As Ashley enters the room, Malachi looks up at the sound of footsteps and discussions coming from the floors above, a frown crossing his face. He warns the others "Something is coming. Be careful, we don’t know who we can trust here.” He instinctively takes a step back closer to the wall, away from the stairwell.
Ashley's face breaks into a broad grin when she makes the connection to Joren and the Khirian Dynasty. A tinge of worry, worms its way into her brain as she recalls how Joren was banished from the land, but she decides that this man will know nothing about that and if he is half the man Joren is, he is the man they want on their side.
Ashley reaches out and shakes the goliath's hand. "Well met indeed. I cannot express how thrilled and relieved I am, we are, to find you. My name is Ashley Moon, from the Smoking Sands. We have all traveled a great distance to get here, and news from Tensmith? I will tell you that the city is now open and my friends and I have a lot to discuss." She glances to the one that brought her in, then back to Jean-Lou, "I must press for privacy though, we have good reason for this request." She lets go of his hand and hands him the letter.
Jean-Lou opens the letter and gives its contents a quick pass. "And the others are waiting outside?" The attendant nods. "Good. Send them in, and then make sure we are not interrupted."
The attendant nods again and replies, "What kind of tea shall I have prepared for after?"
Jean-Lou looks at the letter again, smiles at Ashley, and says "December Sprig, thank you." With that, the attendant returns to the entrance and invites the others in.
At the same time, the first of the people from upstairs start to appear around the curve of the stairwell. Among them a re a handful of armed guards, though the atmosphere seems fairly relaxed and routine.
Joren enters the room last, acting as rear guard as if in hostile territory. Which it might in fact be.
He glances sharply at Malachi as the half-elf warns that something is coming. How is he knowing that? I thought Samir was removing the link to Razmus. Almost, almost, he summons his echo, but decides that doing so might be a provocation that would be too difficult to explain.
Seeing the goliath, apparently Talmouth council-member Jean-Lou and once perhaps a Khirian officer, stops Joren short. He feels acutely aware of the jagged rents in his own armor from the giant gloazworm larva's maw, though he has done his best to care for his gear as befits even an exiled Echo Knight.
If and when Joren makes eye contact with Jean-Lou, he offers an unobtrusive salute, tapping the hilt of his greatsword behind his back respectfully and quietly saying only "Sir." But Joren's mind is racing. I am not recognizing him. Far from the Dalmodh Plains, he and I. Only I am in exile and he...
The armor and weapons in the display cases confirm to Joren who Jean-Lou once was, though they are of an older design, but he does not recognize the crest and cannot place the goliath's lineage. Never Joren's strong suit anyway, perhaps not surprisingly, being bastard-born himself...
As Joren fades back to a post near the rear wall where he can watch the entire room, his friends might hear him murmur as he passes: "We are finding either a capable ally or a formidable foe. I am greatly hoping for the former."
The door closes behind as the attendant leaves the room. Jean-Lou seems to take in every detail of the newcomers, still standing tall in front of his desk. "What an interesting group you are having here. Last time I saw a genasi, I was still campaigning back east. I take you to be a servant of the Order of the Azure Rose," he says, looking at Marion. "And then a part-giant, part-orc, part-elf... and if I'm not being mistaken, that would be a fellow countryman in the back there. Jean-Lou of the House of Tanill am I. Soldier turned diplomat turned councilman Pleasure to be making your acquaintance." He smiles broadly
He makes an inviting gesture with his hands towards the two chairs facing the front of his desk, and then walks over to the corner of the room where a 3 others are pushed against the wall. He effortlessly lifts two of them, one with each arm, and brings them over to the others, talking as he walks. "I am seeing a group of interesting travel companions. But what's more, I am seeing wounds still healing, armour dented and torn, and blades freshly bathed in blood." He sets the chairs down and returns for the last one. "Mayor Berg has laid out what he could of the situation. A good friend he is, if a bit of a... what is the expression... donkey's ass sometimes. Very good he is at his job, though. But he has a politician's eye for things. I want to hear it from the mouths of warriors. What is the situation?" He sets the 5th chair down with the others in front of his desk.
Joren opens his mouth and then closes it again. He nods respectfully in appreciation for the fifth chair being set down but remains standing for now.
