Quote from Raiketsu >>

The wind seems to be not dying down regardless of how long Ulf waits, if anything it continues to just pick up. The wood in the bathhouse seems to be creaking dangerously, and even Haeleeya is starting to look worried.

 Ulf looks at the roof and shakes his head, "Strong winds indeed. I'd best be seeing how my companions are faring."

With that he tries to find his way to the Helm. If Ulric is not in sight, he orders another drink, and sits at a spare table, preferably in a corner, observing.

The guard grunts and nods, crossing her arms for a moment as she shakes her head, clearly understanding how Shautha felt and laughing heartily at her ass-humor. That is part I hate about the job. Always have to protect weaklings... weaklings only ones who have money. Makes no sense how they get so much. And I love good fight, but start fight in middle of town? No chance for glory, they just surround and kill, and your name never end up in songs or tales of great warriors. Slipping back into common after saying it, and unsheathing her arms. But zombie master... cannot fight for themselves AND don't pay to fight for them, they just dig up body... But good, go kick skull in for me. The guard idly watchign the man leave as she takes another drink from her mug before slamming it in request of another.

She didn't seem concerned by it, shrugging. Dunno. the barkeep standing there incredulous that the man would walk out in the middle of a moderately busy shift. When Shautha offers to 'kick his ass' the man shakes his head 'no' No. But I will apologize ahead of time if the drinks are slow to come, that was his job was making sure our kegs were ready for you. I need to go see what's going on down there. Please speak to the other staff if you need refills or food. he said, starting to move towards the cellar.

 He comes in near the end of Ulrics comments, about 'looking for her' but that lined up with what he had been told, so he sets up behind Yinny, putting his elbow on the wall on the stairs, making no fuss to hide his presence. That is the most redic... she starts to say, noticing her 'boss' come in and hesitating. Finally after a moment, she breaks down Ugh fine! Just leave me alone. You're clearly not going to drop this and if you promise not to hurt me, I'll tell you what I know.... the barkeeper patting Yinny on the shoulder to 'ask to be let through' and if allowed, he would move forward, if not he'd ask from where he was. 

C'mon little buttercup... You know you're special to me. Whatever bad business you're into, you need to let these people know, they're here to help. And you know I wouldn't let them hurt ya without good reason. But what do you mean you're a spy? For who? And how long?

She hesitates longer, eyes closing, clearly struggling with herself.

Outside, Ulf makes his way out of the building with Haeleeya bidding him farewell but looking concerned. And as Ulf heads outside, the wind is almost strong enough to knock him off his feet, his attention drawn to dark clouds in the distance to the west, where a tornado is slowly forming as dust and debris is lifted from the ground.

If he still proceeds inside, the only person visible is Shautha, who is currently speaking to another half orc.

Back in the cellar, Ghileeda puts one hand in a thumbs up, and draws a circle with her fingertips touching her thumb, putting the thumb within. Take a good, long look and memorize this. You'll need it to not be attacked on sight. This is the Symbol of the Lantern. I'm a spy for their organization, I.. keep an eye on those coming and going and listen for information on what happened to the delegation. We're investigating in several cities to hopefully catch more information. The delegation is important, though they won't tell me why. So I listen for morsels of information and we compile them in hopes of solving the mystery... So we can be rewarded for the discovery.

I have been using the Cellerer, Justran as my escape when people start to 'notice' but so far no one's ever actually.. followed me to here.

((Kinda short, but that's all he does for now))

After hearing Ghileeda's story, Ulric nods to himself. He turns slightly to Yrnila to see if the tale had truth to it. He thinks to himself, Well, that does make sense. What should I say next...

 Yrnila frowns, cross-armed, and disregards the barkeep's present for the time being. "Attacked on sight, where? What mystery are you researching? What discovery are you hoping to make?" 

Ulf takes a seat in the corner, watching. The absence of the barkeep is a relief -- he no longer feels the need to purchase a drink, though it is a little concerning. Instead he tries to catch what the two orcs are talking about.

When the man refuses her help, she just turns to the guard to agree with what she was saying. She doesn't notices when Ulf arrives. "Money weakens them. Money is da only thing they have!" Shautha proclaims, her slurred tone keeping her words from being the grandiose speech she seem to think it is. "Only they who are not afraid of being like beasts are strong like the beasts!"

Then, as if to emphasize her point, she whispers something to the air around her, and for a moment there's what sounds like the roar of a panther coming from her. It's actually just a sensory effect, and it's over as soon as it happens.

(Casting Druidcraft )

 Ghileeda sighs, as if it shouldn't have to be explained. Yes,  Attacked on sight. Obviously if we have to use such secrecy, if you showed up out of nowhere, and didn't they'd assume I had been compromised and that you were enemies. her expression was a clear Are you stupid or just... Regadless, she proceeds to finish But as I said.... I won't say anything until I have your word that I won't be harmed.

Meanwhile, Ulf joins the inside of the establishment, sitting at a table somewhat near Shautha, but not with her as he listens in, after having completely dismissed the forming tornado in the distance before entering.

Suddenly a panthers roar echoes through the establishment, causing all the heads to turn towards that table, even managing to catch the attention of the halfling whom had been fighting with pistachio's when the others arrived. Though he didn't move, once he realized it was someone playing tricks, he sighed, going back to his nuts. Several of the people in the establishment however, didn't take quite as kindly to it, some of them more drunk then others, but murmurs of 'Damn Halfies' was just barely audible over the intense winds outside. The guard however was caught off guard but impressed. You do that yourself?! or is trick?

Neither of you can tell if she is lying, or hiding about anything, let alone what specifically it is. As far as you can tell, she's being as honest as possible in the situation. The wind, while strong, doesn't seem to be getting stronger. The more you give me the more I can give you. When i get no action or response posts I can't do much with em! :P

"You have my word as a member of the Harpers that we will not harm you," Ulric lies. Telling half-truths were always interesting to him. The more truth a lie contains, the easier it is to believe.

It seems the whole situation is making it harder for her to focus, so she sighs as she says Okay, I believe you... swallowing hard as she proceeds to answer Yinny's prior questions. The mystery, as you call it that we're trying to figure out is what happened to the delegation, and why. The discovery is the same.... If by finding this out we can discover what happened to them, be it a simple highway muggery, some extraplanar phenomenon, a spiriting away, some cult trying to sacrifice them to achieve some end, or perhaps they were simply eaten by an animal... We wanted to discover this first, so our faction can gain the repute it needs to grow.

So we branched out. Some were sent to places to listen in on conversations of travelers.. and what better place than a tavern to learn such rumors? It helps that Vallivoe was going on about his book, it made people talk and I took advantage of it.. and No, Vallivoe is not part of our organization..  and atleast that last part, with the way she said it, came off as true. She moved to lean against the wall, clearly stressed as she did so, closing her eyes and breathing in deeply. The other half of my group is actively looking for clues based on the information I gather, but despite this, we've found nothing yet.

Ghileeda... why didn't you tell me this sooner? Atleast then I could have helped protect you and you wouldn't have had to use Justran....

((I feel like I shouldn't make any more insight checks. She beat him at least twice now, so I think he believes her at the moment))

Ulric nods as he mentally files away the information. He's still suspicious of her, but what she's said so far hasn't triggered any alarms. He pauses for a moment to think of how to continue the lie. He says, "Perhaps it's best to lie low for a while, or maybe you could leave town for a bit to avoid the heat on you," and Cyrin hoots in agreement.

Try to get her to "hit the road."

Shautha makes a goofy smile. "Oh, I did that. And I can do much more than that!" She laughs. "But da trick is nature. I borrow from nature... So, is it a trick? I don't know, but I can and I did it!"

 Ylnira's expression remains stern and collected. She exudes an aura of calm reassurance, demeanor that of one who has seen - and weathered through - difficult experiences. She simply stares at Ghileeda with calm, blue irises, entirely neutral in posture. Every movement of Ghileeda's body is measured in Ylnira's mind as she allows her other half to reach a verdict on the encounter. Ghileeda seemed honest enough. At the very least, she did not seem to be eager for combat. "I thank you for being truthful with us, Ghileeda. I advise contacting us if you are in danger. Laying low may be a safe choice for you - if we found you this quickly, I am more than sure you are, at the very least, suspected by your enemies. If you find yourself in the need of aid, the healers in the shrine will be of service. Speak of yourself as a friend of Dalasinn's." She pauses, idly drumming her fingers a few times from her cross-armed position. It is evident she is extremely dexterous just from the repetitive motion. "You mentioned another half of your organization. I am interested in contacting them, now that you have shown us your sign."

Ghileeda's eyes flit between whoever is speaking at the time, and occasionally on her boss as the conversations continue. Unlike Ulric, Yinny can sense that Ghileeda is leaving something out, yet is also very likely surprised to discover that for the most part, Ghileeda is telling the truth at present. She seems to be honest about everything, except seeking the delegations mystery. But the rest? Seeking to have her organization gain repute and power? True. Seeking to listen in on conversations and such, also true. The only thing in doubt at the moment was her interest in the missing delegation insofar as learning how or why they vanished. Yinny had managed to clue in on ultra-subtle hints in the body language, or perhaps some other things entirely.

Up top, with Shautha and Ulf whom was content to wait, the guard looks a bit confused at first before realization dawns on her face. Oh, you magic then? If not for being orc, I would call you weak. But no such thing as weak orc. We built to be strong. Just don't bring shame to clan, whatever clan you be. Some of the respect the guard had had for Shautha seemed to fade, it seemed that Zomith was from a clan that wasn't fond of casters, and prided themselves purely on martial prowess.

Ghileeda seems to look down, her eyes scanning back and forth as someone who is considering things in her head, and a full minute passes before she nods. That.. may be for the best, for now. Garlen... she said, looking to the barkeeper  I'm, sorry I lied to you, but I think they're right. If I was discovered this easily by people who only showed up this tenday... then I'm not as good at my job as I thought I was... And I don't seem to be gaining any traction in my goals anyway, its just the same 'oh they went missing X days ago' or 'Oh I saw them in Beliard' but little else. I think I'll take them up on their offer and stay inside my own home for a while. Though I'll need to tell Kaylessa too...

Do what you need to sweetpea. You're the only ray of sunshine my place has seen in a while. And if you see Justran when you're out there, tell him to get his ass back to work. But I wouldn't go out until the wind dies down. This strange weather has only been getting worse since it started. Mhm... I hate the wind. she says with a sigh, as the barkeep, Garlen, goes upstairs to continue his duties in hopes his place isn't torn down by the wind.

Ghileeda doesn't move, since she neither works at this place nor wants to risk going outside atleast until the weather subsides, she sighs, and plops herself against the ground there, letting her feet relax, if nothing else. As for your questions... I already answered them. You can meet them just north of the Bargewright Inn, along the river. They stay there, in camp. Well, the leaders, that is, the rest of us are sent out to collect information. But if you go there by boat you should meet them not long into your trip. Just make sure you give them the sign or they'll assume you're from an enemy faction, or a competing organization.

As for your offer of aid, I thank you. I'll.. consider it if I feel I need it.

Zomith's attitude doesn't come as a surprise, but Shautha's drunken goofy grin turns into a snarl all the same. She still sounds delighted as she answers. "I no weakling, I am a warrior. When He Who Watches and the Leg Breaker go to battle, its the Blood Moon Witch who watches their backs."

She stands up, and points her club at Zonith with one hand while holding her sickle with the other. "Let' have a brawl outside, where the wind is howling. See who wins." She says, playful. The goofy smile from earlier is back. "Let' have some fun!"

Ulric straightens back up to his full night and clasps his arms behind his back. I think that went well. She is part of a group, but not the ones I was thinking of. Perhaps that's for the better...

He says to Ghileeda, "Like what my partner said, if you're ever in trouble, let us know." He turns back to Yrnila and says quietly, keeping up the facade, "Let's report what we learned to our superiors." If Yrnila is ready to leave, Ulric walks back up the stairs and into the establishment. He scans the room for any of his companions.

Ulf can't help but stare at the half-orc as she challenges the other to a fight. True to form, I suppose . His gaze soon moves on as he resumes scanning the room, becoming concerned for the whereabouts of his other companions. No barkeep, a missing waiter. At least the priest is with them. He continues to watch and wait, a role well suited to a hunter.

Zomith regains her smirk, seeing that Shautha still has her pride. Picking up her glaive  and keepign the tip away from Shautha to show she wouldn't fight dishonorably by striking her prior to it starting. Let us do battle then, and show our strength.  she says, heading outside where the wind was blowing harshly, a Tornado in the distance ravaging the land near it but it was far from town. Zomith took up a spot in the middle of the now empty main road, positioning herself thirty feet  away from wherever Shautha goes so they both start at effectively the same disadvantage, with tthe wind to one side so no one orc was having an easier or more difficult time .. afterall it would prove nothing if one had a handicap over the other.

Pointing her glaive at Shautha before slamming the butt of her weapon against the ground, grunting, a signal to 'prepare herself' and it was quite true. Despite the strong winds pushing northwestish of town, Zomith charges forward like an arrow piercing butter, her glaive poised to slice flesh as at the last second she spins around, treating it like an axe as it collides with Shautha's hip, tearing a deep gash into her armor.

In the cellar, things seemed to be coming to an end, and Ghileeda breathed out a sigh. T... Thank you. And I will.  was all she manages to say back, not moving, clearly stressed out. Likely by the days events and the howling winds outside. Ulfarion keeping watch as the two orcs go outside and begin their sparring, whether he joins them to observe is another thing. Regardless, he'd see the Barkeeper return from the cellar not long after Shautha and Zomith leave the serving area. And the only change in the other patrons is that they seem to be startign to worryif the building will be able to resist the winds forever as people are looking around at every new creak, as if expecting the wood to tear off and fly at their face, and soft murmurs of 'its never been this bad before' and similar sentiments can be heard at various tables. The barkeeper looks concerned as well but he clearly has a mentality of 'better to be in here than out there.'

Shautha is up, she's taken a pretty nasty opening hit. The wind outside is roughly as strong as a Gust of Wind with a DC8 STR check before each turn for both participants, Failure to pass pushes you 15 feet in the direction the wind is blowing (NW) and it will become difficult terrain to move towards an opponent who is in the direction the wind is 'coming from.'

Shautha hums with respect and strikes, aiming for a similar hit with her sickle, but her strike is sloopy due to her still lingering intoxication. The strong gust of wind washes over her, ruffling her wild hair, but she overcomes and ignores it for now as she prepares to strike again.

 Ylnira simply gives Ghileeda a reassuring, yet similarly stern, smile. "We thank you as well. Keep us in mind as contacts for the future, and please, do not forget the offer at the shrine. We are healers. We simply seek to protect." She shifts her head in Ulric's direction, giving a curt nod, before she exits the room, seeing little reason to continue the conversation.

As she exits, the corners of her eyes crinkle ever so slightly in annoyance. She scans the room for Shautha. Where had the orc ran off? The wind was a concern, but the drunken orc was an issue. She spares a glance at the window, noticing the two combating. She lets out an audible sigh, glancing apologetically at Ulric and Ulf, before she exits the tavern and stands, cross-armed, a small distance away from the combat. It was better to let orcs fight their anger out. 

At the top of the stairs, Ulric scans the crowd. He locks onto Ulf and begins to walk over to him. He eyes the creaking structure with an unworried expression. If it falls apart, it falls apart. Not much I can do about it.

He sits down next to the hunter and says, "We found Ghileeda in the cellar. We learned she is part of an organization that is trying to unravel what's been happening lately." His gaze flickers out the window at the battling orc kin as he says, "I detected no lies in her tale."