After a Navy's crew brought the ship back at the docks, your group and Gilbert returned to Metrosan's Breach, then to his guildhall, the Phoenix' Nest. It takes a bit of imagination, but it does look a bit like a bird with spread wings, siting in it's nest.

Inside, you're greeted with the sight of a large dining hall with a wide bar in the back. Multiple adventurers sit and chat, though a few turn to look at you as you enter. The first voice you hear, though... "Uncle Gilbert!" ...is a small girl who jumps at Gilbert's... knee. After lifting her up to his shoulders, Gilbert looks at you and say "Welcome to the Phoenix Blades!"

"Am I correct to assume that I need to make a few more amulets?" A red-haired elf in white robes walks toward you, smiling as he holds up a wooden amulet similar to the one Gilbert wears. "I'm glad to see things went well for you, my nephew." He hands the amulet to Khaaven.

"Well, they will need to meet with the guild master first."

"Uncle , a wooden amulet. The least you could do for your favorite nephew is make it from precious metals or encrust it with gems."

"Kin, then?" Ingris raises an eyebrow. "Or is this family-not-of-blood?"

While waiting for a response, the tattooed barbarian woman takes out a waterskin filled at the docks. "Saltwater." She then tosses it to Khaaven. "Wash your hands with this til it stings. And the rest of you, too, who spilled blood on the ship. Be cautious with the amount, though. I have but the one waterskin, and I'd feel amiss if it didn't come back around to me."

When it comes to him, Istvan performs the suggested ablution with the saltwater. He hadn't checked very closely at all to see if the men he'd whacked in the head had bled or not, but he felt that this was as much in the nature of a team-building exercise as anything.

Istvan was just grateful that he wouldn't have to drink the seawater. He'd done that enough back when he'd first learned to swim.

Khaaven washes his hands and passes the skin to the others. "We are Kin by blood and even more importantly we are kin by steel. He was my mentor and instructor in the art of the blade."

"Now now, nephew. There's a reason to make it out of wood." Mortimer says as he place the amulet in Khaaven's hand. As with Gilbert's amulet, it creates an illusion of the guild's symbol above it. "This is the proof that you are a member of the Phoenix Blades, and not just a random hobo out on a killing spree. And the best way to avoid loosing it, is to make it seem worthless."

You've just finished washing your hands when a tired-looking woman in a red dress enters the hall, and stomps to the bar before planting her face on it. The barman sighs as he turns his gray eyes to the woman. "Did they have you rebuild the north wall?" She just groans, as she reaches for the drink he gives her. "You will have to wait before resting, Gilbert brought in new recruits."

The short woman forces her head back to down the drink, before turning to look at you with moss-colored eyes. "Well, that's unexpected. I see your uncle finally let you in, Khaaven. Welcome to the guild." She looks at the others. "And I think introductions are in order. I am Della Quake, guild master of the Phoenix Blades."

"Hello there-- Istvan Vanoson here, cleric of Noric, deity of um Freedom," Istvan says, once again skipping over the Darkness and part on this particular occasion.

(If there is any sort of pause before anyone else speaks, he thinks to add: "Who really, really has a problem with Vendak, the Slaver God, I want to make very clear.")

"Ah yes. I've heard of Noric in my youth." Gilbert says. "He was deemed a pest back in the days of the Caliphate, when Vendak's worship was at it's strongest."

"Well, you'll fit right at home then." Della says with a smile. "Gilbert here ran away from his tribe because he couldn't stand the slavery. He even managed to bring a dozen slave back to Metrosan's Breach, including Royce, our alchemist and Corlis' father." She nods to the girl on Gilbert's shoulder.

drifting down the river, how many days now?

Growing up in Bitbriar wasn't easy, not for the half-elf. She had to fight twice as hard to gain the respect of the elders. Not because they were unkind, but rather all they could see was her human father traits.  Her short little pointy ears, and being taller than any other elf in the village. It was her mother's, mother,r and sister, that raised her after her parents disappeared. they taught her the way of the druid. When she became of age she was sent to the seers.

"Follow the Moonstone Stream. Where the river split, is where you will find your nest."

And so, Leila left the lake of Vigilant Mirror, drifting down the river Looking for the split. {A nest? what am I doing looking for a nest? what kind of nest, a giant eagle? a dragon? if only the seers would just say outright what to look for}  She made many stops along the way.  a  night here or there in the smaller villages. inquire of the area.

There was a night where some human man sat at a tavern bar babbling to anyone who would listen, and even to those who would not. He sat there babbling about some strange guild on the river " at the fork it is.... a nest. haha, can you believe it.. seen it with mine own eyes"  The poor man annoyed some big burly oger-looking man. that started a bar fight. She did not want to get involved, but as the chairs went flying she saw the pour guy huddled on the ground in the fetal position. with a heavy sigh, she dodged and weaved her way to the man. had to knock a head or two out of the way. anyway, she helped the poor guy get out of the tavern. he mumbled his thanks and waddled off, likely to find his bed.

Later that night she found a letter in her room at the inn. it told her that there was indeed a nest at the rivers fork. the letter suggested she find her way there and introduce her self.

drifting down the river, how many days now? then there around the bend of the river. it came into view. She stopped the little raft to gaze at the sight. people milling about the docks. and the looming building. she wrangled her raft to shore, gathered up her belongings and headed to the building.



taking note of what she sees she heads to the bar. and to the bar man presents him with the letter.

"To whom do i speak about joining up with" she scans the letter again The phoenix's blades

Della looks at the new arrival with a raised eyebrow. "Well, it seems our guild is popular today. And for a change, it's not because the guards are bringing complaints!" The gathered adventurers laugh at the guild master's joke. "Tell me of yourself, traveler. Why do you wish to join our family?"

Ingris, finally with her waterskin back, rubs her hands briskly with the salt water. "The dead shed no tears, and neither do we, but tears must wash away the blood." She says matter-of-factly. She pauses, however, as the half-elf arrives. "We do, indeed, seem to be a growing company! They call me Ingris. Ingris of Clan Rizwan. The name shall be known greatly some day, I thinks!"

"Indeed." Della stands, and the discussions around the room grow hushed as she speaks. "As is our tradition, to join our guild, one of our own must vouch on your behalf."

Gilbert stands near Vos and Ingris. "I'll vouch for these two. They have shown their bravery and skill, as well as their willingness to aid those in trouble."

"I'll vouch for my nephew." Mortimer says. "His training and dedication has earned him our recognition."

A man in yellow work clothes, contrasting with his chocolate-brown skin and black hair, smile as he stands near Istvan. "I will vouch for Istvan. One Who Is Free will be right at home with us."
"Daddy!" Gilbert sets down the young girl on his shoulder, so she can stand next to her father.

Della nods, and turns back to Leilatha. "Now tell me of yourself. I want to know why you came to us," she asks with a smile.

Caught a bit off gaurd. Leila stamers " well umm" she thingks {i dont guess 'the seers sent me' was not going to work here. } she shrugs. "Ever scince i was a liitle girl growing up listing to papas stories i wanted to be an adventurer befriend the dragon. Fly in to battle and rid the villagers of the tyrant. " she pause. " when the seeres called for me and told me to follow the river to the fork, find my nest. I really just could not get out of there fast enough" she thought she would leaver the whole 'im an orphan looking for a home' to herself. But truly when the seeers told her to look for a nest, and well nests are home to many a critter, it just sounded... Right." So here i am. "she presents the leter. " the writer here said they vouch for me" at this point she was not to hopefull the letter held any waight. "I dont know if it means anything to you" she held it out to the lady if she wanted to take it.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Fri 23 Oct 2020.

Della looks over the parchment, before pausing as she sees the last part of it. "She's still alive? That's unexpected..." She rolls the letter back up, and returns it to Leilatha. "If she's vouching for you, there's no way I can refuse you. Welcome to the guild, Leilatha!"

The rest of the guild cheers as you are officially accepted. "We'll get your amulets ready by tomorrow. Then, when you're ready, you can pick a quest on the board. But for tonight, it's time to celebrate!" Another cheer from the crowd, as drinks are offered all around.

OOC: You can find the Board in the Game Map link, in group 9.

Istvan turns to the man in the yellow work clothes. "So Noric is well-known to you, sir?" he says, attempting to start up a conversation with the man who stood up for him (and Noric).

The man nods. "Corlis? Why don't you go ask Gilbert to tell you how he beat the slavers?" The girl nods, and runs off to grab a book and quill.

I'm Royce. You've heard how Gilbert freed a group of slaves before joining the guild? Well, I was one of them." His gaze grows distant as he remembers what his old life was like. "It was... it was tough, surviving there. I'm alive today because of two persons. Gilbert, and an old priest of Noric who taught me how to survive. From how to hide from an angry master, to how to swipe food without being noticed."

Istvan nods. "What was the old priest like? Is he or she still around? Were, or are, they human? Dwarf? Other? Just curious..."

After The Bandit Hunt

Spriggy entered the Pheonix's Nest exhausted from all of the excitement of the day. Or rather, the night. Sure, he hadn't actually done much himself other than carry the magical compass, but it had still been exciting to watch the street open up and the guards corralling all of the thieves from the thieves' guild. He hoped that he would one day be able to learn the trick to open up the street like that...

Spriggy was still daydreaming of such powers when he sat down at a table in the hall and realized he should probably pay attention to what he was doing. He had chosen a spot near the notice board so that he could consider taking up one of the challenges listed there. "You guys interested in joining me on one of those adventures?" he asked the people nearby. "They all need to be done, so they might as well be done by us, right?"

---

Istvan and Kharla, feel free to be one of the people Spriggy is talking to. Or feel free to overhearing him asking someone else.

As Spriggy says that, the guild's barman, Garth, adds another poster to the board. Before returning to his place, he pauses next to Istvan. "You should take a look at the graveyard job. You're probably better placed to help them then the other clerics."

Board is up as Game Map 9.

Istvan looks at the board. "Wow, I want nothing at all to do with 'demonic problems,' but yeah, 'solve the mystery of the graveyard' doesn't sound so bad, what with being able to turn undead (if necessary) and all (although of course it might just be ordinary grave-robbers)..."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

"So is that how the Blades work?" Kharla's head turns casually, side to side, taking in the scene and atmosphere of the Phoenix's Nest, "Mercenaries are we?"  Her eyes follow Della as she disappears deeper into the guildhall.

"Ha!  Didn't need my help at all to reach the den but she took my offer anyway.  Interesting..." she mumbles mostly to herself before focusing on her companions and the board they are before.

"Devon, Devon...I think I know Devon...wait, maybe that was Davon," she muses aloud before grinning, "Well the graveyard's as good as any I suppose.  Certainly the reward is enticing.   Is that due to the amount of danger involved?  How do we find out?"

She looks to Istvan and Spriggy awaiting to be shown how things are done.