"Sir," he manages finally. "Is this room secure from those who might be eavesdropping? Either by mundane means or... otherwise?"
He searches the goliath's face and posture. Jean-Lou of House Tanill. Joren finds himself wanting very badly to believe he is an honest and honorable solider at heart and spill his guts without reservation. I am no good at this cloak and dagger shadow war.Vilus and perhaps Malachi are.
JorenInsight: 18 - mainly intended for Jean-Lou's coming response(s).
Seeing that he is still one chair short, Jean-Lou pulls his own comfortable high-backed chair out from behind his desk and sets it out with the others. Joren then half-expects him to stand, establishing a position of power, but he instead sits down on the edge of his desk.
"Yes, I am certain of this room's security. My attendant, who you met, has some affinity for the 'otherwise'. He scans the room each morning for traces of magic, and at this hour you are the first guests I've entertained. And please," he smiles at Joren. "My time as 'Sir' is well behind me. Though if we didn't have such pressing matters to discuss, I would be fascinated, I'm sure, to hear the tale of how a knight from the Dalmodh plains finds himself embroiled in the politics of Cambria. Though I guess I'm hardly in a position to talk. We'll exchange stories sometime. I yearn to hear of home."
His demeanour is friendly, but powerful. Joren suspects he carried some kind of leadership role within the army before ending up here. Then he shifts, and Joren sees the tactician in Jean-Lou come out.
He places a thick finger on the letter sitting on his desk. "Now to business. Tensmith is open now. It's original lockdown was part of a plot by foreign subversive elements, origin unknown. They have infiltrated multiple official stations, including the council. Is that all correct?"
Ashley gives a short derisive laugh at the mention of the mayor being a donkey's ass. She recalls vividly how the man treated his secretary then had the gall to ask her to take the woman's place!
"Yeah, that about sums up the Mayor of Tensmith. And yes, all those items are correct and there is more. It isn't pretty and we have been deceived more often than not, so you can understand why we are all hesitant to trust you, forthcoming as you appear. Quick question for you, why did you ask for tea?" she raises her eyebrow as she asks this, wondering how he is going to respond.
Jean-Lou gives Ashley an appraising eye. "Sharp. Though I should not be surprised. I am thinking honesty is best here in this conversation, so I will be forthright. My attendant and I use code to communicate our priorities without being rude to my guests. I informed him that nothing else is important enough to warrant interruption. Well, almost nothing. A disaster like a fire or an earthquake would warrant a hasty retreat."
Vilus shifts uncomfortably at being called a giant kin, it was true enough that the firbolg he is disguised as was distantly related to giants, the same kind of relation that Vilus is, in his natural Goliath form... Did this man see through his disguise? No.. he couldn't, Vilus ponders a moment before deciding against using firbolgs in the future.
As Ashley questions the tea, Vilus can only assume of what she is referring to, some interaction from before he entered the room, he is impressed though at her perception of these small details and wonders if her levels of paranoia have soared since he last saw her in tensmith.
"Also please inform us if you have ever been a sailor, or ever travelled west by sea in your life." Vilus asks from the back.
Jean-Luc raises an eyebrow. "Some inside jest, or is this being related to the crisis at hand? No, I have never traveled over the sea. This is as far west as I have come." He goes quiet for a moment, looking off to the side in thought. "Andra. Marigold. Both named in this letter. Both being involved in the failed expedition. So this is a meaningful link to you, no? Do you suspect all of the crew of that voyage? Are there others involved besides them? And importantly so, what is your estimation of their capabilities?" He looks at Joren in particular. "As a fellow soldier, what countermeasures would you think necessary to combat the threat posed?"
Joren looks at Jean-Lou for a long moment, then finally sits down, touching his greatsword for luck. When Ashley brings up tea, he smiles at her almost by accident. That is my lass! Cannot be getting anything by her. He feels heartened to be among friends who understand how this game is played in a way that he does not. Ashley, Vilus, Malachi, Samir, even Marion. A blessing, it is to be among them. You must be protecting them. Always.
Joren decides to trust Jean-Lou.
He squares his shoulders and touches his greatsword for luck. "Sir, ah... Counselor Jean-Lou. I am Joren Kryn, bastard son of Jolien Kryn. Exiled for my... conflict with Bernard Kryn. Better lineage and a better warrior than me. I cannot be telling you of how things stand on the Dalmodh Plains and I probably never will." For a moment, Joren's face crumples. He looks down, grits his teeth and looks up once more, a forced smile on his face.
"But I can tell you of Cambria and Razmus' supporters. The enemy is resourceful and ruthless. Possibly overconfident, though I am not sure - certainly Andra seemed to be. Marigold may not be. But they are fanatical, willing to die for their cause, as several we encountered before Andra were"
"They are uniquely interested in magic. Arcane and divine magic of the Blue Lady, as evidenced in several of us but now me, the flow, as well as the residual magic of our echoes, the Lord of the Red Hunt. Being the two poles opposing their deity, Razmus. Possibly, they could be baited based on this inclination, though I could be reaching. They seek to distill this magic for their own use and also are after some heart of fire in this continent."
He proceeds to tell Jean-Lou, of the volcanic cavern and the giant gloazworms, adult and larvae, showing him the rents in his chain mail, and of the experimental prisoner transformations Jon Shep was performing beneath Opportunity Knocks.
"Another weakness I am sensing is rivalry among the enemy. They are seeming to relish each others' failure as long as they think they themselves can succeed in bringing Razmus' dominion over this continent. Amoral competitiveness. Being an opportunity. Their invading fleet coming from the west that will overwhelm this city, and from what I am seeing, the city is not ready. Bored and itching for show fights and brawls, but not organizing usefully."
Joren pauses. "The only recommendations I have is somehow enlisting the help of both the Blue Lady and the Lord of the Red Hunt, however we can. And suspecting anyone voyaging westward. Another thing I can tell you is my friends here, my echo and I will defend with our lives."
He looks at all of his companions. Especially Ashley.
"An exile... sorry, knowing I should have, from your lack of a crest. I did not mean to freshen any wounds, though I'll have you know, I do not much care whether you are exile or not." He pauses. "Wait, you said Jolien Kryn? Not far removed from royalty, you are. You wouldn't happen to be Thalvik's son, would you?"
He thinks on the rest of Joren's words. "You are right in that the people of this city are not nearly as prepared to mobilize for armed conflict as back east. However we do have strong natural fortifications against a hostile naval approach. Ships, we are well-enough prepared for, but magic, not so much. And I imagine if they have sent a forward force to infiltrate our ranks, they are making efforts to soften our defences"
"This talk of deities and magic is tough to swallow, but between the Mayor's word, and how much sense your tale makes in regards to the current political landscape, I shall set my doubts to the side. Tell me more about this 'heart of fire'. What is its significance? And wait, did you say you have an echo yourself?" Jean-Lou's eyes light up with unasked questions.
"a forward force seems to already be in place" vilus pipes up, putting a hand out to Joren and offering a calming motion keep him on topic, don't reveal too much at once, I know he is of your kin, but we must be careful... Vilus projects into Joren's head as the disguised Goliath continues out loud "those who were on that failed voyage west, they came back changed, set up experiments, have arcane means of tracking and communicating, they have a base under the city, ready to receive the force for invasion.
names of those who were on that expedition will be useful, if you have access to that kind of information, and also rallying a force to combat such an invasion is necessary. We will do what we can about those already here. But we are not an army.
Tell us, what are your priorities with this information, what can you offer to help protect this city, and this continent?" Vilus leans forward in his chair expectantly
As the others move into the room, Malachi hangs behind, looking up the staircase to see who is coming down the stairs. After spotting them and identifying what he can, he slips into the room, hoping to remain out of sight of the group. Perception 24 rolled in channel.
Malachi takes in the splendor of the room, eyes pausing on the weapons and armor on display, and joins the others as they share their tale with Jean-Lou. As the goliath expresses his doubts, he adds in “Tough to swallow, but all too true I am afraid. We know little about the heart of fire, but it is buried somewhere beneath the continent. The cultists meant to steal mining rigs from Tensmith to help the burrow past the gloazworms. A task they succeeded in, unfortunately. We have a report on the theft for you to share with the council.” Malachi passes over the missive on the mining rigs that they received from the Mayor (OOC: I think that was separate from the letter of introduction)
He looks over at Vilus as he shares information about those that had traveled west. “We met another in the city, an old sailor called Stenwick. It is hard to tell how big their group is at this point. Anyone who was part of that journey should be viewed with suspicion and if possible, rounded up quietly.”
The footsteps grow closer, and Malachi sees the first people descending the stairs. He trains his ears on the conversations, trying to filter out all the mindless chatter. Then he hears it. "Councilor Marigold?" One woman, visible from the waist down, stop and turns to listen to the speaker. "There is someone here requesting an audience with you in your office." With that, Marigold changes course and starts walking up the stairs out of sight. The restlessness in Malachi's head fades.
Jean-Lou puts aside his questions for Joren listens while he looks over the report on the mining rigs. "If they invested this much into a plot to gain the rigs, on a timeline they must be. I suspect that acquiring this heart is considered a prerequisite for the landing of their main force. Otherwise, why not just invade, seize Talmouth and Tensmith by force, and then get the rigs the easy way."
To Vilus, he says, "I am a man of action first, and bureaucracy second. But this situation requires a delicate touch. I will need time to convince my fellow council members, of the threat because I alone am limited in executive power. But as long as Marigold sits on the council, any moves I make must be done without alerting her. So my priorities at this point are being, acquire concrete proof that I can take to the others, rally a fighting force, raid the underground, learn when we can expect the invasion, and send a force to apprehend the ones going after the Heart." He stands up and walks around to the back of his desk and pulls a stamp from a drawer. "But there is still much I do not know, and no explanation you give me will be a sufficient substitute for experience. So if willing to fight, you are being, might I enlist your aid? Allow me to make my pitch. There is an old herbalist and healer who has not been seen for some time now, who used to work out of the rows. Her shop has been abandoned long enough that its ownership has been returned to the city. If we are finding proof of this plot, I am having sufficient discretionary funds to acquire it on your behalf. The location has almost no foot traffic, which is not ideal for a shop, but not bad for when you are looking for a cheap place to lay low. With the majority of the council on board, you could then be offered a discresionary allowance of your own in exchange for consulting and coordinating with our efforts. What say you?"
Knowing that several of the others would be far better suited to the conversation, Samir merely keeps to himself for the moment, and listens. In his mind, he keeps going back to the thoughts he had earlier, spurred by his study of the mark on Malachi's skin. The cult's study of runes, and their seemingly incomplete understanding and replication of them. What they were hoping to achieve with those runes and the power of the Godtongue. Was this simply a side effect of their true plans, or was this more central and important to the goals of Rasmus and his followers?
In truth, the scholar in him itched. If he could only get his hands on more pieces to study, more of the cult's bastard efforts... Possibility loomed in front of his vision. Possibility for what could be done by someone who truly understaood the Godtongue Runes and their place in existence. Possibility for what could be accomplished by someone willing to put in the effort and sacrifice without looking for the bloody shortcuts and twists in meaning that the cultists used. It was like his goals of before had suddenly become so much less than what he could see before him now.
Samir's attention turned more fully to the councilor as he spoke of the alchemist's shop that could be given into their use. Certainly something like that could serve them well in a number of regards.
"An exile... sorry, knowing I should have, from your lack of a crest. I did not mean to freshen any wounds, though I'll have you know, I do not much care whether you are exile or not." He pauses. "Wait, you said Jolien Kryn? Not far removed from royalty, you are. You wouldn't happen to be Thalvik's son, would you?"
He thinks on the rest of Joren's words. "You are right in that the people of this city are not nearly as prepared to mobilize for armed conflict as back east. However we do have strong natural fortifications against a hostile naval approach. Ships, we are well-enough prepared for, but magic, not so much. And I imagine if they have sent a forward force to infiltrate our ranks, they are making efforts to soften our defences"
"This talk of deities and magic is tough to swallow, but between the Mayor's word, and how much sense your tale makes in regards to the current political landscape, I shall set my doubts to the side. Tell me more about this 'heart of fire'. What is its significance? And wait, did you say you have an echo yourself?" Jean-Lou's eyes light up with unasked questions.
Joren gives a simple nod to both Jean-Lou's question about his father's identity and his own echo capability, and a slight shake of his head at the phrase "not far removed from royalty." Being a half-dwarven bastard is making me as far removed as I can be. Not that I am wanting any part of royalty and ruling.
He leaves the rest of the answers to the others, though another nod indicates that he is willing to accept Jean-Lou's offer if the others are.
As Ashley enters the room, Malachi looks up at the sound of footsteps and discussions coming from the floors above, a frown crossing his face. He warns the others "Something is coming. Be careful, we don’t know who we can trust here.” He instinctively takes a step back closer to the wall, away from the stairwell.
Ashley's face breaks into a broad grin when she makes the connection to Joren and the Khirian Dynasty. A tinge of worry, worms its way into her brain as she recalls how Joren was banished from the land, but she decides that this man will know nothing about that and if he is half the man Joren is, he is the man they want on their side.
Ashley reaches out and shakes the goliath's hand. "Well met indeed. I cannot express how thrilled and relieved I am, we are, to find you. My name is Ashley Moon, from the Smoking Sands. We have all traveled a great distance to get here, and news from Tensmith? I will tell you that the city is now open and my friends and I have a lot to discuss." She glances to the one that brought her in, then back to Jean-Lou, "I must press for privacy though, we have good reason for this request." She lets go of his hand and hands him the letter.
Jean-Lou opens the letter and gives its contents a quick pass. "And the others are waiting outside?" The attendant nods. "Good. Send them in, and then make sure we are not interrupted."
The attendant nods again and replies, "What kind of tea shall I have prepared for after?"
Jean-Lou looks at the letter again, smiles at Ashley, and says "December Sprig, thank you." With that, the attendant returns to the entrance and invites the others in.
At the same time, the first of the people from upstairs start to appear around the curve of the stairwell. Among them a re a handful of armed guards, though the atmosphere seems fairly relaxed and routine.
Vilus funnels into the room with the others and keeps his hood low over his firbolg disguise, he keeps mostly behind the group.
Joren enters the room last, acting as rear guard as if in hostile territory. Which it might in fact be.
He glances sharply at Malachi as the half-elf warns that something is coming. How is he knowing that? I thought Samir was removing the link to Razmus. Almost, almost, he summons his echo, but decides that doing so might be a provocation that would be too difficult to explain.
Seeing the goliath, apparently Talmouth council-member Jean-Lou and once perhaps a Khirian officer, stops Joren short. He feels acutely aware of the jagged rents in his own armor from the giant gloazworm larva's maw, though he has done his best to care for his gear as befits even an exiled Echo Knight.
If and when Joren makes eye contact with Jean-Lou, he offers an unobtrusive salute, tapping the hilt of his greatsword behind his back respectfully and quietly saying only "Sir." But Joren's mind is racing. I am not recognizing him. Far from the Dalmodh Plains, he and I. Only I am in exile and he...
Joren History: 11
The armor and weapons in the display cases confirm to Joren who Jean-Lou once was, though they are of an older design, but he does not recognize the crest and cannot place the goliath's lineage. Never Joren's strong suit anyway, perhaps not surprisingly, being bastard-born himself...
As Joren fades back to a post near the rear wall where he can watch the entire room, his friends might hear him murmur as he passes: "We are finding either a capable ally or a formidable foe. I am greatly hoping for the former."
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
The door closes behind as the attendant leaves the room. Jean-Lou seems to take in every detail of the newcomers, still standing tall in front of his desk. "What an interesting group you are having here. Last time I saw a genasi, I was still campaigning back east. I take you to be a servant of the Order of the Azure Rose," he says, looking at Marion. "And then a part-giant, part-orc, part-elf... and if I'm not being mistaken, that would be a fellow countryman in the back there. Jean-Lou of the House of Tanill am I. Soldier turned diplomat turned councilman Pleasure to be making your acquaintance." He smiles broadly
He makes an inviting gesture with his hands towards the two chairs facing the front of his desk, and then walks over to the corner of the room where a 3 others are pushed against the wall. He effortlessly lifts two of them, one with each arm, and brings them over to the others, talking as he walks. "I am seeing a group of interesting travel companions. But what's more, I am seeing wounds still healing, armour dented and torn, and blades freshly bathed in blood." He sets the chairs down and returns for the last one. "Mayor Berg has laid out what he could of the situation. A good friend he is, if a bit of a... what is the expression... donkey's ass sometimes. Very good he is at his job, though. But he has a politician's eye for things. I want to hear it from the mouths of warriors. What is the situation?" He sets the 5th chair down with the others in front of his desk.
