Whisper's eyes widen at being called a child, obviously offended but too polite or perhaps shy to say anything. Slowly she gives a small nod. "I'm sure" She mumbles in a tiny voice.
A puzzled frown appears on the half-elf's face.
"Oh. Maybe I misunderstood why Lady Vanderboren asked me here. Do you know if she's looking for kitchen help, parlour maids, general labourers -- that sort of thing...?"
Ithaniar walks into the room and examines those whom he assumes have also been summoned to the ladys aid, a pair of warforged (no match for a trained valenar), a human who doesnt feel quite right, a small child, and an elf tainted with human blood.
"Those maybe a fine jobs for half-breeds, children, and warforged who cant play soilder, but I am a warior born and won't stoop to that level."
Finn glares indignantly at the new arrival. He cannot honestly defend his lineage, but one remark sparks his ire:
"There is nothing dishonourable about earning an honest's day's pay for an honest day's work, sirrah -- whether you're a soldier or a scullery maid! But that was what I originally suspected: that Lady Vanderboren was looking for mercenaries."
He glances at the young girl doubtfully.
As the group waits four figures come from the arch way,the elderly halfing running behind them.As they get closer you can see a jaunty half elf in leather his chest cover in a dozen daggers of diffident sizes and shapes.A dark skinned drwaf in green and brown robes with a sour looking face,he clutches a spear.Behind him fallows a human woman in purple robes with s crest moon tattoo on one cheek. At her side walks a handsome human man dressed in fine cloths with a steel breast plate a bastard sword of fine make rests in a holder on his back.most of this group pays the gathered group no heed and move toward the door.The well dressed man seems to look the group over for a moment.
"Hmmmm.You must be the new help Lavinia's bringing in to do the chores.Best of luck to ya!"
With that he continues out the door.leaving the halfling alone with the group.
" Well now I am Kora whislegap Maton of this manor,If you will fallow me the Lady Vanderborn is ready to see you now."
With that she lead the group down the hall to the left,though the right of two doors into a room that displays many hunting trophies all well preserved by taxidermy.Great saber tooth cats ,razerclaws leopards,wolves and a great golden badger like best with 8 legs round out the room.though double doors in the back of the room the party is lead to a small dining hall.The room is comfortable and cozy softly lit by wall mounted lanterns.A window over looks the central courtyard and the carpet is thick and soft. A large portrait hangs on the wall,a fine work depicting a handsome young man with a short beard.
In front of the portrait stands an attractive human woman wearing a long,flowing blue dress. She smiles as the group enters.
"Please be seated" She motions to the table of food
I am Lavinia Vanderborn welcome to my home "
Ithiniar bows to the lady and sits at the far end of the table where he can watch the group.
It returns Forzakhad's greeting, "Good evening, sir" in a low, surprisingly soft voice.
When the party is shown to the dining room, It bows formally to Lady Vanderboren and takes a seat, though of course It does not eat.
"Thank you, milady. It is a pleasure to meet you; I've heard nothing but good things about you and your family."
Finn sits and looks hungrily at the food, patiently waiting until it's time to eat.
"Lady Lavinia. It is an honour and a pleasure to meet you."
Forzakhad
Though your searching and asking about you have found out a bit about the Vanderborns.They are old nobles in Sasserine old as the city itself. Also Lavinia is the oldest child.And news a bout a tragic fire a month ago that clamined the lives of Lavainia's parents Verik and Larissa Vanderborn still is easy to find.
"I'm not a child" The teenager mumbles to herself more than anyone else as she follows along behind the group, trying to work out why she'd been called here alongside such rude people. Sure she was short, and didn't carry herself with any confidence but the continual assumption she was a lot younger than she was was beginning to grate. The fact that a few of them would be quite cute if they weren't talking down to her so much just added a lot of salt to the wound.
Giving a tiny smile and bow of her head in greeting to Lady Vanderboren she moves around the room and quickly sits herself in a chair, her gaze kept fixed on the tabletop.
Guard follows the others to the dinning room, looking around the hallways and rooms, searching tapestries, paintings and the like.
As Lady Vanderborn greets her guests, Guard bows, speaking: "I have to thank you for your invitation." then taking a seat, somewhere around the middle of the table.
The Lady Vanderborn looks to the gathered group and gestures to the food
"Please enjoy the meal we have plenty to talk about after."
After every one that can it has and kora has removed many of the plates
The Lady Vanderborn turns back to the resone for the gathering
"As you may have heard I recently inherited my parents' estate.Along with this fine house,unfortunately,it came a fine amount of debt owed to the Dawn council,the harbor master, and quite a few guildhalls. It seems my parents, for all there success as adventures, were not as skilled in finance as one might expect.If I am to get these taxes paid I'll need to access my family's vault under castle Teraknian.
