"That bad?"Richter asks, noting how serious Orlan seems to be about this Pendle town. "We seem...Capable. I'm sure if there's trouble there we can deal with it."
Syl nods along to Xarian's suggestions, keeping a mental list of everything he mentioned. "I like to be prepared for anything, so perhaps the climber kits wouldn't be a bad idea?"
Unaware of the writings within the journal, she is curious to hear what has Orlan so spooked about the town. "What did you see?"
Xarian glances up from the book looking both eager uncertain at Richter's confidence.
"I'm the last person who should be advising caution, since I always stubbornly stick my nose where it's not wanted, with the guard captain's son for starters. I like to fight, I guess. But an order to retreat is an order to retreat, especially if we are scouting. Do ourselves no good bravely pressing our attack against the unknown in strange territory. Defend ourselves, sure, but no need to make the thirty-three corpses from last time into thirty-eight."
"It sounds like Orlan has high confidence in us," Techlas says proudly to Xarian. "We should not take undue risk but I am sure that together we can make it through most of what we shall find."
He looks over towards Krizira, "Have you read anything of note in there? More information always helps!"
"Well, I suppose that this Brand's Memoria sounds like the sort of group that might be involved in all this," Krizira says in response to Techlas' question. "A picture of Sara Pedie too - the woman that supposedly sent the message to Orlan that her sons had returned." She then pauses a moment, turning to look at Orlan. "Is there any more you know about this LOS group? Seems like they had some information about the cult. Perhraps they would have some answer."
Yes, that bad. Orlan says, taking a hard look at Richter. "Men with their bodies so impossibly twisted their heads protruded from their stomachs, corpses entirely exsanguinated, or chunks of their bodies just turned to ash. If whatever did that is still around, you need to run." He gestures towards the Xarian, "He has the right idea."
"For a long time after Pendle, I devoted myself to trying to find this "LOC" group." He says, addressing Krizira'squestion. "Not a gods damned thing about them anywhere. None of my contacts in the imperial government know anything. Even the friends I have among the Ravelments haven't heard of them. And for the past forty some odd years...Nothing." He shrugs, "Whoever they are, they're damned good at keeping secrets."
He produces a key and a small scrap of paper with a three digit number written on it, sliding them both onto the table. "Before you leave, head to the bank within the Chamber District. The lockbox I have there will have some supplies you may find useful."
((OOC Note: Think of the Ravelments as a group synonymous to the Zhentarim from Faerun))
Krizira nods slowly at Orlan's response. 'A shame there's no leads on that LOS,' she muses. She starts to move her chair back a bit, ready to head out. She pauses, thinking a bit before standing. "I think we should just head directly to Pendle. It seems like more answers to be had there. We could pass through Kelna, the closest disappearance to here, but I'm not sure how much we can learn with nothing really left behind. Anything else we need to know? Orlan, do we find you back here once we've gathered a bit of informaiton?"
Xarian gulps down his late-ordered drink, then straightens up and stands as the others do, his owl Ash flapping her wings once to steady herself and giving him an indignant look of which he remains blissfully unaware. Taking the key and note with the three-digit number (committing it to memory) if no one else does, he gives Orlan an abbreviated but respectful salute and the same grin he once gave the investigator as a boy long ago.
"Thank you for trusting us with this job, sir." Xarian turns his grin to his new companions, eager to get started.
"It's good thinking actually Krizira. Chase down any lead that comes to mind, you never know what you might find. If it's nothing...That's a shame, but you could also find something that breaks open the whole mystery."Orlan says. He takes a moment to think on her question before answering. "Nothing specific comes to mind. You shouldn't have too much trouble on the road. Since this started I actually haven't even heard of any actually bandits being encountered, even the Ravelments seem to have calmed down for some reason."
He stands with you all, ready to head out himself. "I'll show you where I live as you leave. Then yes when you're ready, come back to me to share what you've found out."
Never really a soldier himself, he smiles and waves away Xarian'ssalute. "There's no one else in the world I'd trust more with this."
When you're all ready, he leads you out of the restaurant and onto the streets the Iselcross District. He leads you through the streets to the other side of the district, near the east wall separating it and Wakeshield. Stopping in front of a pretty sizeable home, Orlan turns to all and smiles. "This is where you can find me now."
