3d6. Pickpocket, lvl12, stealing necklaces.
01:45, Today: Frank the Fiddler rolled 6 using 3d6. Stealth, lvl14 feeling bags.
Secret roll by GM Touch, lvl 12 feeling the bags]

Frank selects the silver necklace first as he supposes it looks more "magical" than the other. He puts his hands around her neck, unhappy about the amount of contact he has to make, and about the possibility of bumps along the way jarring her awake. Nevertheless, his nimble fingers work deftly in the darkness, completely unclasping the jewelry. Carefully, he removes it from its owner and drops it into his pocket.

Again, the thief leans in to begin the process anew. Just as he gets his hands behind her slender neck, the coach hits a bump.

Seconds later the woman is screaming.

Startled, the coachman reins the horses to stop.

Hearing the screams Gaiven quickly nudges Whisper, and points urgently at the coach.

Frank thinks fast. Would they be nearing Whisper at this time
He rips of the second necklace and speaks in his most grating and evil tones:
"Yes, I, the dheam-man, have taken your lifelines, and now I will set my monsteh of nightmahes upon you, Mhahaha!"
He makes his way to the door on the far end of the coach (Iridia's side) and lounges out of the car.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Wed 05 Nov 2008.

Pearls go skittering across the floor as Frank bursts through the coach's door. He lands on his feat.

In the silver glow of the moon, the driver stands up, draws a large knife and yells, "You! Stop where you are, bandit!"

'Horse dung! Frank messed up again!' Iridia cursed him in her mind. She was still on the driver's seat. She stood up and looked at the situation.

As it is, Frank could possibly outrun the Driver. But what about herself? Should she stay or flee? If she does the latter, she will be a suspect and might have to answer for the law a second time, if she stays and does nothing, the driver might suspect that she was in collaboration with Frank and the result would be the same. Iridia brainstormed possible solutions for this situation. A wicked smile was drawn on one side of her lips.

"Its him! Its him!" Iridia cried, "He's the man who have been stalking me! I thought I outran him when I hitched with you, sir!"

'Run you fool! Run!' Iridia tried telling Frank with her eyes, which ofcourse isn't possible.

[Private to GM: 11:18, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 7 using 3d6. Acting. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Thu 06 Nov 2008.

Frank runs like a bat out off hell, into the shadows of the nightly forest.

[Private to GM: I don't know the roll for running, but Frank's Base Speed is 6 (and so is his base Move) and his encumbrance level is 0.]

Whisper shook his head as the screams erupted from the coach,

"So much for that."

Staring at the coach, Whisper concentrated a few moments.

OOC: Cast 3 hex radius Darkness (Cost 5 FP) centered on coach or driver, whichever is closer to Frank.

Frank makes his escape as the coach is plunged into magical darkness.

Frank takes cover beside the road and start looking for Whisper and Gaiven
Please let this right necklace. Where are those guys anyway?

The bandits find each other quickly.

Frank hold forth the silver necklace, with look of pleading in his face.
"Please tell me this is the one, and that it's not supposed to be a pearl necklace."

Gaiven's eyes widens as Frank begins to make his way towards his and Whisper's hiding spot. Before Frank reaches them, he begins to stealthily make his way away from Frank and the coach.

OOC: 11 against Stealth 14

"Where is he going? Ogh, schew him, Whisper this the one right?"
Frank Crouches down in the bushes next to Whisper.

[Private to GM: 00:03, Today: Frank the Fiddler rolled 13 using 3d6. Hiding in the bushes. Stealth, lvl14]

'Oh, this must be the wizard. Nice effect!' Iridia thought when the place was enveloped in darkness. Faking a scream of fear, Iridia then ran away from the carriage and tried to go and rendezvous with the others.

Climbing down from the coach while utterly blind isn't easy, but the cat burglar is accustomed to working in the dark. She manages to climb down and get clear of the magical sphere of utter blackness. By the time the spell's effect dissipates, Iridia is able to find her way to Frank in the woods.

Whisper stared at the necklace in Frank's hand's, looking up at Frank's face his eyes grew wide,

"This is the only one?  Wasn't there another?"

Slowly a smile grew upon his face,

"Just means we get to collect some money!"

Whisper tried to be quiet, but the thought of actually making some money had him excited

Frank, although relieved to have the right one, does not appreciate the joke.
"You butt-hole, don't pull phanks like dat at a time like dis! Why didn't you just tell us dat it was a silvehy one anyway!"

"Oh, there you are." Iridia appeared around a tree, she looked behind her shoulder to make sure no one was following her then approached the group.

"So... did you get it?" Iridia asked Frank, and then noticed Gaiven was not around. "Where is Gaiven?"

Gaivn is nowhere to be found.

In time, the driver reins his horses to a fast trot toward Rimuldar.

Frank shows Iridia the necklace.
"Right here. Did the dhiveh check on the passenger, or are we in the cleah?
...
So I'll hang on to the necklace, and we'll meet de coming evening at the havens claw, right? Gaiven sais he'd be there and we'll give him a good howleh."

"Great! Good job Frank!" Iridia was genuinely applauding him, "I don't know, I slipped away when Whisper here did some kind of magic trick that covered the area in darkness. Anyways, are you sure you aren't going to lose the necklace Frank? Maybe its best that I keep it."

"Well, alright, but don't you dare lose it."

Iridia took the necklace from Frank and examined it in her hand. She contemplated putting it on, but quickly brushed the idea away. Instead, she tucked it away in her brassiere.

"So, shall we head back?" She asked the two men.

"Sure. Its not as if it will rain gold if we stay here."
Frank starts trotting back to town.

After Whisper has a look at the road to see if any stray pearls were left in the dirt -- and finds three -- the group heads back to town, veering off the road before arriving. They duck in through a side alley and slip through the lower ward into the night.

A white haired head peers about the corners of an alleyway. The roads were empty save for the stray cat here and there. Rimuldar was fast asleep. Heading back towards her companions, Iridia stretched her hands up and yawned.

"I am heading back to my shambles of a home." Iridia whispered, careful not to awake anyone in town. "We are meeting at next midnight, right?"

"So no chance of me staying over at your place, right?"
The worlds smallest violin plays a requiem for Frank and all the other homeless in the city.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Mon 10 Nov 2008.

Iridia folded her arms and arched an eyebrow. She seemed amused with Frank's proposition. A small smile drew upon her lips.

