By the Estellon Calendar, established by the first Emperor of Orquesh, Rolen Estellon, it is Yminar the 28th day of the Month of Truth, 232 HV (Hyir Virclyww, Year of Darkness in Infernal). All the news this month from the shouting Bellmen in each forum and piazza has been of enemies of the Emperor, threats to the Empire and its honourable, righteous people, traitors confessing their heinous crimes in courts around the city, though especially the House of Uthedana, highest court in all Orquesh. Indeed, those who resent the Empire and its ways call it the Month of Trials, though always quietly, and only in the assured company of those who feel the same.
Annoura - it has not been easy living in Quesada these last 50 years. Though the worship of Selune has not been banned, her aspects less desired by the Empire have been stripped away amongst the common folk. She has been reinvented by the Church of Bane, arbiters of approved religion, as a cold and distant giver of knowledge. The full moon is a gift to her from Bane, while its waning until the new moon is a sign of his power, that her light can be taken away as easily as it is given. Thankfully you have spent your time here being secretly mentored by a succession of true believers, those who remember the old ways of caring and guidance, or who have had them passed down, as they passed them to you. You have even helped guide a few unfortunates towards knowing the true Selune yourself.
You stand in front of the Three Axes tavern. It looks old, probably pre-Empire. It would have to be, no new Dwarven taverns will have been allowed in the last 200 years. It's amazing this place is still going, but the free Dwarves have to be allowed somewhere to call their own - a gift from the Empire to prevent discontent. Of course you would be meeting your Red Cord contact in a place like this, though even here you must be cautious.
Entering, it is dark, the windows small and dirty. The atmosphere is hushed, though the place is hardly empty. Most of the clientele are indeed Dwarves, though there are representatives of a few other races as well. Notably you see a young human woman with what appears to be a small, red-scaled dragon perched on her shoulder. You've been in the city long enough to know that keeping a pet pseudodragon goes in and out of fashion at least once a decade, some of the more wealthy nobles even keeping wyrmlings, no doubt snatched as eggs from some unattended nest in the Daiboas, then when they start to get too big or too intelligent they are released back there, or simply killed in many cases. This woman definitely does not appear to be a noble of any kind - she has no uniform for a start, and her bearing is nowhere near haughty enough.
Annoura and Emel, you are both inside the Three Axes tavern. There is no sign of your contact, either of you. What will you do?
Please do describe yourselves, including pictures if you like.
Annoura Stargaze looks around the tavern for a contact but realizes she will be approached when the time is right. Even here, caution is a by-word. She decides to sit at the table with the young human with the pseudodragon, if the woman is amenable. She moves to the table, her stride confident, the faint tinkle of her armor sounding from beneath her dark gray cloak. To the discerning eye, her sword can be detected beneath the cloak, though she has become skilled at disguising its presence. With her hood pushed back, her red hair is plainly evident, contrasting sharply, strikingly, with her pale skin. In the dim light, the flickering light of the fire picks out glints from her golden eyes.
"Good morning to you, and to your friend," she says nodding to the woman and her companion. "My name is Annoura. May I join you?"
As Annoura approaches Emel, the small dragon on her shoulder gives a slight growl, but is quickly shushed by Emel. "Cijewi auystimg" She says softly to her drake. She shifts her focus to Annoura, her sapphire blue eyes sizing up the stranger. "Hello." She says, her tone friendly enough but with a hint of caution. "You're welcome to sit here, but I am meeting someone, so you may wish to leave soon enough." As she speaks she looks around nervously, still not seeing her contact. "Don't worry about Mep, she doesn't like new people, but she won't bite." The drake glares at Annoura, nuzzling against Emel protectivly.
Annoura wonders at the coincidence. She too is here to meet someone but forebears to mention it. Caution is second nature to her and has been for 40 years now. For the same reason she does not ask the other's business or offer anything about her own. Instead, she asks, "I thank you, and you as well, Mep. The Month of Truth is such a...chaotic time. I admit to some surprise to see one as young as you out alone during it." She chuckles then, a merry and tinkling laugh well suited to her smooth, melodious voice. "Of course, who am I to talk? By elven standards I am too young to be allowed out without a minder. Unfortunately, my parents passed away many years ago." The pain of the loss remains in her voice, though dimmed by the passing of the years.
She hails a passing server and asks for a cup of tea and some bread with honey. Also, a small portion of whatever meat is available. When it arrives, she says, "Please, help yourself. The meat is more for your friend, than for me."
Emel looks at the food hesitantly, then shrugs to herself, tearing off a piece of the meat, feeding some of it to Mep. "Well thank you. It took us a long time to get here, so some real food is always appreciated."