Joren opens his mouth and then closes it again. He nods respectfully in appreciation for the fifth chair being set down but remains standing for now.
"Sir," he manages finally. "Is this room secure from those who might be eavesdropping? Either by mundane means or... otherwise?"
He searches the goliath's face and posture. Jean-Lou of House Tanill. Joren finds himself wanting very badly to believe he is an honest and honorable solider at heart and spill his guts without reservation. I am no good at this cloak and dagger shadow war. Vilus and perhaps Malachi are.
Joren Insight: 18 - mainly intended for Jean-Lou's coming response(s).
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
Seeing that he is still one chair short, Jean-Lou pulls his own comfortable high-backed chair out from behind his desk and sets it out with the others. Joren then half-expects him to stand, establishing a position of power, but he instead sits down on the edge of his desk.
"Yes, I am certain of this room's security. My attendant, who you met, has some affinity for the 'otherwise'. He scans the room each morning for traces of magic, and at this hour you are the first guests I've entertained. And please," he smiles at Joren. "My time as 'Sir' is well behind me. Though if we didn't have such pressing matters to discuss, I would be fascinated, I'm sure, to hear the tale of how a knight from the Dalmodh plains finds himself embroiled in the politics of Cambria. Though I guess I'm hardly in a position to talk. We'll exchange stories sometime. I yearn to hear of home."
His demeanour is friendly, but powerful. Joren suspects he carried some kind of leadership role within the army before ending up here. Then he shifts, and Joren sees the tactician in Jean-Lou come out.
He places a thick finger on the letter sitting on his desk. "Now to business. Tensmith is open now. It's original lockdown was part of a plot by foreign subversive elements, origin unknown. They have infiltrated multiple official stations, including the council. Is that all correct?"
Ashley gives a short derisive laugh at the mention of the mayor being a donkey's ass. She recalls vividly how the man treated his secretary then had the gall to ask her to take the woman's place!
"Yeah, that about sums up the Mayor of Tensmith. And yes, all those items are correct and there is more. It isn't pretty and we have been deceived more often than not, so you can understand why we are all hesitant to trust you, forthcoming as you appear. Quick question for you, why did you ask for tea?" she raises her eyebrow as she asks this, wondering how he is going to respond.
Jean-Lou gives Ashley an appraising eye. "Sharp. Though I should not be surprised. I am thinking honesty is best here in this conversation, so I will be forthright. My attendant and I use code to communicate our priorities without being rude to my guests. I informed him that nothing else is important enough to warrant interruption. Well, almost nothing. A disaster like a fire or an earthquake would warrant a hasty retreat."
Vilus shifts uncomfortably at being called a giant kin, it was true enough that the firbolg he is disguised as was distantly related to giants, the same kind of relation that Vilus is, in his natural Goliath form... Did this man see through his disguise? No.. he couldn't, Vilus ponders a moment before deciding against using firbolgs in the future.
As Ashley questions the tea, Vilus can only assume of what she is referring to, some interaction from before he entered the room, he is impressed though at her perception of these small details and wonders if her levels of paranoia have soared since he last saw her in tensmith.
"Also please inform us if you have ever been a sailor, or ever travelled west by sea in your life." Vilus asks from the back.
Jean-Luc raises an eyebrow. "Some inside jest, or is this being related to the crisis at hand? No, I have never traveled over the sea. This is as far west as I have come." He goes quiet for a moment, looking off to the side in thought. "Andra. Marigold. Both named in this letter. Both being involved in the failed expedition. So this is a meaningful link to you, no? Do you suspect all of the crew of that voyage? Are there others involved besides them? And importantly so, what is your estimation of their capabilities?" He looks at Joren in particular. "As a fellow soldier, what countermeasures would you think necessary to combat the threat posed?"
Joren looks at Jean-Lou for a long moment, then finally sits down, touching his greatsword for luck. When Ashley brings up tea, he smiles at her almost by accident. That is my lass! Cannot be getting anything by her. He feels heartened to be among friends who understand how this game is played in a way that he does not. Ashley, Vilus, Malachi, Samir, even Marion. A blessing, it is to be among them. You must be protecting them. Always.
Joren decides to trust Jean-Lou.
He squares his shoulders and touches his greatsword for luck. "Sir, ah... Counselor Jean-Lou. I am Joren Kryn, bastard son of Jolien Kryn. Exiled for my... conflict with Bernard Kryn. Better lineage and a better warrior than me. I cannot be telling you of how things stand on the Dalmodh Plains and I probably never will." For a moment, Joren's face crumples. He looks down, grits his teeth and looks up once more, a forced smile on his face.
"But I can tell you of Cambria and Razmus' supporters. The enemy is resourceful and ruthless. Possibly overconfident, though I am not sure - certainly Andra seemed to be. Marigold may not be. But they are fanatical, willing to die for their cause, as several we encountered before Andra were"
"They are uniquely interested in magic. Arcane and divine magic of the Blue Lady, as evidenced in several of us but now me, the flow, as well as the residual magic of our echoes, the Lord of the Red Hunt. Being the two poles opposing their deity, Razmus. Possibly, they could be baited based on this inclination, though I could be reaching. They seek to distill this magic for their own use and also are after some heart of fire in this continent."
He proceeds to tell Jean-Lou, of the volcanic cavern and the giant gloazworms, adult and larvae, showing him the rents in his chain mail, and of the experimental prisoner transformations Jon Shep was performing beneath Opportunity Knocks.
"Another weakness I am sensing is rivalry among the enemy. They are seeming to relish each others' failure as long as they think they themselves can succeed in bringing Razmus' dominion over this continent. Amoral competitiveness. Being an opportunity. Their invading fleet coming from the west that will overwhelm this city, and from what I am seeing, the city is not ready. Bored and itching for show fights and brawls, but not organizing usefully."
Joren pauses. "The only recommendations I have is somehow enlisting the help of both the Blue Lady and the Lord of the Red Hunt, however we can. And suspecting anyone voyaging westward. Another thing I can tell you is my friends here, my echo and I will defend with our lives."
He looks at all of his companions. Especially Ashley.
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
"An exile... sorry, knowing I should have, from your lack of a crest. I did not mean to freshen any wounds, though I'll have you know, I do not much care whether you are exile or not." He pauses. "Wait, you said Jolien Kryn? Not far removed from royalty, you are. You wouldn't happen to be Thalvik's son, would you?"
He thinks on the rest of Joren's words. "You are right in that the people of this city are not nearly as prepared to mobilize for armed conflict as back east. However we do have strong natural fortifications against a hostile naval approach. Ships, we are well-enough prepared for, but magic, not so much. And I imagine if they have sent a forward force to infiltrate our ranks, they are making efforts to soften our defences"
"This talk of deities and magic is tough to swallow, but between the Mayor's word, and how much sense your tale makes in regards to the current political landscape, I shall set my doubts to the side. Tell me more about this 'heart of fire'. What is its significance? And wait, did you say you have an echo yourself?" Jean-Lou's eyes light up with unasked questions.
"a forward force seems to already be in place" vilus pipes up, putting a hand out to Joren and offering a calming motion keep him on topic, don't reveal too much at once, I know he is of your kin, but we must be careful... Vilus projects into Joren's head as the disguised Goliath continues out loud "those who were on that failed voyage west, they came back changed, set up experiments, have arcane means of tracking and communicating, they have a base under the city, ready to receive the force for invasion.
names of those who were on that expedition will be useful, if you have access to that kind of information, and also rallying a force to combat such an invasion is necessary. We will do what we can about those already here. But we are not an army.
Tell us, what are your priorities with this information, what can you offer to help protect this city, and this continent?" Vilus leans forward in his chair expectantly
As the others move into the room, Malachi hangs behind, looking up the staircase to see who is coming down the stairs. After spotting them and identifying what he can, he slips into the room, hoping to remain out of sight of the group. Perception 24 rolled in channel.
Malachi takes in the splendor of the room, eyes pausing on the weapons and armor on display, and joins the others as they share their tale with Jean-Lou. As the goliath expresses his doubts, he adds in “Tough to swallow, but all too true I am afraid. We know little about the heart of fire, but it is buried somewhere beneath the continent. The cultists meant to steal mining rigs from Tensmith to help the burrow past the gloazworms. A task they succeeded in, unfortunately. We have a report on the theft for you to share with the council.” Malachi passes over the missive on the mining rigs that they received from the Mayor (OOC: I think that was separate from the letter of introduction)
He looks over at Vilus as he shares information about those that had traveled west. “We met another in the city, an old sailor called Stenwick. It is hard to tell how big their group is at this point. Anyone who was part of that journey should be viewed with suspicion and if possible, rounded up quietly.”
Malachi:
The footsteps grow closer, and Malachi sees the first people descending the stairs. He trains his ears on the conversations, trying to filter out all the mindless chatter. Then he hears it. "Councilor Marigold?" One woman, visible from the waist down, stop and turns to listen to the speaker. "There is someone here requesting an audience with you in your office." With that, Marigold changes course and starts walking up the stairs out of sight. The restlessness in Malachi's head fades.
Jean-Lou puts aside his questions for Joren listens while he looks over the report on the mining rigs. "If they invested this much into a plot to gain the rigs, on a timeline they must be. I suspect that acquiring this heart is considered a prerequisite for the landing of their main force. Otherwise, why not just invade, seize Talmouth and Tensmith by force, and then get the rigs the easy way."
To Vilus, he says, "I am a man of action first, and bureaucracy second. But this situation requires a delicate touch. I will need time to convince my fellow council members, of the threat because I alone am limited in executive power. But as long as Marigold sits on the council, any moves I make must be done without alerting her. So my priorities at this point are being, acquire concrete proof that I can take to the others, rally a fighting force, raid the underground, learn when we can expect the invasion, and send a force to apprehend the ones going after the Heart." He stands up and walks around to the back of his desk and pulls a stamp from a drawer. "But there is still much I do not know, and no explanation you give me will be a sufficient substitute for experience. So if willing to fight, you are being, might I enlist your aid? Allow me to make my pitch. There is an old herbalist and healer who has not been seen for some time now, who used to work out of the rows. Her shop has been abandoned long enough that its ownership has been returned to the city. If we are finding proof of this plot, I am having sufficient discretionary funds to acquire it on your behalf. The location has almost no foot traffic, which is not ideal for a shop, but not bad for when you are looking for a cheap place to lay low. With the majority of the council on board, you could then be offered a discresionary allowance of your own in exchange for consulting and coordinating with our efforts. What say you?"
Vilus tenses up, "how long has she been missing?" He asks very flatly.
Knowing that several of the others would be far better suited to the conversation, Samir merely keeps to himself for the moment, and listens. In his mind, he keeps going back to the thoughts he had earlier, spurred by his study of the mark on Malachi's skin. The cult's study of runes, and their seemingly incomplete understanding and replication of them. What they were hoping to achieve with those runes and the power of the Godtongue. Was this simply a side effect of their true plans, or was this more central and important to the goals of Rasmus and his followers?
In truth, the scholar in him itched. If he could only get his hands on more pieces to study, more of the cult's bastard efforts... Possibility loomed in front of his vision. Possibility for what could be done by someone who truly understaood the Godtongue Runes and their place in existence. Possibility for what could be accomplished by someone willing to put in the effort and sacrifice without looking for the bloody shortcuts and twists in meaning that the cultists used. It was like his goals of before had suddenly become so much less than what he could see before him now.
Samir's attention turned more fully to the councilor as he spoke of the alchemist's shop that could be given into their use. Certainly something like that could serve them well in a number of regards.
Joren gives a simple nod to both Jean-Lou's question about his father's identity and his own echo capability, and a slight shake of his head at the phrase "not far removed from royalty." Being a half-dwarven bastard is making me as far removed as I can be. Not that I am wanting any part of royalty and ruling.
He leaves the rest of the answers to the others, though another nod indicates that he is willing to accept Jean-Lou's offer if the others are.
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