"Pffft. Alright alright. You've certainly picked up some luck since I saw you last, I'll give you that." He gathers the cards, dropping them into an inner pocket of the slightly grimy vest he wears. "So, who is it you're lookin' for mate?"
Handing the cards back with a grin Usul says, "A kid named Anner. Not much younger than us." he then goes on to explain what he knows of the boy, as well as his disappearance, asking at the end, "Heard of anyone like him around these days?"
The four of you leave the room, searching a bit aimlessly around the manor for a few minutes before running into one of the servant's. With a polite nod, they lead you to Jalen's study, knocking gently before opening the door for you. This room is similar to the one you had met him in before, but much larger. The ceiling raises higher, and you can actually see there's two levels to this room, though the second floor is little more than a walkway to access more bookshelves. Jalen Belerac looms over a spread out pile of papers on a table, his sleeves rolled up and hair slightly unkempt compared to the last time you saw him. At first he doesn't even notice your entrance, until a polite cough from the servant grabs his attention. "Ah." He says, looking up suddenly. He squints his eyes past you, "thank you Danny," then looks out a nearby window, noticing the darkness for the first time. "But what are you still doing here? Go home. Sheesh." The servant - Danny apparently - smiles and says "yes of course milord," while closing the door behind him.
Jalen steps around the table, hands on his hips as he counts your numbers, noticing Usul's absence. "Well I'd ask how you've been enjoying the city so far, but I take it you're here for something more serious. What can I help you with?"
Usul
"Ahhh," Jamis says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I would just let that one go. You don't want to get involved with the guys he's running with now." He stops there for a moment, then continues when he feels like you're about to prod him some more. "Alright alright. They're no gang you've heard of, at least I don't think. New in the city, like the last month or so or something. Bunch of older kids. Like you, but meaner." Rubbing his hands together - a sort of nervous habit of his - he continues, "they're bad Usul, they go farther than anyone else. Really violent, I think they've killed some people...But they live like kings compared to the rest of us. Or so I hear."
"The city watch can't even find them or catch them, they move around the city like lightning."
Jalen steps around the table, hands on his hips as he counts your numbers, noticing Usul's absence. "Well I'd ask how you've been enjoying the city so far, but I take it you're here for something more serious. What can I help you with?"
Silthras looks slightly pained as he speaks, "My Lord, thank you for seeing us. We were hoping you might be able to tell us a little about the high priestess of Amah and, perhaps even, one of her people: one Clayus Malron. We met the latter today, and are wondering if we should try to meet the former tomorrow. It seems there is some consternation among the religious ranks."
The man raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the line of questions. "Well they can be quite an anxious folk."
"In any case, I only know of most of them in passing. The high priestess of Amah is a halfling by the name of Esmee. Hard to miss despite the height to be honest. I've never seen someone so small be so imposing." He chuckles to himself, shaking his head. "As for this Clayus, I've never heard of him."
"Is the Sanctum somewhere we should be concerned about?"
"I think...." Silthras glances at Velyra and Kal, "...I think that they represent some of our most natural allies, and as such, natural targets for our enemies."
"There were always going to be certain difficulties with them..." Again, he glances at Velyra, "What we have discovered will fundamentally challenge their beliefs. Nevertheless, I think it important to forewarn them of any threats. Based on what Clayus said, they may already be aware of a problem and have a perspective on it which could be useful."
He rubs his forehead with the tips of his fingers, clearly thinking these things through as he speaks. "Gaining their trust will be the hard part, assuming that they are not already compromised, that is."
"Ahhh," Jamis says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I would just let that one go. You don't want to get involved with the guys he's running with now." He stops there for a moment, then continues when he feels like you're about to prod him some more. "Alright alright. They're no gang you've heard of, at least I don't think. New in the city, like the last month or so or something. Bunch of older kids. Like you, but meaner." Rubbing his hands together - a sort of nervous habit of his - he continues, "they're bad Usul, they go farther than anyone else. Really violent, I think they've killed some people...But they live like kings compared to the rest of us. Or so I hear."
"The city watch can't even find them or catch them, they move around the city like lightning."
"they sound pretty scary." Usul says, listening about the new group. "Definitely someone to avoid. But we promised Ma we'd at least look around for the kid. Can you tell us at least where not not look."he adds with a wink.
Jalen scratches his chin, nodding slowly as the cogs turn in his head. "Well I don't think you can go around demanding one of the Sanctum's High Priestesses stand in a magic interrogation circle. And arranging a meeting with such a person is not a simple task, even for me." With a shrug, he turns and returns back behind his desk. "Perhaps this Clayus man is your way in, I would just be careful. The members of that temple are beloved here - you make the wrong move and you could very easily have an angry mob demanding your heads."
He gestures towards the papers scattered across his desk. "As for me, I've been looking back through correspondence, notes, journal entries...I don't really know what I'm looking for though, anything that seems odd about the other noble families' behavior I suppose."
Usul
"It doesn't quite work like that...Not with these guys. No one knows where they operate out of. They invite you." Jamis says, scratching the back of his head. He shifts uncomfortably, then takes out a dagger from behind him and begins carving something in the table. "I think I've figured out their marks though. They've been targeting the merchant families in Graystone pretty heavily." When he's done he leans back, letting you see the symbol. It's fairly simple, and could be mistaken for some random marking to most people. It consists of a half circle, opening upwards, with three vertical slashes passing through the middle. "There was a house they hit that had this carved into the fence post. When I passed by another time it had been carved away. Seems likely its what they use to tell their crews who the target is."
Usul nods after making a mental note of the scratch marks on the table and says, "Thanks buddy. One last thing. Any idea at all where they came from? Groups like this don't just start outa nowhere." Regardless of the answer, Usul and Dib head off through the streets he knows so well.
I'm not sure my timing vs the other group. Usul is pretty quick through cities, so likely could find the others... but if it's been too long he'll just head back to the manor to work on his secret box one more time while he waits.
Jalen scratches his chin, nodding slowly as the cogs turn in his head. "Well I don't think you can go around demanding one of the Sanctum's High Priestesses stand in a magic interrogation circle. And arranging a meeting with such a person is not a simple task, even for me." With a shrug, he turns and returns back behind his desk. "Perhaps this Clayus man is your way in, I would just be careful. The members of that temple are beloved here - you make the wrong move and you could very easily have an angry mob demanding your heads."
He gestures towards the papers scattered across his desk. "As for me, I've been looking back through correspondence, notes, journal entries...I don't really know what I'm looking for though, anything that seems odd about the other noble families' behavior I suppose."
Laughing, Silthras nods, "I imagine she might be less than amenable to such things, but she would be a valuable ally. I think making contact is a risk we have to take. I am hoping that Clayus may work in our favour. Of course, he may have just overheard something at dinner, but the mention 'betraying confidences' gives me hope. It's just the shadow of a sliver of hope, really..."
He turns to look out the window for a moment, dabbing his forehead with a kerchief. "There are just too many unknowns, but we can't wait until we have all the pieces."
When Jalen mentions journals and papers, Silthras turns back to look at the mess on the table. "You are not alone: I fear that none of us know what we are looking for. We have been very lucky so far." He walks over to the table, visually scanning for anything that piques his interest (( though if Jalen looks uncomfortable with this, he stops instantly)).
"Perhaps focusing on some people and their connections: Calmaius, and his contact Terryn Mowbray from the House of Peace -- do they have connections here, I wonder? Or perhaps, people taking an unexpected interest in archaeology? Or interest in the ruins near Silverfair?" He grins at Velyra, "I think archaeologists are going to be in high demand soon enough."
After a moment, Silthras rummages in his pack and takes out the odd mask. "Here's another piece: these masks were worn by Calmaius' tongueless guards. Such things, and such people, might have come through here."
Usul definitely wouldn't be able to resync with the group before they made it back to the manor. Just by how far in the other direction he went, and how long he spent talking to people. For simplicity I'd have him back right after they finish their conversation with Jalen.
Jamis gives a shrug, shaking his head. "That's just it, they really did just come out of nowhere. No one even knows who's running the whole crew. They're serious about their secrets."
After that, he heads back to the Belerac Manor. One of the servants is just leaving as he arrives, letting the gnome through the gate as he goes. Once he's found his own room and settled in, Usul pulls out the puzzle box and gets to work again. He ponders over the image carved into the current revealed box face, then pulls out his waterskin and dumps it over it. As the water runs over the carving of the stream, the machinery inside the box begins to whir again. The face flips back over, and the final unsolved face of the puzzle box reveals itself. It's another carving, depicting a serene grove with an altar in the center, while the moon hangs in the sky.
Looking over the papers, nothing immediately pops out to Silthras. Out of context, they all look random to him. These are personalized letters to Jalen, some notes of his own taking, invoices, etc.
"Just take care who you tell," Jalen warns, not seeming to mind the cursory glance over the papers on his desk. "Until the breadth of this conspiracy is revealed, I would play your cards close to your chest so to speak."
The half-elf's suggestions give the man pause for a moment, and an eyebrow goes up. "Well I wouldn't call it a sudden interest, but there is something of an archaeology buff in the city. Sort of a collector? They're here in the Council Ward."
((adding this for when the others are done and join in the castle))
As Usul is staring at the final image in his box, the others arrive back and see him waiting, Dib and Muad curled up in a corner of the room sleeping away peacefully as only animals can. Placing the box back into his bag he stands up and says, "Welcome back! How did you enjoy the city? Did you get lost?" Listening to their answers he then adds, "We went to see some old friends and found that there is trouble in the city as well. Though it's not likely connected with our quest, a group of bad guys has recently come to town..." He then draws the symbol that Jamis had shown him on a piece of paper and shows it to the group saying, "Please keep an eye out for this. Likely it'll be marked in front of manors such as this. If you see it, let us know. It's the only lead we've got for now..." He then throws the paper into the air as it burns away into nothing.
Silthras looks over to Velyra as he speaks. "That might be a promising avenue for one knowledgeable in archaeology to pursue...? They may have sources in many areas."
"Could be something. Honestly I think I'll take anything resembling a lead at this point." Velyra says with a shrug. She looks to Jalen next, "What's their name? Would we be able to meet them?"
"Our todo list is becoming quite large."Kal notes with a smile. "But Velyra is right, anything that could be a lead is helpful."
Later, when they've returned to their rooms and find Usul, he chuckles. "We didn't get lost, though I doubt we could have made it anywhere else but here if we tried."His smile fades as the young gnome fills them in on what he's found out. True, it wasn't connected to their purpose here but..."We'll do what we can. Do you have any idea where we should start looking for this?"He says, gesturing towards the paper before its burned away by magic. "There are some other things we need to attend to, but we should be able to dedicate some time to this as well before Corra arrives."
"Honestly no." Usul says, clearly disappointed. "That's all we have to work with for now. So we can just check out the city while we wait for our charms and to meet people, but please keep your eyes peeled for that symbol."
Silthras listens to Usul's tale with interest and smiles at Kal's comment. "We do have four days to wait for the amulets, and it might be best to avoid attracting too much attention before we have them. Perhaps some visiting Clayus and making professional inquiries at the collector..." he says glancing at Velyra as he speaks, "...and meanwhile some casual scouting for the marks." He turns to Usul, "Do you think we should ask our host to have his people keep an eye out for them as the travel about town?"
Usul thinks for a minute and says, "Maybe..."rather unsure about sharing this information with 'outsiders' to him and his type of people. "Let's see if we can spot anything first though while we move around tomorrow."
Handing the cards back with a grin Usul says, "A kid named Anner. Not much younger than us." he then goes on to explain what he knows of the boy, as well as his disappearance, asking at the end, "Heard of anyone like him around these days?"
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
The Scholar Gang
The four of you leave the room, searching a bit aimlessly around the manor for a few minutes before running into one of the servant's. With a polite nod, they lead you to Jalen's study, knocking gently before opening the door for you. This room is similar to the one you had met him in before, but much larger. The ceiling raises higher, and you can actually see there's two levels to this room, though the second floor is little more than a walkway to access more bookshelves. Jalen Belerac looms over a spread out pile of papers on a table, his sleeves rolled up and hair slightly unkempt compared to the last time you saw him. At first he doesn't even notice your entrance, until a polite cough from the servant grabs his attention. "Ah." He says, looking up suddenly. He squints his eyes past you, "thank you Danny," then looks out a nearby window, noticing the darkness for the first time. "But what are you still doing here? Go home. Sheesh." The servant - Danny apparently - smiles and says "yes of course milord," while closing the door behind him.
Jalen steps around the table, hands on his hips as he counts your numbers, noticing Usul's absence. "Well I'd ask how you've been enjoying the city so far, but I take it you're here for something more serious. What can I help you with?"
Usul
"Ahhh," Jamis says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I would just let that one go. You don't want to get involved with the guys he's running with now." He stops there for a moment, then continues when he feels like you're about to prod him some more. "Alright alright. They're no gang you've heard of, at least I don't think. New in the city, like the last month or so or something. Bunch of older kids. Like you, but meaner." Rubbing his hands together - a sort of nervous habit of his - he continues, "they're bad Usul, they go farther than anyone else. Really violent, I think they've killed some people...But they live like kings compared to the rest of us. Or so I hear."
