Eberron - Echoes of the Past (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Harry

Cool and no worries, Dev- I was under an earlier (but still mistaken though) impression that you had already "typed up" those stories and that they only needed to be placed up as the opportunity permits. And you've got a pretty neat opening for expansion by GM the Dragon Below too (things shouldn't be too problematic for Dev's Mentor...maybe?). ;)

Whether or not Tool-Box has had enough experience in dealing with the female gender to know that answering the Thranish female line of questioning would be something of a "lost cause", Xetovia will add in with, "That sort of...unbecoming behavior would be more expected of mere mercenaries but as we are directly represented by a higher class of sorts, such unwholesome past-times will simply not do.", if no reply is forthcoming from the silently stoic (maybe even slightly puzzled?) Warforged.

Toolbox makes a strange shake of his head and slowly Xetovia understand he ... blushes.
"UM heard from other fleshlings that a man needs food drink and woman. And as most wives are nagging, they go to brothels for some warm words and company." Again the strange headmovement."What is bad about company? And what does nagging mean?"

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Lady d'Vown giggles, "Oh this explanation I would love to hear Xetovia".

Heh, having to explain thorny marriage issues to an already embarrassed Warforged who may or may not have the informative context behind such human universalities, like "nagging"... what could possibly go wrong with that? Especially when it's all done under the watchful eye of your employer. ;)

The fact that Xetovia slowly begins to realize, much to her dismay and dawning horror, that Tool-Box's seemingly inadvertent but slightly ever increasing head-shaking would undoubtedly illustrate that the Warforged in question is unquestionably "blushing" with his own rather unique expression of embarrassment, as far as living constructs go.

Barely able to stammer out with an incredulous tone of, "br-b-Br-b-Brothels...w-wi-W-wIvEs...c-c-Company...NAAaAGGggiinng!?" to Tool-Box's innocent query, a now increasingly flustered and currently blushing Xetovia was finally able to pronounce and even enunciate the word "Nagging" without any stammer but with a distinctive and definitively underlying screeching sort of quality. Such...Crooked...Filth... echoed throughout in her own mind, as the Thranish Vampire Hunter turned Bodyguard was desperately trying to recall any of her own faith's quotes and aphorisms regarding the sacred bond of marriage. And failing quite miserably at that...

Of course, all of it was made somewhat even worse, as far as this Thranish Worshiper of the Silver Flame is concerned, as it becomes quite readily apparent that Lady d'Vown has easily picked up on this oddly amusing interplay and is currently looking on with bemusement after her giggling statement of curiosity.

Had to split this off into a second posting, my apologies in advance. ;)

"Such Crooked filthy Brothel-Mongers...", Xetovia almost begins feverishly starting into a slight tirade, fueled mainly by her near dogmatic sense of moral superiority. "Why they should ever flee to their paid... company... from their lawfully Gods-decreed spouse when all they ever need to find such momentary release is but freely at their own h...!"

It was at that point when a loud crisp crack echoes throughout the air, while Xetovia dimly notes the sharp pain of a hand-slap from her left hand, a ghostly bluish-glowing serpent-like eye now apparently superimposed upon the back of that very left hand to any who are still observant within the Workshop of Dev Blake.

Barely noting any discomfort from the unexpected slap from Dol Durand, Xetovia glumly comes to the realization that "ranting" about the relatively economical benefits of personal self-indulgence compared to indiscriminate Brothel par-takings would do little to quell neither her own defensiveness nor to likely help with Tool-Box's embarrassment.

Eventually, the bluish-glowing "Couatl's Eye" fades from existence though the Thranish woman's left hand still firmly remains upon the slapped side of her face. A distinct set of near-empathic impressions begin to suffuse into Xetovia's inner mindscape, helping to calm her down from within. No, it was never about the pursuit of mindless pleasure or relational dysfunctions, Xetovia thinks to herself. It was always the sweet little lies to meant distract the easily led from their impending doom upon the face of war. A war that we no longer have to wage...

Eventually, Xetovia's left hand releases itself from the side of her face (falling back into position at her side once more), as the Thranish woman looks to her fellow bodyguard and to her Employer. I suppose that explanations will have to be given, but apologies may have to come beforehand...

