Before leaving for Brion's Bluff you find you have a few loose ends to tie up in Kallamehr...

Tarrian

Journeying to the market you find the stalls being closed; with the approach of evening and the increasingly foul weather most traders have decided to go home rather than risk a drenching in the uncoming storm.  You are fortunate enough to find one stall of weapons and armour still in business, manned by a bearded merchant in maroon turban and pantaloons. Along with wickedly curved daggers and a couple of scimitars he has heavy, round shield with a bronze lion's head embossed on the front.  It is old looking and and the dark paint has scratched and flaked but it feels sturdy and solid enough.

"For you Sahiba a mere twelve golden dinars." The merchant said proudly. "It once belonged to a sheikh of the Turabegs."

Nearby a stall is selling dried portions of meat (animal unidentifable) suitable for travel rations.  Four gold pieces worth would equal one portion of provisions.

Mannath

You are no native son of Kallamehr but rogues are rogues everywhere and after a few conversations with shady characters you are guided to the back room of a gambling den that houses a small and private shrine to Mirala, demigoddess of rakes, scoundrels and knaves everywhere.

The priestess is a fetching young woman, not far out of girlhood with a head of blonde hair, green eyes and a peaches and cream complexion that mark her as more likely a northern immigrant than a Kallemher girl. She wears no robes and but for the medallion around her neck - and the mischevious glint to her eyes - looks no more than a tavern wench (Miralans are not known for ceremony or stuffy vestments.)

Intially she holds out her palm and requests a fee of five gold dinars before hearing your tale. As soon as you speak though her eyes grow wide and a grin blossoms across her face.

"By the Lightfingered Lady Herself another Blacksander! I hear it in your accent my friend and it has been long since I set eyes on another honest crook from my homeland. For you there is no fee."

She spends a few moments speaking fondly of the robberies that had forced her to flee the north in the first place and listens to any tales of knavery you wish to tell in return.  Then it is down to business and she examines the medallion.

"You have earned the favour of the Goddess friend - look to Her and She will look over you."

With her newly bought items in hand.  The plains woman returns to the Parrot in a Cage Inn for the evening, hoping to be turning in early.  The next day promises to be a busy one.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:37, Sat 01 Mar 2014.

Mannath was enjoying his conversation with the young priestess. She was a comely girl, and on a different occasion he would be tempted to try to bed her. However, he decided that trifling with her affections might be a bad idea, so he stuck to chitchat.

Finally he thanked her for her wise words, as well as the memories of home. Although she had declined a fee he still gave her two golden coins. "Please, take these for the poor and needy, that it might provide some sustenance to an unfortunate soul."

Finally he headed back to the inn, wondering where the future would take him. Hopefully his medallion would help guide him in his coming travels.

Setting at her table, eating her evening meal alone, for of the elven brothers, she has seen neither hide nor hair of since returning from the markets.  When Mannath comes through the Inn's front door.  She gestured him over to her, saying light heartedly.

"So my goodly Mannath, what have you been spending your afternoon doing?  I hope it wasn't anything that would get you in trouble.  There are only so many times we can hide you from the City Watch before they finally find you.  Come join me in my evening repast and tell me all about it!"

The inn is bustling as evening draws in, though there are no games tonight, presumably because you scared off the crooks the previous evening. Rona recognises you and gives you a quick greeting but the half-orc barmaid is too rushed off her feet to do much more than that.

The food (a spicy beef stew) is of good quality, accompanied by a steady flow of mead from Frostholm and ale from Port Blacksand.

Amongst the faces in the crowd are a few that stand out; a young man drinking alone in a corner, a trio of sailors playing dice at their own table and a depressed looking merchant mulling over a glass of wine, seemingly lost to the world around him.

I approach Tarrian and Mannath smiling and bowing: "Good evening! My name is Dappa, and I am at the service of Our Lady Carolina Bluestone.
I was the apprentice of Master Hammett the Dash, that you found in Rangor's Tower after he was murdered.
Our Lady released me from her duties and asked me to provide you all the support that I can for your quest.
I would be ecstatic if you could accept me in your noble group: it would give me a chance to prove myself at the eyes of Our Lady after the untimely demise of my poor Master and at the same time I could avenge my beloved Master."

Elstarir moved through the crowded tavern his sharp eyes trying to locate his older brother. Then he spots some familiar faces and moves over towards mannath and Tarrian " evening my friends I don't suppose you have seen my brother today. I lost him in the market earlier and he tends to get into trouble when I'm not with him"

Being about to respond to Dappa, when Elstarir came up, Tarrian said.

"Elstarir, this is Dappa, a servant that Lady Carolina Bluestone has for some reason sent to us.  I guess he could be of use when we journey to this 'Bluffs' place, that we are to be going to.  Seeing to the horses and doing the camp chores and the the like. He can't be any worse of a 'cook' then Mannath over there is.
As for your brother, I overheard the Innkeeper telling that half-orc barmaid.  That Vithrain was to be dining in his room this evening.  An she was to take it up to him, when it was ready."

"Very pleased to meet you! I am also a sorcerer and I am looking forward to avenge my Master Hammett the Dash, that was murdered by the Riddling Reaver."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Sun 02 Mar 2014.

From the door that leads to the bed chambers comes Vithrain, looking rested, washed and groom. He walks over to the table and punches his brother on the shoulder before sitting down with a nod and smile to the others gathered.

"Someone had a good time last night, my dear brother. Did it happen to include a certain barmaid from here abouts?" He said it with a smile on his face knowing it would not only nettle his brother slightly but make him blush at the thought

Vithrain did neither of those things. Much to the dismay of his taunter.

"On the contrary, dear brother, I enjoyed another good bath followed by a few chapters of a good book. But that's not something the likes of which you'd know anything about, being illiterate and all."

Vithrain suppresses a smile, but winks at Tarrian.

"Very true my brother dear" the young archer said still smiling " but then books are for old men in dark vaults and giggly women with powdered faces ..... I'm still not sure which one mother actually wanted when you were born" with that he clapped his brother on the shoulder and laughing good natured before ordering them both breakfast
This message was last edited by the player at 11:00, Sun 02 Mar 2014.

Tarrian winks back saying.
"I swear you two sound like an old married couple sometimes, rather then brothers.  This stripling at our table has been sent by Lady Carolina to serve us in some capacity.  His name is Dappy or some such thing.  He mumbled something about sorcery, or the like.  So Vithrain, perhaps you should be the the one to speak to him and get the whole gist of what is going on with him!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:03, Fri 07 Mar 2014.

Mannath grinned, not minding the gentle chiding from his sister-elect. "You know me, sister of my heart, up to no good as usual."

He sat down and ordered a beer. In a hushed voice he spoke quickly to her. "It seems that the pendant I found has some magical properties. Might come in handy in our travels ahead; we might need some of Mirala's grace."

When Dappa appeared at their table he kept quiet for a moment, not willing to trust this stranger at first. To test the man's credentials he challenged him. "So young master apprentice, how do we know you are who you claim to be. The good lady never mentioned you. How do we know you're not a spy, some agent of evil bent of thwarting our mission?"

"Let's just go to Palace and have a word with the Handmaiden that you know so well, if Her Grace is too busy with State affairs. I'm sure she'll be happy to say hello to you!" Gracefully smiles Dappa.

Vithrain replies to Tarian, "I'm sure he is fine."

Then turning to Mannath he whispers, "I think you will find that I discovered that trinket, and gifted it to you."

There was a slight smugness to his voice as he said this.

Finishing her meal and her tankard.  Tarrian stode up and said.

"So it is settled, we rise early tomorrow at cock's first crow.  An after a hearty breakfast, we head out towards Brion's Bluff.  But first stopping by the Palace to double check Dappey's story with 'The Handmaiden.  Does that sound correct?  Well good.  Now I'm off to get a good nights rest.  I advise the rest of you to do the same."

With that she departed to go upstairs.

"See you tomorrow, then!"

In reply to Vithrain (msg # 17):

Mannath made a pretence of ignoring the smug Elf. "Very well. We will meet Dappa at the palace tomorrow. If he checks out he can come with us."

With that he went to the chambers he had been allocated, intent on getting a good night's rest. It sounded like they were going to need it.

Vithrain was well rested. He beckons for Dappa to sit, and asks of the sorcerer, "So what do you specialise in and what of your repertoire needs more work?"

Elstarir groaned inwardly as he heard the direction his brother's conversation was taking and pulled himself up from his seat" brother I will take my leave of you and our new companion. Remember we travel again tomorrow so try to get to bed.... On your own.... This side of the cock craw. " he said...


" good evening master Dappa" he nodded to the young man with his brother " try not to let my bookworm of a sibling bore you to sleep. The chair and table here are not a good resting place before a journey."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:16, Sat 15 Mar 2014.

Dappa politely hails whoever wants to go to bed, orders a big stew for himself and eats a huge amount of food for his small size.
He then goes in depth explaining Vithrain the basis and extent of the sorcery style of casting spells, that offers a broad repertoire of spells, but required physical objects for casting and consumes the physical energies of the caster.
It is a completely different approach to casting spells compared to the wizardry style of Vithrain, where you don't need objects, drain your magical energies without hurting your physical strength, but have a limited number of spells that need to be individually learnt one by one...
Dappa just needs some more experience and physical resistance as his Master told him he's very talented. He wants to become a very prominent and trusted servant of Lady Carolina and make justice to the name of his Master Hammett the Dash.

Vithrain listens to Dappa's explanation with interest and offers some ideas and theories of his own, but for the most part he just listens. When Dappa lets out an involuntary yawn after a while of talking Vithrain decides to take his brother's advice.

Excusing himself and bidding Dappa good night, Vithrain heads off to bed.

Once there is no food to eat and no people to discuss, Dappa goes to bed as well.
He knows how important it is to stay fit and healthy.

After the long day each of you fall happily in the bed, sleep overtaking you. If you experience any dreams you do not recall them and awake in the morning to find the worst of the storm has blown over, leaving Kallemehr battered and sea stained yet slowly returning to normal.  After a hearty breakfast at the Parrot you head out into the weak morning sunlight, towards the bluffs.