50 Years after the Great Crater was created...


Talis Aramorn had made it to Glantri City via caravan, and was now wandering the streets of the city. Sort of. He wasn't lost... yet, but he was having trouble finding the house of Ember Rain, the Warlock friend of his parents for whom he had a message. According to the sealed missive, he lived in Molesleight Moss on Molesleigh Lane. Well, Talis was on Molesleigh Lane... so where was this house?

As he continued to walk, he heard a commotion from behind him. Glancing back, he saw a lone figure being chased by half a dozen city guardsmen.

"Thief! Thief! Stop him!" shouted one of the guards.

However, the thief was past Talis before he could react. He didn't get very far, though, as he zagged around an angle in the street and collided with a Dwarf! Surprisingly, the Dwarf was knocked backwards onto his duff, and the thief rebounded into the wall... and vanished!


The wall-like structures of a city street that had sky above was a bit disconcerting to Durek. He'd made it to Glantri City without getting lost, and he could have navigated through an underground maze effortlessly, yet here he was, lost in the streets of a city!

Part of the reason for that was personal--he had no idea where he was going. If someone had asked, he'd have said he was in search of a good Dwarven stout. Or maybe just a tavern that catered to Dwarves, which would have amounted to the same thing.

He heard a commotion somewhere up ahead, coming from around a light zag that the street made. Suddenly, someone ran around that corner and slammed into Durek. Unprepared, the impact drove Durek backward two steps, his heel caught on a cobblestone, and he fell on his duff!


It wasn't fair! He hadn't even done anything yet! That didn't seem to worry the city guardsmen that were chasing him! Kareth Melphis had been minding his own business in the market square, perhaps looking to 'acquire' a new dagger, when there was a scuffle in a nearby stall.

"Thief! Thief! Help!" the merchant had clamored. City guards were quick to respond, and the thief had fled... right into Kareth! Shouldn't have been a problem, but the thief had left the hot jewelry dangling from Kareth's pocket! Naturally, the guards thought he was the thief. He wasn't sure if his 'reputation' had preceded him or not, but he had no desire to spend a night in the city gaol, so he did what any self-respective thief would have done--he ran!

The streets of Glantri City were still gloomy. Not all the magic lanterns had been relit yet, so Kareth thought he could loose the guards that way. Unfortunately, he picked one that didn't have any alleys leading off of it. And the guards were far too persistent under the circumstances.

Kareth saw a man up ahead and so did the guards.

"Thief! Thief! Stop him!" they yelled ahead.

Kareth was past the man before he could react. Dashing around the zag in the street, he hoped he might find an alley to dodge down. Instead, he ran into a Dwarf. The impact drove the Dwarf backwards, as Kareth rebounded off and slammed into a wall.

Well, he should have! There was definitely a wall there; he saw it before he didn't collide with it. Instead, he fell through the wall into darkness.

Knocked on his duff, Durek looks around somewhat embarrassed and picks himself up off the ground; "Ok, Thief stop where you are..." Looking at the wall where the 'thief' disappeared he takes his axe and pokes at the wall.  "What in the Abyss is going on here?"

In reply to Durek (msg # 2):

Frustrated by his inability to find the location he was looking for caused Talis to become a trifle reckless.  "Perhaps if I catch the thief the guards would help me in return? he thought.

"He went this way, Guardsmen!" The Elf called out before stumbling into the Dwarf who was also interested in the cryptic wall  "One side, Dwarf, if anyone is going to apprehend that thief it shall be me!" heedless of the danger Talis plunged into the illusionary wall!

PL

Talis had a good idea... if the wall had been illusionary. Instead, he runs right into the wall! Fortunately, the guards hadn't quite got there yet, so only the Dwarf sees his antics.

A moment later, the guards round the corner.

"Where?" one of them demands of Talis, looking around. "Which way did he go?"

All the guards are looking around now, trying to spot which way the thief went.

