Malachi hears Joren’s thoughts from below and sends back news of their conversation.
Joren:
A sailor? No doubt on the trip to the West with Andra. How many more I wonder? He is beginning to get suspicious and we have found out very little. Be ready.
Joren claps Aaron on the back and gives Naeve his best smile before heading back to the table with Samir and Marion, with another round of (free) drinks in hand. He keeps his face cheerful as if making small talk but says in a low voice:
"This sailor, Stenwick, is a Razmus cultist. Returning from a voyage west (as Andra did). Getting suspicious now. Malachi asks us to be ready."
He telepathically lets Malachi know that the three of them are waiting at the table and to let him know if they should come up.
Ashley stuffs the tinderbox back into her pack and jumps off the bed, her face becoming quite stoic. She looks directly at Stenwick and with a voice that is much more serious, without the lilt it was carrying earlier she levels with him.
"Ok, my friend here is using the word group a little loosely. It's just him and I. The ones traveling with us, well, they were so excited to leave Tensmith we allowed them to travel with us here. We figured if we could learn anything from them great, but unfortunately no, just regular folks.
"We know Andra's objective was the mining equipment, just not the exact reason for it. When he recruited the two of us, it was to help him keep an eye above ground and with the local law in Tensmith so he was free to do his work in the mines. There was an accident. Part of a mine collapsed and Andra was on the other side, this happened about the same time Tensmith opened. We do not know what happened to him, but thought it be best to inform you all that Tensmith is open."
"Hm hmm," Stenwick nods along, Ashley's explanation making sense.
Detect thoughts:
That makes sense. It's been a few days since I've gone down to report in. With any luck, the tunnels have been connected and Andra has rendezvoused with the four we sent that way to investigate, perhaps with some rigs in tow.
Malachi:
As Malachi feels Stenwicks suspicions ease, a coiled tension lets up in his own mind. The passenger in his mind had been preparing for the worst.
"Well, I must be off to report in. I'll contact you here when I am able." With that, Stenwick turns to leave.
Ashley nods to Stenwick then asks, "Is there someone here you trust that we can check in with? I mean, we won't be here constantly, I want to check out the city and not only that, it would definitely raise suspicions if we never left."
Stenwick thinks for a moment. "Hmm, that's a fair point. You know what, do what you need to do. When we're ready for you..." He turns to Malachi, "We'll find you by your mark. There's nowhere in this city we can't track you down." He smiles be fore departing.
As Joren witnesses Stenwick departing, he glances uncertainly at Samir and Marion, using his telepathic link to Malachi to ask:
"The cultist sailor is just walking out of the Imperial Arms now. Are the two of you all right? To confirm, we are letting him go and not stopping or following him?" Joren's echo appears, leaning against the wall casually near the exit.
As Stenwick leaves, Malachi sits down on the bed, visibly tired from the interaction and unsettled by Stenwick’s last comment There is nowhere in this city we can’t track you down. He looks over at Ashley and grimaces “That did not go as well as I hoped, but he was going to report our presence anyway. Now at least we can keep them guessing about what really happened at Tensmith and maybe we can pull Marigold out into the daylight.”’
He rubs his temple furiously where the disguised mark lay hidden under some make-up and his hair. “I must get Samir to break the link on this rune like he did the others.” He did not think to warn the others of Stenwick's departure until he hears Joren's voice in his head. A flash of disappointment crosses his face "I forgot to warn Joren he was leaving" before he responds telepahtically.
Joren:
We are fine. I think he buys our story, for now. He will arrange a meeting with Speaker Marigold for us. Do you think he can be followed without notice?
Joren hesitates but lets the cultist go as Malachi suggests, the echo leaning against the wall near the doorway and not making a move to impede.
Telepathically to Malachi: (but also quietly repeating verbally to Samir and Marion):
Even if this Stenwick is not suspecting, Marigold will likely be guessing it once he is reporting to her, no? Five strangers from Tensmith, a couple claiming to be cultist allies she is never hearing of, matching the races and genders of Andra's enemies in Tensmith if Andra has reported to her?
As for following, Malachi, you yourself are the stealthiest among us. Marion or I would clanking along in our heavy armor. Ashley or Samir might be passable, but you should come down and be following yourself. I can be trailing further behind and sending my echo silently next to you to support.
Samir watches the cultist as he leaves, a crease developing between his eyes. He glances over to Joren with a questioning look, but willing to follow along with Malachi's more informed and practiced judgment.
Malachi sighs as he hears Joren’s voice in his head, he knows he cannot follow Stenwick. He looks up at Ashley “Let’s go tell the others what we have found out” Malachi heads downstairs and pulls the others together at a table in an out of the way corner of the room. “I am sorry, Joren. I cannot follow him.”he hesitates before continuing “I think that they can sense me in some way, this mark gives off some sort of aura or something. I felt it once before, in the tunnels with Andra, almost like they knew we were coming. Tonight Stenwick told us that he could find me anywhere in the city.” He looks up at Samir “Maybe you could disrupt the markings? Similar to what you did when freeing the prisoners.”
He shares what they have learned with the others. “He was going to report us anyway, I thought we may be able to find something out. He will deliver our report and see if Speaker Marigold will want to see us. I did find out why they wanted the mining rigs, to tunnel past the Gloazworms toward something called the heart of flame.”
Samir hesitates at Joren's suggestion that he follow the man, his eyes flickering back and forth between the door and the warrior. Internally his mind was going at a ridiculously anxious pace. Nothing in his training or background even remotely qualified him for the sort of skullduggery the man was suggesting. He hadn't even been able to hide staying up late at night reading from his parents, let alone trying to tail an unknown cultist through strange city streets.
Thankfully, Malachi came down the stairs just in time, presenting him with a quandary far more suited to his skills and capabilities. "I am certainly willing to try. I should take some time to consider the implications and methods, however. Given that this particular mark is on your flesh, and not an inanimate piece of metal."
“Take whatever time you need”Malachi responds to Samir “Just do what you can to break this connection. I don’t want to be a beacon to the group.”He rubs his forehead again without thinking and continues bitterly “I was content to report the threat and maybe cash in a healthy reward, now I wanted this cursed mark off of me.”
Witht eh hour growing late, the adventurers make their way to their two rooms. The straw mattresses are far from luxurious, but haven't seen much use, what with the Inn being geared toward locals with nearby homes to return to. Samir stays up, going through his notes by candlelight and recalling the difficult process he had gone through those long days ago. Eventually though, Samir too finds his pillow and lies down to get some sleep.
With the morning sun rising, and the tolling of the first day bell, they start to rise once more. As the first of the adventurers start to head downstairs for some breakfast, the front door of the inn creaks, and an oddly familiar-looking half orc walks in with an curious limp.
As the group gather around the breakfast table eating their full, the half orc sits down with them and removes the hood from his head, "don't scream, or shout or make a scene please." He projects into Ashley's head specifically with the familiar tone of Vilus' voice.
Aloud to the group he states, "I heard tell of a rowdy group of odd looking individuals in this area... You guys wouldn't know anything about that eh?" Leaning back he smiles a toothy half orc grin
Ashley lies awake a long time on the straw bed. She was glad that their group didn't raise suspicion with Stenwick, but what was the man telling Marigold and the rest of the cultists? Are they going to make the connection to the group in Tensmith that thwarted their efforts? Especially since they even said that's where they came from. She figured it was only a matter of time till they knew who they were. And honestly, was that a bad thing? It takes away the element of surprise, but isn't that it? They were bound to fight them anyways. And this mention of the Heart of Flame, what even was that? Did it have anything to do with her dream with the Blue Lady?
The next morning she makes her way down to breakfast, yawning loudly and stretching as she makes her way. She settles herself with the others that have come down and starts pulling together some semblance of breakfast. As the door creaks she looks up. The figure there gives her pause, but she doesn't know why, its strong and itches right at the back of her brain.
As the half-orc sits down, she is about to say something, when his voice enters her mind. Ashley's eyes go to the size of saucers and her mouth drops open briefly - but then forms a huge grin. She responds to him in her head, You're lucky you said not to make a scene or I'd be screaming right now.. though you're not stopping this. and she gets up and throws her arms around Vilus, hugging him tightly.
Vilus, wearing the same half-orc appearance he had used in Tensmith, is at last reunited with group.
Neither Naeve nor Aaron are working at the moment, and the morning staff is entirely fresh faces. One waitress comes up to the table with a metal platter stacked with ale mugs. "Hello there, I was informed your table is drinking for free this morning. Can I interest of y'all in some ale?"
Malachi hears Joren’s thoughts from below and sends back news of their conversation.
Joren:
A sailor? No doubt on the trip to the West with Andra. How many more I wonder? He is beginning to get suspicious and we have found out very little. Be ready.
Joren claps Aaron on the back and gives Naeve his best smile before heading back to the table with Samir and Marion, with another round of (free) drinks in hand. He keeps his face cheerful as if making small talk but says in a low voice:
"This sailor, Stenwick, is a Razmus cultist. Returning from a voyage west (as Andra did). Getting suspicious now. Malachi asks us to be ready."
He telepathically lets Malachi know that the three of them are waiting at the table and to let him know if they should come up.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Ashley stuffs the tinderbox back into her pack and jumps off the bed, her face becoming quite stoic. She looks directly at Stenwick and with a voice that is much more serious, without the lilt it was carrying earlier she levels with him.
"Ok, my friend here is using the word group a little loosely. It's just him and I. The ones traveling with us, well, they were so excited to leave Tensmith we allowed them to travel with us here. We figured if we could learn anything from them great, but unfortunately no, just regular folks.
"We know Andra's objective was the mining equipment, just not the exact reason for it. When he recruited the two of us, it was to help him keep an eye above ground and with the local law in Tensmith so he was free to do his work in the mines. There was an accident. Part of a mine collapsed and Andra was on the other side, this happened about the same time Tensmith opened. We do not know what happened to him, but thought it be best to inform you all that Tensmith is open."
"Hm hmm," Stenwick nods along, Ashley's explanation making sense.
Detect thoughts:
That makes sense. It's been a few days since I've gone down to report in. With any luck, the tunnels have been connected and Andra has rendezvoused with the four we sent that way to investigate, perhaps with some rigs in tow.
Malachi:
As Malachi feels Stenwicks suspicions ease, a coiled tension lets up in his own mind. The passenger in his mind had been preparing for the worst.
"Well, I must be off to report in. I'll contact you here when I am able." With that, Stenwick turns to leave.
Ashley nods to Stenwick then asks, "Is there someone here you trust that we can check in with? I mean, we won't be here constantly, I want to check out the city and not only that, it would definitely raise suspicions if we never left."
Stenwick thinks for a moment. "Hmm, that's a fair point. You know what, do what you need to do. When we're ready for you..." He turns to Malachi, "We'll find you by your mark. There's nowhere in this city we can't track you down." He smiles be fore departing.
As Joren witnesses Stenwick departing, he glances uncertainly at Samir and Marion, using his telepathic link to Malachi to ask:
"The cultist sailor is just walking out of the Imperial Arms now. Are the two of you all right? To confirm, we are letting him go and not stopping or following him?" Joren's echo appears, leaning against the wall casually near the exit.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
As Stenwick leaves, Malachi sits down on the bed, visibly tired from the interaction and unsettled by Stenwick’s last comment There is nowhere in this city we can’t track you down. He looks over at Ashley and grimaces “That did not go as well as I hoped, but he was going to report our presence anyway. Now at least we can keep them guessing about what really happened at Tensmith and maybe we can pull Marigold out into the daylight.”’
He rubs his temple furiously where the disguised mark lay hidden under some make-up and his hair. “I must get Samir to break the link on this rune like he did the others.” He did not think to warn the others of Stenwick's departure until he hears Joren's voice in his head. A flash of disappointment crosses his face "I forgot to warn Joren he was leaving" before he responds telepahtically.
Joren:
We are fine. I think he buys our story, for now. He will arrange a meeting with Speaker Marigold for us. Do you think he can be followed without notice?
Joren hesitates but lets the cultist go as Malachi suggests, the echo leaning against the wall near the doorway and not making a move to impede.
Telepathically to Malachi: (but also quietly repeating verbally to Samir and Marion):
Even if this Stenwick is not suspecting, Marigold will likely be guessing it once he is reporting to her, no? Five strangers from Tensmith, a couple claiming to be cultist allies she is never hearing of, matching the races and genders of Andra's enemies in Tensmith if Andra has reported to her?
As for following, Malachi, you yourself are the stealthiest among us. Marion or I would clanking along in our heavy armor. Ashley or Samir might be passable, but you should come down and be following yourself. I can be trailing further behind and sending my echo silently next to you to support.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Samir watches the cultist as he leaves, a crease developing between his eyes. He glances over to Joren with a questioning look, but willing to follow along with Malachi's more informed and practiced judgment.
Joren waits a few moments to hear back telepathically from Malachi.
If hearing nothing, he hesitates, then gives Samir a gruff nod, indicating that the be-spectacled artificer should attempt to tail Stenwick.
Joren will send his echo 30' behind Samir in this eventuality, himself following 30' behind the echo (60' behind Samir).
If all this happens, he lets Malachi know telepathically what is happening.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Malachi sighs as he hears Joren’s voice in his head, he knows he cannot follow Stenwick. He looks up at Ashley “Let’s go tell the others what we have found out” Malachi heads downstairs and pulls the others together at a table in an out of the way corner of the room. “I am sorry, Joren. I cannot follow him.” he hesitates before continuing “I think that they can sense me in some way, this mark gives off some sort of aura or something. I felt it once before, in the tunnels with Andra, almost like they knew we were coming. Tonight Stenwick told us that he could find me anywhere in the city.” He looks up at Samir “Maybe you could disrupt the markings? Similar to what you did when freeing the prisoners.”
He shares what they have learned with the others. “He was going to report us anyway, I thought we may be able to find something out. He will deliver our report and see if Speaker Marigold will want to see us. I did find out why they wanted the mining rigs, to tunnel past the Gloazworms toward something called the heart of flame.”
"You sure you are not wanting me to go and just... prevent or... delay him from reporting us?"
Joren sounds almost disappointed as he grumbles, but does not put up any real argument. He waits to see if Samir can do anything about Malachi's mark.
The words "heart of flame" make him glance at Ashley to see whether she has any reaction to them.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Samir hesitates at Joren's suggestion that he follow the man, his eyes flickering back and forth between the door and the warrior. Internally his mind was going at a ridiculously anxious pace. Nothing in his training or background even remotely qualified him for the sort of skullduggery the man was suggesting. He hadn't even been able to hide staying up late at night reading from his parents, let alone trying to tail an unknown cultist through strange city streets.
Thankfully, Malachi came down the stairs just in time, presenting him with a quandary far more suited to his skills and capabilities. "I am certainly willing to try. I should take some time to consider the implications and methods, however. Given that this particular mark is on your flesh, and not an inanimate piece of metal."
“Take whatever time you need” Malachi responds to Samir “Just do what you can to break this connection. I don’t want to be a beacon to the group.” He rubs his forehead again without thinking and continues bitterly “I was content to report the threat and maybe cash in a healthy reward, now I wanted this cursed mark off of me.”
Witht eh hour growing late, the adventurers make their way to their two rooms. The straw mattresses are far from luxurious, but haven't seen much use, what with the Inn being geared toward locals with nearby homes to return to. Samir stays up, going through his notes by candlelight and recalling the difficult process he had gone through those long days ago. Eventually though, Samir too finds his pillow and lies down to get some sleep.
With the morning sun rising, and the tolling of the first day bell, they start to rise once more. As the first of the adventurers start to head downstairs for some breakfast, the front door of the inn creaks, and an oddly familiar-looking half orc walks in with an curious limp.
As the group gather around the breakfast table eating their full, the half orc sits down with them and removes the hood from his head, "don't scream, or shout or make a scene please." He projects into Ashley's head specifically with the familiar tone of Vilus' voice.
Aloud to the group he states, "I heard tell of a rowdy group of odd looking individuals in this area... You guys wouldn't know anything about that eh?" Leaning back he smiles a toothy half orc grin
Ashley lies awake a long time on the straw bed. She was glad that their group didn't raise suspicion with Stenwick, but what was the man telling Marigold and the rest of the cultists? Are they going to make the connection to the group in Tensmith that thwarted their efforts? Especially since they even said that's where they came from. She figured it was only a matter of time till they knew who they were. And honestly, was that a bad thing? It takes away the element of surprise, but isn't that it? They were bound to fight them anyways. And this mention of the Heart of Flame, what even was that? Did it have anything to do with her dream with the Blue Lady?
The next morning she makes her way down to breakfast, yawning loudly and stretching as she makes her way. She settles herself with the others that have come down and starts pulling together some semblance of breakfast. As the door creaks she looks up. The figure there gives her pause, but she doesn't know why, its strong and itches right at the back of her brain.
As the half-orc sits down, she is about to say something, when his voice enters her mind. Ashley's eyes go to the size of saucers and her mouth drops open briefly - but then forms a huge grin. She responds to him in her head, You're lucky you said not to make a scene or I'd be screaming right now.. though you're not stopping this. and she gets up and throws her arms around Vilus, hugging him tightly.
Vilus, wearing the same half-orc appearance he had used in Tensmith, is at last reunited with group.
Neither Naeve nor Aaron are working at the moment, and the morning staff is entirely fresh faces. One waitress comes up to the table with a metal platter stacked with ale mugs. "Hello there, I was informed your table is drinking for free this morning. Can I interest of y'all in some ale?"
"oh we have been making impressions, eh?" Vilus chuckles at the group.