"The city watch can't even find them or catch them, they move around the city like lightning."
Silthras looks slightly pained as he speaks, "My Lord, thank you for seeing us. We were hoping you might be able to tell us a little about the high priestess of Amah and, perhaps even, one of her people: one Clayus Malron. We met the latter today, and are wondering if we should try to meet the former tomorrow. It seems there is some consternation among the religious ranks."
The man raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the line of questions. "Well they can be quite an anxious folk."
"In any case, I only know of most of them in passing. The high priestess of Amah is a halfling by the name of Esmee. Hard to miss despite the height to be honest. I've never seen someone so small be so imposing." He chuckles to himself, shaking his head. "As for this Clayus, I've never heard of him."
"Is the Sanctum somewhere we should be concerned about?"
"I think...." Silthras glances at Velyra and Kal, "...I think that they represent some of our most natural allies, and as such, natural targets for our enemies."
"There were always going to be certain difficulties with them..." Again, he glances at Velyra, "What we have discovered will fundamentally challenge their beliefs. Nevertheless, I think it important to forewarn them of any threats. Based on what Clayus said, they may already be aware of a problem and have a perspective on it which could be useful."
He rubs his forehead with the tips of his fingers, clearly thinking these things through as he speaks. "Gaining their trust will be the hard part, assuming that they are not already compromised, that is."
"they sound pretty scary." Usul says, listening about the new group. "Definitely someone to avoid. But we promised Ma we'd at least look around for the kid. Can you tell us at least where not not look." he adds with a wink.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
The Scholar Gang
Jalen scratches his chin, nodding slowly as the cogs turn in his head. "Well I don't think you can go around demanding one of the Sanctum's High Priestesses stand in a magic interrogation circle. And arranging a meeting with such a person is not a simple task, even for me." With a shrug, he turns and returns back behind his desk. "Perhaps this Clayus man is your way in, I would just be careful. The members of that temple are beloved here - you make the wrong move and you could very easily have an angry mob demanding your heads."
He gestures towards the papers scattered across his desk. "As for me, I've been looking back through correspondence, notes, journal entries...I don't really know what I'm looking for though, anything that seems odd about the other noble families' behavior I suppose."
Usul
"It doesn't quite work like that...Not with these guys. No one knows where they operate out of. They invite you." Jamis says, scratching the back of his head. He shifts uncomfortably, then takes out a dagger from behind him and begins carving something in the table. "I think I've figured out their marks though. They've been targeting the merchant families in Graystone pretty heavily." When he's done he leans back, letting you see the symbol. It's fairly simple, and could be mistaken for some random marking to most people. It consists of a half circle, opening upwards, with three vertical slashes passing through the middle. "There was a house they hit that had this carved into the fence post. When I passed by another time it had been carved away. Seems likely its what they use to tell their crews who the target is."
Usul nods after making a mental note of the scratch marks on the table and says, "Thanks buddy. One last thing. Any idea at all where they came from? Groups like this don't just start outa nowhere." Regardless of the answer, Usul and Dib head off through the streets he knows so well.
I'm not sure my timing vs the other group. Usul is pretty quick through cities, so likely could find the others... but if it's been too long he'll just head back to the manor to work on his secret box one more time while he waits.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Laughing, Silthras nods, "I imagine she might be less than amenable to such things, but she would be a valuable ally. I think making contact is a risk we have to take. I am hoping that Clayus may work in our favour. Of course, he may have just overheard something at dinner, but the mention 'betraying confidences' gives me hope. It's just the shadow of a sliver of hope, really..."
He turns to look out the window for a moment, dabbing his forehead with a kerchief. "There are just too many unknowns, but we can't wait until we have all the pieces."
When Jalen mentions journals and papers, Silthras turns back to look at the mess on the table. "You are not alone: I fear that none of us know what we are looking for. We have been very lucky so far." He walks over to the table, visually scanning for anything that piques his interest (( though if Jalen looks uncomfortable with this, he stops instantly)).
"Perhaps focusing on some people and their connections: Calmaius, and his contact Terryn Mowbray from the House of Peace -- do they have connections here, I wonder? Or perhaps, people taking an unexpected interest in archaeology? Or interest in the ruins near Silverfair?" He grins at Velyra, "I think archaeologists are going to be in high demand soon enough."