"Well, well, well... Aren't you bold today?" Iridia's tone was deeper, bordering seductive. She stepped closer to Frank and looked him straight in the eye. While the idea of her and Frank sleeping in the same room did not appeal to her, she contemplated teasing him a bit. "You can come..."

"For real!?! Yes! I'm getting a good night tonight!"
Drawing a big cheesy smile, it takes Frank a while to realize that he's not just get a warm bed. When that thought crosses his mind, he falls silent and the smile is replaced with a head so red, it would make roses pale in comparison.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Mon 10 Nov 2008.

In another time, in another place elsewhere in Rimuldar, a coach arrives at the front gates. "Guards! Guards!" the driver yells as he nears the wooden threshold. Ever since the empire's shadow crept over the city, soldiers were posted at all three of the city's main thoroughfares.

One of the two black-clad soldiers posted on either side, holding a spear and shield, answers. "What urgency do you wish to report?" It was a standard reply given on almost all circumstances. Requesting the assistance of an Imperial Soldier without just cause was a crime.

"Highwayman! They stole Lady Devonshire's necklace! I think they made off with a young lass as well!"

"Oh, yes you would..." Iridia continued the act. Before she headed out, she turned to Whisper. "What are you going to do now?"

"I really don't want my money getting too far out of my sight.  So I go where it goes."   Whisper glanced at Frank as his face grew hot and chuckled.

Iridia, Frank and Whisper return to her home in the Lower Ward, a small elongated shed built against a bakery.

When Frank and Whisper arrive, they find a humble interior furnished with crates in place of chairs and tables. In one corner, blankets and a mattress are draped over a row of crates. On the same wall is a make-shift dressing table that has an old mirror, a collection of combs, and a small chair.

There are two entrances to her humble home; one leads to the bakery in front, and the other opens to the alleyway.

The three slip inside the back and agree on arrangements. Soon, they are sleeping...

Whisper awakens to a clatter and thud coming from the next room. He isn't too alarmed as Iridia explained the bakery normally began its day's work before sunrise. However, the mage isn't accustomed to the noise and another bump in the night wakes his mind just before it drifts back to sleep. A few moments later, and a woman's singing and the clatter of pots and pans keep him awake.

Frustrated, Whisper is mentally cursing the woman and her insufferable singing and dish washing. How does Iridia ever get any sleep!? He looks over and sees the beautiful woman fast asleep in her bed.

That's when he hears the woman's startled gasp coming from the next room as if she had discovered a dead rat in the dough or a hissing snake under a pot. Heavy boots rumble against the hardwood floor.

"We're here for the girl," comes a dark and gravelly voice. "Where is she?"

"zzz... hmmmm Iri hmmmm tickles ...zzz...zz*
uh... mohning Whispeh
...
Why are dey in such a rush to get us into de stocks. It's not like it will leave at high noon. Iri, wake up!"
Frank nudges Iridia.

[Private to GM: Frank the Fiddler rolled 11 using 3d6. to wake up. IQ 12.]

"Hmmmmm.... just another five, mama." Iridia moaned as Frank nudged her. She mustered all her strength just to raise her eye lids slightly, just enough to see Frank.

"Ah, you are still here?!" Iridia said through a yawn as she stretched herself in the bed, "Whats going on?"

"It's the guards, they're already here to pick us up, but I didn't expect them till after sunrise. Why are they so early?"

"I need you both to get to the door, quickly!"

As they all moved to the door, Whisper took a few steps and began casting spells on the trio.

Blood had begun to trickle from his nose as Whisper moved to open the door.

"Now go! You haven't much time!"

Once they were gone, Whisper cast another spell upon himself, causing yet more blood to flow from his nose.  Once he blinked from sight, he followed the others outside, staggering as he went.

OOC: Cast invisibility using 3 FP and 1 HP per person (Total 9 FP, 3 HP spent)

[Private to Stripe: Whisper rolled 6 using 3d6. roll vs skill 15-3 for using 1 HP and having 2 spells on
Whisper rolled 9 using 3d6. roll vs skill 15-2 for using 1 HP and having 1 spell on
Whisper rolled 14 using 3d6. roll vs skill 15-1 for using 1 HP.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Sat 15 Nov 2008.

"Wha- How?" Iridia muttered in disbelief, "Shades be damned..."

'The guards are onto me? How? How did they know I live here? We weren't followed...' Iridia asked herself. She knew there was no time to think about it at this moment.

Iridia moved down from the bed. She was still in her sleeping gown. Her basic plan was to barricade the door to the shop, and slip out the back silently. But just as she was heading to barricade the door, Whisper told Frank and her to move to the backdoor. She didn't know what his plan was, but she knew that he has magic. So she fetched a cloak and wore it, covering all but a small part of her sleeping gown.

Seeing Whisper bleed and stagger as he cast the invisibility spell, Iridia attempted to help him, but he was quick to shoo them off. "Just don't lag behind, friend. Come Frank." Iridia said before heading out.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:51, Sat 15 Nov 2008.

Mass confusion errupts as the door to the alley opens. Three black-clad soldiers were standing outside in the alley, waiting for the soldiers advanceing inside to flush the occupants out the back. When the door opens, they draw their batons and wait to rush upon those exiting.

However, both Frank and Iridia are invisible so they are unable to see them. Iridia gasps as soon as she sees the scowling soldiers, but then realizes that she's been rendered invisible by Whisper's magic.

Behind them, three balck-clad soldiers burst through the door and stride into the room.

"Come out!" one commands as he kicks one of Iridia's boxes.

The three soldiers in the alley rush inside, pushing through Frank and Iridia. Whisper is still inside, but is able to make good his escape

Her heart thumping, Iridia made her way through the backalleys of the lower ward. She didn't realize it at this moment, but her life in public had porbably just ended. It was then that she remembered. Iridia forgot to pickup the necklace which she placed on the dressing table. Its a decision now between the risk of going back for it or the safety of running away empty handed.

Stopping dead in her tracks almost immediately, Frank would have almost bumped into her. Standing in her spot, as if frozen, Iridia was trembling with fear on the inside.

"Frank... The amulet." Iridia said and began to snivel softly, "Its back inside. I forgot it. I'm sorry."

----

OOC: Replaced sob with snivel.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:50, Sun 16 Nov 2008.

Whisper nearly fell as the man pushed by him, his hand grasping the walls for support.  Casting spells using ones very life source was dangerous, but given the penalty for stealing such a necklace, it was worth it.

Moving out into the alley, Whisper found a dark place to sit and wait out this storm.

[Private to Stripe: Even seeing Iridia in her next to nothing nightgown wouldn't keep Whisper from the necklace.  He knew where it was and would clutch it to his chest and sneak past the guards as quickly as possible.

Secret Roll: Whisper rolled 12 using 3d6. C'mon BIG BRAINS DON'T FAIL ME!. ]

Frank had been pushed in by the advancing guard and was now stuck inside Iridia's cramped house with 6 guards. Moving silently he has to contort his body in the weirdest of ways to avoid bumping into any of them. If he hadn't brushed that blond guard's hair, he would have had a perfect limbo. Snatching up the necklace, he's good to go, and cossacks his way to the nearest (open) door.

OOC:
Frank the Fiddler rolled 12 using 3d6. Stealth, lvl 14.
Frank the Fiddler rolled  7 using 3d6. remembering where the necklace is. IQ=12
Frank the Fiddler rolled 15 using 3d6. Acrobtics, lvl14, evading the guards.
There is an optional rule on p.347 that allows a failure to be bought into success for 1 kp. If you will allow it I want to use that here, and have Goldilocks here think it was just the wind.
Frank the Fiddler rolled  6 using 3d6. Filch: lvl13, taking the neckace.

"Frank? Frank are you there?" turned around and asked through her sniveling. She couldn't even feel him there. It made her feel very lonely. Iridia just lost her home, is pursued by guards, and is separated from her friends.

Not knowing what to do, Iridia merely stood in her place, and decided to wait a few moments. Perhaps Frank or Whisper made it out too.

Frantically, Frank searches for the necklace as the soldiers begin to thrash around the shed, kicking and pushing things over, stomping on floor planks to listen for hollow spots, and throwing things around. There's hardly enough room for all seven to be in the small, cramped living space standing still, let alone with all the commotion. Two soldiers stand outside at the door to the alley, taking the displaced crates, blankets and other things and tossing them outside.

Frank starts to panic. It quickly becomes impossible to search for the necklace, but at the same time, he realizes it's become a daring obstacle course to reach either of the two doors with all of the soldiers in the way. After 10 heart-pounding seconds, Frank rules out finding the necklace. Instead, he makes his way on all fours toward the door to the bakery, dodging the soldiers' legs.

Suddenly, another man appears in the threshold just in time to block his exit: tall and slender to the point of gauntness, his skin is a pallid sheet of white, which starkly contrasts the well-worn, black, ankle-length overcoat he wares. It has a high collar and two rows of silver buttons.

"What is taking so long?" He glances over at one of the soldiers, upper lip curled in a snarl.

"Inspector, we have found no one. There does not appear to be any trap doors or secret places."

"Did you search with your eyes open, captain? I assure you he is here."

"Of course, inspector. But where?"

The inspector locks eye contact with the soldier for a second, then suddenly looks down at his feet.

Frank is stunned. The inspector seemed to be looking him right in the eyes! Frank scoots back, his skin crawling.

"Toss me your sword, captain."

In the next instant, the inspector catches a gleaming sword and begins advancing on the invisible thief, murder in his eyes.

"Stand up, boy, or I shall run you through."

Yeah, right. I may have lost the necklace, but I won't lose my life. Frank thinks to himself, as he ducks underneath the blade and rolls to the door.


[Private to GM: Frank the Fiddler rolled 6 using 3d6. Acrobtics, lvl14, rolling.]

Nimble and wiry, Frank evades the inspector with practiced ease. His heart races even faster than his invisible hands and feet scramble though the door. A half-second later and he's on his feet sprinting as fast as he can. That's when he hears the inspector call out a phrase that sounds like a sting of curses in a foreign language.

Frank's muscles suddenly seize in a full-body cramp and he goes crashing to the floor. His whole body is tensed as if he were flexing every muscle. While not painful, it's certainly uncomfortable, not to mention completely debilitating. He's helpless.

Then, as suddenly as it came upon him the curse is lifted and Frank's body is released.

"Stay where you are, boy."

The inspector strides slowly over to where Frank lays and then around to his other side. As he walks, two soldiers enter the bakery from Iridia's home but stay near the door, watching the inspector.

"Captain, bring a chair." The man points to a place on the floor near Frank's feet with his sword. One of the soldiers does as he commands, sliding a nearby chair from the bakery to the spot. The inspector's cold, black eyes never leave Frank's. "Have a seat, boy."

When Frank doesn't instantly respond by jumping right into the chair, the man hunches down closer to Frank and adds in a lower tone full of malice, "We can do this the easy way. Or, we can do this the hard, long, painful way."

Suddenly, Frank becomes visible.

Peeking around the corner a good distance away from her house, the now-visible Iridia witnessed a tall, thin man interrogating Frank inside the bakery.

'Oh no.' She covered her mouth in horror, then turned around and hurried away with tearful eyes. 'I am sorry. So sorry. I don't want to die.'

She made her way to the Raven's Claw hideout, seeking refuge. She sticked to moving in the alleyways, and always peeked around the corners, lest there be any guards.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Wed 19 Nov 2008.

Frank adjusted his seat in the chair, and sighed.
"Ok, you caught me. Now, who the heck are you, and why is somebody as powerful as you dragging in block-heads?"

Nearly four hours have passed since the empire tore Iridia's life to shreds and stole Frank away to do the gods know what with him. The dawn came and went; the sun now climbs higher in the sky. People hustle and bustle about. Iridia isn't accustomed to being out this early in the morning.

Iridia wandered through the alleyways away from her home. She felt aimless and looked like she was right out of an insane asylum. Her face and hair were dishevelled since she had awoken on such an event, the eyes were flowing with tears, and her nose was running.

A few blocks away, Iridia tripped and fell on the dirty ground ahead. For a moment, she just lay there, as if unconcious. A while later she moved up and sat on the ground while leaning on the wall of the alley. Iridia just sat there, hugging her knees and burying her face in them. Her body and mind did not catch up to what had just happened. Her breathing was heavy at the begining, but it slowly began to regulate as she regained her senses.

'The guards came for me at my home.' Iridia began recounting what happened.

'My home, my life, and Frank... are all gone.'

'But, why? Did they know we stole the Dragon's Tooth? That is impossible. Even if that worm saw our faces, they could never find us based on that alone. Was it magic? Did someone tell on us?' Iridia brainstormed the situation. None of the conclusions she reached were likely.

'Thats not important, Iridia. Now, you must survive. You can't die here. You are still young and beautiful. You must hide and wait this out. But where?' Iridia wiped her face clean with her hand, atleast, as clean as it could be done with bare hands, then looked around, half expecting to find a guard coming for her.

'You could hide at Darion's...' Iridia pondered on the thought for a moment, then shook her head vigorously. 'No, that won't do. They will probably ask that old geezer at the bakery about my friends. Can't go to any friend's place. You should go to a place where no one but you knows... Where could that be?'

Iridia's face suddenly brightened up a bit as she snapped a finger while slashing at the air sideways. 'Thats it! The Gargoyle's place! As unpleasant as it is, its the only place, for now.'

So, Iridia got up, and headed there. She stuck to the alleyways, and moved ahead cautiously.

[Private to GM: 00:47, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 1 using 1d20. vs in 11 IQ for not hiding at a friend's. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Wed 19 Nov 2008.

Unfortunately for Iridia, the Raven's Claw Pawn and Consignment isn't open. She had never been there this early before, but it stands to reason that the old stone vulture doesn't come in until afternoon some time. He's almost always there past midnight.

Just when everything seems lost, Iridia sees someone she knows lurking in the shadows toward the shop...

...Whisper!

Seeing the puffy face of Iridia, Whisper knew immediately that she had been crying.  Feeling a bit of pity run through his body, he pondered to himself,

Was she scared or was there something else?

Whisper looked down the alley both directions, looking for faces that looked out of place.  When he was confident that no one new was lurking nearby, he motioned for the young woman to join him in the shadows.  Once she was there, he continued to look down the street for anyone that might have caught glimpse of the girl even as he bean to ask her questions,

"Where's Frank and where's the necklace?"

Whisper catches another, somewhat familiar face in the background. He's seen the kid before; the cutpurse is about the same age as Whisper and Iridia. He sees the pair, but doesn't come directly over. Instead, he comes around the block and turns down the alley.

Approaching, he flashes a quick and partially concealed Raven's Claw hand sign.

"You two hear the news? 'Dog' got ran through the meat grinder down behind the Quiet Lady. They found Jeremy tied hanging by his legs down a couple blocks. Skinned alive they say. Missing his tongue."

Jeremy was a good-natured boy who probably should have been running with a tough crowd. "Dog" was the street name for another urchin. He was more of a thug than a cutpurse. The Quiet Lady was a hole in the wall inn in the Lower Ward not far from the Raven's Claw.

"That's two in one night?"

A chill ran up whisper's back and he once again cast his eyes about the alley, looking for anyone unseen.  Focusing back on the kid before him, he spoke quietly,

"Anybody know who did it?  And have you seen the Fiddler?"

Iridia was very relieved to see Whisper, but her relieved face turned into a worried one when she saw the weakened form of Whisper.

'What happened to him?' She chose not to ask.

Iridia followed Whisper quitely to the hidden corner. When he asked about Frank, Iridia looked down on the floor. She was about to explain the situation when the third Raven's Claw member showed up.

As the boy gave them the grim news, Iridia started to shiver again. They said there was safety in numbers. Iridia didn't feel any safer like this.

"Make that three, Whisper... They got Frank too. I couldn't do anything." Iridia said with a mix of anger and sadness in her tone, "They are picking us off like flies."

"What, didja just get out of the dungeon? The Reaper. Who'd ya think?"

"Frank? What happened to Frank?"

"The guards took him." Iridia replied, "Wait, isn't the reaper just a myth? He can't be real!"

"The guards took him? Why?"

"Not believing in him won't bring back Dog or Jeremy."

"Why? We are not exactly your model citizens." Iridia replied sarcastically, "They must have known we stole the Dragon's Tooth. How, I do not know. It could be the work of a traitor... Or magic..." Iridia looked at Whisper, hoping he would say something on the matter.

"You guys stole a dragon's tooth? That's cool. So what did they do, come to his house?"

"Cool?" Iridia raised her head and leered at the boy, "Cool, you say?"

Iridia pushed the urchin towards the wall, pinning his shoulders with her hands.

"Frank is captured by the guards, and will probably get executed for it!" Iridia snapped, "And you say its cool?!"

In her anger and quick movement, Iridia's cloak fell behind her, revealing that she was still in her blue sleeping gown. Once she realized that, Iridia let go of the boy, picked up and wore her cloak again. She turned her back to the boy.

"I... I'm sorry, I am getting a little edgy... They came to my house at daybreak. Frank and Whisper here were staying there too." Iridia said then turned around to face him, "Whats your name?"

Grinning all the while, Joe didn't seem to mind Iridia's shove. He has a tough reputation as a brawler and letting a smaller, beautiful girl give him a push while throwing a cute tantrum wasn't going to besmirch it. Besides, he rather liked the attention. "It's alright. Just don't beat me up. It's Joe.

"Don't worry. They'll flog the shit out of him and turn him loose in a few. He'll be sore as hell, but no big deal.

"Where the hell did you guys get a dragon's tooth? What are they, like four feet long? Ha!"

Iridia wasn't impressed by the man's snide comment. She didn't feel it was the time and situation to have such an attitude. Iridia looked at Joe from head to toe with a measuring eye.

"I hope so. I've heard execution is the punishment for breaking into a house in the upper ward. Its where we stole the tooth." Iridia replied, her blue eyes shifted to the corners, straining to recall events that have only happened a couple days before. "The dragon's tooth is a diamond about this size." Iridia extended her hand and crossed her index finger at its last joint with her thumb. "Frank, Gaiven, and I did that job... I wonder where Gaiven is. He disappeared yesterday before we finished our job."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Thu 20 Nov 2008.

"Oh, shit. You lifted a rock in the U.W. and the shadow came down on you? Damn. That is a one way ticket to the gallows.

"Where you staying?"

Whisper stepped in before Iridia could answer,

"Better you didn't know, unless you'd like a rope necklace yourself.  Or worse."

Iridia was about to answer Joe when Whisper stepped in. He made her realize that she may have spoken too much.

"Yes, thats right." Iridia backed up Whisper, "There is no use speaking about this now. We need to get to the bottom of this. Whisper, do you have any idea how they could have tracked us? Also, we need a place to hide. You men know of any safehouse around?"

Joe grins, not looking at Whisper.

"You could stay at my place, till this all blows over."

"I think we will be ok."

Whisper leans in between Iridia and Joe, nearly pushing him, but making sure he captured Joe's eyes with his own.

"I know of a place we can go.  Too much talk can kill a man."

Pulling Iridia aside, he whispered to her quietly.

[Private to Iridia Silvermane: "Don't speak too much to anyone about what we have done.  I believe someone is tracking us down by ways that practically scream magic.  The less anyone knows the better.  By the way, how did they know it was you?"]

[Private to Stripe: As I haven't been seen by anyone in regards to my part in the crime, my lab might be a safe place.  Also might be good time to analyze the necklace.]

"You are right. I won't say anything about that anymore." Iridia whispered back, then thought about his question, "I don't know, Whisper. But as I have just said, I didn't leave anything behind. How does magic tracking work?"

Whisper shrugged, "Unfortunately I am not trained in such arts.  Now please do not speak of my abilities around those that could profit from reporting us."  Whisper shot a glance past Iridia to Joe.

"But, isn't he from the Raven's Claw?" Iridia hushed her voice even more."

"Many of these fools would sell us for but two pence or a bit of rum.  Trust no one, the less they know, the less they can tell someone who might be very... persuasive."

Joe's grin turned into a wide smile when Whisper delivered his not-so hidden threat. He leans back against the wall, hands in his pockets.

"Alright." Iridia nodded her head several times.

'I know I can trust Whisper. He wouldn't have went with us to my home or try to help us escape if he wanted to harm me.' Iridia began thinking about the people around her, 'Gaiven doesn't even know where I live, but if they can track us using magical means, then maybe he told them my name, and then they used it to track me! No, no, no! Is that thing even possible? Gaiven in all cases. Argh!' Iridia rubbed her head with both her hands, messing her hair up even more, then turned towards the wall and rested her elbows and head on it. She wasn't getting anywhere thinking alone about this. Iridia needed help, she needed a companion, a friend.

"I don't know what to do, what to think, or who to trust right now, Whisper." Iridia said faintly to whisper.

"Good then it's settled.  We need to go and stay out of sight for a while longer.  Let's go."

With that Whisper began walking off and at normal pace away from the other two, back through the city.

"And you might do well to hide your face a bit, it is you they seem to know."

OOC: Head to the "Lab"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:46, Sat 22 Nov 2008.

Iridia drapes the hood of her cloak over her head and follows Whisper closely.

Various streets and alleys guide Whisper and Iridia to his lab.  Not far removed from the poorer section of town, but nontheless still resembling it.  A normal looking door leads into a room filled with glass bottles and colorful puffs of smoke coming from all sorts of different sized appartus.

Tucked into the corner of this room is a bed, still unmade from the last time Whisper was here.  A stack of books stand next to the bed, their titles run from the mundane to the arcane.

Whisper lets Iridia in and checks the street behind them, looking for anyone that may have followed.  Once satisfied they weren't followed, he shut and locked the door.  Walking briskly he made his way across the room and as he passed Iridia he spoke,

"Try not to touch anything, don't want any explosions."

What could have been a joke was quite serious in Whisper's voice.  He continued checking on mixtures that seemed to be cooking on various burners about the room.

Iridia was awed by the wizard's home. It looked so alien and supernatural compared to her own. For an instant, she was so distracted by whats around her that she almost tripped over a table if not for Whisper alerting her.

She nodded, then proceeded to sit on his unkempt bed.

"Do you have some water?" Iridia asked, "I am parched."

She hadn't had anything to eat and drink since yesterday. And her rude awakening only helped to deteriorate her physical condition. Iridia looked as sick as ever.

Whisper looked about the room until his eyes fell on an empty beaker.  Retrieving it and filling it with water, he handed it to Iridia.

"They know your face.  No more daytime activities for you.  Stay here for a bit, I'm going to try and find out what's going on and what happened to Gaiven.  Don't open the door unless it's me.  I'm not expecting any visitors."

Once Iridia was as comfortable as she could be, Whisper opened the door to go out.  Stopping in the doorway he turned back to Iridia,

"Open it for only me."

With that he closed the door and ventured out into the street.

[Private to Stripe: If it's nighttime I'll go to the Raven's claw.]

Elsewhere in town, Gaiven awakens to the sound of people fighting. With a sigh, he turns over on his other side, and tries to fall asleep again, but the walls in his building are paper thin, and he has a first class seat to the domestic dispute in the room (apartment would be much to grand a description) next door.

It soon becomes apparent that he isn't going to get any more sleep, and instead he resorts to studying the ceiling, and its many mystery spots. Some are simply damp spots, and some are mold, but there are also spots that Gaiven has no idea the origin of.

His thoughts drift back to the nights activities and he frowns. He'd waited near the Lion's Gate for close to two hours before heading home, but hadn't seen the others. Of course, they could have used another gate. There were enough to chose from. But they might also have been captured.

They didn't know where he lived. And he wasn't the most noticeable person in town. He'd probably be safe, even if he'd be sorry to see Iridia go.

On the other side of the wall, the argument got louder, and added to it was the sound of smashing pottery.

Gaiven sighed. He has nothing to do, but lay here and wait, for at least half a day. Then he'd head towards Zuul's shop.

The burglar frowns. Well actually, there was something that he could do, that he had been putting off. Wrestling for a moment with his deep desire to stay indoors and leave as little presence on the streets as possible, he finally pushes himself off the bed, rolls up his blanket, and stuffs it into its hole in the wall.

Gaiven makes his way through the day-lit streets toward the tailor's shop. The small, run down shack didn't have a name, just a sign above the door with a needle and spool of thread. At least, that's what the sign pictured years ago. Now, the paint had faded and flaked to the point it was almost unrecognizable.

Still, the white-haired tailor Geppetto made good clothes for a modest sum. Rumor had it, he was once a tailor to the wealthy, but something about accidentally offending a bad-tempered noble had him working in the slums.

Gaiven steps inside, a little doorbell jingling above his head.

"Good day! What can I do for you my lad? Have a hole in your breeches?"

Gaiven licks his lips nervously, then taps his throat.

[Private to GM: And will do so again, if the tailor asks questions that seems to suggest that he hasn't understood that Gaiven is dumb]

Geppetto's eyebrow raises in a curious expression. "Got a sore throat, my lad? I hear it's going around now that the weather's turning chill. How can I help you?"


[Private to Gaiven the Dumb: OOC: You're still going to have to tell him what you need. ;)]

Iridia took the beaker from Whisper and gulped down its contents vocariously. Her thirst was quenched, and Iridia started to feel a little better. She still was tired and seemed at a loss of what to do.

"I know that, Whisper." Iridia said as she place the now empty beaker on a table near her. She already knew her public life was over, and that she could never return to her home anymore. Part of Iridia didn't want whisper to leave, but she couldn't muster the humility to ask him to stay. She only gave him a nod. An emotionally intellegent person could tell she didn't want to be left alone.

Whisper ducks in and out of the Lower Ward's back streets, visiting a few of his friend's houses. He learns that Frank's capture made the newspaper, along with a gory slaying. Apparently, a well-known imperial mage tracker named Kane raided and captured Frank, and is now after two of his accomplices in the burglary of an Upper Ward mansion. A short quote was included in the story, "We have one burglar in custody. Two more remain at large, but will be brought to justice directly. Thievery will not be tolerated in Rimuldar."

The paper says Frank's public execution will be scheduled at a later time.

Gaiven suppresses a frown as the tailor misunderstands him. However, there's nothing to do about that. Walking up to a table, he looks at some of the finished sets of cloths, and then points at one of the finer pieces, and then to himself.

Whisper seemed both happy and sad as he read the news.

"Two remain at large.  Heh, glad I wasn't there."

Whisper feels a bit bad for the poor young girl hiding out in his lab.

"Perhaps something to cheer her up.  And see if I can find out what this Kane character looks like."

Whisper quietly wandered off to shop.

[Private to Stripe: OOC: Off course I'll shop and get her some flowers perhaps or some fine clothes.  After that I'll head off to the claw, invisibly and make sure the coast is clear before trying to sell the necklace.]

Geppetto has a number of outfits for sale that catch Gaiven's eye. Shirts and tunics range in price from 2 sp to 3 sp. Pants about the same. If he wanted to purchace some well-used shoes here, Gaiven figures he could replace everything he had on for about 6 sp, and that would include a hooded cloak.

For about twice the money, Geppetto could tailor a new set of clothes for Gaiven.


[Private to Gaiven the Dumb: OOC: They can look however you'd like. ]

With more pointing and gesture, Gaiven picks out some cloths that seems to fit his size.

Retrieving his pouch from under his shirt, he counts out six silver, and passes them to Geppetto with a smile.

Geppetto smiles back, happy to do business. "You come back now, you hear?"

Gaiven smiles and nods, and leaves the store, his newfound clothing items slung over one shoulder.

Returning to his room, he quickly changes, leaving his old cloths on his bed. If anyone wanted them, they'd be free to take them. The new clothing feels good, and the cloak almost fanciful. Gaiven actually wishes that he owned a mirror, so that he could check out his new look.

But alas, no mirror. Instead he leaves his room. Though not without some small amount of nervousness. His next stop is the market place, a place crawling with guards. Hopefully his new cloths will allow him to fit in a bit better.

[Private to GM: Heading for a bookstore]

"You there!" bellows a stone-faced soldier mounted atop a massive ebon war horse. People hustled and bustled about in the busy market place, but the soldier was pointing right at Gaiven. "Come here." The scowling soldier beckoned with one finger.

Gaiven's first reaction is to freeze. His second is to bolt, though luckily he manages to squelch that one. Instead he, clearly unwillingly, approaches the soldier. His only hope is that he looks intimidated rather than scared.

It seems as though another young man near Gaiven shared the thief's reaction. When both step forward, the soldier makes eye contact with Gaiven. "Not you," he dismisses gruffly with a wave. "You!"

Gaiven can practically hear the poor kid's gulp. Being smarter than the average blockhead, Gaiven doesn't stick around to hear the rest.

Soon, he makes his way to the library of books and steps inside. Immediately, the peculiar smell of ancient paper assails his nose. Unlike Geppetto's, there's no doorbell to jingle above his head. As soon as the door shuts, the small shop goes deathly silent.

A tall, gaunt man with a long face and a considerable Adams apple is standing at a pulpit reading a giant tome. Looking down the brim of his beak-like nose through a pair of spectacles, the man regards Gaiven with nod. "This, young sir, is an archive of compiled literature. Books, you'll understand. We have no other form of business."

Gaiven nods sagely, and steps over to stroke the cover of a nearby book. "A history of applied mathematics". Not quite what he was looking for. But right now he was simply trying to give off an air as if he knew what he was doing, and belonged there. Not something he was used to. Normally he was just trying to act small and unimportant.

[Private to GM: Rolled 12 against Acting 12]

"Anything in particular for which you seek, young man?"

Gaiven looks at the librarian, then taps his throat, and opens his mouth, though of course no sound comes out. Holding out his right hand, he makes a hand motion as if writing, then raises an eyebrow enquiringly.

Gaiven's not sure what type of look crosses the librarian's face, unless it's one of reserved annoyance. It may just be that the bookworm has a permanent haughty attitude. Regardless, the tall man stoops and retrieves an inkwell and quill from the shelf on his pulpit and walks a few steps to a nearby table where he sets it down. "If I may be so bold as to surmise a presupposition, might I postulate that you have no paper on which to write?"

When Gaiven indicates he has none, the librarian sniffs. "One moment, please." He produces a blank leaf from under his podium and lays it on the table.

Usually when out shopping, proprietors tended to be friendly towards Gaiven, the exception being Zuul, though even he had his good side. Unfortunately Gaiven had yet to see the librarian's. So instead of the more inquiring manner he had intended, he instead tries to go straight for the goal. And hopefully something that would make the librarian think slightly higher of him.

Thinking while he dips the quill, he writes in the neat, sweeping curves that his mother taught him many years ago.

"Ie seek the Trajedies of Marcus Gabriele."
[Private to GM: I'm assuming that grammar is olde english style, where spelling was a somewhat vague matter.]

Again, the librarian sniffs after reading the note. "A most enthralling work, I must acquiesce -- a departure from Aristios' quotidian romances.

"Regretfully, I confess the title is not listed in our bibliotheca... However, have you sampled the works of Roget? You might find his 'Montague and Capulet' suits your tastes."

Gaiven considers the offer for a moment, then nods and makes a come hither gesture.

When the librarian produces the book, and learns that Gaiven is interested in purchasing it, he quotes him a sum of two gold pieces.

Gaiven considers haggling, but is vaguely concerned that it might be inappropriate. Instead he simply nods, and produces two shining gold coins. It's with some reluctance that he parts with them, this being more money than he has ever used at any one time. But the reluctance doesn't show has he hands the coins over. Money are earned to be spent. Some slowly, and some quickly, and this is a purchase that he doubt he'll regret.

Tucking the book under his arm, he nods a farewell to the librarian, and leaves the store.

Gaiven heads home, just missing the noon-day rush as Whisper goes from one friend's to another.

High in the sky, the sun's warm rays shine down upon the busy streets of Rimuldar. Shopkeepers buy and sell, laborers work their trade, children play and townsfolk mingle.

Noon passes, and the sun begins its slow decent. As the grains of sand pass imperceptively through the hourglass of time immemorial, another day changes to night. Darkness comes earlier this time of year as the leaves begin to change from green to a variety of color.

[Private to Whisper: Cautiously, Whisper waits in the shadows and under the protection of his magical invisibility until Zuul opens shop. A few seconds later, he enters the Raven's Claw just as the old stone vulture lights a lantern.

"Bah! You damn wizards and your popping in and out!" He scolds after the mage's sudden appearance startles him. "I figured you would be with your friend in the dungeon where you belong."]

Late into the evening, Whisper returned to Iridia and his lab.  His head twitched from side to side, constantly checking for anyone that might be following him.  Once at the door, he gave it two quick kicks with his foot.

Iridia couldn't keep out the paranoia from her head throughout the day. But she knew they were self destructive, and chose to occupy her time and mind with something. So she spent the day rifling through Whisper's books and notes. She didn't understand most of what she has read.

When the evening came, Iridia couldn't help but feel a bit worried for Whisper.

'He did not say that he will be gone for too long, but he has. Maybe  something happened to him.' Her mind wondered.

It was long before Whisper finally came back. Iridia was pacing back and forth restlessly when Whisper knocked the door with the secret knocking code. She quickly hurried to the door, opened it, then stood there, looking unimpressed.

"What took you so long? I was worried the guards captured you too." Iridia said then nodded inside, "Come on in."

Once Whisper was in, she secured the door, then turned back to him. "I'll have to say, you have an interesting profession."

Carried in Whisper's arms is a small basket filled with fruit, bread and cheese.  "I didn't know you cared so much."  Whisper grinned at the woman and held out the basket, "I thought you might be hungry."

"My profeesion is wonderful, as long as things work right.  That's when things become  ...interesting."

[Private to Stripe: OOC:  Spending a gold or two for the food and basket]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Sun 14 Dec 2008.

"Why wouldn't I be? If you went missing, what am I to do?" Iridia replied with a smile, she took the basket from him and started eating the bread and cheese inside, stuffing her mouth full before chewing and swallowing, causing her to drip some food bits on her sleeping gown. She makes a quick mental note that she needs to change.

"Ahh, I forgot how good food tastes when you are hungry!" Iridia wiped her mouth clean after she finished eating, "Now that my strength is back. We need to plan out our next move."

Iridia moved from the chair she sat on to sit ontop of the table, she crossed her legs and pressed her arms on the table. "First, we could either look for Gaiven, try and seek refuge and information at the Raven's Claw hideout, or spend the night here and think about how they found us." Iridia couldn't count anymore options, "What do you think?"

"Now settle down, no need for all the questions."  Whisper sat and enjoyed a bite of bread and cheese, "Mmm, not bad."  Feeling the eyes of Iridia on him, he turned to her, "I would advise we lay low, avoid any sort of 'debacle' like the carriage job for a while.  They also seem to know of you and Gaiven by sight, perhaps you might do well with something to cover your face or perhaps a disguise?"  Whisper chewed a bit the continued, "Staying here will only bring the wizard here and that I would not enjoy.  Perhaps we should visit another city for a few days or a week."  Whisper continued to chew as seemed to get lost in thought.

"Well, I believe a disguise is in order if I am to move about with more ease. So lets do that first" Iridia replied, "I could certainly use some actual clothes. Hmm, do you have any hair dyes? Having white hair isn't as common as you'd think."

"Traveling to another city isn't such a bad idea." Iridia continued, "I am actually contemplating moving away from Rimuldar, but only if the risk is too high. I value my life too much."

"Only if the risk is too high?  Moving away for a week or so might be best, he has tracked you once, he can do it again."  Whisper moved about the room putting out the fires that had kept several pots burning.  "And as for hair dyes, I don't think I have any.  But you're more than welcome to look for yourself."

"Alright, I have decided I am going to leave." Iridia said in a determined tone. It saddened her to make this decision, but she felt that there was no time for hesitation and weakness now. "I won't take any chances. I will leave for another town for about a month or two. Things should have calmed down by then. We need to tell Gaiven, though. I wonder if they caught him already."

"Very wise choice.  See the sights and enjoy a little vacation.  Just don't get caught doing anything illegal."  Whisper gave the young girl a quick wink.  "Oh, and if you see Gaiven any time soon, you might want to drag him along as well.  Safety in numbers and all that."

Midnight, the arranged time to meet at the Raven's Claw, comes. However, there are no lights on in the back shop. Zuul must not be there...

In an alleyway near the Raven's Claw, the same one Iridia and Whisper met Joe in, a figure cloaked from head to toe stood in its shadows, barely visible under the moonlight.

Iridia's muffled and hooded face peeked from the corner to check if anyone made it to the Raven's Claw. The three, Gaiven, Frank, and Iridia, were supposed to meet this midnight and head for the Raven's Claw hideout for their initiation party. If any time, this it would be the chance to find Gaiven. However, if Frank ratted out this meeting spot, Iridia would be ready to slip away before anyone can notice. She wasn't worried about Gaiven because he is mute.

She would wait for half an hour, then take her leave.

Sitting in a shadowy spot between two chimneys on a rooftop opposite the Raven's Claw, Gaiven scratched his chin. His new cloak was doing a good job of keeping the slight night's chill away from him, but it did nothing to assuage his boredom. Still, being bored was better than being dead. And the current situation was troubling him.

Given his early exit he hadn't seen what had become of the other three. And the possibility that they had been captured seemed greater and greater for every given minute. Though he hadn't seen any of the guard entering the shop, neither had any of his colleagues showed up. Even Zuul seemed to be missing the opportunity for a profit, and that stank to high heavens.

Pulling the cloak a bit closer around himself, Gaiven resolved to wait a bit longer for any sign of what was going on.

Whisper had traveled near the Raven's Claw early in the evening, not wanting to arouse suspicions he made note of those that lingered more than a few moments.  Looking at each person nearby, Whisper calmly turned and left the area and headed back to his lab.  As the evening progressed closer to midnight, Whisper once again made his way towards the Claw. Only this time after a few quick finger movements, he disappeared after rounding a corner not too far off.

[Private to Stripe:
Finding a spot near the door that was already deep in darkness, Whisper sat in the shadow and cast yet another spell.  This spell increased the level of darkness around him, blotting him from sight.  He waited there cautiously until Zuul made his appearance.


OOC: Cast Invisibility, then cast a 1-hex Darkness
Whisper rolled 12 using 3d6. Cast Darkness.
Whisper rolled 10 using 3d6. Cast Invis.]

Time drags on in silence.

[Private to Gaiven the Dumb: You see a figure resembling Iridia standing in the alley near the front of the Raven's Claw.][Private to Whisper: You see a figure resembling Iridia standing in the alley near the front of the Raven's Claw.]

It wasn't long before Iridia lost patience. She stepped in in front of the Raven's Claw door, and started to pace back and forth. She would wait for five minutes, and then leave if no one showed up.

Whisper had sat in his self-created darkness and wondered when the old gargoyle would come around.  As the night slowly progressed, Whisper wondered what had happened to Zuul as well as the others.  As Iridia came close to the door, he peered past her to the alley and the rooftops, looking for anyone else. Once he was sure, no one else was within earshot, he spoke quietly to Iridia, his voice creeping from a pitch black corner near the door,

"Where is everyone else?  Have you spoken with anyone?

"We were supposed to meet tonight to head for our initiation party at the Raven's Claw. If Gaiven didn't show up, then he must have been captured too." She replied.

Peering across the road, Gaiven regards the figure hidden in the alley across from him. A waft of whitish hair. The female curves. The way she hid in the shadows. In the end he comes to the conclusion that the person really is Iridia. Having seen no one else, he decides to take the risk necessary to gain contact. Withdrawing from the chimneys, he makes his way back to the edge of the roof, and down into an alley connecting to the street.

Looking out into the street, he quickly checks if anyone else is out, then crosses the street to Iridia's alley. He doesn't give any greeting as he slips into her shadows.

Iridia spots a figure approaching through the alley and steps back behind Whisper. She peered from Whisper's shoulder to see who it was.

"Oh, its you Gaiven." Iridia said as she abandoned Whisper to move closer to her mute friend. "I am relieved to see you. I persume that you know about Frank. They raided my house at daybreak today. Whisper said that they used magic to find us. And we saw their mage tracker."
Iridia paused to take a breath and to look around for anyone who isn't supposed to be there.

"I... I don't think its safe for me to be in Rimuldar, so I am going to leave for a few months then come back when the situation have calmed down. You aren't safe either." Iridia continued.

Judging by Gaiven's reaction as Iridia speaks, he hasn't heard about Frank, or any of the other things that has occurred to him and Iridia. Giving Whisper a mistrusting look, he motions for her to continue.

"When the guards raided my house, Whisper helped us escape. But Frank was captured before he could make it out safely. Poor Frank." Iridia explained. "I don't know what magic could make them track us, but they could use it again, and maybe on you this time. You... You should come with me."

Gaiven hesitates, then nods softly. However, then he points to Zuul's shop and raises a questioning eyebrow.

Iridia nods back. She felt relieved that someone is coming with her. Now she knows she isn't alone in this.

"You want to go in?" She reflects what she thinks Gaiven is saying.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Sat 27 Dec 2008.

Gaiven makes negatory hand movements, then places his hands to his forehead, jutting out a finger from each. Either mimicking horns or some kind of antenna. He looks pretty silly, and judging by his facial expression he knows this, and isn't particularly happy about it.

"You think Zuul ratted us out?" Iridia attempted to reflect again.

Gaiven lowers his hands, apparently satisfied, then gives a noncommittal half-shrug.

Whisper watched and listened to the conversation between the two from the relative safety of his self-created darkness in the shadowy nearby corner

"You really think they would be after us if Zuul ratted us out?  We are just small time crooks compared to the amount of stolen goods that old buzzard churns through these doors."  Whisper caught himself as his voice began to rise,

"Something is happening, what I don't know, but Zuul wouldn't turn on us.  It would expose himself to the authorities and end his little nighttime activites.  If you enter through that door, the only thing I smell is some sort of trap."

Taking a deep breath, Gaiven launches into some more advanced signing.

OOC: Basically he is inquiring where Zuul is, considering that we're supposed to deliver the necklace.
[Private to Whisper: For some reason, Gaiven seems somewhat distrustful towards you]

"The necklace is gone, Gaiven." Iridia said in a frustrated tone, but then she paused regretfully. "Now that you mention it... Where is Zuul?"

The only obvious answer to Iridia's question is "not here."


[Private to Gaiven the Dumb: OOC: Which seems to answer both of Gaiven's questions as well, so I'll leave your advanced signing alone, unless you want something more from it. ]

"If you really want to know if he's here, let's go in.  If not then go back to your normal boring life."  With that, Whisper stood from his sitting position in a corner completely shrouded by darkness and approached the door.  "After you."  Whisper made an overly emphasized bow before Gaiven and gestured towards the door with his hands.

Gaiven looks with disgust at Whisper, and throws a rude gesture. Turning his face to Iridia, he raises a questioning eyebrow and jabs a thumb towards the street.

"Seems the big quiet one wants to leave, perhaps then we should all leave.  Until things cool down a bit."

Whisper will follow the others, out of town if necessary, until life returns to normal.

Iridia would be the first to want to get out.

When out of town, she would try to earn some sustainance money by working as a barmaid or such low-income jobs.