"And I'm not that young. Besides, one tends to grow up quickly, particularly at a time where ones safety is uncertian".
A flash of sympathy crosses her face when Annoura mentions her parents, but she doesn't say anything about it. "Case in point, I normally wouldn't be in a tavern this long still sober, but as you said, it's a chaotic month. Best to remain alert, no?"
Annoura is too old a hand at this to react. There can be no doubt who Dragon Tamer is. She herself is Moon Warrior, by Selune! Looking up, she takes a bite of the bread dipped in honey while she looks for the light to follow. As she does, her free hand drums absently, but with a little extra force, on the table...right on top of the note...for a few seconds before stilling. Another couple of seconds and she uses the same hand, note safely tucked inside to pickup her tea cup. She puts the teacup down, casually rests her hand over the top as she finishes her bite. The note drops into the unfinished tea.
Emel scans the note quickly, visibly relaxing as she does. "So." She says, scanning the room for the light as well. "It appears we have a mutual acquaintance."
Mep, appearing throughly uninterested in what's happening, continues munching happily on his snack.
It is gloomy in the tavern. Presumably there is a fire in the kitchen but there is none in the main hall. No need, the climate around Quesada is warm and tropical, comfortable at this time of year, but later in the year the sticky humidity leads into impressive thunderstorms.
Behind the bar, a half-orc in an apron dips down for a moment. A glow precedes his rising, followed by a candle in a plain, ceramic holder. The finger loop of the holder has a thin, red strand tied around it. He moves out of the bar, and through a door.
"And that, I believe, is our cue." Emel says, standing up. She glances at annoura. "You coming?" Before giving g one last nervous glance around the room and following the half or
The door swings closed behind you both. You find yourselves in a corridor. It's musty back here, it doesn't feel like it gets much air. To the left is a stairway on the outer wall, leading to an upper floor, presumably rooms for rent. A lamp on the right hand wall provides some light in this closed off area. You are in time to see the half-Orc disappear around another corner to the right.
Turning the corner you discover him standing halfway down another corridor. It has no windows, no doors, no stairs. It's unclear what the point of such a corridor would be. He looks at you as you round the corner then, very deliberately, blows out the candle. Without saying a word, he pushes back past you, and returns towards the main hall. You hear a quick burst of chatter as the door opens, then closes.
You are left in this corridor to nowhere. Another lamp sheds some light on old, geometrically patterned tapestries, including one in which the patterns form the shape of a tower filling the crevice formed by the meeting of two mountains.
The lamp has a thread of red fabric looped and tied to it.
Annoura nods. "I think we are being tested." She moves to the lamp and begins to manipulate it. She pulls, twists, pushes, tries moving it in every conceivable way. If that does not work, she moves to the tapestries, paying particular attention to the one that created the tower pattern. She is looking for a button, nob or other manipulable object. She does not necessarily expect any such...thing...to feel different from the rest of the wall. More that the patterns formed by the lantern will highlight where and/or how to push, press, slide etc. Failing that, she will check behind the tapestries for a hidden door. Lastly, she will step see if any of the patterns form words.
Emel checks the tapestry. The square loops and knots that form the pattern are traditionally Dwarvish. Emel has spent enough time around Dwarvish iconography to recognise it. She also recognises the place that the pattern depicts. She went in that gate once, and never came out. It is the grand citadel entrance to Deeprush. She pulls it aside, showing a continuation of the panelled wall of the rest of the corridor, albeit much paler. The tapestry has clearly been hanging here a long, long time, unmoved, unless it was briefly. It has protected the wall from the dirt and discolouration that has developed over the years.
Annoura checks the lamp. She swings it gently from its hinge where it connects to the hook. The candlelight flickers in the movement. She traces her fingers along the plaque by which it is attached to the wall. It feels reasonably clean, and the untarnished brass still softly reflects the light. She pulls downward on the looping hook.
*click*
A tall section of panelling on the wall pops out, and you realise that the lamp can now be used as a handle on a very well hidden door. Behind the door, worn stone steps lead downward below the tavern.
Annoura shares a look with her companion, then starts down the stairs. She pushes her cloak back, allowing quick access to her sword, which loosens in the scabbard.
By the Estellon Calendar, established by the first Emperor of Orquesh, Rolen Estellon, it is Yminar the 28th day of the Month of Truth, 232 HV (Hyir Virclyww, Year of Darkness in Infernal). All the news this month from the shouting Bellmen in each forum and piazza has been of enemies of the Emperor, threats to the Empire and its honourable, righteous people, traitors confessing their heinous crimes in courts around the city, though especially the House of Uthedana, highest court in all Orquesh. Indeed, those who resent the Empire and its ways call it the Month of Trials, though always quietly, and only in the assured company of those who feel the same.
