Elaric nods somberly, "A cruelly beneficial twist of fate for the city, though I doubt acolyte Neven would have seen it as such. I thank you for the information, Sir Marius." With a slight bowing of his head toward Marius, Elaric next turns to the party. "What think you, my companions? What else is needed before we set out? And where shall we begin our investigation?"
Elaric nods somberly, "A cruelly beneficial twist of fate for the city, though I doubt acolyte Neven would have seen it as such. I thank you for the information, Sir Marius." With a slight bowing of his head toward Marius, Elaric next turns to the party. "What think you, my companions? What else is needed before we set out? And where shall we begin our investigation?"
I have no further questions at this time, Balasar replies. I would suggest that we start with a visit to the priests, followed by an inspection of the graveyard and a visit to the catacombs where the body was found, though I suggest we wait until morning before venturing underground, if time will permit the delay.
I have no further questions at this time, Balasar replies. I would suggest that we start with a visit to the priests, followed by an inspection of the graveyard and a visit to the catacombs where the body was found, though I suggest we wait until morning before venturing underground, if time will permit the delay.
"I concur with Balasar and am ready to begin. While the catacombs can wait for morning, our initial investigation need not if the priests will receive us. Lord Van Der Wuulf, you mentioned a seal we would need to present on our arrival?"
Sir Maurius pushes a small scroll toward each of you (one for each party member) on which is written a curt message declaring the bearer to be on official business on behalf of Sir Maurius and the Council, to be accorded the rights, respects, and assistance due to a knight of the Court and confidant of the Temple.
"Simply affix your seal, sign, or signature, gentlemen, and I shall add my own."
Leaning forward with one hand supporting his head, Wendell examines the scroll he is presented. As discretely as possible, he raises one finger as if to scratch his temple and whispers "Themm" (casts Detect Magic).
Though his sharp Elf ears catch Wendell's whisper, not a flicker of movement changes Elaric's expression as he looks over the scroll with interest. Taking his time, he digs through his pack for a quill and an ink bottle while he waits for any unusual reaction from Wendell.
With no apparent indications of trouble from Wendell, Elaric renders his signature upon the scroll. He then proffers the parchment to Sir Marius for a second signature.
As he awaits various signatures from the party and counter signatures from Marius, Elaric enquires of their employer, "Do you desire that we use any formal title while representing you or is it enough to say that we are investigating on behalf of you and the Council?"
As he awaits various signatures from the party and counter signatures from Marius, Elaric enquires of their employer, "Do you desire that we use any formal title while representing you or is it enough to say that we are investigating on behalf of you and the Council?"
"Aside from being clear that you act in my name, you may introduce yourselves by whatever title you deem fit. I only ask that in the course of your investigations you do not misrepresent your identities in any way - not without consulting me, at least. I want this matter resolved with a minimum of skulduggery, if possible." A frown crosses his face. "I'd hoped this was a simple matter of monster-slaying. I pray it is no more than that."
"We all do, Lord Van Der Wuulf," Wendell says, raising his hands in a placative gesture, "We simply want to ensure that we're walking into this investigation fully prepared."
After a briefly distant look, Elaric gives a slight shake of his head as if coming back from deep thought and addresses Sir Marius, "There is one final point about which I would ask, Sir Marius. I would like to ensure, however that you know I am not making a request - I seek only clarification: have we any funds, supplies, or other boons - granted by yourself or the council - upon which we may call for this investigation?"
After a briefly distant look, Elaric gives a slight shake of his head as if coming back from deep thought and addresses Sir Marius, "There is one final point about which I would ask, Sir Marius. I would like to ensure, however that you know I am not making a request - I seek only clarification: have we any funds, supplies, or other boons - granted by yourself or the council - upon which we may call for this investigation?"
Sir Maurius drums his fingers on the table, briefly contemplating.
"Aside from the funds and equipment you already possess, while you act in my name you may requisition whatever you need in the city. Any merchant or agency will honor the credit of my house and my name. I ask that you use this privilege with discretion, and only in need, reminding you that I am in the process of rebuilding my family fortune, and that I keep very. strict. accounts."
Elaric nods somberly, "A cruelly beneficial twist of fate for the city, though I doubt acolyte Neven would have seen it as such. I thank you for the information, Sir Marius." With a slight bowing of his head toward Marius, Elaric next turns to the party. "What think you, my companions? What else is needed before we set out? And where shall we begin our investigation?"
I have no further questions at this time, Balasar replies. I would suggest that we start with a visit to the priests, followed by an inspection of the graveyard and a visit to the catacombs where the body was found, though I suggest we wait until morning before venturing underground, if time will permit the delay.
"I concur with Balasar and am ready to begin. While the catacombs can wait for morning, our initial investigation need not if the priests will receive us. Lord Van Der Wuulf, you mentioned a seal we would need to present on our arrival?"
Sir Maurius pushes a small scroll toward each of you (one for each party member) on which is written a curt message declaring the bearer to be on official business on behalf of Sir Maurius and the Council, to be accorded the rights, respects, and assistance due to a knight of the Court and confidant of the Temple.
"Simply affix your seal, sign, or signature, gentlemen, and I shall add my own."
Leaning forward with one hand supporting his head, Wendell examines the scroll he is presented. As discretely as possible, he raises one finger as if to scratch his temple and whispers "Themm" (casts Detect Magic).
None of the metaphysically-inclined present detect anything unusual in the papers.
More than a little relieved, Wendell signs his scroll.
Though his sharp Elf ears catch Wendell's whisper, not a flicker of movement changes Elaric's expression as he looks over the scroll with interest. Taking his time, he digs through his pack for a quill and an ink bottle while he waits for any unusual reaction from Wendell.
With no apparent indications of trouble from Wendell, Elaric renders his signature upon the scroll. He then proffers the parchment to Sir Marius for a second signature.
As he awaits various signatures from the party and counter signatures from Marius, Elaric enquires of their employer, "Do you desire that we use any formal title while representing you or is it enough to say that we are investigating on behalf of you and the Council?"
"Aside from being clear that you act in my name, you may introduce yourselves by whatever title you deem fit. I only ask that in the course of your investigations you do not misrepresent your identities in any way - not without consulting me, at least. I want this matter resolved with a minimum of skulduggery, if possible." A frown crosses his face. "I'd hoped this was a simple matter of monster-slaying. I pray it is no more than that."
"We all do, Lord Van Der Wuulf," Wendell says, raising his hands in a placative gesture, "We simply want to ensure that we're walking into this investigation fully prepared."
Balasar takes the proffered scroll and signs it with a flourish, then hands it back to Sir Maurius for countersignature.
Sir Marius signs Wendell's, Balasar's, and Elaric's pass-scrolls, and returns them.
Skoth also signs his paper and hands it back.
Signed passes in hand, does the party have any further questions before this meeting breaks up?
Feel free to PM each other regarding your plans for your next move.
Balasar doesn't have any further questions.
Gong makes a rough signature on the parchment, eager to stop this desecrating threat before it claims another victim.
After a briefly distant look, Elaric gives a slight shake of his head as if coming back from deep thought and addresses Sir Marius, "There is one final point about which I would ask, Sir Marius. I would like to ensure, however that you know I am not making a request - I seek only clarification: have we any funds, supplies, or other boons - granted by yourself or the council - upon which we may call for this investigation?"
Sir Maurius drums his fingers on the table, briefly contemplating.
"Aside from the funds and equipment you already possess, while you act in my name you may requisition whatever you need in the city. Any merchant or agency will honor the credit of my house and my name. I ask that you use this privilege with discretion, and only in need, reminding you that I am in the process of rebuilding my family fortune, and that I keep very. strict. accounts."