Ednyss just lets the two catch up for a bit before he chimes in. "I haven't really been doing much," Ednyss says, "I have been mostly sticking to the temple. Helped one of my friends in the Champion's District out a bit, but other than that, I've mostly been keeping to myself. I do wonder how long we will be waiting though..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
"I hope I'll see her soon as well. I might be furious when it comes to those responsible for what happened today, but I can control myself when an actual battle starts. If I couldn't, I won't be worthy of holding this shield." She taps her shield near her to further express what she means, although to you it just looks like a round wooden shield reinforced with a metal frame and a metal curve at the middle creating space for the hand holding the shield on the other side (just look for a Viking shield on google for a picture). Just a normal shield, not even decorated or painted in any way. It's full of scratches and dents from blocked attacks though. "Benita, on the other hand... I hope she could do the same. Warriors who can use their rage to their advantage effectively are very powerful ones, but also very rare. Others who try to do the same or that cannot control themselves often find their head is no longer attached to their shoulders. "I should probably apologize for shouting at you there. I didn't know what you were doing, but for a moment I pictured that sledge back in Lokimarra, all those dogs dead in an instant and smoke rising from them... I was afraid something like that might happen."
The second dwarf reappears, and with him, a third, older dwarf. His skin is rough and siltstone-colored, and a white beard cascades like an arctic waterfall from his moustache, stopping at a line just below his collarbone. He wears no armor, but instead a fine tunic and breeches pair woven of those particular fibres drawn from subterranean lichen which dwarves of means particularly enjoy, but which other races find itchy and uncomfortable in the extreme. Over this, a black waist-length wool coat, finely embroidered with white and silver threads. Atop his head, a four-tipped hat bearing what Ednyss sees must be his family crest.
His confident step indicates a mind that acts with pointed intent, and as he enters the room, you three stand reflexively. While studying your faces, he speaks, his voice strong and full, with a bright edge to it, muses Endryss, like a fine dwarven wine, and his manner is intelligent and urbane.
“I have seen the note from Shirei-Kin and checked its authenticity. Ever a man of few words -- all the more so when he deigns to write them. I am the individual who wrote to Shirei-Kin, seeking rugged souls to assist with the protection of my employer while he journeys here on the continent. Indeed, I expected to see Shirei-Kin here, alongside such prospective hires, to speak on their behalf, yet only a small corner of paper appears in his stead. I wonder, why is this so?” He awaits your response as he stands before the door, one of the --brothers, we’ll call them -- standing to each side of him, each five feet from the other in a sturdy line. The ‘brothers’’ axes are now held parallel to the floor.
Ednyss speaks up, "Well sir. I'm sure you heard of the tragedy that occurred during the Beauty Pageant earlier today, and Shirei-Kin was the head of security. As such he has matters to attend to that involve tracking down who may be responsible and consoling the families of those who lost someone." Ednyss pauses there to keep his answer short and to the point.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens eyes those axes nervously. He had no way of defending himself if these guys were psychopathic murderers.Stop being irrational, you twit.
Mittens adds to Ednyss's remark by saying, "Sherei-Kin told us that he is still waiting for that alcohol he was promised." Maybe that was supposed to be a code phrase of some kind?
"I have heard no news of the Games. We just arrived this afternoon from Core of Onyx, and the Master is resting following the journey."
The older dwarf is silent for a moment, then gestures to the two 'brothers,' and they simultaneously let their weapons hang at ease. Exchanging a look, one remains in the room, moving to stand quietly near the door, while the other walks back the way you came.
"I am Tuff Blueschist, and my employer is Granophyre Strewn. I have served the master scholar for many years, and that service has taken many forms. For the moment, that means taking no chances."
Blueschist continues, "Shirei-Kin is still at the arena, you say, in the Flaming Vestibule?" He walks across the room, to a small metal figurine in the shape and size of a sparrow placed on the mantel above the hearth, and picks it up, whispering quietly in it's ear in Dwarven, which only Ednyss understands.
"Did you get that?"
The figurine's head turns to look at the dwarf and nod its head sharply, then it spreads wings which grow in an instant from the smooth metal surface of its body and flutters out of the salon. In a flash, it flits up through the aperture in the courtyard ceiling and is gone.
"I will return shortly," Tuff says. "Please, sit." Blueschist exits the salon and walks across the courtyard. Through carved interior windows in the salon wall, you see him then disappear into a far corner doorway. The fire continues to crackle and pop, soothingly.
A few minutes later, he returns, and with him is another dwarf, a young woman. Blueschist reenters the salon, and Ednyss notes with almost held breath as the woman enters behind him, that she is stunningly attractive. Her full lips are formed into an enigmatic smile, upon a face of an unusual red-rock hue, with large doe-eyes. She wears a simple black wrapper, bound at the waist with a silver belt, and a cowl surrounds her face but allows her frizzy hair, black with rust highlights, to flow out, or rather, upwards. It is tied atop her head in a splayed bun with a black silk bow. She carries a silver tray with refreshments set upon it and moves with flowing grace, silently kneeling before the coffee table opposite you three, eyes modestly turned downwards, deftly arranging glasses of mead, small loaves of thick-crusted bread, dried spicy Dwarven meats, and local figs. She then rises and turns to go.
