No sooner had Talis and Durek stepped inside than the door swung shut. There was no need for the lock to engage because the door completely vanished a moment later, leaving a blank wall.

"The invitation was for all three of you," the voice announces. "I, too, would like to know how the accused was able to pass through the wall."

Kareth, one hand stroking his clean-shaven chin pensively, tries to look up at the source of the voice.

"Well met, master.  I confess that I myself wonder the same thing.   The wall simply did not impede me - and I am glad it did not, or my fine nose would now be looking more like Durek's here.   Perhaps because I am human and they are not?"

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 31):

OOC: Talis is the one that smashed his nose.

Talis smirked at Kareth's dig.  He could appreciate humor even at his own expense, but he wondered how the accused thief knew about it?  Unless his nose was obviously broken or badly bruised?  With sudden concern Talis began to gingerly poke at his nose again and looked around for a looking glass or other reflective surface.

"Shall we adjourn upstairs?  I for one would like to meet our host face to face while we explore the riddle of our new friend's incorporeal adventure!"

OOC: Dwarves have fugly noses even when they haven't been broken!!

Kareth politely pretends not to notice Talis' vain pokings, he simply gestures for Talis to lead on up the stairs "let us indeed.  I for one would not spend more time in this strange abode than I have to.   My name is Melphis by the way."

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 33):

Talis leads the way up stairs still rubbing at his delicate nose.

Durek nods politely at Kareth and then follows Talis up the stairs.

Wending their way up the spiral stairs, the three of you find yourselves in a hallway with five closed doors and one open door at the end. Heading down to the open door, there is a study or den visible. You enter on one side near one end. The walls are lined with bookshelves full of books and bric-a-brac, and there is a desk in front of a large arched window at the other end.

Sitting behind the desk is a man with black hair and moustache and goatee. He's dressed in black and red. If it wasn't for the blue eyes, he'd look like a typical warlock.

There are three chairs set in front of the desk.

He stands up as they enter.

"Please, sit down. I am Ember Rain. Would you care for any refreshments? Wine? Ale?"

Durek finds a seat and sits down placing his axe near his feat.  "Ale for me."

In reply to Durek (msg # 37):

Talis was about to ask for wine, but hesitated you came here to experience new things, Talis, start small and appreciate the details he thought to himself.  "I too shall have an ale!"

"My parents have always spoken highly of you, Master Rain, they send you their regards and this" with a flourish the Elven warrior produced a sealed letter.

Kareth looks askance at the chairs for a few moments just in case they are designed to collapse or anything, then seats himself and asks for ale also.  He lets Talis do the talking.

A moment later, a try floats in with four chilled mugs of ale on it. The tray floats over to each of them and one of the mugs is set down in front of them, with the fourth one going to Ember.

While that was going on, Ember took the offered sealed letter, opened it and read through it.

"Interesting... interesting," he comments to himself at first. "Nothing I wasn't expecting, but still..."

"Now, as to Kareth's strange ability to walk through walls... or, more specifically, walk through MY wall."

"I suspect it has to do with the necklace in his pocket. Even out in the street, I could sense the resonance with the Radiance."

"I do not mean this as an accusation, but perhaps you could tell us how you came by the necklace?"

The floating tray and the general strangeness of the situation has impressed Kareth enough that he cannot suppress the reflex of putting his hand to his pocket and touching the jewel.

After a moment's hesitation, he reluctantly pulls it out and holds it up to the light, getting a good look at the piece for the first time.

"Well, this??   I am afraid it is not mine, nor 'twas I that stole it.  I was rather hoping to keep it though!!    Some pickpocket lifted it in the market and when the hue and cry got hot on his tail, he dropped it into my jacket and lighted off in another direction"

In reply to Kareth Melphis (msg # 41):

Talis eyed the rangy, confident fellow with a look of supreme skepticism.  The Elf had seen the Guards chase Kareth around the corner and he had seen no other thief shoving necklaces into his pocket.

"You can't really think we'll fall..." Talis stopped himself.  Hadn't he misjudged Durek just moments before by rushing to conclusions?  Perhaps a little more investigation would lead to the truth.  He began again "What did this other man look like?  Does the necklace look familiar, Master Rain?  If nothing else perhaps we can return it to its rightful owner."

Durek continues to sip his ale.  His doubt of Kareth story mirrored Talis, but he decided to let his new friend and the mysterious man do the questioning.  He studies the tone and speech of the conversation, looking to glean a piece of information.

"Returning the item may not be as simple as it sounds," Ember replies. "If Kareth's story is true, and I suspect it is, then there may be more going on here than meets the eye."

"The whole thing hinges on the necklace itself. You see, if it is magical and has been touched by the Radiance, the question becomes was it touched before or after the Day of Dread."

"It seems unlikely that the necklace's owner was not aware of its magical nature. It seems equally unlikely that they would be so careless with it to allow it to be stolen in the market place, especially by a rather inept thief."

"So the question becomes, why was the thief so determined to avoid capture, and why would he so readily get rid of the necklace?"

"There is clearly a possibility that the necklace was intentionally planted on Kareth. That then begs another question: why?"

"As much as I would like to examine the necklace, I think it must remain in Kareth's possession for now. There really does appear to be more going on here than it appears on the surface. I shall have to investigate."

"Have you any questions?"

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 44):

Talis was moved by idle curiosity and asked "Do you think the necklace caused this...man to pass through your wall?" the Elf turned toward Kareth and shrugged an apology.

"Also, Durek and I are strangers to this city.  Is there an Inn you would recommend?  Something clean and not too expensive." having all but admitted now that he was short of funds and was not likely to receive an allowance from his family the broad shouldered Elf finished by asking "I would also be interested in finding work.  Do you know anyone who is in need of assistance?"

Kareth breaks out in a light sweat but through long practice keeps a calm face.

"Hmm.  How do you know this necklace is enchanted?    And the Radiance?..    Ahem, sounds like strong magic.    Are you sure that YOU wouldn't like to keep ahold of this item sir?   Perhaps while you do this tomorrow, I could scout around the marketplace and try to find the fellow who dropped it on me?"

"The necklace found its way into your possession for a reason," Ember replies, "and until we know what that reason is, I think it best for it to stay there."

"Unless Kareth here has some ability to pass through walls that he isn't telling us, I am pretty sure the necklace made it possible. I use the Radiance myself in the protection of my house, and it must have been the interaction of the two that made this happen."

"As to an inn, you are my guests for the evening. I have sufficient room for all of you. As to work, well... we shall see what the morrow brings."

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 47):

Talis looked surprised and then quite pleased by Master Rain's offer "I thank you, Master, that is quite generous of you."

"As new arrivals I think Durek and myself would like to have a look around your fair city.  Perhaps Kareth would show us the sights?  Who knows we may even come across the thief during our sight-seeing?"

'Unless there's anything else you require of us at this time?" The polite Elf asked.

"Agreed.  I too would like to move around the city and see what it holds." Standing and moving near Talis he continues "We do need to earn some coin in order to keep our belly's full."

"There is nothing I require of you at the moment," Ember replies, "but after I look into the matter of this letter Talis delivered, perhaps there shall be some employment I can offer you."

"However, if the task is what I believe it to be, it may require more than just three stalwart adventurers. As you explore the city, it can't hurt to look for a few other like-minded individuals that might be interested in joining you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Mon 27 Jan 2014.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 50):

"Adventure!  That has a nice ring to it." the Elf was relieved he pictured that he would be unloading freight from the docks or digging ditches somewhere.

"Let's go, fellows, we have a mysterious man to find for Kareth and stout hearted warriors to hire!" 

Kareth surreptitiously wipes the sweat from his brow and nods at Talis' suggestion.

He does not remember an Elf ever being quite so hearty - but he will be relieved to get out of this strange house and at least try to find the curmudgeon who has burdened him with the fateful jewellery.

The three of you leave Ember's house, and see no signs of the city guards as you step out into the street. It only takes a few minutes to walk back to the market place. After about an hour of walking around and looking at all the products being hawked, Kareth still hasn't spotted the thief.

In reply to Mysterion (msg # 53):

Exasperated by the fruitless search Talis asked, for the third infuriating time "Hopeless!  What did you say this thief looked like again?"

Without waiting for a reply the tall Elf thought out loud "Perhaps we're going about this from the wrong end.  We should go back to the stall that you originally heard the scuffle from.  Maybe the merchant knew the person the necklace was stolen from.  He might even be the victim."