Shirok frowned as they walked through the city, looking around at the floating platforms. Something seemed wrong, none of these platforms were where he remembered them being. Of course, cities were always changing obscenely fast, altering themselves without thought or consideration. It would not surprise him to learn that they had simply rewritten the locations of their platforms without bothering to consider why.

With no other choice he looked around for the nearest citizen, to ask them how to navigate this new layout towards Silvervine.

Well to be fair only the she-orc turned on us. But the other chose to stay with her after we left. Porto says entering into the conversation for the first time since "hello"

"I'd be dead if it weren't for our new friend."  Roth confirms, a little disgust from the encounter still on his voice.  "She was probably charmed somehow," Roth admits, "As she took very quickly to the child-thing.  But she was more than eager and proud to run me through, even afterwards.  Her lust for blood put us in far more danger than necessary throughout the whole trip."

Porto, Roth, & Stan—
“These are very strange occurrences indeed!” Kaele replies, still obviously shaken at the consequences she has caused.  “Please, allow me some time to find out what I can.  In the meantime you may use my home as a safe place to rest.  We shall speak again tomorrow regarding anything I’ve found.”
With that she stands as if to leave; but briefly pauses to allow any more questions before she takes her leave.

---

Ilsa & Shirok—
The citizen causally points to a platform.  “The quickest way to get there is through the Grand Bazaar, just around the corner.  Follow Hightower Way until you get to Evlyn Avenue and then take the next right.  The next platform you arrive at should be the one you’re looking for.  You can’t miss it.”

"Thank you," Shirok replied, and asked for directions to the church as well before moving on towards Silvervine.

Ilsa & Shirok-
“I’m very sorry,” the citizen replies, offering Shirok a sheepish smile.  “I’ve never heard of Blackstone Church.  If you’re referring to a place within the under-city, I must admit to you that I am not well versed in such things—I don’t travel down there.  Perhaps you could ask some unfortunate soul residing in the hellish place?  That is, if you can find someone down there possessing the ability to speak and understand Common,” he says with a nervous laugh, hoping he hasn’t offended you.

Shirok frowned, though it was more in confusion then some perceived offense on the human's part. For the citizens of a city to be completely ignorant of the workings of part of their own people was disturbing, and the apparent disappearance of a bastion of religion was even more so. Kaele remained the most knowledgeable person they knew within this city, and it had suddenly become more important that they speak with her.

"First I need to check on my home ... see if there's anything left, get my armor repaired, and spend some time winding down..." Roth shakes his head and looks down at the severed shoulder of his leather armor, slipping his finger into the deep cut and appraising the damage.  Something seems to dawn on him and he hurriedly feels about his chest before pulling on a small chain around his neck to withdraw an amulet that had been safely tucked beneath his armor.  Ensured it was still save, he slid it back beneath and added, "And there was a matter of six hundred gold for the urn's return.  I hope they aren't using it to pave streets yet?"  He grins, the weight of the orc's betrayal slowly easing off his mind.

"We discussed an exchange of spells as well. After 80 years, it is more imperative than ever that I acquire the spell I seek."

I need to buy a new boot...

Porto, Roth, & Stan-
“Of course,” Kaele replies to Roth as she quickly stands to fetch the sum you each had previously agreed upon.  A few short moments later she returns and accompanied by the weird construct.  The automation carries a small chest, and Kaele has draped three silk bags over her forearm.  She opens the chest and counts out 3,000 golden coins, all bearing the Sässeriné emblem (an eagle with spread wings and clutching a perfectly cut diamond in its talons).  The image is familiar to Roth and Stan, but appears completely foreign to Porto.
After Kaele has removed the coins she separates them into three equal parts and distributes them into the silk bags.  “600 gold pieces,” she says with a smile as she offers a bag to each of you, “plus 80 years interest.”  When it comes to Porto, she offers him his own bag in light of his assistance to the group she originally hired.  If he refuses, she insists he accept it.
She nods to Stan after he mentions their side agreement regarding the exchanging of spells.  “Perhaps we might take the time to compare spellbooks while we wait for the others to arrive, as I’m sure they will soon enough,” she says referring to Ilsa and Shirok.  “And if Roth and your’ new friend wish to spend their hard earned gold…” she trails off eyeing Stan for a brief and awkward moment.
“Actually, I could use your help—in figuring out what exactly happened in the Tower, I mean.  If we are done here we should set about this task promptly.  Again, you are all welcome to stay here until we figure out better alternatives.”

---

Ilsa & Shirok-
The citizen’s directions prove correct!  The two orcs and wolf travel through the platforms of Skyway and after a time arrive just outside the familiar tower of Silvervine.  The bugbear you both met earlier that morning doesn’t seem to be anywhere near—perhaps he is off duty?  You are both sure the powerful wizard Kaele has some nefarious defense in place.

Ilsa snorted and cleared her nostrils. The city spelled foul and she longed to be rid of it. "You'd better lead," she told Shirok, pointing to the doors to the tower. She knew the others did not trust her and it would be better to let Shirok do the talking. She wasn't expecting a trap or she would never had asked him to go first. "They don't like me much." She tried to care, but it wouldn't come and her inflection reflected that fact.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:39, Tue 05 Jan 2010.

"Just be honest, tell them what happened. If they still can not forgive, then we no longer have need to travel with them," Shirok replied before he walked up to the door and knocked upon it.

Neya padded over to the barbarian and nudged her comfortingly.

Stan hefted the silk bag and felt the weight of the coins within. Not a paltry sum, he realized. Maybe enough to make a start when this was all over.

As Kaele trailed off awkwardly, Stan let out a polite cough. He was about to explain everything to her when he stopped himself. Such an explanation might erode his position; Kaele might become jealous and forego helping him, or even deem him a threat. The less she knew the better. The young wizard's new policy was one of careful flirtation - the salacious means to a hopefully monogamous end.

"Are you sure? I thought a wizard's spellbook was her most intimate possession."

Porto and Roth scamper off seeking refreshments and other provisions now that they have received their hefty payment, leaving Stan alone with Kaele.  Despite anyone’s preconceived ideas as to what might be going on, the wizard remains professional.  On their way to her study, she explains to Stan that many human practitioners of the Art regard their spellbooks as powerful objects beyond that of normal material elements—and such it is in her personal opinion the reason behind man’s innate desire to dominate his own kinsmen.  She goes on to explain that, according to elven doctrine, magic is just as part of the natural world as gravity, wind currents, and the beasts that adhere to such principles.
Arcane theory aside, once situated within her study, she requests that Stan recall exactly what happened in Colrac, and in the finest detail possible.  The young mage tells her of the Ravers and rats, just as Roth had before.  Except Stan goes on and gives his account of how they happened upon the halfling Porto.  Kaele’s eyes light up as he mentions the shimmering portal from which the fat little creature fell.  She allows him to finish the whole tale before offering her own theory as to what happened.
“An interesting tale indeed!  You say you witnessed a floating, shimmering pool of light, and from which Porto fell.  I believe that is where the second displacement occurred.  In your account you never once mentioned finding any bodies belonging to the nearly thirty individuals killed in the Tower’s collapse.  Of course, Colrac had been deserted and left to ruin for some time before the Tower’s fall; but bodies would have been present.  If not from the slain Enclave members, than perhaps from those Ravers squatting inside?
“The Hall you entered eighty years ago was by no means fresh.  Ruined debris and large rats may be a common site within Godsgate, but certainly not things found in Enclave laboratories.”  As she speaks she begins to pour through a book she retrieved from one of the many bookshelves.  “By the way, was there a certain spell you were looking for?” she says referring to the earlier agreement.
Before Stan can answer, a loud knock can be heard at the front door.  Kaele looks up, acknowledging the rap, but waits for Stan to answer before calling for someone named Ishmael (obviously the construct/automation guardian) to answer the door.

"I was hoping you had a more advanced spell that would allow me to conjure or at least contact a creature from the lower planes. There is of course the well-known Horvendile's lesser planar binding. Though it is beyond my capacity to mentally prepare, I believe with a properly prepared scroll I would have little trouble casting it.

"There are dangers to such spells, I know. That's why I would need a proper containment circle as well. I don't plan on repeating the costly mistakes others have made in the past."

"Well, while you two get 'intimate,' I'll head out and see how the city's changed." Roth quips as he leaves, heading out to see if his hiding hole was still there.

The door was suddenly opened by a massive golem, a creature of wood and metal that seemed to glare at the two orcs. "Halt! State your name and business here," it demanded.

Shirok's face had taken on a look of disgust, almost sickened by the thing before him. This thing was nothing less then a twisted mockery of nature, and were it not for the time and place he found himself in he might have taken it upon himself to destroy the abomination. For now, he shut his eyes for a moment as he regained his composure. "We are Shirok Rezkala and Ilsa Redeye. We have business with Kaele."

"Please follow me," the thing replied, stepping inside the building to guide them towards its mistress.

Ilsa followed Shirok following the golem. She alternated between flexing her hands into fists, cracking her knuckles, and scratching Neya between the years or on the neck. She tensed up as they approached Roth heading to the front doors. She did not to have this encounter here, but a warrior often didn't have a choice of battlefields. She stepped in front of him, blocking the hallway.

"I wish to speak with you," she said and continued before he had a chance to pass them by or she lost the words. "I didn't want to attack you. I only did what I thought I was supposed to be doing--protecting the child. Had you stopped as I had warned, I would not have attacked. I took no pleasure in it. I know now that the child... but I did not know then. I ask for your forgiveness." She looked down at the floor and waited for his response.

Porto decides to follow Roth after considering it for a second. He catches up at the same time that Ilsa is analogizing Hey Roth where are the best whor-ooooooo. Porto gives and awkward sound as he decides to leave the room before he was sucked into this awkward situation. He then decides to find Stan.

Roth pauses and considers Ilsa for a while, unsure how to respond.  Taking a breath and preparing his feet to dodge the orc's next outburst, Roth says, "If I could believe that for a second, there would have never been a problem."  While shaking his head and exhaling through his nose, Roth looks to his belt and unties his sap, tossing it to Ilsa.  "For next time."  Roth turns and waves for Porto to follow, "I know just the place!"

I assume Roth gets a Sense Motive versus that? XD

Ilsa caught the sap, not knowing what to do with the small, floppy thing or what Roth was implying. She watched him and Porto leave. "He didn't believe me," she said to Neya and Shirok when she caught up to them.

Both Shirok and Neya had stopped when they saw Ilsa confront Roth, waiting patiently for it to end. He managed to keep his face passive throughout; this was a battle Ilsa had to wage on her own. Neya was less stoic, and whimpered a little in sympathy when Ilsa returned.

"He refused to listen," Shirok said quietly as she approached, silent for a moment before putting a hand on her shoulder. "Come. Let us speak with Kaele, so we may leave this city and its problems behind us."

Ilsa nodded her agreement. She tucked the sap in her belt that secured her chain shirt, much in the way Roth had done, and wondered how long it would take to beat a man to death with it.

Ilsa and Shirok enter the wizard’s study as she and Stan converse.
“I could certainly cast such a spell,” Kaele says to Stan, “and I could conjure this very night, that is, if you would help me.  Have you a certain creature in mind—a knowledgeable pit-fiend perhaps?” she continues as she scans through her thick tome.
She stops only when she notices the two half-orcs and wolf enter.  “Good evening,” she greets the two with a warm smile.  “I am relieved to find you both are alright!”