"Above all my friends, be safe. Even if it means giving up information, bring yourselves back to me alive and unharmed."
Krizira passes the journal to Richter before she leaves. She gathers up all of her belongings, longbow and pack across her back, and heads out to follow Orlan. She makes careful note of the route and the location of his home. As they are preparing to take their leave from the man, she steps in close to him, lowering her voice slightly. "Sir, perhaps now isn't the time, but I'd really like to speak to you about my family at some point. Surely you know something about them, and I really feel I have a right to know."
Richter begins to flip through the book as they walk, first reading over the information on Pendle, and then flipping back to the beginning to look for specific disappearances around this Kelna she had mentioned.
"We'll bring ourselves back with our heads attached in the right places Orlan, and hopefully some information to help you solve this."
Orlan tilts his head to listen to Krizira'squiet words, nodding slowly at her request. "Yes, of course. Whatever you wish to know." He returns just as quietly. He steps back, addressing the entire group as he walks up the steps to his door. "You don't need it, but good luck anyway." With that, he disappears inside the home.
Inside the book, Richteris able to read everything Krizira did on Pendle. Additionally, he finds a singular disappearance near the town of Kelna, a young man by the name of Bryn Tostok, who never returned to his village after making a trip to Kelnafor supplies.
"Oh hell,"Syl mumbles after the door to Orlan's home closes. "I forgot to ask him where we could get cold weather supplies." She turns to the others sheepishly, "So uh...Maybe on the way to this vault, or bank, or whatever it is we can keep an eye out for a general supply shop of some kind?"
"I'm sure there are a few shops here in Caelor," Krizira says to Syl. "We'll get to one after the vault. On to Chamber District, right? Come on," she says, again in her high-pitched voice as she starts off in that direction.
Xarian follows the others out, clearly enthusiastic about exploring not just the Snowsong Valley, but Caelor itself, where he has never been despite its relative proximity to his home town. He looks around to take in the sights (and to try to get his bearings).
"The Chamber District is south, if I remember right?" He keeps an eye out for shops where Syl or others can buy gear.
"City like this I imagine you would have more than one option for supplies like that," Richter comments, following along as they make their way through the streets of Caelor. "I did want to say that I think Krizira has the right idea, passing through Kelna to check on the disappearance of this..."He trails off momentarily, flipping the book back open to grab the name again. "Bryn Tostok. Native of another small village nearby Kelna. Anyone have objections to that plan?"
As you walk the streets of the Iselcross District, you actually find that very little of its space is dedicated for residences. Most of the buildings are shops, restaurants, and taverns. You even pass an amphitheater on your way, performing some play to a full crowd.
You find your way to one Lark's General, a relatively small store tucked in between two large stone buildings. Within you're able to find the cold weather equipment Sylnorawas looking for. Fur-lined clothes, rope, hooks, pitons, hammers, etc...((Buy whatever you need at normal price)).
With that business settled, you head southwest to the entrance to the Chamber. You pass through the gate separating the districts. There are no residences here, nor any of the shops or entertainment businesses present in Iselcross. Instead, this district is dominated by warehouses. Everything coming into or out of Caelorvia ship ends up here at some point. Most of the storehouses are filled with unprocessed astralight ore before it's moved into Amaya's Crucible to be smelted.
On the southern end of the Chamberyou find the bank Orlan spoke of, a large stone building, held up by wide doric columns. The interior is pristine, quiet, and efficient. It isn't long until an elder silver-haired elf approaches you, hands clasped behind them. "Welcome to the Rose Vaults," she says with a small bow. "How may we assist you today?"
"We we're sent by Orlan to retrieve the contents of a lockbox. We have..." Krizira pauses a moment, then turns toward Xarian. "I think you have the key that he sent with us? And the number?"
Xarian promptly produces the key, but not the number, which he leaves tucked away and unspoken until needed, having taken care to remember it.
He has to make an effort not to stare at the pristine and businesslike surroundings. Yet another building far removed from what Xarian is accustomed to.
"Is this what a bank normally looks like? It feels so... empty." He flashes his customary rueful smile. "No piles of gold lying around, eh?"
"That bad?" Richter asks, noting how serious Orlan seems to be about this Pendle town. "We seem...Capable. I'm sure if there's trouble there we can deal with it."
