Rand continues his talk with the priest when the thought crosses his mind that he hopes his friends don't get themselves in trouble while he's away.  They do have a knack for finding trouble especailly when they aren't looking for it.

[Private to DM Jim: The group I have been traveling with has came across a small temple of Sseth.  It was inhabited by a handful of Yuan-ti and theu brood.  We cleared the temple destroyed it and left it. ]

Pug takes a long slow drink of his ale and then replies to Ynvarr

"If your keeping the meeting I'll hang back and follow you at a discrete distance to see if anyone is following.

I'll stay outside the library  hidden as well and keep an eye on things.
"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:13, Wed 18 Oct 2006.

Ynvaar nodded his agreement with Pugs' plan as the waitress wandered off. Leaning in closer towards his friends the priest confided in a whisper _{"No wonder there isn't a shrine to Lliira anywhere in town... the miserable sods round here probably had all the Joybringers burned at the stake years ago."}

No wonder Rand never sings. 'Tis probably a hanging offense.  The priest though sourly and took another pull from his tankard.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Wed 18 Oct 2006.

 Finishing his beer, he leans back and lets the tireness start to drain off him as he ponders  What is a heart of the jungle?, is that what he said?.
 As he is enjoying the semi coolness, a loud noise rumbles thru the area around the table, he looks up as it dawns on him, that it came from him, face a little red he looks at his stomach, Sorry for that, guess it wants some attention, but its going to wait till i get cleaned up.

 Standing up to find the waitress, he turns back to Ynvaar, If you plan on going ahead and meeting with this guy, lets hope we get more answers before we start then from the last employer, be careful.

 Finding the waitress, he ask's where the bath's are, and that he would be hungry when he finished his bath.

Grom left Pug and Ynvaar to thier drinks.  The serving woman pointed him to the baths, and told him that a meal would be waiting for him when he finished.

[Private to Rand Al Thor: The older priest nodded. "That is good news indeed.  The snakes should be rooted out whenever they are found.  Their evil bows not to Ubtao.  If they did not claim their own Sseth, I would be sure that they are sent straight from Eshowdow."]

Rand thanks the priest for his time and he also thanks him letting him know that he made the right decision.  Father, I must depart.  I have one more stop to make before I meet back up with my group.  We have been inquired about to take on an adventure and I want to be there for the discussion.   Rand rises and then turns to leave.  About halfway out the door he stops and turns to the priest.  Please ask Ubtao to watch over these outlanders that I have come to regard as friends, father.  Especially the Tempurian, he needs it the most.  Rand then exits the temple, dropping a few golds into the offering box on his way out.  He moves on to his next stop.

At an unremarkable house in a residential section of Mezro Rand knocks on a door and giving a password is granted admission into the house.  [Private to DM Jim: Rand enters the house and shows his tattoo on his forearm and then asks to see Jonah, his Ytepka contact.  Once granted an audience he begins to tell the same tale that he told the priest, making sure to offer his observation on what the triceratops was feeling at that time.  The group I have been traveling with appears to be a good-hearted group.  They have all come for riches, but that does not seem to influence their every decision.  We invaded a temple of Sseth and cleared it of it's Yuan-ti inhabitants just because of the vile nature of the creatures.  We just arrived and have already been approached for another foray into the jungle.  This one I must attend, they have been requested to search for The Heart.  This man that is hiring them had said that scrolls in the library had been recently translated.  He wants them to bing it back so it could be used to help people.  OOC:I went ahead and made up a name for the contact so that you didn't have to.  If you have one you'd rather us I'll use that one instead.]

The Father watched Rand's departing back, and you could almost feel his smile as the coins clinked into the offering.  Perhaps they could be used for the good of the poor.

[Private to Rand Al Thor: Jonah listened with some agitation to your report, but relaxed when it became apparent that the triceratops was concerned with something besides your friends.  He nodded at the last comment, "Even if the Heart is nothing besides an enormous gemstone, it may still be used to help the people of Chult.  Though rumors and legends paint it with so many wonders that none of them may be believed.  See that it is used for good, or falls out of the hands of those who would use it for their own gain."]

Rather surprised by his friends reaction Rand asks him another question.  [Private to DM Jim: I would have thought that you would rather I prevent them from finding it, but you are in charge.  I shall see to it that it returns here to be put to good use.]

PM
[Private to Rand Al Thor: Jonah chuckled but answered, "If half of the stories that are told about it are true, I would be more comfortable with it here in Ubtao's temple, under the eyes of the barae than anywhere in the jungle.  Claims are made that the Heart can do anything that any of the barae can, and that's a wealth of power in itself.  Other claims are even more extravagent...  No, I'd rather have it where it can be watched than where it can be found by any who have enough power to claim it and who chance upon the right place."]

Rand bows as he pledges to his friend that he'll do the best he can.  He then returns to the inn where Ynvaar and Grom are mostly likely 3 sheets to the wind.

Pug finishes his ale and nods to Ynvarr
"I think I'll have a quick wonder round town to pickup some supplies before I have my bath, I'll meet you back here before we go to the meeting this afternoon"


[Private to DM Jim: Mr DM Sir what rules are we playing by when it comes to upgrading masterwork to magical weapons, Pugs go money burning in his pocket and would like a +1 added to his rapier, are we using book price , is there an add on ith us being in the jungle are is it not possible]

 Clean from his bath and with his less used travel clothes on he looks for the waitress that he had talked to about supper and a room, waving when he spots her he  points back to the table he had before.
 Feeling the fatique from traveling the jungle he allows himself to relax for a time, Be able to sleep without to much worry in a clean bed, ahh, that will be good for these bones.

Rand enters the inn and can see Ynvaar, Pug, and Grom all seated and either drinking or eating.  Taking a seat at the table Rand orders himself an ale.  Bring me an ale and whatever the same my dwarf friend is eating.  Rand then sits back and asks his friends how they are. So, how are things?  What is the plan with this next journey?

 Enjoying his supper of the chefs surprise, he gave thought to the jungle and what is in there, At least i have found a item that belongs to the lost dwarves, at the face of it that means they can be in the area, thats something anyway.

 Slipping one of his throwing axe's out and giving it a hard look, need to replace these, just dont have the range i need, thought i would be in thick cover most of the time and that the short range wouldnt matter, it does.
 After supper here, think i will take stroll to that bow merchant i talked to last time, maybe he has a good masterwork x-bow resonable, heh, yup.

OOC: Ynvaar NPC'd by DM Jim for a little bit of color as we move on. Hope I don't mangle this too badly.

Ynvaar answered Rand's question. "Don't know, but it's about time we find this Manayu and find out."  He tossed coins on the table, wiped the last of his drink from his lips, and rose, glancing over to make sure that Grom was done with his own meal before heading out.

The group paused at a weapons shop to allow Grom to get a more powerful weapon.  The Northman looked at the crossbow and slapped Grom on the shoulder. "Just be careful where you point that!  If you shoot like you throw..." He left the statement hanging in the air as he walked away, shaking his head.

As you neared the Library, you spotted Pug lounging inconspicuously outside, where he could watch the outside of the building.

Following the guide that was summoned for you, you soon found yourself outside of Manayu's study.  You heard a loud bang as you approached the door that seemed to come from inside the room, and nobody answered the guide's knock.

[Private to Pug: Outside the library, you spotted what looked like the same girl who'd been watching you from the city gate throw back the shutter on a third floor window and climb out.  She glanced around for a moment before starting to climb up the outside of the building.]

Rand couldn't help but laugh out loud at Ynvaar's observation of Grom's luck with his throwing axes.

As they approach the library and hear the bang on the door Rand looks to the others in bewilderment, What the devil is going on in there?.

PM

[Private to DM Jim:
Pug will try and follow the girl without being seem and see where she ends up.


I spent 1000 gp and converted my mw rapier to a +1 magic rapier]

Ynvaars' eyes knitted together in a concerned frown. "Let's find out." he replied and gave the door what -to the Tempurans' mind at least- might have been described as a 'gentle nudge' with his shoulder.

[Private to DM Jim: Ynvaar will try the door. If it's locked he will try and force it -but ony rolled a crappy 4 :-(  ]

The door to Manayu's study wasn't locked, and wasn't even truly latched, so it swung open easily at Ynvaar's 'nudge'.  Inside, the room was a mess, papers, scrolls, and books strewn about.  The shutters to the window were swinging shut as you looked in, and Manayu was on his knees near the desk, one hand on the desk, trying to rise, and one on the back of his head, as though massaging an injury.

[Private to Pug: OOC: The magic upgrade from mw should be 2000, instead of 1000, but as long as you have the cash, I don't have a problem with it.

For following the girl, I need some more information.  Are you trying to follow from street level?  Or are you climbing after her?  I'll also need some rolls.  Give me two Hide checks, two Spot checks, and if you're climbing, I need about four Climb checks.

IC: The girl slipped along a ledge until she reached a corner, then deftly climbed to the roof of the building.  Once she reached the top, she paused for a moment with her back to the street.  You couldn't see what she was doing, but a moment later, a large raven took wing from the roof top.  You could see something about the size of a scroll case dangling from its legs.  It was flying back in the direction of your inn, and eventually, the gates you entered through.]

Rand slowly puts two and two together and runs to the shutter, while he draws his blade.  Peering out of the window he looks to see if anyone is running away.

OOC: 18 on spot check

His face still a mask of concern, Ynvaar ran forward a pace and caught Manayus' arm to steady him before reaching for his holy symbol to recite a blessing to heal his wounds. "Are you alright Manayu?  What happened here?"

[Private to DM Jim:  Y will assess Manayus' wound. If it's a bad one he will cast Lesser Vigor to heal 15 hit points.]

PM

[Private to DM Jim: "Forget about the +1 weapon it wa sme being a plonker"


Pug gives chase to the girl, on reaching the roof if he can't see her anywhere he will assume she has polymorphed into the Raven and follow that as best he can.

If he makes it back to the inn he will not go in , neither will he contact the party, he will stay on a rooftop overlooking the inn and see if the girl or raven leave.

16:10, Today: Pug rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Climb .
16:10, Today: Pug rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Climb .
16:09, Today: Pug rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Climb .
16:09, Today: Pug rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Climb .
16:09, Today: Pug rolled 6 using 1d20. Spot .
16:09, Today: Pug rolled 13 using 1d20. Spot.
16:09, Today: Pug rolled 11 using 1d20+9. Hide .
16:08, Today: Pug rolled 25 using 1d20+9. Hide

]

Manayu's wound wasn't too serious, but the old man almost fell into his desk chair, holding his head in his hands and moaning. "My notes... she took my notes..."

At the window, Rand could see someone's feet disappearing over the roof, and a moment later, saw a large raven winging away toward Mezro's southern gates.  He could also see Pug clambering steadily up the side of the Library.

On the roof, Pug didn't see any sign of his target on his first look around, but as he moved to start back down the wall, he did spot her moving through the streets below, apparently heading toward the gates.

OOC: It still might be possible for Pug to pursue her, but it'll be tough, since she's already a corner ahead.  For the rest of you, unless you're able to climb down from the third floor, or to survive the jump from the window, she's probably well out of your reach, even if you can spot her.

 Finally arriving, he looks around at the mess and wondered of all mages were this messy?.

Ynvaar tried his best to give the man a consoling look, but somehow it only came off a little bit perplexed. "There there friend, fear not we will help you get your notes back... failing that, can't you just write them down again?"  the cleric replied soothingly, the significance of Manayus' research apparently completely lost on the burly Northerner.