In reply to DM (msg # 46):

Keef drags Sazed in the direction of the gallows, pointing out that they might get the chance to see a head or a dragon or a 'Greatsman' like in the story of Sir Greenheart.

Boreas and Maeve explore the various shops, searching for anything out of the ordinary or particularly interesting.  Then, they set off to look for a suitable inn.

In reply to Keef (msg # 47):

I can think of better places for you to spend your time, but that said, I love your sense of curiosity.

Let's go see the gallows. I bet they'll be all sorts of flies and maggots for Chubbs to glower disapprovingly at.


Babysitting and maggot hunting. Still not a prison cell Sazed. Still not a prison cell.

Zuriel enters the apothecary shop with Lyriel. Lyriel wanders off to look around the shop, and Zuriel finds the selection of teas. Finding one that smells light and floral, he takes it to the shopkeeper, paying for it in the coin of the Sultanate. He and Lyriel then depart the shop, heading out into the market to find a respectable looking inn.

I wonder if the Pampered Lion is an actual inn. And if it is, how Keef knows about it.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:16, Thu 27 Feb 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 50):

Sazed wanders to and fro while heading toward the gallows, clearly distracted by the sights and sounds of the city.

His inability to focus and move toward the gallows draws even Keef's ire, ultimately resulting in much pulling on Sazed's literal coattails.

Sorry Keef. It's been quite some time since I've been in a human city. In one week, I've spent more time among civilization and people than I had in the last 30. I'm still..getting used to all this.

I never thought I'd say it, but I'm finding that I was more at home among the fire pits than I am in common society.

It's a frightening thing to feel like a stranger in your home. Wherever your pursuits of the arcane take you, don't let them take you too far from here.

I was not expecting the Pampered Lion to be near the gallows. People in Drynn are into some sick shit.

Lyriel puts her purchases in her pouch and follows Zuriel out into the street. Tea would be nice...goddess knows the fashion here doesn't look promising.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 52):

Keef settles somewhat.

You've been away from home a long time then I.... know what that's like.  Sometimes you don't want to go home, you KNOW you shouldn't but you can't help miss it.

Keef thinks for a moment, only slightly distracted by a game of three-card-Montey being played by two grubby men and a surprisingly lethal-looking woman.

It's worth it though?  Being back on this plane?

Keef snaps back to his task and tugs at Sazed again.

Oh, I don't know if THAT's where the Pampered Lion is, but I've never SEEN a gallows before!

In reply to Keef (msg # 53):

The Mages

Keef and Sazed make their way down the surprisingly well-kept streets without encountering any resistance, eventually stumbling upon an area called Executioner's Square. A large stone platform takes up a quarter of the area, with the rest covered in short, scrub-like grass -- perfect for spectating.

Three wooden gallows stand above the stone platform, though in front of them is an ornate headsman's block.  The rusty red tinge surrounding it suggests it is well used.

An announcement board has been posted nearby, listing out the month's schedule of executions. None of the names stand out, but each day has at least one person assigned to it -- and some as many as five.

Today's execution appears to be scheduled for an hour from now: Tal Cremin, charged with treason, to be publicly beheaded. A very small crowd has started to gather in the grassy spectating area, and a dark elf looks over at the two mages with a grin.

"A fine day to still a traitorous tongue, am I right?"

The Insufferable Pair

Lyriel and Zuriel weave in and out of the crowds of the merchant's quarter until their eye catches on a potentially promising inn named, simply, Tinderbox. It looks to be pleasant enough, well-populated and free from the flea-bitten riffraff that have been lounging about the other establishments you've seen.

The Sufferable Pair

Boreas and Maeve spend some time people-watching, but for the most part things aren't much different than you'd expect in any other city.

Perhaps the lone exception comes from the Dominion troops, who police the city with a sort of zealous vigor that seems to care less about whether people are doing something wrong than about providing the appearance of order.

The result has left the populace more cowed than you're accustomed to, generally unwilling to go out of their way to speak with strangers or deviate from their day's plans.

Eventually, the two come across a likely looking inn: the Hooded Serpent.  Despite the venomous name, the signpost depicts a comical caricature of a drunken cobra in a cowl, and the place is alive with music, talk, and the sounds of feasting.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:33, Fri 28 Feb 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 54):

Maeve and Boreas look at one another, shrug, and decide to check out the inside of the Hooded Serpent.

Having located an inn with plenty of time to spare before sundown, Zuriel and Lyriel head back out to browse the market. When not being insuffereble, Zuriel takes the opportunity to scan the crowd, wanting to get a sense if the proportion of evil citizens is higher here than any other large city he's been in. He also keeps an eye out for the racial makeup of the population, wondering which races made their home in Imbraer.

Lyriel likewise scrutinizes the city's population, but in her case, with an eye to the prevailing fashion of the society.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 57):

The Hooded Serpent

The building is as boisterous on the inside as it sounded from without, with people of all shapes and sizes milling around a crowded dance floor, eating in the dining area, or sitting at the bar to drink.

A serving girl wearing a black outfit that leaves little to the imagination scurries over to you almost immediately.

"What's your pleasure?" she asks, looking up at Boreas and Maeve in turn with playful blue eyes. "We have ales, wines, breads, stews, and cheeses today, and rooms to spare. For the night, or for... less," she giggles, glancing at Boreas and Maeve meaningfully. "If you fancy a little privacy, that would be easy to arrange."

The Insufferable Pair

The citizens of Imbrear are dressed simply, for the most part, in plain-colored clothing designed to draw absolutely no attention to themselves.  Guards dress in dark armor and cloaks, similarly nondescript, except for the golden image of an iron fist emblazoned on their shields and breastplates. Many wear some symbol of the serpent upon their person, as well.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: There are more evil people here than you've seen in other areas, but by no means does this make up the entirety of the population.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:27, Fri 28 Feb 2014.

Just an ale for me.  The room can wait.  We've got other friends coming along later.  Boreas smiles disarmingly.  And what are the going rates?  ... for the rooms, of course.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 59):

The Hooded Serpent

"$5 per hour per bed, caps at $30," the girl says.  "I'll fetch your ales."

Soon, Boreas and Maeve are holding large mugs of refreshing ale, with no one paying them much attention aside from their dutiful waitress.

In reply to DM (msg # 60):

Maeve looks quite ill-at-ease, the Hooded Serpent bringing back unpleasant recollections of her (extremely) brief stint as a prostitute at the Screaming Wench. She sips at her ale uncomfortably, gold eyes darting from side to side.

I'm thinking that maybe we should stay elsewhere.

Hope the others have found something... more suitable - oh, thank you.  Boreas smiles at the serving wench, offering a generous tip and taking his ale.

He drinks it slowly but steadily, then rises.

Let's be off then.

Having taken in the sights as much as they care to, Zuriel and Lyriel return to the inn to check prices and atmosphere.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 62):

Very well, if you're sure you're quite finished consorting with the young lady's chest, Maeve says with a wry smile, watching as Boreas' good eye keeps drifting slowly yet determinedly in that direction.

Ales consumed, they head back in the direction of the rendezvous point.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 64):

Really?  Is it the weather or the date?  What did he do?

In reply to Keef (msg # 65):

(Prior to arriving in the square)

The worthiness of being here remains to be determined. For now, I am happy to no longer be imprisoned, to have made new friends, and to have seemingly found my calling amongst your group. Surely, you don't think it's a coincidence that as you investigate the realms above and below, and the gods who inhabit them, that a traveler of the worlds has fallen into your lap?

Coincidence is merely the hubris of fate, and is never to be trusted.

(arriving in the square)

One man's traitor is another man's revolutionary or hero. The context of all things is in the ye of the beholder and those writing the history books. Never forget that Keef. Tell us truly, what is the man's traitorous crime?

In reply to Sazed (msg # 66):

The Mages

"What else?" the dark elf smirks, grinning insolently.  "Blasphemy."

In reply to DM (msg # 67):

We're somewhat new to town. Which Gods do we hate here? I'd just like to get my bearings in order, lest I find myself on a similar end of the axe as this poor soul will soon be.

Death for words. Could a concept be anymore appalling. I'd been gone for so long, I'd have thought, hoped, that we'd moved past such petty grievances. The relentless pursuit of perfection remains a winding road for this iteration of civilization. But no fire pits and burning flesh smell. So they've got that!

In reply to Sazed (msg # 68):

The Mages

"The traitor dared speak out against the Voice of God," the dark elf says, looking at Sazed as if he must be particularly stupid.  "I even heard he him mention the Exiled One, who must not be acknowledged."

In reply to DM (msg # 69):

Ha!  You just acknowledged him!

In reply to Keef (msg # 70):

Semantics don't seem like they're likely to be appreciated here Keef, but well put.

Have you seen enough of the death square, or would you like to stay for the main event? I personally think it's something you should not in any way see, and is completely inappropriate.

Which is why I'm definitely recommending we stay.

Where's the fun in following the rules?

A wicked grin overcomes Sazed's face.

I have to be an influence on the boy, but it doesn't always have to be a good one. Not My. Style.