Ryn takes the road to Kaer Maga in stride, wondering what kind of person would choose to line the way to their city with cowering giant skeletons... likely more Runelord megalomania.
To Ryn she says, "Sooo... what's our first move? I guess we'll need a place to stay. Then we just... follow the impulses from the fragments, I suppose?"
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. We definitely want to fid somewhere to stay first, but the shards have done a pretty good job leading us to where we need to be so far." she replies.
Upon Trendon's advice about the local crime rate, Ryn makes a point of meeting the eyes of anyone that approaches the group, the unspoken warning held within her steely gaze, unmistakably clear.
Ulfr walks near the back of the group, comfortably putting their other members in between the two strong-people of the group.
Reaching the city safely but in a bad part of town Saersha nodded in understanding of the dangers and stayed as close to the middle of the groups as possible. She wasn't the most observant so she was very much expecting Embyr to help keep an eye out for trouble.
"I would jokingly say you ladies keep between me and Ulfr... but who are we kidding most of you I expect to keep my whole."
He let his eyes wander over all the lovely girls in their party... not so much to be a lecher after all he had seen them in far less clothing than they had on now to his chagrin but because he wanted it to be seen that he was keeping the closest of eyes on them... So the thieves would be wary.
Also well the curves on some of those girls was hard to not appreciate.
Embyr sticks close to Saersha, letting her hood fall and expose her adorable yellow cat ears through her hair. Her tail wraps around Saersha's waist as they move.
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As the party treks through the Warren, shifty eyes of all sorts are on them. Some of them belong to children, lean and hungry-eyed; others to ratfolk, catfolk, and stranger-looking folk. But between Ulfr and Ryn's challenging glares, the lot of them know better than to try their luck, lest their dice come up snakes.
The Warren soon gives way to a different riot of sound and colour; all around the party are the raucous yelling of merchants, the grindingly-inane chatter of customers, and the myriad of brightly-coloured tents, stalls and wagons that make up the Downmarket district of Kaer Maga. Here, orc tribesmen, scarred, green and proud, hawk wicked-looking knives and axes taken from a hundred battlefields; there, spindly men with fingers like bony stilettos pluck scrolls of esoteric lore from stacks and exchange them for shiny gold coins with passersby. Between them all are folk of countless walks of life, rubbing shoulders and occasionally meeting in brief, yet frantic periods of activity.
The long, one-story building that calls itself The Velvet Elysian Post is situated on the main thoroughfare of the marketplace, its facade a soft blue that seems to defy all attempts at smudging from dirt, mud and vandalism. Stepping through the elaborately-carved oaken doors causes the clamour of the outside world to mute itself, replaced by the soft, melodic tinkling of piano keys. The reception area of the Post is simply decorated--yet the subtle gold finishes on the edges of the main counter, the polished hardwood flooring and the plush silk of the elaborate green-gold carpet beneath the group's feet betray its true opulence.
Bolgar whistles in appreciation, his sons following suit. "My heavens... this is quite a fancy little inn, is it not?"
"if you will give me but a moment."
He began to the merchants.. and his new friends. He looked about for the manager/pwner of the place and put on his best smile.
"Greetings and salutations friend. Pleased to meet you. I am Trendon Derexhi... of house Derexhi here in town to check on a few of the family holdings. I have a retinue of guards here and desire a few fine rooms for hmm at least a week. A merchant friend of mine is here with his sons and needs a room for 3."
He pulled out a 3 golden coins and slid them forward.
"for your troubles if it pleases you."
Behind the reception counter is an older-looking woman dressed in soft blue robes, her pale complexion complimented by her stringy brown-grey hair. The receptionist smiles--her teeth a shining white--and takes the offered gold coins. "For a Derexhi? I'm certain our accommodations will be more than adequate." Her blue eyes shine with a vibrancy and life that doesn't quite match the rest of her.
She taps a small bell on the counter, ringing it twice. The sound of metal-clad footsteps emerges from the room behind her, and soon two figures clad in shining mail and closed helms step into the reception hall.
"Gentlemen, please escort these three--" She indicates Bolgar and his two sons. "--to our Mercantile Suite. And mind their luggage, if you will."