Before Talis can reply, he notices a bit of writing on the wall: Molesleigh Moss. The door seems to be a bit further on, though.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 5):

"What in the Seven Heavens and Nine Hells just happened?" Talis rounded on the Dwarf almost accusing him of chicanery with angry amethyst eyes.

Talis noticed the sign and then the door and said "He disappeared through this wall, Gentlemen.  I suspect that magic is afoot!" before her returned his suspicious gaze to the Dwarf.

PL

The city guard sergeant looks at Talis with a frown, walks over to the wall and taps it, then looks at the Dwarf that Talis seems to be accusing by his own looks.

"Yeah, right. Magic. From a Dwarf. Great sense of humor, sir. I just don't appreciate it at our expense," the sergeant says to Talis.

He turns back to the rest of his men, and tells them, "Well, I don't see him anywhere around here. I'm guessing he's gone... from magic or whatever. Damn! We lost him. We aren't equipped to deal with magic. We'd better head back."

When his men nod agreement, he and his men march off, back the way they came.

 Once the guards arrive Durek stares coldly at Talis until the guards depart. "Now don't be putin the blame on me elf." 

  Pointing his axe at the wall again, and jabbing at the spot he thinks the thief went "I'm telling you that the thief disappeared through that wall.  Right here!"

PL

In reply to Durek (msg # 9):

Talis watched the guards move away both amused and annoyed by their behavior as if the thought of magic use was such and oddity.  The tall Elf watched them go before returning his attention to the Dwarf.

"Well the portal is closed now.  My nose is testament to that!" he said while gingerly tested to see if it had been broken when he rammed head first into the wall.

"There must be something to this building.  I've been searching for a street address that does not seem to exist and now there is a door here which I didn't notice before." Talis said while he pointed to the nearby door.

Suddenly remembering his manners "I am Talis Aramorn.  And you are?"

"Durek is my name." he says with a slight bow.  "Whoever that was was strong enough to knock me over.  You say it was magic?  Well what happened to it?"  Durek continues poking at the area with his axe.

Another PL

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 13):

"I know not what happened to it.  Magic has a life of its own, though I'm a student of its mysteries I am hardly a master." the armored Elf answered.  With an annoyed tug Talis adjusted his rumpled robes and heavy Plate Armor.

Once he had regained his composure Talis eyed the nearby door once again "Shall we knock, Master Durek?  I for one am interested in solving this riddle.  Especially since I believe that this is the place I was sent to find regardless of the rude thief.  Yes, Molesleigh Moss.  This is the place."

Talis moved toward the door and prepared to knock "I would also like to apologize for my earlier behavior.  I have been accused of being...rash in my actions by some of my peers."

"My apologies also.  It does appear that we have a mystery in front if us."  Placing  his axe on his shoulder and stepping back from the door.  "Lead on master elf"

In reply to Durek (msg # 15):

Talis rapped firmly on the door "What brings you to this place, if I may ask?"

"The stubbornness and prejudices of my people... and yet here I am acting like them."  He concludes busting out in laughter mostly at himself.  "If my clan could see me now.  Deserted surface street, knocking on a door and solving a mystery with an elf.  I believe my father's heart would actually stop." he says laughing again.

"However I am resolved to try and do better.  'Friend' elf." he says a smile on his face and with a curt bow.

In reply to Durek (msg # 17):

Talis turned away from the door and looked at Durek in mild surprise "Well that's a relief.  In truth I've never met a Dwarf before, but I've heard stories that always seem to cast your kind in a less than favorable light.  Perhaps we can break from the general tradition and decide for ourselves whether we like each other or not?" somewhat sheepishly the tall Elf offered his hand to the Dwarf.

As Kareth moved to the 'front' door, he heard voices just outside the door. Then, without him touching the door, it suddenly swung open.

A disembodied voice spoke then: "PLEASE COME IN. I'VE BEEN EXPECTING TALIS BUT HAD NO IDEA HE'D BRING... SUCH INTERESTING GUESTS."

Kareth looks over both shoulders just to check that the VOICE is in fact talking to him.

