Emerald enters the inn, figuring this could be one place to find the others. She was right! Emerald has found 3 of the others already! She walks over to Blake, Mittens and Reverie. She looks around at Blake and Mittens, having JUST missed what Reverie said. So she waits patiently, simply nodding in greeting rather than speaking.

Bridget enters the inn with Eli in tow, having known Mittens would be there. She finds a seat near the others and sits, picking up on the same things Emerald did and thus, patiently waiting.

Eli sits with Bridget and looks a bit more confident. At first. Then he sees Reverie and gets concerned. He looks at Bridget who puts her finger to her mouth. Eli simply nods and looks back to the others.

Mittens seems to be hanging on Reverie's every word, leaning forward, eager eyes fixed on the girl.

"Well well well!" she says, "Signs and portents!  Hey there, Blake!  Eli, Emerald, Bridget!  Reverie had a vision of a town being destroyed by a falling star!  Sounds worth investigating!  But before we go on, there's something I must mention.  An important message I must bring to your attention.  I was in meditation and prayer last night.  I was awakened by a shining bright light!  Over head, a glorious spirit!  He gave me a message and you all need to hear it!  He said, 'Arm yourself, for a war like none before draws nigh!'  When I snapped out of it, there was this sword!"

She plunks down a fancy looking bastard sword on the table.  Serrated edges, pointy pommel, jagged contour, it just screams savagery.

"I think the two visions are connected!"

(( OOC: What she failed to mention is the part where the spirit tells her, "This fine blade can be yours for the modest donation of 680gp to the church of Tempus!" ))
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:11, Mon 19 Apr 2010.

  Blake eyes the sword of Pointy Doom, as suddenly produced sharp objects taller than Emerald and Eli is a bit of a distraction.  "...Hmm, It simulates the effect of having had your ass kicked without having actually had your ass kicked for a few moments. I can see why it's a niche item."

  Blake nods in greeting to the other, quieter, arrivals before turning back to Reverie.  "In your dream, were there any landmarks of note you can recall in the city?  Standout buildings, geographical features by or part of the city?  Well, aside from Stars so far as they are geographical features.  If the screaming was anything specific it could help as well, but screams of horror sound much the same in many languages."

OOC Style: If Reverie gives 'sufficient detail' Blake can ID the location through the joys of a Take-Ten History skill of 21.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Mon 19 Apr 2010.

Reverie thinks on her dream intently, trying to remember key elements and what was where. City, banked at some water, mountains behind her...

"When the dream began,
I saw mountains far away.
This was happening
During the light of day.

I turned to see a city
And then the angel came.
It's really such a pity
What came into play..

I saw a large body of water
All along the city's edge.
But then I saw the disaster
As the angel made its pledge."

As she speaks, she is drawing a little for them to see what she means:

Water
  |
City - Water
  |
Reverie
  |
Mountains

Emerald peeks at Rev's sketch while listening. "Huh... mountains on one side, a large body of water on the other. That should help some anyway... Bridget?"

Bridget headshakes. "I don't know where that is from that alone. It could be a number of places."

Emerald leans her head in her hand. Eli goes slowly over to Reverie and hugs her. Lucky for him, he's only touching her leather. Reverie, of course, is careful that that is ALL that touches Eli.

(Had little for my alts to post, so smushed 'em all together here)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:32, Tue 20 Apr 2010.

"Southport!" Mittens surmises, clapping her gauntleted hands together, "Lots of water!  Mountains behind you!  AAAAND that's where the villain fled to!  But Blake asked for more detail.  If it was a city of dwarves, I'm waaay off.  Say Eli.  Think your dad might be interested in hearing 'bout these prophetic visions?  'War like none before,' and glazed cities sounds important enough to warrant the attention of even a king."

  "I suppose in a fading memory of a dream there does not tend to be the opportunity to become an expert at architecture and identifying building structure in the span of imaginary moments before the whole place was leveled.  Remembering clearly even as much as you have is impressive."  Could be worse, could be 'oh hey, top of a volcanoish mountain' level of detail to work with.

  "I have the feeling Southport would be investigated regardless if it is true that was their destination.  Normally this would be the point where I give a scornful reply, but we did just have Dinner with Eli's Father the other day."

  They consider Eli's concern for Reverie, and her careful actions.  Blake disliked the trend of prophecy and portents, and could not help but wonder what it meant when the instinct they trusted lead them to desire their choice in neckwear before they had even met Reverie.

OOC Style: Rechecking Reverie's sheet, Blake and Eli both know by default DC 20: they be poison.  But it's DC 5 check to know Hugs > Poison.
  I was also reminded that Reverie knows Deep Speech... Blake didn't pick that up...  Looks like the temptation for another linguist feat has risen (that or saving up for a  Lv 6 Deep Speech Polygot Gem.  But Blake would have to find and buy one due to the 'you can only create ones for languages you know' clause.

"While my dream was not an illusion,
Please let's not jump to conclusions.
But I suppose we should depart.
And Southport surely is a start."

Reverie looks hesitant, but anxious at the same time. If that's possible. She turns her attention to Blake.

"Blake, can you tell me why
You would give a scornful reply?
I wish I could assure you I mean no harm,
But I guess my dream caused you alarm.."

Emerald says, "If only we could get the others... I wonder where they could be. Anyway, let's finish eating and then find the Unity office to prepare for departure."

Bridget says, "I agree. But do not hurry your eating or else you may slow us down later when you get a stomach ache." Even with the hint of concern such words would imply, she said that with such monotone coldness, one could almost swear it was The Terminator saying it.

Eli says, "I'm ready when you all are. I had my breakfast. And so did Officer Bordecceli." he thumbs at Bridget. Bridget nods to confirm Eli's claim.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Wed 21 Apr 2010.

"He's a warlock," Mittens answers Reverie with a shrug, "Fire type no less.  A scornful reply is almost as expected of him as praising Tempus is for me.  Sweet poets are an exception to the rule."

No, Mittens.  That would be a hellish rebuke.  Big difference.  And what about mischievous gnome warlocks?  They expected to be angsty too?

"I'll take that to mean either I was wrong about your dad having time for prophetic visions," she answers Eli, "Or that we'll find him at the Unity Office of Adventure!  Inanycase, I was BORN ready!  Excelsior!"

She leads the way to said office with a spring in her step and a wag in her tail.

As it turns out, Eli's dad IS at the Unity Adventure Office.  Currently he's in a private meeting with the Sheriff.  Eli and guests would be allowed to interrupt.

  "My theoretical scorn was not directed at you Reverie, but rather how it is the usual sort of reaction suitable when people suggest 'hey, maybe the King will care about our problems?'.  Recent events have suggested more optimism than usual there is appropriate."

  Blake heads off with the others once they have managed to get something to eat, and will let someone else be the one to interrupt the meeting Eli's father is in.

Eli tries to muster up some courage to talk with his dad. After all, while his dad won't mind the interruption, Eli's the only one here who KNOWS that. He puts on a determined look.

"Hey dad!" Eli calls out. "The heroes are ready to go on the mission."

Reverie curtsies to the king and the people at his meeting. She says nothing, but gives a sad smile. One that speaks of her sad tale.

Bridget does the Unity salute. She glances at Eli, watching him catch the king's attention. Bridget stands "at ease" as she waits to see if she is needed for anything, commentary or otherwise.

Emerald is nervous. She curtsies like Reverie and keeps her eyes on the guards in the room. Force of habit.

Mittens clears her throat.

"Ahem... not to mention they've been having prophetic visions that might be of interest to you."

Eli's dad raises an eyebrow.  "Very well.  Tell me these visions."

"Lil miss rhymes here had a vision of some city getting destroyed by a falling star which I'm guessing is Southport from the water, and I was sent an angel who told me, 'Arm yourself, for a war like none before draws nigh!'  I'm thinking the two must be connected."

The king rubs his chin.

"Any other strange occurrences we should know about?"

Mittens shrugs.  "I'm guessing if there were they would have mentioned it by now."

She glances at the others present.

  Blake gives a polite bow in the presence of important people.  They ignore the comment about mentioning other strange events by now.  "I would hardly consider myself Hero material." they mutter.

  Two out of three plot hooks being obvious is probably workable.  Though one can only guess how long Blake can ignore theirs if doing so is less than a spectacular plan.

Bridget looks over to Blake. "If you are not hero material, then what do you consider yourself?" Yes, she considers this important enough to bring up right away rather than wait for the king to address her or what not.

Reverie hugs herself. She shoots an endearing smile at Eli, remembering his hug. Then looks at the King, nodding when Mittens speaks on her behalf. She glances at Blake as he mentions not being a hero and scoots towards him. She whispers quietly to him,

"Do not doubt yourself,
My dear companion.
It's not good for your health
And makes you abandon
Things like hope
Things like love
Things like faith
Or all of the above.

If you call yourself hero,
You eventually become one.
If you call yourself Zero,
You are eventually shunned."

She reaches to place a hand on Blake's shoulder.

Eli says, "No visions here. Dad?"

Emerald scoots to be closer to Bridget. She trusts Bridget. Bridget is like a stone statue. And stone statues are a BIT more trustworthy than Mr Loathe, Mrs Jenkins and "oh you touched the prince in the king's presence" Eli.

Mittens looks over at Reverie and Bridget.

"Either he's modest like any true hero," she surmises, "Or he knows himself well enough to be frank.  Take me for example.  I've no illusions of being a 'good' person.  I worship Tempus, god of war!  Tempus, like war, is no more heroic or 'good' than, say, fire.  Fire is a force of nature that people and devils alike think they can tame.  Truth is, best you can hope for is enough understanding of fire that you arrive at a mutual goal that doesn't leave you burned.  Same goes for war.  It only takes a spark to get a war going.  Once started, the best you can hope for is to understand war well enough to survive."

The King listens to the conversation, looks over at the Sheriff, then back to the others.

"Indeed," he says, "The Sheriff and I were just discussing whom he would like to send on the follow-up investigation of the man we suspect mind-controlled those kobolds.  Bridget will be leading that group, followed by Eli, Freedom, Micheal, and Gilant.  Which leaves the the rest of you for this mission to investigate these visions.  Sheriff?

"I don't see any crime being committed in their having visions," The Sheriff answers with a shrug, "They're free to come and go as they please.  There's no warrant or bounty promised for discovering the meaning behind what they saw, so I have no jurisdiction in this other investigation."

The King rubs his chin.

"In other words, Unity's official law-enforcement stance is that you have no official sanction for investigating those visions.  Well.  You have my approval at least for what it's worth.  Needless to say, I'm sure Unity will be much more officially grateful should you manage to save a city from destruction or a nation from war.  I will speak with my brother as time allows, and perhaps he'll make your quest more official.  But until then, it's up to your individual sense of heroism... or respect for forces of nature... however you care to label it... to organize and mobilize your team.  I'm sure there's no law against you traveling along side the official team on your way to Southport..."

He glances again at the Sheriff who again shrugs.

"Thank you for keeping me abreast of the situation.  Eli..."

He hugs his son.

"I'll miss you.  Stay safe, keep in touch, and make your family proud."

He gives his son a sending stone.

"The rest of you, godspeed."

Eli's dad and his guard leave the room.  The Sheriff looks at Bridget.

"You have your orders.  I know you'll do a good job.  If you can't find the Githyanki... don't waste any time trying to locate him and just proceed without him.  He was put into your team over my objection."