The scream shakes the room and for a brief moment, the guildmembers look around to find the source of the noise. Kneecap carefully pockets the artifact without anyone noticing, but in a brief moment the guildmembers again begin descending down. Larrynd holds his hands up against the three guild men that have now worked their way down to your level. “Hold on, we don’t need to cuff them. The guild master wants to take them to the overseer, so they’ll go to the overseer…” he turns to look at you all. “Yeah…?”
Calim steps forward with a calm demeanor. The clamor feels odd to him. If they were only helping with the defense of the city, the guildmaster might not welcome the intimation that he hadn't the resources or perspective to keep everyone safe, his ego would bristle at that. But, he would not make such a show as this. No, something else was awry. The mystery of this sinkhole and the goings on here might well be less mysterious to the authorities. Perhaps they were either aware, benefiting or directing the experiments below. In all cases, he suddenly felt the wash of foolishness one does when standing back from a problem with more perspective. He thought to himself, "My eye has been off the true machinations of this place. Best to always watch our backs, cover our tracks, take the temperature of the powers that be."
"What an absolute boondoggle, sir." Calim again puts on his fools swagger. Allowing them to think him an old clown, per usual. "I regret being uninformed about your wishes for us. And, don't blame my friends. They are strangers to these parts and must have taken your reservations less as restrictions and more as suggested caution." Calim scans to see if anyone in the group is known to him.
Perception 15
He then tries to remember if there has been other scuttlebutt around town as to how best to deal with these folks, whispers in his shop, too drunk conversations at the inn, admonitions by his children.
History 19
Too long has he been asleep at the forge, cotton in his ears and plodding through his life. Too long has he been feeling sorry for himself. If he is to be honest, it was even before his love passed. He had been muted, for years. But, not now. He was awake. Something is amiss in his town. He is alert and ready.
((Looking for some information that might help him know how to handle the authorities with a bit more advantage...do we bribe, persuade, glad-hand, flatter? Also, he is going to be on constant alert to anything that might nod to collusion. Let me know if I need to roll. I'll hang with that 15 for as long as you think it reasonable.))
Callim notes no one of importance. Typically, the majority of all those who come to Westhaven seeking adventure find themselves in the service of the guild, and there is heavy turn around for troops, as soon as they’ve earned enough to get on their feet in the city. Callim would assume all of them to be fledgling guild members; new and inexperienced. The three men that descended down give larrynd a skeptical look before one of them exclaims.. “alright, up you lot! After you. And then, to the overseer. No funny moves, I’ve got my eye on you.”
"Well. are we going with them, or making a run for it?" Sabina asks in a hushed voice. She's read to follow Kneepcap back to where they had found that trap door.
Volneer looks ready to explode, but manages to speak calmly. "We go with them, meet this overseer, and then continue from that point. At least, that's what I'm going to do."
Kneecap looks at Volneer and sees both the anger, and the determination on the man's face. He puts the X into his bag, somewhere near the bottom, perhaps wrapped in some dirty dwarven cloths to discourage and searches.
He looks at Sabina, "It's OK my lady, let's go with them and see whats up. This is why I like a ship. One captain, one crew! In a city, everyone thinks they are a captain. No one wants things they are the crew. Its why all the streets are so dirty. Hahahaha" he breaks into another laugh, and looks at the bottom of his boots. "Filthy!"
"OK, let's go see this Overseer, just a stupid name for a captain if you ask me. Skipper, that would be a better title..." he begins to mutter and laugh to himself, ready to follow the group and the guards.
Sabina nods. "Alright, we'll go talk to the Overseer. Hopefully he will at least be somewhat reasonable." She too will follow the group and guards back up and to the city.
It’s a fair walk back to the city, and what seems like forever with the persistent sets of guild member eyes upon you. As you pass through west haven, passerby’s look upon you with curiosity, and avert their gaze should you catch them looking at you for too long. the trail leads you past the town square, around a large temple of worship and up a steep slop that spans 50-60 feet high, and sitting atop this cliffside is a large structure that serves as the overseers mansion, and close by, a commandingly tall wizards tower.
as you enter the mansion, the Westhaven guards are there to receive you, as the guild members hand you off and return back down to the main city. The guards usher you to the right, through two large and beautifully crafted hardwood doors. Beyond which, lies an incredibly vast council chamber which fits a long table made of a single slab Norean Feypine— a rare and exotic wood that features a beautifully simple grain pattern, but due to the magical native wildlife, the wood is imbued with magical purple spalting. On the far end of this table sits an egg-shaped man with an intricately swirled mustache and pointy goatee. “how the might have fallen, O Callim. One of the first of Westhaven, builder of buildings and craftsmen of *he rubs his fingertips across the smooth finish of the council table* sheer beauty. Yet I hear you have managed to assemble a band of newcomers, and have taken it upon yourself to directly defy orders set forth by Guildmaster Gentry, and therefor the very foundation of the Law set forth and well preserved by yours truly. What poor defense have you for me? Speak, the lot of you.”
Volneer steps forward. "Sir, if I may speak. You clearly do not know the full story, as I'm sure you have gathered your information directly from Guildmaster Gentry, as you call him. Yesterday, a sinkhole appeared in the earth a little outside the borders of Westhaven. I, Calim, a man named Dorn, and a dwarf named kneecap were brave enough to travel into that sinkhole to see what lurked there. Neither Guildmaster Gentry, any guild members, or the city guard were willing to do this. We entered into the sinkhole unassisted, and do you know what we found there? A savage cult, that has been working under are city for who knows how long. The cultists, we found there were summoning a great slime, a beast that fed on the flesh of humans. We fought that beast together, sustaining many wounds. Had we not been there to intercept, it would surely have marched on the town, taking many lives among the guard and the citizens. We continued to explore, and found that the cultists were harboring ghouls, which we also fought, at great personal risk, unassisted, as it were, by the guild or the guards. We continued to explore, finding a vast array of underground tunnels, which suggest that the cultists have been here for some time, right under the guilds nose. We left the caverns, intending to rest and heal, contact the guildmaster for support, and return. The guildmaster, however, treated our contributions with disdain, calling it an 'unsanctioned field trip' and berating calim for his efforts. When we returned, aided by our friend Sabina, who met us in the village, he threatened us with arrest, claiming to not have known of our desire to return, and threatening us. He brought us to you, and here we are. I believe he is spiteful that when a problem arose that he had no idea about, a few people quickly went about solving it much faster than either he or his guild could. Sir, his lies arise only from spite." He then glares at the guildmaster, challenging him to contradict his words. "Even as we speak, there is a door to a room that we have yet to be able to open, where any number of cultists might be, preparing to attack the village, and we're wasting our time here, arguing like schoolchildren." He holds eye contact with the Overseer, waiting for his response.
As Volneer scans the room for the guildmaster, he’s nowhere to be seen. As a matter of fact, although he heard his voice from the pit, when Volneer and the party reached the top, the guildmaster was already gone.
As Volneer continues— “…We’re wasting our time here, arguing like school children” he hears the voice of the guildmaster, finally, behind him.
“it is unbecoming of a newcomer to so hastily disparage the law of westhaven, and the authority within that safeguards the city and its people.”. The Guildmaster, Larkas Gentry slowly approaches around the party, sternly eyeing Volneer as he speaks. He makes his way to the right side of the Overseer and places both hands on the table. “For that, the Overseer would have seen you stripped of citizenship, and fed to the Noreanite savages. You can thank yours truly for setting up this meeting instead. Now, we know all about your cultists, your blobs of slime, and your ghouls— and there’s quite a bit more, if you’re done attempting to smear the names of Westhaven’s leadership; perhaps you can all take a seat.” And as he says this, he will pull out his chair, and take a seat at the council table, and wait for each of you to decide your next action.
"Stripped me of my citizenship? You are too hasty. I'm no citizen, I arrived here yesterday. As for savages, we'll, I've dealt with many of them on my travels, and not one had managed to eat me yet. As for smearing your names, well, the lack of order sort of speaks for itself. And I do not sit among enemies."
Sabina followed quietly back with the group. And listened quietly when Volneer speaks out at length. This does all seem rather silly. She is about to speak when the Guildmaster appears from behind them. Having been asked to take a seat, she shrugs and quickly complies.
"He actually sounds like a captain" Kneecap mutters to himself, and takes a seat.
Volneer wonders to himself whether kneecap is talking about the guildmaster or himself, but then shrugs it off. He continues to wait for the guildmaster or the overseer to speak.
Larkas bursts into a loud later, “Haha! I admire your loose temper… but If we are your enemies Volneer, then you have no place here in the mansion, except maybe in the stocks with irons on.”
Then, a familiar voice comes from behind— Dorn:
”Volneer was great aid down in the temple, and he should be given a bit of reverence.” Dorn greets you all with his squire in tow. He will sit at the opposite side, across from Larkas, as Aria stands behind him. She blushes and seems very excited to see each of you.
”at least, direct this conversation from an argument, to a resolution. Friends, after our adventure, I went to inform the council about what happened down below, and we’ve spent some time collaborating on understanding just what this all means. Each of you are formidable, and trustworthy. I encourage you to take a seat at the table.” he will look at kneecap, and nod his head, and look over to Sabina— “I’m sorry, but I can’t quite remember if we have been formally introduced. I am Dorn Tallstag, of house Tallstag in Tethyr. I’ve come to Westhaven to spread the light of the Gods. And this here is Aria, my squire.”
Guildmaster Larkas Gentry seems perturbed by Dorns calm and commanding position, but admits: “Sit and join our efforts, or leave this council meeting. You may choose, but if you don’t, a decision will be made for you. The fact is, the three of us here may need more support from the likes of… you all. Callim, Volneer, make your decisions quickly!”
Kneecap looks at the guild master, "The elf lad has a fair point" with a nod towards Volneer. "Feel more like criminals then protectors since we left the hole."
"Perhaps a big bowl of Noriberries might be a good gesture? Yeah?" he looks at the guildmaster, hopeful. "I'm happy to tell a joke or two while someone fetches them. Yeah?"
He looks at Sabina and lowers his voice a little, which is still quite loud for the room, "I think you'll like the first joke, it's about a frost giant, a bag of holding, seven ... we'll let's wait for the Noriberries before I say more."
The scream shakes the room and for a brief moment, the guildmembers look around to find the source of the noise. Kneecap carefully pockets the artifact without anyone noticing, but in a brief moment the guildmembers again begin descending down. Larrynd holds his hands up against the three guild men that have now worked their way down to your level. “Hold on, we don’t need to cuff them. The guild master wants to take them to the overseer, so they’ll go to the overseer…” he turns to look at you all. “Yeah…?”
"Precisely. I will not be a prisoner."
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
Calim steps forward with a calm demeanor. The clamor feels odd to him. If they were only helping with the defense of the city, the guildmaster might not welcome the intimation that he hadn't the resources or perspective to keep everyone safe, his ego would bristle at that. But, he would not make such a show as this. No, something else was awry. The mystery of this sinkhole and the goings on here might well be less mysterious to the authorities. Perhaps they were either aware, benefiting or directing the experiments below. In all cases, he suddenly felt the wash of foolishness one does when standing back from a problem with more perspective. He thought to himself, "My eye has been off the true machinations of this place. Best to always watch our backs, cover our tracks, take the temperature of the powers that be."
"What an absolute boondoggle, sir." Calim again puts on his fools swagger. Allowing them to think him an old clown, per usual. "I regret being uninformed about your wishes for us. And, don't blame my friends. They are strangers to these parts and must have taken your reservations less as restrictions and more as suggested caution." Calim scans to see if anyone in the group is known to him.
Perception 15
He then tries to remember if there has been other scuttlebutt around town as to how best to deal with these folks, whispers in his shop, too drunk conversations at the inn, admonitions by his children.
History 19
Too long has he been asleep at the forge, cotton in his ears and plodding through his life. Too long has he been feeling sorry for himself. If he is to be honest, it was even before his love passed. He had been muted, for years. But, not now. He was awake. Something is amiss in his town. He is alert and ready.
((Looking for some information that might help him know how to handle the authorities with a bit more advantage...do we bribe, persuade, glad-hand, flatter? Also, he is going to be on constant alert to anything that might nod to collusion. Let me know if I need to roll. I'll hang with that 15 for as long as you think it reasonable.))
Callim notes no one of importance. Typically, the majority of all those who come to Westhaven seeking adventure find themselves in the service of the guild, and there is heavy turn around for troops, as soon as they’ve earned enough to get on their feet in the city. Callim would assume all of them to be fledgling guild members; new and inexperienced. The three men that descended down give larrynd a skeptical look before one of them exclaims.. “alright, up you lot! After you. And then, to the overseer. No funny moves, I’ve got my eye on you.”
"Well. are we going with them, or making a run for it?" Sabina asks in a hushed voice. She's read to follow Kneepcap back to where they had found that trap door.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Volneer looks ready to explode, but manages to speak calmly. "We go with them, meet this overseer, and then continue from that point. At least, that's what I'm going to do."
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
Kneecap looks at Volneer and sees both the anger, and the determination on the man's face. He puts the X into his bag, somewhere near the bottom, perhaps wrapped in some dirty dwarven cloths to discourage and searches.
He looks at Sabina, "It's OK my lady, let's go with them and see whats up. This is why I like a ship. One captain, one crew! In a city, everyone thinks they are a captain. No one wants things they are the crew. Its why all the streets are so dirty. Hahahaha" he breaks into another laugh, and looks at the bottom of his boots. "Filthy!"
"OK, let's go see this Overseer, just a stupid name for a captain if you ask me. Skipper, that would be a better title..." he begins to mutter and laugh to himself, ready to follow the group and the guards.
Sabina nods. "Alright, we'll go talk to the Overseer. Hopefully he will at least be somewhat reasonable." She too will follow the group and guards back up and to the city.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
It’s a fair walk back to the city, and what seems like forever with the persistent sets of guild member eyes upon you. As you pass through west haven, passerby’s look upon you with curiosity, and avert their gaze should you catch them looking at you for too long.
the trail leads you past the town square, around a large temple of worship and up a steep slop that spans 50-60 feet high, and sitting atop this cliffside is a large structure that serves as the overseers mansion, and close by, a commandingly tall wizards tower.
as you enter the mansion, the Westhaven guards are there to receive you, as the guild members hand you off and return back down to the main city. The guards usher you to the right, through two large and beautifully crafted hardwood doors. Beyond which, lies an incredibly vast council chamber which fits a long table made of a single slab Norean Feypine— a rare and exotic wood that features a beautifully simple grain pattern, but due to the magical native wildlife, the wood is imbued with magical purple spalting. On the far end of this table sits an egg-shaped man with an intricately swirled mustache and pointy goatee.
“how the might have fallen, O Callim. One of the first of Westhaven, builder of buildings and craftsmen of *he rubs his fingertips across the smooth finish of the council table* sheer beauty. Yet I hear you have managed to assemble a band of newcomers, and have taken it upon yourself to directly defy orders set forth by Guildmaster Gentry, and therefor the very foundation of the Law set forth and well preserved by yours truly. What poor defense have you for me? Speak, the lot of you.”
Volneer steps forward. "Sir, if I may speak. You clearly do not know the full story, as I'm sure you have gathered your information directly from Guildmaster Gentry, as you call him. Yesterday, a sinkhole appeared in the earth a little outside the borders of Westhaven. I, Calim, a man named Dorn, and a dwarf named kneecap were brave enough to travel into that sinkhole to see what lurked there. Neither Guildmaster Gentry, any guild members, or the city guard were willing to do this. We entered into the sinkhole unassisted, and do you know what we found there? A savage cult, that has been working under are city for who knows how long. The cultists, we found there were summoning a great slime, a beast that fed on the flesh of humans. We fought that beast together, sustaining many wounds. Had we not been there to intercept, it would surely have marched on the town, taking many lives among the guard and the citizens. We continued to explore, and found that the cultists were harboring ghouls, which we also fought, at great personal risk, unassisted, as it were, by the guild or the guards. We continued to explore, finding a vast array of underground tunnels, which suggest that the cultists have been here for some time, right under the guilds nose. We left the caverns, intending to rest and heal, contact the guildmaster for support, and return. The guildmaster, however, treated our contributions with disdain, calling it an 'unsanctioned field trip' and berating calim for his efforts. When we returned, aided by our friend Sabina, who met us in the village, he threatened us with arrest, claiming to not have known of our desire to return, and threatening us. He brought us to you, and here we are. I believe he is spiteful that when a problem arose that he had no idea about, a few people quickly went about solving it much faster than either he or his guild could. Sir, his lies arise only from spite." He then glares at the guildmaster, challenging him to contradict his words. "Even as we speak, there is a door to a room that we have yet to be able to open, where any number of cultists might be, preparing to attack the village, and we're wasting our time here, arguing like schoolchildren." He holds eye contact with the Overseer, waiting for his response.
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
As Volneer scans the room for the guildmaster, he’s nowhere to be seen. As a matter of fact, although he heard his voice from the pit, when Volneer and the party reached the top, the guildmaster was already gone.
As Volneer continues— “…We’re wasting our time here, arguing like school children” he hears the voice of the guildmaster, finally, behind him.
“it is unbecoming of a newcomer to so hastily disparage the law of westhaven, and the authority within that safeguards the city and its people.”. The Guildmaster, Larkas Gentry slowly approaches around the party, sternly eyeing Volneer as he speaks. He makes his way to the right side of the Overseer and places both hands on the table. “For that, the Overseer would have seen you stripped of citizenship, and fed to the Noreanite savages. You can thank yours truly for setting up this meeting instead. Now, we know all about your cultists, your blobs of slime, and your ghouls— and there’s quite a bit more, if you’re done attempting to smear the names of Westhaven’s leadership; perhaps you can all take a seat.” And as he says this, he will pull out his chair, and take a seat at the council table, and wait for each of you to decide your next action.
"Stripped me of my citizenship? You are too hasty. I'm no citizen, I arrived here yesterday. As for savages, we'll, I've dealt with many of them on my travels, and not one had managed to eat me yet. As for smearing your names, well, the lack of order sort of speaks for itself. And I do not sit among enemies."
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
"He actually sounds like a captain" Kneecap mutters to himself, and takes a seat.
Sabina followed quietly back with the group. And listened quietly when Volneer speaks out at length. This does all seem rather silly. She is about to speak when the Guildmaster appears from behind them. Having been asked to take a seat, she shrugs and quickly complies.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Volneer wonders to himself whether kneecap is talking about the guildmaster or himself, but then shrugs it off. He continues to wait for the guildmaster or the overseer to speak.
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
Larkas bursts into a loud later, “Haha! I admire your loose temper… but If we are your enemies Volneer, then you have no place here in the mansion, except maybe in the stocks with irons on.”
Then, a familiar voice comes from behind— Dorn:
”Volneer was great aid down in the temple, and he should be given a bit of reverence.” Dorn greets you all with his squire in tow. He will sit at the opposite side, across from Larkas, as Aria stands behind him. She blushes and seems very excited to see each of you.
”at least, direct this conversation from an argument, to a resolution. Friends, after our adventure, I went to inform the council about what happened down below, and we’ve spent some time collaborating on understanding just what this all means. Each of you are formidable, and trustworthy. I encourage you to take a seat at the table.”
he will look at kneecap, and nod his head, and look over to Sabina— “I’m sorry, but I can’t quite remember if we have been formally introduced. I am Dorn Tallstag, of house Tallstag in Tethyr. I’ve come to Westhaven to spread the light of the Gods. And this here is Aria, my squire.”
Guildmaster Larkas Gentry seems perturbed by Dorns calm and commanding position, but admits: “Sit and join our efforts, or leave this council meeting. You may choose, but if you don’t, a decision will be made for you. The fact is, the three of us here may need more support from the likes of… you all. Callim, Volneer, make your decisions quickly!”
"Good to see you again" Kneecap says to Dorn, "you too lass" he adds to Aria.
He then looks at Calim and Volneer, waiting for their decisions.
Volneer sits, tense, "If you need assistance from us, you might want to be slower to insult us. You never know who you might need."
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
Kneecap looks at the guild master, "The elf lad has a fair point" with a nod towards Volneer. "Feel more like criminals then protectors since we left the hole."
"Perhaps a big bowl of Noriberries might be a good gesture? Yeah?" he looks at the guildmaster, hopeful. "I'm happy to tell a joke or two while someone fetches them. Yeah?"
He looks at Sabina and lowers his voice a little, which is still quite loud for the room, "I think you'll like the first joke, it's about a frost giant, a bag of holding, seven ... we'll let's wait for the Noriberries before I say more."
Volneer stares at kneecap, mouth slightly open.
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-