"I, for one, love serious matters," Soar says, grinning hard. She moves into the room and looking around, up, and behind. Her hand resting on the pommel of her sword, but her muscles are tense under her armor and ready to spring. But this one seems like a talker, so she'll play another card. "They're my favorite. Games are fun too, but they get old after a while. But serious matters -- well, people pay attention. I'll take a reward if you're offering -- were you not fans of theirs? But really, I'm a curious lass, you know. LOVE learning new things. Tell me about yourself, what you have going on here. Seems like a nice lodge. Here for some R&R?"

Soar, you see that the eyes of two of the human men are locked on you as you enter and move about the room, but they don't say anything.

No, no reward from me.  They were bit players.  As for me, well, I am Talis, and at the moment I live here and I work here.  As others move around the world, achieving great things, and climbing through the ranks, I sit here, watching and doing... nothing very much.  You could say I am reconsidering my allegiances.  And of course, I have learned a great deal while I watch others coming and going.  Perhaps that would be of interest to you?

Nub is trying to block the door as best he can. He is no longer looking down, though he does not say anything (he is not a talker and still can't lie). 

Soar leans forward, eyebrows high and sincere. "You know what? It WOULD interest me! If I'm being perfectly honest, we've been casting about in the dark here more than I think the average adventurer, revenge-seeker, explorer, holy warrior, thief, campaigner, spy, cooper, sailor, or really anyone would generally prefer. What would you like to do, Talis? What would you like to achieve? Once again, being honest, the folks we were working with have not been entirely forthcoming about all of this" and Soar waves about with her hands absentmindedly, encompassing just about everything on the prime material plane. She sits down in a chair opposite Talis (is Talis seated?).  "I've learned some, though my talents lie elsewhere. As my friend here put it, I've cut off too many heads than is generally prudent for the curious soul. Heads stop talking when they leave their bodies, so it makes you wonder which part is truly more important. Head or body. Anyhow. Why don't you tell more about what you've learned. And who these gentlemen are, and if they're similarly restless. My name is Soar. And I'd love to know what in blazes is really going on here."

Talis is indeed seated, and the men stand near her back - not so near as to be looming, but close enough to make their presence unforgettable.

What I would like to achieve?  I would like to live, first and foremost.  That involves not provoking an unnecessary fight with you.  It does not mean that I will surrender to you, she says looking flatly at Jalt.  I am considering options where we both get what we want.  For the most part. 

These gentlemen are in my service.  You need not concern yourselves with them, if you and I can come to an agreement.

I cannot help but notice, she says as she eyes Nub and his full backpack, that you have taken a great interest in the treasure that my associates have been collecting.  A question, if I may:  Why do you want it?  For yourselves, to return it to its owners, or to thwart the cult's plans for it.

"If you tell us what exactly it's being collected for, and can dispense with the vague portentousness -- which I think we can agree is boring -- then I'll answer your question," Soar says, leaning back briefly and smiling. 

Severin hasn't told us everything, Talis replies calmly.  Perhaps the other wyrmspeakers know the details, but I do not.  The treasure is needed in the ritual that will return the Dragon Queen to this world.  Yes, she says, smiling at Jalt, everything a follower of Bahamut must oppose, that is exactly what the cult seeks.  And we.... they, she corrects, are gathering what they need to make this happen.  How is the treasure to be used?  I don't know.  I suspect, and she emphasises the word, that the treasure is not part of the ritual at all.  I think they're scared Tiamat will eat them, if they don't have a nice gift to welcome her.  She is not known for gratitude, but perhaps enough gold will appease her.  She shrugs.  But I don't know for sure.  That is the truth.

Nub pipes up and clumsily asks a series of questions "Is there a way to return the treasure to its owners, are there records of where it came from? Can those teleportation circles transport us other places, and if so where? Where is the ritual to take place?"

Soar looks at Nub, and then back to Talis, waiting for an answer. Talis hadn't told them what the treasure was used for, so she didn't feel the need to tell her what they would do with the treasure they carried. She does butt in with, "are you a follower of Bahamut? It really seems like a drag."

Is there a way to return the treasure to its owners?

I doubt it.  I have never thought about it.

Are there records of where it came from?

No.  Why would there be such records?  No cult member would even think of returning the treasure as you suggest.

Can those teleportation circles transport us other places, and if so where?

They can transport you to a few different places.  One leads to Mulhorand, another to the distant north. 

Where is the ritual to take place?"

I do not know.  I only know where the treasure is being assembled right now.  It may be the ultimate location of the ritual, or perhaps not.

 Are you a follower of Bahamut?

No, I am not.  

Now, are you satisfied with my answers?  Have you more questions to ask?  Or are you interested in a proposal?

Nub asks Soar "Can you get the passwords for the other locations in any negotiations?"

What is it that you wish to negotiate? Jalt interjects. What exactly do you need from us? What is your proposal?

I want to help you, Talis says.  And myself of course.  I want you to interrupt the movement of treasure  A large hoard has come through in the last few weeks.  It's being collected at... she hesitates before saying the name, but seems to find her resolve.  It's being collected at Skyreach Castle.  I can help you get there, and get in.  This benefits you, because it delays whatever plans our leaders have for this treasure.  It benefits me because the faillure will be blamed on my rivals - I can see to that.

Soar thinks back to their walk around outside in the mountains... did she see any castles high up in the mountains?

"Your rivals? Rezmir, and Jos? Or others?" Soar asks. "I'd have to confer with my colleagues, but I'm surprised to hear myself say that we may have some mutual goals that can be achieved together. We have shown ourselves to be skilled at disruption. Did they mention our accomplishments when they came through yesterday?"

I don't know of any Jos, Talis says, but Rezmir... Yes, she is my rival, she and that little worm Varram.  I would be glad to see them...  well, embarrassed is a good start.  She came through the portal from Merdelain?  She didn't pay me a visit, but that's hardly surprising.  I imagine she headed straight for Parnast.

About this time, Nate, you return to the lodge.  The servants in the kitchen greet you, and seem to accept your story about their colleague being outside.  They offer to show you up to meet Talis.

So you are not a believe of Tiamat? Jalt asks. He doesnt really seem interested in the rest of the explanation. He feels like Soar seems to be handling that part of the situation. Why be involved?

So yeah, whenever it is time in the game, Nate would be led up to Talis's quarters by the servant, and once he got there he'd just enter the room, not saying anything but just nodding at Soar. He'd take a few glances at Talis and her henchmen but not greet them.

I didn't say that, Talis responds quickly to Jalt, eyes narrowing a little.  I believe... well...

Insight 9

I believe the world has waited a long time for Tiamat to return, and can wait a little longer.  Does my answer surprise you?  In any case, I am involved now, and I would not be allowed to leave, so we are where we are.  

It is at this point that the door opens, and Nate enters silently.

Do you wish to discuss the matter in private?  Talis asks.  I can have a servant show you somewhere, I suppose.

Soar nods at the offer, ready to discuss with the group. "I think that would be helpful. It seems we have some things in common, and violence gets boring after a while. Do you have details to share (upon an agreement) about this castle and the treasure operation to give us the best shot at disruption and embarrassment?"

I do, Talis says. 

And on Talis' command, a servant shows you to a room some ways down the hall, and leaves, closing the door behind him.  You stand in what appears to be a trophy room. Three open windows let in light and air; the room’s walls are adorned with stuffed animal heads, including a large 14-point stag, a mountain goat, a bear, two winter wolves, and what can only be an ankheg’s head. Two tattered banners hang from the ceiling, and two leather chairs and a handful of braziers complete the comfortable parlor.