"O-oh!" Mary exclaims, obviously surprised. She looks to the other nearby homes, "did we come to the wrong one? I'm looking for my brother Leosin." The woman goes up slightly on her toes, as if to peak over Evelyn's shoulder. "Is he here?"
The elf's eyes move [Insight: 25] over every member of the group once more, gleaning what information she can. The raven-haired one and the large man standing in the back. The little goblin beside them. The mother and her boy. The grip on her weapon relaxes, and she gently sets it down on a table next to the door. None of them seemed a threat. "You're in the right place."
"He isn't here though. Left on business a few days ago."
Evelyn steps aside to let Mary and her son into the house."So you're Leosin's sister...But who are they?"Her eyes flick to the two men and goblin behind Mary.
Hadrian would have settled for a nice break from "unexpected," but it appeared he would not get his wish. He is content to stand awkwardly in the back with Xarian and Rox, until the wild-looking woman calls them out specifically. "We were guards on the caravan these two came in on. Mary lured us here with the promise of a hot meal." He says, a disarming smile lighting up his face. With a hand over his heart, he bows slightly. "I'm Hadrian, this little friend here is Rox." He says, gesturing to the goblin.
Despite his best efforts to adapt the speech patterns of common folk over the past few years, it is perhaps something occasional in his pronunciation, inflection, or mannerisms that would make his noble background stick out like a sore thumb to Evelyn. Or perhaps she would recognize him as a Bladesemmer by his physical traits alone since she spent considerable time as a Waterdhavian herself.
Behind the brave face, the polite tone, and smile, she'd notice a kind of tiredness. Not a physical thing. More like the weariness of someone who hadn't had a chance to sit down and properly process a large event of some kind.
Compared to Hadrian, Xari is plainly a baseborn gutter rat turned guard. Hafts of both a greatsword and maul protrude from behind each shoulder and there is a brace of javelins strapped behind his scale mail, all of which look just-polished after seeing some use. Less prominent is the corner of a strange tattered book peeking from the corner of his pack, which seems odd for one who was once a street urchin. His slightly tapered ears hint at some elven blood, though he is more likely a mutt than a true half-elf, and very few half elves would be so broad of shoulder and six and a half feet tall when not slouching (which Xari had assuredly been doing until having stood up straight just now).
A haunted look paints Xari's face like the still-life of a lone lighthouse on a wave-worn rocky point, surrounded by foreboding grey sea and a biting wind. The big man barely seems aware of where he is, following along with the group almost by rote. Before seeing Evelyn, his hazel eyes had been looking off into the distance though, as many young males would, he perks up a little when meeting an unfamiliar young female.
Yet it is not enough to mask the sense of recent trauma, perhaps more psychological or spiritual than physical, exuding from the big man. He had been staring off into space, his mind clearly elsewhere. There is old bruising on his neck and face, as if from a severe beating, though that is almost certainly from too far in the past to be the cause of the trauma. Xari seems to be both hanging close with, yet deferring uncertainly to Hadrian, who he appears to regard not just as a friend, or as a commoner would a lord, but as a temple-goer might regard a strange prophet. Or perhaps a compelling heretic.
Evelyn The goblin Hadrianhad named Rox stares at you blankly as your gaze washes over him. By the empty look in his eyes, you can tell he doesn't seem to understand much(if any) of what is being said around him. He postures near Hadrian, and as later you will notice that he seems to follow the young man's direction. He's simply along for the ride. Mary and the boy, Andy, are little more than they outwardly appear. There's a slight nervousness about them, but that's about all.
"They fought off a bunch of cultists that tried to kidnap me!"Andy blurts out. His mother looks mortified for a moment, gently pulling on his ear. "Sorry. He's excitable. There was...Some trouble on the road." She gestures back towards the two men and goblin behind her. "They went above and beyond what was required of them, and I just wanted to thank them."
Mary steps into the humble home, ushering her boy along. She does turn her head to Evelynas she walks by, raising an eyebrow as she also waits to hear the answer to Hadrian'squestion.
The elf blinks her eyes slowly, unsure of what to make of the strange bunch. "I am.He asked me to stay and watch this place for him. My name is Evelyn."
Nearly imperceptibly, her lips pull inward slightly at the mention of cultists. As Mary steps into the home, Evelyn steps out past her. There isn't enough food in there to feed all of us tonight." She glances over her shoulder at the woman. "You should stay here and rest."
Her gaze returns to the two caravan guards. "I'll make sure these two get their promised meal, the inn isn't far from here." Looking down at the goblin, she corrects herself."These three, I suppose."
"Sounds...Good?" Hadrian replies with some hesitation. He looks to Mary for a moment. "We'll check in with you tomorrow. Sleep well tonight."Waving a goodbye to Andy, he then turns to the elf woman, ready to follow her on the promise of actual food. He taps Rox on the shoulder, miming eating soup from a bowl, then pointing in the direction Evelyn moves to lead them.
Xari rouses himself from his brooding and thump Andy's shoulder. "Remember to help your mum out, yeah kid? That's the flip side of having adventures."
He ambles dutifully out and follows wherever Evelyn leads. Despite the distractions and doubt in his heart, he makes an attempt at casual conversation.
"You work with this Leosin, then, ah... Evelyn? Sounds like he trusts you if he wants you watching his home while he's out."
From overhead, there is a soft hoot and quiet flapping of wings as the owl ostensibly named Ash follows from rooftop to rooftop.
It's a relatively short walk to the Bent Bow, about a minute and a half from the house. It's a two-story structure of weathered stone and timber, with a slightly crooked sign hanging from a metal bracket above the door. The sign creaks softly in the evening breeze, depicting a longbow with an arrow notched on the string. The glow of oil lanterns spill out from the windows onto the street, casting soft amber rectangles on the gravel road. Smoke rises from the chimney in slow spirals, and the porch boards groan underfoot as you step up.
Most of the tables seemed to be full up already, so you instead make your way to the stools lined up against the bar. A broad-shouldered woman in her forties works behind the bar with a practiced rhythm, filling mugs, slinging plates of food, and making easy conversation with other patrons. You sit and ask her what's hot, and she tells you: boar stew, fried trout, or an apple porridge. (1 SP per meal).
OoC: You three, sit and enjoy your meal and conversation for a bit. ;)
Aimon You hardly notice the three newcomers as they enter the Bent Bow, sliding into the bar stools a mere twenty feet from you. No, instead your attention is focused on the displeased tiefling woman in front of you, and the three burly men she brought as her muscle. They had cornered you in the tavern room as you spent the night as you had the past couple - trying to find more information on the enigmatic woman that had hired you. Now, with your back literally in a corner, Vareeza(if that was truly her name at all) sits across the table from you. Evidently she had eyes and ears in the town you weren't aware of. She is a burgundy tiefling with tight horns under a brunette bob, her eyes have irises of silver. In your first meeting she had covered herself head to toe in a cloak - but tonight she wears dark enameled leather armor, with a strange sigil that appears to be a three-pointed star. She doesn't seem to care about being seen anymore, and that frightens you some. "So," she begins in a hushed tone, barely audible over the ambient noise of the tavern room. "I hear you have been asking questions about me Mister Perynor." She interlaces her fingers together, resting her chin atop them as she props her elbows on the table. A long unsettling pause follows. "Are we worried about something all of a sudden my dear? You seemed so eager to please at our last meeting."
Evelyn slides 4 silver coins onto the bar top, ordering the porridge for herself and whatever Hadrian, Xarian, and Rox wish to have. "Sort of."
"It's more my brother that works with him." It wasn't far from the truth. "Can you tell me about these cultists you encountered? After hearing there was trouble...I worry my brother and Leosin may have run into them."
Aimon is barely able to still the nervous shake in his voice. He repeats her question just to give himself a second more to think. The three figures behind Vareeza are certainly imposing, but in truth, the tiefling's ominous presence far outshadows them.
"Not at all. I... well I was simply so taken by you at our meeting and you left so much to the imagination that I had to find out more, you see."
His voice, finally under control, is elegant and charming, moulded by years of mentoring from his silver-tongued father.
He nervously pulls up the collar of his rich, emerald coat, attire which suggests a certain amount of wealth and comfort.
Has she seen the scales? No, no, they haven't reached that far, he worries and then reassures himself.
Despite his practised elegance and his fine garments, the elven man appears to be young, with youthful angular features, vibrant green eyes and a head full of wavy, coppery hair trimmed short at the sides. His high cheekbones are dotted with freckles that match his hair. He sweeps his fringe back away from his eyes in an attempt to distract from the adjustment of his collar.
For Rox, Hadrian tries to look around the inn for the different dishes available, pointing them out to see which the goblin would like. Failing that, he gets him the boar stew.
"The cultists?" He repeats, leaning against the bartop with his hands clasped. "Well..."In his mind he sees the pit, bottomless for all he knew. The elvish woman was right to be nervous. "They ambushed us on the road, just a few days journey from here. Came under the cover of fog and darkness. Killed a number of us, and dragged away as many as they could."
"The three of us and two other caravan guards tracked them to a nearby cave system. They were performing a ritual. Trying to sacrifice those kidnapped to ah..."Aziele's angelic voice echoes in his ears. "Some end."Recollecting his thoughts, he then asks, "What direction were Leosin and your brother traveling?"
Rox seems unaccustomed to the use of a spoon when the stew arrives, simply lifting the bowl to his lips to drink from it. The woman behind the bar makes a face at the display, but says nothing. Coin was coin after all.
Aimon
The tiefling chuckles - it's an empty laugh. "I am sure your adulation has served you well in the past Mister Perynor."
"But it is not pleasing to me."
She looks over her shoulder, towards one of the front windows of the inn. It almost seems like she's listening to something else. Then her head turns back to you, and her silver eyes lock with yours. "You have followed my instructions regarding the item?"
OoC: If you mean to deceive here, roll me that Deception!
Xari begins to fumble absently for a silver piece and looks on the verge of saying something when Evelyn pays for his dinner and for the others. Whatever objection he was going to voice seems to fizzle out in a desultory smile. "Ah... th-thank you, miss. Beats road rations."
(Hadrian): ..."The three of us and two other caravan guards tracked them to a nearby cave system. They were performing a ritual. Trying to sacrifice those kidnapped to ah..." Aziele's angelic voice echoes in his ears. "Some end." ...
"Some end,..." the big man echoes weakly, suddenly not sure how hungry he is any more. He rocks gently back and forth on the barstool subconsciously. From outside in the dark, from the rooftop of the Bent Bow, the plaintive hoot of an owl barely penetrates the din of the common room.
"We killed them. Killed them on the road. Killed them in the cave. Sliced them clean in half..." Xari's mumble is very quiet, as if he is unwittingly verbalizing an internal mental litany. He shivers and hugs himself though it isn't cold, looking away from his companions. Aye, the killing wasn't the problem, though...
"Had it coming, the murderous bastards, sacrificing kids. Cultists, cult leader with red stars for eyes. Killed them all. Rescued the children. All except the one who got sacrificed, and in the end, we rescued her too. Only... a minute later, the bastards' corpses were gone like they'd never been. But something else was there. Someone..."
Xari's restless gaze, wandering around the common room, settles by happenstance on the redheaded elf a few paces away being questioned by the tiefling and her henchmen. The big man's brow furrows and he grunts softly in distracted puzzlement, not thinking clearly enough not to stare. (Insight: 9)
"To the letter," Aimon responds with a confident, reassuring nod, knowing full well he has done anything but follow her instructions. He manages to bury his nervousness beneath a bright smile that illuminates his features.
His fringe falls half across his eyes again. He leaves it this time, letting it add to his boyish charm. Though he suspects such airs will do little for the severe, single-minded tiefling.
"Your consignment will be delivered to Nashkel as per our agreement, guaranteed by Perynor's Gilded Ledger!" he assures her with a flourish of his hand.
"South, what direction did your caravan come from?" A single hand grips the edge of the bartop tightly, turning her knuckles white. Evelyn was moments away from flying into the night to find this cave they spoke of. To look for signs of Finn. They'd been noticed. Caught. The muttering of the other man breaks her out of her doom spiral. "What?"She leans in closer to hear him. He sounded mad. "Red stars?" Confusion befalls her face. "Do you know what they were cultists of?"
As Xarian begins to ramble, Hadrian's brow furrows with worry. Well. That was more or less the cat out of the bag.
They had spoken of it some earlier...But it seemed the ordeal had rattled his friend more than he thought. He reaches out, placing a hand on the big man's shoulder as his gaze settles on something else in the room. "Are you alright buddy?"Briefly, he follows the other man's line of sight, but thinks nothing of the ginger elf and his 'friends.'
He pulls his hand back, turning his attention back to Evelyn. "We came from the [insert DM answer here]."
"And no. Yes." He pauses. "It's complicated." Is the answer he finally settles on. "There was...Something else in the cave." He says, repeating what Xarian had already said. "But it wasn't what we expected, nor I think what the cultists expected. She was like..." Words fail him. "I don't know how to explain. A living star? Not like any goddess, demon, or devil we've ever heard of."
Xarian The tiefling and her associates have their backs turned to you, so you have little to go on in terms of body language. It's not overly difficult to tell that elf was in an uncomfortable situation. It could be simple business. Could be something more sinister. You can't tell at the moment though.
Hadrian West.
Aimon
The corners of Vareeza's lips turn upwards into a slight smile. "Very good Mister Perynor."
"I'm afraid there's been a change of plans however, leading to something of an accelerated schedule. Where are you keeping the item? I'll need to retrieve it tonight."
Xari continues to gaze distractedly at the redheaded elf who appears to be reassuring his interlocutors about something. Very convincingly, in truth. Xari believes the elf, for whatever it's worth. He feels Hadrian's arm on his shoulder but does not turn, nodding absently in response.
"Have you looked up at the sky tonight, Evelyn? Red star up there. Never been there b-before. Doesn't move like the other stars do."
Or is it only Hadrian and I who see it? I guess we can't ask Rox...
"We rescued everyone we saw in the cave who wasn't a cultist. None of the captives had seen anyone else. So your brother might not be there..."
He stalls for time by taking a large gulp of the fine ale he'd ordered before Vareeza's unexpected arrival. He took another for good measure.
"We keep all of our consignments at the storehouse," he says finally, deliberately avoiding reference to the goblet specifically.
Aimon is starting to panic. He nervously adjusts his collar again. He knows she'll insist on going to the storehouse immediately and then he'll be there alone with her and her three strongarms.
"I'm afraid the storehouse is sealed after dark. For our clients' security, you understand. Perhaps I could meet you there at sunup tomorrow?"
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"O-oh!" Mary exclaims, obviously surprised. She looks to the other nearby homes, "did we come to the wrong one? I'm looking for my brother Leosin." The woman goes up slightly on her toes, as if to peak over Evelyn's shoulder. "Is he here?"
The elf's eyes move [Insight: 25] over every member of the group once more, gleaning what information she can. The raven-haired one and the large man standing in the back. The little goblin beside them. The mother and her boy. The grip on her weapon relaxes, and she gently sets it down on a table next to the door. None of them seemed a threat. "You're in the right place."
"He isn't here though. Left on business a few days ago."
Evelyn steps aside to let Mary and her son into the house. "So you're Leosin's sister...But who are they?" Her eyes flick to the two men and goblin behind Mary.
Hadrian would have settled for a nice break from "unexpected," but it appeared he would not get his wish. He is content to stand awkwardly in the back with Xarian and Rox, until the wild-looking woman calls them out specifically. "We were guards on the caravan these two came in on. Mary lured us here with the promise of a hot meal." He says, a disarming smile lighting up his face. With a hand over his heart, he bows slightly. "I'm Hadrian, this little friend here is Rox." He says, gesturing to the goblin.
"So...Are you a friend of Leosin's then?"
Insight
Despite his best efforts to adapt the speech patterns of common folk over the past few years, it is perhaps something occasional in his pronunciation, inflection, or mannerisms that would make his noble background stick out like a sore thumb to Evelyn. Or perhaps she would recognize him as a Bladesemmer by his physical traits alone since she spent considerable time as a Waterdhavian herself.
Behind the brave face, the polite tone, and smile, she'd notice a kind of tiredness. Not a physical thing. More like the weariness of someone who hadn't had a chance to sit down and properly process a large event of some kind.
"Ah... I'm Xari. A-and," the big man points unexpectedly at a dark grey owl circling through the air some distance behind and above him, "that's Ash."
Evelyn's Insight:
Compared to Hadrian, Xari is plainly a baseborn gutter rat turned guard. Hafts of both a greatsword and maul protrude from behind each shoulder and there is a brace of javelins strapped behind his scale mail, all of which look just-polished after seeing some use. Less prominent is the corner of a strange tattered book peeking from the corner of his pack, which seems odd for one who was once a street urchin. His slightly tapered ears hint at some elven blood, though he is more likely a mutt than a true half-elf, and very few half elves would be so broad of shoulder and six and a half feet tall when not slouching (which Xari had assuredly been doing until having stood up straight just now).
A haunted look paints Xari's face like the still-life of a lone lighthouse on a wave-worn rocky point, surrounded by foreboding grey sea and a biting wind. The big man barely seems aware of where he is, following along with the group almost by rote. Before seeing Evelyn, his hazel eyes had been looking off into the distance though, as many young males would, he perks up a little when meeting an unfamiliar young female.
Yet it is not enough to mask the sense of recent trauma, perhaps more psychological or spiritual than physical, exuding from the big man. He had been staring off into space, his mind clearly elsewhere. There is old bruising on his neck and face, as if from a severe beating, though that is almost certainly from too far in the past to be the cause of the trauma. Xari seems to be both hanging close with, yet deferring uncertainly to Hadrian, who he appears to regard not just as a friend, or as a commoner would a lord, but as a temple-goer might regard a strange prophet. Or perhaps a compelling heretic.
Inge(Barbarian2):Krayveneer's After the Fall| Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles| Xarian(Fighter2):NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4):Vos' Beyond the Veil| Soren(Druid5):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft| Nivi(Rogue4):Raiketsu's CoS| Ophelia(Sorcerer4):Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request| Toa(Barbarian6/Fighter4):MrWhisker's Dark Lord's Return| Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court
Evelyn
The goblin Hadrian had named Rox stares at you blankly as your gaze washes over him. By the empty look in his eyes, you can tell he doesn't seem to understand much(if any) of what is being said around him. He postures near Hadrian, and as later you will notice that he seems to follow the young man's direction. He's simply along for the ride. Mary and the boy, Andy, are little more than they outwardly appear. There's a slight nervousness about them, but that's about all.
"They fought off a bunch of cultists that tried to kidnap me!" Andy blurts out. His mother looks mortified for a moment, gently pulling on his ear. "Sorry. He's excitable. There was...Some trouble on the road." She gestures back towards the two men and goblin behind her. "They went above and beyond what was required of them, and I just wanted to thank them."
Mary steps into the humble home, ushering her boy along. She does turn her head to Evelyn as she walks by, raising an eyebrow as she also waits to hear the answer to Hadrian's question.
The elf blinks her eyes slowly, unsure of what to make of the strange bunch. "I am. He asked me to stay and watch this place for him. My name is Evelyn."
Nearly imperceptibly, her lips pull inward slightly at the mention of cultists. As Mary steps into the home, Evelyn steps out past her. There isn't enough food in there to feed all of us tonight." She glances over her shoulder at the woman. "You should stay here and rest."
Her gaze returns to the two caravan guards. "I'll make sure these two get their promised meal, the inn isn't far from here." Looking down at the goblin, she corrects herself. "These three, I suppose."
"Sounds...Good?" Hadrian replies with some hesitation. He looks to Mary for a moment. "We'll check in with you tomorrow. Sleep well tonight." Waving a goodbye to Andy, he then turns to the elf woman, ready to follow her on the promise of actual food. He taps Rox on the shoulder, miming eating soup from a bowl, then pointing in the direction Evelyn moves to lead them.
Xari rouses himself from his brooding and thump Andy's shoulder. "Remember to help your mum out, yeah kid? That's the flip side of having adventures."
He ambles dutifully out and follows wherever Evelyn leads. Despite the distractions and doubt in his heart, he makes an attempt at casual conversation.
"You work with this Leosin, then, ah... Evelyn? Sounds like he trusts you if he wants you watching his home while he's out."
From overhead, there is a soft hoot and quiet flapping of wings as the owl ostensibly named Ash follows from rooftop to rooftop.
Inge(Barbarian2):Krayveneer's After the Fall| Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles| Xarian(Fighter2):NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4):Vos' Beyond the Veil| Soren(Druid5):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft| Nivi(Rogue4):Raiketsu's CoS| Ophelia(Sorcerer4):Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request| Toa(Barbarian6/Fighter4):MrWhisker's Dark Lord's Return| Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court
It's a relatively short walk to the Bent Bow, about a minute and a half from the house. It's a two-story structure of weathered stone and timber, with a slightly crooked sign hanging from a metal bracket above the door. The sign creaks softly in the evening breeze, depicting a longbow with an arrow notched on the string. The glow of oil lanterns spill out from the windows onto the street, casting soft amber rectangles on the gravel road. Smoke rises from the chimney in slow spirals, and the porch boards groan underfoot as you step up.
Most of the tables seemed to be full up already, so you instead make your way to the stools lined up against the bar. A broad-shouldered woman in her forties works behind the bar with a practiced rhythm, filling mugs, slinging plates of food, and making easy conversation with other patrons. You sit and ask her what's hot, and she tells you: boar stew, fried trout, or an apple porridge. (1 SP per meal).
OoC: You three, sit and enjoy your meal and conversation for a bit. ;)
Aimon
You hardly notice the three newcomers as they enter the Bent Bow, sliding into the bar stools a mere twenty feet from you. No, instead your attention is focused on the displeased tiefling woman in front of you, and the three burly men she brought as her muscle. They had cornered you in the tavern room as you spent the night as you had the past couple - trying to find more information on the enigmatic woman that had hired you. Now, with your back literally in a corner, Vareeza(if that was truly her name at all) sits across the table from you. Evidently she had eyes and ears in the town you weren't aware of. She is a burgundy tiefling with tight horns under a brunette bob, her eyes have irises of silver. In your first meeting she had covered herself head to toe in a cloak - but tonight she wears dark enameled leather armor, with a strange sigil that appears to be a three-pointed star. She doesn't seem to care about being seen anymore, and that frightens you some. "So," she begins in a hushed tone, barely audible over the ambient noise of the tavern room. "I hear you have been asking questions about me Mister Perynor." She interlaces her fingers together, resting her chin atop them as she props her elbows on the table. A long unsettling pause follows. "Are we worried about something all of a sudden my dear? You seemed so eager to please at our last meeting."
Evelyn slides 4 silver coins onto the bar top, ordering the porridge for herself and whatever Hadrian, Xarian, and Rox wish to have. "Sort of."
"It's more my brother that works with him." It wasn't far from the truth. "Can you tell me about these cultists you encountered? After hearing there was trouble...I worry my brother and Leosin may have run into them."
"Oh, Lady Vareeza! Worried you say? Me?"
Aimon is barely able to still the nervous shake in his voice. He repeats her question just to give himself a second more to think. The three figures behind Vareeza are certainly imposing, but in truth, the tiefling's ominous presence far outshadows them.
"Not at all. I... well I was simply so taken by you at our meeting and you left so much to the imagination that I had to find out more, you see."
His voice, finally under control, is elegant and charming, moulded by years of mentoring from his silver-tongued father.
He nervously pulls up the collar of his rich, emerald coat, attire which suggests a certain amount of wealth and comfort.
Has she seen the scales? No, no, they haven't reached that far, he worries and then reassures himself.
Despite his practised elegance and his fine garments, the elven man appears to be young, with youthful angular features, vibrant green eyes and a head full of wavy, coppery hair trimmed short at the sides. His high cheekbones are dotted with freckles that match his hair. He sweeps his fringe back away from his eyes in an attempt to distract from the adjustment of his collar.
For Rox, Hadrian tries to look around the inn for the different dishes available, pointing them out to see which the goblin would like. Failing that, he gets him the boar stew.
"The cultists?" He repeats, leaning against the bartop with his hands clasped. "Well..." In his mind he sees the pit, bottomless for all he knew. The elvish woman was right to be nervous. "They ambushed us on the road, just a few days journey from here. Came under the cover of fog and darkness. Killed a number of us, and dragged away as many as they could."
"The three of us and two other caravan guards tracked them to a nearby cave system. They were performing a ritual. Trying to sacrifice those kidnapped to ah..." Aziele's angelic voice echoes in his ears. "Some end." Recollecting his thoughts, he then asks, "What direction were Leosin and your brother traveling?"
Rox seems unaccustomed to the use of a spoon when the stew arrives, simply lifting the bowl to his lips to drink from it. The woman behind the bar makes a face at the display, but says nothing. Coin was coin after all.
Aimon
The tiefling chuckles - it's an empty laugh. "I am sure your adulation has served you well in the past Mister Perynor."
"But it is not pleasing to me."
She looks over her shoulder, towards one of the front windows of the inn. It almost seems like she's listening to something else. Then her head turns back to you, and her silver eyes lock with yours. "You have followed my instructions regarding the item?"
OoC: If you mean to deceive here, roll me that Deception!
Xari begins to fumble absently for a silver piece and looks on the verge of saying something when Evelyn pays for his dinner and for the others. Whatever objection he was going to voice seems to fizzle out in a desultory smile. "Ah... th-thank you, miss. Beats road rations."
"Some end,..." the big man echoes weakly, suddenly not sure how hungry he is any more. He rocks gently back and forth on the barstool subconsciously. From outside in the dark, from the rooftop of the Bent Bow, the plaintive hoot of an owl barely penetrates the din of the common room.
"We killed them. Killed them on the road. Killed them in the cave. Sliced them clean in half..." Xari's mumble is very quiet, as if he is unwittingly verbalizing an internal mental litany. He shivers and hugs himself though it isn't cold, looking away from his companions. Aye, the killing wasn't the problem, though...
"Had it coming, the murderous bastards, sacrificing kids. Cultists, cult leader with red stars for eyes. Killed them all. Rescued the children. All except the one who got sacrificed, and in the end, we rescued her too. Only... a minute later, the bastards' corpses were gone like they'd never been. But something else was there. Someone..."
Xari's restless gaze, wandering around the common room, settles by happenstance on the redheaded elf a few paces away being questioned by the tiefling and her henchmen. The big man's brow furrows and he grunts softly in distracted puzzlement, not thinking clearly enough not to stare. (Insight: 9)
Inge(Barbarian2):Krayveneer's After the Fall| Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles| Xarian(Fighter2):NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4):Vos' Beyond the Veil| Soren(Druid5):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft| Nivi(Rogue4):Raiketsu's CoS| Ophelia(Sorcerer4):Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request| Toa(Barbarian6/Fighter4):MrWhisker's Dark Lord's Return| Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court
"To the letter," Aimon responds with a confident, reassuring nod, knowing full well he has done anything but follow her instructions. He manages to bury his nervousness beneath a bright smile that illuminates his features.
His fringe falls half across his eyes again. He leaves it this time, letting it add to his boyish charm. Though he suspects such airs will do little for the severe, single-minded tiefling.
"Your consignment will be delivered to Nashkel as per our agreement, guaranteed by Perynor's Gilded Ledger!" he assures her with a flourish of his hand.
OOC: Deception of 25!
"South, what direction did your caravan come from?" A single hand grips the edge of the bartop tightly, turning her knuckles white. Evelyn was moments away from flying into the night to find this cave they spoke of. To look for signs of Finn. They'd been noticed. Caught. The muttering of the other man breaks her out of her doom spiral. "What?" She leans in closer to hear him. He sounded mad. "Red stars?" Confusion befalls her face. "Do you know what they were cultists of?"
As Xarian begins to ramble, Hadrian's brow furrows with worry. Well. That was more or less the cat out of the bag.
They had spoken of it some earlier...But it seemed the ordeal had rattled his friend more than he thought. He reaches out, placing a hand on the big man's shoulder as his gaze settles on something else in the room. "Are you alright buddy?" Briefly, he follows the other man's line of sight, but thinks nothing of the ginger elf and his 'friends.'
He pulls his hand back, turning his attention back to Evelyn. "We came from the [insert DM answer here]."
"And no. Yes." He pauses. "It's complicated." Is the answer he finally settles on. "There was...Something else in the cave." He says, repeating what Xarian had already said. "But it wasn't what we expected, nor I think what the cultists expected. She was like..." Words fail him. "I don't know how to explain. A living star? Not like any goddess, demon, or devil we've ever heard of."
Xarian
The tiefling and her associates have their backs turned to you, so you have little to go on in terms of body language. It's not overly difficult to tell that elf was in an uncomfortable situation. It could be simple business. Could be something more sinister. You can't tell at the moment though.
Hadrian
West.
Aimon
The corners of Vareeza's lips turn upwards into a slight smile. "Very good Mister Perynor."
"I'm afraid there's been a change of plans however, leading to something of an accelerated schedule. Where are you keeping the item? I'll need to retrieve it tonight."
Xari continues to gaze distractedly at the redheaded elf who appears to be reassuring his interlocutors about something. Very convincingly, in truth. Xari believes the elf, for whatever it's worth. He feels Hadrian's arm on his shoulder but does not turn, nodding absently in response.
"Have you looked up at the sky tonight, Evelyn? Red star up there. Never been there b-before. Doesn't move like the other stars do."
Or is it only Hadrian and I who see it? I guess we can't ask Rox...
"We rescued everyone we saw in the cave who wasn't a cultist. None of the captives had seen anyone else. So your brother might not be there..."
I wonder what the tiefling woman wants?
Inge(Barbarian2):Krayveneer's After the Fall| Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles| Xarian(Fighter2):NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4):Vos' Beyond the Veil| Soren(Druid5):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft| Nivi(Rogue4):Raiketsu's CoS| Ophelia(Sorcerer4):Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6):NotDrizzt's Simple Request| Toa(Barbarian6/Fighter4):MrWhisker's Dark Lord's Return| Sabetha(Monk3):Bedlymn's Murder Court
"Tonight? Really? Well... I see..."
He stalls for time by taking a large gulp of the fine ale he'd ordered before Vareeza's unexpected arrival. He took another for good measure.
"We keep all of our consignments at the storehouse," he says finally, deliberately avoiding reference to the goblet specifically.
Aimon is starting to panic. He nervously adjusts his collar again. He knows she'll insist on going to the storehouse immediately and then he'll be there alone with her and her three strongarms.
"I'm afraid the storehouse is sealed after dark. For our clients' security, you understand. Perhaps I could meet you there at sunup tomorrow?"