He makes sure that his dagger is loose in its sheath and then gingerly steps just inside the threshold, nervously peering about himself

The door that swung open was the one that led to the outside where an Elf and Dwarf were standing. The Elf appears about to knock on the door.

Kareth can see them, and presumably they can see him.

Shaking the elfs hand. "Agreed."

Then as the door opens and the voice calls out Durek pulls his hand back and points inside.  "Well it appear as if our mystery may be solved.  He knows your name Talis. After you."

Durek the follows Talis through the door.

In reply to Durek (msg # 22):

OOC: Presumably we can see Kareth, but can we actually see him?

"Hail and well met, disembodied voice!  Presumably you belong to Ember Rain?" Talis moved through the door and looked around curiously.  Though Talis was experienced to magic use it was rare that he encountered its application in such abundance.  He was both delighted and impressed, though the absence of a physical Greeter concerned him.

Yes, you can see Kareth.

"Just come on upstairs. I'm in the laboratory," the voice speaks again.

Upon entering, you can see a flight of circular iron stairs just past what appears to be the foyer that you entered.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 24):

"Hey!  It's that thief!" Talis paused for a moment "Should we...should we get him?" he asked Durek.  The Elf was torn.  He wanted to help the guards catch the thief so they would help him find Molesleigh.  Now he was in Molesleigh so was there any reason to apprehend him beside moral duty?

"Well today has been a rather strange day indeed Talis.?  He does need to be questioned at the least.  The voice doesn't seem to concerned with him."

Stepping through the door and pointing his axe at the 'thief'.  "You.  State your business."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Mon 13 Jan 2014.

Kareth (secretly somewhat miffed that the entryphone voice, indeed, does not deem him worth of note) puts his hands on his hips and looks down at the Dwarf.

"I shall state my business when you state yours, Master Longbeard."

Then he gestures politely up the stairs, bowing slightly but with a definite touch of insolence "I believe the master awaits your presence".

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 27):

A little irked by the thief's insolence Talis said "I was invited and Master Durek is my guest.  You, however, are a fugitive.  Would you care to explain how you passed through that wall to us or to the authorities, Master No Beard?" 

OOC: I don't see a description for you, Kaleth, so if you have a beard lemme know, I'll change my text.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 13:14, Tue 14 Jan 2014.

Moving in behind Talis.  Durek takes up a position of support while waiting on an answer.

No sooner had Talis and Durek stepped inside than the door swung shut. There was no need for the lock to engage because the door completely vanished a moment later, leaving a blank wall.

"The invitation was for all three of you," the voice announces. "I, too, would like to know how the accused was able to pass through the wall."

Kareth, one hand stroking his clean-shaven chin pensively, tries to look up at the source of the voice.

"Well met, master.  I confess that I myself wonder the same thing.   The wall simply did not impede me - and I am glad it did not, or my fine nose would now be looking more like Durek's here.   Perhaps because I am human and they are not?"

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 31):

OOC: Talis is the one that smashed his nose.

Talis smirked at Kareth's dig.  He could appreciate humor even at his own expense, but he wondered how the accused thief knew about it?  Unless his nose was obviously broken or badly bruised?  With sudden concern Talis began to gingerly poke at his nose again and looked around for a looking glass or other reflective surface.

"Shall we adjourn upstairs?  I for one would like to meet our host face to face while we explore the riddle of our new friend's incorporeal adventure!"

OOC: Dwarves have fugly noses even when they haven't been broken!!

Kareth politely pretends not to notice Talis' vain pokings, he simply gestures for Talis to lead on up the stairs "let us indeed.  I for one would not spend more time in this strange abode than I have to.   My name is Melphis by the way."

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 33):

Talis leads the way up stairs still rubbing at his delicate nose.

Durek nods politely at Kareth and then follows Talis up the stairs.

Wending their way up the spiral stairs, the three of you find yourselves in a hallway with five closed doors and one open door at the end. Heading down to the open door, there is a study or den visible. You enter on one side near one end. The walls are lined with bookshelves full of books and bric-a-brac, and there is a desk in front of a large arched window at the other end.

Sitting behind the desk is a man with black hair and moustache and goatee. He's dressed in black and red. If it wasn't for the blue eyes, he'd look like a typical warlock.

There are three chairs set in front of the desk.

He stands up as they enter.

"Please, sit down. I am Ember Rain. Would you care for any refreshments? Wine? Ale?"

Durek finds a seat and sits down placing his axe near his feat.  "Ale for me."

In reply to Durek (msg # 37):

Talis was about to ask for wine, but hesitated you came here to experience new things, Talis, start small and appreciate the details he thought to himself.  "I too shall have an ale!"

"My parents have always spoken highly of you, Master Rain, they send you their regards and this" with a flourish the Elven warrior produced a sealed letter.

Kareth looks askance at the chairs for a few moments just in case they are designed to collapse or anything, then seats himself and asks for ale also.  He lets Talis do the talking.

A moment later, a try floats in with four chilled mugs of ale on it. The tray floats over to each of them and one of the mugs is set down in front of them, with the fourth one going to Ember.

While that was going on, Ember took the offered sealed letter, opened it and read through it.

"Interesting... interesting," he comments to himself at first. "Nothing I wasn't expecting, but still..."

"Now, as to Kareth's strange ability to walk through walls... or, more specifically, walk through MY wall."

"I suspect it has to do with the necklace in his pocket. Even out in the street, I could sense the resonance with the Radiance."

"I do not mean this as an accusation, but perhaps you could tell us how you came by the necklace?"

The floating tray and the general strangeness of the situation has impressed Kareth enough that he cannot suppress the reflex of putting his hand to his pocket and touching the jewel.

After a moment's hesitation, he reluctantly pulls it out and holds it up to the light, getting a good look at the piece for the first time.

"Well, this??   I am afraid it is not mine, nor 'twas I that stole it.  I was rather hoping to keep it though!!    Some pickpocket lifted it in the market and when the hue and cry got hot on his tail, he dropped it into my jacket and lighted off in another direction"

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 41):

Talis eyed the rangy, confident fellow with a look of supreme skepticism.  The Elf had seen the Guards chase Kareth around the corner and he had seen no other thief shoving necklaces into his pocket.

"You can't really think we'll fall..." Talis stopped himself.  Hadn't he misjudged Durek just moments before by rushing to conclusions?  Perhaps a little more investigation would lead to the truth.  He began again "What did this other man look like?  Does the necklace look familiar, Master Rain?  If nothing else perhaps we can return it to its rightful owner."

Durek continues to sip his ale.  His doubt of Kareth story mirrored Talis, but he decided to let his new friend and the mysterious man do the questioning.  He studies the tone and speech of the conversation, looking to glean a piece of information.

"Returning the item may not be as simple as it sounds," Ember replies. "If Kareth's story is true, and I suspect it is, then there may be more going on here than meets the eye."

"The whole thing hinges on the necklace itself. You see, if it is magical and has been touched by the Radiance, the question becomes was it touched before or after the Day of Dread."

"It seems unlikely that the necklace's owner was not aware of its magical nature. It seems equally unlikely that they would be so careless with it to allow it to be stolen in the market place, especially by a rather inept thief."

"So the question becomes, why was the thief so determined to avoid capture, and why would he so readily get rid of the necklace?"

"There is clearly a possibility that the necklace was intentionally planted on Kareth. That then begs another question: why?"

"As much as I would like to examine the necklace, I think it must remain in Kareth's possession for now. There really does appear to be more going on here than it appears on the surface. I shall have to investigate."

"Have you any questions?"

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 44):

Talis was moved by idle curiosity and asked "Do you think the necklace caused this...man to pass through your wall?" the Elf turned toward Kareth and shrugged an apology.

"Also, Durek and I are strangers to this city.  Is there an Inn you would recommend?  Something clean and not too expensive." having all but admitted now that he was short of funds and was not likely to receive an allowance from his family the broad shouldered Elf finished by asking "I would also be interested in finding work.  Do you know anyone who is in need of assistance?"