The mail-clad figures bow and approach the merchant to assist him with his baggage.
"Now, as for Master Derexhi..." Her eyes flash as she emerges from behind the counter, her footsteps sounding like the swishing of a broom. "...follow me, please."
He smiled and offered the appropriate inclination of the head turning to his companions and making a come along motion with his hands. He stepped closer to Saersha and leaned in to appear to whisper something to her.
"Just a little show... let those eyes think this is nothing more and a lovers trip or the like."
He began kissing her cheek and taking her hand. He followed the lady and a bit louder but not too much louder exclaimed.
"Just you wait my dear... all those sights I told you about will be yours to view tomorrow. All the shops at our disposal. I hope this vacation ease your heart."
He began extravagently trying to make their business be nothing more than a mundane nobles sluming it vacation.
Saersha was glad when they reached their destination and was only slightly surprised when Trendon kissed her. It didn't last long though ass he heard what he said. In her most vapid tone of voice she said, "Oh I can't wait to see everything darling. I am sure any vacation with you would be just what I needed." She took his hand and said, "Lead the way darling."
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Ulfr looks every bit the disinterested slab of walking violence he usually does, only he tends to cross his arms here. As a result he regularly looks like he can punch a bear into next week. He shadows the pair as they move off. Wouldn't want the happy couple to get accosted (or approached or even looked at) on their vacation, after all.
The aged receptionist leads the group down the building’s seemingly-singular corridor, passing Bolgar’s family as they get settled in to Room 19.
At the end of the corridor is a door marked Room 31: beyond it is a luxurious common room with multiple beds inside. A desk and chair sits against the far wall beneath a painting of a scantily clad female angel, her fair skin and blonde hair shining with celestial brilliance. Her blazing blue eyes glare down at a slain devil beneath her feet.
”Master Derexhi, I trust these facilities are to your liking? The bathing chambers are down the hall, as they’ve always been.”
"Wonderful. Do you still serve private dinners? I would order one for the night here, if it pleases you."
He handed the receptionist ten gold coin for leading them here and he made his way to the master room and smiled back at Saersha with a wink. He waited of course for the receptionist to make her way out before he said more. After all theirs was a private business.
"A shame it will be necessary in case of intrustion from the staff that i take the master bedroom. I suppose i could sleep on the floor instead of the bed with you and your lovely pet... seems a shame though it is such a large bed now isnt it?"
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Azura moves her things into the room, then gazes up at the painting for a while. ”Bit of a resemblance.”
Finally she shakes off her artistic gaze and goes to talk to the merchants shouting helping them with hiring guards on the morrow, before returning.
”Well, Master Derexhi, what’s next?”
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"Heh...definitely." Ryn says with a small smile as she gazes up at the triumphant angel, before beginning to set aside their gear.
"Uh.. orgy... no i kid. i've no desire to be cast aside so soon in this endevor. I gather we could go down to a common drinking parlor and begin to investigate strange disturbances in the city. From what i read, the previous holder of the sihedion shard could perhaps contentrate on the location of the next one. . . Or we could rest up and start fresh on the morrow. I was instructed by our venture captain to aid you not lead you. This is you folks party not mine."
He said with a wry smile.
Azura is about to respond to “orgy” but Trendon moves on too quickly, so she listens instead.
”I think a fresh start in the morning is a capital idea. Is this all open-plan room or did I miss a side room?” she asks. ”And I wouldn’t dream of moving forward on this quest without your participation. We assuredly have many challenges still ahead.”
”Also, who’s hitting the bath? I might be a while so I don’t want to make people wait.”
As they were led to the rooms Saersha looked at the painting in interest, particularly when Azura mentioned it having quite a resemblance. She couldn't help but wonder if that angel was related to her in some way.
Saesha followed Trendon into the master bedroom and listened to his reasoning. She had no issue with sharing the room and giggled when he offered to sleep on the floor. She approached Embyr and embraced her from behind, running her hands along her maid's stomach as she pressed close against her back and spoke softly into her ear, "What do you think My Pet? Should we let him share our bed with us?"
"I agree," Saersha said, "A fresh start in the morning makes the most sense to me." She stretched and then added, "A chance to relax after that trek is most welcome."
Saersha's embrace seems to have derailed Embyr's train of thought. "I wouldn't object, Mistress."
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"Wonderful. Do you still serve private dinners? I would order one for the night here, if it pleases you."
"Just say the word, Master Derexhi, and the Post shall provide." The receptionist says with a twinkle in her eye.
"I'll be sure to let the kitchens know that Tamaya's got an order up for them, eh?"
"You're as much a part of this party as any of us Trendon, we're all facing the same dangers, and watching each others' backs. Don't think for one moment that bonds formed over time while you were elsewhere brand you an outsider... far from it. You're a part of our circle." Ryn says directly to Trendon, reading his expression and body language.
At Azura's mention of a bath she smiles, running her fingers through her thick black hair to shake it out. "You know I'm ready whenever you are, just a matter of if anyone else wants to go first." she says with a coy smile.
Embyr listens before turning to Saersha.
"Mistress? Shall we go first?" She asks with a coy smile before leaning in.
Saersha gave her Pet a smile as she asked if they should go first and then leaned into her with that coy smile the wizardess had learned to enjoy. As Embyr spoke to her softly Saersha's hands slid around the woman's body and pulled her close for a moment, one hand going to find and stroke the tail as she repsponded, "Yes Kitten, let's do so."
Embyr giggles as Saersha's hand strokes her tail and practically drags the mage out of the room...
...maybe it has something to do with that strange violet glow that came from her eyes by the time you were done.
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Quite a bit of time passes as the party gets settled in, with some taking the opportunity to assist Mr. Grumm in finding suitable hired help for his merchandise and others seeing to the more pertinent concern of discovering the whereabouts of the next Sihedron Shard.
Those of the party who set out into the streets of Kaer Maga find the surrounding streets to be packed full of all manner of strange people, each of them going about their business with barely even a glance around at the oddities surrounding them. Before they go too far, they notice a familiar pair of faces amidst the crowd...
...a dark-skinned elven woman dressed in tightly-bound white martial arts robes and an albino, blue-eyed young man carrying a greataxe with several lute strings stretching along its length, walking through the crowds with worried looks on their faces.
With her height, Ryn often looked over the majority of any crowd she was in, and as a result, she was the first to notice the familiar pair. "Oh look it's...Nyxra was it? Yeah I think so...from the art session with your dad!" she says, grasping Azura's arm and gesturing toward the pair in the crowd.
Azura pauses and takes a moment to realize who Ryn is pointing out. "Oh right! I remember now! Huh, what a coincidence, running into them all the way out here. Maybe if they've been in town a while they can give us some pointers!" says Azura.
Rather disapointed his night didnt end in some epic orgy he nodded when they pointed out folk they knew. He looked them over and shrugged. The dark skinned elf was .. gorgeous the albino... well not his type really.
"Shall we invite them for dinner to our rooms? do you think they have insight into our quest here?"
Ulfr's right eyebrow raises in curiosity. No matter why they're here, I bet they have quite the story to tell.
"True. Any insight into how things are around here would be helpful." Ryn replies, leading the group over toward the duo.
Azura waves and gives a shout toward Nyxra. "Hey!" she calls to the dark elf. Slipping through the crowds, she moves to intercept the pair with Ryn alongside.
"What brings you to Kaer Maga?" she says as she comes close. "Funny crossing paths! Been here long?"
Nyxra's eyes blink and a large grin breaks out on her face as the group approaches. She grabs Mach's sleeve and points them out.
"Hey there!"
The albino tiefling stumbles in his haste to face the party. "Oh, uh--we've been here for a while, now. Pretty crazy place, huh?" He adds, his face breaking into a grin.
"I mean, nobody even looks twice at me--still not sure whether to feel relieved or insulted by that."
Be relieved. Ulfr chuckles. I think getting noticed is generally bad around here. What are you guys doing here anyway? Business?
"Eh..." Mach winces at the mention of 'business'. "...kinda."
