"Why?" Ilsa asked Bornegar. These were not clansmen. They are not people in a position to give a boon. If she was trapped under a tower of rubble, she wouldn't expect help. But then, she could claw her way out a lot better than the humans and smaller races. Except maybe the dwarves. Seeing as he was likely to remain here and she would prefer not to dissolve their band, she sighed and consented. "If you do this, I will help."

Abigail took a step forward.  With her head in the clouds, and her fist clenched in triumph her voice swelled,

Yes Roth.  This is a perfect opportunity to liberate these people from the clutches of civilization, and what a perfect example of it's drawbacks to lead them by.

Abigail began heading quickly below.  Along the way she said something in a foreign language to the eagle on her shoulder.


Just then the eagle leapt from Abigail's shoulder, and started circling the air above the wreckage.

Shirok glanced up as the woman spoke to the eagle upon her shoulder, studying her with an appraising eye. He had not thought humans capable of being properly in tune with nature to that degree.

He looked over at Ilsa and Bornegar, finally nodding. "We shall offer our aid," he said, starting to descend towards the wreckage. "Though it is possible they shall deny it from Ilsa and myself." Neya followed at his heels as he headed for the wreckage.

Ilsa snorted and nodded her head. "If they refuse, then I shall leave them be." She smirked, praying that someone would refuse her aid. But she followed her compatriots and let them direct her efforts.

Yes, this is exactly the sort of thing about which we wanted to see Kaele. But, considering that he is a powerful wizard, I would expect him to show up here if he's anywhere nearby."

Stan began working his way down to the wreckage. At first he adopted a fast pace, eager to catch up to the other party members; Once he reached the pack he slowed to match their speed.

"If anyone is really hurt, don't move them. You might make it worse. Those of you with magical healing ability, try to triage intelligently."

It did not occur to Stan that most of the nature-born healers probably didn't know about triage.

The barbarians express their desire to help (or to simply go along with their companions), and the druid Abigail decides to accompany them.  They begin to make their way down toward the surface city, crossing bridges and transferring from one platform to another.  The city streets are still full of gawkers, onlookers, loud mouths, and rumor-spreaders.  As the group nears the surface, they are stopped by a small contingent of city guards and armored clerics wearing tabards bearing the Radiant Sun insignia of Pelor.
“Halt there,” one of the clerics cry out to them.  “We have been ordered by the council of Skyway to restrict this area.  At this time we are not accepting volunteers, or would-be do-gooder adventurers.  If you’d like to help, I’m afraid you’ll have to seek an audience with the council.”
The half-orc Ilsa smiles as the men attempt to turn them away…

---

The two wizards and Roth climb higher and higher into the city, looking for the enigmatic Kaele.  After a short time, Stan asks the rogue if he knows where he is going, or if he knows where to find Kaele.  Roth sheepishly admits that he doesn’t, but asks around and quickly finds the answers they need.
The trio head to the north-eastern side of the suspended city, and have no more trouble in locating the wizard’s home: another floating tower.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:42, Wed 25 Feb 2009.

The young elf places his hands upon his hip and leans back a little, looking the tower up and down.  With an approving nod he looks back to the other two and says, "Well, you people sure know how to pick 'em."  The lad steps towards them, wiping his hand on his pants and extending it, "The name's Roth.  Parents didn't know any Elven names."  He smiles charmingly and adds, "I'm an apprentice bookkeeper at the city library.  Nothing fancy like you mage sorts, mostly city records and whatnot."  After formal introductions have finished, Roth then looks back towards the tower and asks, "So, do you chant some arcane passwords ... or just knock?"

"Hello Roth I'm Aigol, A wandering Academic you could say. "  With a look of distaste at the extravagant tower Aigol added "Not all of us live quite so opulently,  But I suppose we should make our presence known"  Taking a look around Aigol tries to find if Kaele had any device to signal their arrival rather than a simple knock, His type usually did.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Thu 26 Feb 2009.

Abigail gives the guard a confused, and frustrated look.  She puts her hands on her hips, and addresses the guard.

You would deny those people aid?  For what purpose?  Is there something in there you don't want us to find?  And what if one of the other plates falls?  Wouldn't the safest place to be where the plate already fell, so there's no risk of being crushed beneath it?

Abigail waited impatiently for the guard's excuse.

Abigail, Bornegar, Ilsa, & Shirok:
One of the guards motions for the clerics to move past the checkpoint and further into Godsgate.  “We aren’t refusing aid to those involved in this catastrophe,” he replies to Abigail with a smile.  She finds his piercing, crystal clear blue eyes to be very intense and quite charming.  “The council simply doesn’t want anyone ill-equipped or without proper training to potentially hurt themselves or others trying to help.  The city guard and the priests of Pelor will be handling this situation.
“Besides, many of the towers and platforms move and drift.  If another one comes down, it’s going to be over Godsgate.  The more people we allow in directly impacts the potential victims in a future incident.”

---

Aigol, Roth, & Stan:
The building before you is a tower of polished black densewood.  Patterns of ivy have been carved into the wood and inlaid with silver.  A massive bugbear approaches your party from a side terrace; his deep red fur is oiled and brushed, and he wears a beautiful breastplate covered with black enamel.  His armor is marked with the same coat of arms that hangs above the door—a stylized silver dragon surrounded by an ivy wreath.  “Welcome to Silvervine,” he growls, his voice deep and resonant.  “Do you have an appointment?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:30, Thu 26 Feb 2009.

Shirok looked past the guards and after the clerics, further into the area they called Godsgate. They could argue their qualifications with this man all day; and it likely wouldn't get them any closer to the wounded people. Nor any closer to finishing their business.

"Then you can aid us with information," he said finally. They were guards, hopefully that meant they knew most of the locals. "We are looking for the family of Silvervine."

Isla shook her head. "It's because they don't trust outsiders," she said to the human druid. "They think you would steal from them." Of course, Ilsa would steal from them, but she wasn't heartbroken about the loss of life in the rubble before them.

She let Shirok do the talking to the guard, but kept an eye on him just in case he made any threatening moves. And she prayed he did.

"An appointment? Er, not exactly. We come concerning a matter of wizards."

Stan hoped that sounded official enough. He wasn't expecting much trouble, but wizards could get temperamental, and this was already a stressful day for city-dwellers.

"If your master cares to know, I am Apprentice Fetchin from Arcanus-Tirith in Kanton. I think you'll find Kaele quite interested."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Fri 27 Feb 2009.

Abigail, Bornegar, Ilsa, & Shirok:
The guard’s eyes squint at the mention of the family name.  “Silvervine,” he echoes, deep in thought.  He turns to another nearby guard, “Hey Brolan, does the name ‘Silvervine’ mean anything to you?  Wasn’t that the old name of the Ivy Tower?”
The other guard looks up form a thick bundle of parchment he had been writing on.  “Uh… yeah,” he replies but quickly returns his attention the paperwork.
With a nod the first guard says, “Go north along Upper River Street, and turn east two streets past The Iron Ingot.  You should see the tower around there.  It is about six stories tall and made of densewood.”

---

Aigol, Roth, & Stan:
“Hmmm,” the bugbear purrs in response to Stan’s answer and introduction.  “Excuse me,” he says as he begins to turn away as if to return up to his guard station.  After a quick moment of what looks like hesitation, he turns back around and addresses you all once more.
“Actually, follow me inside.”
Once inside, you find the interior to be as grand as the exterior.  Nearly everything is made (or perhaps grown?) from wood.  Much of the furniture appears to have grown directly out of the hardwood floorboards.  Seemingly natural ‘carvings’ of silver dragons, forests, and various fey creatures decorate almost everything.  The bugbear asks that you remain in the foyer as he disappears deeper into the tower.
After a short amount of time, he returns and leads you to a large sitting room where a regal elf waits.  Her glamerweave gown seems to be woven from dark silver smoke, and her long platinum blonde hair is bound with ornaments of silver and jet.  She stands in the center of the room, waiting for you to speak.

Roth stays fairly quiet at the bugbear's address and in the presence of supposedly Kaele, letting the mages do the talking.  He seems out of place somewhere so fancy, but is taking in the sights with an interest in the surroundings.

Aigol stepped forward trying to look the part of the mage he was

"You are Kaele I assume,  I am Aigol of Blikburg College Me and my companion have come to seek your wisdom on the topic of the destruction of Arcanus-Tirith but more urgently may I ask why one of your powers is not helping after the destruction of one of the floating platforms so similar to this one"

"Hmph, most rude to refuse aid offered freely. Anyway, we at least have a lead on our nobles now, if there is nought we can do here we should head there." Bornegar states, turning to his companions, then as afterthought adds,
"Will you accompany us Abigail or shall you wait for your friend?"

Abigail turned her head, and began looking up into the sky above the wreckage.

I'd rather not leave him among strangers.  He tends to get into trouble.  On the other hand, I have no idea how long it may take me to find him, and I can also get into misunderstandings when it comes to city folk.  I think it would be best if I were to stay with you for now.

Just then Abigail let a screech out into the air.  Moments later the large eagle she let loose beforehand came flying in from over the wreckage, and landed next to Abigail.  She scratched the eagle affectionately as it sit upon her shoulder.

If we're going to travel together, perhaps we should know something about each other.  My name is Abigail Leafwander, and this is my best friend, Thorondor.  I found him wounded in the woods after he was shot down by hunters.

Stan noted the intricate, home-grown furniture with approval. A most tasteful way for a wizard to decorate his or her abode.

Equally tasteful was the elf, though her gown struck Stan as a bit on the extravagant side. Charming as she was, Stan felt little attraction; he was quite spoken for. A guilty thought sprang up in his mind: How many lives had his attraction cost?

Aigol's words brought Stan's mind back to the present. The apprentice wizard smiled amusedly and whispered to Roth:

"I'll bet you five gold pieces that's not Kaele."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:55, Sat 28 Feb 2009.

"Ilsa," she said with a grunt. She stopped herself from saying anything more that might offend the human. If she could call an eagle friend then perhaps she wasn't so bad.

She directed her question to the other two. Though she should have known the answer, she didn't care enough to remember it. And she'd probably forget again. "Why we need to talk to Silvervane?"

"The letter we found, Ilsa," Shirok reminded her gently before turning to the human, nodding in response to her introduction.

"I am Shirok Rezka, and this is my spirit animal, Neya," he said, indicating the wolf standing at his side. The she-wolf stepped forward slightly, sniffing at Abigail. Neya looked up at her, golden eyes carefully studying the human before seeming to nod slightly, returning to Shirok's side.

"Oh." Ilsa thought about it. "What did it say?" She didn't read the letter herself, of course, so it's message didn't really stick with her.

"We did not open it," Shirok replied, turning away from the destruction and starting to head back into the city, following the directions given by the guard. "Come, let us deliver it and be done with the whole business. Abigail, you and Thorondor are welcome to accompany us until you can rejoin your companion."

"Indeed, we shall go at once. Though I forget myself," Bornegar turns to Abigail "I am Bornegar High-Peak of the Bear tribe, always an honour to meet one who respects the wilds and it's beasts." He adds with a nod to Thoronir.

Abigail, Bornegar, Ilsa, & Shirok:
You follow the guard’s directions and make your way up onto the floating city.  The streets have calmed down some since the tower fell, however you cannot get over the suspicion that another might fall—and one with you on it.  It is no surprise once you find the tower as it fits the guard’s description completely.  As you approach the floating tower, a big bugbear begins to make his way toward you.  He is wearing a polished breastplate and appears to be will groomed.
“It has proven to be a busy day at the Sivervine,” he booms.  “Have you an appointment?”

---

Aigol, Roth, & Stan:
The beautiful elf nods at Aigol and brings her hands together before her.  “Well met Aigol,” she replies, her features remaining serious.  As she brings her gaze to the other wizard, her facade melts and a smile begins to appear.  “You must be Stan.  I have been expecting the both of you,” she says warmly; but then she notices Roth.  “A bodyguard perhaps?”
She doesn’t offer any of you a seat, and she continues to stand before you.  “I am Kaele,” she says at length.  “Do not fret young Aigol; the city’s council is working very hard to uncover what they can in regards to this afternoon’s tragic event.  We will see what part you and your friends will play very shortly.  Until the others arrive, tell me about the disaster at Arcanus-Tirith.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:47, Wed 18 Mar 2009.