Kareth breaks out in a light sweat but through long practice keeps a calm face.

"Hmm.  How do you know this necklace is enchanted?    And the Radiance?..    Ahem, sounds like strong magic.    Are you sure that YOU wouldn't like to keep ahold of this item sir?   Perhaps while you do this tomorrow, I could scout around the marketplace and try to find the fellow who dropped it on me?"

"The necklace found its way into your possession for a reason," Ember replies, "and until we know what that reason is, I think it best for it to stay there."

"Unless Kareth here has some ability to pass through walls that he isn't telling us, I am pretty sure the necklace made it possible. I use the Radiance myself in the protection of my house, and it must have been the interaction of the two that made this happen."

"As to an inn, you are my guests for the evening. I have sufficient room for all of you. As to work, well... we shall see what the morrow brings."

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 47):

Talis looked surprised and then quite pleased by Master Rain's offer "I thank you, Master, that is quite generous of you."

"As new arrivals I think Durek and myself would like to have a look around your fair city.  Perhaps Kareth would show us the sights?  Who knows we may even come across the thief during our sight-seeing?"

'Unless there's anything else you require of us at this time?" The polite Elf asked.

"Agreed.  I too would like to move around the city and see what it holds." Standing and moving near Talis he continues "We do need to earn some coin in order to keep our belly's full."

"There is nothing I require of you at the moment," Ember replies, "but after I look into the matter of this letter Talis delivered, perhaps there shall be some employment I can offer you."

"However, if the task is what I believe it to be, it may require more than just three stalwart adventurers. As you explore the city, it can't hurt to look for a few other like-minded individuals that might be interested in joining you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Mon 27 Jan 2014.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 50):

"Adventure!  That has a nice ring to it." the Elf was relieved he pictured that he would be unloading freight from the docks or digging ditches somewhere.

"Let's go, fellows, we have a mysterious man to find for Kareth and stout hearted warriors to hire!" 

Kareth surreptitiously wipes the sweat from his brow and nods at Talis' suggestion.

He does not remember an Elf ever being quite so hearty - but he will be relieved to get out of this strange house and at least try to find the curmudgeon who has burdened him with the fateful jewellery.

The three of you leave Ember's house, and see no signs of the city guards as you step out into the street. It only takes a few minutes to walk back to the market place. After about an hour of walking around and looking at all the products being hawked, Kareth still hasn't spotted the thief.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 53):

Exasperated by the fruitless search Talis asked, for the third infuriating time "Hopeless!  What did you say this thief looked like again?"

Without waiting for a reply the tall Elf thought out loud "Perhaps we're going about this from the wrong end.  We should go back to the stall that you originally heard the scuffle from.  Maybe the merchant knew the person the necklace was stolen from.  He might even be the victim." 

"Sounds alright by me.  Anything is better than wandering around looking for a needle in a haystack."

"Aye, a good idea - but if he recognizes me he might call the law! - how about one of you approach the man and engage the man in conversation, tell him you are hunting the thief.  I will come around behind his stall in case he makes a run for it"

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 56):

"A fine plan.  Durek, will you do the talking?  I know little of merchants and their commerce-driven ways, but I am keen to learn."

One of the things that occurs to Kareth is that thieves are known to wear disguises, so the thief may no longer look the same, which would explain why you haven't spotted him.

And there's always the possibility that he left the city already.

Now that you know the necklace is... 'peculiar', and Ember suggested there is something going on behind the scenes, the thief may be in hiding... lying low until the heat dies down.

The question still remains: did the thief know the necklace was magical?

"OK, I guess.  The people of Glantri are not known to receive dwarves well.  Which one is the merchant?"

Once he knows which merchant he is going too, he waits for Kareth to move into the crowd and around behind the merchant stall before approaching him.

"Hail and well met good Sir.  I am trying to locate a thief that stole a necklace.  I'm told that you may have his description that I may find him and turn him over to the law."

"Why would I have a thief's description?" the merchant replies, clearly baffled at Dwarf's request. "You think just because I sell necklaces that some thief stole one from me? Well, he didn't!"