"Thank you, Strata," says Blueschist, and then he folds his legs under him, sits on his calves with hands on thighs, across the coffee table from you, his posture firm and erect. He gestures for you to help yourselves to what is offered, then speaks again with measured tone.
"Now, tell me. What experience you bring to this position you're applying for," (OOC: you can RP or summarize. Blueschist asks follow up questions, some details. Each of you probably speaks for five minutes or so).
"Shirei-Kin told us it's a kind of escort duty. Security, at the very least. Unfortunately, I spent more of my time of service doing similar things, even though I repeatedly requested a duty with more action. The only interesting things that happened to me that entire time was the battle at Lokimarra. Anyway, security detail is what you need, so that should probably suffice." She goes on and answers the dwarf's follow-up questions, more or less. She'll tell him anything about her service and the last month in the arena if he asks about it. If he wants to know further, she'll tell him a bit about the days she just wandered before she was enlisted. If he asks her about further past, she'll just say she was trained by a priest following Takal Demesh in a northern village, without giving any more details, even if he keeps pressing on the matter. Not that there was much more to tell, but giving details about that distant time in the past was something she was more careful with.
Ednyss replies, "I worked under Shirei-Kin today with security and helped ensure the arena didn't break out into riots. As far as my skill set, I am able to siphon some of the power of Takal Demesh with his blessing and I can serve as effective security. I served with Shirei-Kin during the battle of Lokimarra as well, if that means anything to you." With that much background, he cuts himself short and just answers each of Blueschist's questions curtly. He is willing to talk about his service and his worship as well as his history in the Core of Onyx before he eventually left to come to Ishi Ammah and then was drafted into service. He notably leaves out his dwarven ambitions and his gambling habits, but he answers every other question truthfully. If directly asked about gambling he concedes, "I have been known to gamble here and there, but everyone has their vices."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Blueschist says, “Lokimarra. I am impressed that you live to tell the tale. Even in the Dwarven Isles, we have heard of that terrible battle.” He then listens to Mittens response (OOC: which Mittens can add in the next post)
As his last words are spoken, the sparrow figurine which had flown away earlier, returns in a silent fluttering and lands on Blueschist's palm as he brings up his hand to accommodate. In its beak is another slip of paper, which is of the same color and weight as the one Shirei-Kin had handed Ednyss earlier. Blueschist takes this new note with his other hand. Reading it, he nods once firmly. He holds the sparrow, now returned to its inanimate figurine shape, for a moment, then tosses it lightly back to the mantle, where it lands, impossibly, in exactly the position it had held before.
"Good enough. Here is what is offered. You will guard Master Strewn, to the extent that you are able, starting tomorrow at twelve bells, for the remainder of the Second Month, or as the Jenghens call it, Beauty. Your duties will extend throughout the day and night, and may involve travel. The period of employment may go longer than that, if mutually agreed by myself and you. If your employment ends at a time when you are not in Ishi Ammah, you will be paid additional travel fare for return to Ishi Ammah. Your lives will be at risk throughout this period. A small sum, in addition to any owed earnings, will be paid to any dependents you might have should you die while in the Master's service. You will report to me, or in my absence, directly to Master Strewn. While you are in the Master's employ, you are under an oath of confidentiality, and no details of service, or the name of your employer may be shared with any other person, including aforementioned dependents or family. The pay for these duties is living expenses, plus ten pieces of Jenghen gold per day (OOC: i.e., 10GP/day), each."
He now pulls some folded papers from a breast pocket and unfurling them, places one on the table before each of you. "These are agreements for you to sign." They are penned in Dwarvish script on very nice vellum, and remind all three of you of similar papers you had to sign upon enlisting in the Jenghen provincial brigade. You notice that he had pulled out five, not three such papers, and that he frowns slightly at the other two before replacing them in his pocket. From the other side of the mantle, he takes ink and a quill, and places them on the table, awaiting your response.
Mittens responds, "I'm a necromancer. I grew up in Ixtopyl. Terrible place, wouldn't recommend." He laughs weakly before becoming serious again and saying, "I was recruited by the Empire and did some office work for a while until I actually got into some action up North with these two." He gestures to his companions near him.
He answers any followup questions, but he avoids talking about the Employer. That was a subject for another time. He also tries to avoid specific details about his time in the Land of Monsters.
After that tidbit:
Mittens's eyebrows rise significantly when he hears the pay for this job. Holy cow! Is this dude rich or what! Think of all the spells you could copy with that!
When he receives the document, he pores over it thoroughly to make sure he isn't going to sign over his first child of anything before wringing down his signature. Despite him writing, he has a spidery cursive that is somewhat cramped and difficult to read.
Varielky also signs the paper. Thinking back, she wasn't sure how it'll help her find the poisoners. What was she thinking? They didn't even know about the attack and would have asked for their help even if it didn't happen. She thinks about who she can give her money to. Of course, her village was the obvious choice, it'll probably help them get through the rough winters in the north, but she didn't want to tell them where she came from. Even though it wasn't officially Drey, many viewed the village as one. "If something does happen to me, just donate the money to temples where injuries are healed and lives are saved." She says as she returns the signed paper to the dwarf. Looking around, she realises it's weird to be in a room with so many short-ones. She was usually shorter than others when around humans, even if not significantly so. Being around only dwarves and a cat, however, made her feel like a giant.
