Our heroes return with partial success. The former slaves sing the praises of the group who have been dubbed the Finders of Jzadirune. A envoy dwarves from Korum inquires as to what was found and begin preparing to mount an expedition to get return to their ancestral home. They pay well for the information as well as the keys found during the exploration.

A few nights spent in the tavern The Scoundrel and Dirk allows our heroes to unwind and feel as though they have done good despite not managing to bring back the orphans.


This message was last edited by the GM at 16:41, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Sitting besides Filimena in a corner of the tavern, Marik is occupied with carving a long piece of wood with a large knife. He looks up to meet the gaze of the newcomer after the first sentence. A word rings in his ears.

"Chronicler?" He repeat, as is the word suddenly piqued his interest. "What... kind of chronicles?" he ask, in a somewhat broken Common.

The man smiles widely as though Marik has asked his favorite question.

He gestures to then takes an empty seat at the groups' table as he speaks, "Yes I go a have gone into the troubled areas of this land and documented what I find there. Perhaps you've seen my book Disa's Guide to Monsters? It is an invaluable tome for adventurers such as yourselves. I am just back from an island to the south called Agirstein by the locals, fascinating place! I will be writing about soon."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Marik put away his work and look at Filimena, asking her in Elven


[Language unknown: "Wil a wh se ove weteei we asison n resatioul ussswhsi pl nongdi k miloar sonveravelesvir, elna?" ]. Like he had his answer just from her look, he quickly wave a hand to get the waiter attention and turn back to Disanz.

"Agirstein... you say?" he reply, taking pauses to choose his words carefully. Common was hard enough without mixing some alcohol into it and that last drink was a bit stronger than he tought. That person must be the first glimmer of hope he found since he arrived in Titan's Gate and he must be cautious not to offend them. "Never heard name but... fascinating you say? I don't know this word... This means...strange or ancient, yes?... I think I heard humans describe a elven...ruins... with that word before...What did...see you in Agirstein?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Wed 19 Sept 2018.

Filimena frowns and mutters almost silently as the elf cuts her off just as she is about to answer his question. Why ask, if he can't be bothered to wait for a reply. Pretending not to care, she turns to her mug of ale, takes a swig, and looks back at the bizarre-looking man who has approached them proclaiming himself at their service in a showy, obnoxious way that can only mean he fully expects them to soon be at his.

"Yes, do tell us about Agirstein," she says, sweetly.

OOC:

Does Filimena know anything about Agirstein, or Disa's Guide to Monsters? I'm guess that's a history check.

22:47, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 19 using 1d20+2, rerolling ones with rolls of 17.  History.

And maybe I roll some kind of charisma check to see how sweet Filimena can be when she's trying? I'll roll a performance, but if you decide it should be a deception instead Filimena has a +7 bonus. I really need to use these charisma bonuses while we're in the city and they actually mean something

22:49, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 24 using 1d20+5, rerolling ones with rolls of 19.  Performance.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:05, Thu 20 Sept 2018.

Filimena has heard of Disanz and his book - he is well known as an explorer who writes of his journey and has gotten a small amount of fame from his writings.

[Private to Filimena the Gentle: As the name Agirstein is mentioned the voices that speak to Filimena echo in her head

Agirstein
_Land ^{of Stone} and Sea
^{Far from the} Spinelands they all roamed
PeacefulOrcs who are one with the island
Dragonborn ^unknowingly _{look into}the Abyss
Explorers ^turned native

]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:41, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

[Language unknown: "Staamecom...i ta..."] Marik looks like he's trying to find the correct word for what he's trying to say for a few seconds, then says "[Language unknown:  Re ie ounsta'ingeaushe Hououtwit? i arelti la thaaveday lat yin]".

[Language unknown: "M laramerom Ou ngwati sti whiundatitic k us tehome. P thoective ion venstihastio."] Disanz says with an obvious bit of frustration in his voice. "I simply didn't want to be rude to the fine halfling lady here."]|
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Filimena involuntarily winces and wrenches her head forcefully to the left, away from Marik and the strange man, spilling some of her ale as her entire body jerks momentarily. Deep breaths, she thinks, as her head fills once again with the voices of a million disembodied consciousnesses floating wildly in a distant void. Slowly, she lifts her mug of ale to her lips, taking another gulp from what is left in it. The voices turn echoey, as if calling to her from within a massive metal drum.