Kareth soon realizes that this isn't the 'merchant' from whom the thief stole the necklace, but it is the same stall.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 60):

"Perhaps you could tell us who rented this stall before you arrived then, friend Merchant?  Anything you can do to help us will surely benefit you." said the Elf as he began studying the merchant's wares as if interested in buying a trinket or two.

Kareth had looked at the same trinkets at one point, which is probably one of the reasons why he was selected as the target of the frame. It is the same stall, selling the same items, but the seller isn't the same person.


"How would I know who last used this stall?" the merchant almost snarls at what he clearly feels is a silly question. "That was almost 5 years ago! It sat empty for a year before I decided to license it."


At Talis's feigned interest in his necklaces, he launches into his sales speech.

"Now that necklace is the finest amber necklace from Ochalea. As you know, amber offers protection from vampires. For only 25 gold pieces, it's practically a steal!"

"That's a quite reasonable offer," Kareth responds to the merchant, "but we'd actually need a set... six or seven, at least."

"As for our enquiries, we're not talking about five years ago. The crime happened this morning, about 10 bells. You weren't here at the time. Was there somebody covering your absence?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:20, Tue 11 Feb 2014.

Durek continues to stare up at the merchant, trying to gauge his reaction.

Kareth is trying to decide if this merchant is really so ignorant of the whole affair.  Perhaps the man is a mark just like Kareth himself was this morning?

He half-turns away and scans the surrounding stalls in case anyone seems to be watching with too much interest.

"Oh. Ummm, well, as a matter of fact," the merchant replies to Kareth, "it's possible I was, um, indisposed right about that time. I asked a friend to watch it for me while I was, um, dealing with that. But I was only gone a few minutes! And there was nothing stolen! I'd know if something was missing!"


Kareth doesn't notice anyone else that seems to be paying attention to them or the merchant. After a few moments, he's convinced that the earlier events were just a one-time incident. Apparently nobody expected Kareth to come back asking questions.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 66):

"This friend of yours?  Where can we find him?  I assure you we mean him no harm.  We merely wish to clear up a mystery." asked Talis in his most friendly tone.

"Manfred. His name's Manfred," the merchant replied to Talis. "He's an armorer. The last I knew, he hangs out in the Barrel of Monkeys."

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 68):

Talis eyed the man wondering if he was being teased "Barrel of Monkeys?" he then turned to Kareth for an explanation "Barrel of Monkeys?"

"And your name, good Merchant?" asked the tall Elf.

"Where is this Barrel of Monkeys?  Is it a tavern or inn?"

"My name's Morgan... Morgan Shant," the merchant replies. "The Barrel of Monkeys is a pub, popular with Dwarves. It's in the Westside district. Hard to miss."

Kareth nods to Shant "well then, we shall buy this Manfred a drink from the Monkey Barrel."  He flips the man a small coin "thanks for your time - don't bother to remember our faces, geddit?"

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 72):

Talis throws the merchant a rakish smile "Feel free to remember my face, Master Morgan!"

Talis walks across the way to the stall opposite the jeweler and asks the vendor for the name of the jeweler.  Just a double check to make sure the jeweler isn't lying.

"Alright then let us head over to this inn and find this 'Manfred'" Axe over his shoulder he heads to the western side of town inquiring along the way for the directions to the inn.

The vendor across the path is produce seller, and he readily informs Talis that the jewelry seller's name is Morgan.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 75):

"To the barrel of Monkeys, my friends!" Talis begins to stride off, but suddenly remembers he has no idea where to go.  He stops and bows to Kareth and Durek "After you, Gentlemen."

"Off we go then!"

The group had no trouble finding the oddly-named pub, though there were no outward signs of the name. The exterior was rather nondescript, but, like every building in Glantri City, it was unique.

See "Mayhem in the Market Square" for a description. If you want to go in, go ahead and join the "Mayhem in the Market Square" thread.

Opening the door to the inn, Durek leads the others in.