After a moment, Silthras rummages in his pack and takes out the odd mask. "Here's another piece: these masks were worn by Calmaius' tongueless guards. Such things, and such people, might have come through here."
Silthras Inv - 23
Usul Inv - 10
Usul definitely wouldn't be able to resync with the group before they made it back to the manor. Just by how far in the other direction he went, and how long he spent talking to people. For simplicity I'd have him back right after they finish their conversation with Jalen.
Jamis gives a shrug, shaking his head. "That's just it, they really did just come out of nowhere. No one even knows who's running the whole crew. They're serious about their secrets."
After that, he heads back to the Belerac Manor. One of the servants is just leaving as he arrives, letting the gnome through the gate as he goes. Once he's found his own room and settled in, Usul pulls out the puzzle box and gets to work again. He ponders over the image carved into the current revealed box face, then pulls out his waterskin and dumps it over it. As the water runs over the carving of the stream, the machinery inside the box begins to whir again. The face flips back over, and the final unsolved face of the puzzle box reveals itself. It's another carving, depicting a serene grove with an altar in the center, while the moon hangs in the sky.
Looking over the papers, nothing immediately pops out to Silthras. Out of context, they all look random to him. These are personalized letters to Jalen, some notes of his own taking, invoices, etc.
"Just take care who you tell," Jalen warns, not seeming to mind the cursory glance over the papers on his desk. "Until the breadth of this conspiracy is revealed, I would play your cards close to your chest so to speak."
The half-elf's suggestions give the man pause for a moment, and an eyebrow goes up. "Well I wouldn't call it a sudden interest, but there is something of an archaeology buff in the city. Sort of a collector? They're here in the Council Ward."
((adding this for when the others are done and join in the castle))
As Usul is staring at the final image in his box, the others arrive back and see him waiting, Dib and Muad curled up in a corner of the room sleeping away peacefully as only animals can. Placing the box back into his bag he stands up and says, "Welcome back! How did you enjoy the city? Did you get lost?" Listening to their answers he then adds, "We went to see some old friends and found that there is trouble in the city as well. Though it's not likely connected with our quest, a group of bad guys has recently come to town..." He then draws the symbol that Jamis had shown him on a piece of paper and shows it to the group saying, "Please keep an eye out for this. Likely it'll be marked in front of manors such as this. If you see it, let us know. It's the only lead we've got for now..." He then throws the paper into the air as it burns away into nothing.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Silthras looks over to Velyra as he speaks. "That might be a promising avenue for one knowledgeable in archaeology to pursue...? They may have sources in many areas."
"Could be something. Honestly I think I'll take anything resembling a lead at this point." Velyra says with a shrug. She looks to Jalen next, "What's their name? Would we be able to meet them?"
Jalen nods, "her name is Eva Beitz. I can find out if she's in the city - she has a penchant for visiting dig sites or tracking down sellers herself."
"But that will have to wait for tomorrow at the earliest."
"Our todo list is becoming quite large." Kal notes with a smile. "But Velyra is right, anything that could be a lead is helpful."
Later, when they've returned to their rooms and find Usul, he chuckles. "We didn't get lost, though I doubt we could have made it anywhere else but here if we tried." His smile fades as the young gnome fills them in on what he's found out. True, it wasn't connected to their purpose here but..."We'll do what we can. Do you have any idea where we should start looking for this?" He says, gesturing towards the paper before its burned away by magic. "There are some other things we need to attend to, but we should be able to dedicate some time to this as well before Corra arrives."
"Honestly no." Usul says, clearly disappointed. "That's all we have to work with for now. So we can just check out the city while we wait for our charms and to meet people, but please keep your eyes peeled for that symbol."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Silthras listens to Usul's tale with interest and smiles at Kal's comment. "We do have four days to wait for the amulets, and it might be best to avoid attracting too much attention before we have them. Perhaps some visiting Clayus and making professional inquiries at the collector..." he says glancing at Velyra as he speaks, "...and meanwhile some casual scouting for the marks." He turns to Usul, "Do you think we should ask our host to have his people keep an eye out for them as the travel about town?"
Usul thinks for a minute and says, "Maybe..." rather unsure about sharing this information with 'outsiders' to him and his type of people. "Let's see if we can spot anything first though while we move around tomorrow."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM: