Called by the Elder Elemental Eye to serve, four corrupt prophets have risen from the depths of anonymity to claim mighty weapons with direct links to the power of the elemental princes. Each of these prophets has assembled a cadre of cultists and creatures to serve them in the construction of four elemental temples of lethal design. It is up to adventurers from heroic factions such as the Emerald Enclave and the Order of the Gauntlet to discover where the true power of each prophet lay, and dismantle it before it comes boiling up to obliterate the Realms.
For this particular campaign, I'd like you guys to start out at level 3, standard array, standard gold, and you can choose ONE uncommon +1 weapon, or +1 armor of your choice.
FIRST ASSIGNMENT (FACTION):If applicable, please decide which FACTION, if any, your character belongs to. Harpers? Lord's Alliance? Maybe The Zhentarim? Choose one. This is important to the story in the beginning. Here are the links so you can read about each one.
SECOND ASSIGNMENT (INTRODUCTIONS):Since you're starting at level 3, you are all adventurers of small fame, and probably little fortune. You have had at least 1 successful assignment under your belt, and it is possible some of you know each other. If that is the case, how? Either way, you'll want to introduce yourself after the opening paragraph and scene set.
When you were little you remember hearing stories about the Princes of Elemental Evil, Godlike entities embodying air, earth, fire, and water. Perhaps they were told to make sure you behaved, or maybe they were said in passing in your early education. It's quite possible that they were mentioned over ale in the tavern when you were barely old enough to drink. The last thing you expected was to become part of a story that would involve them..and you.
Somewhere in the cosmos of Realmspace was an average sun in an average galactic cluster in an average place in the universe. Around this sun orbited a planet - named by it's inhabitants - Toril. Our story begins in the western continent of Faerun. Returning back to Waterdeep from your latest assignment, you take a bit of time to rest up. It's short lived, as today is a day that would begin a journey that would change your life forever. You are contacted by your faction's superiors. The officers have decided you're ready for a special assignment:
THE MAIN MISSION: Two tendays ago, an important delegation from the city of Mirabar disappeared in the Sumber Hills. The delegation consisted of your faction representatives. The delegation traveled overland from Westbridge to Beliard, crossing the Stone Bridge. From Beliard it headed south into the Sumber Hills, bound for Summit Hall, bit it never arrived. Your mission is to find the delegation members, and bring them back to Waterdeep safely. You are to travel to the town of Red Larch, find out what you can, and head to the last known position of the delegation caravan. Below is a map of the caravan's heading and last known position. Red Larch is circled in green below.
(DEPENDING ON YOUR FACTION - I WILL GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS ON YOUR SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIVE THAT IS MISSING.)
Daewen, glum as ever, saunters into the Harpers faction headquarters. After shutting the door behind her with a quiet <snick>, she turns to head down the hallway towards the research library when she notices a crowd gathering around the main bulletin board. Intrigued as to what may be causing the hullabaloo, she quietly pads over to the board and slithers between the crush of bodies to get a spot in the front of the crowd. Peering up at the board (grumbling silently that once again, the faction leaders assumed everyone was tall...ignoring us right-sized folks), she quickly reads through the hastily printed notice about the missing Harpers representative. Perking up quite a bit, a broad smile crosses her pale face! Ahhhh, she thinks, another chance to observe and collect for my precious Raven Queen! Yessssssssss, this tidy little adventure will do nicely.
At the bottom of the note is a listing of names of Harper associates assigned to mission. Daewen frowns when she notices her name isn't on the list. About to stomp off in disgust, she re-reads the list again, and notices that she's on there, but some idiot misspelled her name Deewon Fell. Grrrrrrrr (internally, of course, since she technically can't make any vocalizations).
Shoving her way through the legs of the crowd, she quickly scrambles back to her apartment and grabs her pack and stuffs it full of adventuring supplies, including plenty of ink and paper in order to communicate with the rest of the Harper team who volunteered to join the mission. Finally, stuffing a day-old slice of pemmican into her mouth, she runs out the door and back to the faction headquarters, where she meets up with the other Harpers who volunteered for the mission.
Carrhae is resting on bended knee on a marble floor inside of a circular room filled with ornate columns. Banners with the symbol of the Order of the Gauntlet are hanging from the ceiling. In front of Carrhae is an older man, sixty years old, but still in peak physical condition. He is wearing a set of armor and around his neck is a thin chain bearing the symbol of the Order. The clasps of his cloak also bear the symbol. Carrhae herself is a beautiful woman with short blonde hair. She is in her mid-20s. Her armor is gold with red trim. Around her neck is a long red scarf and a holy symbol of Sune. "Yes sir, I understand my orders. I will find out what happened to our missing brother and see to it that his body is returned safely so that he may be buried with honors. I'm honored to have been chosen for this mission. I will assist the Harpers to the best of my ability."
Carrhae arrives at the Harper headquarters and very warmly introduces herself to the Harper agents that she will be working with. "Sune's Blessing to all of you. My name is Carrhae, I'm from the Order of the Gauntlet and I was sent to assist you in finding the missing delegates."
Daewen notices the stunningly gorgeous and nattily armored paladin who walks up to the group, but being quite shy, she simply waves and mouths 'hi' to her, bowing when Carrhae introduces herself.
A small urchin boy, too hungry for caution, grabbed an apple from a nearby merchant's stall, causing the harrassed-looking man's son to yell and give chase. The boy was running through the crowd, barely out of the sight of his pursuer when a gloved hand jerked him into a shaded alcove and under the weight of Mercy's cloak. Her tail wrapped around the boy and over his mouth to silence him as she leaned against the wall and watched the chaos he'd accidentally unleashed. When the merchant's son paused for breath nearby and looked at her, the Tiefling merely arched an eyebrow at him, picking her nails with one of her daggers. She waited a few moments after the man gave up and went back to his father's stall, his little thief uncaught.
Sighing, she crouched and put away the dagger, flicking her coat from the boy's head. "Hush now, little one. I've been there, too." Her tail unwound from the boy as she pulled one of her rations out of her bag and handed it to him. "Always remember to make sure you aren't seen before you lift something from a stall. There won't always be a friend nearby to help you get away." Mercy smiled at him and ruffled his hair as she stood. "Best use the alleys to get away from here, child. Stay unseen."
As she walked away, the Tiefling slowly came to the realization that she was being followed. Sighing, she began to deviate from her original route, taking backroads and alleys before finally turning around at a dead end, dagger back in her hand. A frown graced her features at the sight of the dwarven woman who'd managed to track her all that way. After a moment's thought, she relaxed her stance. "What do you want from me?"
"Please, it's my father..."
It had been two years since Mercy had chosen her name. In that time, she'd finally gotten up the nerve to steal her father's coinpurse while he slept, and the hunting knife he'd prized over her life. Stealing away that night, she'd vowed to one day return and use that knife to slit the bastard's throat. It had been a long, difficult road, but she'd managed to do enough odd jobs to (mostly) put her days as a thief behind her and live a comfortable, if modest life. One of those jobs had cost her the braid she'd once worn with pride, but now she couldn't imagine going back to the hassle of long hair. She wore her dark leather armor over a simple shirt and breeches and rarely ever removed the hood of her cloak. People in the city of Waterdeep had come to accept the Tiefling as a useful rogue, with far too much compassion for the wayward youths she came across.
This was the reputation that had convinced Gerde, daughter of Bruldenthar, to seek her assistance. It seemed her father had been part of some official delegation that had gone missing. And the factions who had a stake in the disappearance had already waited several days without doing anything to find them. Gerde feared for her father's life, and she didn't trust his benefactors, the Harpers, to bring him back alive. Oh, they'd take good care of his books, but they cared more for information than human life. Such was the distraught dwarf's belief, at any rate. Mercy had waved off the offer of gold and asked only that Gerde's family help her if she were ever in need, and she would in exchange retrieve the mislaid historian. Be he alive or dead.
Mercy pinched the bridge of her nose as she approached the Harper headquarters. She should have taken the gold. If she'd realized at the time that her best bet of finding Bruldenthar was to work with the search party that had been assembled, she would have done. Working with others had only hindered her in the past, as the brutes hadn't understood the meaning of stealth. Her only consolation was that she would be dealing with at least one Harper, so she would at least not be alone in her annoyance at any blundering idiot they got saddled with. Taking only another moment to prepare herself for the unpleasantries ahead, Mercy entered the building and located a group of people who seemed to be speaking of the search for the delegation.
Daewen: Even though your face soured a bit at the misspelling of your name, you were pleasantly excited to know you were selected for the mission. On your desk in your apartment is an official letter giving you the rank of "WATCHER". You look off into the distance and remember what the Raven Queen always taught: Hold no pity for those who suffer and die, for death is the natural end of life. Bring down the proud who try to cast off the chains of fate. As the instrument of the Raven Queen, you must punish hubris where you find it. You go over your assignment: "A delegation full of faction representatives was headed to Summit Hall. They never arrived.The delegation included a high ranking Harper - a renowned shield dwarf historian named Bruldenthar, who was transporting his collection of manuscripts to Waterdeep. The Harpers don’t want the sage or his books to fall into the wrong hands. Find out what happened to him, and either bring him back to Waterdeep, or report your findings."
Carrhae: Before you left your order hall and received your orders, you were bequeathed the rank of "CHEVALL." and honored by your peers. The day had finally come. Your first solo mission. Honored, you bowed on bended knee and accepted your task with grace. Your orders were clear regarding the missing delegation caravan: "The delegation was also transporting the body of a knight who was killed fighting orcs in the Spine of the World. The knight was to be interred with honor at Summit Hall, the chapter house of an order called the Knights of Samular. It lies in the southeast Sumber Hills." You vowed to make your order proud. You were told to meet at the Harper headquarters to meet up with your other faction operatives. This is the moment you met Daewen.
Mercy: For you, it was for a more personal reason. Gerde's father, an important historian of Harper renown, went missing. What information he was carrying must have been very important. Important enough to have Gerde ask YOU instead of going to Harper Headquarters in Waterdeep. She needed someone she could TRUST - you - for she had a hunch that they didn't care so much for HIM as they did the knowledge on scroll he possessed. Your gut tells you something terrible has happened. And, you usually trust your gut. As you approach the Harper hall upon Gerde's suggestion to work with the search party that had already been contracted, you steel yourself and force yourself to be social and meet the others.
Carrhae sees the Shadar-Kai girl wave meekly at her and smiles warmly. She's used to people sometimes getting nervous when they meet her for the first time, so it's not too shocking when the girl in front of her is left speechless upon seeing her. "Oh, you're shy. Don't worry, I don't bite. Now what's your name, little one?"
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Trini bounces into the Harper's headquarters, excited and a tad nervous. This was her first real mission for a real faction doing real important things. (Though her parents had always stressed that every way you can help people is important even if you're just helping carry the water from the well.) The bells on her bracelets and anklets jingle as she makes her way down the halls looking for where she's supposed to be, staring curiously at doorways as she passes them.
She finally finds a group of people gathering and hurries over there. "Oh, hello! I'm looking for the missing delegation search party."She smiles at them hoping they will help her.
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Trini: The day had finally come. This was it! A full fledged HARPER! You couldn't believe it. a real faction, a real promotion, and a real mission! You jingled all the way into the Harper Hall, where three others were waiting. Hm! The other operatives must be here somewhere. You remember your promotion and your mission. You were finally promoted to "WATCHER", and reviewed the details of the operation in your head quickly: "A delegation full of faction representatives was headed to Summit Hall. They never arrived.The delegation included a high ranking Harper - a renowned shield dwarf historian named Bruldenthar, who was transporting his collection of manuscripts to Waterdeep. The Harpers don’t want the sage or his books to fall into the wrong hands. Find out what happened to him, and either bring him back to Waterdeep, or report your findings." Wait! That looks like them! You decide to go up to them and introduce yourself.
Mercy held back, doing her best to blend in with the anonymous Harpers milling about. Wandering nearer, she listened to their conversation. She noticed that the smaller, dark being wasn't speaking to the Paladin and paid particular attention to her, wondering why.
Stealth to blend in: 20 Perception to eavesdrop on the group: 22 Insight why isn't the dark one speaking: 10
In a moment, she was glad she'd hung back as a Tiefling, who came bouncing in with I-kid-you-not bells on, joined the group. Her first thought on seeing the newcomer was along the lines of Oh please, gods, no. Don't let that walking target be a part of...She is. She's part of the search party. I'm being saddled with someone's pet cat. I bet she's a Bard, too. It was at this point Mercy seriously considered going back and telling Gerde she couldn't do it. She couldn't work with these people. But she'd given her word, and damn it all to the Nine Hells, she'd do what she promised.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Carrhae's attention turns from the silent girl to the excited Tiefling with bells on her person. She wasn't expecting the Harpers to employ so many people with interesting personalities "Look no further. My nervous friend and I are here to find the missing delegates. My name is Carrhae, I've been sent by the Order of the Gauntlet to assist you in your mission. Who might you be and might I inquire about obtaining one of those bells you have?"
Perception:15
Yeah, Carrhae sees nothing outside of the nervous girl and the flamboyant Tiefling.
Zephyr slipped a notebook into her trusty bag that she stuffed with spare clothes, some snacks and a few other knick knacks she thought she would need for their journey ahead. Closing the flap with a satisfying click, Zephyr turned to the full body mirror she had finished polishing about an hour ago. "Books have been alphabetized, bed has been made, room is sparkling!" The changeling did a twirl out of delight, their form changing from a regular human woman into that of one of her favorite story book princesses. "And I look great-- Hrm, maybe..." She shifted again, this time into a handsome prince. "This? No..."He grumbled, changing form again.
They left the tower much later than they wanted to.
There was an odd bounce in her step as she walked (more like skipped) down the walkways of Waterdeep. I've read so much about this place! It's so much different in person! A grin had made way onto her face as she glanced around the different stalls and stores, stopping immediately as soon as she heard music. Her face lit up even more. Music! I haven't heard music before!Despite the stares she was receiving, she went straight towards the foreign sounds.
Only to be bumped into two men, most likely intoxicated by the way they were stumbling about.
"Barry, c'mon..." One of them slurred, pulling his friend away from the changeling. She managed to get a good look at Mister Barry's visage and face. Black hair, tan, blue eyes...
"It's okay!" She said, as chipper as could be. "Where are you all coming from?"
Barry had pointed down the walkway to a building... In that direction somewhere. "Mushic." He gave her a thumbs up and face planted to the ground.
She gave him a thanks by patting him on the head and made it quick down an alleyway nearby.
--
She double-checked to make sure the alley was empty before removing her clothes from her female frame, stuffing them into her trusty messenger bag before throwing on some quick male suited clothes. "Barry he was," They said to themselves, their body shifting. "Barry I am."
--
He entered the room where the music had originated from with confidence, like he had a plan, when in reality he didn't know jack shit of what he was doing there. His stomach twisted and turned, but he kept pressing forward. He got smiles from some folks, his eyes darting to notice a specific pin most of them wore causing his nervousness to spike. Was he in the right place? Yes, there was music. Did Barry wear that pin?
"Barry!" A stranger called, beckoning him over to a hallway where the loudness wasn't so loud anymore. For some reason, he heeded to the call. The man gave him a smack on the back, Zephyr yelping in surprise. The man only laughed and pulled him further down the hallway . "You see the bulletin, mate?"
"...What bulletin?" Zephyr questioned, allowing this strange man to lead him somewhere.
It only took them a few steps more to reach the said bulletin, the man quick to point out the specific notice."The main one! You're going on a big mission, dude!"
Zephyr leaned forward to get a better look at what the paper said and whose names were on it. Lo-and-behold... "Barry."
--
Zephyr stood in the front of the meeting place door as what most would know him as 'Barry'. I can do this. I can pretend to be Barry for a little while longer... Just another me. Another mask. With a breath, he pushes the doors open with both hands and a forced smile on his face.
It wasn't too hard to spot the group of adventurers he would be teaming up with for this journey. Very... Jingly bunch, they were. He waited for the perfect time to step in and introduce himself to the ladies.
"Hello!" Zephyr put on his best masculine voice. Like the prince!"I will assume you all are the one's who were chosen to help in finding the missing delegates? I am Barry! ... But, please, call me Zephyr."
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
Zephyr: You had no idea what a Harper is. You had no idea what a "WATCHER" did! In fact, you have NEVER even BEEN in Waterdeep before today. On a whim, plus lots of gusto and curiosity, you began the greatest adventure of you life..
..as someone else..! Looks like you're a Harper "Watcher" now!
The Harper Commander made it very clear:
"A delegation full of faction representatives was headed to Summit Hall. They never arrived.The delegation included a high ranking Harper - a renowned shield dwarf historian named Bruldenthar, who was transporting his collection of manuscripts to Waterdeep. The Harpers don’t want the sage or his books to fall into the wrong hands. Find out what happened to him, and either bring him back to Waterdeep, or report your findings."
You nodded happily, and people were looking at you with wonder that you had sobered up so quickly. You didn't give them a chance to wonder further, for you made your way to the group of people you had a hunch on that were part of this rescue operation.
Daewen turns to greet Trini, and smiles broadly at the bell laden bundle of energy. Quickly reaching into her pocket, she pulls out a bell of her own, and jingles it back in greeting (OOC: Yes, I actually did set her up with a bell when creating her...figured it would be a useful way of getting someone’s attention when she needed to!!!!!).
From her other pocket, she pulls out a fresh stub of chalk, and begins to scribble furiously on the floor in front of the other two ladies:
’Greetings and salutations! I am Watcher Daewen of the Harpers. Sorry, I have no voice, but I know many languages.’
She then wipes away the message, and continues:
’Are you both here to join in on our rescue mission?’
"Oh good!" Trini claps a flurry on jingles following the motion. "It's so nice to meet you all. I'm, erm, Watcher Trini of the Harpers. I look forward to working with all of you."
Smiling over at Carrhae, she digs in her bag and pulls out a bracelet similar to the ones she is wearing and holds it out giving it a little jingle. "I have extra in case something happens. Can't ever be too prepared, right? Here you can have this one."
She claps again, at Daewen's bell. So many bells, guys!!! "I am indeed here for the rescue. How many people are we expecting along?"
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Carrhae puts the bracelet on her wrist and shakes it a few times, allowing the bells to jingle. This Tiefling is so enthusiastic. We're going to be friends. She thinks to herself. Then she turns back to Daewen. "Oh you can't speak? I'm sorry. But you have such wonderful penmanship, so that's good. We're also here to assist in the rescue mission."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Strife was engrossed in a fine third edition copy of Levrapore's History and Chronicles of the Vythnalm Dynasty when there was a knock on the open door. After a polite interval had elapsed with no acknowledgement from the woman, a second and much louder knock was given, and this startled the Tiefling. She gazed up over her reading spectacles to find the majordomo standing at the entrance to the large private library. "I am sorry to disturb you, but another visitor has arrived, and they asked for you specifically. They stressed that though they could only divulge the nature of their business to you, it is in connection with a matter of great urgency."
"Urgency?" Strife blinked, trying to fathom how that could possibly be. She had only arrived in Waterdeep that very morning and hadn't quite gotten around to informing anybody of that fact. She knew that old man Kenshawe had amassed an impressive collection of rare tomes over the course of his retirement, and her earlier research had uncovered tales of his youthful exploits. So her very first stop was here at his almost palatial home where that knowledge allowed Strife to quickly charm and flatter her way into Kenshawe's good graces. Proud to relive his glory days through the somewhat embellished narrative offered by the bard, he had extended an invitation to peruse his library at her leisure. But now something was amiss. A familiar paranoia began to seep into Strife's thoughts.
"Apparently, yes. If you wish to speak to them, you will need to follow me back downstairs to the foyer. This does not concern my master; they shall not be admitted."
"Um, very well. I suppose I must. Mustn't I?" The serene nod by the majordomo prompted Strife to tuck away her spectacles, stand, close the volume with a small whimper of disappointment, and begin to follow the man out of the room. However, a sudden rate increase in the sounding of Strife's ornamental bells caused the steward to turn around once more. He found Strife had rushed back to the desk and was savoring a final taste of the magnificent glass of wine she had been provided. When at last she had swallowed and couldn't help but register the impatient glare directed at her, she innocently explained, "It's really very good."
"Yes. It is."
Sensing her welcome was fast expiring, Strife tipped her head back, downed the remainder in two large gulps, and set the glass back down on the desk. She hurried back over to the doorway. "Sorry. I'm all ready now."
"How gratifying."
At the entrance, Strife discovered a seemingly well-to-do man in his thirties with a mustache dressed in the latest fashion accompanied by two burly armored bodyguards. Addressing his escort, he said simply, "That's her. Let's go." He immediately turned and headed out the front door.
As the hulking brutes approached, Strife debated whether she ought to flee. "Um..." she offered hesitantly as they each took one of her arms and lifted her, effortlessly carrying her toward the exit. "Farewell, Miss Strife," said the majordomo with a bemused look.
Turning her head to look back over her shoulder, her legs and tail swinging uselessly, Strife said, "No, it's just 'Strife', there's no 'Miss'. Please give my apologies to your most gracious master, and my eternal thanks, and I hope that one day soon I might return to finish-"
"I shall explain, indeed I shall..."
In the street, Strife was somewhat relieved when she was deposited upon terra firma once more. "May I ask what this-"
"Shut up, Strife. You're late. And you're skulking around wasting valuable time on pointless unsanctioned activity that I didn't approve. And I had to expend precious and valuable resources just to locate you! You know I'm not reimbursed for that, right? Why are you wasting my time and my money? You owe me, Strife. You are paying me back, in full, with interest. Got it?"
"To whom do I owe the pleasure of repaying this debt?"
"You don't know who I am?! The name's Augusto Norvic. Ring any bells?" he asked as he swiped one of Strife's horn bells contemptuously.
"Sorry, I'm new to Waterdeep and not well versed-"
"Why did they send me some backwater clueless idiot? Where have you been, anyway? You were supposed to get here way before the meeting so we could dig up some dirt on your team. There's no time now. Can you explain your absence? Are you up to something I need to know about, friend?"
"Why, no, I suppose I was waylaid for a time at the arts fair over in-"
"Blah, blah, nobody cares about your feeble excuses. There's no time. I haven't been briefed on all the particulars, but what you need is in here." He drew forth an envelope from the inside of his fur lined jacket. It was stamped with the Zhentarim seal and he quickly pressed it into Strife's hands. "I can't imagine what cascade of misfortune has led to you being tasked with anything even slightly important. I ought to be the one handling this. No, no! Put it away! Don't try to open it - not here! Are you stupid? And destroy it after you memorize it. You're going to screw this up before you've even started, huh? Well, Waterdeep is MY district, and I'm not about-"
"No, that is incorrect."
"What?! Now you better listen up, kid, because I'm only going to say this one time," said Augusto in his most menacing tone, but as his fingers curled around Strife's horns to add emphasis, there was a deafening thunderclap and flash of light immediately above his head. He jumped back a step and searched the sky for the threat when he felt a sharp pressure at the base of his neck and at the juncture of his thighs. Moreover, there were strange inexplicable whispers that his consciousness tried to decipher, and though he was unsure, he imagined he heard repeated references to a "soul stealer". He slowly and carefully lowered his gaze to find the tip of Strife's stiletto just barely boring an indentation into his throat, and her short sword poised to cut right through his own "short sword". Hearing his bodyguards draw their own blades, he managed to calmly say, "Wait," though his anxiety was betrayed by his sudden perspiration.
As Strife spoke, her words seemed to echo within his mind, infused with an infernal dread authority. "You are not the senior member in Waterdeep. Yet you are important. You provide vital services to further the organization. This is known to Strife. You understand you must not be distracted with minor tasks when you can send an errand girl. You must remain unburdened by lesser functions. Strife shall succeed. You shall be recognized for finding her in time, for expending your resources, for leading by your determined example. You shall prosper and benefit by Strife. This is known to you."
Carefully clearing his throat, and wincing slightly as the motion forced Strife's blade ever so slightly deeper, Augusto said, "We- uh... We should move along. You need to be at this meeting. As I said, we were expecting you a bit sooner. The only other intel I can offer is that, among the group you will be working with, there's some guy named Barry. He's a Harper, and since I know that, obviously he is an especially useless example of that faction. So beware."
Strife put her blades away. With a derisive snort, Augusto said, "Follow me, kid, and step lively. It's this way." Thereupon his bodyguards sheathed their weapons too.
"Barry is a Harper. Check. Is this some kind of Harper operation? Am I supposed to pretend to be one of their faction? I don't know any of their secret handshakes. Will they even let me in this meeting?"
Sighing with annoyance, Augusto soon dragged Strife into an alley opposite the Harper building, and with his bodyguards, formed a wall around the Tiefling, facing away from her. "Okay, read the letter. Hurry up. But memorize it. Every word, every last character."
Strife focused her mind on absorbing the instructions, trying to take careful note of any detail she would need to recall later. Using her cantrip, she set the parchment ablaze and crumpled the expanding blackened portion into ash as it burned.
"Doesn't that hurt your hands? You look like a chimney sweep now. Way to make a first impression, kid," said Augusto, shaking his head, his bodyguards chuckling.
"I should fix this, huh?"
"Well, yeah! If you can!"
"With your help, all things are possible," Strife said as she firmly wiped the soot from her hands upon the expensive fur lined jacket Augusto was wearing. "Yeah, that's sorted. Teamwork!" Strife gave a curtsy and the guards burst into open laughter.
Turning a deep shade of furious red, Augusto pointed at the building and stormed off, his guards hustling after him to keep pace.
After taking a minute to put aside all the drama, Strife approached the building and was soon admitted to the meeting room. As she walked toward the four members she had noticed, she quickly recognized Trini as another of her kind causing Strife's heart to soar. The Tiefling race was so scattered and harried that she did not often run across others.
"Hello, hi, and warm salutations I do yearn to aid your delegation To find the lost and safeguard each life I pledge my service and my name is Strife
I wish to know you and learn by your side To share great triumphs, no victory denied Against all peril, together we will stand To achieve any rescue, I offer up my hand
Oft must I reassure and try to put at ease For such fiendish features do nearly all displease Yet into such beautiful women we have truly grown And it's a very special joy to find one of my own"
She kept her hood pulled low over her horns and wrapped her tail around her waist, where it would look like a peculiar sort of belt. Despite the fact that there were Tieflings here, she was still unaccustomed to acceptance and would rather her race be as obscured as possible. As the mute pulled out a bell, Mercy groaned softly. This was one lovely little disaster she'd gotten herself into, wasn't it... She stepped forward in time to read over the dark one's shoulder. "Daewen..." Realizing she's attracted the attention of the others, she has no choice but to speak to them now. Might as well act like it had been intentional. "Zephyr, Carrhae, Strife...and...Trini." She glanced at each of them in turn before frowning at the Infernal Bard of the many bells and bouncy personality. Sighing, she ran a hand through her short locks, glancing away. An awful lot of Harpers for a delegation from multiple factions...Maybe Gerde was right about their priorities. An awkward moment passed before she spoke again. "I'm Mercy."
WELCOME TO CRISPY'S
PRINCES OF THE APOCALYPSE CAMPAIGN!
Called by the Elder Elemental Eye to serve, four corrupt prophets have risen from the depths of anonymity to claim mighty weapons with direct links to the power of the elemental princes. Each of these prophets has assembled a cadre of cultists and creatures to serve them in the construction of four elemental temples of lethal design. It is up to adventurers from heroic factions such as the Emerald Enclave and the Order of the Gauntlet to discover where the true power of each prophet lay, and dismantle it before it comes boiling up to obliterate the Realms.
For this particular campaign, I'd like you guys to start out at level 3, standard array, standard gold, and you can choose ONE uncommon +1 weapon, or +1 armor of your choice.
FIRST ASSIGNMENT (FACTION): If applicable, please decide which FACTION, if any, your character belongs to. Harpers? Lord's Alliance? Maybe The Zhentarim? Choose one. This is important to the story in the beginning. Here are the links so you can read about each one.
The Harpers: http://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/harpers
Order Of The Gauntlet: http://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/ordergauntlet
The Emerald Enclave: http://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/emeraldenclave
The Lords' Alliance: http://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/lordsalliance
The Zhentarim: http://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/zhentarim
SECOND ASSIGNMENT (INTRODUCTIONS): Since you're starting at level 3, you are all adventurers of small fame, and probably little fortune. You have had at least 1 successful assignment under your belt, and it is possible some of you know each other. If that is the case, how? Either way, you'll want to introduce yourself after the opening paragraph and scene set.
****PLACEHOLDER. DO NOT POST YET.****
PROLOGUE
When you were little you remember hearing stories about the Princes of Elemental Evil, Godlike entities embodying air, earth, fire, and water. Perhaps they were told to make sure you behaved, or maybe they were said in passing in your early education. It's quite possible that they were mentioned over ale in the tavern when you were barely old enough to drink. The last thing you expected was to become part of a story that would involve them..and you.
Somewhere in the cosmos of Realmspace was an average sun in an average galactic cluster in an average place in the universe. Around this sun orbited a planet - named by it's inhabitants - Toril. Our story begins in the western continent of Faerun. Returning back to Waterdeep from your latest assignment, you take a bit of time to rest up. It's short lived, as today is a day that would begin a journey that would change your life forever. You are contacted by your faction's superiors. The officers have decided you're ready for a special assignment:
THE MAIN MISSION: Two tendays ago, an important delegation from the city of Mirabar disappeared in the Sumber Hills. The delegation consisted of your faction representatives. The delegation traveled overland from Westbridge to Beliard, crossing the Stone Bridge. From Beliard it headed south into the Sumber Hills, bound for Summit Hall, bit it never arrived. Your mission is to find the delegation members, and bring them back to Waterdeep safely. You are to travel to the town of Red Larch, find out what you can, and head to the last known position of the delegation caravan. Below is a map of the caravan's heading and last known position. Red Larch is circled in green below.
(DEPENDING ON YOUR FACTION - I WILL GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS ON YOUR SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIVE THAT IS MISSING.)
Daewen, glum as ever, saunters into the Harpers faction headquarters. After shutting the door behind her with a quiet <snick>, she turns to head down the hallway towards the research library when she notices a crowd gathering around the main bulletin board. Intrigued as to what may be causing the hullabaloo, she quietly pads over to the board and slithers between the crush of bodies to get a spot in the front of the crowd. Peering up at the board (grumbling silently that once again, the faction leaders assumed everyone was tall...ignoring us right-sized folks), she quickly reads through the hastily printed notice about the missing Harpers representative. Perking up quite a bit, a broad smile crosses her pale face! Ahhhh, she thinks, another chance to observe and collect for my precious Raven Queen! Yessssssssss, this tidy little adventure will do nicely.
At the bottom of the note is a listing of names of Harper associates assigned to mission. Daewen frowns when she notices her name isn't on the list. About to stomp off in disgust, she re-reads the list again, and notices that she's on there, but some idiot misspelled her name Deewon Fell. Grrrrrrrr (internally, of course, since she technically can't make any vocalizations).
Shoving her way through the legs of the crowd, she quickly scrambles back to her apartment and grabs her pack and stuffs it full of adventuring supplies, including plenty of ink and paper in order to communicate with the rest of the Harper team who volunteered to join the mission. Finally, stuffing a day-old slice of pemmican into her mouth, she runs out the door and back to the faction headquarters, where she meets up with the other Harpers who volunteered for the mission.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Carrhae is resting on bended knee on a marble floor inside of a circular room filled with ornate columns. Banners with the symbol of the Order of the Gauntlet are hanging from the ceiling. In front of Carrhae is an older man, sixty years old, but still in peak physical condition. He is wearing a set of armor and around his neck is a thin chain bearing the symbol of the Order. The clasps of his cloak also bear the symbol. Carrhae herself is a beautiful woman with short blonde hair. She is in her mid-20s. Her armor is gold with red trim. Around her neck is a long red scarf and a holy symbol of Sune. "Yes sir, I understand my orders. I will find out what happened to our missing brother and see to it that his body is returned safely so that he may be buried with honors. I'm honored to have been chosen for this mission. I will assist the Harpers to the best of my ability."
Carrhae arrives at the Harper headquarters and very warmly introduces herself to the Harper agents that she will be working with. "Sune's Blessing to all of you. My name is Carrhae, I'm from the Order of the Gauntlet and I was sent to assist you in finding the missing delegates."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Daewen notices the stunningly gorgeous and nattily armored paladin who walks up to the group, but being quite shy, she simply waves and mouths 'hi' to her, bowing when Carrhae introduces herself.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Several days prior...
A small urchin boy, too hungry for caution, grabbed an apple from a nearby merchant's stall, causing the harrassed-looking man's son to yell and give chase. The boy was running through the crowd, barely out of the sight of his pursuer when a gloved hand jerked him into a shaded alcove and under the weight of Mercy's cloak. Her tail wrapped around the boy and over his mouth to silence him as she leaned against the wall and watched the chaos he'd accidentally unleashed. When the merchant's son paused for breath nearby and looked at her, the Tiefling merely arched an eyebrow at him, picking her nails with one of her daggers. She waited a few moments after the man gave up and went back to his father's stall, his little thief uncaught.
Sighing, she crouched and put away the dagger, flicking her coat from the boy's head. "Hush now, little one. I've been there, too." Her tail unwound from the boy as she pulled one of her rations out of her bag and handed it to him. "Always remember to make sure you aren't seen before you lift something from a stall. There won't always be a friend nearby to help you get away." Mercy smiled at him and ruffled his hair as she stood. "Best use the alleys to get away from here, child. Stay unseen."
As she walked away, the Tiefling slowly came to the realization that she was being followed. Sighing, she began to deviate from her original route, taking backroads and alleys before finally turning around at a dead end, dagger back in her hand. A frown graced her features at the sight of the dwarven woman who'd managed to track her all that way. After a moment's thought, she relaxed her stance. "What do you want from me?"
"Please, it's my father..."
It had been two years since Mercy had chosen her name. In that time, she'd finally gotten up the nerve to steal her father's coinpurse while he slept, and the hunting knife he'd prized over her life. Stealing away that night, she'd vowed to one day return and use that knife to slit the bastard's throat. It had been a long, difficult road, but she'd managed to do enough odd jobs to (mostly) put her days as a thief behind her and live a comfortable, if modest life. One of those jobs had cost her the braid she'd once worn with pride, but now she couldn't imagine going back to the hassle of long hair. She wore her dark leather armor over a simple shirt and breeches and rarely ever removed the hood of her cloak. People in the city of Waterdeep had come to accept the Tiefling as a useful rogue, with far too much compassion for the wayward youths she came across.
This was the reputation that had convinced Gerde, daughter of Bruldenthar, to seek her assistance. It seemed her father had been part of some official delegation that had gone missing. And the factions who had a stake in the disappearance had already waited several days without doing anything to find them. Gerde feared for her father's life, and she didn't trust his benefactors, the Harpers, to bring him back alive. Oh, they'd take good care of his books, but they cared more for information than human life. Such was the distraught dwarf's belief, at any rate. Mercy had waved off the offer of gold and asked only that Gerde's family help her if she were ever in need, and she would in exchange retrieve the mislaid historian. Be he alive or dead.
Mercy pinched the bridge of her nose as she approached the Harper headquarters. She should have taken the gold. If she'd realized at the time that her best bet of finding Bruldenthar was to work with the search party that had been assembled, she would have done. Working with others had only hindered her in the past, as the brutes hadn't understood the meaning of stealth. Her only consolation was that she would be dealing with at least one Harper, so she would at least not be alone in her annoyance at any blundering idiot they got saddled with. Taking only another moment to prepare herself for the unpleasantries ahead, Mercy entered the building and located a group of people who seemed to be speaking of the search for the delegation.
BEFORE THE JOURNEY TO RED LARCH...
Daewen: Even though your face soured a bit at the misspelling of your name, you were pleasantly excited to know you were selected for the mission. On your desk in your apartment is an official letter giving you the rank of "WATCHER". You look off into the distance and remember what the Raven Queen always taught: Hold no pity for those who suffer and die, for death is the natural end of life. Bring down the proud who try to cast off the chains of fate. As the instrument of the Raven Queen, you must punish hubris where you find it. You go over your assignment: "A delegation full of faction representatives was headed to Summit Hall. They never arrived. The delegation included a high ranking Harper - a renowned shield dwarf historian named Bruldenthar, who was transporting his collection of manuscripts to Waterdeep. The Harpers don’t want the sage or his books to fall into the wrong hands. Find out what happened to him, and either bring him back to Waterdeep, or report your findings."
Carrhae: Before you left your order hall and received your orders, you were bequeathed the rank of "CHEVALL." and honored by your peers. The day had finally come. Your first solo mission. Honored, you bowed on bended knee and accepted your task with grace. Your orders were clear regarding the missing delegation caravan: "The delegation was also transporting the body of a knight who was killed fighting orcs in the Spine of the World. The knight was to be interred with honor at Summit Hall, the chapter house of an order called the Knights of Samular. It lies in the southeast Sumber Hills." You vowed to make your order proud. You were told to meet at the Harper headquarters to meet up with your other faction operatives. This is the moment you met Daewen.
Mercy: For you, it was for a more personal reason. Gerde's father, an important historian of Harper renown, went missing. What information he was carrying must have been very important. Important enough to have Gerde ask YOU instead of going to Harper Headquarters in Waterdeep. She needed someone she could TRUST - you - for she had a hunch that they didn't care so much for HIM as they did the knowledge on scroll he possessed. Your gut tells you something terrible has happened. And, you usually trust your gut. As you approach the Harper hall upon Gerde's suggestion to work with the search party that had already been contracted, you steel yourself and force yourself to be social and meet the others.
Carrhae sees the Shadar-Kai girl wave meekly at her and smiles warmly. She's used to people sometimes getting nervous when they meet her for the first time, so it's not too shocking when the girl in front of her is left speechless upon seeing her. "Oh, you're shy. Don't worry, I don't bite. Now what's your name, little one?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Trini bounces into the Harper's headquarters, excited and a tad nervous. This was her first real mission for a real faction doing real important things. (Though her parents had always stressed that every way you can help people is important even if you're just helping carry the water from the well.) The bells on her bracelets and anklets jingle as she makes her way down the halls looking for where she's supposed to be, staring curiously at doorways as she passes them.
She finally finds a group of people gathering and hurries over there. "Oh, hello! I'm looking for the missing delegation search party." She smiles at them hoping they will help her.
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Trini: The day had finally come. This was it! A full fledged HARPER! You couldn't believe it. a real faction, a real promotion, and a real mission! You jingled all the way into the Harper Hall, where three others were waiting. Hm! The other operatives must be here somewhere. You remember your promotion and your mission. You were finally promoted to "WATCHER", and reviewed the details of the operation in your head quickly: "A delegation full of faction representatives was headed to Summit Hall. They never arrived. The delegation included a high ranking Harper - a renowned shield dwarf historian named Bruldenthar, who was transporting his collection of manuscripts to Waterdeep. The Harpers don’t want the sage or his books to fall into the wrong hands. Find out what happened to him, and either bring him back to Waterdeep, or report your findings." Wait! That looks like them! You decide to go up to them and introduce yourself.
Mercy held back, doing her best to blend in with the anonymous Harpers milling about. Wandering nearer, she listened to their conversation. She noticed that the smaller, dark being wasn't speaking to the Paladin and paid particular attention to her, wondering why.
Stealth to blend in: 20
Perception to eavesdrop on the group: 22
Insight why isn't the dark one speaking: 10
In a moment, she was glad she'd hung back as a Tiefling, who came bouncing in with I-kid-you-not bells on, joined the group. Her first thought on seeing the newcomer was along the lines of Oh please, gods, no. Don't let that walking target be a part of...She is. She's part of the search party. I'm being saddled with someone's pet cat. I bet she's a Bard, too. It was at this point Mercy seriously considered going back and telling Gerde she couldn't do it. She couldn't work with these people. But she'd given her word, and damn it all to the Nine Hells, she'd do what she promised.
(Pet cat LOL)
Carrhae's attention turns from the silent girl to the excited Tiefling with bells on her person. She wasn't expecting the Harpers to employ so many people with interesting personalities "Look no further. My nervous friend and I are here to find the missing delegates. My name is Carrhae, I've been sent by the Order of the Gauntlet to assist you in your mission. Who might you be and might I inquire about obtaining one of those bells you have?"
Perception:15
Yeah, Carrhae sees nothing outside of the nervous girl and the flamboyant Tiefling.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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EARLIER
Zephyr slipped a notebook into her trusty bag that she stuffed with spare clothes, some snacks and a few other knick knacks she thought she would need for their journey ahead. Closing the flap with a satisfying click, Zephyr turned to the full body mirror she had finished polishing about an hour ago. "Books have been alphabetized, bed has been made, room is sparkling!" The changeling did a twirl out of delight, their form changing from a regular human woman into that of one of her favorite story book princesses. "And I look great-- Hrm, maybe..." She shifted again, this time into a handsome prince. "This? No..." He grumbled, changing form again.
They left the tower much later than they wanted to.
There was an odd bounce in her step as she walked (more like skipped) down the walkways of Waterdeep. I've read so much about this place! It's so much different in person! A grin had made way onto her face as she glanced around the different stalls and stores, stopping immediately as soon as she heard music. Her face lit up even more. Music! I haven't heard music before! Despite the stares she was receiving, she went straight towards the foreign sounds.
Only to be bumped into two men, most likely intoxicated by the way they were stumbling about.
"Barry, c'mon..." One of them slurred, pulling his friend away from the changeling. She managed to get a good look at Mister Barry's visage and face. Black hair, tan, blue eyes...
"It's okay!" She said, as chipper as could be. "Where are you all coming from?"
Barry had pointed down the walkway to a building... In that direction somewhere. "Mushic." He gave her a thumbs up and face planted to the ground.
She gave him a thanks by patting him on the head and made it quick down an alleyway nearby.
--
She double-checked to make sure the alley was empty before removing her clothes from her female frame, stuffing them into her trusty messenger bag before throwing on some quick male suited clothes. "Barry he was," They said to themselves, their body shifting. "Barry I am."
--
He entered the room where the music had originated from with confidence, like he had a plan, when in reality he didn't know jack shit of what he was doing there. His stomach twisted and turned, but he kept pressing forward. He got smiles from some folks, his eyes darting to notice a specific pin most of them wore causing his nervousness to spike. Was he in the right place? Yes, there was music. Did Barry wear that pin?
"Barry!" A stranger called, beckoning him over to a hallway where the loudness wasn't so loud anymore. For some reason, he heeded to the call. The man gave him a smack on the back, Zephyr yelping in surprise. The man only laughed and pulled him further down the hallway . "You see the bulletin, mate?"
"...What bulletin?" Zephyr questioned, allowing this strange man to lead him somewhere.
It only took them a few steps more to reach the said bulletin, the man quick to point out the specific notice."The main one! You're going on a big mission, dude!"
Zephyr leaned forward to get a better look at what the paper said and whose names were on it. Lo-and-behold... "Barry."
--
Zephyr stood in the front of the meeting place door as what most would know him as 'Barry'. I can do this. I can pretend to be Barry for a little while longer... Just another me. Another mask. With a breath, he pushes the doors open with both hands and a forced smile on his face.
It wasn't too hard to spot the group of adventurers he would be teaming up with for this journey. Very... Jingly bunch, they were. He waited for the perfect time to step in and introduce himself to the ladies.
"Hello!" Zephyr put on his best masculine voice. Like the prince! "I will assume you all are the one's who were chosen to help in finding the missing delegates? I am Barry! ... But, please, call me Zephyr."
Smooth.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
Zephyr: You had no idea what a Harper is. You had no idea what a "WATCHER" did! In fact, you have NEVER even BEEN in Waterdeep before today. On a whim, plus lots of gusto and curiosity, you began the greatest adventure of you life..
..as someone else..! Looks like you're a Harper "Watcher" now!
The Harper Commander made it very clear:
"A delegation full of faction representatives was headed to Summit Hall. They never arrived. The delegation included a high ranking Harper - a renowned shield dwarf historian named Bruldenthar, who was transporting his collection of manuscripts to Waterdeep. The Harpers don’t want the sage or his books to fall into the wrong hands. Find out what happened to him, and either bring him back to Waterdeep, or report your findings."
You nodded happily, and people were looking at you with wonder that you had sobered up so quickly. You didn't give them a chance to wonder further, for you made your way to the group of people you had a hunch on that were part of this rescue operation.
Daewen turns to greet Trini, and smiles broadly at the bell laden bundle of energy. Quickly reaching into her pocket, she pulls out a bell of her own, and jingles it back in greeting (OOC: Yes, I actually did set her up with a bell when creating her...figured it would be a useful way of getting someone’s attention when she needed to!!!!!).
From her other pocket, she pulls out a fresh stub of chalk, and begins to scribble furiously on the floor in front of the other two ladies:
’Greetings and salutations! I am Watcher Daewen of the Harpers. Sorry, I have no voice, but I know many languages.’
She then wipes away the message, and continues:
’Are you both here to join in on our rescue mission?’
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"Oh good!" Trini claps a flurry on jingles following the motion. "It's so nice to meet you all. I'm, erm, Watcher Trini of the Harpers. I look forward to working with all of you."
Smiling over at Carrhae, she digs in her bag and pulls out a bracelet similar to the ones she is wearing and holds it out giving it a little jingle. "I have extra in case something happens. Can't ever be too prepared, right? Here you can have this one."
She claps again, at Daewen's bell. So many bells, guys!!! "I am indeed here for the rescue. How many people are we expecting along?"
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Carrhae puts the bracelet on her wrist and shakes it a few times, allowing the bells to jingle. This Tiefling is so enthusiastic. We're going to be friends. She thinks to herself. Then she turns back to Daewen. "Oh you can't speak? I'm sorry. But you have such wonderful penmanship, so that's good. We're also here to assist in the rescue mission."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Strife was engrossed in a fine third edition copy of Levrapore's History and Chronicles of the Vythnalm Dynasty when there was a knock on the open door. After a polite interval had elapsed with no acknowledgement from the woman, a second and much louder knock was given, and this startled the Tiefling. She gazed up over her reading spectacles to find the majordomo standing at the entrance to the large private library. "I am sorry to disturb you, but another visitor has arrived, and they asked for you specifically. They stressed that though they could only divulge the nature of their business to you, it is in connection with a matter of great urgency."
"Urgency?" Strife blinked, trying to fathom how that could possibly be. She had only arrived in Waterdeep that very morning and hadn't quite gotten around to informing anybody of that fact. She knew that old man Kenshawe had amassed an impressive collection of rare tomes over the course of his retirement, and her earlier research had uncovered tales of his youthful exploits. So her very first stop was here at his almost palatial home where that knowledge allowed Strife to quickly charm and flatter her way into Kenshawe's good graces. Proud to relive his glory days through the somewhat embellished narrative offered by the bard, he had extended an invitation to peruse his library at her leisure. But now something was amiss. A familiar paranoia began to seep into Strife's thoughts.
"Apparently, yes. If you wish to speak to them, you will need to follow me back downstairs to the foyer. This does not concern my master; they shall not be admitted."
"Um, very well. I suppose I must. Mustn't I?" The serene nod by the majordomo prompted Strife to tuck away her spectacles, stand, close the volume with a small whimper of disappointment, and begin to follow the man out of the room. However, a sudden rate increase in the sounding of Strife's ornamental bells caused the steward to turn around once more. He found Strife had rushed back to the desk and was savoring a final taste of the magnificent glass of wine she had been provided. When at last she had swallowed and couldn't help but register the impatient glare directed at her, she innocently explained, "It's really very good."
"Yes. It is."
Sensing her welcome was fast expiring, Strife tipped her head back, downed the remainder in two large gulps, and set the glass back down on the desk. She hurried back over to the doorway. "Sorry. I'm all ready now."
"How gratifying."
At the entrance, Strife discovered a seemingly well-to-do man in his thirties with a mustache dressed in the latest fashion accompanied by two burly armored bodyguards. Addressing his escort, he said simply, "That's her. Let's go." He immediately turned and headed out the front door.
As the hulking brutes approached, Strife debated whether she ought to flee. "Um..." she offered hesitantly as they each took one of her arms and lifted her, effortlessly carrying her toward the exit. "Farewell, Miss Strife," said the majordomo with a bemused look.
Turning her head to look back over her shoulder, her legs and tail swinging uselessly, Strife said, "No, it's just 'Strife', there's no 'Miss'. Please give my apologies to your most gracious master, and my eternal thanks, and I hope that one day soon I might return to finish-"
"I shall explain, indeed I shall..."
In the street, Strife was somewhat relieved when she was deposited upon terra firma once more. "May I ask what this-"
"Shut up, Strife. You're late. And you're skulking around wasting valuable time on pointless unsanctioned activity that I didn't approve. And I had to expend precious and valuable resources just to locate you! You know I'm not reimbursed for that, right? Why are you wasting my time and my money? You owe me, Strife. You are paying me back, in full, with interest. Got it?"
"To whom do I owe the pleasure of repaying this debt?"
"You don't know who I am?! The name's Augusto Norvic. Ring any bells?" he asked as he swiped one of Strife's horn bells contemptuously.
"Sorry, I'm new to Waterdeep and not well versed-"
"Why did they send me some backwater clueless idiot? Where have you been, anyway? You were supposed to get here way before the meeting so we could dig up some dirt on your team. There's no time now. Can you explain your absence? Are you up to something I need to know about, friend?"
"Why, no, I suppose I was waylaid for a time at the arts fair over in-"
"Blah, blah, nobody cares about your feeble excuses. There's no time. I haven't been briefed on all the particulars, but what you need is in here." He drew forth an envelope from the inside of his fur lined jacket. It was stamped with the Zhentarim seal and he quickly pressed it into Strife's hands. "I can't imagine what cascade of misfortune has led to you being tasked with anything even slightly important. I ought to be the one handling this. No, no! Put it away! Don't try to open it - not here! Are you stupid? And destroy it after you memorize it. You're going to screw this up before you've even started, huh? Well, Waterdeep is MY district, and I'm not about-"
"No, that is incorrect."
"What?! Now you better listen up, kid, because I'm only going to say this one time," said Augusto in his most menacing tone, but as his fingers curled around Strife's horns to add emphasis, there was a deafening thunderclap and flash of light immediately above his head. He jumped back a step and searched the sky for the threat when he felt a sharp pressure at the base of his neck and at the juncture of his thighs. Moreover, there were strange inexplicable whispers that his consciousness tried to decipher, and though he was unsure, he imagined he heard repeated references to a "soul stealer". He slowly and carefully lowered his gaze to find the tip of Strife's stiletto just barely boring an indentation into his throat, and her short sword poised to cut right through his own "short sword". Hearing his bodyguards draw their own blades, he managed to calmly say, "Wait," though his anxiety was betrayed by his sudden perspiration.
As Strife spoke, her words seemed to echo within his mind, infused with an infernal dread authority. "You are not the senior member in Waterdeep. Yet you are important. You provide vital services to further the organization. This is known to Strife. You understand you must not be distracted with minor tasks when you can send an errand girl. You must remain unburdened by lesser functions. Strife shall succeed. You shall be recognized for finding her in time, for expending your resources, for leading by your determined example. You shall prosper and benefit by Strife. This is known to you."
Carefully clearing his throat, and wincing slightly as the motion forced Strife's blade ever so slightly deeper, Augusto said, "We- uh... We should move along. You need to be at this meeting. As I said, we were expecting you a bit sooner. The only other intel I can offer is that, among the group you will be working with, there's some guy named Barry. He's a Harper, and since I know that, obviously he is an especially useless example of that faction. So beware."
Strife put her blades away. With a derisive snort, Augusto said, "Follow me, kid, and step lively. It's this way." Thereupon his bodyguards sheathed their weapons too.
"Barry is a Harper. Check. Is this some kind of Harper operation? Am I supposed to pretend to be one of their faction? I don't know any of their secret handshakes. Will they even let me in this meeting?"
Sighing with annoyance, Augusto soon dragged Strife into an alley opposite the Harper building, and with his bodyguards, formed a wall around the Tiefling, facing away from her. "Okay, read the letter. Hurry up. But memorize it. Every word, every last character."
Strife focused her mind on absorbing the instructions, trying to take careful note of any detail she would need to recall later. Using her cantrip, she set the parchment ablaze and crumpled the expanding blackened portion into ash as it burned.
"Doesn't that hurt your hands? You look like a chimney sweep now. Way to make a first impression, kid," said Augusto, shaking his head, his bodyguards chuckling.
"I should fix this, huh?"
"Well, yeah! If you can!"
"With your help, all things are possible," Strife said as she firmly wiped the soot from her hands upon the expensive fur lined jacket Augusto was wearing. "Yeah, that's sorted. Teamwork!" Strife gave a curtsy and the guards burst into open laughter.
Turning a deep shade of furious red, Augusto pointed at the building and stormed off, his guards hustling after him to keep pace.
After taking a minute to put aside all the drama, Strife approached the building and was soon admitted to the meeting room. As she walked toward the four members she had noticed, she quickly recognized Trini as another of her kind causing Strife's heart to soar. The Tiefling race was so scattered and harried that she did not often run across others.
"Hello, hi, and warm salutations
I do yearn to aid your delegation
To find the lost and safeguard each life
I pledge my service and my name is Strife
I wish to know you and learn by your side
To share great triumphs, no victory denied
Against all peril, together we will stand
To achieve any rescue, I offer up my hand
Oft must I reassure and try to put at ease
For such fiendish features do nearly all displease
Yet into such beautiful women we have truly grown
And it's a very special joy to find one of my own"
She kept her hood pulled low over her horns and wrapped her tail around her waist, where it would look like a peculiar sort of belt. Despite the fact that there were Tieflings here, she was still unaccustomed to acceptance and would rather her race be as obscured as possible. As the mute pulled out a bell, Mercy groaned softly. This was one lovely little disaster she'd gotten herself into, wasn't it... She stepped forward in time to read over the dark one's shoulder. "Daewen..." Realizing she's attracted the attention of the others, she has no choice but to speak to them now. Might as well act like it had been intentional. "Zephyr, Carrhae, Strife...and...Trini." She glanced at each of them in turn before frowning at the Infernal Bard of the many bells and bouncy personality. Sighing, she ran a hand through her short locks, glancing away. An awful lot of Harpers for a delegation from multiple factions...Maybe Gerde was right about their priorities. An awkward moment passed before she spoke again. "I'm Mercy."