"And that's the problem you see.The vaults are magically locked-keyed to special signet rings.Both my parents had these rings,lest until recently.My mother lost hers a few months ago.She had arranged for a replacement ,but it won't be done for another month or so, to late for me. Which leaves my fathers ring.He never wore it-had a thing about men wearing jewelry.He kept it hidden somewhere on his ship the,the Blue Nixie.The problem there is the harbor master has seized the ship until some one has paid the last four months of shipping.I've paid my fines to the man the harbor master he put in charge of my ship,a brut named Soller Vark.
Yet when I went to clime my ship Vark's men wouldn't let me board ,claiming I had not yet paid my fines.I spoke to Vark again and he denied ever receiving my payment.My complaints to the harbor master have fallen on deaf ears-he's a doddering old fool who trusts his man and won't relent.
"Vark and his men are up to something on my ship, I know it.What I need is to find out what exactly they are up to.Unfortunately, Vark's not the type to react well to diplomacy or logic. I need someone who speaks his language..which is were you come in.If you can find out what he is up to on my ship,or better yet recover the money I paid him,I'll pay each of you 200 gold once I've access to my family vault."
Finn waits until everyone has been served (except for the warforged, of course), then tucks in with gusto.
--
After Lady Vanderboren finishes her request, Finn frowns with indignation.
"If this fellow Vark is as corrupt as you say and the law refuses to help, it would be my pleasure to show him the error of his ways. Even if he didn't receive your payment, at least you should be allowed on board the ship to make sure nothing has been taken. Did Mr Vark give you a receipt when you paid him?"
Looking slightly embarrassed by Finns question.Lavaina turns to him and says
"Well no it was foolish of me to not get one or have a witness but I do not have proof only my word."
"It has been on ships," It says simply.
Guard, not beeing served beforehand, now reaches out for a bunch of grapes, pulling one grape from the bunch, then slowly putting it in his mouth, appearantly trying to get the taste of it, while listening to the conversation going on.
He then speaks: "So we only would have your word, if we would take on the task?"
Looking to the large warforged she Blushes a bit
"Well,yes I can only give you my word I paid the taxes"
"I would like to help you, milady, but I am not interested in the money you offer. I would like to establish trade connections with my home town Quothnet on the continent of Sarlona. An enterprise that would be beneficial for both of us in the long run, as it would bring much needed materials for my people and give you sought after artwork and other results of our crafts in return. But I will need more than your word on that, an oath, with these as witnesses..." Forzakhad opens his arms to include the other guests. "... and their word to take you up on it, if you fail to deliver. A situation that would be to all our benefit. Everyone takes a risk, and everyone can come out wth more than they had before."
Finn doesn't quite know what to make of It's cryptic remark, but doggedly presses on, giving the Lady the benefit of the doubt for now.
"Still milady, you have the right to inventory the contents of the ship, including the ring if it is still there. If you cannot sort out the fees with the harbourmaster, at least you could bring in a jeweler to make a copy of it.
Captain Forzakhad, it sounds like finding the Lady's ring would be the first step before doing anything."
"No, Master Finn. Getting the ring is the part where we take the risk. Sure, I will help her to get it, but I want to secure a trade for my people first, and a good deal with that. One that will be profitable for both of us. Just in case we will succeed, but I won't make it out alive. It is the reason I was sent here, and I can't put my life in jeopardy without securing a trade for my folk first."
Lavinia takes in Captain Forzakhad's demands for a moment before she speaks.
"Captain Forzakhad, I am no merchant and without accesses to my family's vaults in all honesty will loss every thing that is my birthright.I can not promise you trade agreements,however the Vanderborn name is still well known here and if I can keep my parents home from the dept collectors it will stay in good standing.What I can offer you is my word that if you help me with this, I will do what I can to introduce you to people that can help with your trade agreements.
then she turns to Finn.
"Mr.Finn you have hit upon the heart of the issue.I am not allowed aboard my ship nor can the ring simply be copied by a jeweler if that was so my mothers ring would already be ready.I have tried reasoning with Mr Verk it goes no were. I have tried the harbor master it also went no where.I have no other course left to me so that is why I have gathered you here tonight."
GM:
It
Sense motive is it's own skill In the alpha 3 just go ahead and roll your sense motive check untrained..pretty much a wis roll and link it here.
GM:
It
Ya I normally do not roll for the players unless it would give something major away.It's how I game at home so I was doing it the same way here. so anyhow...Yeah your pretty sure she is telling you the truth.
"It believes Lady Vanderboren's word. It will help."
Forzakhad stands up and takes two deep breaths. As he begins to speak his words seem to reverbrate through the hall, as it is somehow, that these words shall be witnessed by those being in the room and those that are beyond.
"You all have witnessed her word. If your testimony may be required, I know that you will answer the truth, and tell the words as they were spoken at this table. I hereby declare this a case of King's Memory."
With these words spoken Forzakhad takes a seat again, and drinks from his glass of wine. He smiles afterwards to all in the room, but especially to Lady Lavinia. "I will now help you all gladly with all I can offer."
Finn blinks, nonplussed.
"Lady Vanderboren, I agree to help you gain access to the Blue Nixie. But if Mr Vark has convincing proof that you have not paid, I won't be any part of burglarizing the ship; you'll need to work that out with the harbourmaster.
We'll need a signed letter from you explaining that we're working on your behalf, of course."
Lavinia Vanderborn looks at the two men ,Her jaw tightens and in a controlled voice she says
"Captain Forzakhad, you have my word.Mr.Finn I do not ask you to start a fight or throw the first punch,Why would Verk start a fight if he is being honest,It is after all My ship!"
Silently Whisper sits, internally weighing up the reward against the possible risk of the nature and eventually drawn in by the notion of the amount of good she could do with that coin she gives a small nod.
"I'll look into it" Is all she says in a tiny voice.
One after another Guard has pulled the grapes from the bunch, examining their taste carefully, before getting to the next grape.
Listening to the conversation going on, he thinks, then getting up, bowing to Lady Vanderboren, speaking: "I will be of your service for regaining the ring from your ship, for the promised 200 gold to be payed after you have access to your families vault through gaining the ring."
"How many enemies do you have, milady? Maybe those guys, Vark and the harbourmaster, have been bribed to hinder your access to the money. Who could want you to be thrown out of the Guilds? Can someone else be after the ring? Or better who else knows of this signet ring?"
"Thank you guard and Ms.whisper.Captain Forzakhad, I have no enemy's that I know of nor am I a member of a guild.My parents owed dept and I am responsible for those depts.As for the rings all noble family's have a set to there own vault,so other nobles or people having dealing with the vaults would know.And I know not why Verk has taken my money and not reported it ,the brut refuses to speak with me!"
Finn stands up.
"I look forward to talking to this Mr Vark. Milady, if you would write us a note explaining that we're working for you, then we could be off immediately."
The lady vanderborn retrieves an object form the mantle and hands it to Finn
"Of course Mr.Finn,this letter proves you are under my employ.I would ask however that you do not cause undo bloodshed." She sets her jaw into a stern look "How ever if it comes to such I shall take care of any legal issue, taking responsibility if it comes to that."
It is ready to go plan.
After taking his seat again, Guard decides that he doesn't like the taste of the grapes and pushes the bunch back at the table.
"Anything else? Or shall we be on the way? Or do we meet at the docks?
I'd like to get some... diplomatic tools." he asks.
As the dinner wraps up the party is shown out by Kora.The warm evening air sweeps across Sasserine ,as often happens in late Dravago.The rings of Siberys is clear far to the south and a few moons have risen in the evening sky.Smells of the sea is strong in the area and people still are common on the streets even as the watch move to light street lamps in the street and the sun close to the sea in the west.
Whisper, as her name implies, is quiet, very quiet. She only talks if spoken to during the meal and waits patiently for the others to make plans over what to do.
"It believes the group should look at the docks and the ship. Perhaps It and Guard are too conspicuous. Perhaps Whisper should observe."
Finn shakes his head.
"I think we should confront Mr Verk head on. We're within our rights to inspect the ship on Lady Vanderboren's behalf. If he doesn't like it, he can go take a flying leap into the harbour.
I will meet you down at the docks; I also have some items I need to pick up as well."
Finn returns to the boarding house he's staying in and retrieves his weapons and then heads down to the docks and waits for the others to arrive.
The evening grows late as the group find themselves at the pier.The sun rides low to the west and lanterns can be seen around the pier and on most ships. The Blue Nixie however,is not where she should be. The ship lays more then 100ft[30.5 meters]off the pier,moored in the deep water of the bay. A few figures can be made out on the ship,yet she has very little light even as the day grows short.
Forzakhad waits for the others to arrive and suggests, "We could use a rowing boat from my ship to reach the Blue Nixie."
Forzakhad waits for the others to arrive and suggests, "We could use a rowing boat from my ship to reach the Blue Nixie."
"That will serve," It observes.
"Or me and It could simply walk to the ship. But that's probably not the best of Ideas." Guard mentiones, his heavy flail resting on his shoulder.
"Finally a good use for the warforged on this trip, lets let them walk over and try to be stealthy enough to get the ring and get out without alerting the entire harbor."