Also apologies to anything that anyone could find offensive in this subtext of this posting as well. Still, it did seem like an opportunity to introduce Xetovia's extra-feature to her fellow bodyguards and employers.

Looking at her actions Bollwerk again looks a bit confused."Does this movement mean nagging?" Again the strange shake of his head."I hope I do not put you in a uncomfortable position. If so apologies. Maybe one day you could explain the concept of marriage. I understand it is more than recreation of new humans. But maybe that is for another day." The customs of fleshlings are really strange.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Lady d'Vown raises an eyebrow when Xetovia slaps herself but does not otherwise raise further questions about the incident.

"So, let me pose a question to you then Xetovia, what if a person not married partakes in the "recreational" options available at a brothel. Is it the violation of the sanctity of marriage that disturbs you or the trade in flesh as a business?"

She turns at Tool-Box's question, "When you find out why people get married Tool-Box kindly instruct me as well, I do not see the sense in it either. Well, outside of procreation but as House Cannith showed the world during the Last War, one need not procreate to create life, you are proof of that".

"HAH!"

Dev bursts out laughing at the exchange between Tool-Box and Xetovia, but takes pause when Lady d'Vown re-enters conversation. He enjoyed poking fun as much as the next guy, probably a good bit more actually, but he was socially-conscious enough to watch his employer's interactions carefully until he knew where he stood.
'No sense offending the boss...'

Let's say that one of the articles is a summary of the jewel robbery as shown in Dev's Background, and the other is a an article from a short bit later about how he had helped first discover and then disarm an unfortunate Warforged who'd been kidnapped and then returned fit with an explosive device, the source of which was still unknown.

Dev Blake wrote:

"HAH!"

Dev bursts out laughing at the exchange between Tool-Box and Xetovia, but takes pause when Lady d'Vown re-enters conversation. He enjoyed poking fun as much as the next guy, probably a good bit more actually, but he was socially-conscious enough to watch his employer's interactions carefully until he knew where he stood.

Tool-box wrote:

Looking at her actions Bollwerk again looks a bit confused."Does this movement mean nagging?" Again the strange shake of his head."I hope I do not put you in a uncomfortable position. If so apologies. Maybe one day you could explain the concept of marriage. I understand it is more than recreation of new humans. But maybe that is for another day."

GM the Dragon Below wrote:

Lady d'Vown raises an eyebrow when Xetovia slaps herself but does not otherwise raise further questions about the incident.

"So, let me pose a question to you then Xetovia, what if a person not married partakes in the "recreational" options available at a brothel. Is it the violation of the sanctity of marriage that disturbs you or the trade in flesh as a business?"

She turns at Tool-Box's question, "When you find out why people get married Tool-Box kindly instruct me as well, I do not see the sense in it either. Well, outside of procreation but as House Cannith showed the world during the Last War, one need not procreate to create life, you are proof of that".

To Xetovia, it was embarrassing enough when she thought that the entirety of the conversation would just be between her, Tool-Box, and Lady d'Vown but now being alerted of Dev's reappearance inside the Workshop by his amused laugh magnified that sense of embarrassment by a unquantifiable but manifold amount. It was just as well that Dol Durand had stopped her, the Thranish Adherent (possibly Zealot) of the Silver Flame that she was, from ranting any further, doubtessly having gotten just a little too caught up in her ingrained overly righteous fervor. Utilizing some of the relaxation and focusing mental techniques taught to her (and many other members of her former Anthracite regiment) by Adaran Mind Ascetics, Xetovia is able to bring herself back to a more calmer and contemplative state with any obvious blushing kept to a minimum.

Not unlike taking a 10 to her Autohypnosis roll, which would be a 17. ;)

When Tool-Box innocently asks Xetovia if her blatant act of "self-abuse" (of an entirely different sort, no less!) was what nagging was, the Thranish Vampire-Hunter turned fellow bodyguard to the Lady d'Vown lets out a brief nervous bark of laughter which then subsides away just as suddenly. Taking a wary glance down at her left hand (which had been staying stock still this whole time after the slap), Xetovia answers Tool-Box with, "No, it was not. It was... a pointed reminder to... not let myself be carried away by thoughts unbecoming of the Silver Flame. And you shouldn't have to offer your apology, Tool-Box, it was extremely unfair of me to expect you to be cognizant of everyday matters among those of us among the flesh and blood. I really should be the one doing apologizing...", in as contrite a tone as she could manage to the blushing Warforged.

When Lady d'Vown makes her query to the young Thranish woman, Xetovia chooses her words much more carefully. "If you had asked me such a question of the former type during the Last War when I was stationed over at Thrane, I would've answered that such a... selfish act... would not have been beneficial to our country as whole, as families under the very guidance of the Silver Flame had become almost a necessity for us, almost as much as keeping strong within our faith."

Taking in another deep breath, Xetovia then continues, "To your latter question, Milady d'Vown, such sanctities would be considered far more paramount- even one for such as I, who can readily understand that some would freely choose such path. Their numbers are almost as much as those who are enslaved to such a heinous fate through no fault of their own."

Xetovia's demeanor does slightly darken a wee smidgen as she continues on, "But know that those who would often partake of and indulge in such unholy lusts...it can slowly change them so that their desires begin to override all reason and that can bring about... some unwanted change. Not for the better though, as their desires become as sustenance to them as food and drink would be to those of us who are among the living, flesh and blooded. At the most extreme end of such a result, they would add to their numbers to those who would walk among the night- verily preying upon the living as Vampires."

Xetovia finishes without any further follow-up explanation to her employer, but the Thranish Scourge to the Undead does feel slightly indebted to Lady d'Vown for not having to outright explain for Dol Durand's action.

Heh, guess Xetovia could blame "it" all on her dislike of Vampires; I do wonder if that faker person, who was posing as a vampire at the time when Pierce would first discover Xetovia; he's been "jailed/exposed" but would he still live? It doesn't sound like Pierce would want Xetovia to "extremely sanction" that poor fool though, being a lawfully appointed investigative here in Sharn. ;p

"Oh wow, wait, Vampires?" Dev interjects. "In Sharn? You think?"

Dev seems more excited by the prospect of the Vampires than he does afraid, and moves over to one of the work benches and starts digging around in some of the drawers.

After a time, he pulls out a pair of carefully-wrapped packages and gently removes the protective coverings to reveal a fine looking silver mirror and an exquisitely crafted and over-sized spearhead, bejeweled and sparkling and very clearing bearing the marks of the Silver Flame.

"This is due to be delivered to a client in a few days...but if you think we're gonna be running into a Vampire..." he trails off for a moment, realizing he might have gotten a bit ahead of himself...

"...though you probably have something similar, I'd bet, and if ANYTHING happened to this one, well, let's not go there."

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Lady d'Vown listens to Xetovia's response and considers it thoughtfully. As the conversation turns to Vampires she shudders, "As if Warforged Psychos were not enough to worry about. Let's hope no Vampires become involved. As night has drawn upon us perhaps we can head to bed and wake in the 'morrow and meet with your Pierce?"

I'll give a day for a close out response and then head to the next day.

Looking at the others Toolbox is not really worried of vampires... as a warforged he is not really worried about bloodsuckers. But then he is in presence of others.. who might be affected."Let us worry about one problem at a time!"

"Mmm good advice Tool-Box, good advice," Dev replies, beginning to put away the decadent symbol, though he makes an obviously slow act of the practice, giving Xetovia ample time to hold him up and examine it herself if she so chooses.

After all is sorted, he retires to the living quarters, returning a brief time later with enough blankets and pillows to fashion a comfortable bed for Lady d'Vown.

Dev Blake wrote:

"Oh wow, wait, Vampires?" Dev interjects. "In Sharn? You think?"

Dev seems more excited by the prospect of the Vampires than he does afraid, and moves over to one of the work benches and starts digging around in some of the drawers.

After a time, he pulls out a pair of carefully-wrapped packages and gently removes the protective coverings to reveal a fine looking silver mirror and an exquisitely crafted and over-sized spearhead, bejeweled and sparkling and very clearing bearing the marks of the Silver Flame.

"This is due to be delivered to a client in a few days...but if you think we're gonna be running into a Vampire..." he trails off for a moment, realizing he might have gotten a bit ahead of himself...

"...though you probably have something similar, I'd bet, and if ANYTHING happened to this one, well, let's not go there."

GM the Dragon Below wrote:

Lady d'Vown listens to Xetovia's response and considers it thoughtfully. As the conversation turns to Vampires she shudders, "As if Warforged Psychos were not enough to worry about. Let's hope no Vampires become involved. As night has drawn upon us perhaps we can head to bed and wake in the 'morrow and meet with your Pierce?"

Tool-box wrote:

Looking at the others Toolbox is not really worried of vampires... as a warforged he is not really worried about bloodsuckers. But then he is in presence of others.. who might be affected."Let us worry about one problem at a time!"

Dev Blake wrote:

"Mmm good advice Tool-Box, good advice," Dev replies, beginning to put away the decadent symbol, though he makes an obviously slow act of the practice, giving Xetovia ample time to hold him up and examine it herself if she so chooses.

After all is sorted, he retires to the living quarters, returning a brief time later with enough blankets and pillows to fashion a comfortable bed for Lady d'Vown.

Xetovia will certainly take the opportunity to admire the care and craftsmanship that Dev had put into both the mirror and the special ordered Holy Symbol of the Silver Flame. I had wondered why Pierce would be so interested in any jeweled adornments, really, but I must admit that our resident Jewel-smith has really outdone himself with such exquisite examples; perhaps Dev might have made a much similar symbol of Aureon for Pierce in the past.

Noting that she had somehow inadvertently put the worries of the looming specter of rampant Vampirism within the city of Sharn into both her colleagues and her employer's head, Xetovia does her best to mollify them of their fear and speculations. Dol Durand (and by extension, her entire left hand), at this point, has begun to nonchalantly fiddle around the lower strap of her bandolier- which the Thranish Worshiper of the Silver Flame barely pays any mind to now that she is engrossed with not just giving reassurance to her fellows and Lady d'Vown but also to ponder upon the thought of giving Tool-Box some more understandable explanations down the line at a later point. Perhaps using the example of bad customers? I'll have to think on it later though.

"Your workmanship of both the hand mirror and very symbol of the Silver Flame does much credit to your skill, Dev Blake; I can see why you have gotten the attention of Pierce.", Xetovia remarks, "and it is very commendable that everybody here, including your Ladyship, can recognize the inherent dangers that Vampires could pose. In such an event though, I do believe that it might be somewhat unwarranted compared to the threat that this Lord of Blades may pose."

Even if we were to face off against even a lowly mere Vampire-Spawn, I fear that our present numbers, such as it is, would not be sufficient enough to stand against it, let alone survive such an encounter. If our numbers could be thrice- or even quadrupled- then perhaps we might stand with a much better chance of victory, although the casualties upon our side would almost still be a likelihood...

Xetovia then goes briefly into why she had chosen to venture into Sharn once the Treaty of Thronehold was finalized, the difficulties she had n rooting out any sort of undead presence within the city of Sharn, and how she came to the attention of Pierce during one of his investigations to a purported Vampire- which, with the Thranish Vampire-Hunter's assistance, turned out to be a mere charlatanous hoax. "And that was how I ended up working with Pierce, odd as it may seem."

When it comes time for the group to retire for the night, Xetovia will suggest having a watch, as a precautionary measure.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

The night passes uneventfully. The next day there is a knock at the door. Based on the inflection and number of knocks Dev knows it is Pierce. It's his "signal".

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

As Dev let's Pierce in he nods to all present including Lady d'Vown, "I waited until after you eaters completed the breaking of your fast before I came. I got your message Dev and spent the night looking with a bit more of a focused eye on the name you gave to me, the Lord of Blades. Have you any specific questions or shall I share with you what little I know".

"Have you, by any chance, run into a Sergeant Dolom these last few days, Pierce? The Lady has reason to believe that this man knows more than most about this so-called 'Lord of Blades'."

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

"No afraid not. I only met Dolom once maybe twice. A no nonsense dwarf to be sure. I did not approach the Watch for information at all at least not on this figure for lack of a better term".

Apologies about the late response; while there was actually a post that I made some days earlier, it seemed to have disappeared into the ether; unfortunately, it just happened to be that one post that I didn't have a copy of. Luckily, I can "paraphrase" it just enough so this new post will make sense- and taking into account the conversation about Sgt. Dolom too.

"Lady d'Vown," Xetovia adds in to the conversation, all the while making certain to slightly motion towards where the Lady is currently at in Dev's Workshop- as if in emphasis to whenever she is mentioned. "had said in no uncertain terms that this Lord of Blades was somehow ultimately responsible for the murder of one of her acquaintances, a local Professor. Thanks be to the Silver Flame that neither our Lady nor we, her newly appointed bodyguards, have run afoul of this miscreant." Upon Xetovia's mention of bodyguards, the Thranish Vampire Hunter turned bodyguard nods briefly towards her fellow bodyguards, Tool-Box and Dev Blake.

"Otherwise, we know very little of this mysterious Warforged figure. Nonetheless, you have our utmost thanks, Pierce, for arriving here on such short notice while being busy with another case and stopping by to share what you've learned of this Lord of Blades."

With a glance or two over to Dev Blake and Tool-Box from time to time as Xetovia continues on with addressing her latest query to Pierce (almost as if to invite any and all personal verbal clarifications and observations from the both of them), "We had been speculating that this Lord of Blades might be some kind of up and coming crime-lord here in Sharn- the Silver Flame knows, there's no shortage of such filthy ilk here in this vast city!"

Giving another quick glance, this time down over to her left hand where it is just currently fiddling and tapping aimlessly upon her bandolier strap (with no heed given to the conversation at hand apparently), the Thranish Vampire-Hunter turned Bodyguard then asks of Pierce, "Of course, this is all just speculation upon our part; so what can you tell us about this Lord of Blades, Pierce?"

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

"The Lord of Blades is an enigmatic entity, his nature and motivations are unclear. It does appear that he harbors a strong hatred for "living" races. My sources tell me that he does not reside within Sharn but somewhere in the Mournland.

I fear that is all I was able to learn. I hope it helps. Tell me Lady, does the group you hired know where you are currently?"

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Lady d'Vown shakes her head, "No they do not, I fear that leaving a tip for them may lead the enemy to me".

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Pierce pauses in thought, "Very well, here is what I can offer to you then at least for the next few days while my other investigations are on delay. I will await your other charges and inform them that I am your contact. If they leave messages or wish to see you, I will let you know. On the other hand, if agents of the Lord of Blades arrive seeking you, I will try and join with them t learn more of them, does this proposal provide you all with a workable solution?"

Tool box nods slowly."As much as I know, and all I know is rumour, the Lord of Blades men will grant you save passage. But, how will you communicate with us once taken?"

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

"Fret not Tool-Box, I shall offer them my services as a spy here in the city and nothing more. No doubt they shall be desperate enough to accept any help they can get so my presence here in Sharn will continue. After my last trip to Xen'drik, I've no stomach for travel these days".

After listening to the "lowdown" about the Lord of Blades given by Pierce, Xetovia silently mulls over the information given.

If what Pierce has said is entirely accurate, then this Lord of Blades isn't just some burgeoning crooked crime-lord as we had originally thought; he might even be more like some would-be conqueror of sorts. Only difference is, unlike the Valenar Elves or the Daughters of Sora Kell, they need not seize any territory from a kingdom like Breland; the Mournland can hardly be used by anyone (otherwise, why would the displaced Cyrans flock to Breland as refugees if it were not the case), save this Lord of Blades and his followers...

Should Xetovia use her Knowledge Geography to determine anything about the Mournland as it stands now?

K:Geography: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6. Xetovia knows that there was some talk among the Theocracy of Thrane of sending agents into the Mournland either before or during the Treaty of Thronehold but as far as she was aware, things never really progressed past the conversation stage for whatever unfathomable reason known only to the Silver Flame.

Yep, the preceding was made up on the spot; figured that Thrane would not be above doing any form of salvaging of what had once been the nation of Cyre. ;)

"A Whispering Flame spell might prove useful in such an endeavor; still, this is quite risk you're taking upon our behalf, Pierce- may the Host watch over you and the Silver Flame light your way."

Dev thinks for a moment, laughing out loud as he finds himself wishing himself a Warforged for the first time in his life.

'Acting as a double-agent for a renegade Warforged band? Wowwwww... Some guys get all the luck...'

Eventually though, Dev throws a wild smile to Pierce, grinning fiercely and nodding rapidly. "Sounds like you'll be having all the fun then buddy, though I guess you're the only one who really fits the bill besides good-ole Tool-Box here, and you're a bit more seasoned as a spymaster-- no offense, Tool-Box."

Dev sighs, and continues:
"I'll be jealous, but be careful, will you?. Too much fun, can be dangerous... or so they keep telling me."

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Tenth Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Pierce's face is an unreadable mask as are most Warforged, "Well it is a risk yes but a potentially lucrative one. If this band continues to cause problems no doubt a fair amount of coin will be paid to those who know the most about their operations here in the city.

I like the idea of that spell my dear, we should discuss its efficiencies further after this particular assignment of yours has come to an end".

Assuming Xetovia passes along the information about the Theocracy of Thrane :-)

Pierce motions in what must pass for a shrug from a Warforged, "Perhaps, no doubt the strange nature of the Mournland has made such an endeavor more difficult than was originally anticipated. I shall be back tomorrow with any news I may discover".

The rest of the day and night pass by uneventfully. Though Lady d'Vown inspects Dev's shop and asks many questions you can see she is starting to get restless and bored. Luckily, the need for sleep claims everyone but Tool-Box as being cooped up in here is even making Dev wish there was another option.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Eleventh Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Pierce arrives early in the morning once more. "I have news, interesting news. It seems that the group that Lady d'Vown hired to... uh do whatever she hired them to do, has been successful. However, their employer. a Mickey P, has requested that the Lady meet at The Vista View Festhall instead of the Broken Anvil. He did not elaborate on why".

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Eleventh Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Lady d'Vown purses her lips, "Do any of you know that place?"

Let's get that pesky roll done and out of the way first. ;)

K:Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15.

Heh, not quite- Xetovia's quite the proper Church-Girl after all.

"I can't say that I've ever heard of this Vista View Festhall but I can't imagine that it could be anymore worse than the Broken Anvil or the Drunken Dragon."

Re:The Looonnng Night before the news of the new meeting spot, Xetovia will ask both Tool-Box and Dev how they met Pierce, more out of drawing attention away from discomfort at being cooped up again. Should it be handwaved or should we give a posting on what gets said? Either way works for me. ;)

Addressing to some previous stuff...

Pierce - Agent of the Sovereign wrote:

"I like the idea of that spell my dear, we should discuss its efficiencies further after this particular assignment of yours has come to an end".

"Gladly, Pierce; admittedly, that particular spell is beyond my own spiritual capacity as it stands currently but I am familiar with it. My holy brethren of the Silver Flame would commonly use that spell to alert any fellow priest of any pressing need to administer Silverburn for one of our faithful's last rites."

Pausing thoughtfully, Xetovia adds, "Of course, the Last War had much to do with the prolific advancement of spell-use, divine or otherwise- as an example... one such spell, Keep Watch, became a staple on the battlefield for us Thranes, especially when Warforged, like yourself and Tool-Box, took to the battlefield in mass.", giving a nod over to both Pierce's and Tool-Box's direction.

Pierce - Agent of the Sovereign wrote:

Assuming Xetovia passes along the information about the Theocracy of Thrane :-)

Pierce motions in what must pass for a shrug from a Warforged, "Perhaps, no doubt the strange nature of the Mournland has made such an endeavor more difficult than was originally anticipated. I shall be back tomorrow with any news I may discover".

Yep, she'll inform Pierce of that tidbit.

"The Cardinals of the Silver Flame collectively decided that it would be an excellent opportunity to gain much needed materials and supplies, even to possibly finding and rescuing any Thranish Prisoners of War," to say nothing of finding any escaped traitors in what was once Cyre... Xetovia silently amends her spoken words in thought.

"Then the whole question of what to do with Thaliost came up during the formation of what would now become the Treaty of Thronehold, which understandably occupied the Church's undivided attention from then on, so any further discussion of sending in any agents into the Mournland proper became moot; I suppose that internally the Church could've opened up that line of debate once again... but as far as I'm aware, it was never pursued, only the Silver Flame knows why."

Xetovia would, at some point, also ask Lady d'Vown about what she knows of the people whom she had first hired. AKA, the folks over in "Table 2" including the missing and the dead. ;)

Since there's still time (both in-game and meta-game), I may as well finish up on that "Defining Marriage" bit with Tool-Box.

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Eleventh Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

Pierce grins, "I'll give you directions then. I will also trail you all to ensure that none follow you".

Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Eleventh Day of Dravago - Dev's Workshop

The Vista View Fest Hall is located on one of the lower levels not a place the Lay would normally frequent but not a dangerous place either.

Once Lady d'Vown is ready, you all accompany her there.

The trip there is relatively short as Dev's shop is close enough to a lift that you can get to the next level down easily enough. Not much foot traffic in the evening also speeds the trip.

The Vista View Fest Hall

As the four of you approach the door, Pierce walks by and whispers, "You are clean, none have followed you". He then keeps right on heading in direction of another lift without stopping.

A worn but fairly bright sign the Vista-View Festhall looms before you.

The Front Door

CLICK ABOVE ^^^^^^ and describe yourselves entering the FestHall, Lady d'Vown will enter behind all of you.

Quick last post, so as not to mess up the other thread with dice rolls...

Chaotic Surge: 1d4 ⇒ 4

As they prepare to head out, Dev takes a moment to center himself, then exhales loudly as a flash of light manifests out from him, quickly coalescing into a tight layer of blue-tinted force-armor just on the outside of his clothes.

+2 to Manifester Level (so it's now ML 4) from the Surge and don't need to spend augmentation PP.
Spending 2 PP, four hours of +5 Armor bonus.

Enervation on a 25 or lower: 1d100 ⇒ 85
Not suffering from Psychic Enervation

May as well make some last minute posting on here for the events prior to The Front Door Meeting...

GM the Dragon Below wrote:

Lady d'Vown shrugs as Xetovia asks about the other group hired, "Another agent brought these seven to my attention, an eclectic group, ones as I understand it were mostly comprised of a set of Heroes from the Last War was well as a disaster relief in the crash of the Bloodcrier's Hammer airship disaster. A few half-elves, a half-orc, a Warforged and some other humans, one clearly suffering from long standing wounds.

They seemed eager and confident, if a bit wary of taking the job. I hope they are all well and carry out my request successfully".

K:Local for the Bloodcrier's Hammer airship disaster: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22.

Xetovia will have heard about that unfortunate fiery disaster. She might not have personally witnessed the airship crash but she would certainly know that the local branch of the Silver Flame Church was kept busy with the funerary rites for those faithful who had perished in that crash for weeks after. That and how a handful of heroes and rescuers had gotten their official commendation from the local Sharn authorities for their selfless, exemplary deeds. Of course, being so fairly late in the hour, Xetovia mistakenly conflates all of those awarded heroes as being one and the same with the entire group of seven that had gotten hired by the Lady.

Xetovia mulls over the information relayed to her by Lady d'Vown in regards to their expeditionary counterparts. A group of seven people, all heroes (selfless, humble, and true), possibly even other veterans of the Last War; Half-Elves, fellow Humans, another Warforged, and one Half-Orc. It will be interesting to finally meet up with them, Silver Flame willing.

SO ENDS THE FORGOTTEN FORGE

AND SO BEGINS THE QUEEN WITH BURNING EYES

Shopping list for the DM:

Belt of Dex +2 (4000 gp)
Pearl of power I x 2 (2000 gp)
Ring of sustenance (2500 gp)

Viorr checking in in this thread...

SO if the game is running in the discussion thread where is the discussion thread for table II?

Discussion is usually held in the recruitment thread (which I think was the same for table 1, wasn't it?)

Discussion is usually held in the recruitment thread (which I think was the same for table 1, wasn't it?)

Correct!