Sebastion takes the scroll and bag with a silent bow  still looking around the store

---------- Jahren ----------

Jahren took the entire meeting to judge the character of Yestrel.  The man seemed....trustworthy, to put it simply. He clearly had an agenda, but Jahren was of the belief that the agenda was altruistic. He seemed intelligent, slow to pass judgement, and as he felt from the very start....patient. That patience may be what helps him survive, though its clear there is a lot of political pressure for him to conform to the trade houses. Even having one of the heads of the trade houses in his office for such a meeting was telling.  This all said, Jahren was seeing reason for hope to exist between an alliance. 

His angling to use Aldlas as a lever with the elves did get some traction. Bahedron in particular seemed to really think about this one. Though, Thiscan was quick to point out, "Assuming this Aldlas is as important to the elves as you say..."  You notice Yestrel roll his eyes at this. It's clear that through the conversation, he's decided to trust you enough that he finds her continued doubting a bit much. 

As you depart, the high mage says another time, "I will be in touch. The purple vest will be proof they are from me." 

Jahren heads down the bustling street on the return trip to Toc's. (Roll Perception). 

---------- Mirica, Fianna, and Sebastion ----------

"The name is Raymond, but when dealing with such things, people around town call me Feline."  You get the feeling he is very trustworthy when it comes to his business.

After some shopping, there's few better places to stop in than the Diamond in the Dung, one of the few places in town you can be 'yourself' without being judged.  For an afternoon, it's quite busy with several tables sitting at lingering lunch meals, while the early dinner crowd and evening folk are just starting to trickle in.  Tug, the half-orc and self proclaimed fixer for the non-humans in town, gives you a bit of a visit after you order from the serving maid Tilda. Sebastion wasn't too sure about the bank notes so you ask Tug.  "This town runs on trade. It's the number one rule.  Nothing interferes with trade.  Trade requires money.  Bank notes are probably more trustworthy in this place than a bag full of coins."  

When the meal arrives, Tilda smiles at the group, paying special attention to Fianna, "Oh, by the by, SinSin was in here a couple days back looking for you.  He asked me to pass on a message if I saw you all."  She blushes and looks to Fianna, "Aside from the gold dragon you were with, you're the most memorable."  She glances around shyly, "Anyway he said that you should come by his Dojo, there was someone there he thought you should meet. It's just south on Offer Ave....from Old Silver Road." 

     Fianna will lock here eyes with Tilda, biting her lip a bit as she listens to the message.  "I'm just the second most memorable, huh?" Fianna will ask teasingly.  "Tis a shame.  If I was the most memorable then perhaps I would've already met someone and not need go meet this friend of SinSin's..."

     Fianna will continue to playfully flirt with Tilda each time she came near the table during the meal but she was mainly focused on the message from SinSin.  "He started this adventure with us," Fianna explained to Sebastian and filled him in about the agile and dextrous fighter.  "I suspect he would have grown into one of the best warriors I ever met, in time.  Given the time to do so...  But I don't think he had that in his heart.  In the end it's perhaps for the best he find his quieter path.  But the fact he reached out...  I suspect it's not just to say hello."

     As the meal came to a close and the party prepared to move on, Fianna suggested that perhaps they should visit now.  Sneak it in before Toc gives his big briefing.  "It could be relevant to the situation," Fianna would explain.  With coins left on the table to pay for the meal, Fianna will pause for a moment to hand Tilda an exceptionally large tip personally.  

     "It was delicious," Fianna would say softly, her hands lingering on the barmaids as she slipped her the coins. Fianna will subtly cast Prestidigitation to cause Tilda's clothing to warm subtly as their hands continued to touch, and the dark, sensuous scent of Fianna's favorite perfume to breeze by just as their hands separated. "I'll be back next time I'm in the mood for something to nibble," Fianna says, once again biting her lip, pausing for a beat, and then departing with the rest of the group...

     "South on Offer Ave...  South from Old Silver Road," Fianna will say / ask, never having had a head for directions that included street names instead of plants and trees.  

Fianna's playful flirting with a barmaid sent Mirica into a quiet daydreaming about something she was not about to share, but that kept her silent for most of the lunch. SinSin's name returned the cleric to reality. "I think Sir Sebastion" (the habit of using titles when regarding paladins was hard to get rid of) "met SinSin when we all run into his tent in the ruins, did not you Sir Sebastion? May be not. But Fianna is right, that man knows us - out group - and would not bother without a good reason. We probably better visit his Dojo". They had enough time and the invitation sounded intriguing - so, why not? "South ON Offer Ave, and the Old Silver Road is just a couple blocks from here". Mirica preferred more natural environment, but cities remained a familiar ground. "Shall we?" 

 That is entirely possible miss Mirica but i do apologise i do not remember"

Perception 19

---------- Jahren ----------

As Jahren makes his way through the warm sunny streets of Hillsfar he glances back, a force of habit for one in his employ, and notices the two thugs tailing him. They are doing a pretty good job of blending in with the crowd but they've taken the same turns as him three times now and are always the same distance back, despite his subtle changes in walking speed. 

---------- Mirica, Fianna, and Sebastion ... AND Jezun ----------

The madly blushing Tilda is left behind, with Mirica and Sebastion both uncomfortably silent....Sebastion clearing his throat several times as they walk away.  

The three eventually find themselves standing before SinSin's dojo.  From outside, the small dojo shop looked quite modest. Though well cared for with a nice carved sign overhead. Inside Mirica, Fianna and Sebastion found a nicely appointed training center, created in the Kara-tur style, all polished wood and rice paper ‘windows’ on the walls. A class of nearly twenty young men were sitting and listening. SinSin, in a white training outfit sits in a corner watching the teacher speak to the class.  The human man teaching them was older than SinSin, with sharp features and tan skinned, high cheek bones and black hair.  "Now, if your master, SinSin, were to come here..."  SinSin smiles and approaches..... "You see how he positions his feet here, his hips square to me, but the foot turned in here. But..more...." with SinSin standing there he bends down and points at SinSin's feet, "Look how his feet are.  Do they look relaxed to you?  No. The grip the ground, look at how they clench, clutching the floor.  You can't see his legs, but..." he bangs his fist into SinSin's leg that seem rock solid, "...they too are binding him to the earth.  This is his power, and it's your power. It does not come from here.." he slams his fist into his open hand " or here .." he does a half swing, holding his shoulder with his other hand "it comes from the earth beneath, the whole body feeling that energy, and using it up through the knees, to the thighs, then the hips, in through your core, and then into the shoulders. Your body is just the path the energy travels. The energy comes from rock, and stone, of the earth beneath your feet."  

The kids could not look more enthralled. The man speaking smiles, "But, your master here.....he is forgetting that to remain still, every part of your body must work in tandem, and his mind, eyes, and neck are too focused on watching you."  With just the slightest motion, he grabs SinSin's heel and pulls, and SinSin collapses to the polished wood floor.  The children laugh and clap, and SinSin picks himself up, making a naughty finger wagging motion at the speaker.  SinSin turns to an older student near the back, "Geoffrey, take them through combinations, we have visitors." 

SinSin and the other man leave the training area and approach the three of you, SinSin smiling broadly, "You're back in the city. I'm so glad. I hope you were successful slaying more dragons or what not. I'm sorry you saw that..."  He motions back to the tumble he was given. "I asked you here because I've been feeling guilty about leaving you behind...though you must believe I did so thinking if you were unburdened by looking out for me, you would in the end, be safer.  Regardless, the guilt remained...but now perhaps I can make amends.  This is my master, Jezun. He has just come to Hillsfar by way of Thesk.....by way of Kara-tur..., and ....he is a greater fighter than I, having taught me everything I know...and is a bit more heroically spirited than I .....so... I was wondering if....your team...and he...."  His hands make back and forth motions awkwardly....as he leaves the sentance hanging. 

Jezun looks at the three adventurers with an appraising eye. 

"Very glad to see you too, SinSin". (She was sincere in her greetings) "You are not giving yourself enough credit - your help back in the woods was much appreciated, and you required no more "looking after" than anyone else. The only reason we - I am sure I am talking for all of us - felt better about your return to the city is because you were able to escort Loane. Forest is way too dangerous for a lone person, we were lucky you could accompany her".

She looked at silent Jezun, slightly bowed her head greeting him and carefully answered: "Help is always welcome in times of war but we are not a "merry adventurers band" happily roaming the land, our mission turned to be quite serious and threat is more severe than a few young dragons. If Master Jezun truly wants to help in it, I am sure Toc would would be happy to add his skills to the roster".

     Fianna waits her turn and then embraces SinSin and also expresses her pleasure at seeing him once more.  "You are much too hard on yourself, my friend.  We surely could have used you against Adlas and his minions.  They all deserved a kick in the keister and I can think of nobody more qualified..."

     "I see you have quite the class of students here," Fianna says as she looks over the classroom.  "Perhaps some day I should learn how to throw a punch?  Think you'd have room for another student if time ever allow?"  Fianna will chat and banter with SinSin for a minute or three before joining Mirica in turning her attention to this Jezun.  Fianna will look him up and down, taking in his appearance, his outfit, everything she can about him.

     "Nice to meet you, Jezun," Fianna says, turning to him.  "It's sweet that SinSin felt he needed to find us a replacement for his skills, but he is of course irreplaceable.  Not that more muscle is ever a bad thing...  But are you truly looking to jump into this? This life, this chaos, this danger? And for goodness sake, why?"

Sebastion is leaning by the door arms crossed watching the exchange amongst old friends

Jahren is quite curious now, and is confident in his own abilities.  He turns down an alleyway and begins wandering the spaces with fewer people around, making sure he is followed.  Once he is sure of that he rounds a corner and immediately casts Etherealness.  He then starts walking back to find the thugs.  Once he does, he simply goes for a stroll with them, listening in from the ethereal plane hoping they will discuss what they are up to, who they work for, etc. eventually, especially once they realize he has lost them.  He ponders fallowing them for a number of hours if need be, but will see what transpires.  A bit unsure of what he's dealing with, once in the ethereal the bard equips his shield and readies his mind for even powerful trouble, however unlikely that may be from a pair of thugs.

     ((Fianna KNEW she should have sent FinFin with you!))

(No worries, if two thugs are any match for Jahren it will at least be interesting.)

Jahren steps around a corner, casting his powerful spell. The fabric of reality parts for him and he steps behind the shroud of the physical world into 'backstage' as it were.  The real world is grey and foggy around him.  He turns back and moves to the two people following him. The two reach the corner and stop short, looking around. Jahren is impressed that they play it pretty cool, not saying anything. The shorter one bends down to tie his shoe while the taller one walks quickly down the alley where it opens up back again onto a main street.  He casually stands there, glancing left and right.  The shorter one who was tying his shoe stands up, glancing back the way they came, then walks slowly down the alleyway. He checks each window and door. One door is unlocked and opens onto a small foyer with three doors and stairs going up.  He stops there an listens, then listens carefully at each door, before padding up the stairs. A few seconds later the taller guy comes in and looks around, and stands just at the bottom of the stairs. The guy heading up the stairs checks the doors upstairs as well, before eventually they both head back outside and lean against the far wall.  There, they sit at the corner where they can see both ways and start to chat quietly. 

"He couldn't have made it to the street without running which means we were blown anyway," says the shorter one.

"He'd already spotted us. He'd taken so many turns it was obvious. You're getting sloppy," replies the tall one.

"ME?  So, where do you think he went?  Think he used magic?" 

"I'd bet on it. Could even be invisible and listening to us," says the tall one.

They both stop and look around, listening.  

The shorter one mutters, "We gettin too paranoid?"

The tall one shrugs, "Maybe. Maybe not." 

They sit and think for a while, the tall one finally says, "We were given his address, let's see if we can pick him up there, otherwise, let's poke about." 

They make their way to Toc's house. Once there, the short one sits on a nearby bench while the tall one walks up and peeks through the windows. He shrugs and sits next to his buddy. 

"Waddya think?" ask the short one.

"I think we're done," replies the tall one.

The other nods and they get up and wander back into the center of the city.  They head all the way back to the capital building and enter a back door. A red plume guarding it nods as they enter. Jahren follows them through the wall and into the building. They head into an office called, "Matilda Trade Offices".  Inside is a pretty quiet little office.  The two walk through a room with a few people sitting at desks and into a back office.  A man sits behind the desk.  Without delay the tall one says, "He gave us the slip. He's good."  

The man behind the desk sits back and sighs, "I'm disappointed in you Gote.  Why aren't both at least watching the apartment? At least confirming he's actually staying at the address would be something. Without that we have literally nothing on this guy. Go back. See if he shows up....wait there all day tomorrow if you have to. You too Doyle. And be subtle."  

Doyle, the short one, speaks up, "I noticed a room for rent just down the street, that should work, eh boss?"

The man behind the desk looks up, "Thiscar can hire anyone for this work. You're supposed to be good at this stuff. Don't mess it up again, get us some intel." 

The two nod, heading for Toc's street, ready to rent the apartment across the way and setup shop watching the house.

Jahren decides to stick around this office for a bit and at least try to get the man in charge's name.  He moves in close to look over his shoulder at any paperwork on the desk, walks through the wall to see if there is a name on the door, sees if someone else comes in and addresses him by name, etc.

Eventually Jahren uses his ethereal travel to leave the capital building and heads off towards the Coin Bros Merchant House on Purse Street, asking for Matt when he arrives.  Somewhere along the way once a safe distance from the capital building he finds a place to step back out of the ethereal without alarming anyone.

Jahren watches as the two men leave the office.  The man behind the desk sits back for a moment, before sighing heavily and returning to his work, which seems to include working in a book.  There has pages and pages of notes on a variety of people, though the book seems to be written in code because not a lot of it makes sense to you, and the names are clearly fake, such as "Fisher Frank", "Windy Wanda", and "Sleazy Mike".  On a page titled "Stumpy Stan", he begins adding notes, "Music Mike" evades trail, watch placed near address.  You see Toc's address is scribbled next to Music Mike's information, including "half-elf", "instrument".  Below, much of your conversation with the First Lord seems to be written down, though it seems clear its the cole's notes version, not a verbatim writing. The notes seem to be reported by "Teatime Tessa".   You look around trying to ID this person.  A woman enters the room, "Mr.Green, you asked me to interrupt you if Terry Rascliff was spotted trying to board a ship?  He was just seen at the harbor, with bags, talking to the captain of a ship called the Green Seal."   He looks up at her, "Very well, get them to pick him up. We'll have to have a chat with him."   She nods and heads out.  Outside Jahren notices she scribbles something on a small paper, seals it in wax, and passes it to a young teenager.  The teenager runs out. She takes another piece of paper with broken wax on it and puts in in a brazier, cover it with a lid to slowly disintegrate.

Jahren recognizes a spy hub when he sees one, and this entire operation is clearly such an organization.  Though spying for who is not clear. Even though they're in the capital building, they don't have the same feeling as the cities official spy organization. They usually wouldn't even operate out of the commercial section of the capital, but usually have their own location elsewhere.  Also, it all feels a bit too 'private' for such a group. 

With a last look at "Mr.Green" (since you can easily find him here at his office presumably whenever you need to), Jahren leaves and heads to the Harpers headquarters here in Hillsfar. On the way he finds an empty side alley to step through the veil and back into reality.  He arrives at the short Purse Street that ends in a cul-de-sac and eventually strides in through the door under the hanging sign that reads Coin Bros Merchants. A young man looks up from behind a desk. There's the small sitting area here with two chairs as before. A hallway leads off, next to a narrow flight of stairs. The smell of old wood and dust fill the space and creaking floor boards from above can be heard. The map of the Moonsea pinned to the wall with demarkations for different types of resources all around it stays. The same painting of a two men with their two families is behind the desk and a chalk board is adorned with a grid of current trade prices for a variety of goods. The man looks up at Jahren, recognizing him.  "I'll see if Matt is available Mr Lorewalker."   A few moments later he leads you up the narrow stairs, down a hallway to a front office that looks out onto Purse Street.  Behind the large desk covered in papers is Matt.  He's sitting back chewing on a T-bone steak, his hands bloody, dripping onto a large plate set out over his desk.  He nods as the front desk clerk closes the door.  "Jahren. Good to see you back. A lot has happened since you were here last.  Did you hear there was an attempt on Yestrel's life two days ago? They're keeping it quiet but I'm heard it was a close affair. Any luck finding a way to win the elves support in patrolling the forests so we can get some troops back here?" 

If Jahren has not yet heard of the attempt on Yestral's life while getting his meeting with the Lord scheduled he insists on hearing all about it.

Otherwise the bard fills his Harper contact in about his relationship with Toc, the happenings in and around Myth Drannor, his meeting with Yestral and that he expects a more private conversation with the High Mage to follow.  He then tells him about being followed and the resulting trip to the capital.  He asks the contact about what is known of High Mage Bahedron, and Lady Thiscar of the trade cabal, and potentially this 'Mr. Green'.  Always one to be careful and size everyone up, Jahren takes this second opportunity to watch for anything off about his Harper contact and adjusts the information he provides accordingly if he suspects anything but complete loyalty to the Harpers and the cause.

Surprisingly Jahren had not heard of the attempt. They must really be keeping it a secret. Matt fills him in. "It was at night at his home. An orc assassin. The use of a non-human could be misleading or not. Either way, the would be assassin was slain by Yestrel's person guard at his home, but I heard tell that Yestrel was injured in the attack."  He listens to your detailed update, then responds to your questions. "High Mage Bahedron is a smooth operator. Our understanding is that he leads Yestrel's mage core and cleric core, as well as the intelligence function. He's had a good relationship with Harpers, but keeps us at arms length. But he's very political, and also we're unsure how the rules against magic have been taken, he's been cagey with both public and private responses about it. Treat him with care. Lady Thiscar is clearly a hostile. She and the very powerful trade bloc would like nothing more than for Yestrel to drop dead so that they can put in a puppet and re-institute the human only laws. The trade bloc runs their own intelligence apparatus out of a shell company called Matilda Trade Corp....Mr.Green is one of their top men."  He smiles at Jahren, "Welcome to Hillsfar."  He shrugs and thinks for a few moments. "The Aldlas angle is a good angle, but I think you'd need this Toc to play along. He was, after all, the one to drive the mission, if I understand correctly, and he's likely under orders from Coronal Ilsevele Miritar. So, trying to leverage the success as a human one on their behalf would be a bit of a ruse. But, it's perhaps worth a shot?" 

OOC: Very excited to join this game, thank you for your patience! Real life got a bit harried over the last week but I should be back to normal shortly, catching up on things. I'm still getting my feel for Jezun, but I hope you like him.

Jezun's posture barely changes as he hears SinSin's introduction -- straight but not rigid, forearms clasping each other behind his back, legs relaxed. His expression at first seems thoughtful and almost serious, until SinSin mentions the word "heroic" and an almost goofy smile washes over his face, and his shoulder leans to the side to collide with his student in a playful nudge of admonition.

His eyes fall across Mirica, as she mentions young dragons. Then Fianna, asking if he is truly up for chaos and adventure. Then the third, by the doorway, even more skeptical. 

"Welcome to my dojo," he says, then blinks, smiles, and continues, "Gadlaru's dojo. I'll have to get used to not being in my own, now that I am back out in the world. The water is churning. Much changes. Many things become worse. It is good to see people putting themselves in danger to fix these worsening things. I recently had to depart a... worsening thing. I could not face it alone. It became hard to breathe freely."

His face turns inward, self-reflective, dark for a moment. Then his eyes rise to the group, brightly, and with an inner fire.

"Forgive me, when Gadlaru (SinSin?) began telling stories about adventures, at first they seemed colorful fiction, but after a while I could tell he was sincere. It is a wonder to meet such people. I have... stayed alive, and burning, through trials that would have snuffed other candles. And yet I am adrift. I do not believe in master plans -- I believe we make our own destinies, but that those destinies are interrelated. If you have a severe threat, I would help you face it, if you will have me. Gadlaru speaks highly of you."

He grins at the tiefling. Then back to the group, smiling, before his brow furrows and his lips purse in confusion. "So, has this Tock lost a litter of baby dragons? Or maybe you have angered the leader of a young dragon gang who challenged you to a game of skill. Or you summoned a lord of one of the Hells to take care of this dragon problem of yours and now he walks the land, destruction in his wake. I'm bad with details so if you have a summary pamphlet, this may go easier."

The man looked too nice and too ... normal for the life they all had for last weeks, but who she was to argue with the Fate? He might have answered the calling like some of them too, even if he believed all of it was his free will and personal choice. Not to mention monastic traditions - the group (or particular part of the group) could benefit from the presence of a disciplined mind. Mirica smiled lightly.

"Not so much "lost" as "accidentally found" - an adult green dragon with three younglings (two now, that was the battle your pupil participated) and very near the city, no less. At the moment the mother is particularly angry with our group. The sad thing is, those dragons are the least of our worries. You might want to reconsider your joining." Mirica then quite intently looked at Jazun and added: "It is probably also worth to mention, that our group is not all human. Neither are some of your pupils, but something to consider as well."