Syl nods along to Xarian's suggestions, keeping a mental list of everything he mentioned. "I like to be prepared for anything, so perhaps the climber kits wouldn't be a bad idea?"
Unaware of the writings within the journal, she is curious to hear what has Orlan so spooked about the town. "What did you see?"
Xarian glances up from the book looking both eager uncertain at Richter's confidence.
"I'm the last person who should be advising caution, since I always stubbornly stick my nose where it's not wanted, with the guard captain's son for starters. I like to fight, I guess. But an order to retreat is an order to retreat, especially if we are scouting. Do ourselves no good bravely pressing our attack against the unknown in strange territory. Defend ourselves, sure, but no need to make the thirty-three corpses from last time into thirty-eight."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"It sounds like Orlan has high confidence in us," Techlas says proudly to Xarian. "We should not take undue risk but I am sure that together we can make it through most of what we shall find."
He looks over towards Krizira, "Have you read anything of note in there? More information always helps!"
"Well, I suppose that this Brand's Memoria sounds like the sort of group that might be involved in all this," Krizira says in response to Techlas' question. "A picture of Sara Pedie too - the woman that supposedly sent the message to Orlan that her sons had returned." She then pauses a moment, turning to look at Orlan. "Is there any more you know about this LOS group? Seems like they had some information about the cult. Perhraps they would have some answer."
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Yes, that bad. Orlan says, taking a hard look at Richter. "Men with their bodies so impossibly twisted their heads protruded from their stomachs, corpses entirely exsanguinated, or chunks of their bodies just turned to ash. If whatever did that is still around, you need to run." He gestures towards the Xarian, "He has the right idea."
"For a long time after Pendle, I devoted myself to trying to find this "LOC" group." He says, addressing Krizira's question. "Not a gods damned thing about them anywhere. None of my contacts in the imperial government know anything. Even the friends I have among the Ravelments haven't heard of them. And for the past forty some odd years...Nothing." He shrugs, "Whoever they are, they're damned good at keeping secrets."
He produces a key and a small scrap of paper with a three digit number written on it, sliding them both onto the table. "Before you leave, head to the bank within the Chamber District. The lockbox I have there will have some supplies you may find useful."
((OOC Note: Think of the Ravelments as a group synonymous to the Zhentarim from Faerun))
Krizira nods slowly at Orlan's response. 'A shame there's no leads on that LOS,' she muses. She starts to move her chair back a bit, ready to head out. She pauses, thinking a bit before standing. "I think we should just head directly to Pendle. It seems like more answers to be had there. We could pass through Kelna, the closest disappearance to here, but I'm not sure how much we can learn with nothing really left behind. Anything else we need to know? Orlan, do we find you back here once we've gathered a bit of informaiton?"
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Xarian gulps down his late-ordered drink, then straightens up and stands as the others do, his owl Ash flapping her wings once to steady herself and giving him an indignant look of which he remains blissfully unaware. Taking the key and note with the three-digit number (committing it to memory) if no one else does, he gives Orlan an abbreviated but respectful salute and the same grin he once gave the investigator as a boy long ago.
"Thank you for trusting us with this job, sir." Xarian turns his grin to his new companions, eager to get started.
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"It's good thinking actually Krizira. Chase down any lead that comes to mind, you never know what you might find. If it's nothing...That's a shame, but you could also find something that breaks open the whole mystery." Orlan says. He takes a moment to think on her question before answering. "Nothing specific comes to mind. You shouldn't have too much trouble on the road. Since this started I actually haven't even heard of any actually bandits being encountered, even the Ravelments seem to have calmed down for some reason."
He stands with you all, ready to head out himself. "I'll show you where I live as you leave. Then yes when you're ready, come back to me to share what you've found out."
Never really a soldier himself, he smiles and waves away Xarian's salute. "There's no one else in the world I'd trust more with this."
When you're all ready, he leads you out of the restaurant and onto the streets the Iselcross District. He leads you through the streets to the other side of the district, near the east wall separating it and Wakeshield. Stopping in front of a pretty sizeable home, Orlan turns to all and smiles. "This is where you can find me now."
"Above all my friends, be safe. Even if it means giving up information, bring yourselves back to me alive and unharmed."
Richter throws up his hands in mock surrender, "alright you've got me outnumbered. No heroics."
As they prepare to leave he turns to Krizira. "Mind if I take another look at that?" He asks, nodding towards Orlan's journal.
Krizira passes the journal to Richter before she leaves. She gathers up all of her belongings, longbow and pack across her back, and heads out to follow Orlan. She makes careful note of the route and the location of his home. As they are preparing to take their leave from the man, she steps in close to him, lowering her voice slightly. "Sir, perhaps now isn't the time, but I'd really like to speak to you about my family at some point. Surely you know something about them, and I really feel I have a right to know."
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Richter begins to flip through the book as they walk, first reading over the information on Pendle, and then flipping back to the beginning to look for specific disappearances around this Kelna she had mentioned.
"We'll bring ourselves back with our heads attached in the right places Orlan, and hopefully some information to help you solve this."
Orlan tilts his head to listen to Krizira's quiet words, nodding slowly at her request. "Yes, of course. Whatever you wish to know." He returns just as quietly. He steps back, addressing the entire group as he walks up the steps to his door. "You don't need it, but good luck anyway." With that, he disappears inside the home.
Inside the book, Richter is able to read everything Krizira did on Pendle. Additionally, he finds a singular disappearance near the town of Kelna, a young man by the name of Bryn Tostok, who never returned to his village after making a trip to Kelna for supplies.
"Oh hell," Syl mumbles after the door to Orlan's home closes. "I forgot to ask him where we could get cold weather supplies." She turns to the others sheepishly, "So uh...Maybe on the way to this vault, or bank, or whatever it is we can keep an eye out for a general supply shop of some kind?"
"I'm sure there are a few shops here in Caelor," Krizira says to Syl. "We'll get to one after the vault. On to Chamber District, right? Come on," she says, again in her high-pitched voice as she starts off in that direction.
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Xarian follows the others out, clearly enthusiastic about exploring not just the Snowsong Valley, but Caelor itself, where he has never been despite its relative proximity to his home town. He looks around to take in the sights (and to try to get his bearings).
"The Chamber District is south, if I remember right?" He keeps an eye out for shops where Syl or others can buy gear.
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
"City like this I imagine you would have more than one option for supplies like that," Richter comments, following along as they make their way through the streets of Caelor. "I did want to say that I think Krizira has the right idea, passing through Kelna to check on the disappearance of this..." He trails off momentarily, flipping the book back open to grab the name again. "Bryn Tostok. Native of another small village nearby Kelna. Anyone have objections to that plan?"
As you walk the streets of the Iselcross District, you actually find that very little of its space is dedicated for residences. Most of the buildings are shops, restaurants, and taverns. You even pass an amphitheater on your way, performing some play to a full crowd.
You find your way to one Lark's General, a relatively small store tucked in between two large stone buildings. Within you're able to find the cold weather equipment Sylnora was looking for. Fur-lined clothes, rope, hooks, pitons, hammers, etc...((Buy whatever you need at normal price)).
With that business settled, you head southwest to the entrance to the Chamber. You pass through the gate separating the districts. There are no residences here, nor any of the shops or entertainment businesses present in Iselcross. Instead, this district is dominated by warehouses. Everything coming into or out of Caelor via ship ends up here at some point. Most of the storehouses are filled with unprocessed astralight ore before it's moved into Amaya's Crucible to be smelted.
On the southern end of the Chamber you find the bank Orlan spoke of, a large stone building, held up by wide doric columns. The interior is pristine, quiet, and efficient. It isn't long until an elder silver-haired elf approaches you, hands clasped behind them. "Welcome to the Rose Vaults," she says with a small bow. "How may we assist you today?"
"We we're sent by Orlan to retrieve the contents of a lockbox. We have..." Krizira pauses a moment, then turns toward Xarian. "I think you have the key that he sent with us? And the number?"
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Xarian promptly produces the key, but not the number, which he leaves tucked away and unspoken until needed, having taken care to remember it.
He has to make an effort not to stare at the pristine and businesslike surroundings. Yet another building far removed from what Xarian is accustomed to.
"Is this what a bank normally looks like? It feels so... empty." He flashes his customary rueful smile. "No piles of gold lying around, eh?"
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim