Morning 3 Frostkolt 404AC (Solinari HS1 waxing gibbous; Lunitari LS6 waxing crescent; Nuitari LS1 new)

While the bazaar of Pashin didn't compare to the legendary Grand Bazaar of Khuri-Khan, one could find goods from many parts of Ansalon there. Though it was mostly known for its horses, and the entire western half of the bazaar dealt exclusively with horses. Leaving everything else for the eastern half.

You can see tents of every shape and size that creates a dizzying array of colors under the bright winter desert sun. You see dwarves, minotaurs, ogres, and humans haggling over the price of wares. Nomads and nobles can be found here, as well as too many kender says the merchants.

It is said that almost anything can be found in the bazaar, legal or not. It all depends on who you ask and how much your money pouch weighs.

Lord Brightblade leads the way with Marcus and Gina following the closest, while the others keep their distance from the knight’s wrath. When you get to the booths the other squires have set up, you can see them giving a dark look at Marcus, clearly telling you that they disdain not only the fact that he somehow managed to avoid doing any of the work. But what was worse, he managed to do so in the company of Gina.

Marcus maintains a cool and dignified appearance, while looking around alertly. He ignores the looks of his fellow squires, though it pains him that they may think he was deliberately shirking his duty. However he has higher orders from the King himself, and those orders supersede any lesser tasks he may have to do. As always his duty is paramount in his mind. He walks a pace behind Lord Brightblade and Lady Gina, keeping a watchful eye on both, protecting their backs and watching out for pickpockets.

Before proceeding into the crowded market Digorye stops and quietly asks the group, "Does anybody have any coin purses or anything that they'd like kept secure? I'll be happy to carry them for you, if so." Then he whispers a small enchantment to himself, patting down his bags before continuing.

[Private to GM: Secure Items - Enchantment, Force
Casting Time - 1 Round (6)
Range - Touch (1)
Duration - 6 hours (5)
Activation - Auto item (2)
Area: Weight - 50 lbs (4)
Effect: Creation - Secure Items (5)
Total: 23 SP, L0 Spell. Secures all of the casters personal belongings (up to 50 lbs) to him for 6 hours, so that they can't be picked, plundered, or purloined. The caster may end this enchantment at any time on his entire inventory, or simply releasing selected items as needed.]

Feeling more secure, he then proceeds into the marketplace with the others and addresses the group. "So, what are we trying to pawn? The carvings might be worth something... the wine might be better drunk, and the gems we could trade off if we're trying to purchase something in particular, but are probably otherwise left as they are, since they're easier to carry than a purse full of steel."

Gabriel followed the others into the bazaar, his attention was elsewhere. Why had they not told the Lord about the key? How come they were going about this simple duty when something much more important was before them? When would Marcus say something to the Lord about his dreams? Why had Gina seemed to single him out as some kind of conquest?

Gabriel was full of questions, he didn't expect any answers but still it kept his mind of things that where much more important.

"Oh, look!  Rolls stuffed with meat!"

The bazaar was a great opportunity for Julian to waste time.  He had shared his thoughts about the subject with Gabriel on the way - it seemed they were of a similar mindset - but he didn't really understand the significance of the Key anyway, and it would still be there after a jaunt through the market.  His stomach had already told him that there were more than a few vendors he absolutely had to meet.

Then, who could be expected to digest without entertainment?  Who were they, barbarians?  So, the eating was followed by watching the buskers and street entertainers and tossing enough coins to matter, before heading off for more food.

Julian really didn't have much interest in the Key at the moment.  After all, it was going to be there later, right?

Near the booth where the knights were selling their wares, though Lord Brightblade had taken one of the squires and left for the horses, a trio of acrobats, including a female afflicted kender, a female half elf, and a muscular male Khur nomad, performed a wide variety of tricks to entertain the crowd. But the crowd didn’t seem impressed by the performance, and instead harassing a jeering the performers. And this continued until the man stumbled and dropped the kender into the crowd. And this just made things worse. The crowd became angry as the crowd accused the trio of attempting to robbing them blind.

[Private to Marcus Valarian: On the way to the booth, Lord Brightblade made sure Marcus knew that he had intended to bring him with him to the horse market, which was the better assignment for a squire. But because of his actions, he would be left at the booth instead.]

[OOC: Is it possible for us to be in a public place without getting dragged into some sort of brawl? ;-)]

Sensing the start of a large commotion, Digorye steered well clear of the performers, looking instead for vendor booths that might have interesting merchandise.

Marcus stays at the booth, dutifully selling the Knights' wares to anyone who is interested. He lacks the creativity necessary for skillful negotiations, so his named price is usually the exact amount he is willing to accept. He is aware that the other squire out buying horses with Lord Brightblade has been given the more prestigiuous assignment, but he is also aware that there are no trivial tasks in the service of the Knighthood. He is determined to do his job to the best of his ability, though he decides he will speak with Lord Brightblade at an appropriate time. He notes the performers trying to start a riot, but ignores the conflict. Any attempt to interfere would conflict with his specific duty to man the booth, so he keeps a wary eye out for trouble, while watching the booth carefully for thieves.

It had been a bad couple of bad days for entertainers in Pashin. Gabriel made his way through the crowd trying to reach the area where the kender had fallen. He hoped Julian was behind him since his skills with negotiation included smashing heads and gentle whacks with the flat of his blade.

Injustices such as this shouldn't be happeneing especially under the watchful eye of the Solamnic Knights, but as anyone could plainly see the squires attentding the booths could care less about the plight of the common man.

Julian watched with some reservation as Gabriel made his way to rescue the kender.  It was the right thing to do, but doing the right thing in the middle of a mob could lead to unfortunate conclusions.  Besides, kenders were skilled at escaping lynch mobs - they had to be.

His compassion and reason got into a small scuffle and his compassion emerged victorious but slightly battered: he made a few warding prayers and followed in Gabriel's wake, trying to think of what exactly he was going to say that would help them escape without being killed.

[Private to GM:

I think Julian's going to need to whip out...

ACTION - Standard action (7)
RANGE - Personal (0)
DURATION - 1 day (6)
ACTIVATION - Personal (0)
AREA, SPATIAL - Individual (0)
EFFECT - CHA +4 (4)
EFFECT, TARGET - (+12)

TOTAL COST = 29, a lvl 0 slot

That'd be as part of his 'warding prayers'.]

The crowd looks at the two cousins interrupting them.

"What do you want," one of them asks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:07, Mon 19 Nov 2007.

"Well, we're here to prevent the kender from getting into anyone's pockets, of course!  The Knights of Solamnia specifically requested his presence to entertain them, and far be it from me to tell a knight that having a kender around is trouble!"

He leans down to help the kender up, giving him a wink.

"Now then, who else thinks those pies over there are the greatest things ever?!"  Julian rather liked the sweetbread stand he was indicating and proceeded to regale the audience - loudly - with just how great he thought they were.

He took the kender's hand and jammed it around Gabriel's belt.  If something was missing they could laugh about it later and make restitutions or what-not when the unfortunate acrobat was rummaging his way through the Knight's belongings.

[Private to GM:

14:03, Today: Julian Uth Argus rolled 33 using 1d20+24. Persuasion. ]

Speaking with the crowd, Julian easily convinced them to withdraw, and they soon left the acrobats alone.

“Thank you,” the kender said and shook Julian’s hand. “I’m Grace. And these are my friends Blythe and Stallion,” indicating the female half elf and the male nomad.

[Private to Julian Uth Argus: Next time Julian “rests” he will level up. Please let me know how.]

[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: Next time Gabriel “rests” he will level up. Please let me know how.]

Julian smiled a friendly smile and kept a hand on his coin purse.

"Nice to meet you Grace!  And similar hellos for you two as well!  Don't mind the locals - they're not a big fan of fun or kenders, apparently.  Have you been performing long?"

Performers had good stories, knew where to find the best booze, and gymnast women were the sort of companion that Julian liked sleeping next to, at least until sunrise.

He gave Blythe a winning smile.

"Nice to meet you too," Grace said. "We've been here a while and usually we do fine, but I guess this crowd didn't like our thing."

Blythe returned Julian's smile.

Customers came and went at the booth, some more interested in their wares than others.

Gabriel hadn't paid much attention to any of the performers after they had been rescued from the rowdy mob. Instead he was watching the people coming and going at the booth, and where Gina had gone off to.

As Gabriel tried to find Gina, he noted that she was some 20 yards away looking at the wares of at a nearby booth, seemingly not aware of what had just transpired.

As busi8ness is slow, Marcus spends much of his time keeping an eye on the various members of the Knight's party, making sure that they are okay.

[Private to GM: Marcus will keep a close eye on Gina in particular to ensure she is not troubled, in accordance with his vow to the King.]

"Well, we'd better get back to work or we won't make any money," Grace told Julian.

"And we'll be at the Hog's Head tonight," Blythe added.

[OOC: The Hog's Head was the place where you all went to relax before going to listen to the Herald.]

"Right, the Hog's Head.  Maybe I'll see you there!"

He gave her a smile and started to turn around to talk to Gabriel, but he was gone.  Somewhere else, apparently, which was sort of incomprehensible to Julian since he couldn't imagine a more interesting place to be.

He shrugged and started looking for his cousin.  There was no telling what kind of trouble he'd get into without Julian around.

Soon enough Julian found Gabriel, as he hadn't moved that far from the acrobats.

[Private to Julian Uth Argus: He also notes that both Gabriel and Marcus are keeping their eyes on the beautiful princess Gina.]

After exploring the bazaar for awhile, Digorye walks back over to his cousins, his head hanging low and his feet shuffling sadly. He looks lost in his own, sad little thoughts as he pictures how disappointed his girlfriend is going to be.

As day became evening and the bazaar closed, the group returned to town inside the walls. On the way they were stopped by a patrol of four knights of Takhisis.

“Have you seen any of these people,” one of them asked and showed them fairly detailed sketches of three people. The first was a human male, the other a female elf, and the third face all of you recognized as the leader of the group you fought yesterday.

[What do you do?]

[Private to Marcus Valarian: The elven female is the woman from Marcus' dream.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:50, Mon 26 Nov 2007.

Julian looked over the sketches.  Poor artistry.  Apparently the Knights were doing their own artwork these days.

"Oooh, these people look rough.  What did they do?"  It was an honest question.  He was curious if he'd get an honest answer.

“He is the leader of a group of criminals,” the knight said pointing at the rugged, middle aged man with dark hair and eyes. “She is a leader of another group of criminals,” he said pointing at the beautiful, fair haired, and pale eyed elf. “He is a leader of a third group of criminals,” he said pointing at the familiar face.

"That's a lot of criminals.  I take it then they're dangerous?  If we see them we should just find a Knight or someone?  Or is there a reward for their return that makes risking one's life worth it to try and bring them in without help?"

"There are rewards. The first two are 1,000 steel each and the last is 100 steel."

Marcus looks at the pictures, caught in particular by that of the elven woman, whose features are etched into his mind. Trying to phrase his answer so that he does not directly lie, he says, "It is hard to be certain. Can you tell us any more about them? We may have some luck in finding them if you can tell us a bit more."

"There's not much to say really. They're criminals that prey on this town and its surroundings."

"What have the first two done to warrant such a huge bounty, while the third pays only a hundred steel?"

"They lead larger groups that have committed more crimes."

[Private to Marcus Valarian: You sense that though he is telling the truth, he's hiding something too.]

[Private to Julian Uth Argus: You sense that though he is telling the truth, he's hiding something too.]

[Private to GM: For Gina: You sense that though he is telling the truth, he's hiding something too.]

Gabriel had been listening to the knights keeping quiet but finally decided to speak up "What proof would you need to satisfy the bounty?" Gabriel wished to just dispense with the secrets and let them know they had already killed the group of lowly criminals.

"We'd need them taken into custody. Preferably alive."

"If you can give us the reward, we can tell you where to find that man's body." Digorye speaks up, pointing at the third picture. "We wandered into his camp last night, looking for shelter from the snow. Instead of offering shelter they immediately set upon us, trying to kill us all." Digorye starts to get into his little performance now, pantomiming out the roles as he describes them. "There were many of them, but we fought valiantly. Sword clashed against sword, and into flesh. Their spell casters tried to strike us down with their magic. We tried to subdue them, to stop them from killing us, simply hoping to escape with our lives. And in the end, we emerged victorious, and with our lives and bodies intact. And unfortunately they lay dead at our feet, colouring the snow red around them. Unfortunately, their wounds were much to harsh to be helped, for they tried to kill us even with their last strength, refusing to submit to us even after it became apparent that we were the superior force..." Digorye looked up now at the guard, as if snapping out of a living memory. "So, if there's a reward in it for us, we'll be happy to tell you where you can find their bodies, frozen in the cold snow."

"We cannot give you the reward first. And if he's dead, it will be less than the 100 steel. Are they far from here?"

[OOC: If you leave tonight to go back there, you'll have to spend another night in the snow.]

As soon as Digorye begins laying out the details of the fight, Julian finds something else to be interested in.  He doesn't like the Knights and doesn't want to have anything to do with them... or their inevitable questions about the Key.

Marcus frowns slightly. He is already in trouble for wandering off on from the official party. He can not even contemplate the reaction Lord Brightblade would have if he disappeared for another night to go hunting renegades for the Knights of Takhisis.

Having finished speaking with the knights, you entered Pashin through the south gate as the sun was setting. The silver moon of Solinari was waxing gibbous and the red moon of Lunitari was a waxing cresent.

The air began to cool almost imediately as the sun sank beyond the western horizon because of the cold southern breezes that also caused misty bursts with every exhalation and brought the crisp sharp scent of winter with every inhalation. As well as refuse, dung, horses, and countless cooking fires.

People were heading home or to the taverns and you felt the chill of prickling neck hairs as if someone was watching you.

[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

[Private to Marcus Valarian: You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

[Private to Digorye Minaat: You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

[Private to GM: For Gina - You note a shadowy figure quickly disappearing down an alleyway.]

Gabriels eyes darted to an alley way not too far away and soon his legs followed. He ran full bore towards the alley, gesturing for the others to follow.

Having spotted the same shadowy figure that Gabriel was obviously chasing, Marcus draws his sword and charges into the alleyway after him. He hopes that the figure can be caught without violence, but he draws his blade because he doesn't know the figure's intentions or capabilities, and he wants to be prepared for anything.

Digorye quickly follows the others, heading for the same alleyway

His cousins were never allowed to have fun without Julian.  Well, as far as Julian was concerned.  He followed after them in the night, having absolutely no idea what was going on or where they were going.  Pebbles scattered in the night against the streets and his flapping, graceless running style ensured his family and allies knew he was close behind.

The five friends ran down the alleyways in pursuit of Julian didn’t know what. Turning this way and that, getting further and further into town. Until a female suddenly stepped into Gabriel’s path and as he ran into her, she was pushed off her feet.

Helping her stand, the pretty half elf tried to get herself and her provocative clothing back into some semblance of order. Seeing Digorye, she walked to him, wrapped her arms around one of his arms, smiled, introduced herself as Dove, and offered him her services.

The shadowy figure was standing some distance down the alleyway, as if waiting to be pursued again.

[What do you do?]

Elves get all the luck.

Julian finally figured out that they were on a merry chase.  He had no great appreciation for prostitutes, given that there was no real effort required in sleeping with on, but he could appreciate an attractive woman when he saw one.  It was doubly impressive to see in a prostitute, since their lifestyle lended them towards a life of poor hygiene, missing teeth and strange emanations from their nether regions.  For Julian, it was like catching the glimpse of an exotic bird - and expanding the simile, it was like catching the glimpse of an exotic bird right before it was caught, plucked, and hung on a line with a bunch of similarly beaten-in birds in the market in the morning.

Digorye quickly looked at Dove, and then at the figure they were chasing. "Hurry up you guys, see if you can catch him and see what he's on about. I'll ... question with this fine lady and see if she knows anything helpful."

And with that Digorye turns his attention back to the lovely lady on his arm. "So Miss Dove, what do you know that we can discuss?"

"I know many things," Dove said. "But I'd prefer to discuss them someplace warmer."

"Do you know anything of the person we are chasing?" Marcus asks in an urgent whisper, as he keeps an eye on the figure who is obviously waiting for the group to start chasing him again.

Before Dove had the time to answer Marcus’ question, four brutish looking thugs stepped out of an alleyway.

“Blackbird wants his money Dove,” one of them said.

“I don’t have the money,” Dove replied and held even tighter to Digorye's arm.

All other concerns become secondary at the change in circumstances. This young lady is in distress, and as a knight it is his duty to protect her. Marcus draws hsi sword with slow deliberation.

"Oh, great.  A pimp's thugs.  At least one can say that this city has employment and opportunity for all.  Gabriel, I think we can handle this if you wanted to continue following the somewhat spooky but probably very nice shadowy fellow beckoning us on.  Or you can wait - I don't think this is going to take long."

Julian made sure that he wasn't the closest person to the thugs before he started chatting.  His particular brand of mayhem benefited most from busy assailants and not being a living bulwark.

Gabriel heatd the tone in Julians voice and didn't even need to look back. He took off after the figure hoping not to have to chase him for much longer.

"Stay out of this," the goon said looking at Marcus.

A bald man walked confidently down the alleyway in your direction. From a distance you could see that he was bigger than all of you, except Gabriel. You could also see that something was moving next to him, and with him, in the shadows, but you couldn’t see what it was.

Perhaps they're backup.

"I'm not going to allow this," Marcus says to the thug. As big as the man is, he is nothing compared to the minotaur that Marcus counts as a friend. "One girl against all of you is not entirely fair. You against us would appear to be much more sporting," he says in a cool, calm voice.

As the bald man moves forward, the wolf next to him exits the shadows. And as the man comes closer, you all recognize the face of Regan Meyer, grandson Kaylan and Lucius Valarian. Though older, still a nephew of Marcus Valarian, through one of Marcus' sisters.

While Marcus and Julian step forward, Digorye quietly leads Dove by the arm back into the shadows a bit, away from the coming confrontation. He wants to make sure that she doesn't get hurt when the weapons start to come out.

Marcus lowers his sword in shock at the familiar figure before him. "Regan? What are you doing here?"

[Private to GM: What does Marcus know about Regan? Is he an upstanding sort or a criminal sort, information like that.]

"Marcus!" said Regan in surprise.

Bisa, the grey-maned wolf beside him tensed slightly at the sight of so many strangers.  Regan sensed his companion's unease and patted him gently on the back of the head, "It's ok Bisa," said the druid reassuringly.

Turning back to the scene (and his kin), Regan continued.  "I'm not entirely certain exactly why I'm here but I understand that I am meant to find you!"

Regan was a little taken aback by the sudden meeting of a relative and it was this fact that made him appear a little startled.

As Digorye lead Dove back into the shadows, the thugs followed.

"We want the money," the speaking thug repeated.

"I haven't got it yet," Dove replied from behind Digorye's back.

Marcus looks in amazement at the dramatic changes in his nephew, but the movements of the thugs brings him back to the matter at hand. His sword blade flicks upwards to block the path of the thugs. "Gentlemen, leave the lady alone," he says in a cold voice that still promises swift death.

"All we want is the money," the thug said. "And we're not leaving without it."

Marcus turns his head slightly to address the young woman. "Do you owe these men money, miss?"

Regan dismissed the other matters for now because the scene he found could well turn ugly.  True, it was none of his concern and yes, he initially only came to Pashin to partake in some simple trading but this was more pressing.

Additionally, Regan's family were involved.

The druid stood silently, his visage partially hidden by the long shadows cast by the buildings.  By the same token, the glint from Bisas' eyes could not be mistaken and it was as if one word from Regan would allow Bisa to do what he wanted to do...

"I owe Blackbird 25 steel," Dove said. "But it’s been a bad week and I don't have the money."

Marcus looks at the girl for a long moment, then reaches down to his belt. He fumbles around for a moment as he counts something, then he pulls out a handful of coins. He throws them on the ground in front of the thugs. "The lady doesn't have the money. I do. Take it and begone, her debt to you is paid." The knight stands tall and proud, looking imposing in his brightly polished armour and carrying his razor edged sword with practiced ease, making the thugs think twice before causing a fight when they have already been paid. Marcus figures that saving unnecessary bloodshed is worth the loss of a few coins.

[Private to GM: Marcus throws 25 steel on the ground at the thug's feet.]

The thugs picked up the money and left with their mission fulfilled.

Having her debt paid, Dove left Digorye's arm and wrapped herself around Marcus' arm instead. "What do you want me to do," she asked Marcus.

[Marcus: 25 steel removed from your purse.]

As the thugs scamper off, Marcus sheathes his sword. He looks startled as the young woman entwines herself around his arm, but relaxes immediately and smiles slightly at her actions. "They shouldn't bother you again, I expect," he says gently to the frightened young woman. Ignoring the more lurid possible interpretations of the provocatively clothed lady's words, he says, "You said there are many things you can tell us. Do you know of a warm and friendly place where you would feel comfortable speaking?"

"The Hog's Head," Dove said. "As long as we make sure that Blackbird gets his money first."

Julian watched the entire affair with his mouth half-open.  It was clear that Marcus had handled the situation with appropriate deftness, but Julian was more than a little surprised.  Why would any whore owe an underworld figure money?  Was it drugs?  Her protection money for the week?  What exactly was Marcus paying for?

Whatever it was, Marcus' decision and generosity were relieving and, in their own way, joyous.  Julian's wide smirk emerged at her question: 'what would you have me do', since Julian was thinking of a few things, and erupted into a short laugh at Marcus' response.

Yes, they were going to bother her again unless during the course of this meal she decided to drop her profession and pursue a life more virtuous, and yes, Julian was absolutely sure that she knew a place that was warm and friendly.  Hells, she carried it with her everywhere she went.

Marcus should have been more specific with his request.

Now, Julian wasn't the type to judge a person on their vocation.  It's hard to make a living when you don't have luck or riches, and for a pretty girl it has to be easy to make the decision to be a whore.  In fact, at this moment he was considering indulging her life's choices and empowering her entrepreneurial spirit by putting her in his employ, but Marcus' presence put that thought to rest.

With the death of that train of thought came also the demise of his desire to spend too much more time around them, what with Gabriel still running about trying to get killed.  Julian did what he could to try and catch up with his cousin.

Digorye is a little put off by how quickly she dumped his arm for another, but was used to his more muscular friends getting all the attention. "Lets make for the Hog's Head then, shall we?"
Although he was certainly admiring her ass-ets, he was more interested in what information she might have. She was, afterall, half-elven.

"Unless you want to go someplace more comfortable," Dove suggested.

"The Hog's Head will be fine," Marcus says, flushing slightly at Dove's directly suggestive words. He avoids looking at the others, knowing the expressions that will be on their faces. He particularly avoids that of Lady Gina.

"Shall we," Gina said and offered her right arm to Digorye.

"Marcus if you don't mind," Regan interjected, "I'd like to accompany you.  To be told to find my kin and then to stumble upon you like this is  somewhat fascinating...and quite strange!" he added.

"Paladine has plans for all of us. He doesn't always see fit to let us know the details, however. You would be most welcome among us, nephew. You have met all those here, have you not?" Marcus asks Regan. As descendants of Godsbringers, he feels it safe to assume that Regan has met all of the group at some point. "We are here on a mission for the Knighthood. A simple trading expedition, but as this area is ruled by the forces of Takhisis, we are under some level of secrecy."

"Paladine?"

Regan was somewhat surprised to hear the name of the leader of the 'good' Gods being mentioned but discussing such things in a back-street of Pashin - especially as Marcus noted the area was under Takhisis influence - was probably unwise.

"I will be happy to help," replied Regan simply.

Leaving the alleyways, you soon arrived at Hog's Head, the place where you went the first evening in Pashin. Only Regan hasn't been here before. As you walked there, Marcus and Dove walk very close together and speak softly to each other so that the rest of you cannot make out what they are speaking of.

Many male eyes were sent Gina's way, but the regulars just as quickly sent them elsewhere.

Dove led you to a table in the back where you could speak in relative secrecy.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Thu 06 Dec 2007.

Marcus smiles and clasps his nephew's hand warmly. He then starts to head towards the Hog's Head Inn, allowing Dove to lead him as she is entwined around his arm. Although he is curious about what has happened to Regan over the years since his disappearance, he decides that family business should be kept until a more private moment. He instead speaks quietly to the half-elven maiden on his arm, trying to learn more about her, so he can better judge her words when she tells her story at the inn.

[Private to GM: "Dove. A fitting name for one so delicate and beautiful. Tell me a little about yourself. How did you come to be travelling the back streets, running from a debt collector's thugs?" He gently runs a finger down the length of her forearm as he speaks. His melodious voice is warm while speaking to another of his mixed race heritage, and a pretty one at that.]

Digorye, Regan, and Gina joined Marcus and Dove at the back table [unless you want to sit somewhere else]. And one of serving girls came to take their order.

"What can I get you," she asked.

Gabriel entered the Hog's Head looking a little winded. He looked around trying to see his friends. He was able to follow mens eyes to the corner where Gina was sitting with the others. His made his way over casually and took a place next to Gina to give her cover from the prying eyes. Which he hoped made her more comfortable, it definately made Gabriel feel better. "Who is she?" Gabriel said looking at the woman with Marcus he turned his head towards the bald fellow "And who is he for that matter." Gabriel said looking closely at the shaven fellow.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Thu 06 Dec 2007.

Not long after the others, Gabriel and Julian arrived at the Hog's Head. They saw the others in the back of the tavern, the serving girl still at their table.

But Julian also saw Blythe, the half elven acrobat who had invited him to join the trio he and his cousin had saved earlier in the day in this very tavern. And she saw him too and walked over to them.

"You came," Blythe said looking at Julian. "We're sitting over there," she continued, pointing in the direction of the barbarian and the afflicted kender.

Regan decided that he would indeed take a seat at the same table as his uncle.  He hadn't met the woman before who appeared to enjoy being attached to Marcus' arm but didn't let that fact bother him.

The druid was about to speak to his kin before a serving girl approached the table and offered to take a food and/or drink order.  Regan looked at Marcus as if to ask if he was intending to eat or drink.

"She's Marcus' new 'girlfriend'," Gina said from her seat between the two cousins Digorye and Gabriel. "And he's Regan, Marcus' nephew. You must have met him before, haven't you Gabriel?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Thu 06 Dec 2007.

Julian waved to Blythe and the other acrobats and wandered over to say hello.

"Hey there mates, you're looking fine tonight.  I'm here with some family," he pointed to Gabriel to make the point, "...who are usually boring.  We've got some catching up to do but maybe, if you don't mind, I'll come back and we can swap tales and drinks."

With another wave and a wink, he was back to talking with his family.  Gabriel was serious about something and it'd be rude to ignore that kind of intensity.

"I understand," Blythe said. "I'll see you later than." She kissed Julian on the cheek before returning to her friends.

Recognition flashed on Gabriels face. He looked closer at Regan "You look different without your hair." he said off-hand. His attention was then pulled back to the strange woman with Marcus "We have things to discuss Marcus, can your company give us a few moments alone?" Gabriel said to the elf. His tone was clipped as if he didn't expect to have the extra comapny, and wished she hadn't been there.

"I'll be back in a little while," Dove said as she rose and left the table.

Marcus blushes at Lady Gina's words, but he holds his tongue. He has an end in mind, certainly. But it is unlikely to be the one that the others think of him. As Gabriel asks for words in private, Marcus looks down at Dove and nods slightly, whispering something to her. He allows her to rise and walk away, and his eyes follow her with a curious expression, not the lust that would be expected.

[Private to GM: He whispers, "My friends must speak alone for a moment. I will signal when it is safe to return. We still need to hear your tale."]

Gabriel watched Marcus' girlfriend walk away once she was a good bit off he started to speak. "That figure I followed he was an elf." Gabriel let the words hang a moment before starting again. "He eventually stopped running and stopped like he was waiting for me." his eyes were alight like they hadn't been since childhood. This experience seemed to have had a profound effect on him. "I called out to him but he did not answer. I don't know why I did it. Looking back it could have been a mistake. I pulled out the music box and opened it right there in the alley." Gabriel looked at Marcus now expecting a look of disdain for his actions but never the less he continued his story "The elf just stared at me, moving a little closer as the song played. I asked for his help, told him we didn't know what to do next. But he didn't answer. Finally he spoke, but only to say that he would return, then he disappeared." Gabriel looked at each one of them in turn. From the others whom he had been with since arriving in Pashin to Regan who he had hadn't seen since childhood. He hoped to see the same fire in their eyes that he knew he had in his own. "Well what do you think?"

Marcus's eyes widen in shock at Gabriel's rashness, but he holds his tongue to hear what else he has to say before judging him. After all, very few people would know the true significance of the music box, so there is unlikely to be a real danger in showing it. And if someone does know about it, then they probably know more than the group does about its use, meaning they may be able to learn more. He is intrigued that the elf reacted quite like he did, and it offers hope that tehy will be able to learn more. Of course, there is a good chance that the elf will try to steal the music box or get others to do so, but he figures that the group should be able to deal with that. He finally contents himself to say, "We seem to be meeting all sorts of mysterious people, don't we?". His eyes go to the bar to watch the slender form of the helf-elven Dove as he says it. He then continues, "We know little of real use about the box, so we must follow any leads, even if it means walking knowingly into a trap. We must trust to Paladine that we will come through safely," he says with a simple confidence.

Regan listened to the fairly serious conversation that was flowing between the group but was still mostly in the dark.  Unsurprising, considering he hadn't seen his kin for the best part of seven years...

Keeping his voice low he asked, "Such mystery over such an innocent looking thing.  How did you come of it and do you know much about it?"

Digorye leans forward and speaks up a bit. "Speaking of mysterious people... earlier today in the marketplace I had an interesting encounter of my own. An old gnomish salesman I was speaking with suddenly went into a trance and started speaking very slowly... well, you know... for a gnome. He told me that I should seek the elves, because they would have the answers we seek, but also more questions for us. When he snapped out of it and started speaking quickly again it seemed he didn't remember anything of the conversation... like he was channeling somebody or something else. I was planning to ask Dove about any local elven communities, since I noticed she's half-elven herself, but haven't yet had a chance. But maybe this other mysterious elf you were chasing had something to do with it as well?"

"Sounds like that's the case.  I wouldn't have shown the box to anyone, Gabe, but I think that actually may have been a really good choice.  If the elf was really bad news he would have just stabbed you and tried taking it.  All things considered I'm surprised he just left rather than have any extended conversation with you after pulling it out."

Julian notes with creeping self-awareness that he was being serious and took steps to remedy that oversight; his emerging grin acts as an oracle of things to come.

"Personally, if I met someone in an alley and they whipped out their box and it started to sing to me, I'd want a close look at that box, too."

Marcus leans forward and quickly explains to Regan everything that has happened, from his dream to the fight out in the countryside. He quietly hopes that something will strike a memory within Regan that may help them. If he has been in the area for a while then he may know a great deal of local elves and bandit nests. To Digorye's story he simply says, "Paladine sent us on this quest. I trust that it is Him who is sending all of this mysterious help. Even finding Regan after so many years has strengthened us a great deal. I am confident that Paladine will continue to guide us."

[Private to Regan Meyer: Rather than explain the whole backstory I will assume that you have read the older and archived threads and are basically aware of what has been going on. Let me know if you need more information though and I will try to summarise. It will take a while to type up something reasonably comprehensive though.]

The serving girl returned with your drinks and food. It was nothing compared to the Inn of the Last Home, but then again nothing compares to legends.

"Digorye," Regan began, "I believe that gnome was Halthorne the Wise and I encountered him also.  Infact a similar thing happened with me whereby his voice altered slightly, suggested I locate my kin for a 'quest' and then he returned to his usual self with seemingly no memory of what had been said!"

Regan took a swig of water from the drinks that had recently arrived and placed the mug back on the table.  "From what you all say, this certainly has a lot to do with the elves and perhaps you're right ~ maybe this Dove can help?"

OOC: Read it all now so know (roughly) what's going on!

"Well, if this Halthorne was right about you finding Marcus and the rest of us, it's likely that he's right about us needing to find the elves as well. I think we need to talk to Dove about them, and see if she knows anything. If she doesn't, then we'll hope that other elf that you chased returns and we can ... discuss matters with him. Either way, we seem destined to find some elves."

As an afterthought, Regan suggested, "You know if you'd rather not say anything to Dove at this point, perhaps Bisa can track the elf for you?  He's got a good nose for that sort of thing."

"I agree," replies Marcus. He catches Dove's eye and gestures for her to return to the table. As she sits beside him he says quietly, "I apologise for that. My friends and I had to have some words in private. Now, can you tell us the story you said you had for us?"

As soon as Marcus located Dove, he motioned for her to join them, and asked her to tell them her story.

"What story," Dove asked.

"You said that you could tell us many things if you were in a warmer place. So lets start with what you know about the local bandit problems. Also, do you know of any tribes of elves in this area?"

”That was information, not a story.” Dove said. “I don’t do stories.”

“There are bandits in the area. Some worse than others. Any particular bandit you had in mind?”

“I do. Most believe that the elves have left, but it seems like they’ve rather gone underground, and from a position of hiding keep an eye on any elves captured by the Knights of Takhisis.”

Julian's desire to have sex with the gymnast was scratching at his consciousness and made it difficult to stay and talk all this serious jibber-jabber about elves and secrets, but it was still important and his opinion might still matter.  He took a drink and stayed, but offered up nothing.  What was there to say?  They were pumping a prostitute for information, which was probably a sight less intrusive than most of her daily transactions, and it was her show.

"Do you know how we can get in touch with these elves? I believe they have important information for us."

"I do not," Dove said.

Marcus decides to leave the bandit question for now and to focus on the elves. "Do you know anyone who may know how to get in touch with them?"

"No," Dove said. "But I do know that they disguise themselves as lepers when they do move about Pashin."

Marcus's eyes light up at this useful piece of information. He then turns back to the bandits. "The Knights of Takhisis are searching for several bandits. We have encountered one already, but there are two more they seek. Do you know anything about them?" he asks, outlining their appearances as they appeared on the wanted posters.

"If you are referring to the faces of the people they are searching for," Dove said. "Though all of them are bandits in their eyes. One of them is a deserter, and as you may guess they don't like deserters. One is the head of the Legion in Pashin. And the female is the head of the elves. And the knights of Takhisis don't like the elves and the legion either."

Marcus realises just how closeted he has always been. He decides to clarify something to ensure he knows just where they stand, "What can you tell us of the Legion? Are they friends to the people of this area?" The fact that the Knights of Takhisis are hunting their leader suggests that they could be helpful in finding the source of the mystery the group is investigating.

"You have the Knights of Takhisis on one side and the Knights of Solamnia on the other," Dove said. "And the Legion stands somewhere in the middle. So if the Dark Knights are on one side and the people on the other, then the Legion is on teh people's side. But politics are never that simple."

"And do you know how to get in touch with the Legion, or people that can get in touch with them?" Marcus asks. After the helpful information Dove had about the elves, he is hopeful of something useful.

"I do not," Dove said.

Gabriel was frustrated witrh the line of quiestioning. It appeared that this Dove knew very things of importance and would say anything to furtyher her own goals as well as line her pockets. "We need to keep watch for the Elves return, but we must also make sure no harm comes to the fugitives as it seems they are wanted for no reason at all by the Knights." Gabriel said quickly to Marcus. Gabriel stood and moved over towards the performers intending to ask them a couple of questions.

Digorye looks around at the group. "I can't think of anymore questions for Ms Dove, can you? Thank you Ms. Dove, you've been most helpful. If you happen to come across any ... lepers ... anytime soon, please let them know that we're interested in getting in touch with them."

There was no damn way that Gabriel was going to talk to the performers without Julian.  When Gabe got up scowling (he couldn't help it), Julian merely looked at him until he could figure out that he was leaving them to go talk to the gymnasts.  Then Julian too stood up.

"Well, let me know if there's anything else you fine folk need.  I'm going to make sure Gabe stays out of trouble or try to chat up that lovely halfelf, whichever comes first."

He followed his cousin and immediately intercepted Blythe, sitting down at their table with a smile and a call for more drinks with a rarely-demonstrated sense of purpose.

"Well, what'd I miss?"

Marcus coughs slightly. "Miss Dove will be accompanying us for the next couple of days. She wants to see how the other half lives. I am hoping to convince her to try to change her circumstances." He gives the rest of his companions a stern look, giving away nothing of what he is thinking.

Regan had been listening to the conversation intently and then after taking a mouthful of water, placed the mug back on the table.

"If you are ready to leave now, I will ask Bisa to try and track the elf?" he asked the group in general.

Marcus nods his agreement. "I am not sure what Julian has planned, but I am ready to go. I have to be back by morning, or Lord Brightblade will have my head. I can not afford to anger him again."

Digorye and Gina were seated with their backs toward the table where Gabriel and Julian had joined the acrobats, but the others could see Julian placing his arm around the half elf acrobat from earlier in the day. And they also saw Gabriel standing up and looking around.

"Very well.  Let's give him just a few more minutes and then we can move on," replied Regan.

Gabriel returned to the table with the others and took a seat. "They didn't have anything helpful to add." Gabriel said off-hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:21, Tue 22 Jan 2008.

Gabriel waited and got no reply from the others se he spoke up again "We should get going. I think Julian will be coming back late tonight." Gabriel said hoping it would spark some action in the others.

Marcus nods agreement and rises to his feet. He gestures for Dove to join him, and he starts to head for the door, expecting that the others would follow along.

Dove joined Marcus eagerly.

Digorye gets up and follows along with the others. "Yeah, sounds good. We'll get a good sleep tonight, and continue looking tomorrow..."

Regan was glad that the others were ready to move on.  If there were any tracks to be found, then the passage of time would not help Bisa detect them any easier.

"Come, Bisa is around the side of the tavern.  I will see if he can help us."

[Private to Dragondog: The idea is to get Bisa to try and pick up the scent of the elf.  He has both track and scent but I think it's best if you roll so that I can't tell if success or failure]

"I thought they wanted to finish this tonight," Gina said looking at Digorye.

Julian approached the group before they could leave.  The way he was smiling and the way his eyebrows were jauntily arranged on his forehead both indicated that he was very pleased with himself.

"Now, before you go, where should we meet up in the morning?  I don't think I'll be spending the night with you fine folk, despite your promise of sonorous and captivating snoring.  Will you be with the knights?  Meet in the square tomorrow a few hours after dawn?"

[OOC: You all have a paid for room at the Five Dragons Inn and Tavern provided by the knights. Though all of the original characters are expected to use them, this applies even more so to Marcus and Gina.]

"I will be tending our stall in the market from just after dawn, so I will have to meet you there when Lord Brightblade releases me for the day." He is irritated that he is not free to follow their quest as the others can, but he knows his duty, and can only hope that the senior knight will relent and allow him time off.

"Sounds good to me.  Say a prayer to Sirrion for me."

Julian winked and didn't stay to chat, letting his piety be his parting shot for the evening.

You left the Hog's Head and Julian behind in search for the elf. And though Regan had offered to have Bisa track the elf, there was nothing to offer the dog to catch his scent. At least not here.

On the way back to where Gabriel had last seen the elf, a logical place to pick up the scent, you heard a strangled scream as you walked by a darkened alleyway.

Gabriel turned toward the cry. It probably didn't have anything to do with their serach but when someone was in trouble he felt a duty to help. Gabriel took off at a run hoping to catch whoever was the culprit.

Marcus draws his blade with a quiet hiss of steel, and immediately charges into the alleyway. "Stay here, Dove, and watch our backs," he instructs the half elven woman as he focuses his mind for battle.

As you investigate, you see a figure dressed in black leather, holding a curved blade standing over a fallen body. The body is dressed in heavy robes of coarse linen and has a tattered gauze veil covering its face.

You note that the face behind the veil is elven.
[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: The elf on the ground was the elf Gabriel spoke with earlier.]

Marcus focuses his attention on the figure, but waits a moment before deciding to launch an attack.

[Private to GM: Uses Detect Evil to scan the figure.]

Regan held Bisa at bay but knew that with a sharp command, the wolf would bear down upon the attacker and lock his jaws upon him.  The assailant had been caught in the act but the druid waited for a moment to see how his comrades would react.

Gabriel barked out orders to his companion seconds before he drew his blade and charged after they assailant. "Marcus, do what you can to save that man he is of vital important to our cause."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Thu 31 Jan 2008.

Quickly taking in the scene that they've come across, and the fact that the fallen man is an elf, Digorye's eye's lock onto the assailant and seem to shoot pure hatred at him.

[Private to GM:
Mental Assault - Mentalism
Casting Time - Standard Action (7)
Range - 20ft (2)
Duration - Concentration (0)
Activation - Save Negates (0)
Area: Spatial - Individual (0)
Effect: Condition - Stunned (36)
Total: 45 SP, L1 Spell. The caster mentally assualts the target's mind. The target gets a saving throw to fight off the mental attack, and if they fail the saving throw they are stunned. They drop everything that they're holding, receive no actions for the round, are AC -2, and lose their Dexterity Bonus to AC. This effect lasts as long as the caster concentrates on keeping up the attack.]

Initiative Round 1
Marcus
Gabriel
Gina
Dove
Regan
Bad guy
Digorye

Gabriel called out that you had to save the man on the ground.

[What do you do? Marcus has already made his action for this round. Those who already have declared may change their minds.]

[Private to Marcus Valarian: He is not evil.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:33, Thu 31 Jan 2008.

Regan acted pretty quickly after Gabriel urged his companions to help save the stricken elf.  The druid could have charged at the man along with Bisa and aim to bring the killer down quickly, but instead choose to try and thwart the man's possible escape.  Pulling a piece of mistletoe from his pouch, Regan intoned words of nature...

"Lord Chislev, grant me the power to command the plants and shrubs so that my foes may feel the power of your natural realm!"

Within a split-second, the weeds and small plants that dotted the alleyway beyond the assassin grew wild and untamed ~ so much so that anyone entering the area would surely be ensnared.

Cast Entangle at the area of the alleyway beyond the bad guy (to try and cut off his escape).  Reflex save DC15 not to get stuck.

Gina said a few words and stretched forth her hand towards the assailant and a bolt of lighting rushed forth from her hand, but hit the wall next to the individual.

Dove held back, doing nothing.

Regan cast a spell that made the weeds grow behind their adversary, to cut of his escape route, reminding you that your ancestors effectively had been attacked by draconians using spells that entangled them.

The black clad one threw a tanglefoot bag at Marcus, but he missed.

As Digorye looked at the black clad one, the assailant dropped the knife and stood there staring.

Initiative Round 2
Marcus
Gabriel
Gina
Dove
Regan
Bad guy (Stunned)
Digorye

[What do you do?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:38, Fri 01 Feb 2008.

Digorye doesn't move from his spot, simply standing and staring down the assailant, seemingly holding him in place with a gaze.

[Private to GM: Continue concentrating on the spell effect.]

Regan and Bisa moved forwards together, either side of the stunned assassin.  Bisa threatened to bite the man but did not attack whilst Regan aimed a quick jab at him to try and knock him out.

Move Bisa and Regan so that they flank the assassin.

Unarmed strike hits AC27 for 6 nonlethal damage

[Private to Dragondog:
Rolled flurry of blows first before realising he probably had to move more than 5' to attack the man.  Re-rolled again for a standard attack.

Note that the entangle area was not aimed at the man in the last round, merely behind him to cut off his escape route.

17:55, Today: Regan Meyer rolled 6 using 1d6+4. Regan single damage only (correction).
17:55, Today: Regan Meyer rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Regan single attack only (correction).
17:52, Today: Regan Meyer rolled 5,5 using d6+4,d6+4. Unarmed damage (nonlethal).
17:51, Today: Regan Meyer rolled 15,17 using d20+6,d20+6. Regan: Flurry (flank + stunned). ]

Marcus moves forward quickly and strikes out at the man, but instead of using the blade of his sword, he lashes out with the hilt, hoping to knock the man senseless.

[Private to GM: Attacking to do subdual damage. Rolled 15 to hit, and inflict 6 points of damage if it hits.]

Seeing that anyone with the ability to heal had begun to fight the assailant. Gabriel dropped his weapon and turned his attention to the elf lying on the street. He did his best to asess his condition and try to stabilize him.

OOC:21:37, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 14 using 1d20+1. heal check to stabilize (if needed). Missed by 1.

Marcus hit with the hilt of his sword. (6np)

Gabriel checked on the elf on the ground.
[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: The elf is dead.]

Gina moved forward and struck. (6+6np)

Dove remained in the background.

Regan and Bisa flanked him and Regan struck him. (12+6np)

Bad Guy (Stunned)

Digorye remained still with a focused stare on their adversary.

Initiative Round 3
Marcus
Gabriel
Gina
Dove
Regan
Bad guy (Stunned 1r; 18np)
Digorye

[What do you do?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:36, Mon 04 Feb 2008.

Digorye merely continues to calmly stand and focus on his foe, blocking out all the sounds and movement around him and trusting his friends to continue taking care of their enemy.

[Private to GM: Continue concentrating on the spell effect.]

Gabriel moved in and attempted to grab hold of the assailant to subdue him. however reaching the man he failed to grab hold.

OOC: rolled a 1.

Marcus moves in quickly and takes up position behind the figure, ready to strike him down the instant he makes any move to either attack or flee.


[OOC: Sorry about that. Overlooked it. Edited the post. Thanks Digorye.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Tue 05 Feb 2008.

[OOC: From post 142 above: "As Digorye looked at the black clad one, the assailant dropped the knife and stood there staring." ;-)]

Marcus prepared to attack as soon as the assailant moved.

Gabriel tried to wrestle him to the ground, but tripped and fell.

Gina attacked, but missed.

Dove waited in the background.

Regan attacked with a quick double punch and hit both times. (18+5np, 23+5np)

The assailant fell to the ground unconscious.

Digorye remained focused upon him.

As soon as the assailant drops, Digorye shakes himself out of his steady stare and slowly approaches behind the others, to assess the situation.

[Private to GM: End concentration, spell expires.]

As Regan landed the final punch that knocked-out the assailant, he stood back slightly to allow the man to collapse to the ground.  With the immediate danger quickly averted, the monk turned his attention to the fallen elf.  He quickly knealt down beside him and tried to find a pulse by pressing upon the elf's neck.

Not attempting first aid at this point, just trying to establish whether the elf is still alive.

18:43, Today: Regan Meyer rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Heal.

After a couple of seconds, Regan looked up at his companions and shook his head sadly.

Gabriel looked at Regan with a stony face, after all he had just told him something he already knew, and the healers among had ignored his claim that the elf needed help and instead jumped into battle while the elf lay dying. Simply put he was none too impressed with the others. He scooped the elf up in his arms and made his way back toward the knights hoping that they he would be safe with the body there.

"May Paladine have mercy on his soul," Marcus murmers quietly. He is saddened at the elf's death, but is content with his actions. He could not risk trying to heal the elf while kneeling at the feet of a still fighting enemy. It would be a good way to join the elf in the afterlife.

As Gabriel picked up the body, three more linen-robed lepers burst into the alleway, moving with a speed that belied their supposed sickness.

Noticing the body Gabriel was picking up, they drew slender blades from their robes.

[What do you do?]

Gabriel slowly moves to his knees and rests the body on the ground. He fidgets with his pack before holding a box out to the strangers. This worked once, let's see if it works again. He thinks to himself as he opens the box allowing the music inside to fill the alleyway.

Marcus prepares to strike out at the new arrivals, but holds his blow to allow Gabriel an opportunity to try to convince them not to fight.

Digorye holds up his hand towards the lepers. He calls out something to them in an unknown language, as he uses the other hand to push the hair back off his face, revealing a pointed ear that'd previously been hidden.
[Private to GM: "Hold, friends!" he cries out, in elven.]

"What have you done with our friend," one of them asked in Common.

Digorye steps forward to speak with his kinsmen. "Unfortunately, we were too late to save him. He was struck down by this man," pointing to the unconscious assailant, "even as we arrived on the scene. We have disabled, but not killed him, so when he wakes you can question him yourself to find out why he killed your friend. But first, we should tie him up while he's still unconscious." Digorye looks back at his group, hoping that one of them steps forward with a rope.

The leader of the lepers looked at the stunned male Silvanesti elf.

"His reasons doesn't matter," the leader said. "All we require is his body so that we may honor him in peace and that you keep our secret. The four of us has remained to see if any others of our kind come this way, while the others have left."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:08, Fri 08 Feb 2008.

Marcus keeps his attention on the surrounding area. Although interested in what is going on with the elves, he is content to allow Digorye to negotiate with the elves. He focuses his attention on ensuring that there are no more bandits around, and that they are not about to be ambushed.

Digorye does a double-take as he realizes that the assailant was also an elf. However, he quickly covers up his reaction and continues on.

"Of course, please honor his body appropriately for our people. And we will be happy to keep your secret, as we've heard you have been doing great work for our people. ... However, there is another matter that we would like to speak with you about, that we have reason to believe you can help us with. Is there somewhere else more secure that we can go and talk in greater length, instead of continuing this conversation in the alley?"

"We have no time for that," he said and directed one of the others to pick up the body. Which he did and then the elves started to leave.

"Then is there somewhere safe we can meet at a more appropriate time?" Marcus asks, still keeping his eyes out for trouble.

Before the elves have time to answer the question, if they were going to answer as none of them turned around or slowed down, a patrol of Knights of Takhisis were rapidly approaching from the other direction.

Regan noted the knights that were rapidly approaching.  "We're about to have company," he warned his companions.  "Whatever you would like to do, you best do it quickly!"

Gabriel wasn't going to let the elves take off again. The one who died had intended to return and speak to him but had been cut short by the assassin. He was going to make sure the others knew that.

Gabriel ignored the word about Knights and took off after the elves.

The elf who had spoken turned towards Gabriel and the rest of you.

"They cannot follow us," he said. "Will you prevent them?"

Marcus takes on a grim expression at the sight of the Knights. "Go quickly then. Find us at a safer time so we can speak," he hisses at the elves. He prepares for trouble, but keeps his blade held low and unthreateningly. He has a strong feeling that they are about to fight the Knights to the death, and despite the peaceful purpose of their expedition here, he looks forward to fighting the enemies of both his Order and of his lord Paladine.

The elf who had turned around, remained watching Gabriel intently while the other two continued with the body.

Gabriel had no love loss for the Knights, but he wanted answers from the elves and grimaced at elfs' words. He nodded to the leper slowly and watched carefully to gauge his reaction.

"Will you keep us here or will you aid your friends," the elf asked not certain what Gabriel's nod meant.

Gabriel had thought the elves could better understand simple body language. He had apparently been wrong. Gabriel waved the elf away with one hand as he turned, blade in hand, to meet the Knights as they approached.

The four man strong patrol, two of which barely old enough to shave, arrived with drawn weapons.

“You are under arrest,” the patrol leader said.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:11, Tue 12 Feb 2008.

"On what charge?" asks Marcus, trying to keep the contempt out of his voice. He could feel the touch of Takhisis on them all, and desires nothing more than to return them to her on the Abyss. But he decides to follow Paladine's teachings, and to try to find a peaceful resolution if at all possible.

"Murder," he replied.

"Of whom? And on whose word is it that you would charge us?" Marcus scoffs.

"He lies right there," the patrol leader said pointing at the black dressed elf. At the same time the oldest of the other three stepped up to the elf and ran him through with his sword. And one of the younger ones blew one long and two short signals with his horn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:55, Tue 12 Feb 2008.

Marcus cries out, "No!" as the Knight stabs through the elf's chest. He instantly strikes out at the same Knight, hoping to take him down before he can attack the elf again. His longsword flicks out with lightning speed towards the lightly protected region under the Knight's arm, left exposed by his thrust.

[Private to GM: Rolled 21 to hit and 9 points of damage.]

Round 1
Gabriel
Regan
Digorye
Marcus
Gina
Dove
Patrol

[What do you do?]

Gabriel took up his sword in both hands and took off towards a the group of knights. He aimed to knock one man over on his way to attack another. He ran oushed his shoulder towards on saving his blade for a target further back.

Gabriel will try to overrun one opponent on his way to attack another with a charge. This provokes an AOO.

17:10, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 17 using 1d20+8. strength check for overrun

DC 17 Str or Dex check to block.

17:12, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 15 using 1d20+9. charge attack.
17:12, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 11 using 2d6+8. Damage.

As Gabriel rushed the leader of the knights, who attacked the approaching Gabriel, but missed and he then stepped aside. Gabriel attacked the knight now facing him, but missed.

Regan delayed his action.

Digorye conjured an orb of magical force and cast it towards the closest knight, but it barely did any damage (1hp).

Marcus continued the attack on the same knight, but he missed.

Gina cast two icicles towards the closest knight and both hit (1+5hp)

Dove did nothing.

The two knights close enough to attack, attacked Gabriel. But only tehy younger one (3) was able to hit him (8hp).

The last remaining knight attacked Marcus and he too was able to make his bastard sword connect with its target as he swung it to protect himself. (5hp)

Round 2
Gabriel (8hp)
Regan
Digorye
Marcus (5hp)
Gina
Dove
Patrol
1
2
3
4 (6hp)

[What do you do?]

[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: Charge is a full round action and you cannot Charge in the same round as an Overrun.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:06, Wed 20 Feb 2008.

Marcus attacks the same dark knight a sbefore, slashing at his side with his longsword, but missing by a long shot.

[Private to GM: Rolled 8 to hit.]

Gabriel attacked one of the younger knights, but missed.

Regan jump kicked the knight in front of him to the ground.

Digorye cast another orb of magic, this time at the leader of the knights, but again it hardly did any damage (1hp).

Marcus moved forward and attacked the young knight, but missed.

Gina cast another icicle, but missed.

Dove continued to do nothing.

The leader of the knights attacked Gabriel and hit him perfectly (10+8hp).

The knight next to the leader attacked Marcus, but missed.

Round 3
Gabriel (18hp)
Regan
Digorye
Marcus (5hp)
Gina
Dove
1 (1hp)
2
3

[What do you do?]

Marcus yells out to the others, "Run. Lose them in the alleys. Meet up where we stay. I will try to hold them off." He then takes another swing at the leader to try to drive him off, but the blow clatters off his armour.

[Private to GM: Rolled a 16 to hit.  By the way, how many other players are there currently in this game besides me? Everyone seems to be listed as currently NPC or just isn't posting.]

Digorye focused on the sorcery burning within him and channeled that magic out through his hands. Some distance beyond the knights an explosion of bright light filled the alley. The light engulfed the knights and when the light was gone, they had all collapsed on the ground.

"Lets hope I don't have to cast any more spells for a while," he said and exhaled with the exertion.

Marcus is genuinely impressed by the blast, but decides not to stop to admire Digorye's handiwork. After swinging his blade he now turns and runs down the alleys, staying with Dove and hoping to lose any pursuit from any of the Knights who may have recovered quickly. After ensuring they are clear of being followed, he turns back and starts heading back to the inn.

Getting back to the Five Dragons Inn without further interruptions was easy.

It was the largest inn in town and located on Pashin’s central square with the temple of the stars located at a nearby corner of the same square. The inn was a large L shaped three story building with a separate building for the stable.

Double doors led into the tavern that covered the lower level of the inn. Five dragon heads carved out of heavy wood over them. Each head painted in a different color, red, green, blue, white, and black. But the paint was old and flaking, revealing other colors beneath them, gold, brass, silver, bronze, and copper.

The rest of the building is built of the popular weathered sandstone and its narrow open windows were covered leather flaps to protect it from heat and weather.

Marcus wearily heads for a room, removing his armour and polishing it carefully as Dove watches. He then sharpens his sword and cleans and oils it, before kneeling to pray. He encourages Dove to kneel beside him and join the prayers, teaching her the words. He disappears inside himself, and along with his thanks to Paladine for helping him and his companions to survive, he also requests that his wounds be healed. He feels them closing even as he thinks the prayer, and he offers praise. With his prayers done, Marcus lays down on the bed. Every muscles aches from the long day, and he doesn't object when Dove volunteers to massage his tight muscles. When he is completely relaxed, he thanks her and they turn in for the night.

"I'm not the praying kind," Dove said sitting down on the bed. "But there are other things I do quite well." Patting the bed with her right hand, inviting Marcus to join her.

[And it might be good to state, mechanically, exactly what Marcus does to heal himself.]

Marcus doesn't press the point, merley bites back a slight sigh of frustration. He offers the preayers on his own, silently praying for Paladine's wisdom to help turn Dove to a new course. He joins Dove on the bed, but makes it clear it is only for a massage. He then makes up a bedroll on the floor for himself, allowing Dove the bed to herself.

[Private to GM: Marcus Cures Light Wounds. He only had a few points of damage, so it should be pretty much fully healed.]

Dove gave Marcus a massage, before undressing and going to bed.

A subtle knock on the door from Julian attempted to rouse Marcus or anyone, really, before they got too comfortable.

[Private to GM:

Julian would have cast some kind of minor illusion to make him look clothed.  Nothing too fancy, but good enough to not be stark naked.]

Marcus lunges out of bed, hard won reflexes bringing a sword to hand before his eyes were even fully opne. He pulls the door open as he prepares to strike down whoever is at the door, but he checks the swing as he recognises his comrade. Looking a little puzzled, he invites Julian inside. He takes his seat upon his sleeping roll and asks, "What is the matter? What brings you here so late?"

"Me?  Why did it take so long for you guys to get back?!  I've been accosted by the Knight of Takhisis, asking all kinds of questions about 'where is she' and not really taking no for an answer.  They even spoiled my night's labor.  Hell, I'm naked without this illusion covering me.  I can pee on you right now without lifting my robe."

"My date's in my room, gently trembling herself to sleep.  Have any spare clothes?"

Marcus raises an eyebrow slightly at the news, but is concerned at the coincidence of Julian's being accosted. "We were caught up in an attack by a patrol of Knights of Takhisis as well. I am sorry to say it, but I have no spare set of clothing. I have only my normal clothing which I am wearing, and my armour. I can give you a few coins if you need them to try to purchase some more. How did you come to end up stripped naked?"

A soft, almost quelled chuckle, escaped Dove on the bed. But when Marcus and Julian looked at her, she put on an air of innocence as if it she hadn't caused it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:25, Fri 07 Mar 2008.

Marcus smiles slightly and shakes his head, then turns back to Julian to hear his answer.

"I don't have sex with clothes on, Marcus.  It's how the gods intended.  Okay, no spare clothes.  Maybe a spare blanket or something?  You can hold onto your coins until morning - I grabbed a few things, maybe I have a some steel, maybe not.  I can't go shopping at this hour anyway.  We'll work it out in the morning, I guess... glad to see that everyone's okay."

"Uh... that's assuming everyone's okay.  Is everyone okay?"

Gabriel was ready to retire to his room. He had been furious that Marcus called for a retreat, Gabriel figured he could have taken the knights alone but hadn't wanted to chance it, but now that he had sufficently drowned his anger with ale he was ready to sleep. As he blearily traversed the stairs and stumbled down the hallway he couldn't help but notice Julian hanging out of a nearby door.

"Whass going on Joolian." Gabriel said to his brother as he approached him.

Marcus flushes slightly. "My apologies. I thought you had been accosted in the streets, as we had. I thought they must have stripsearched you, and could not understand why. Everyone is generally alright. There were a couple of injuries, but they nothing life threatening. Everyone scattered to head back here. I am not sure if they are all back yet though. The Knights were very difficult opponents, and we were unable to match them in the surprise of the moment." He ignores the drunken Gabriel as he approaches, though he is pleased that he has survived. He reaches down to his bedroll and pulls the heavy winter blanket off the top. He wordlessly hands it to Julian to cover himself.

Julian smirked at Gabriel as he took the blanket from Marcus.  "I'll tell you in the morning.  In the end I think I still had more fun than you though."  He grinned wryly, paused, and then answered Marcus.

"Good to hear everything's okay.  When do we leave this place?  If the local constabulary keeps taking my clothes and try to stab my friends and family I'm going to run out of money, clothes, friends, cousins and dates pretty quick.  And the only way that could get worse is if they somehow ran off all the bartenders and bards, which I'm sure they have some kind of masterplan to do.  Look, I'm going back to bed.  In the morning, come on by and I'll give you some measurements and you can get me some clothes and I can step outside again.  Sound good?"

He was still naked beneath the illusion and it felt a little weird to be out in the hall talking - so, he took the blanket and returned to his room to sleep on the floor.

And to think the night had started out so promising.

"I can help you with the money, but I have to report to Lord Brightblade for duty in the morning. I will be unable to leave the stall for many hours. You will have to ask one of the others to help you out with finding clothes." He then bids Julian good evening and returns to bed, first offering Dove a look to see if she is still awake. "What was all the laughter for?" he asks Dove in an amused voice. Although usually fairly serious, he is struck by the absurdity and humour inherent in Julian's situation.

"You asked how he had ended up naked," Dove said. "I thought that was pretty obvious."

"I wasn't sure if he had taken his clothes off, his lady friend had taken his clothes off, or a hostile Knight of Takhisis had taken his clothes off. Each of the possibilities would have said much about what he was doing at the time, though I must admit that at least one of the three leads somewhere I would rather not contemplate." Marcus makes himself comfortable back on the floor, and as he tries to go back to sleep he realises that Julian probably thinks he is doing much the same thing that Julian was probably doing.

Satisfied that someone was going to find him clothes but unsure of exactly how that mechanic was going to play out, he told Marcus before he left:

"Well, if you can't help out, please send over someone who can.  I don't want to be wandering the halls naked knocking on doors asking for clothes.  Its unseemly."

He went back to his room with the blanket to try and salvage some sleep.

As Regan awkwardly walked the corridors of the inn, he bumped into a strangely dressed Julian carrying a blanket.

"Well, at least I managed to find someone," he commented.  "After we split up from the alleyway, I had to guess which inn you were all staying at and the third one seems to have come up trumps!  Did the rest make it here ok?"

Marcus leans up on his elbows for a moment as he considers, then says to Dove, "Perhaps it would be best if you go and purchase Julian some clothing in the morning. I am sure you could guess his size, and as a local you will know the best places to go."

"I can do that," Dove said.

4 Frostkolt 404AC

For the first time on this journey, you got the chance to sleep in real beds, though Marcus and Julian, to a lesser degree, spent the night on the floor. Having learned what had happened to his cousin, Gabriel had lent Julian some clothes (Traveler’s Outfit).

As Marcus and Dove left his room, they ran into Lord Brightblade and both of them could see the contempt in his eyes.

“I thought better of you Valarian,” Lord Brightblade said. “But this I will certainly bring to the council. And seeing Julian and Blythe exiting Julian’s room, only worsened his mood. “You are a squire Valarian. You should set a good example. I didn’t expect any better from these,” he continued pointing at the three cousins with a clearly disdainful tone. “But you have your honor to think of.”

[You’re all in the hallway, listening to Lord Brightblade lecturing Marcus for the second morning in a row. What do you do?]

Julian looked hurt and recoiled from the knight's long-distance and ostensibly private chastising, before nodding slowly with a look of understanding.

Apologetically, to Blythe, he let her in on Brightblade's secret.  "Gay."

Having just finished his morning communion with Paladine, there is nothing that can be said to Marcus that will break his calm serenity. In an even, gentle tone he replies, "Good morning, My Lord. I understand what you think to have happened. On my honour, it did not." With the simple statement, he put Lord Brightblade into an awkward situation. To offer doubts would be to question the honour of the young Knight, something not lightly done. And to have slept with a prostitute would be very much out of character for Marcus, his prestly medallion glowing with a soothing silver light. So Marcus stands in polite silence, as he waits for his Lord to either challenge his word or to apologise.

“I don’t want to hear your justifications Valarian,” Lord Brightblade said. “His Highness thought this would be a good experience for you and you bring shame upon him for trusting you. You will spend the rest of the day in prayer and supplication. I don’t expect to see you again until we leave in the morning. Is that clear?”

Gabriel had stumbled out of his room after hearing the forceful conversation. He approached Julian quietly "What did he do wrong?" He said to his brother.

Regan exited his room after a decent night's sleep.  He was keen to find the others to see what todays' plans were but before he knew it, the druid stumbled the scene in the corridor where Marcus was apparently being given a dressing down.  Not wishing to intrude, Regan waited a polite distance away and waited for the conversation to end before speaking to his companions.

"Well, I think his officer thinks that he slept with a prostitute."

Julian checked her out appreciatively.

"You'd think he'd acknowledge his good taste.  It's either that or he didn't give the right secret handshake greeting or something.  Perhaps he slept the night through and didn't wake up cranky enough to satisfy the Code?  Who knows?  Knights are crazy."

Marcus inclines his head in acknowledgement, a full bow being difficult in such close quarters. He doesn't bother to argue, his sense of discipline being strong enough to allow him to refrain from arguing with a superior. "As you will, My Lord," he says in a calm and neutral voice. He makes no mention of the fact that Lord Brightblade's command constitutes a slight on his honour. He will not speak up out of turn in order to defend himself, but if the High Clerist questions him due to Lord Brightblade's report, then he would answer honestly. For now, he is content that he acted honourably, and that Paladine knows that his words are true.

Moving with grace and dignity, he re-enters his room, and removes his pack. He decides that he will pray while wearing full armour, both to help accustomise himself to the weight, and so that the discomfort will help focus his mind. He quietly tells Dove, "Accompany my companions, if you will. Your local knowledge will help them, and I will be occupied here all day. If you wish to return tonight then you may continue to share this room with me." His gaze doesn't waver from the young woman, though he can sense the nearby presence of the Lord Knight still out in the hall somewhere. As he has done nothing worthy of shame, he defiantly decides that he will not prevent Dove from remaining with him during the period of her employment. He raises an eyebrow and adds, "Of course, if you would prefer to remain here and learn to pray to the gods then I will teach you." Marcus kneels down and commences to pray to Paladine.

"He never said that you had to pray here," Dove said. "He only said that you had to pray all day and that he didn't want to see you. But if we are going to get Julian's stuff back from the knights, they're going to need you. Besides, a man in your position needs to be able to fight and pray at the same time, right? Wouldn't this be the perfect time to practice?"

Marcus offers Dove a wry glance, and answers, "Spending time in prayer and supplication has its own meaning among the Knighthood. I must devote myself entirely to my prayers and contemplation. And I will remain here. I have done nothing to bring dishonour to myself, but going away would be considered a disregard for my orders, which is a serious offence." He gives Dove a quick wink and adds, "But if I am here then everyone will know where to find me in case of emergency. If a member of our party is in life threatening danger then I would be honourbound to leave here and help. I may even be able to gather other Knights to help out if necessary."

Lord Brightblade left, went downstairs for breakfast.

[What about the rest of you. Do you remain in the hallway, go downstairs for breakfast, or do something else?]

"If we get his gear, we will be in a life threatening situation. We won't be able to come here and ask for your help. It will be an emergency."

And after a pause.

"You can teach me how to pray on the way."

The man who appeared to be Marcus' superior left the scene after Marcus entered his room and walked away in the opposite direction to Regan.  Now that all was quiet again, the druid waited for a few more seconds to be sure that the man wouldn't return before approaching the door to Marcus' room and knocking upon it.

Gabriel turned and watched the knight head downstairs and then he looked at Julian. "What happeded to you and where are your clothes? You wouldn't be caught dead in my things." He said with a slight laugh.

Julian looked down at his outfit.  Gabe was right: the man had terrible taste in clothes.  "The Knights of Takhisis decided to bite my impeccable sense of style last night.  They busted in on me while I was in a fit of pious devotion to Sirrion with that gymnast... I decided to leave rather than get in a fight."

He grinned.

"I'm a lover, not a fighter.  Not at least much of one when its four-to-one and I'm naked.  In fact, that's primetime to be a lover as long as the company's right.  But four guys in armor with weapons?  Or five?  No, hard to concentrate on the matters at hand.  So we left."

He tugged at his clothes.

"And as soon as I can come up with a way to get something a little more suited to me, well... then it looks like I'm biting your style for the foreseeable future.  Care to wander the local tailors with me?"

Gabriel nodded noticing how the smaller man looked to be swimming in his duds. "The sooner the better." He said.

Marcus allows himself to reveal his frustration at the command, but Lord Brightblade didn't leave much room for interpretation of his order. "I cannot come with you. My Lord was very clear on his intent, and to ignore his order or be creative with my interpretation of it would be dishonourable. My commander, Lord Brightblade's superior, is the Knight I am really squired to. If I disobey Lord Brightblade it would disgrace him as well as myself and my family. My situation is... slightly unusual. And I must uphold my honour above all else, for their sake."

At the knock on the door, Marcus calls out, "Come in."

At the beckon, Regan opened the door to Marcus room, stepped inside and closed the door behind him.  "Good Morning Marcus," began the druid.  "Do we have any further plans today?  I am still curious as to why I was advised to seek out my kin."

"My plan is to get some clothes.  It will be perilous and probably involve an extended lunch with a few drinks, and we may not all make it back here by nightfall, but damnit its what needs to be done.  Anyone else interested?"

Following his stirring speech Julian went to check on Blythe and then head out to get himself reacquainted with the world.

Gabriel grabbed his gear nd then joined Julian on his important mission.

As Regan remained with Marcus in his room, hoping to find out more. The others went downstairs, though Julian checked on Blythe first. She was unfortunatley forced to remain in his room as she did not have any clothes to wear, not even borrowed ones.

Julian rather liked the idea of wandering around town with just a robe on like some kind of really persuasive itinerant preacher, but decided against it.  He took his time getting measurements from Blythe (a long time - its good to be thorough, you understand) in order to pick her out some good stuff so that she could escape the hotel room.

He also agreed to tell her comrades about her predicament in case they wanted to help her out or execute practical jokes at her expense.  Not that he endorsed such behavior, of course.

As Digorye, Gabriel, Julian, Gina, and Dove left the inn, Dove suddenly turned back and returned to the inn. Leaving the rest of you to find a place of commerce on your own. But you hadn't gone far when she returned and rejoined the group.

They walked the streets of Pashin, and if asked, Dove would tell them that The Bazaar would probably be the best place for them to find what they wanted.

"Well then, the bazaar it is." Gabriel said to the group as he strode in its general direction.

As he walked he decided to ask Julian just why the knights had accosted him the night before. It seemed strange that they had attacked both their group and Julian, almost as if they had been watching them for soem time.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Thu 10 Apr 2008.

Julian slapped his forehead.

"That's a really good question, and I feel like a complete idiot not mentioning it.  They were looking for a woman.  Honestly, aren't we all?"

He paused only a moment and became serious.

"I'm pretty sure they were looking for Gina.  Maybe you women should stay back at the rooms, just to be safe?"

"If you think I'm going to hide, you've got the wrong girl," Gina said. "And I don't think Dove's the one to hide either."

Gabriel looked at Julian with surprise at him wanting the women to stay behind. "I feel more comfortable with Gina staying close, after all if they are after her it's better that we are around when they show up." Gabriel couldn't help but feel a little protective of Gina, though he knew that she could take care of herself.

"It's your call.  I found the prospect of fleeing from them more palatable than attempting to fight them, and I assume an open engagement in daylight against the nominal rulers of the city would be something we'd want to avoid if at all possible.  Like I said, your call."

Discussing whether the women should stay at home or not, went through the gates and entered the bazaar.

Julian made a beeline for the tents and tarps.

"Just in case Gabriel puts on any more weight, you see."

Then he headed towards a stall that would have something that Julian could use.

[OOC: If you prefer, we can handle the details of the shopping OOC.]

After you spent some time in the bazaar, Regan joined with you.

Thoroughly pleased with the purchases he'd made by selling what he had left behind in his main room, Julian couldn't help but walk with a bit of a bounce.  Sure, he'd had to hock the wine - and that was expensive wine - but hey, new clothes for a new town.  He'd have to stab a Knight next time he ran into them in the dark for costing him an afternoon, but that wasn't a pressing concern, more like something for the wish list.

"Well, I'm good to go.  Look at these boots!  They wick away moisture!"

It didn't take long for Regan to locate Marcus' friends who were indeed at the market area as he suggested.  He greeted them warmly and smiled.  "Marcus has decided to spend some time at the temple and suggested that I seek you out," he began.  "I was told to find Marcus and aid him in some kind of quest but as yet, I am not entirely sure what it might be.  Do any of you have any ideas?  Marcus mentioned some kind of..." he whispered the last word, "item."

"You mean the key. If we intend to talk about that than I suggest we head somewhere more private." Gabriel said to Regan in hushed tones. The market was not the place for these types of discussions. Perhaps they could find a empty alleyway somewhere that would be better suited to the conversation.

"Yes," nodded Regan in a soft reply, "but no need to do so now.  We can discuss later."

Coming back from the market, you returned to the inn by the back roads. As you passed down one of the darker alleyways, a group of five ruffians suddenly stood in your way.

"Hand over your possessions or suffer the consequences," one of them said. And at the same time, an additional three ruffians stepped in behind you to make sure you had no avenue of retreat.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:45, Tue 20 May 2008.

Gabriel gave a stern look to the first ruffian and then cocked his head towards the others "This is a joke right? You don't mean to try and attack us, that would be futile." Gabriel said to the lead man his tone was one of amusement. He didn't reach for his blade as he figured men such as these would see the error of their ways soon enough.

Julian pointed at Gabriel with one hand, moving the other as if pulling back a drape.

"This is my cousin.  You may all have him."

He then nodded towards Gabriel, satisfied that he had defused the situation.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Thu 15 May 2008.

Suddenly a crossbow bolt passed Julian only inches from his eyes shot from a nearby roof.

Round 1
You
Them

[What do you do?]

"Cads!  Ruffians!  Miscreants!  And devilishly clever ambushers!"

Julian flipped back his cloak with a minor flourish and sprang from the ground to the rooftop, brandishing his short swords on the way.

His warcry was honest: "I'll take this lone poorly-armed man!  You guys take the remaining ten!"

[Private to GM:

Initiative
10:02, Today: Secret Roll: Julian Uth Argus rolled 22 using 1d20+3. Initiative.

Casting a Jump spell to leap up as a Move action and pulling weapons on the way.]

Gabriel drew his blade still smiling slightly. The smile faded however as he tore after the closest brigand. Swinging his blade in a wide arc. "You had your chance." he says as the sword slices the air. The blade misses by a wide margin however.

03:27, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 6 using 1d20+5. power attack -2.
Slightly anti-climactic.

Round 1
Julian cast a spell and jumped up to the roof of a nearby building, drawing both his newly purchased short swords on the way. The ruffian he landed close to, dropped his crossbow on the roof, drew his club, and swung at Julian. But he not only missed, he lost his grip on the club which sailed across the alleyway and landed on the roof on the other side.

But as Gabriel attacked one of the street level ruffians, he too lost his grip though his sword didn’t get far. The wall stopped its forward motion and it dropped to the ground instead.

Digorye drew his knife, but missed the ruffian he attacked.

Regan drew a small weapon from his clothes and threw it at one of them and the ruffian’s hands went to the wound as he staggered and fell.

Dove drew her dagger, but her attack failed too. And Gina’s kick missed its mark too.

The ruffians on the street drew their clubs as one and attacked. But each attack was either dodged or in Gabriel’s case turned aside by armor.

Round 2
You
1 ruffian on the roof
7 ruffians on the street
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:37, Wed 28 May 2008.

"If you surrender now, I will let you keep your testicles.  Ergothian's honor."

Julian waved his short swords around a little to emphasize their cutting power when he saw Gabriel fumbling a bit with his sword.  He gave a muttered and terse, "Fine, fine, okay, I get it," before looking past his unarmed opponent at nothing.

"LOOK OUT!"

Then he stabbed his opponent with both swords.  The flash of an idea - a merchant, cleaning out his eaves for the approaching Spring, happens upon a man's severed dangly bits - made him roll his eyes at the absurdity of it all and actually attempt to kill his opponent in as gruesome a manner as possible.  Every merchant needs a story about their eaves, I guess.

That one attack was a pathetic wavering poke that an old fish could dodge didn't bother him - the second looked true enough.


[Private to GM:

Attempting an effect similar to Distract Assailant (Spell Compendium, 1st level Sorcerer spell): WILL save or be distracted as a Swift action.


21:01, Today: Julian Uth Argus rolled 15 using 1d20+1.
21:01, Today: Julian Uth Argus rolled 3 using 1d20+1. Short Sword.
 - these rolls should be @ -1, not +1
 - hits AC 13 and a miss.  Damnity.

21:01, Today: Julian Uth Argus rolled 4,5 using 1d6,1d6.
21:01, Today: Julian Uth Argus rolled 1,6 using 1d6,1d6. Damage.
 - the second d6 on each roll is for Sneak Attack, if the spell is successful.]

Enraged that his first attack did not hit purchase Gabriel draws his Glaive leaving his sword on the ground and swings with fury attempting to take out as many ruffians as he can.

Entering rage. Power attack for -2.
17:11, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 16 using 1d20+6. power attack for -2.
17:11, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 18 using 1d10+13. damage.

AC goes to 15

HP go to 28

I can cleave if I manage to down an opponent.

Julian cast a spell that distracted his attacker long enough for Julian to make his move, taking the human down.

Gabriel drew his glaive and with a swift stroke he brought down first one of them and with the backswing he brought down another.

With his second knife attack, Digorye brought down his first ruffian. Regan drew and threw another small weapon, but this time he missed. Dove reversed her luck too and brought one of them down with a quick thrust of her blade. Gina punched one of the others whose head hit the wall and he slid down it.

The remaining two ruffians ran away.

Gabriel put his glaice back in place and leaned down to grab his blade. He called up to Julian so they could get moving "Julian, get down here and search these men." He was sure the cad would partake of the mens coin purses, that is unless he found some maidens window to peep through.

"Right-o.  I'll be right there..."

He stared off in the distance at something and nodded appreciatively, muttering to himself as he gathered his fallen foe's weapons and kicked him off the roof.  He came back to the ground with a light step.  "She must work out..."

It seemed that they were going to engage in some righteous pilfering!  Such a thing lightened his mood and made him ignore the man he'd just stabbed to death.  The thought made him check out the dead man's boots: Julian liked a good pair of boots.

The two cousins started rummaging through the ruffians' stuff and found a few bits and pieces.

Looking at them Regan shook his head. "This is not what I expected" he said. "I thought this was going to be an epic adventure that topped what our grandparents did. But it is not. It is better if I go back to where I am needed."

[I've listed what you found in the Treasure thread.]

Gabriel wasn't surprised to see Regan leave. He had no idea why he had come anyways. Gabriel turned to Julian and the others "Let's go and find Marcus, he must be done with his punishment by now." Gabriel said.

After silently watching Regan walk away, Julian cleared his head and cheerfully assented to meeting up with Marcus.  He felt strangely compelled to not stop Regan from leaving and Gabriel caught his attention raptly.  "Marcus will be done with luck, anyway - the Knights are renowned for their amazing ability to spot flaws in their peers and subordinates.  They may have already executed him for something."

He whistled a nameless tune that was catchy and just shy of annoying and followed Gabriel's lead, content to jingle the coins and weapons of the dead men in his pack.

Regan having left them without challenge, Digorye followed his cousins Gabriel and Julian, as did Gina and Dove, to the temple in which Marcus had spent the day.

Marcus leaves the temple, looking weary but peaceful. He is surprised to see his companions approaching from a side road. He walks across to them. "Hello, my friends. How did thing sgo today?" He looks around to ensure everyone is present, and his brow furrows. "Where is Regan?"

"Well, some thugs tried to kill us.  But we got their stuff and then Regan left."  Julian looked around for a moment, pausing to admire a particularly attractive woman happening by.

"What happened with you?  I hope Sir Good didn't kick your head in too hard.  When's dinner?"

Marcus looks concerned, and asks, "Did the attack seem linked to the attack by the Knights of Takhisis, or our little expediation outside of town? And did Regan say where he was going?" Hehesitates a moment, then answers Julian's question, "I met a half-elven lady in the temple. It may be simply a coincidence, but she was the spitting image of my mother. I have a strange feeling that she may be important, but I am not sure how. I asked her if she knows how to contact the elves, but she doesn't. She is just passing through the town." He looks thoughtful as he donsiders this, then adds, "And speak of Lord Brightblade with respect. Based on what he observed, he did the right and honourable thing in trying to correct me. You are here at the invitation of the Knighthood, so I will ask that you respect the leader of the mission."

"Well, all I can say about the attack was that it was pretty weak, like starved kender weak.  I always figured the Knights to be more potent than that.  Plus they seemed only interested in our money and ran after getting stabbed a few times, so their heart really wasn't in it, you know?"  He looked down at his shoes for a second to make sure they were still there.

"Yeah, no Knights involved with that one.  Just our good luck!  I got me a crossbow."

Julian was definitely proud of his gains.

"As for Regan, I think he just remembered he had someplace to be or something.  Maybe Gabe farted again - you know the man lives on pickled beets, you've seen him eat them - and drove him off?  No idea... I felt like saying something but couldn't come up with anything pithy enough in the moment.  I had just jumped off a roof and found myself a little winded."

"Let's go grab something to eat and try to reach a final solution to our elven question... I'm tired of wandering this town getting roughed up by locals."

Julian apparently dodged any further references to 'Sir Good'.

“He seemed to be looking for something more epic,” Dove said. “And as this wasn’t it, he decided to go home instead.”

As you started to cross the square back to the Five Dragon Inn, you heard a loud commotion. Suddenly a peasant exited one of the buildings as fast as he could. He wore a heavy cloak to protect him in the cold, but was trying to hide both a longsword at his side and chainmail under his clothes too. Seconds later the building exploded and the “peasant” was thrown off of his feet in your direction, landing right next to you.

He was followed by flaming debris that seemed to be going straight for Marcus, while avoiding everyone else (4hp).

The peasant groaned and looked up at you. “Help me,” he said.

Marcus grunts as the burning debris slams into him. There is a sharp pain, which he forces himself to ignore. He kneels down and helps the man to his feet. Noting the weapon and armour he quietly asks, "Who are you and what help do you need? Who did this?"

"Who did this?  Someone I don't want to meet in my near future," Julian opined sagely.

Satisfied that he had provided enough scholarly wisdom for the moment, Julian bravely hid in the shadows.  For tactical reasons.  He pulled his swords as he went, at least.

"I am a freedom fighter," the peasant said. "And I did that. The Knights of Takhisis stored munitions there. And one of their patrols will be here soon. Help me get away and I will give you 200 steel."

[Private to Marcus Valarian: Sense Motive: He's stretching the truth.]
[Private to GM: For Gina Sense Motive: He's stretching the truth.]

"Oh, crap."  Julian looked at Marcus.  "You're unlucky, you know.  Help me pick him up and lets see if we can get him somewhere safe before the watch guts us for assisting a scandalous traitor."

Marcus draws his sword, but suddenly lays it against the man's throat. "And now perhaps you will tell us the truth, my friend. Quickly, before the Knights arrive to question you instead." His voice is cold, and his eyes hard. The blade holds just short fo drawing blood, but any movement on the man's behalf would have messy consequences.

"Oh man.  This is not good."

Julian slinked back into the shadows.

"It was what I had planned to do," the freedom fighter said. "But there was nothing there. It was a trap."

Julian, ever curious and well aware of the danger he was putting himself in, crept closer to the smoldering ruins seeking something that would either be booty, loot, plunder, loose coinage, jewelry, expensive weaponry or perhaps, if nothing else could be found, evidence of the man's statements.  He hoped that Marcus would make sure that the man lived without Julian having to affect a miraculous, perilous and reward-sparse rescue of the both of them, but such was the cost of hanging around with highly motivated goodly folk.

Gabriels eyes went wide as Marcus grabbed the man "We'd do better to question him much further from the scene of the crime. The knights have no honor and we will be guilty by association. Sheath your blade Marcus and help us get out of here." Gabriel said berfore turning to Julian. "Can you make us some kind of diversion? We're gonna need it." He said urgently.

Marcus sheathes his sword, and pulls a small dagger. Putting it against the man's back, he forces him to walk forward. They start to make their way to a safer place to talk, well away from the scene of the explosion. He also keeps a careful eye out for any sign of the Takhisas Knights.

[Private to GM: That was the inn we were staying in, wasn't it? Just want to make sure.]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Thu 26 June 2008.

Julian approached the building that recently exploded and was still on fire. Quite hot for an unprotected human.

The rest of you moved away from the building as passersby started organizing a fire brigade.

You took the freedom fighter down one of the back alleys that you’d become somewhat familiar with over the past few days.

[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: You saw that someone was following you.]

"Well, my friend, we are safe here. At least for now. Now tell us the whole truth," Lucius says, keeping his blade at the man's side to deter treachery.

"I have told you the truth," the man said.

"Let me rephrase that. Tell us the entire story. Why were you trying to attack the Knights, how exactly did you do it, and what did you find inside? You said that it was a trap. What exactly did you mean?" Marcus asks.

Gabriel looked over his shoulder and then grabbed the man from Marcus. "We're not out of the woods yet. Someone's following us. Lets get moving." He said urgently. Then to the freedom fighter he had this to add "Whatever it is you've done you better come clean. The Knights of Takhisis may have killed you for it, but the Solamnic Knights we could bring you to would throw you in a dungeon for years on end. I'd rather be dead than face that fate." the large warrior said to the man as he grabbed him by his shirt and dragged him further through the alley.

17:45, Today: Gabriel Uth Argus rolled 23 using 1d20+4. persuasion.

Marcus sheathes his dagger and draws his sword once more. If they are going to have to fight, then he would be happier having his more accustomed weapon in hand. He starts to follow Gabriel along the alley, looking over his shoulder to search for whoever is following them. "Are you here on your own, or did you have other helping you?" he asks the man.

Julian casually followed along from the shadows, content to see if he was going to have to kill more people for the sake of his extended family's safety.  It was grim business, being an Uth Argus, but on the upside he never really felt that bad about slipping a blade between a man's ribs when he's been asking for it.  That was just the way things were in Ansalon and you were trying to start trouble with righteous folk - you got stabbed.  In the back.  By Julian, preferably.

Maybe it wasn't how things were in Ansalon after all... since it seemed to mostly just be Julian.

Grinning, he continued to follow Gabriel and Marcus all sneaky-like and keep an eye out for trouble.

“There are no Solamnic Knights here,” the man said. “And even if there were, they wouldn’t imprison a freedom fighter like myself. And I was by myself. You have nothing to fear from me, so you can put away your weapons, and let me go.”

Marcus angles his blade away from the man, but doesn't resheathe it. "There are Solamnics in the city. We have seen them. But we can't let you go until you explain things to us. For one thing, we have ourselves been attacked by more than one group of Knights of Takhisis. We have been seen with you, so now we stand in danger when we try to leave the town. But we have also been trying to contact... those who are not necessarily allied with the rulers of the town. You may be able to help us."

Two boys approached you from the direction you came from.

[Private to Gabriel Uth Argus: Seeing them clearly, these two may be the ones following you.]

The boys continued to come closer.

"What are you doing to our dad," one of them asked.

Julian suppressed an ill-timed snigger at the growing complexity of Marcus' situation.  He half-wondered if it would have been better to intercept them with a soft-wrapped truncheon to prevent them intercepting their father's escape... or candy.  Candy would have worked as well, but he didn't have any.

He kept alert for the inevitable patrol of guardsmen, not wanting to be caught by them anywhere where he couldn't duck into an attractive woman's bedroom to make his escape.

Gabriel almost laughed, the ruffians who had been following them were the mans children.

"You would be wise not to sneak around like that. We could have killed you or worse." Gabriel said to the children sounding more menacing than he had intended.

"We are only trying to keep your father safe. Now I assume we have to make sure you will be safe as well." He finished answering to the children.

The boys, being 16 and 14 years old, looked both scared and angry.

"Our mother told us to follow him," the oldest one said, continuing to speak for both himself and his brother. "She doesn't like that he has started working for the Legion."

"Quiet," the father told his sons.

The Legion?" Gabriel questioned.

"Yes, The Legion." the older boy repeated.

[OOC: In this timeline, The Legion is what exists instead of the Legion of Steel]

Marcus starts to become a little exasperated as the boys arrive, but his eyebrows are raised as they reveal that their father serves the Legion. "Look, tell us everything. Your secret is out. Now, if we worked for the Knights of Takhisis, we would already have you in front of the torturer. But we are not allies of theirs, and we are not enemies to the Legion. So explain what is happening."

"You already know everything," the father said. "I tried to do a job to hurt the Knights of Takhisis, but it was a trap, and the place blew up."

Marcus sighs. He expects to learn little more from the man. He makes one last attempt, "Do you or the Legion know how to get in contact with the elves who oppose the Knights?"

Julian helpfully crept up through the darkness to render aid.

"Let's have this discussion on the other side of town in someone's basement or on their roof, yes?  We can pick up some snacks on the way or something."

He pointed in a random direction away from the burning rubble and nodded enthusiastically.

"I don't think so," the oldest boy said having mustered some courage. “I think it’s better if we take him home.”

The father nodded silently in agreement. “The elves have left,” he said. “But take this to Old Odmar’s Oddities,” he continued and gave Marcus a starjewel. “Talk to the half-ogre Klaudia. Perhaps she knows more. And tell her that Jacob sent you and she will give you a reward for helping me.”

"Thank you for your help," Marcus says, accepting the jewel. "Would this shop still be open? We are due to leave tomorrow, and may not have a chance to go there otherwise."

"She may still be there," the father said. "But you will have to hurry. It's that way." He finished and pointed.

Julian had no idea where the Oddities place was other than 'that way', but stewardship of a gem was something that had summoned forth courage and virtue from somewhere within him.  "You sure you're okay with that gem, Marcus?  It looks awfully heavy.  I, for one, will give my life for its safety."

He did not mention any care-taking involving the singed but fundamentally living man, guessing that his sons would look after his well-being or sell him out to the watch, depending on how they got along.  From their concern he was either worth quite a lot or they loved him - Julian took a running bound of logic and assumed the latter.

"Thanks for your help, kids."  Julian's smile was strangely electric and he nodded sagely, putting an arm around each of their shoulders before disengaging and patting their father's arm while chuckling at his foray into naive pyromania.  "And you, you nutty firebug, set a longer primer next time before firing the pitch.  And it never hurts to have a distraction fire set to go off about ten minutes beforehand so that you're sure that the water brigades are busy elsewhere."  He playfully punched him in the shoulder and shook his head, still chuckling while walking away towards the Oddities.

The boys clearly didn't want Julian to put his arms around them as they with the expertise of children wiggled out of his embrace.

"I didn't blow it up," the farmer said.

Marcus, Julian, Gabriel, Digorye, Gina, and Dove headed in the indicated direction.

“I know where it is,” Dove said. “I can lead you there.”

[Assuming that you follow Dove’s lead]

Dove led you to a shop about halfway to the town gate towards the Bazaar before getting to the shop in question. It was located in a small building that seemed to have nothing to do with the Legion, deep in the Merchant District, off the beaten path, in a back alleyway. A simple wooden sign hung over the door with the words Old Omar’s Oddities carved in Common, surrounding the symbol of a hand holding a skull.

As you entered the store, a tiny bell announced the opening of the door. A rather large female sat in a chair grinding a foul smelling substance into a paste, while consulting a book next to her on the table. The ogre blood in her veins were apparent in her yellow tinted skin and small tusks. As she heard the bell she looked up at you with a smile of pointed teeth.

“Can I help you,” she asked in clearly enunciated Common, her tone pleasant despite her deep, rumbling voice.

The inside of the single room store seemed even smaller than the outside. A brown curtain hung in the back doorway and demarcated the store from the back room. The walls in the store were lined with shelves stacked with books, jars, and containers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:01, Sat 05 July 2008.

Marcus gives Julian a dirty look, and puts the starjewel into one fo his pouches. He follows Dove to the shop, and glances around before entering, checking to see any faces that don't look right. He examines the small shop at a glance, and then the owner. "Good evening. I assume that you are Klaudia. Jacob sent us. He gave us this to give to you, and suggested that we speak to you. We are seeking a group of elves that live in the area around the town."

Klaudia took the starjewel. "Wait here," she said and left for the back room. When she returned she gave Marcus a money pouch, jingling with coins, a longsword, and a chainmail shirt.

"As far as I know the elves have left Pashin."

Julian shrugged at Marcus' reproach.  "Fine, save the world yourself then.  Don't use offered help."

The exchange of the pouch made him chuckle a little.

"Excuse me?" Klaudia said and looked at Julian.

"He was just very, you know, possessive of the jewel.  You know, it had to be his burden and all that - VERY not interested in any help carrying it - and then the thought of him getting a bunch of coins for it and what-not made me wonder if that was going to be his burden too."

He threw up his shoulders.

"Just wondering."

"How you divide your reward is up to you," Klaudia said. "But if you want to spend some of it here, I have an assortment of things that you might find useful."

Marcus gives Julian an amused look and answers, "I just thought that it would be advantagious for the jewel to make it all the way here, rather than being sold for ale halfway here because you were thirsty." He wordlessly devides the coins among his companions, and leaves the sword and armour for the others to fight over. He is quite content with the armour and sword that he was issued by the Order.

"It would have been a lot of ale, you know.  Maybe even the whole alehouse," Julian offered with a smirk and a wink.

"So, Marcus, seeing as how trouble, intrigue and excitement follow you like I do women, what's your plan at this point?  Leave town?  Catch an airship to Tarsis?  Another night in this boring town?"

He eyed the curios in the shop - he wanted a souvenir, something to remember the place by other than terrified beautiful acrobats.

"Boys will be boys," Gina said.

As Julian looked around the shop, he saw potions, alchemical goods of all varieties, and odd things like candles, and other light sources, and mistletoe and spell components and ink, as well as things to write on and write in, and containers and things.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:48, Mon 14 July 2008.

Marcus sighs and answers, "The trail appears to be dead, and we are out of time. The caravan leaves tomorrow, and we, or at least I, must be with it. I doubt that Lord Brightblade would permit me to remain behind even if you all choose to, especially after the trouble I have been in since arriving. Do any of you have any suggestions?"

"If none of you want it," Dove said. "I'll take the sword and armor. I'll need it if I'm going to travel with you."

Marcus looks slightly startled at Dove's suggestion. "So you are deciding to accompany us then?" he asks.

"You've paid me to accompany you," Dove replied. "I'm just trying to make the best of it."

"I thought you would simply carry some equipment and act as a guide. I am pleased that you are willing to do more. And you see that, if money is your goal, this life can be more rewarding than the one you currently lead?" he says. She appears to be making some progress, and Marcus's hopes are somewhat renewed that she may change her lifestyle for a more fulfilling one.

"For the money," Dove said. "Today has been a good day. But you risk your life and have none of the rewards that I have. You should try it some time."

"You lead a dangerous life as well. And the best you can achieve is to snare the hand of a rich man, to be treated as his plaything. My line of work can be dangerous as well, but the rewards can be great. And you will have them of your own ability, not at the whim of another. And you will also be able to earn fame and respect, if those are things that you desire," Marcus says, unwilling to give up.

"We will see," Dove said and unabashedly removed her clothes to put on the armor. As she inspected herself in her new armor, she shook her head. “It doesn’t fit with the rest of my things.” She removed the armor and put on her courtesan outfit again. “I guess we’ll have to find something to complement that with.”

Marcus flushes as the young woman changes immodestly, and turns away with a wry smile at her wordless rebuttal. He looks to the innkeeper once more and says, "This armour is of fine make, but doesn't fit. Would you be willing to swap it for something similar that would fit the young lady?"

"I don't sell armor," Klaudia said. "And the shops will most likely be closed by now. So you'd have to look for something in the morning."

"I like the chain shirt," Dove said. "But it doesn't work with my regular clothes. So I need something else in addition."

Marcus stifles a sigh of frustration. This mission feels important, far more so than an expedition to buy horses. Yet they must head back in the morning, leaving this all behind. They have the key and the dream, but lack the time to allow them to progress any further. "Thanks you for your help," he tells Klaudia. "We should be able to get you what you need in the morning. But I am not sure if it will be any help, as the party is leaving town tomorrow," he says to Dove. He could always request leave from Lord Brightblade, but he is so far from the Lord's good books that he stands absolutley no chance of success. he will be lucky not to be cast out of the Order when he returns to the Keep.

"Sometimes one has to chose between what is right and what is easy," Gina said.

"Yes, what is right is to stay here and investigate further. But what is also right is to follow the commands of my superiors. What can I tell Lord Brightblade? That I had a dream and now want to stay here in enemy territory to look around? He will certainly refuse, and if I stay regardless then at best I will be executed, and at worst I will be cast out of the Knighthood," Marcus says in frustration.

"Is there anything else I can help you with," Klaudia asked. "It's about time for me to close the shop for the night. If there is anything you'd like to purchase, I will be at your service."

"I believe that we have everything we require for now, thank you Klaudia. You have been much help. Good evening," Marcus says. He leads the others out of the shop and back towards the inn.

Julian considered asking her what she was doing with the rest of the night but decided against it.  Ogre women could be... demanding, and Julian didn't really feel up to the task.

He gave a smile and a wave and followed Marcus out of the shop.

"Look, I think you ought to do whatever seems to be the right thing.  And I encourage you to do it with conviction, whatever that is.  Personally, I'd be scouring the land looking for the hot elf... oooo, that's your mom, isn't it?  Sorry.  I'd be looking for your mom.  Or whoever."

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the sky.

"Know any good songs?"

On your way back to the inn, you noticed a small figure standing in an alleyway, covered by shadow and looking out into the street. A gnarled hand clutched the heavy black robe tight around the neck.

As the cowl was thrown back, the face was revealed. So worn by time and worry, it was almost impossible to determine if the human face was male or female. The hair was white and stringy and the eyes were equally white, making sure that the human couldn’t see anything of this world. And a stench of age and decay surrounded the form, that made most take the long way around, while a few donated copper pieces in the manner of giving to a beggar.

Suddenly the eyes fixated on you and a shriek, nigh unto the shriek of a banshee, left the figure’s lips. She threw herself toward you and collapsed at your feet. Slowly and painfully she started to rise, looking at you with her blind eyes. Ignoring the dust covered candied grasshopper snack that rested near Gina’s feet.

Her eyes opened disturbingly wide and her look almost bored through you, until they rolled back into her head, accompanied with a deep, low moan. She started to shake, as if in an epileptic fit. And in a low, whispering hiss, the following words left her lips:

“The stars are set in motion,
a plan both cunning and divine;
beware of specters in the night,
beware of unseen design;
the key you hold, others desire;
protect yourself from obsession’s FIRE!”

As the last word was torn from her lips, she threw herself backward. Her body suddenly covered in crackling, dancing, blue white flames. Until the flames exploded, covering all of you in the fleeing conflagration (2hp of fire damage each) and leaving nothing but dust left of the woman.

Julian was so surprised he pinwheeled backwards and fell over, picking himself up quickly in a clumsy and energetic manner.

"What?  What was th... what?"  He tried to make some sense out of what just happened but his the only conclusion he kept coming back to over and over again was that this was somehow Marcus' fault, seeing as how he was the one with all the weird visions and dreams and amazing predilection for having bizarre things happen to him.

He shook his head repeatedly and quickly while hastily gathering the woman's copper.

"Any idea what the hell that was all about?  Because it's gotta be about your mom or the elves and the key or whatever.  Damn lot of craziness for a music box though.  You still have it?  Or did I sell it already?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Mon 21 July 2008.

Marcus makes an attempt to assist the strange old beggar, until something supernatural seems to take hold of them. He listens to the prophecy, and a chill runs through his body. He murmers a horrified prayer to Paladine, and is about to look to the others to judge their reactions, when the woman detonates. He leaps back with an arm raised to shield his eyes, but is still burned down his arm and side.

Marcus steps back, face ashen, at the sight of the exploding beggar. "I still have the Key safely tucked away. But that warning has me deeply worried. It sounds like we can expect an attack during the night.  Possibly someone trying to burn the inn down. It would certainly create enough chaos that they may succeed. I think Lord Brightblade needs to be told everything we know. If we are to be attacked then the entire Solamnic party will be in danger as well," he says.

As you discussed this, a voice from the crowed that had gathered to see the spectacle said "They killed her! Call the watch!". And that cry was carried throughout the crowd and spread into nearby streets until you heard two long blasts from a horn. Likely at the lips of a watchman or a Knight of Takhisis. Lips that didn't sound too far away. Likely only moments to do something before they arrived.

"Run!" Marcus growls. Singed and surprised, he has the presence of mind to clear the area immediately. Although they have nothing to do with the beggar's explosion, any attention is to be avoided. He makes a mad dash through the crowd, forcing aside any who block the way, and turning corners at random to throw off pursuit.

Julian was without a doubt completely surprised at the crowd of folks milling around, who seemed to creep up on him while he was lost in her copper.  Even so he had thought that in a big city like this exploding beggars would be old hat by now, but he was wrong.

"She had it coming!  All of you do!  Repent your sins or burn!"

It was all Julian could think of as a way to scare the heebie jeebies into them.  If he was going to have to run through the streets avoiding the watch again, at least the crowd was going to pay him with their stares of shock and horror.  He burned their instant reactions into his memory - something to keep him warm at night - and followed Marcus, trying not to laugh.

While you were running past one of Pashin’s artesian wells, the ground erupted nearby, and a swarm of rats scurried out of the hole as fast as their short legs would carry them. And they ran in your direction.

Marcus calls back to Julian, "Remind me to kill you slowly if we get out of this alive. We want to try to keep a low profile. We watch a woman explode and you decide to scare the locals into remembering you. If they hang us I want them to get you first so I can enjoy my last moments," he says, halfway caught between amusement and outraged anger.

As the rats start to swarm up, Marcus immediately realises that they are after the group. He pulls his sword as he continues to run, trying to outpace the rats. Having to stop to fight the rats will increase the chances that the town watch or Knights of Takhisis will catch up with them.

Julian was running.

"Rats," he managed between breaths.

He continued running, stuffing copper into a pouch.

As you fled from the rats a shadowy figure appeared in one of the side alleyways. "This way," he said and beckoned you to follow him.