Eurenomes winced at the blow but laughed all the same.  "Well said warrioress; some are born to perform odes, some to inspire those odes. No mistaking which you are."

He nodded to the barman to send more wine their way before turning back to the Amazon.  "My ship sails for Argos soon enough but I have more than enough time to hear a tale or two of your adventures if you feel up to it"  He gave her a friendly grin.

The old thief nods. "Good to remember your friends. Just make sure they aren't thieves as well." he says, giving her a rakish grin. "The target is  House Theodori. They are an old noble family. Very traditional, and their compound is easy to find. Get the vase tonight and bring it back to me. It has certain... religious significance, so I'd suggest you look in the family's private shrine once you get inside their compound."

"Oh. And do try not to attract attention." he gives Aleta a wink with his good eye.

She sips her wine "OK, I can try that. So, can you tell me if anything is going on there tonight?  Breaking in during a party is different then a normal night.  And just what does this vase look like? and how late will you be here tonight?' She was not sure she liked doing a job right now but hopefully he might give some valuable information. Old thieves could know a lot.

Matthias smiles and seems pleased with the conclusion of the negotiations and says to Spiros, "good then.  Yes, gather your crew and we'll see you on the docks in the morning."

Turning to his companions, he says in a conversational tone, "I shall return to our inn and relax there since we're going to have an early morning.  Will you join me, or is the night still too young for you two?"

Arthanos stays quiet, not quite sure what the offer for the captain should be. When Matthias puts forth his offer, Arthanos watches the captain carefully to gauge his reaction. The fact that the captain accepts the offer and solves their crew problem suits him fine.

"Thank you for accepting. It is much appreciated. Allow us to buy you a drink as thanks." he says.

Smiling cheerfully, he listens to Matthias' proposal before replying. "I am looking forward to a rest, but I have some small errands to run first. I should be back in a little while at the hotel. If you are still up then, I am happy to join you then."

Matthias Michelakos

The business with the old sea captain concluded, Matthias bids Arthanos and Artaxes a good evening and returns to the inn that they had rented out. Although it wouldn't compare to the comfort of his family's estate (or indeed any other noble's estate in Thena or elsewhere) it was quiet and relaxing, and he would be able to get a good night's sleep there.

---

Zuri



Her assailants begin to move back, and Zuri takes advantage of his to get in a solid attack on her enemy just as he turned his back to her. He yelps in pain as he scatters out onto the deck.

Zuri waits a moment to see if any of the other hooded men attempt to enter. She can hear them moving about on the deck of the ship now. She also then hears a loud *SPLASH* as something hits the water below.

What would she do now?

OOC:
23:05, Today: Maze Master, on behalf of Zuri, rolled 3 using 1d3. Damage.
23:05, Today: Maze Master, on behalf of Zuri, rolled 23 using 1d20+3. Attack.

---

Itylus



Her hand continues to rest on his. "There are always rumors about the roads being unsafe. Everybody knows that it is a toss of the dice on whether you'll get from one city to the other safely nowadays." she says "It is always best to travel by sea. The Argosians know this better then anyone."

"Why don't you travel with me on my ship to Argos? I can make sure that you are... well looked after." she says suggestively.

---

Dysis



Dysis takes back to the streets. Not many cities maintained worship of Hades, but then again, Thena was no ordinary city. Unlike the temples devoted to Apollo, Athena, and Zeus - the temple of Hades took no great position overlooking the city.

Buried deep inside the city, Dysis eventually finds the House of Hades. To her frustration, however, the doors are closed and there isn't a clear way in. As she looks around the place, an old man approaches her. "Only the Priests can enter. he says, giving her a toothless smile. "Or the dead."

---

Eurenomes



She gives a quick laugh. "Perhaps another time, Priest." she says. "I thank you, though, for the company." she says "Perhaps my own travels will take me to Argos soon enough. It depends on where my heart's desire goes. If so, then I'm sure the Gods will endeavor for us to meet again there."

---

Aleta



The old thief chuckles "You'll have to find out the answers to those for yourself, young woman. I can tell you that the vase details some of the adventures of the great Hercules, in particular, Hercules' capture of Cerberus.

"I'll be here. If you can't find me, then I'll find you." he says.

---

Arthanos



Arthanos makes his journey from the docks all the way up to The Akropolis. The temple of Athena was unmistakable and beautiful, as it should be, since she was the city's patron. It was truly glorious and normally drew pilgrims from all over the world who came to sacrifice to the great Goddess and beg for her favor.

Tonight, however, it is eerily quiet. For the first time he can remember, Arthanos can hear his own footsteps as he walks down the halls towards the statue of the Goddess herself. Athena wears her helm and carries her spear. The expression on the statue is serene, serious, and somewhat aloof.

As he looks up at her, studying the Goddess' face, he suddenly feels himself being poked in the ribs by something. Alarmed, he turns to face his assailant, and discovers that it was an old man jabbing him with a staff. Arthanos could have sworn that he was by himself. "You there, young man. It isn't polite to stare!" says the old man, jabbing Arthanos in the ribs once again. "What do you seek from Athena of the City? She who helped the Great Hercules navigate the underworld so as to capture Cerberus!" he jabs Arthanos again "Well! Speak up!"

"Father, I understand why that is rightly your policy," Dysis responded to the old, toothless priest.

"But, what brings me here is no common matter at all.  No random or superficial whim.  My name is Dysis.  And, since late youth, I have worshipped and been faithful to His bride."  She pulled forth the small icon of Persephone, a torch with a sheaf of grain, that she wore about her neck, usually within her chiton.

"And while I am no priestess, a trained mage I am. One who commands the element of darkness, that is sacred to your Master. I seek information in order to oppose something I believe no true devotee of Lord Hades would wish to have happen.  It is very much a matter of urgency; and not one I would voice outside, here."   

Sheating her dagger, Zuri picks up her bow and nocks an arrow. Keeping the door open, she slides to the back of the cabin and moves back and forth in the darkness, trying to spot any of the attackers. If she spies any of them, she'll fire her arrow at them.

Aleta finishes her wine. She thanks him and heads out. She heads back to were she is staying and talks with some of the servants, hoping that her host might have visited the target. She says she heard the target has a very interesting home and is wondering if any of them have ever been there.

Arthanos takes a step back, hopefully putting himself out of distance of the staff before replying.

"I apologize for staring, but you startled me. When I entered, I had not noticed anyone else, and so your presence was a surprise. I was hoping to pray for guidance for an upcoming trip, but to also try and seek some advise from one of the priests or priestesses. I have some questions, and I hoped they would be able to assist in finding some answers." Arthanos replies, doing his best to keep his gaze focused on the man's face, and not flickering towards the staff.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

The business of finding a captain concluded to his satisfaction, the barbarian heads off alone to explore the dockside taverns, where he is more apt to find company agreeable to him than in the city.  He does not pursue any particular adventures, contenting himself with a few strong cups until the night wears thin, at which point he returns to the inn, hoping for any early rising and departure on the morrow.

Eurenomes smiled and raised his wine a toast.  "I look forward to it brave warrioress and the Gods grant you fair luck on your travels."

Getting up from his stool and gathering his blue chlamys and Caduceus staff he saw Aleta had vanished.  After a moments thought he strolled over to join the sailors he had heard speaking when first he entered the tavern and gave them a friendly grin.  "Do my ears and eyes decieve me or are you also of Argos?  It has been too long since I met a fellow countryman."

Itylus sighs inwardly: this wasn't taking him anywhere. He decides that is better to move on and go talk to the gambler.


"I thank you for your offer, my lady, but I  already have some traveling companions so I fear I'll have to refuse your generous offer." He rises from his chair. "Now, if you excuse me, I must go talk to some people."

---

OCC: If the noblewoman has nothing else to tell him, Itylus will depart and approach the gambler

Dysis



The wizened old man cackles with delight, his voice getting high-pitched, and he outstretches a withered bony hand to examine the small icon of Persephone that Dysis had produced. "Oh my my, such faith you show to a stranger!" he grins his toothless grin and gestures towards Hades' domain. "Like I said though, only the priests or the dead." The old man outstretches his hand, inviting Dysis to take hold of it. The tenor of his voice now changes, and to Dysis' ears it sounds darker, more threatening now. There also appears to be a certain strength in the old man that she hadn't seen before. "Take my hand, and you will be of the Dead. Then you can enter, dark woman, and voice your urgency to He who Rules the Dead."

---

Zuri



Zuri cautiously steps out in the darkness of the night, her nerves are on edge and she is ready to dart in any direction should her assailants attack. A long minute passes as she finds a good spot to crouch down in and ready her arrow.

Finally - she spots a dark figure moving and she fires her arrow!  It misses, and Zuri hears the *thud* of the arrow striking the wooden ship. The dark figure disappears...

She waits another minute. Nothing happens.

Then she hears a splash from the other end of the ship.

Zuri assesses her situation. She was on the deck now of the ship, and at least one of her enemies was wounded. Unless there was more then three of them, it is likely that at least one of them just jumped overboard now. Looking towards the dock, there is a narrow gankplank heading up to the ship which was docked in harbor. The area is poorly lit, but she'd certainly be able to see anybody walking along in the docks.

She could possibly call for help. That might draw the attention of sailors or others down in the area, but it would certainly let her enemies know where she was as well.

OOC: 13:30, Mon 10 Feb 2014: Maze Master, on behalf of Zuri, rolled 7 using 1d20+3 ((4)).

---

Aleta



Back at the inn that the party was at before, Aleta speaks with some of the servants. None of them claim current employment by House Theodori, but one of the serving women mentions that she used to work as a maid at the house prior to some indiscretion of some sort with one of the sons. "That's how I got my son." she says. "The Theodori nobles are always looking for young women to 'comfort' themselves with." she says. "Usually they send their trusted manservants to assess potential candidates."

---

Arthanos



The old man laughs, his voice rich and full of life, even as he regards Arthanos with his bright grey eyes. "It is good to be pious, and rich in the love of the Gods." he says "And well enough that you seek the wisdom of a priest or priestess, those few who are beloved servants of the same Gods we speak of." The man lowers his staff and leans on it. "Still, I don't think you'll find a priest or priestess of Athena here tonight, my pious young noble." he says "What you've found is Mentor. Lay your troubles on me, and trust in my advice in return." he says.

---

Artaxes



While his presence does elicit some curious glances, for the most part those along the docksides leave Artaxes be to enjoy his drinks, until the barbarian stumbles back to the inn to clear his head of the haze that wine and other beverages has poured over him.

---

Eurenomes



The sailors grin and one of them shouts out. "They DO deceive you!" This is followed by general laughter by the others there. "Ha! Pay him no mind, my brother! We are of Argos, the youngest and greatest of the three cities!" he says to loud acclaim from his companion. "Does Hermes send you out here to us, good priest?" says the other. "Your feet must be raw from the walking! Or do you, like a good Argosian, love the sea as well?"

---

Itylus



The noblewoman regards him darkly now. "I have an excellent memory, hunter." she warns. "Tread carefully."

Itylus moves towards where the gambler was still sitting. An easy smile resting on his face, he looks up towards Itylus as he approaches. "Your purse looks a bit thin." he says. "Care to test your luck to see if you can fatten it a bit? The Gods truly smile on those who gamble. You know what they say, 'The Dice of Zeus always fall luckily.'
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:11, Tue 11 Feb 2014.

Arthanos looks at the old man for a minute before making hid decision. He was seeking advise, and as long as he didn't give away to much info, he figured the man may be able to help.


"Myself and some friends are planning a trip and quest. One of my friends has been set on a task by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, against someone who has wronged her. He asked another of our friends to ask a vision of the gods before we started our trip, to see if it would be to our benefit. The vision seemed to warn of danger, but I was caught by the fact that the vision showed the destruction of the temple of Athena in Argos. I am trying to figure out why if the quest is sent by Artemis, why does the vision show Athena's temple in particular being destroyed? Does it mean that the temple will play a part in our quest, or was it to say if we failed there, Thena itself would also be destroyed?"

"Take my hand, and you will be of the Dead. Then you can enter, dark woman, and voice your urgency to He who Rules the Dead."

Dysis hesitated.  She'd no problem admitting to herself that perhaps she wasn't prepared to go this far for a purely altruistic cause, that had begun as somebody else's.

"...of the Dead."  That was more than just a little daunting.

She did some very rapid soul searching, then. And discovered that, having come this far, she truly didn't want to back down now. She nodded once to the venerable priest.

And then extended her hand to place it within his.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Tue 11 Feb 2014.

Eurenomes laughed and drawing up a chair sat down with his fellow Argosians.

"Perhaps silver tongued Hermes has indeed guided me here. In truth my friends I have been away from both the sea and home too long; my ship makes sail for Argos tomorrow granting me a taste of both loves.  I would ask though what has happened in in our city in the many months since I left.  Does white bearded old Argon rule us still?"

Itylus raised an eyebrow at the woman's words, but he didn't gave himself the trouble to say anything else and departed. He had major worries than a petty noblewoman's anger.


Even though Itylus wasn't much of a gambler and was sure the argosean was cheating, he decided to play, since he knew otherwise the man wouldn't speak to him. However he decided to keep a sharp eye during the game. If he managed to catch the argosean cheating he could use that on his favor.

 "Indeed, they do." he answers to the gambler. He then takes the place in front of him while saying:"Alright then, friend, lets play and see whom the Dices of Zeus favor tonight".
This message was last edited by the player at 11:02, Thu 13 Feb 2014.

She asks the maid if she knows where they go to look for woman?

(ooc- She was going back to the noble house she was staying at to see if anyone there knew anything.)

Not one to be drawn in by distractions, Zuri patiently waits in the darkness, like an animal stalking it's prey. She'll keep a watch out for any movement that might betray her enemies presence and then fire an arrow at any she sees.

Arthanos

---

Mentor's bright gray eyes shine as he looks on. "The Gods are mysterious, and while many in the mortal world know of rivalries and fights between them, they can work in concert as well. Does not the great Hermes act as messenger when he is called upon? Similarly may Artemis and her twin Apollo send their emissaries and beloved to do work that helps another God or Goddess."

"Trouble not your heart with the particularities of the Priest's vision. For they foretell what may come, but not what must. The wisdom of his God has shown the House of Athena in Argos and there it is you with your friends must go."

Mentor approaches and softly puts a hand on Arthanos shoulder. As he looks into the man's face, his vision begins to blur for a moment. Instead of the wizened old man before him, instead is the face of Pallas Athena. Her face is a vision of peace, with shoulder-length yellow-blond hair she smiles at him. "Arthanos, go with the blessing of Athena. Devote yourself to her service in this task and you will be as beloved as her priests are. You will be found worthy of being her agent." Mentor then steps back and once again Arthanos sees the old man he was talking with before.

---

Dysis



Somebody had turned out the lights.

Dysis blinked, trying to get a sense of her bearings. One minute she had grasped the toothless old man's hand, the next she someplace else. It was then her vision returned, and she watched as shades of the dead filed past her. Peasants and Kings, Saviors and Slaves, those murdered and their murderers filing past her, unaware of this living being in their very midst.

An involuntary shudder runs through Dysis as one such spirit passes through her. It's presence was icy, though it took no notice of her as it continued on its dreary path.

She saw the old man again. It was him, but it also wasn't him... He stood taller, and carried in a hand a ferryman's pole... In a flash, a thought entered Dysis' mind...


'There Chairon stands, who rules the dreary coast -
A sordid god: down from his hairy chin
A length of beard descends, uncombed, unclean;
His eyes, like hollow furnaces on fire;
A girdle, foul with grease, binds his obscene attire.'

Could this be him? He looked on at Dysis expectantly.

---

Eurenomes



"Aye indeed Argon the Proud does still reign." says one of the men. "May it never end!" exclaims the other. The first man flashes his companion a look and then turns back to Eurenomes. "Though it is well known by all that our beloved monarch is older now. His son, Prince Kyros still rules as regent and not much has changed..." The man's companion gives a look back to him. "Well, save for more unrest than usual."

"Oh pay him no mind, sir." says the first man. "I think he believes the story about the invasion." he laughs. "Rumors of the sea drowning our fair city, or of dark creatures summoned from the pits of Hades to punish us. A lot of rubbish if you ask me." he says.

---

Itylus



The gambler smiled widely, and handed Itylus a pair of dice. "We'll start with just a simple game. High number wins the pot." The gambler takes out a piece of silver from his bag and places it on the table in front of Itylus, indicating that the hunter should do the same. Once Itylus does, he indicates that Itylus should roll, and then he would.



The gambler had smiled broadly after they had tied the first time, and after Itylus wins the second he pushes the silver towards Itylus. "And your purse is a silver richer, good sir. Like I said, a simple game, but there are others we can play."

He takes out another silver and twirls it between his fingers. "But perhaps you'd care to change what we bet? You look like a man who is troubled."

---

Aleta



Aleta casually questions the serving woman a little bit longer to get a sense of where the Theodori manservants look for the women that they arrange for their masters. Upon getting that information, she leaves the inn and heads further into the residential area of the city where a number of Thena's nobles had residences. It was a rich neighborhood to be in, certainly, and one almost irresistible to thieves, which is why - Aleta noted - the streets were heavily patrolled by guardsmen, either the city's of privately paid by noble families.

Aleta turns the corner and spots one of the manservants that the serving woman told her about. He was tall and lanky fellow, his thinning hair slicked back. Currently he seemed to be in a heated discussion with a young woman of about Aleta's age. She shook her head, pushing back a purse of money and begin to walk away quickly.  The manservant shrugged and started to walk Altea's direction...

OOC: pushing this just a little bit forward for you.

---

Zuri



Her bow and arrow ready, Zuri waits...

Long minutes pass before there is suddenly a flurry of activity. In a flash she launches her arrow towards the direction of the movement, striking one of her assailants. The man yelps, the arrow buried deep in his leg, but continues to come over with his companion to attack the Amazon.

Fortunately, Zuri is quick enough to deftly dodge both of the men's knife attacks.

From the docks she hears a voice call out. "Something wrong? What's going on up there?"

Dropping her bow, Zuri draws her knife and sidesteps to position the men one behind the other in front of her. She'll use her knife to parry their attacks while she slowly makes her way back to the safety of the cabin door where she can keep them funneled into a single attack. As she does so, she calls out, "Intruders on deck of ship. They killed watchman."

The blood in Eurenomes' veins ran cold as he heard the mention of invasion and dark creatures.  He forced himself to remain calm and gave his countrymen a lopsided smile.

"What should we be punished for?" He paused a moment before adding, more seriously: "And what is this of unrest?"

Aleta walks towards the man servants, letting her clock fall open to reveal her full beauty. She looks around like she is looking for someone.

A girdle, foul with grease, binds his obscene attire

Obscene attire? Um, okay. And we'll leave that to speculation.  ^_~

Great Olympus!  Chairon himself...

It was entirely hard for a mortal mind to reconcile.  One moment, she'd been standing on the streets, before a man she had thought was as mortal as herself.  And, the next, here with the wandering specters of sovereigns and slaves. Standing before the Ferryman himself.  Assuming this was not some mystically induced delusion.  But she would wager strongly that was not the case.

Naturally, she recollected what was the usual toll.  Reaching within her purse, she drew forth an obolus.  And without any ado, proffered the silver coin to the ferryman.   Hopefully, it would do.  Because she supposed, if it did not, she just might be joining these tragic ghosts in their forlorn and ceaseless wandering...

Zuri



"Hold on! I'll get help! calls out the voice.

"No he won't." says one of the men who was attacking Zuri, deftly he stopped his attack on her and starting running towards the gangplank to make it down towards the docks after whoever had called up.

"Just you and me, woman." says the other man as he lashes his knife out towards Zuri's throat. It is by sheer luck of the Gods that Zuri had been quick enough in her own movements to drop her bow and draw her dagger and shield again, and what could have been a killing blow on the amazon instead parries neatly off her own shield.

Moving around the man would be difficult, and using her dagger and shield as best she could, she tries to sidestep the man, and partially succeeds. The door was within reach, but her assailant gets a hit in on her, doing a little bit of damage as his dagger cuts her shield arm.



Zuri - you took 1 damage in the second round.
I took two rounds of battle to reflect Zuri's intention to get to the cabin doors. She can escape to them in the next round if she wishes but still risks being open to attack.
17:35, Today: Maze Master rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13. Attack on Zuri.
17:37, Today: Maze Master rolled 20 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 16. Attack on Zuri.
17:37, Today: Maze Master rolled 1 using 1d3 with rolls of 1.

---

Eurenomes



"Sins of our age, according to them. The things that make life worth living. Wine, women, you name it, they are against it." said the more severe of the two men. The lighter hearted one laughs. "Oh well, it is embarrassing really. You know how there are always religious lunatics no matter where you go? Turns out that there is a small group is in Argos gaining some traction, and their word is that we will be punished for our sins." he shrugs "Usually it isn't a big deal, everybody knows that the real Gods are the ones you worship, and not whatever figure or idol that a cult springs up, but whatever this new cult is doing is working, people keep on joining up."

Aye they do." says the other man "And they change.  This wouldn't happen in Aegon's prime, I tell you. This damn doomsday sayers, I tell you... out to spread the news about the end of the world, beginning in our fair city!" he says bitterly. The other man laughs "Hah! It is always the end of an age. If it wasn't this cult it'd be some other cult. They are just troublemakers stirring up the listless... I bet Prince Kyros will eventually mop them up, or the Athenian priests will get their act together and bust them up a bit."

---

Aleta



The tall and lanky manservant notices Aleta and gives her an appraising look. He seems to be deciding something for a second and then asks. "You lost, miss? You don't look like you are from around here." He slides in closer to her. "Are you new in the city? Looking for work perhaps?"

OOC: 17:53, Today: Maze Master, on behalf of Aleta, rolled 16 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 10. Personal Charisma.

---

Dysis

Chairon, if that is who he was, outstretches his hand and takes the proffered coin from Dysis. His hand reaches back into the folds of his cloak and then he turns, a brief nod of his head indicating that Dysis should follow.

And follow close she does. The landscape of specters changes to that of a thin path over a vast abyss. Chairon himself moves with great steps and does not stop his movement for a moment even if Dysis should stumble.

Eventually they reach a murky river flowing somberly across the landscape. It is there that a small boat awaits, already filled with the dead. As Dysis steps on, she notes with some alarm that the shade of Lelios, the son of Lord Joris who she and the others had slain while rescuing his daughter Veda was on the boat. The young man looks distraught, but does not recognize her... or if he did, he didn't speak or do anything in response.

Slowly Chairon pushes the boat free from the embankment and it begins to cross the dark river.  As it does, Dysis notices that various spirits onboard the ship "flicker" as if they are beginning to lose their form and substance... some appear to be as distraught as the shade of Lelios while others wear a smile of contentment.

Now across on the other side, Dysis sees a small temple which the other shades avoid. As she looks back to Chairon, he points in the direction of the temple to her, and Dysis feels the instinctive urge to walk towards it.

As she does, she finds herself walking alongside a robed woman who had materialized out of nowhere.  She was very beautiful in appearance, and Dysis noted that where she walked, small flowers and grass grew up out of the ground, even in this place... wherever it was.

Just outside of the temple gates, the woman stops and Dysis does the same. The women turns and speaks. "It is not your time yet, Dysis, to enter my court, but your mission is of importance. Speak your concern."