Annoura - it has not been easy living in Quesada these last 50 years. Though the worship of Selune has not been banned, her aspects less desired by the Empire have been stripped away amongst the common folk. She has been reinvented by the Church of Bane, arbiters of approved religion, as a cold and distant giver of knowledge. The full moon is a gift to her from Bane, while its waning until the new moon is a sign of his power, that her light can be taken away as easily as it is given. Thankfully you have spent your time here being secretly mentored by a succession of true believers, those who remember the old ways of caring and guidance, or who have had them passed down, as they passed them to you. You have even helped guide a few unfortunates towards knowing the true Selune yourself.
You stand in front of the Three Axes tavern. It looks old, probably pre-Empire. It would have to be, no new Dwarven taverns will have been allowed in the last 200 years. It's amazing this place is still going, but the free Dwarves have to be allowed somewhere to call their own - a gift from the Empire to prevent discontent. Of course you would be meeting your Red Cord contact in a place like this, though even here you must be cautious.
Entering, it is dark, the windows small and dirty. The atmosphere is hushed, though the place is hardly empty. Most of the clientele are indeed Dwarves, though there are representatives of a few other races as well. Notably you see a young human woman with what appears to be a small, red-scaled dragon perched on her shoulder. You've been in the city long enough to know that keeping a pet pseudodragon goes in and out of fashion at least once a decade, some of the more wealthy nobles even keeping wyrmlings, no doubt snatched as eggs from some unattended nest in the Daiboas, then when they start to get too big or too intelligent they are released back there, or simply killed in many cases. This woman definitely does not appear to be a noble of any kind - she has no uniform for a start, and her bearing is nowhere near haughty enough.
Annoura and Emel, you are both inside the Three Axes tavern. There is no sign of your contact, either of you. What will you do?
Please do describe yourselves, including pictures if you like.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Annoura Stargaze looks around the tavern for a contact but realizes she will be approached when the time is right. Even here, caution is a by-word. She decides to sit at the table with the young human with the pseudodragon, if the woman is amenable. She moves to the table, her stride confident, the faint tinkle of her armor sounding from beneath her dark gray cloak. To the discerning eye, her sword can be detected beneath the cloak, though she has become skilled at disguising its presence. With her hood pushed back, her red hair is plainly evident, contrasting sharply, strikingly, with her pale skin. In the dim light, the flickering light of the fire picks out glints from her golden eyes.
"Good morning to you, and to your friend," she says nodding to the woman and her companion. "My name is Annoura. May I join you?"
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
As Annoura approaches Emel, the small dragon on her shoulder gives a slight growl, but is quickly shushed by Emel. "Cijewi auystimg" She says softly to her drake. She shifts her focus to Annoura, her sapphire blue eyes sizing up the stranger. "Hello." She says, her tone friendly enough but with a hint of caution. "You're welcome to sit here, but I am meeting someone, so you may wish to leave soon enough." As she speaks she looks around nervously, still not seeing her contact. "Don't worry about Mep, she doesn't like new people, but she won't bite." The drake glares at Annoura, nuzzling against Emel protectivly.
Annoura wonders at the coincidence. She too is here to meet someone but forebears to mention it. Caution is second nature to her and has been for 40 years now. For the same reason she does not ask the other's business or offer anything about her own. Instead, she asks, "I thank you, and you as well, Mep. The Month of Truth is such a...chaotic time. I admit to some surprise to see one as young as you out alone during it." She chuckles then, a merry and tinkling laugh well suited to her smooth, melodious voice. "Of course, who am I to talk? By elven standards I am too young to be allowed out without a minder. Unfortunately, my parents passed away many years ago." The pain of the loss remains in her voice, though dimmed by the passing of the years.
She hails a passing server and asks for a cup of tea and some bread with honey. Also, a small portion of whatever meat is available. When it arrives, she says, "Please, help yourself. The meat is more for your friend, than for me."
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
Emel looks at the food hesitantly, then shrugs to herself, tearing off a piece of the meat, feeding some of it to Mep. "Well thank you. It took us a long time to get here, so some real food is always appreciated."
"And I'm not that young. Besides, one tends to grow up quickly, particularly at a time where ones safety is uncertian".
A flash of sympathy crosses her face when Annoura mentions her parents, but she doesn't say anything about it. "Case in point, I normally wouldn't be in a tavern this long still sober, but as you said, it's a chaotic month. Best to remain alert, no?"
