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CHAPTER 1
Okay, the City of Phaeselis is a large town dedicated to psionics, and fortunately, you've all come here to get a start. It's a rainy day, but that doesn't stop you from noticing the poster that is around the city.
The poster says:
WANTED!
DEAD OR ALIVE
Sarnosalas
Dark Elf Thief and Mindbender (telepath)
Extremely dangerous!
1,000 GP award from House Rama.
Urollain has been looking at the poster for over and hour, hes at a loss as to what to do. He has a massage for one Dark Elf Sarnosalas a Thief and Mindbender (telepath) sub note can be Extremely dangerous, end note. He has no idea what the massage was, he would not until he identified said Dark Elf Sarnosalas, when he did he he would say the message and then forget it. Like he has 100s before. That was not problem, the problem was some one had paid for a message to be give to Dark Elf Sarnosalas and he was no where to be found. He had looked and asked around, small bard had sent him here to this poster. It seemed that master Dark Elf Sarnosalas was a wonted Darkelf, and more that likely did not want to be found. In all his years of being a Messenger he had never had this happen. He had not moved, he just looked at the poster at a loss as to what to do.
The small human like living statue stands in a simple rob, sandals and staff. His face dos not change, as if it was caved from marble. Around his neck on a simple sliver chain, is the symbol of Ἑρμῆς god of messages.
Khalkeus first stopped to consider the oddly placed statue before he noticed that not only was the statue not a statue at all but also the poster he was engrossed in. Looking back and forth fr the poster to the Man he asks
Is there something more to this poster than it seems?
Not waiting for a reply he casts detect psionics, releasing the small statue of a wolf he had been holding allowing it to dissipate back to ectoplasm, and studies the poster intently.
I must applaud your dedication the the aesthetic. My tastes in such things have always tended toward art as opposed to fashion but it is striking none the less.
Khalkeus is a middle aged man who is immidiatly recognizable as an Elan to anyone famillir with the race. He does not however conform to the appearance of any onther Élan you have met. His age is perhaps the first thing to be noted though his brown hair color and blue eyes are close behind as oddities in a city's community of auburn haired Geen eyed Elans.
Urollain turns his head and for a movement looks Khalkeus then his marble face smiles.
"Arr Brother, It is good to meet you, and well meet this day. Than you for your complement, but it was bot of my doing, all we messenger take on the mask as part of the rite. It is so other known when we have been tasked with a massage as I am now. But I should tell you me name Brother of the body true. HexQin the Messenger for that is what I am. A Messenger, one that has been tasked and it is by Hermes will this day that we should meet. Blessed be the god of luck. You see there is in deed something to this poster. The words, I am at a loss as to what to do. As I say I am a Messenger and the personage named in this poster is one I have been tasked to give a massage to. But if one reads the text, one can deduce my problem. I can't find him and now I find this is because he is a wanted Elf. One would conclude his is in hiding, So my problem. How to find and elf who dos not wish to be found and give them the message. This is what I have been thinking about for a wile now."
In all this his voice is like stone, flat and even, his mouth dos not move, yet there is sound. The
Well I may not have a message for this fellow but I would be glad to help track him down with you for a share in the reward. I assume you would be willing to help me bring him to justice after you have delivered your message.
Assuming I find nothing interesting on the post from the detect psionics I drop the manifestation and put up Empathy to see if how Urollain here feels about the possibility of abducting if not killing one oh his clients after his message is delivered.
We may not be able to find him on our own but I bet there would be others willing to pitch in for a share of the reward. In a City like this there are always people looking for work. What do you say?
I offer my hand.
I try to think of a place near by where HexQin and I might find a few others to help us out or get a start on tracking down Sarnosalas.
"That is a excellent idea, yes I would like that very much, do you think would could find others to help, I am not really interested in the reword."
A striking ethereal figure draped in a white cloak with gold trim, Sivannalendil stands quietly reading the wanted poster. The rain falls around her, the fabric of her cloak keeping the rain off her body, the puddles of water pleasant to her bare feet.
Whoever had put these posters up had made sure they’d survive a rainy day, meaning that the desire to see this Sarnosalas taken down was serious. A thousand gold was nothing to ignore, even split amongst a couple of people, and in the taverns she’d heard quite a few people talking about trying their luck taking the target down. A mind bender was a dangerous person to go after, fortunately the thought of danger only added excitement to the prospect for her.
Nodding to herself she resolved to start her hunt for this dark elf telepath and test her mettle.
Seeing the The woman Urollain truns to her, and says in a flat stone like voice.
"Lady, me and my brother of the body true here, seek help in hunting the subject of the poster you are looking at, would you be willing to offer such help by joining us in our surch, a equale share of coin I think is in order"
Looking down at the man addressing her Sivannalendil’s eyebrow arches slightly at the sight of not one, but two Elans. She was unsure which was more startling, the perfect statuesque form of the one speaking with her or the unusualness of an older Elan.
”You’re looking for this man as well? I’ll help you, I am curious though as to what he’s done. Any idea?”
He looks up at the elegantly dressed elf maid.
"That is good and thank you for your help, it says he's a theft but of what I know not. I would surmise more than that for a price to be on his head or he stole something most valuable. My I ask what you would like me to call you Elf, Elf sounds some what rude."
";That's probably because it would be pretty rude." the woman says with a smile. "My name is Sivannalendil, a pleasure to meet you"
She extends a hand, adorned only by a few silver bracelets and white wrappings on her forearm.
Takes her hand in his, his hand looks like stone but its slightly warm to the touch.
"That was my thinking Sivannalendil. May I introduce you to my companion Khalkeús, we have just meet and also agreed to hunt this dark elf. Our number is now three, I feel more may be needed but three is a good start. I am a messenger, that is my trade, I have some skills out side of that, and can use my weapons if needed. I have killed before in the line of work. Protecting myself from men or sort my message. I should say I myself do not know the message a Carry so it was pointless of them to try, but try they did."
The small 5'4' Statue like Eden stands not mining the rain.
Pleased to meet you Sivannalendil
He extends his hand to Silvannalendil.
As HexQuin mentioned my name is Khalkeus. I am a Sculptor and student of the Way and the Will. "Many hands make light work." is a phase I tend to live by these days. Your question is a good one Sivannalendil. We may find more than just the why from a from the people of House Rama. Knowing about the crime and possibly the criminal will likely help us track him down.
I think I have had quite enough of standing in the rain.
Khalkeus releases Empathy and gains his Psionic Focus. He manifests Ectoplasmis creation to create an umbrella that looks like a palm tree with the leaves interwoven to provide protection from the rain.
Shall we head towards House Rama? I am sure we will have time to chat on the way. If we are lucky there might even be a place to stop and grab something warm to eat on the way.
. . . after a moment realizing it might be rude not to offer he proffers his tree to his compatriots . . .
Would anyone else like some shelter from the rain?
"I am fine thank you Brother, yes going to House Rama sounds like a good idea." moves away from the poster and looks ready to go.
"I happen to enjoy the rain, but thank you for the offer," Sivannalendil replies, falling into step between the Elan men.
Grimir wonder what Phaeselis Will bring decides to wander about town. He notices the wanted poster at a distance and the people standing around it. Hmm that looks interesting I wonder what it says that has those folks gathering He wanders over to read the poster himself. Hearing their discussion. Joins in, hmmm if this man is wanted i too would be interested in finding him, I am Grimir DarkHeart. bowing his head. Someplace drier would be preferable.
"The fates have acted Grimir DarkHeart,and we are now four. I am HexQin the Messenger, this elegant elf maid is Sivannalendll, and this is Khalkeus the sculpture. We are just on our way to a place to sit and talk out of this storm, it seems Zeus is have an argument with his wife again, let us go and funded shelter until their disagreement is over. "
Starts to walk to the house they seek.
Nodding at HexQin, and at each other person as he names them Greetings, yes lets find shelter. looking at Palm tree umbrella. That would definitely be nice trick to know on these occasions.
Greetings Grimir. Let me offer you some temporary shelter now. It will only last through the hour but it should be enough for us to find something more permanent
Khalkeus manifests another Palm Tree umbrella.
Thank you Khalkeus... Saying the name as if hoping he got right
Pelagios frowned as he stomped through the rainy city. It had been a long day so far, with several rather dull clients coming through the family shop already--none of which seemed to appreciate the pure artisanship that was simply geometry. He growled to himself as he skimmed the area around him, hoping to find a better use for his skills than simply inking up the bored and the hopeless.
Seeing a small group gathered around a poster, Pelagios pushed his way in rather rudely to read it before addressing the group brusquely "Hah! Got a bounty notice there? Might be you need another t' help with it? Better use a' my time than anythin' else around here." As he speaks, the tattoos that cover almost every inch of his skin seem to shift a little, slowly changing into different fractal patterns as the lightning clashes overhead. "Or might be y' already have set to deal with that, eh? In which case, I'll be gett'n my own copy soon enough, and y'll have more competition than ye'd like, perhaps."
Urollain turned his stone like face to the newcomer.
"The fates have added one more to our band, Well meet sir, no need to be competition, our ranks shall fit one more with ease."
He points to himself
"I am HexQin the messenger, this is Grimir, this elegant elf maid is Sivannalendll, and this is Khalkeus the sculpture. We head towards House of Rama, the to find out more and go to the fry"
He sets off,
As they walk he talks, he face unmoving, hes skin and body as hard and solid as marble.
"For our band I propose this, please feel free to interject. In our greek way, our band will be a democracy, all will have a vote and equal say on group actions. I propose our band have rule of equal share for all members, in both rewards and fates gifts found. Dos that sit well with your thoughts."
"That works fine for me." Sivannalendil replies with a smile. "It may be useful to have an idea of what we are all capable of going forward."
HexQin walks along and nods.
"In my calling as a messenger I have a number of skills Sivannalendil. I know some feat of arms such as the staff and dagger, and like my brother here, I do not eat of sleep as such, so we can look over you wile you do. I can if needs be..
He stops and looks around spotting in small Bird in a tree taking shelter from the rain. He looks at it moment and then, quit dead it falls out the tree on to the wet ground, a stray cat spots it at once and dashing over runs off with its manner from the gods meal. He looks at it go and turns back.
"Kill with a thought, weaker minds than my own"
He starts moving again.
"Then sometimes when delivering a message I must change the way I look"
The morbale Eden HexQin seems to flow and change, getting smaller until walking with you is a young human girl child of 8 or 10, vibrant in color skipping on the wet street, then she shifts back again and once more its HexQin walking with you.
"I feel such skills will have use in our task, but I don't think killing Birds and a dagger will keep us safe, So what of you others"
Khalkeus nods encouragingly to Grimir. Turning to Pelagios.
Well met Pelagios. I am sure we will have competition enough without creating new. Your skills will be most welcome.
Following HexQuin
Equal shares and equal votes is a fine arrangement.
Turning to Sivannalendil.
For this kind of endeavor I am a psion from Academy of the Will and the Way. I shape constructs to deal with trouble. My ectoplasmic friends help to control the field, and keep between me and any threat, though they don't last long their tooth and claw are sharp.
Beyond that I know something of the city, her people, and their powers as I spent some time here trying to ferret out old secrets when not studying. I am no bard of course but perhaps it will be of some help.
Sivannalendil's eyes widen slightly as the bird falls dead. "That is certainly...impressive. My main skills lie in combat, stealth and the ability to strike swiftly. Should our subject present substantial resistance I will bring these skills to bear. I do not carry weapons mainly because I can create my own from the energy of my mind and soul."
@Khalkeús
"Brother you have a rare gift indeed, Athena herself must have blest you to from such wonders, and so aesthetically true to life."
@Sivannalendil
"Are you use the blade of the mind, that is a most gifted thing. Stealth as well, we will need that to catch a thief, I am sorry to say I am not so good at such things."
As we approach the Nobles District I manifest conceal thoughts and then regather my psionic focus. I will refresh the power as needed now that we are pursuing a telepath.
I can offer some limited protection from mental intrusion to any who may wish it.
Whoever we choose to be our primary spokes person with House Rama will likely need this protection most. My abilities here are limited and I can not shelter more than one mind with out some cost.
As the others introduce themselves, Pelagios briefly manages as "Pelagios o' th' Inkskins" as he scuttles alongside the others. He mutters some additional facts about stealth, golden triangles, and cosmic patterns as he goes. Nodding subtly as Khalkeús mentions his mental protection, Pelagios focuses on the particular mental patterns expressed by all elves and his tattoos coalesce into a new pattern just above his right eyebrow.
