In recognition and with drive, Thuldor moves to follow James and Falhorn to the Inn Colbat, Arabella and Lailah are at. 

He feels a boost of excitement and throws his hands in the air as he follows quickly behind, 

"It begins!" 

Lailah gave a little chuckle "You don't blend in all to well yourself, Arabella." She took a sip of water from a cup and set it down "I don't think we were all gathered to blend in completely, we simply have to worry about not drawing more attention than we can handle is all."

Arabella snorts at Cobalts’ statement about handsome men. “Handsome men are more trouble than they’re worth,” she replies.

She seems genuinely confused by Lailah’s observation that she herself doesn’t blend in. “What do you mean I don’t blend in?” she asks. “My clothing vanishes into the brush. I know how to cover my tracks. I once followed a herd of deer for months, and they believed me one of their own.”

The afternoon of the inn continues to be quiet, the other patron having left. The young man goes about his work in disposing the remaining mid day meal, leaving you in the private room without disturbance.

As James takes his seat back at the inn, he introduces everyone to Thuldor.

"This is Lailah, Cobalt and Arabella."

James points to each person in turn.

"Everyone, this is Thuldor."

As the party gathers in one place for the first time, Cobalt stands and nods respectfully to the three men - but mostly the dwarf. With any luck he would be a more grounded person than the rest.

"Welcome, Thuldor. Looks like this is the last of us. Let us introduce ourselves and what we know. As stated, I am Cobalt, from the free City of Zobeck. I was sent to help Lailah. I am a small-business owner with knowledge of the dragon empire. My. . . Recruiter also applauded my intellect and insight, but that will have to be proven."

He gestures to himself with a sweeping alloy hand.

"As you can see, yes, I am gearforged. I am no stranger to danger and have gained some resilience in the bargain."

He takes his seat again, expecting someone else to take the cue.

Thuldor ruffles his facial fuzz once again, and for the first time since entering this city speaks in more than grunts and appreciative head nods, specifically addressing Cobalt,  

"That, is good to know. I, am Olor, Thuldor of the Western Expedition. Many will call me simply, Thuldor. To me, this is an honor, like addressing a dedicated tradesman by their craft, something with which I also am well familiar. I bring the skills of the forge, of carpentry and of brick laying. If you need it built, I need only time. I look forward to working with you all." 

With that he resumes his usual aloof demeanor, listening and wandering about looking at the walls, windows, and any other object in the room within wandering distance. He's in Triolo, he's found Lailah, now its just a matter of finding talent. 

Arabella blows another smoke ring. "I am Arabella, of the Swamps of Mallion," she says at last. "I know the ways of beasts and the uses of plants. I can track game and find the hidden paths that beasts use. I also know how to set limbs, brew tinctures, and deliver babies. I am here because I am at home in field and fen."

Thuldor perks up at the mention of advanced botanicals, something he'd only briefly, and unsuccessfully, dabbled with in brewing. He understood the concepts, yet the final product never produced the desired effect. It was not as simple as proper planning and execution, as with all his trades. No, the usage of plants with intent for consumption was a medical art, and his reverence for it was unspeakable. 

The mention of actual medical practice in delivering babies escaping him, images of a mad alchemist with wiry electrified white hair atop a goggled mad laughing face popped in his mind. The mixing of different glowing concoctions and the ever present cloud and thunderstorms surrounding her laboratory completing the picture. 

"Impressive." 

"Right, well I suppose I should get this over with."

James smiles as he stands up and steps back from the table, but grows serious as he speaks.

"What I am about to tell you, I do so in the strictest of confidence."

"If any of you share my secret, I will deny it and possibly get retribution on you, for all the work I will have to do because of your indiscretion."

"My name is not James Fathomear."

As he says this, James begins to transform.

His hair grows out longer and becomes white, his skin also become white, losing all traces of pink or tan. It is as if his body were made from limestone or chalk.

The whites of his eyes move in from the edges until there is no iris or pupil to be seen.

"My name is Midnight. I am a Shadow Fey, or, well a half Shadow Fey maybe. I am a Changeling to be more specific."

Midnight acts very differently from James, there is no smiling or flamboyance in his actions or mannerisms and his voice is different, with a more monotone or emotionless quality.

"I believe I was brought into this undertaking, because of my connections in the Shadow Realm and my knowledge and understanding of its dangers and the navigation of Shadow Roads."

"Secondly, I bring infiltration and information gathering expertise and some knowledge of the ways of the courts of both the Grand Duchy of Dornig and the Shadow Fey."

Midnight looks to Falhorn as he talks about infiltration.

"So it looks like we have a little overlapping, in our area's of speciality, perhaps."

Midnight looks around the table at each person.

"I am trusting you all with my secret, so that we as a group may be able to make full use of my abilities, if or when needed."

"Also, I have a method, for letting those who know my secret, know when I am using a persona they may not yet know."

Midnight holds up his arm and a sideways figure 8 symbol (the symbol for infinity), appears on his arm, it appears to be a burn scare.

"This is my indicator to you, if you meet someone new and they have this symbol on their body..."

The symbol on Midnight's arm transform from a burn scare into a tattoo.

"...it is very likely to be me in disguise."

The tattoo disappears from Midnight's arm, and as he turns his head to the side, a small birthmark in the shape of the symbol can be seen on his neck just behind and below his ear.

"James is one of my primary cover persona's. It affords me excuses to travel extensively and be meeting with strangers without drawing undue attention."

"Like I said, adventures are looked at as a foolhardy lot, unlikely to return from their Grand Adventures, and most just ignore them or put them out of their minds."

"If James has offended or rubbed anyone the wrong way, with his personality, I apologise."

There is no hint of emotion as Midnight says any of the above.

Midnight moves to retake his seat, transforming back into James as he does so.

James looks around the table with a sleigh grin and asks,

"Right, so who's next?"

James' grin turns into a broad smile and he winks at the others.

Lailah gave Arabella a nod after her introduction, then turned her attention to "James". There was no surprise or shock on her face when the man's appearance started shifted, though there was a bit of curiosity there. She'd never seen a Changeling...change in front of her before. The fact that he could do so didn't seem like news to her. When Midnight transformed back into the James persona, Lailah gave a slight grimaced a bit, as if she smelled something unpleasant. It would appear she didn't have much in the way of positive feelings for the persona.

"I suppose I should go next." She cleared her throat and set her hands on the table, fixing her posture a bit "You all know, my name is Lailah. I belong to the Order of the Moontouched Wheel, a grouping of knights that serve the goddess Hecate and her whims. I am touched by the Goddess, an aasimar. Her essence flows through me as steadily as my blood." She reached beneath her vest and pulled out a necklace wrought in silver. Upon closer inspection it was a holy symbol, depicting a moon centered within a wheel.

"I am both a priest and warrior of my goddess. I believe others call us paladins? I've never truly seen a reason to use that title myself. I specialize in the religious practices of the clergy, ceremonies and exorcisms so long as they fall under the eye of Hecate. I've also been trained in the appraisal and trade of blessed items, sacred texts and the like." She tapped her finger on the table idly "What else...oh of course I also have martial training, so I take up mercenary jobs every once in a while. Sometimes I'm called to expunge undead or other ghastly threats. I believe that's all for me..."

She looked finally to Falhorn, the only one of the six who hadn't spoken.

With the task at had Falhorn swiftly made his way through the city with James keeping easy pace. There was something about the man that was off but now wasn't the time to dig in any deeper. It didn't take much time to find the old dwarf at the docks fishing. It seemed the old one didn't land what would have been a great catch. Falhorn noted the other man that had been here moments ago, strange. The dwarf was pleasant and reminded him of an old friend.  The rouge began to relax as they made their way back to the Inn. Once back in the room and fully gathered, they each take turns introducing themselves. James revealing himself as Midnight a changeling, confirms a bit of what Falhorn had suspected, but not to such a degree. Flahorn becomes a bit star struck and envious, wearing an innocent smile as the being acknowledges him as a fellow subterfuge expert. All the better to have two. He was enjoying himself and the company of fellows who also had to keep under wraps their true ability and true self. After all of his scrutiny and near paranoia like behavior, he finally believed the words of the woman that sent him here. Maybe Juliana really did have a good ward on the place. He thought back to the docks for a second and made up his mind. The first step is trust. 

Lailah introduced herself and everything about her indicated her anticipation of what Falhorn had to say. Following suit, he takes off his head wrap to reveal his pointed ears that at first, seem out of place, but after a few seconds of taking him in with the addition of his evlish trait it is easy to tell he is not full blood human or elf, but a cross breed. His face lacks the sharp angular features of high race making him easily mistaken for a normal man, until his ears are revealed which set his eyes and frame into better perspective. His form seemed regal once fully revealed. "I am Falhorn of the Republic of Valera. I don't have a last name that I know of, but in the under ground I am also known as the White Crow. By trade, I am one of if not the best tailor and jeweler in The Republic. I am also the leading authority of freelance information acquisition. I specialize in infiltration, information gathering, and information dissemination. I do not assassinate. In fact, I rather detest violence and will only resort to it to protect myself, my allies, and my interests once put under duress."

While giving the speech Falhorn's posture shifts from aloof to more structured and poise. "There is a deep evil that is seeking to seep its way into our lands. Currently our many people are separated and focused on war with each other. Dark forces seek to take advantage of this and tear us asunder. We have one hope that I know of."

He pulls out the information booklet given to him to read on his travel here. "This was given to me by Juliana the Red. Avenger of men of all civilized races. She Learned that I found out about this sinister plot of the fiends and requested that I join in the fight against them."

He holds up the booklet "It is information and instructions on a Tome that can take in and give out certain skills and abilities possessed by those of us more gifted and hard working than the masses."

Falhorn sets the booklet on the table and slides it away from him for any to pick it up, along with the sketch of Lailah. "We have to keep it out of infernal hands at all cost. I do not want to lose our lands and people to those things of pure evil. Though I spy for self interests, I understand that those interests will not exist if these devils and demons get their way . Now  I give my gift to you. I house all the information stored in that booklet and fully understand range of uses of the Tome including how to tell if someone has anything that can be added to the Tome. The writer added secrets within the instructions that I was able to decipher about the Tome's abilities. It is all in there for any who would also like to go over it themselves." 

Falhorn sits back in his chair and runs a hand through his short hair and gives a small sigh, a subconscious comfort mechanism. "I know it's a lot. It was a lot for me too. I trust this Juilana though or I wouldn't be here. I have inspected the area of any signs of divination or other physical spying just in case but there is nothing. She told me that our meeting would be well warded and that seems to be the case. I see the trust you have all given and I intend to do the same. If you have any questions then please ask and I will give you what I know to the best of my knowledge, which, if lacking, I will fill upon request. I live for this process but a world ruled by demons would sour this for me and those I like. For now you're free to ask more about me or we can focus on this item we have and what all of this means. What roles do we play in all of this and what are our next steps?" Falhorn Pauses and leaves the floor open for the next person to speak.

Cobalt listens, trying to commit as much of the information as he could to his memory gears.  He had been suspicious of James and Falhorn, and now felt vindicated.  James was a shapeshifter - 'Midnight', he would have to remember.  And the spy was also some sort of criminal mastermind, infamous enough to have an alter ego, a name that he seemed to take pride in.  Still, they had shown their hand.  That was worth some credit, in his book.  They had given him some leverage, in the interest of gaining trust in the bargain.  He would have to think on that.

Additionally, they had gradually shown themselves more intelligent and well-spoken than he had initially believed.  Perhaps he did not have to dumb things down for them.  At least not as much.

"Welcome, Midnight, Falhorn, Olor Thuldor.  You each seem quite capable.  I was spoken to by Miss Juliana as well, and she told me of this Tome.  My understanding is that it is safest if we do not know which of us currently possesses it."  He remains seated, but draws out two cards.  The first has a sketch of Lailah on it - she was, evidently, the nexus of their conspiracy.  The second has a sketch of a young human man with a receding hairline.  After placing the two cards on the table, his hand casually drags Falhorn's booklet back to him, which he begins to peruse as he continues. "The woman there is unmistakable.  The man is a wizard named Volando.  He is researching dangerous magic that he cannot be trusted with.  Our mutual benefactor wishes for me to requisition this research, and I believe your skills are invaluable in this pursuit.  Volando is last known to exist in Friula.  The Winged Lion Company has eyes on him as well, but I do not have connections with them.  James, Falhorn, perhaps this is where you come in?"

He is listening keenly to the rest of the group, but his eyes are locked on the booklet as he scans the pages.  There was information there, information he craved.

Arabella taps the last embers out of her pipe and puts it away. She smiles as Midnight and Falhorn reveal themselves. This was getting interesting. Perhaps it was worth leaving her beloved swamps after all. She reaches into one of her pockets and pulls out the ritual Juliana had given her. She sets it on the table beside Falhorn's booklet of information.

"If we are being entirely candid," she says, "I was also given a specific task by Juliana. I have been chosen by Freyja, the Witch Goddess. She has blessed me with powers beyond those of other mortals. I can commune with animals and take their forms at will. I also can command the forces of nature, life, and death to serve me when the need arises. This ritual will allow me to transfer power from a mortal soul to the Tome."

She looks around the table. "Several of you have suggested that we are an adventuring band. I wonder if we are not more like a coven. We seem to command forces beyond mortal ken."

Lailah listened intently to the others as they spoke of Julianna's words to them "Well, from what you all say at least three of us were chosen for purposes directly connected to the Tome. Are titles in order? I think they might be in order." She asked the question in such a way that it was posed more to herself than the others, evidenced by the fact that she answered it right away "Falhorn appears to be a Seeker of the Extraordinary, as he can see who possesses gifts for transcription. Arabella would be the Scribe of the Extraordinary, thanks to her ability to imbue the tome with said gifts. While I..."

Seemingly ignoring Cobalt's suggestion completely, Lailah pulls from the satchel at her side a tome. The tome. It was a simple affair, though there were things that still stood out about it. It was banded in gold clasps that kept it closed, bearing symbols at the center resembling open eyes gazing at the world around them. It wasn't too thick, but wasn't exactly thin, about the size of a ledger. "The Extraordinary" was written across the binding of the book in bold type, giving no question to what it was. "I am the Bearer of the Extraordinary. Or the Tome-bearer, if you'd prefer. I was tasked by my Goddess, as you were blessed Arabella, to protect this. I think I was crafted with this very purpose in mind."

She rested her hands atop the face of the book, fingers gently tracing its designs "Not a daunting task at all."

For those familiar with the trade companies from Zobeck, Nura Natal or the Seven Cities, the Winged Lion Company... (History DC 12 if not familiar)

History: 12

((Is there any new information for Cobalt in Falhorn's booklet?))

((Depends on how long he studies it. It is as described by Falhorn, instructions on how to scribe feats into the tome. It is a lengthy process, requiring a day's work to perform. At a fingering-through, it unmistakably involves some arcane runes and an intimate understanding of how to train for a feat. You're certain that the tome's creation contains groundbreaking understanding of the arcane. It will take hours of reading to understand the process well enough to perform, as much of the material is dry, with the booklet at hand. Arabella's is very similar.))

Falhorn more than recognizes the name of the company and its proprietor. He has done business with them in the past and always wanted to get closer to the company. 

He notices the Tome being pulled out by Lailah from the spot he saw a bit of magic during his Detection spell. She puts it on the table and caresses it. He holds a hand our and asks Lailah

"My I take a look?"