When Annoura lifts the bread, she discovers a small folded piece of paper. Unfolded it reads, in a careful hand in red ink:
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Annoura is too old a hand at this to react. There can be no doubt who Dragon Tamer is. She herself is Moon Warrior, by Selune! Looking up, she takes a bite of the bread dipped in honey while she looks for the light to follow. As she does, her free hand drums absently, but with a little extra force, on the table...right on top of the note...for a few seconds before stilling. Another couple of seconds and she uses the same hand, note safely tucked inside to pickup her tea cup. She puts the teacup down, casually rests her hand over the top as she finishes her bite. The note drops into the unfinished tea.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
Emel scans the note quickly, visibly relaxing as she does. "So." She says, scanning the room for the light as well. "It appears we have a mutual acquaintance."
Mep, appearing throughly uninterested in what's happening, continues munching happily on his snack.
It is gloomy in the tavern. Presumably there is a fire in the kitchen but there is none in the main hall. No need, the climate around Quesada is warm and tropical, comfortable at this time of year, but later in the year the sticky humidity leads into impressive thunderstorms.
Behind the bar, a half-orc in an apron dips down for a moment. A glow precedes his rising, followed by a candle in a plain, ceramic holder. The finger loop of the holder has a thin, red strand tied around it. He moves out of the bar, and through a door.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
"And that, I believe, is our cue." Emel says, standing up. She glances at annoura. "You coming?" Before giving g one last nervous glance around the room and following the half or
Annoura nods, standing and following the young human and the half-orc, all her senses alert.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
The door swings closed behind you both. You find yourselves in a corridor. It's musty back here, it doesn't feel like it gets much air. To the left is a stairway on the outer wall, leading to an upper floor, presumably rooms for rent. A lamp on the right hand wall provides some light in this closed off area. You are in time to see the half-Orc disappear around another corner to the right.
Turning the corner you discover him standing halfway down another corridor. It has no windows, no doors, no stairs. It's unclear what the point of such a corridor would be. He looks at you as you round the corner then, very deliberately, blows out the candle. Without saying a word, he pushes back past you, and returns towards the main hall. You hear a quick burst of chatter as the door opens, then closes.
You are left in this corridor to nowhere. Another lamp sheds some light on old, geometrically patterned tapestries, including one in which the patterns form the shape of a tower filling the crevice formed by the meeting of two mountains.
The lamp has a thread of red fabric looped and tied to it.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Emel looks somewhat confused. "Well that was anticlimactic." She looks over at annoura. "Any idea what we're supposed to do now?"
Annoura nods. "I think we are being tested." She moves to the lamp and begins to manipulate it. She pulls, twists, pushes, tries moving it in every conceivable way. If that does not work, she moves to the tapestries, paying particular attention to the one that created the tower pattern. She is looking for a button, nob or other manipulable object. She does not necessarily expect any such...thing...to feel different from the rest of the wall. More that the patterns formed by the lantern will highlight where and/or how to push, press, slide etc. Failing that, she will check behind the tapestries for a hidden door. Lastly, she will step see if any of the patterns form words.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
"Ah." Emel looks slightly embarrassed. "I can try to help but I'm uh.. not really the best at puzzles"
Annoura smiles at her. "We are all blessed with our own strengths and abilities. While I check out the lamp, see what's behind the tapestries,"
ooc: Sorry...I sort of just took over the scene. My fingers just started going. :(
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
Emel checks the tapestry. The square loops and knots that form the pattern are traditionally Dwarvish. Emel has spent enough time around Dwarvish iconography to recognise it. She also recognises the place that the pattern depicts. She went in that gate once, and never came out. It is the grand citadel entrance to Deeprush. She pulls it aside, showing a continuation of the panelled wall of the rest of the corridor, albeit much paler. The tapestry has clearly been hanging here a long, long time, unmoved, unless it was briefly. It has protected the wall from the dirt and discolouration that has developed over the years.
Annoura checks the lamp. She swings it gently from its hinge where it connects to the hook. The candlelight flickers in the movement. She traces her fingers along the plaque by which it is attached to the wall. It feels reasonably clean, and the untarnished brass still softly reflects the light. She pulls downward on the looping hook.
*click*
A tall section of panelling on the wall pops out, and you realise that the lamp can now be used as a handle on a very well hidden door. Behind the door, worn stone steps lead downward below the tavern.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
ooc: Is it dark or is the stairwell lit?
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric
It isn't lit itself, but a glow coming from the bottom is enough to see the steps by.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Annoura shares a look with her companion, then starts down the stairs. She pushes her cloak back, allowing quick access to her sword, which loosens in the scabbard.
Tandor the White, Human Life Cleric