"I speak Elven, it's fine," she says, wincing still as the voices slowly begin to dissipate. "This friend of yours, Floon. What makes you so certain he was kidnapped? Could he not have vanished of his own volition?"

"I was having writers block the other day and Floon suggested we head out for drinks. So we  went down to the Skewered Dragon near the docks," Disanz gestures with his tankard in the general direction of the docks. After taking a drink he continues, "I left my handsome friend after few hours of drink and games of chance. We agreed to meet up the today and I've not seen nor heard from him. He was well dressed that night and being down at the docks that might have drawn unwanted attention to Floon."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Marik note Filimena flinch and look at her, a bit worried but saying nothing. He pursues the conversation.

[Language unknown: "E Thelinsti ro a ourtheess? Weven hou t neasck stter?" ]

 Disanz shakes his head, "No no, Floon is just a friend and sometimes muse." The man takes a moment to think before saying, "He's a handsome human male in his early thirties with wavy red-blond hair, perhaps six feet tall with a lean build. He was dressed in princely garb when last I saw"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

"Hm...." simply replies Marik, while pondering his next answer and waiting to see if Filimena want to add something. She's a better talker than him. Instead he study Disanz attentively, focusing on the movement of his lips, the way he look at them when answering, his posture. All can reveal interesting information to one who knows how to look.


OOC: Marik rolled 16 on a Insight check to study Disanz, see if the dwarf is trying to hide something.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:53, Fri 21 Sept 2018.

"The Skewered Dragon would be an obvious first place to look," Filimena offers, turning back again to the man, feeling slightly recovered. "And on the off-chance this was no random robbery... Might this Floon have any enemies?" A silly question, really. Everyone has enemies.

Marik doesn't get the feeling that Disa is hiding anything, he just seems concerned about his friend.

   Taking a moment to ponder, Disa says "Floon is a carefree soul who enjoys a good drink and a game of chance, he loses more often than he wins making him often an easy mark rather than one to make enemies."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:44, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Satisfied, Marik take a look at Filimena. Seems like this one picked her interest too. She's already offering to go take a look. Why not, after all. He had suggested they leave the city soon, but...no harm in delaying their departure a bit. What's the worst that could happen?

[Language unknown: "En postsa ha ouieon u ic e beho ome atsa nawawe onesi Ofncenin Ovelinday, ivwi nt ek un chan mo icte. Lo ek onneca u chulta rut andhisant, areeas wahaar nt ive ni ilad o. Ol peni...whwe, P we nteoreent n nce le ortwittinine I bleur hiet. Aiand Aiof con eve astrliee est fiss t wil loli...]

His glass emptied, Marik leaves some money on the table and get up to leave. He then makes his way shakingly toward the back door, his wooden legs making a audible knock...knock as he walks.


OOC: Should we get moving and Disanz agree to come along, Marik will try to question him a bit on the way about his travels, saying he's interested in the old ruins of the Kalanzabaar and the ancient elven cities and asking if Disanz came across any of them.

Filimena narrows her eyes slightly, skeptical. No enemies? That sounds unlikely. As it is, he's sounding more and more insufferable to her. Seeing Marik get up to leave, she finishes the rest of her ale, places the mug back on the counter, and hops of her stool to follow after him. Looking back at the strange man, she motions at him with her head to follow along.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:50, Tue 25 Sept 2018.

Showing no signs of going with, Disa hands Filimena a pair of coin purses, "Initial payment, as promised. Let no one say that Disanz Zahatharb doesn't pay his debts."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:44, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Assuming they will meet outside the tavern and go together at the Skewered Dragon (Marik doesn't know where it is), Marik makes his way to Rani waiting in the back alley. The big cat appear to be locked in a staring contest with a strange bird with feathers of black and purple perched on a nearby window. Chuckling, Marik whistle to get her attention and mount to join Disanz and Filimena at the front of the inn.

The early morning rain has recently ended which leaves a warm mist coming off the cobble stone streets of Titans Gate. People are moving hurriedly through the streets as though with purpose. The city guard patrols seem rather active from when last you were in the city. Overall it seems like nice spring day.