"What he means to say is that Terisha dragged us here to look for a different Sihedron shard than the one of Lust." Nyxra frowns, wrinkling her nose. "She figured you'd all be too busy plowing each other senseless, so she could get a headstart on the one she 'liked'--" The elven woman's fingers rise up to make quotation marks. "--and come back for that one later."
Mach's face falls. "Dani and Kivrek tried to talk her out of it, but she and Darian wouldn't be swayed. They thought they found a lead, so they chased it down... but, well..."
"...they've disappeared." Nyxra sighs. "Almost a shame--I swear, Darian was more bearable than Terisha, and the guy practically radiated bad news."
"How did you get a lead on another shard?" says Azura curiously. "That kind of information isn't always easy to come by! Lots of rumors and speculation in the field, always a challenge to parse out the truth."
She waves a hand and adds, "... but really I suppose that's an aside to the fact that Dani and Kivrek are missing. Where did you last see them? This city is full of perils, or so I hear, obviously they need to be found before something bad happens."
"Oh? I suppose she wasnt aware that not all of us are.. plowing one another.... are you availible for that or are you spoken for?
He asked the dark elf with a winning smirk and a wink as he nodded torwads the albino teifling indicating he was refering to mach as whom he mentioned in the spoken for part...
Saersha was a bit surprised at the two they had stumbled into even if she wasn't quite able to remember who they were. Peons were well beneath her notice most of the time so she didn't think it was all bad. When she heard them mention the lust shard she now carried in it's special container she was a bit angry they had tried to claim it but ultimately laughed instead and said, "The reason we are under control is because I have it under control. I am the last heir to Sorshen after all and carry her blood in my veins. None other than myself could hope to control it's power excepting Sorshen herself if she still lives as I now suspect."
"Besides, of us can balance work and play pretty well." Ryn says with a knowing grin. "Ut yeah, do you have any leads on where they disappeared?"
"Oh? I suppose she wasn't aware that not all of us are.. plowing one another.... are you available for that or are you spoken for?"
Nyxra's response is a snicker. "Well, aren't you a direct one?"
Mach cringes for a moment. "Nyxra, I don't think he--"
"Honestly, it's refreshing. Getting right to the point and not dithering about." She continues, shrugging. "Sure. We're not exclusive."
The albino tiefling flushes pink for a bit, pointedly looking away.
"The reason we are under control is because I have it under control. I am the last heir to Sorshen after all and carry her blood in my veins. None other than myself could hope to control it's power excepting Sorshen herself if she still lives as I now suspect."
The elf and tiefling exchange looks before looking at Saersha.
"...uh huh. Sure." Mach nods, an eyebrow skeptically raised.
"As to how we came by this info--Kivrek had a few divining spells to his name. Took him a while, but his greed magic pulled through for us." The pretty tiefling boy continues. "Led us to Kaer Maga's Augurs--and the Therassic Spire."
"The Spire's a library of magic and esoterica from all across the world." Nyxra starts pacing back and forth, her eyes still on the party. "Really big, really exclusive. Dani knew getting inside would have been a lot easier with the Augurs' help, but..." She winces. "...well..."
"...they hit a snag. The Augurs have gone on strike for some reason--something about a feud with the Ardoc family?" Mach scratches his head. "I didn't get too many details. Terisha and Darian refused to wait until the situation resolved itself--or even to help. They tried to get into the Spire on their own."
"That was the last we heard of all four of them." Nyxra sighs.
So they got hasty and tried poking about where they shouldn't. Color me surprised. Ulfr sighs. I wonder if we could just ask around the Spire?
"Might have better results than trying to sneak into a library that been secure for gods know how many centuries and likely has high level magical protections." Ryn says wryly.
"Trendon, you've got connections here...ever heard of the Ardoc family?"
He was distracted by the pretty dark elf and what seemed to be her tiefling beau. That he wasn't fully engaged in the problem at hand...
"Don't worry friend... We can both partake."
He winked at Nyxra before running through the missing team and how to deal with that...
Mach's cheeks turn pink and he pointedly looks away--only to accidentally glance at Saersha & Embyr and turn red.
Nyxra snickers.
They also have a dim view of women--Ardoc women are given less status and power than Ardoc men.