Rejoining the conversation, he comments "I ken defend m' mind reasonably well, if it comes t' it. Might be yer best focused on others f'r now."
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From what they could see, the rain continued, but it started to slow down. The storm, it seems, was going into a moderate speed of rain fall. Thunder rumbled across the sky. The sky was still dark, and people were still running about, in the rain. You hear a guy yelling at a bunch of people to leave him alone.
"For all that is holy, LEAVE ME ALONE!"
The crowd of 25 or so says, "ALL HAIL THE GREAT ONE!"
"I told you over and over again, you all have to think for yourselves! How can I put this well? Why don't you just go find someone to plow?."
"Who should we plow, my Lord?" they say. They follow the man around, not giving him a moment's peace.
"Oh, just go plow yourselves."
"THE GREAT ONE HAS SPOKEN, WE GO PLOW OURSELVES!", the crowd says, and they head to one of the gates in order to start farms.
Sivannalendil's eyes flash as she summons her own psionic focus, watching the odd disturbance. "Strange, but then strange is normal in this city. I would suggest Urollain serve as spokesperson since having a message to deliver is a legitimate reason to be seeking this man out."
"Arr I have seen that before, they say that some with gifts of the mind can usher others to follow them, like sheep no less. I meet a stoic once, he lived naked in a barrel, swearing the world was an illusion and forgoing all propriety and worldly things. That poor soul had a number of followers, who would shower him with gifts, wile on he part he would throw stones at all day to make them go away. But try as he might, they just collected the stones as holly, no idea why or how it was so."
He chucked to him self in a stony voice.
Ah Smiles Grimir, Another Shapeshifter
Change to the exact likeness of Urollain (except clothing) then back to himself
Me I am a follower of Hades, I have been taught the ways of delivering his enemies souls directly to him.
Looking at Khalkeus I was told the people of this city can trick your mind and would not turn down any protections against such trickery.
@Grimir
"Yes but only to a few forms, ones that help me in my task, that is all. I can't look like any particular subject like yourself, I can only become generics of a type and most small in form, your gift seems much grater than mine Grimir"
@Sivannalendil
"If the others agree then I will of course act as such, but I am not very good at influencing others with intimidations, maybe another would be best at undertaking that if and when needed."
He walks on looking up at the sky from time to time.
Not really a gift, everyone where I come from can do it, tho it is useful when looking for people some times. looking a bit sad as he remembers home and the death of his parents
"That must be a most interesting place to live Grimir, arr here we are"
HexQin stops next to a small eating house, there are out door benches and a roof that extends over a patio.
"I think there will be less wind inside, and the food in here I am told is the most fresh. The humass is good and they have gout soup."
He ducks under the grape vines that hang from the out door roof and heads in to a bench.
"We can wait here a wile and let the storm pass before heading on if you like"
Pelagios grunts as the others talk, mentally filing away tidbits of information about each of his compatriots. He follows HexQin into the restaurant without ducking, and shakes his head in a doglike fashion once inside in a (mostly) vain attempt to rid his beard and hair of the accumulated water from the storm. Muttering something about needing a new hood, he joins HexQin at the bench and squints at the stony telepath. As the others (presumably) sit, he stays silent except to order some wine. As he drinks, he studies the group. After everyone who appears to be planning to settle on or near the bench has cones so, he comments. "I'm a follower of the teachin's of ClothWeaver th' Inkskinned m'self. Wouldna expect the lot of ye t' recognize th' name." With that, he falls silent again, and returns to examining the others.
Sorry My new found friend, I must say I have not heard of him, tho would be happy to hear of him to Pelagios
Jarred was right this does seem to be a city of interesting people, no wonder he always wanted to come here
Grimir looks at the person A place to stay sounds nice....but I must ask who are you and why would you offer this to complete strangers?
Pelagios grunts at Grimir's response, and turns to look at the new speaker as he approaches. "Aye, what're y' want'n from us?"
I thought we would enjoy a meal here before continuing on our way actually.
I manfest empathy and focus on the new comer.
"A meal would be welcome, and if we determine it is necessary later, then perhaps lodging as well." Sivannalendil responds.