Alexia: He frowns, paying attention to the scene with the couple and the others in the tavern. Yes, it would seem that there is chaos even here doesn't it? He sighs. I would like to entrust you with a great secret Alexia. However, to do so may put your life at risk. Are you willing to accept this?

ooc: By the way, you can hear the conversation around you fairly well.

Stephan: The woman listens intently to your offer and grabs your arm, almost a motion of desperation. I will have you know sir that it is very rare that I ask for help. My people are self reliant, independent, and need no one for survival. But this time, even I must admit when I need assistance. I trust you. I don't know why, but I do. And the gods know right now that I need someone to trust. I would greatly appreciate your assistance while we are in Halidar. I know this place is full of cutthroats and thieves and my mission is too important right now to be overcome by the daily hazards of Halidar.

"As you might have noticed I'm not from this part of the land, so you don't have to worry about possible treason." said Raknesh, momentarily distracted by the exchange between Alexia and her interlocutor.


"The more you speak, the more I wonder - or even begin to worry - about the mystery you fear so much.  You have either said too much or too little, and I enjoin you to speak freely, even if we have to go outside.  For you have gained my support by catching my interest.  Curiosity and search for information are my motivations, in any situation."

Alexia took a long look at him, it was of consideration to his words, however she didn't make him wait long. "I would ratter know what we all will deal with now, than don't know and don't be prepared and suffer a long and painful death." She threw her shoulders back as she lifted her hands at her sides. "What else can I say, I took a lot after my father. And the sooner we deal with this, the sooner my town and all the kingdom will be safe." She finished with a small smile.

She could hear all that was going around and if what the couple told was true, then she will end up talking to them again. Alas, there still was some matters at hand.

"I gladly accept your offer. We can leave for the palace when you are ready. I have a horse outside and my room was only paid for one night." replied Stephan.

"It seems you have already attracted some unwanted attraction. May I suggest we leave sooner than later." As he says that, he looks at the other patrons of the inn, looking for any signs.

Lowac looks down at his empty right hand, "Hmmph...", as he rolls his eyes.  "Well then let us be on out way.", he says as his eyes roam from Jett to Raknesh and back to Jett again.  "Introductions can wait till our words will not be heard by so many."  Lowac turn to his mastiff and speaks in lower tones, "Coming or staying friend?"  The mastiff moans in indecision.

Raknesh takes a quick look toward the woman, Alexia, his face showing a little annoyance.

'Her contact still hasn't spilled the secret he was talking about... If I leave now, I won't know whatever it is... but If I don't leave with them, I could miss a lot more...  Darn... now I understand why they like to have those crystals with them...'

"You have indeed attracted attention. I wonder if the lady that healed you might be interested too. After all, she heard you too. You could at least make sure she doesn't go and launches rumors."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:50, Tue 16 Feb 2010.

The verbal exchange between Lowac, Jett and Raknesh did bother Stephan a bit. It wasn't the exchange itself but the others listening to it. From the woman's tone, she knew something that was either dangerous or worth a lot of gold.

Stephan scanned the others.

Everyone listening: Thank you all for your offers of help. I believe that I will accept them for now. When you find out what I have to say I would be surprised if even the most cutthroat of criminals would want to interfere with our mission. Please, let us find some place that is more private to discuss our troubles. He pauses and looks at Ezran and Stephan with a small smile. It would seem that my lady companion has already enlisted this young man's help as well. I suppose we should all go together then?

At Raknesh's words, he nods and looks at Alexia with a hint of suspicion. He strides over to her gracefully, his movements like a cat.


ooc: The next conversation will  be quiet so anyone wishing to listen will need to roll again please. Thanks!

Alexia: Your friend does not answer you right away, for he too seems a bit distracted by the conversation of the others in the room. He leans forward and says We may need to find out what these folks are about. It would seem that they know of a threat that very well could be linked to what I must tell you about. If that is the case we may need to involve these people in my deadly secret. He shakes his head grimly. As he does so, Jett approaches and says quietly, Good lady, I am aware that you have heard much of my conversation. Enough to peak your curiosity perhaps. You seem a decent woman, for healing my companion. I am going to ask you to keep my words to yourself for now so as not to jeopardize my mission. Can I trust you to do that?

pm

pm

She couldn't agree more with her friend, this looked like something of a bards tale. She had kept an ear on the conversation around. It looked like could be both dangerous and fun.
She was a bit surprised when the man, Jett, got close to them. She just looked to him with a neutral expression and let him talk. An itch started to flow inside her, what was so difficult that made all this people want to hold it inside and, at the same time want to talk about it?
"Well, can say I didn't hear. It was way too loud towards the end of it." She paused as she extended her hand at her side, her fingers making popping sounds as she stretched them. "And things look like they will just keep getting more difficult if we don't find what is causing them. So, yes, you do have my word on that."

Alexia: I thank you for your discretion milady. He gives a smile and you notice suddenly how physically appealing the man is, though that is not uncommon for someone of his nationality. Meanwhile your friend turns to you and says, I think we should hear what this man has to say Alexia. It may well be connected with our own troubles. Upon hearing this Jett's eyes widen as if intrigued. He gives a short nod. Very well. You seem like a trustworthy fellow. At least I hope as much at any rate. The gods know that we Uthirrien's do not trust easily but in this case we have no choice. Please, if you would follow me and the others to a more secure location?

Everyone: Jett turns to the rest of you and motions to the door. Anyone who is interested in helping us with our...difficulties, please follow me. He gives a nod to those of you who have offered your help already.

ooc: Just need to make sure everyone is wanting to come before he heads off.

Raknesh moves toward Alexia and her friend.

"Good" he begins.
"All your talk of great and dangerous secret had me pretty hooked, and I would have hated to leave this place without knowing more about it."

He turns toward Jett and adds:
"Lead the way, we are right behind you" and he goes to pick his shield.

Stephan smiled at the new situation. There was still some good people in the world and it would be bringing hope in the future. He looked at his dog and it quickly came to his master's legs.

"I only need to get my horse in the stable and I will be ready." replied the young man as he offers his hand to Ezra to help her.

"I guess you will eat without me" She had turned to her companion with a knowing look. "And you know I don't like when I don't know something. You owe me, DOUBLE for holding back." She had pushed her chair back as she stood up. "I want steak." she whispered in celestial as made her way to follow Jett, pausing to take her spear from  its place.

This message was deleted by the player at 23:45, Wed 24 Feb 2010.

"So be it.", he says still looking at the mastiff.  The large black dog turns his head and lies back down as Lowac turns to join the group.  Before Lowac can make it halfway across the room the mastiff moans and slowly rises, looks around once more for his promised meal and then follows Lowac snorting in a distasteful manner.

Everyone: Jett and Ezran lead you out of the tavern and you walk a ways before Jett finds a suitable place to tell their tale. Before leaving, Robert informs Alexia that he will meet up with them soon after checking on some information and he implores her to listen closely to Jett and Ezran so she may tell him what he misses. Then he grins and departs.

You all find yourselves in the back room of a small shop. It appears that Ezran knows the owner and she explains that she has traded with the man many times when on caravans. Once everyone is settled and quiet and they are sure that no one is around, Ezran is the one who takes the lead in telling their story. She thanks you all for your interest and assures you that if after you hear their tale you wish to leave that is fine as long as you keep silent. Then she begins.

We've all heard the stories about a strange people who have been spotted here and there throughout Thear. She explains. They have hair as black as the night sky and skin as white as snow. They are known to be fierce, strange, and cruel. Of course, most people think these are only stories to spark war and chaos. Most think that it is the groups in Iatharias who wish to spread propaganda against their ruler and create disharmony in the land. I myself thought this, until a few days ago. She shakes her head. I was on my way to Uthirrien with Jett and a few of our companions. I was going to buy spices there to trade at a higher price and they were to be my business partners. We were only four days from Halidar at the time, making our way east when we were attacked. The people who attacked us matched the description of the people of these stories, only they were far more disturbing. Their skin was white, yes, but it had a gray tinge to it and their skin looked thin and almost transparant in places. Their eyes were a gray so light  that their irises didn't seem to have any color. The rest of their eyes were bloodshot and evil and they had dark circles beneath them. Their entire demeanor was that of death and they looked alarmingly like walking corpses, though they didn't move so. They were far too fast. There was a dozen or so of them and they ambushed us so quickly we didn't have a chance. We awoke later in their camp. There was hundreds of them. They didn't speak at all, though we certainly asked questions. I don't know how they communicated with each other, but they did somehow. We were bound and helpless. That's when they took our companion Reddar and right in front of our very eyes they ripped him to shreds and ate his flesh. Her voice quivers at these words and it is clear she is affected. After that they kept us enslaved. I don't know what they were going to do with us but we were not the only souls they captured and Reddar was not their only victim. Jett and I managed to escape but there are hundreds of them and they are marching in this direction. We have to warn the empress but we do not want to create panic.... She trails off. That is all I have the heart to tell you of now. She whispers.

Raknesh waited a little time, to let all the information sink, before he commented the story

"This is a terrible tale you have told us...

How long did it take for you to get to the city? Such a large group must have attracted some attention.  If they really  feed on...  well ... dispaearances should have been noticed.

If the Empress or her advisors have received some report about that, we might use it to press our point"

"It is indeed a grave tale you have shared with us.If this army reaches Halidar... many innocents will eb harmed." said the young man as he scratches his dog's head.

"We must keep this a secret for if it reaches the ears of the citizen, it would create panic. We must talk to the empress as soon as possible.I might know a way to get some of us in the castle. I'd have to play the lordship card but it might work. If the gods are with us, we might make it in time."

"To be honest I have personnal business in Halidar but I have no choice but to help you. Then again, fate might have been on my side for there is someone in here that might help me. Raknesh was it? I am in need of informations and you made it clear you are the kind of guy who knows thing."

"Well... I'm trained to work well in shadow, and when you work in the shadows, you often learn a few things.  So I'm usually good at noticing details that might prove important, to hear what people don't want to be heard.

Sadly, I'm still a little new to this place, and I don't know all the ties yet"

Lowac listens patiently to the tale with a calm demeanor.  His eyes roam around his surroundings as he runs his hands through his hair, still listening, but seeming somewhat distant.  As Ezran begin to speak of the slavery his eyes become focused, almost cold.  A harsh look creeps upon his face as his anger begins to grow.  He hardly hears the remainder of her tale as the left side of his upper lip begins to curl and quiver, his neck muscles tensing.  His mastiff looks up at Lowac with what might be considered a concerned expression.  He mouth opens slightly as if he was about to speak but no words come.  He just sits there.

Jett responds to the questions with a grave expression. It took us only a few days to reach the city. We were able to obtain horses on the way and therefore gained an advantage. They are fast, but they are on foot and are traveling in a large group. I would say that we have about two days at best to prepare for their coming. As for being stealthy, these people are masters at it. I don't quite understand how they are able to do so, but they will have no problems hiding their coming. He shakes his head. He turns to Stephan. If you think you can help us get in with the empress, then please do so my friend. All of our lives depend upon it. These things, they may resemble humans but they are not. They are something far more sinsiter and cruel. The streets of Halidar would be their feeding ground. He turns to the rest of you. Now that you all know of what lies ahead, would you be willing to help us prepare this city for the fight? He eyes Lowac with particular questioning, having noticed the man's silent reaction to the situation.

She had been listening, trying not to think of something else and just absorb all that was being told to her. There could be so much great power in such little words. Power, that if the story was true, she couldn't dare to miss.

"Some kind of necromancy... advanced perhaps.." At the same time she tried to remember any kind of fight or war that could have any humanoid like the kind they described.


OOC:
Agggg, I wanna KILL the roller! a 1!!! in a knowledge check!!!! In arcana, that is the thing I hate the most. :'(
09:36, Today: Alexia Brunestud rolled 14 using 1d20+13. know arcana.
09:35, Today: Alexia Brunestud rolled 21 using 1d20+12. Know History.