"There's a woman in the Champion's District," Ednyss starts, "If anything should happen to me, her name is Ingrid and she owns a specialized smithy for war picks and hammers. That's where you can send my money should I fail to survive." With that, he signs the paper in blocky, uniform handwriting and hands the paper back to Blueschist. "Anything else?" he asks.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Tuff Blueschist, seemingly satisfied, rises smoothly and waits for you to stand. "Very good. We will now part, and I will look for you tomorrow at twelve bells. You should bring with you everything you need, for you will not return home until your employment ends. You have the morning to say your goodbyes to family and friends, but remember. No details, and no names. If pressed, you may say that you expect to travel up the Rainbow Coast, and then I will want to know to whom that is said." He then nods to the second 'brother,' who says, "follow me," and leads you back to the door.
The first 'brother' is just outside, and opens the lacquered chest, which you gather he was sitting beside, leaning back in one of the terrace chairs judging by its current position, and you reclaim your things, which are exactly as you left them. The path, which lights once again when you step upon it, leads you back to the gate, which opens with a pleasant metallic tune and its melodious female voice bids you "Good night," in Jenghen as it quietly clicks shut behind you. You think the time is around half-past eight bells, and the darkness of the misty night has deepened, broken at intervals by the glow of streetlamps. A slight breeze blows off of the sea, salty and pungent.
(OOC: Whether it is the excitement of the day, or a culmination of your last few weeks spent in Ishi Ammah, or new confidence gained from each of you having turned a page in your life story, you three will awaken the following morning having reached 3rd-level.)
Once outside the gates, Mittens says, "Well, see ya guys tomorrow." With that, he begins heading home with a slight skip in his step. He keeps thinking on how much magic he can learn with all that money. Just the thought of learning new spells fills him with excitement as he travels on. Seeing new places would be nice too. He just hopes that this scholar their protecting doesn't like to get into too much trouble.
When he's almost home, he remembers that Hania wanted to talk to him. He makes his way to the temple to see if she's still there ((I think it closes at 6 if I remember correctly, but he checks anyway)). If she is still there, he talks to her. If she isn't, he heads home.
When he arrives, he informs everyone that he's leaving tomorrow for a job, but he doesn't give any details. He packs up all his stuff.
The next morning, he goes to the temple if he didn't talk to Hania yet. Afterwards, he goes to a few tourist attraction sights before going to the designated meeting place at 12.
Ednyss heads back towards Ingrid's place giving a mock salute to Mittens and Varielky on his way out. On his way back he begins to feel excited for the opportunity to serve protecting a figure such as Gramophyre Strewn. This dwarf had done much research into the very thing Ednyss was interested in and Ednyss would absolutely adore an opportunity to speak with him alone. With this on his mind, he excitedly bounces into Ingrid's shop and lets her know that he will be heading out for a bit. If she prods deeper into where he is going he just responds, "You know me Ingrid, I'm always looking out for the next opportunity to learn about other races. After all, knowledge is power and it is the only way that we can bring back the time before the Hammer. Besides, not telling you where I'm going will just make it that much better of a story when I get back."
He spends the rest of the night packing his meager belongings and double and triple checking his equipment. With everything set for the next day, Ednyss finally decides to rest and wakes the next morning refreshed, and ready to go. He spends all of that morning until just before 12 bells at the temple of Takal Demesh helping out with little rituals here and there. He also makes it a point to tell the High Priest Malike that he will be gone for the remainder of the month of Beauty, but that he is doing good work in the name of Takal Demesh and that he will spread the word wherever he happens to travel. After assisting some of the other acolytes with their rituals, Ednyss performs a short prayer of his own, and by the end of it, he feels a powerful surge of divine energy enter and permeate his body. He touches the emblem on his shoulder and feels it pulsing with divine energy. Whispering a thanks to Takal Demesh for his new powers, Ednyss bows and exits the temple heading straight to the designated meeting place and arriving just at 12 bells.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Later that evening, while the light mist still hangs over Ishi Ammah, Mittens finds Haniah sitting on the steps of the Temple of Moeitu when he arrives, looking at her feet, a bit downcast. Her head, with its broad cheeks, turns upwards, and a half-smile brightens her expression as she sees Mittens.
"I've had them since I was very small, Mittens. Premonitions." She picks up a brown leaf which, dancing in a breeze, has fallen in her lap. "I knew I would have a brother before my mother even knew she was with child." She glances up and smiles hello as one of the other acolytes passes by, waving to both of you while continuing up the steps. "When I was only six, I saw another child crying, and could tell him right away that he need not worry, his lost toy was in a particular place. And it was."
She looks at Mittens. "I don't know why I know these things, I just do. I don't know if Moeitu shows me, but I am grateful to him regardless. Mittens, I know you are leaving, that you must go. I want you to take something with you." And as a pair of worshippers pass you, walking down the steps from the temple, Haniah, from a pouch slung over her shoulder, produces a pair of fine leather boots, moccasins really, cross-stitched with white threaded V's, like soaring gulls.
"They are boots of flying. My father gave these to me, when I first came to Ishi Ammah on pilgrimage, so that I could stay out of harm's reach. But I am protected here in the Temple, and to be very honest...I am afraid of heights!" She laughs, a husky tender sound. "I have never had cause to use them."
She places the boots in Mittens hands, and then curls his fingers shut around them in a kind of brief embrace. "Be careful," she says, looking at Mittens calmly.
As the party splits, Varielky heads to the temple of Takal Demesh first. Once there, she'll pray and thank the god for letting her live a while longer, giving her a second chance to prove her worth. She knows it might arouse suspicion, but it is her best bet. Varielky looks for something she can draw on and tries to draw on it the symbol that appeared in her dream, then she approaches and asks one of the priests around whether they know what it means. Before heading out, she also leaves a donation of 10 Jengehn gold for the temple, so they can treat future injured warriors who need medical attention.
(OOC: Intentionally didn't detail the above much so you can answer it however you like, if at all. Also wasn't sure if the 6 bells thing was only Mittens' temple or all of them.)
After leaving the temple, Varielky heads back home.
(OOC: It turned out short since most of what I planned was related to the next day...)
Ednyss and Varielky go back the way they came towards the Promenade, together I think, at first. It's only a short walk, but Ednyss suspects that someone may have been following them from Safi Meknes back to the Promenade.
As you turn down the Promenade together, from behind you hear the clattering of hooves thundering upon you, and a heavy wagon, pulled by a team of six very fine horses, with a large chest atop it, beaming a bright blue light ahead of it, tears down the hill (not from the street you were on). People must leap aside, which is not terribly uncommon, nor are accidents. But as it passes you two, Ednyss, whose quick eyes misses little, notes the drivers as they speed under a streetlamp, and to his surprise, he recognizes one of them. It takes him several moments to place it: the man with a scar running straight across his face, from that night at The Docks. One of the killers! But, by the time it adds up, the carriage is already two blocks away, and has turned toward the bridge to The Crossings or the City Gate to the River Road. By the look of it, heading out of town, either inland, or up the coast, or elsewhere.
Looking back, as people move back onto the wide avenue, Ednyss no longer sees the follower, and does not see them again. Continuing on to the arena, you go your separate ways at the plaza, Varielky to the temple, where a shrine and donations box are always open, but where she finds that the priests have retired to their internal lodgings for the night, and Ednyss, back to his room above Ingrid's smithy.
Ednyss keeps his suspicions to himself, Varielky has plenty to worry about as it is, but he begins to hum a prayer to himself to keep his nerves under control. Ednyss is usually not prone to nerves, but this is a puzzle that he is just having a bit of trouble putting together and the ramifications of it could be immense not just for Ishi Ammah, but perhaps for the Jenghen Empire. Regardless, he continues on towards Ingrid's smith and to his room.
(OOC: Intentions once there are included in previous post.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ingrid looks at Ednyss, and in response to his news that he’s leaving, quietly smiles, and says, "I was wondering how long you'd be around. Let’s have a nice send off for you, eh?”
She brings up a hot meal and a small tankard of ale to Ednyss' room, and first of all, wants to hear the whole story of his day at the arena, and listens with enjoyment, 'ooing' and 'aahing' about Ednyss' fight with the ruffians, turning details on their heads merrily, sympathizing, cussing and slapping the table with outrage, 'POISON! NO!!', and generally making Ednyss feel that his story was even better than it ought to have been. By this point, the tankard is empty, and you’re both enjoying the moment, and you're both a bit tipsy.
After a brief silence, she says, "Well, my friend. I'll be sad to see you go!" Smiling broadly, she continues, "but I know you've got the wanderlust and there's more for you to do than sit around here and help me with my smithing, as tremendous as my company is!" She stands and bows, sloshing ale on her frock and laughing herself nearly sick at it.
"Look here, Ednyss. I've got something I want to show you. I've been working on it for a while, with the help of a friend back at Core of Onyx. It just came back from her a few days ago. It's a commission. For some idiot royal over in Jen Ghessa, who'll no doubt hang it up in his armory, and there it'll stay, useless as a fly without shiz to fly around! Hang on, I'll be right back."
And she practically falls head over heels down the stairs to her shop, righting herself and whooping with laughter, then returns a minute later, holding a weapon box under her arm, and something else behind her back.
She shows you the box, which is beautifully done in dwarven style, large and flat, and heavy. Within it is a war pick. Given that these are her specialty, you've seen many finely made ones, but this. This is the finest you have ever seen. Masterfully balanced, etched with runes. Tassels made from a Dwarven lichen which soaks up blood very efficiently, to keep the handle from getting slippery. It has a black leather grip with gold strands woven into it and a very fine onyx pair -- perfectly matched -- in the head and pommel. It is magnificent, and gives off its own radiance, a dull magical sheen.
"Nice, eh?" She says. "Well guess what? I made two while I was at it!"
From behind her back, she pulls an exact copy of the first pick, and hands it to Ednyss, knocking both of your ale glasses off the table in the process, and again she laughs joyfully.
"For you, my friend. By Takal Demesh, may you use it well!"
Ednyss just lets the two catch up for a bit before he chimes in. "I haven't really been doing much," Ednyss says, "I have been mostly sticking to the temple. Helped one of my friends in the Champion's District out a bit, but other than that, I've mostly been keeping to myself. I do wonder how long we will be waiting though..."
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
"I hope I'll see her soon as well. I might be furious when it comes to those responsible for what happened today, but I can control myself when an actual battle starts. If I couldn't, I won't be worthy of holding this shield." She taps her shield near her to further express what she means, although to you it just looks like a round wooden shield reinforced with a metal frame and a metal curve at the middle creating space for the hand holding the shield on the other side (just look for a Viking shield on google for a picture). Just a normal shield, not even decorated or painted in any way. It's full of scratches and dents from blocked attacks though. "Benita, on the other hand... I hope she could do the same. Warriors who can use their rage to their advantage effectively are very powerful ones, but also very rare. Others who try to do the same or that cannot control themselves often find their head is no longer attached to their shoulders.
"I should probably apologize for shouting at you there. I didn't know what you were doing, but for a moment I pictured that sledge back in Lokimarra, all those dogs dead in an instant and smoke rising from them... I was afraid something like that might happen."
Varielky
The second dwarf reappears, and with him, a third, older dwarf. His skin is rough and siltstone-colored, and a white beard cascades like an arctic waterfall from his moustache, stopping at a line just below his collarbone. He wears no armor, but instead a fine tunic and breeches pair woven of those particular fibres drawn from subterranean lichen which dwarves of means particularly enjoy, but which other races find itchy and uncomfortable in the extreme. Over this, a black waist-length wool coat, finely embroidered with white and silver threads. Atop his head, a four-tipped hat bearing what Ednyss sees must be his family crest.
His confident step indicates a mind that acts with pointed intent, and as he enters the room, you three stand reflexively. While studying your faces, he speaks, his voice strong and full, with a bright edge to it, muses Endryss, like a fine dwarven wine, and his manner is intelligent and urbane.
“I have seen the note from Shirei-Kin and checked its authenticity. Ever a man of few words -- all the more so when he deigns to write them. I am the individual who wrote to Shirei-Kin, seeking rugged souls to assist with the protection of my employer while he journeys here on the continent. Indeed, I expected to see Shirei-Kin here, alongside such prospective hires, to speak on their behalf, yet only a small corner of paper appears in his stead. I wonder, why is this so?” He awaits your response as he stands before the door, one of the --brothers, we’ll call them -- standing to each side of him, each five feet from the other in a sturdy line. The ‘brothers’’ axes are now held parallel to the floor.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Ednyss speaks up, "Well sir. I'm sure you heard of the tragedy that occurred during the Beauty Pageant earlier today, and Shirei-Kin was the head of security. As such he has matters to attend to that involve tracking down who may be responsible and consoling the families of those who lost someone." Ednyss pauses there to keep his answer short and to the point.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens eyes those axes nervously. He had no way of defending himself if these guys were psychopathic murderers. Stop being irrational, you twit.
Mittens adds to Ednyss's remark by saying, "Sherei-Kin told us that he is still waiting for that alcohol he was promised." Maybe that was supposed to be a code phrase of some kind?
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
"I have heard no news of the Games. We just arrived this afternoon from Core of Onyx, and the Master is resting following the journey."
The older dwarf is silent for a moment, then gestures to the two 'brothers,' and they simultaneously let their weapons hang at ease. Exchanging a look, one remains in the room, moving to stand quietly near the door, while the other walks back the way you came.
"I am Tuff Blueschist, and my employer is Granophyre Strewn. I have served the master scholar for many years, and that service has taken many forms. For the moment, that means taking no chances."
Blueschist continues, "Shirei-Kin is still at the arena, you say, in the Flaming Vestibule?" He walks across the room, to a small metal figurine in the shape and size of a sparrow placed on the mantel above the hearth, and picks it up, whispering quietly in it's ear in Dwarven, which only Ednyss understands.
"Did you get that?"
The figurine's head turns to look at the dwarf and nod its head sharply, then it spreads wings which grow in an instant from the smooth metal surface of its body and flutters out of the salon. In a flash, it flits up through the aperture in the courtyard ceiling and is gone.
"I will return shortly," Tuff says. "Please, sit." Blueschist exits the salon and walks across the courtyard. Through carved interior windows in the salon wall, you see him then disappear into a far corner doorway. The fire continues to crackle and pop, soothingly.
A few minutes later, he returns, and with him is another dwarf, a young woman. Blueschist reenters the salon, and Ednyss notes with almost held breath as the woman enters behind him, that she is stunningly attractive. Her full lips are formed into an enigmatic smile, upon a face of an unusual red-rock hue, with large doe-eyes. She wears a simple black wrapper, bound at the waist with a silver belt, and a cowl surrounds her face but allows her frizzy hair, black with rust highlights, to flow out, or rather, upwards. It is tied atop her head in a splayed bun with a black silk bow. She carries a silver tray with refreshments set upon it and moves with flowing grace, silently kneeling before the coffee table opposite you three, eyes modestly turned downwards, deftly arranging glasses of mead, small loaves of thick-crusted bread, dried spicy Dwarven meats, and local figs. She then rises and turns to go.
"Thank you, Strata," says Blueschist, and then he folds his legs under him, sits on his calves with hands on thighs, across the coffee table from you, his posture firm and erect. He gestures for you to help yourselves to what is offered, then speaks again with measured tone.
"Now, tell me. What experience you bring to this position you're applying for," (OOC: you can RP or summarize. Blueschist asks follow up questions, some details. Each of you probably speaks for five minutes or so).
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"Shirei-Kin told us it's a kind of escort duty. Security, at the very least. Unfortunately, I spent more of my time of service doing similar things, even though I repeatedly requested a duty with more action. The only interesting things that happened to me that entire time was the battle at Lokimarra. Anyway, security detail is what you need, so that should probably suffice." She goes on and answers the dwarf's follow-up questions, more or less. She'll tell him anything about her service and the last month in the arena if he asks about it. If he wants to know further, she'll tell him a bit about the days she just wandered before she was enlisted. If he asks her about further past, she'll just say she was trained by a priest following Takal Demesh in a northern village, without giving any more details, even if he keeps pressing on the matter. Not that there was much more to tell, but giving details about that distant time in the past was something she was more careful with.
Varielky
Ednyss replies, "I worked under Shirei-Kin today with security and helped ensure the arena didn't break out into riots. As far as my skill set, I am able to siphon some of the power of Takal Demesh with his blessing and I can serve as effective security. I served with Shirei-Kin during the battle of Lokimarra as well, if that means anything to you." With that much background, he cuts himself short and just answers each of Blueschist's questions curtly. He is willing to talk about his service and his worship as well as his history in the Core of Onyx before he eventually left to come to Ishi Ammah and then was drafted into service. He notably leaves out his dwarven ambitions and his gambling habits, but he answers every other question truthfully. If directly asked about gambling he concedes, "I have been known to gamble here and there, but everyone has their vices."
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Blueschist says, “Lokimarra. I am impressed that you live to tell the tale. Even in the Dwarven Isles, we have heard of that terrible battle.” He then listens to Mittens response (OOC: which Mittens can add in the next post)
As his last words are spoken, the sparrow figurine which had flown away earlier, returns in a silent fluttering and lands on Blueschist's palm as he brings up his hand to accommodate. In its beak is another slip of paper, which is of the same color and weight as the one Shirei-Kin had handed Ednyss earlier. Blueschist takes this new note with his other hand. Reading it, he nods once firmly. He holds the sparrow, now returned to its inanimate figurine shape, for a moment, then tosses it lightly back to the mantle, where it lands, impossibly, in exactly the position it had held before.
"Good enough. Here is what is offered. You will guard Master Strewn, to the extent that you are able, starting tomorrow at twelve bells, for the remainder of the Second Month, or as the Jenghens call it, Beauty. Your duties will extend throughout the day and night, and may involve travel. The period of employment may go longer than that, if mutually agreed by myself and you. If your employment ends at a time when you are not in Ishi Ammah, you will be paid additional travel fare for return to Ishi Ammah. Your lives will be at risk throughout this period. A small sum, in addition to any owed earnings, will be paid to any dependents you might have should you die while in the Master's service. You will report to me, or in my absence, directly to Master Strewn. While you are in the Master's employ, you are under an oath of confidentiality, and no details of service, or the name of your employer may be shared with any other person, including aforementioned dependents or family. The pay for these duties is living expenses, plus ten pieces of Jenghen gold per day (OOC: i.e., 10GP/day), each."
He now pulls some folded papers from a breast pocket and unfurling them, places one on the table before each of you. "These are agreements for you to sign." They are penned in Dwarvish script on very nice vellum, and remind all three of you of similar papers you had to sign upon enlisting in the Jenghen provincial brigade.
You notice that he had pulled out five, not three such papers, and that he frowns slightly at the other two before replacing them in his pocket. From the other side of the mantle, he takes ink and a quill, and places them on the table, awaiting your response.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
When telling "what he brings to the table:"
Mittens responds, "I'm a necromancer. I grew up in Ixtopyl. Terrible place, wouldn't recommend." He laughs weakly before becoming serious again and saying, "I was recruited by the Empire and did some office work for a while until I actually got into some action up North with these two." He gestures to his companions near him.
He answers any followup questions, but he avoids talking about the Employer. That was a subject for another time. He also tries to avoid specific details about his time in the Land of Monsters.
After that tidbit:
Mittens's eyebrows rise significantly when he hears the pay for this job. Holy cow! Is this dude rich or what! Think of all the spells you could copy with that!
When he receives the document, he pores over it thoroughly to make sure he isn't going to sign over his first child of anything before wringing down his signature. Despite him writing, he has a spidery cursive that is somewhat cramped and difficult to read.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Varielky also signs the paper. Thinking back, she wasn't sure how it'll help her find the poisoners. What was she thinking? They didn't even know about the attack and would have asked for their help even if it didn't happen. She thinks about who she can give her money to. Of course, her village was the obvious choice, it'll probably help them get through the rough winters in the north, but she didn't want to tell them where she came from. Even though it wasn't officially Drey, many viewed the village as one.
"If something does happen to me, just donate the money to temples where injuries are healed and lives are saved." She says as she returns the signed paper to the dwarf. Looking around, she realises it's weird to be in a room with so many short-ones. She was usually shorter than others when around humans, even if not significantly so. Being around only dwarves and a cat, however, made her feel like a giant.
Varielky
"There's a woman in the Champion's District," Ednyss starts, "If anything should happen to me, her name is Ingrid and she owns a specialized smithy for war picks and hammers. That's where you can send my money should I fail to survive." With that, he signs the paper in blocky, uniform handwriting and hands the paper back to Blueschist. "Anything else?" he asks.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Tuff Blueschist, seemingly satisfied, rises smoothly and waits for you to stand. "Very good. We will now part, and I will look for you tomorrow at twelve bells. You should bring with you everything you need, for you will not return home until your employment ends. You have the morning to say your goodbyes to family and friends, but remember. No details, and no names. If pressed, you may say that you expect to travel up the Rainbow Coast, and then I will want to know to whom that is said." He then nods to the second 'brother,' who says, "follow me," and leads you back to the door.
The first 'brother' is just outside, and opens the lacquered chest, which you gather he was sitting beside, leaning back in one of the terrace chairs judging by its current position, and you reclaim your things, which are exactly as you left them. The path, which lights once again when you step upon it, leads you back to the gate, which opens with a pleasant metallic tune and its melodious female voice bids you "Good night," in Jenghen as it quietly clicks shut behind you. You think the time is around half-past eight bells, and the darkness of the misty night has deepened, broken at intervals by the glow of streetlamps. A slight breeze blows off of the sea, salty and pungent.
(OOC: Whether it is the excitement of the day, or a culmination of your last few weeks spent in Ishi Ammah, or new confidence gained from each of you having turned a page in your life story, you three will awaken the following morning having reached 3rd-level.)
You're outside the entry gate. What do you do?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Once outside the gates, Mittens says, "Well, see ya guys tomorrow." With that, he begins heading home with a slight skip in his step. He keeps thinking on how much magic he can learn with all that money. Just the thought of learning new spells fills him with excitement as he travels on. Seeing new places would be nice too. He just hopes that this scholar their protecting doesn't like to get into too much trouble.
When he's almost home, he remembers that Hania wanted to talk to him. He makes his way to the temple to see if she's still there ((I think it closes at 6 if I remember correctly, but he checks anyway)). If she is still there, he talks to her. If she isn't, he heads home.
When he arrives, he informs everyone that he's leaving tomorrow for a job, but he doesn't give any details. He packs up all his stuff.
The next morning, he goes to the temple if he didn't talk to Hania yet. Afterwards, he goes to a few tourist attraction sights before going to the designated meeting place at 12.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Ednyss heads back towards Ingrid's place giving a mock salute to Mittens and Varielky on his way out. On his way back he begins to feel excited for the opportunity to serve protecting a figure such as Gramophyre Strewn. This dwarf had done much research into the very thing Ednyss was interested in and Ednyss would absolutely adore an opportunity to speak with him alone. With this on his mind, he excitedly bounces into Ingrid's shop and lets her know that he will be heading out for a bit. If she prods deeper into where he is going he just responds, "You know me Ingrid, I'm always looking out for the next opportunity to learn about other races. After all, knowledge is power and it is the only way that we can bring back the time before the Hammer. Besides, not telling you where I'm going will just make it that much better of a story when I get back."
He spends the rest of the night packing his meager belongings and double and triple checking his equipment. With everything set for the next day, Ednyss finally decides to rest and wakes the next morning refreshed, and ready to go. He spends all of that morning until just before 12 bells at the temple of Takal Demesh helping out with little rituals here and there. He also makes it a point to tell the High Priest Malike that he will be gone for the remainder of the month of Beauty, but that he is doing good work in the name of Takal Demesh and that he will spread the word wherever he happens to travel. After assisting some of the other acolytes with their rituals, Ednyss performs a short prayer of his own, and by the end of it, he feels a powerful surge of divine energy enter and permeate his body. He touches the emblem on his shoulder and feels it pulsing with divine energy. Whispering a thanks to Takal Demesh for his new powers, Ednyss bows and exits the temple heading straight to the designated meeting place and arriving just at 12 bells.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Mittens
Later that evening, while the light mist still hangs over Ishi Ammah, Mittens finds Haniah sitting on the steps of the Temple of Moeitu when he arrives, looking at her feet, a bit downcast. Her head, with its broad cheeks, turns upwards, and a half-smile brightens her expression as she sees Mittens.
"I've had them since I was very small, Mittens. Premonitions." She picks up a brown leaf which, dancing in a breeze, has fallen in her lap. "I knew I would have a brother before my mother even knew she was with child." She glances up and smiles hello as one of the other acolytes passes by, waving to both of you while continuing up the steps. "When I was only six, I saw another child crying, and could tell him right away that he need not worry, his lost toy was in a particular place. And it was."
She looks at Mittens. "I don't know why I know these things, I just do. I don't know if Moeitu shows me, but I am grateful to him regardless. Mittens, I know you are leaving, that you must go. I want you to take something with you." And as a pair of worshippers pass you, walking down the steps from the temple, Haniah, from a pouch slung over her shoulder, produces a pair of fine leather boots, moccasins really, cross-stitched with white threaded V's, like soaring gulls.
"They are boots of flying. My father gave these to me, when I first came to Ishi Ammah on pilgrimage, so that I could stay out of harm's reach. But I am protected here in the Temple, and to be very honest...I am afraid of heights!" She laughs, a husky tender sound. "I have never had cause to use them."
She places the boots in Mittens hands, and then curls his fingers shut around them in a kind of brief embrace. "Be careful," she says, looking at Mittens calmly.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
As the party splits, Varielky heads to the temple of Takal Demesh first. Once there, she'll pray and thank the god for letting her live a while longer, giving her a second chance to prove her worth.
She knows it might arouse suspicion, but it is her best bet. Varielky looks for something she can draw on and tries to draw on it the symbol that appeared in her dream, then she approaches and asks one of the priests around whether they know what it means.
Before heading out, she also leaves a donation of 10 Jengehn gold for the temple, so they can treat future injured warriors who need medical attention.
(OOC: Intentionally didn't detail the above much so you can answer it however you like, if at all. Also wasn't sure if the 6 bells thing was only Mittens' temple or all of them.)
After leaving the temple, Varielky heads back home.
(OOC: It turned out short since most of what I planned was related to the next day...)
Varielky
Ednyss and Varielky go back the way they came towards the Promenade, together I think, at first. It's only a short walk, but Ednyss suspects that someone may have been following them from Safi Meknes back to the Promenade.
As you turn down the Promenade together, from behind you hear the clattering of hooves thundering upon you, and a heavy wagon, pulled by a team of six very fine horses, with a large chest atop it, beaming a bright blue light ahead of it, tears down the hill (not from the street you were on). People must leap aside, which is not terribly uncommon, nor are accidents. But as it passes you two, Ednyss, whose quick eyes misses little, notes the drivers as they speed under a streetlamp, and to his surprise, he recognizes one of them. It takes him several moments to place it: the man with a scar running straight across his face, from that night at The Docks. One of the killers! But, by the time it adds up, the carriage is already two blocks away, and has turned toward the bridge to The Crossings or the City Gate to the River Road. By the look of it, heading out of town, either inland, or up the coast, or elsewhere.
Looking back, as people move back onto the wide avenue, Ednyss no longer sees the follower, and does not see them again. Continuing on to the arena, you go your separate ways at the plaza, Varielky to the temple, where a shrine and donations box are always open, but where she finds that the priests have retired to their internal lodgings for the night, and Ednyss, back to his room above Ingrid's smithy.
(OOC: More to come for each of you.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Ednyss keeps his suspicions to himself, Varielky has plenty to worry about as it is, but he begins to hum a prayer to himself to keep his nerves under control. Ednyss is usually not prone to nerves, but this is a puzzle that he is just having a bit of trouble putting together and the ramifications of it could be immense not just for Ishi Ammah, but perhaps for the Jenghen Empire. Regardless, he continues on towards Ingrid's smith and to his room.
(OOC: Intentions once there are included in previous post.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Ednyss
Ingrid looks at Ednyss, and in response to his news that he’s leaving, quietly smiles, and says, "I was wondering how long you'd be around. Let’s have a nice send off for you, eh?”
She brings up a hot meal and a small tankard of ale to Ednyss' room, and first of all, wants to hear the whole story of his day at the arena, and listens with enjoyment, 'ooing' and 'aahing' about Ednyss' fight with the ruffians, turning details on their heads merrily, sympathizing, cussing and slapping the table with outrage, 'POISON! NO!!', and generally making Ednyss feel that his story was even better than it ought to have been. By this point, the tankard is empty, and you’re both enjoying the moment, and you're both a bit tipsy.
After a brief silence, she says, "Well, my friend. I'll be sad to see you go!" Smiling broadly, she continues, "but I know you've got the wanderlust and there's more for you to do than sit around here and help me with my smithing, as tremendous as my company is!" She stands and bows, sloshing ale on her frock and laughing herself nearly sick at it.
"Look here, Ednyss. I've got something I want to show you. I've been working on it for a while, with the help of a friend back at Core of Onyx. It just came back from her a few days ago. It's a commission. For some idiot royal over in Jen Ghessa, who'll no doubt hang it up in his armory, and there it'll stay, useless as a fly without shiz to fly around! Hang on, I'll be right back."
And she practically falls head over heels down the stairs to her shop, righting herself and whooping with laughter, then returns a minute later, holding a weapon box under her arm, and something else behind her back.
She shows you the box, which is beautifully done in dwarven style, large and flat, and heavy. Within it is a war pick. Given that these are her specialty, you've seen many finely made ones, but this. This is the finest you have ever seen. Masterfully balanced, etched with runes. Tassels made from a Dwarven lichen which soaks up blood very efficiently, to keep the handle from getting slippery. It has a black leather grip with gold strands woven into it and a very fine onyx pair -- perfectly matched -- in the head and pommel. It is magnificent, and gives off its own radiance, a dull magical sheen.
"Nice, eh?" She says. "Well guess what? I made two while I was at it!"
From behind her back, she pulls an exact copy of the first pick, and hands it to Ednyss, knocking both of your ale glasses off the table in the process, and again she laughs joyfully.
"For you, my friend. By Takal Demesh, may you use it well!"
(OOC: This is a +2 War Pick)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer